GBTN, also known as the Global Beta Testing Network, invites gamers to test video games before they are officially released. I applied, got accepted and set up my account to see what you really get. It is legit and the pay is decent, but I was never invited to a play session. Below is what I found, so you can properly gauge whether it is worth pursuing.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He applied to GBTN himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Legit and fun, but few chances to earn
Get invited to test unreleased games and get paid through PayPal. Decent pay, but invites are rare and the application takes up to two weeks.
On this page
The short answer
Getting paid to play unreleased video games sounds like a pretty good side hustle, and that is exactly what GBTN offers. GBTN is legit: you really earn by testing unreleased games, and it pays a decent amount through PayPal.
But there are not many opportunities to earn. I was accepted as a tester, but I was never invited to test a game while I was trying out the site. You also have to be patient, because it can take up to two weeks to hear back after you apply.
- Offers a convenient payout method
- Gives you a chance to test unreleased games
- Offers decent pay
- Limited earning opportunities
- Long application process
- The website doesn’t have a lot of information regarding the opportunity it offers
My experience with GBTN
I applied as a tester, heard back around two weeks later, signed the NDA and set up my account. I got my rate in the welcome email, but I was never invited to a play session while I was trying out the site. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- Application
- AcceptedI heard back around two weeks after I applied
- My rate
- $13 per hourGBTN’s rate in my welcome email. It varies by location.
- Play sessions
- NoneI was never invited to test a game
- Payout method
- PayPal
- The application, including the PayPal details
- The welcome email with my rate for testing games
- Signing the NDA
- The member dashboard, on a computer and on my phone
- Adding gaming accounts to my profile
- A play session. I was never invited to test a game while I was trying out the site.
- A payout. So I cannot tell you if there is a payout threshold, or how fast GBTN pays.
How GBTN works, on video
In the video below, I explain exactly how GBTN works. You have to sign an NDA once you are accepted, and some of my screenshots contain confidential information. That is why I can only share one screenshot in this review: the PayPal details you fill in when you apply.
Screenshot from my application
Want to play unreleased games? GBTN invites are rare, so see the game tester sites I would pick instead.
See the best alternativesGBTN at a glance
| What it is | A game-testing community that connects gamers with companies looking for real-world feedback on unreleased games |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Play sessions: you test an unreleased game, follow the instructions and submit your feedback |
| Invites | By email, based on the gaming platforms you add to your profile |
| Pay | Your rate is in the welcome email when you are accepted. It varies by location. Mine was $13 per hour. |
| Minimum cashout | Not publicly available |
| Payout method | PayPal. You give your PayPal address when you apply. |
| Apps | No app. The member dashboard works well on your phone. |
| Devices for testing | Computer or gaming console, and sometimes your phone for mobile games |
| Where you can join | Globally. You must speak English fluently. |
| Application | Up to two weeks to hear back. You sign an NDA once you are accepted. |
| Support | Contact form. No FAQ or help section. |
Is GBTN legit and worth it?
Yes, GBTN is legit, because you will really earn by testing unreleased games. But is it worth it? Well, that’s another story. Here is what you should know before you apply.
- Few chances to earn
Based on my experience testing the site, there aren’t that many opportunities to earn. I was never invited to test a game while I was trying it out. So even though it pays a decent amount, you can’t expect to quickly earn a lot from it.
- No pay if you skip the instructions
Each session asks you to perform tasks. If you fail to follow the instructions properly, you won’t get paid. So always read them carefully before you start your session.
- A long application and an NDA
It can take up to two weeks to hear back after you apply. I also heard back around two weeks after I submitted my application. Once you are accepted, you sign an NDA, so you cannot share what you test.
- Little information on the website
There’s not much information on the website about the payment details or the game testing opportunity. It is not clear if there is a payout threshold, and there is no FAQ page you can check out.
My takeIn my opinion, GBTN is a decent game-testing platform to join. However, you must adjust your expectations accordingly. It’s not something you can regularly earn from, but it pays a decent amount. If you are interested in playing unreleased games, I would absolutely recommend joining this site. But if you are looking for great ways to earn extra cash, there are better options out there.
How you earn on GBTN
There is one way to earn: play sessions. Tap it to read more.
Play sessionsYour rate per hour
Once you become a tester, you’ll be invited to participate in play sessions from time to time. The invite will be sent via email, so you’ll have to check your email inbox regularly. Each session asks you to perform tasks, so you must read the instructions carefully before you start.
