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 certainly is 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 owner 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 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 will require 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 really 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 clearly 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 definitely is possible to earn money for user testing.
Plus, you usually don’t actually 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 and 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 you need to participate, 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 the options for this.
15 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.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal, gift cards
More info: Read full UserTribe review
Short summary:
One of the best user testing sites out there is called UserTribe (it has merged with Sonar and is now sometimes just known as Sonar). This is one of the user testing sites I have completed most projects for myself, and it pays quite well for each task.
You can test sites and apps to earn, but you can also invite other people to join and earn a commission. When you complete a test, they will use the email address you gave them during registration to send you your reward.
The reward can be in the form of a gift card, or they can pay you via PayPal. Either way, they will inform you at the start of the rewards you will get for completing the test.
Available in: More or less worldwide
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full UserTesting review
Short summary:
UserTesting, as the name suggests, will allow you to earn by testing sites. All tests you need to do on this site are in the form of video feedback. That means that you will have to record your screen so you can show them how you navigate on the specific website.
Aside from that, you will have to explain your thoughts and give feedback to certain questions in a microphone. You can do the tests on a Mac or a PC but you can also do it on an Android or iOS mobile device.
They pay you via PayPal and usually, it takes about a week to be credited to your account (starting from the time you finish the test). The tests aren’t that frequent, but you get paid up to $60 per test. So, if you ever get to complete one, you will be able to earn a decent amount, which is why it’s on this list.
Available in: More or less worldwide
Reward options: PayPal, direct bank transfer
More info: Read full TestingTime review
Short summary:
TestingTime is a legit testing site that pays you for participating in their usability tests. You get paid a significant amount for each test. You can also earn by inviting other people to join.
Once you complete your first usability test, they will ask you to choose the payment method you want to use. You can either choose to get paid via PayPal or direct bank transfer. You can earn up to €50 per hour for every test you complete.
But keep in mind, you will, at most, get to test once every month. So, don’t expect to earn hundreds of Euros every month from this site. But overall, in my opinion, it’s still one of the best user testing sites to join because of the significant amount you will receive when completing tests.
Available in: More or less worldwide
Reward options: PayPal, Payoneer
More info: Read full uTest review
Short summary:
uTest is one of the user testing platforms that offers the most user testing jobs. However, it also works a bit differently than most other sites on this list.
You will not get paid a set amount per task but instead be paid per bug you find when testing websites and apps. If you are good at this kind of work, it can give some quite decent earnings and you can also learn all about how to do the tasks through their free training academy.
You will get paid monthly for the completed tasks and can choose to get paid via PayPal or Payoneer.
Available in: Limited number of countries
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full Ferpection review
Short summary:
Ferpection is a usability testing site that calls their tests missions. So, right from the get-go, you feel like you are on some sort of adventure, which makes it a bit more fun, in my opinion.
But regardless of what they call their tests, the main reason why it is on this list is the amount you can earn once you become a member. Most missions will allow you to earn around £5, which is pretty good, in my opinion.
Plus, they automatically process the payments every month. So, all you have to do is wait to be paid. The downside is, it is only available in certain countries and they won’t tell you right away which countries it is.
During registration, if you select a country where they don’t offer any missions, you will be informed right away and the registration process stops right there. You won’t be able to complete the registration. However, they always accept users from the US and the UK.
Available in: More or less worldwide
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full Userlytics review
Short summary:
Apart from usability tests, Userlytics also offers another way to earn, which is through in-depth interviews. So, if you are looking for a more unique way to get paid for user testing, Userlytics is definitely an option.
From time to time, there will be live testing or in-depth interviews conducted by site owners where you get to chat with the owner of the site (or a representative) and provide feedback about their site/app in real-time.
You get to earn around $5 to $20 per test you complete, which is a decent rate. But what really makes this a worthy site to join aside from the significant pay is the convenient payment method it offers (PayPal).
Available in: More or less worldwide
Reward options: PayPal, Amazon gift cards
More info: Read full Userfeel review
Short summary:
Userfeel specializes in providing feedback to their partner companies about their sites. They do that through usability tests on their websites to find out which areas need improvement. You need to download a program to record your screen.
Once you complete a test, you get paid either via PayPal or Amazon gift cards of the same amount. For every test you complete, you will be paid $10, which is not too shabby. So, if anything else, they are consistent with how much they pay, which can be a good thing for you.
Once you get used to how tests are done, you will be able to complete them rather quickly. You will then become a more efficient earner, which is the main reason why I included this site on this list.
Available in: US, UK, Canada
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full PlaytestCould review
Short summary:
If you are looking for app testing sites where you can get paid to play mobile games, then PlaytestCloud is a great option.
You will be invited to test new mobile games and can usually earn around $9 per 15-minutes test, so if you like playing games on your phone, this can definitely be a fun way to earn a bit extra. Just be aware that there will usually be far between the invitations for paid tests.
