Guide for participants
Paid research studies: ten platforms compared
Ten platforms that pay people to take part in research: interviews, usability tests, surveys and focus groups. Everything here comes from each platform's own help pages and terms, checked in October 2026. Each platform's page links the pages we used.
Before you sign up anywhere: real research platforms never ask you to pay, never ask for your bank login, and pay through the platform. Read how to spot a fake study.
Compare at a glance
| Platform | Good for | Pay (as stated) | Paid via | How fast | Minimum cash-out | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respondent | Professionals and consumers who want paid interviews and focus groups | $40–150 per remote interview; $5–25 per short task | Tremendous gift card or virtual Visa (USD) | 7–10 business days after the researcher confirms | None | Many countries; sign-up in English |
| User Interviews | Browsing open studies and applying to the ones that fit | Studies listed from about $20 to $300+; average over $45 | Tremendous gift cards or prepaid cards (or the researcher's own method) | Usually 1–2 days; at most 10 business days | None stated | 34 listed countries |
| Prolific | Short online studies and academic surveys, paid to PayPal | At least £6 / $8 an hour; recommended £9 / $12 | PayPal only | After approval (auto-approved after 22 days); cash-out within 24 hours | £6 / $6 | 52 listed countries (waitlist) |
| dscout | Phone-based diary studies and video interviews | Most payouts $25–150; quick studies $2–25 | PayPal only | Within 10 business days of the study closing | None stated | Mainly US and UK, plus other countries |
| UserTesting | Recorded think-aloud tests of websites and apps | Shown per test (example rates: $4 short test, $10 standard, $30 per 30-minute live call) | PayPal only (USD) | About 14 days after the test | None | No fixed list; depends on demand |
| TestingTime | People in Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, the UK and the Netherlands | Not published per study | PayPal or bank transfer (IBAN) | About 10 business days after you request a payout | Yes, varies by country | Mostly six European markets |
| FocusGroup.com (Sago) | US adults who want surveys plus in-person and online focus groups | Not published per study; points (100 = $1) | Points for debit cards or retailer gift cards | Online studies within 2–3 weeks | $50 (5,000 points) | US-focused |
| Userlytics | Remote recorded tests from anywhere PayPal works | $10–50 per study | PayPal only | Fortnightly, about 15 days after approval | None stated | Any PayPal-supported country |
| Testbirds | Testers who like finding bugs, paid in euros | Usability tests from about €10; bugs about €1–5 each | Bank transfer, PayPal or Payoneer | Month-end; 30–40 days after you request it | €6 | International; tax ID needed |
| Rare Patient Voice | Patients and caregivers living with a diagnosed condition | Typically $120 an hour (its stated rate) | Check first, then direct deposit | Typically 3–6 weeks after the survey | None stated | Open everywhere; focus on US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, NZ |
Amounts and timings are what each platform states on its own pages, and they change. Most pay in US dollars; Prolific pays in pounds or dollars and Testbirds in euros. We haven't been paid by any platform to be listed.
Platform guides
Respondent
Professionals and consumers who want paid interviews and focus groups
User Interviews
Browsing open studies and applying to the ones that fit
Prolific
Short online studies and academic surveys, paid to PayPal
dscout
Phone-based diary studies and video interviews
UserTesting
Recorded think-aloud tests of websites and apps
TestingTime
People in Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, the UK and the Netherlands
FocusGroup.com (Sago)
US adults who want surveys plus in-person and online focus groups
Userlytics
Remote recorded tests from anywhere PayPal works
Testbirds
Testers who like finding bugs, paid in euros
Rare Patient Voice
Patients and caregivers living with a diagnosed condition
Get picked more often
Most studies are filled through a screener survey. Answer honestly and specifically: screeners are designed to catch guessing, and a mismatch between your profile and your answers can cost you the payment. Keep your profile up to date, reply to invitations quickly, and show up on time; no-shows are the fastest way to stop getting invited.
Curious how researchers decide what to pay? See research incentives, explained.