You can be asked to test games for all platforms, including mobile devices. Of course, you won’t be invited to test games on gaming platforms that you don’t own. GBTN knows which sessions to invite you to because you add your accounts for the gaming platforms you have, so I suggest you set them up immediately after you are accepted.
Every time you finish a session, you submit your feedback. GBTN then reviews your submission, and if everything is in order, you receive the promised compensation. It’s a relatively straightforward process, but you have to be comfortable speaking your thoughts, and you must speak English fluently.
In my opinion, the best value it offers is that you get to play an unreleased game, and you have the opportunity to influence how the game will be improved. Not a lot of platforms offer that. But I was never invited to a session while I was trying out the site, so do not count on invites coming in often.
If you want more chances to play games before release, check out the best beta game tester jobs as well.
How much can you make?
GBTN’s website doesn’t really elaborate on how much you’ll earn from each play session. But if you get accepted as a tester, they tell you in the welcome email how much your rate is for testing games.
When I tested GBTN, my rate was $13 per hour, which is actually quite a decent rate. However, it can vary depending on your location, so don’t expect the same amount.
The problem is the number of opportunities. Based on my experience, there aren’t that many, so you can’t expect to quickly earn a lot from it. This is why I would say its earning potential isn’t that great, even though the pay per session is decent.
Payout method and minimum
| Method | Minimum |
|---|---|
| PayPal | Not publicly available |
GBTN pays via PayPal, and you provide your PayPal address when you apply as a tester. It’s not clear if you need to reach a payout threshold to withdraw your earnings. I’ll be honest, I never got a chance to find out, because I was never invited to test a game when I was trying out the site. So I can’t tell you if it pays immediately after you complete a session, or if you have to wait until you reach a threshold.
Overall, I would say its payout system is relatively convenient, because it uses one of the most convenient payout methods today. If you are interested in more sites that use it, I recommend you check out the top sites that pay via PayPal as well.
Can you use GBTN on your phone?
GBTN doesn’t have a mobile app. The member dashboard is optimized for mobile use, so you can log in and navigate it easily on your phone.
However, the actual earning process will require you to use a computer or gaming console, unless you are asked to test a mobile game. If you indicate in your profile that you are willing to test mobile games, expect to do so at some point.
Can you get support?
The site doesn’t have an FAQ page, so if you have questions or concerns, you have to fill out the contact form. It’s an easy way to contact support, which is why I would say it does provide the minimum required support to its members.
That being said, I do wish the site would at least provide a Help or FAQ section to minimize the instances of having to contact support.
GBTN alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawns | Surveys and games in the app, with low cashout | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Freecash | Highest pay for game and app offers | $5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| PlaytestCloud | Paid playtests of mobile games | None. You are paid for every approved test. | 2.9 / 5 |
| Game Tester | Test unreleased games, available globally | $25 | 2.9 / 5 |
For more ways to get paid to test games, see the best game tester jobs. If you are looking for great ways to earn extra cash, I suggest you check out the top survey and GPT sites in your country instead. They offer many earning opportunities, so you can earn rewards regularly.
How I scored GBTN
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
GBTN scores 60 out of 100. For more chances to get paid to test games, see the alternatives.
See the best alternativesGBTN FAQ
Is GBTN legit?
Yes. You really earn by testing unreleased games, and it pays through PayPal. But there are not many opportunities to earn.
What does GBTN stand for?
Global Beta Testing Network.
How does GBTN pay?
Through PayPal. You give your PayPal address when you apply as a tester.
What is the minimum payout?
It is not publicly available. I could not find out, because I was never invited to test a game while I was trying out the site.
How much does GBTN pay?
GBTN tells you your rate in the welcome email when you are accepted. My rate was $13 per hour, but it varies by location.
Who can join GBTN?
GBTN is available globally. You must speak English fluently and sign an NDA once you are accepted.
How long does the application take?
It can take up to two weeks to hear back. I heard back around two weeks after I applied.
Is there a GBTN app?
No. But the member dashboard works well on your phone, and you may be invited to test mobile games.
How do I contact GBTN?
Through the contact form on its website. There is no FAQ page.
How to join GBTN
You apply as a tester on the GBTN website and give your PayPal address there. It can take up to two weeks to hear back.
Once you are accepted, you sign the NDA. Then you can log in to the member dashboard. Set up your gaming accounts immediately, so GBTN can determine the type of invites to send your way, and check your email inbox regularly for invites to play sessions.
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with GBTN, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Who tested GBTN for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).