If you are good at paying attention to details or simply looking for an interesting way to earn extra cash, one option is to join user testing sites.
However, there are many platforms where you can supposedly get paid to test apps and websites, and many of them are just a complete waste of time.
So, the question now is, which paid user testing sites should you join to make it worth your time?
It's very inefficient to do it the trial-and-error way. Doing proper research is a much more efficient way to go about it. And this is where this guide comes in.
I have tested hundreds of free ways to earn some extra money online and have tested MANY user testing platforms, and I have made this guide to help you pick the best user testing sites that pay.
You will learn what each of the user testing sites has to offer, so you don’t have to waste your time trying them out for yourself. You can simply get a quick overview and choose which ones you like. All these sites are legit and free to join, too.
How do user testing sites work?
As mentioned above, paid user testing sites will ask you to test websites and mobile apps and will pay you in return for your time. This is done so that the owners of the said websites and apps will know which part they can improve.
If this is your first time hearing about this kind of site, then let me explain to you how this, in general, works.
User testing sites will ask you to test (hence the name) websites or mobile apps. So, right off the bat, you need to do more to earn compared to if you just join a survey or a Get-Paid-To site.
Many companies avail of this type of service to figure out which features of their website or app work and which ones don’t. Usually, when you are asked to test an app or a website, you will be asked to record your screen using a certain software that will be provided by them.
You will also be asked to record your voice and, sometimes, even your face. So, don’t be alarmed if the user testing site requires you to use a webcam and/or microphone during testing. Most user testing sites will ask you to speak out your thoughts.
So, if you aren’t comfortable doing that, then this is, in most cases, not an opportunity suited for you. And since testing usually requires you to record audio, you have to make sure you work in a quiet room so they can hear your voice.
How much can you earn by testing websites and apps?
The beauty of user testing sites is that, since they know their tasks require more work, they usually pay you a decent amount, provided your work passes requirements (at least the good ones do).
So, it is definitely possible to earn money for user testing.
Plus, you usually don’t have to reach a certain payout threshold to withdraw your earnings. You usually get paid after each test as soon as your work has been approved. So you don’t have to wait too long to get paid.
The downside is that the availability of tests usually isn’t that frequent. So, even though you get paid rather well, the overall earning potential of user testing jobs isn’t that high. That’s why you shouldn’t expect your earnings to be comparable to a full-time job.
But, with that being said, you can still earn a decent amount from these sites. Exactly how much you can earn per test depends a lot on the complexity of the test.
The most normal range is somewhere between $10-$20 for a test that takes around 15 to 20 minutes. But I have also seen tests pay as much as $80 for 30 minutes, and have also been lucky to qualify for a few tests like that myself.
You can join as many of them as you want to, thereby increasing your chances of getting invited to paid tests.
Many of the sites will also be available worldwide, but how many tests and how high rewards you will get depend a lot on the country you live in.
Can anyone do this?
You can join and earn from user testing websites, no matter your background or location.
However, in some countries, you will find few available tests or find it very hard to qualify for tests. That does not mean you will not be able to earn some extra money once in a while, but it means that in some countries, it will take more patience to find tests you can participate in.
As for the background, anyone can do it. Some tests might have specific requirements, but overall, there are many tests that are available to you no matter your background.
So, if you feel comfortable speaking your thoughts out loud and are looking for a free way to earn some extra money, testing websites and apps is an option I think is worth going for. You, of course, need to make sure to use the worthwhile sites, which brings us to the list of options for this.
16 best user testing sites
I won't be listing down all the user testing sites that exist, but instead, I will list down what I think are the best sites you can join to get the most value out of your time. Quality over quantity, as they say.
I will keep updating this list if there are any new good sites to join. So make sure to bookmark this page.
I have a question. Can we use our Android phone as a webcam to answer the tests where they want to see our reaction/expressions?
(I’m talking about these user testing sites)
OR is it compulsory to have an external webcam?
There are applications like DroidCam, IP cam etc which let us use our Android phone’s camera(both front & rear) as the Webcam for PC/laptop.
I have used it many times & it works perfectly fine. Do you have any idea regarding my question?
for the projects where they allow you to do it on phone, your regular phone camera should be enough. In general, there is no need to get extra equipment to participate in these tests.
Most computers and phones will already have what they need as most already have a camera and microphone build in. The only great extra thing to have, in my experience, is a set of headphones with a microphone as the sound recordings will then be better. But you can just use the headphones you use for your phone anyway.
I know brother u are trying your best. But most of them have not given a single study in India for past 2 years.
Thanks for sharing your experiences about this.
As I also mention in the article above, in some countries it will be very difficult to find available tests. That is just, unfortunately, how it is but it depends on what companies in the different countries are looking for.
For try my ui, how will you be giving your reviews? Is it on Skype or zoom or can you send in a video (without your face) of you using the app and giving feedback with your voice? I do not feel comfortable showing my face.
I would appreciate any help! Thx so much!
Ps. This Website has helped a lot. It’s great!
usually, you will not have to record your face. Most projects will ask you to record a video where you record your screen while speaking out loud but without showing your face.
And glad to hear my website helps you. Thanks for the feedback.
Great content, many thanks. Please is there any skill required to perform tasks with user testing sites?
Not really, but it depends on the exact test.
Hi there,, thanks much for this information. Mine is a kind request, can you please give a quick demo about those tests. For a starter like me, and people who have zero ideas on how websites and apps work to be able to give different feedbacks in regard to the test they are given. Just an example ? to Hanks in advance ?
You can find links to full reviews and tutorials for many of the platforms on the list above.