You can, in theory, join from more or less all countries, but you will mainly find paid tasks if you live in the US, UK, or Canada.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full Trymata review
Short summary:
Trymata (formerly TryMyUI) is one of the user testing sites that is mainly focused on testing the user interface of a website. But you can also sometimes earn by testing apps or by participating in live interviews.
Once you register, you will be given access to their member dashboard where you can see all the available offers for testing.
When you click on a test offer, you will then be asked to download the test file. This test file will contain the instructions you need to follow to complete the test. Once you complete the test, you will receive a specific amount.
You will then get paid via PayPal and payments are processed daily. They pay a minimum of $10 per test, which is a decent amount. Not a lot of sites pay daily, so it can certainly be refreshing to find one that will allow you to receive your payment fast.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal, direct bank transfer, gift cards
More info: Read full User Interviews review
Short summary:
User Interviews is another user testing site that is worth your time. You can participate in four types of studies – 1-on-1 interview, focus group, unmoderated task, and multi-day study. These studies are conducted either in person, over the phone, or online.
The rewards you will get will depend on the research study. Some studies will pay you in cash via PayPal or direct bank transfer, while some will reward you with an Amazon electronic gift card or a digital Reward Link gift card.
User Interviews is available globally, but most of its clients are US companies, so most of the opportunities you will find on the site will be for US residents.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full Conversion Crimes review
Short summary:
Conversion Crimes is a user testing site that offers user testing opportunities for you to earn extra cash. When testing websites, you’ll have to record your screen using the software provided by the site.
Every time you successfully complete a user testing project, you will earn a certain amount. Then, you will be able to withdraw your earnings via PayPal. Payments are processed every Monday evening (EST). So, whatever you’ve earned from Tuesday of the previous week until before the payment is processed will be deposited to your PayPal account.
Conversion Crimes is available worldwide, so you can register as a member regardless of which country you live in. It doesn’t have a mobile app, but you can still perform tests for mobile versions of websites since its screen recorder also has a mobile version.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal, Wise
More info: Read full PingPong review
Short summary:
PingPong is another website testing platform that will let you earn by testing websites. PingPong is quite unique because the testing process will be in the form of an interview. You’ll hop on a video call with the client while testing the site.
Then, you’ll receive compensation after you complete an interview session. You have the option to get paid via PayPal or Wise. It can take up to 7 business days for the amount to be credited to your PayPal (or Wise) account.
PingPong is available more or less worldwide, but the opportunities to earn will mostly be concentrated in countries like the US, UK, Canada, and other big countries.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full Analysia review
Short summary:
If you like testing websites or even recruiting people, then Analysia is definitely a good option. It is a legit usability testing site that will pay you for testing websites and mobile apps. It has a fixed rate of $10 per test. So regardless of how long it will take you to complete a test, you will earn the same amount.
They pay you via PayPal and the payment will be processed automatically once you complete a test.
What makes it a decent site to join is you normally just need around 15 to 20 minutes to complete one test. So, essentially, you will earn $10 for 20 minutes. That’s a good rate in my opinion.
Available in: Worldwide
Reward options: PayPal
More info: Read full Validately review
Short summary:
Validately is a legit site-testing platform that will pay you for providing feedback about websites. The unique thing about this website is you will need to use Google Chrome. You can’t use other browsers because you will need to install a certain Chrome extension to do the tests.
It also pays via PayPal, so you need to have a PayPal account before you sign up for this website. Validately will pay you around $5 to $25 for each test you complete. And you will be able to join this site regardless of where you live.
The main strengths of this user testing site are the convenient payment method and a decent pay rate they offer. Just make sure you have Google Chrome installed on your computer before you join.
So, those are the best user testing sites you can join. As you can see, most, if not all of them, will pay you in cash and they pay you quite well. Remember that all the sites on this list are legit and FREE TO JOIN. There won’t be any membership or registration fee required.
Now, I would suggest you join many of the sites because you don’t actually get access to work every day since tests aren’t that frequent. This is the best way, in my opinion, to get the most value out of your time and earn a decent amount of cash from user testing sites.
You can also check out this list of the best passive ways to earn extra cash online, so you can earn extra in the background while doing your user tests or whenever you are online in general.
If you have any comments, questions, or know of a user testing site that is not on the list, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
hello michael please which user-testing app/platform do you recommend is realistically doable here in nigeria.
Not many to be honest. You will just have to try the options on the list above and see which ones will give you options, but you should not expect tests very often.
are there any testing sites that don’t require us to speak verbally? I’m not comfortable talking on a microphone and more comfortable with writing
Most user sites will ask you to do that. But you can also check out the best beta testing jobs here. They are a bit similar but usually you do not have to record your screen or voice for those.
Hello can I know more about the testing platform
I explain how it all works and how to find the best platforms in the article above.
Hello sir am Tehillah from Zambia and looking for ways to earn money fast i only have a bank account
You can check out this list of the best international sites which are the ones you should go for.