Did you know you could earn an extra $500 a year (or more!) by sharing your opinions from the comfort of your couch?

When the pandemic hit, I was looking for ways to supplement my income. Little did I know, a simple online search would lead me to a world of opportunities.

Paid research studies offer a flexible and rewarding way to contribute to important research while earning extra income.

Over the past four years, I’ve discovered and tested various platforms that let you earn extra income while contributing to meaningful research. After countless hours of participation, I’ve identified the most reliable and rewarding platforms, and I’m thrilled to share these insights with you!

Why Participate in Research Studies?

• Earn extra income from home
• Flexible time commitment
• Contribute to academic and market research
• Share your opinions and experiences
• Learn about new products and services
• Participate in meaningful research that shapes future developments

My #1 Pick: Prolific

Why it’s my absolute favorite: After four years of exploring research platforms, Prolific stands out as the absolute best, in my opinion! It’s consistently reliable, trustworthy, and connects participants with researchers from top universities worldwide. Just sporadically doing the studies throughout the years, I’ve made over $5,000. Some weeks I spend several hours on studies, while other times months may go by where I don’t log in. I am trying to carve out specific time during my week to devote a little more time to it, because I do genuinely enjoy participating in these studies.

You can spend as much or as little time as you’d like checking for opportunities. Keep in mind, that most studies have limited spots available, so reserving your spot ASAP is crucial in your success.

What makes Prolific special:

• Studies from prestigious universities including Oxford, Stanford, and Yale
• Interesting topics, great variety (I’ve participated in studies about decision-making, psychology, and consumer behavior, and even played fun research games!)
• Clear, upfront payment information
• Reliable PayPal payments
• Ethical research practices
• Professional and user-friendly interface
• Amazing support team
• Low minimum payout requirement

Personal Experience: Having participated in hundreds of studies on Prolific over the years, I can confidently say it never gets boring! Some of my favorite studies have included:

• Interactive games studying decision-making
• Psychology surveys that made me think deeply about life
• Studies that helped me understand my own habits better
• Fun visual experiments
• Studies that actually made me laugh!

Joining and Participating in Research Studies.

If you’re brand new to research studies, aim to try 1-2 platforms at a time to ease into it and not find yourself overwhelmed. Once you understand those platforms, gradually add more to your schedule if you have the time.

More Tips for Success

• Set up a quiet space to work
• Create a detailed profile
• Complete all screening questions honestly
• Install any applicable browser extensions for study notifications
• Keep your account active by participating regularly
• Maintain a high approval rating by providing thoughtful responses
• Keep your profile updated
• Complete any applicable qualifier or practice tests thoroughly
• Check daily for new opportunities
• Provide detailed, thoughtful feedback
• Respond quickly to invitations – the spots are usually limited and fill quickly!

Alright, now let’s get into it…

Top Platforms for Paid Research

1. Prolific

Clear interface, ethical research practices, transparent pricing, higher pay opportunities, some longitudinal study opportunities

Note: It appears Prolific has a new participant waiting list (as of Oct 2024).

Best for: Academic research studies

Payment range: Varies per study | average 0.50 for a brief task to $15-50 for larger tasks

Minimum Payout Amount: $6

My highest-paid studies: $50, $20, $18.12, $17.50 (see more in image below).

Payment method: PayPal

Approved devices: Desktop, Mobile, Laptop, Tablet

note: I get most of my highest-paid studies on my desktop!

Visit their website to complete your application to join the waitlist.

2. CloudResearch

Interesting variety of surveys and studies

Best for: Website and app feedback, market research, academic research, mock jury trials

Payment range: Can vary | I average about $1-14 per test

Payment method: PayPal

My highest paying study: $14 for a mock jury trial

3. UserCrowd

Give feedback on websites, mobile apps, game concepts and more

Best for: Quick UX feedback tasks

Payment range: usually $0.20-$3 per task

Payment method: PayPal (minimum $10 payout)

My highest paid study: $3 for a quick test of a mobile app.

4. Respondent

High-Paying Opportunities

Best for: Research interviews and focus groups

Payment range: Average $75 per study

Payment method: PayPal

My highest paid study: $75 for a focus group (zoom meeting via webcam for about 45 minutes)

Respondent Tips:
Be prepared for video interviews/zoom calls.

5. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)

Best for: Variety of research tasks, marketing studies

Payment range: Varies widely ($0.01-$20+)

Payment method: Bank transfer or Amazon gift cards

What we love: Being able to earn Amazon gift cards

Note: I seldom use MTurk these days, but some people LOVE it!

Mturk Tips:

• Start with simple tasks to build your approval rating
• Install MTurk Suite browser extension
• Focus on higher-paying HITs as you gain experience
• Maintain a high approval rating

6. Google Opinion Rewards

Quick, Easy to Use. Contribute to Google Search improvements.

Best for: Quick surveys on the go

Payment range: $0.10-$1 per survey

Payment method: Google Play credits (Android) or PayPal (iOS)

Tips: Download the app, enable location services for more opportunities

7. BeForthright

Best for: Market research studies

Payment range: Varies by study

Payment method: PayPal

9. Crowdtap

Rewards via e-gift cards

Payment range: Varies based on length.

Payment method: Choose from a large number of e-gift cards

10. Qmee

No Minimum Payout

Best for: Market research surveys

Payment range: Varies widely.

Payment method: PayPal

Pro Tips for Success

Setting Yourself Up for Success

1. Create a dedicated research email address
2. Keep your PayPal account verified and active
3. Set up a quiet space for video/audio tasks
4. Install relevant browser extensions
5. Create a schedule for checking opportunities

Best Practices

• Complete profiles thoroughly and honestly
• Maintain high approval ratings
• Respond thoughtfully and completely
• Check platforms regularly
• Keep track of your earnings for tax purposes
• Set realistic income expectations

Time Management

• Schedule specific times for checking opportunities
• Set up notification systems
• Keep track of study completion times
• Balance effort vs. reward
• Don’t overcommit yourself

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Rushing through studies
• Providing inconsistent answers
• Missing scheduled interviews
• Ignoring platform guidelines
• Using VPNs (most platforms don’t allow them)

Income Expectations and Tax Considerations

• Keep track of all earnings
• Remember this is supplemental income
• Report earnings on your taxes
• Consider setting aside money for taxes
• Keep records of payments received

Final Tips

• Start with one or two platforms and expand gradually
• Be patient while building your profile and reputation
• Focus on quality over quantity
• Stay organized with a spreadsheet or tracking system
• Join research participant communities for tips and support

Participant Communities & Resources

• Reddit ‘Paid Research Studies’ subreddit
• Reddit ‘Prolific Megathread’

Remember: Always provide honest, thoughtful responses.

Don’t rush through your studies.

Your participation helps shape products, services, and academic research.

Happy researching!

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Additional Research Platforms Worth Exploring

Note: While I haven’t personally tested these platforms yet, they’ve been consistently recommended by other research participants and have solid reputations in the research community. I’m sharing them as options worth investigating as you expand your research participation portfolio!

Academic & Professional Research Platforms

TestBirds

What they offer: Tech testing and digital product research

Payment range: $20-50 per test

Best for: People interested in testing apps, websites, and games

Notable features:

• Both remote and in-person testing opportunities
• Various test types (bug testing, usability studies, surveys)
• International platform with diverse opportunities
• Can test on multiple devices (phones, tablets, computers)

Userlytics

What they offer: Similar to UserTesting but with its own unique opportunities

Payment range: $10-90 per test

Best for: Articulate people comfortable with thinking aloud

Notable features:

• Website and app testing
• Live interview opportunities
• Both mobile and desktop testing
• Various study lengths available

Fieldwork

What they offer: Traditional focus group studies

Payment range: $75-200+ per session

Best for: People comfortable with group discussions

Notable features:

• Both in-person and online options
• Higher-paying opportunities
• Professional research environment
• Various topic areas

dscout

What they offer: “Mission-based” research studies

Payment range: $50-100+ per mission

Best for: People who enjoy documenting experiences

Notable features:

• Diary-style studies
• Video response formats
• Longer-term projects
• Mobile-first platform

PlaytestCloud

What they offer: Gaming research and testing

Payment range: $9-50 per test

Best for: Gaming enthusiasts

Notable features:

• Game testing opportunities
• Both mobile and PC games
• Recording gameplay and feedback
• Regular testing opportunities

Tips for Exploring New Platforms

1. Research First:
   • Look up recent reviews
   • Check payment proof screenshots
   • Read terms of service carefully
   • Verify payment methods and minimums
2. Start Slow:
   • Sign up for 1-2 new platforms at a time
   • Complete profile fully before seeking opportunities
   • Try smaller tasks before committing to longer ones
   • Keep track of your experiences
3. Stay Safe:
   • Never pay to join research platforms
   • Use a separate email for research activities
   • Be cautious with personal information
   • Watch for red flags (overpromising, unclear payment terms)

Red Flags to Watch For

• Requiring payment to join
• Promising unrealistic earnings
• Unclear payment terms
• Poor communication
• Requesting unnecessary personal information
• No privacy policy or terms of service

Remember: Unlike Prolific and CloudResearch which I use regularly, these platforms are recommendations based on research and community feedback. If you try any of them, I’d love to hear about your experience!