I think the real value of Permission Research is that it plants trees and helps the internet get better, not that you earn cash. The site is not clear enough about what its software does, and that matters for software that monitors your internet use.
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 looked at Permission Research himself and keeps the affiliate relationship separate from the score.Learn more about Mikael
Low effort, but you plant trees, not earn cash
Install its software and you help plant trees and enter a sweepstakes. Occasional special surveys pay cash or gift cards.
On this page
The short answer
Permission Research is a research community owned by Comscore. It rewards you for being a member of its panel, and once its software is installed, getting rewarded takes little effort.
But you do not earn cash regularly. The main reward is trees planted on your behalf, plus a sweepstakes entry. The software monitors your internet activity, and the site is not clear enough about what it does. If you want to earn extra cash, other survey sites are a better fit.
- Getting rewarded requires little effort
- Available globally
- You help the environment by being a member
- Sweepstakes entry for members
- No real way to earn cash regularly
- Limited earning opportunities
- The site is not clear enough about what the software does
- Desktop and laptop only
My experience with Permission Research
I looked at Permission Research, its registration, its software and its rewards. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- February 2020Review first published Feb 11, 2020
- Registration
- Four stepsThree forms, then installing the software
- Main reward
- Trees plantedWith Trees For The Future
- The four-step registration
- The software you must install
- The rewards page
- The website on a mobile browser
- The FAQ and the contact form
- The sweepstakes.
What Permission Research looks like
These screenshots show the software, the rewards, the mobile site, the registration and the contact form.
Screenshots from the site
Permission Research at a glance
| What it is | Research community. You install software that monitors your internet activity, and you get occasional surveys. |
|---|---|
| Company | Comscore Inc. |
| Cost to join | Free |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Ways to earn | Having the software installed, occasional surveys by email |
| Rewards | Trees planted with Trees For The Future, a sweepstakes entry, and sometimes cash or gift cards for special surveys |
| Sweepstakes | Grand prize of $100,000 cash. Not available in all countries. |
| Devices | Desktop or laptop only. The software does not work on mobile. |
| Where you can join | Worldwide, with the most opportunities in the US |
| Support | Contact form on the website |
Is Permission Research legit and safe?
Permission Research is a research community owned by Comscore, an internet research company. I only looked at it. It is also not right for everyone. Here is what you should know.
- The software monitors your internet use
You must install it to become a member. It shows Permission Research how you and your household use the internet. Permission Research guarantees it does not collect sensitive information like credit card numbers and social security numbers. I understand that some people are not comfortable with software like this running in the background. If you are one of them, this site is not for you.
- Little information about what the software does
The FAQ only covers what you need to do. In my opinion, software this invasive should explain clearly what it does, and the site did not make me feel at ease. You may have to contact support first to clarify it.
- No regular cash
The main reward is trees planted on your behalf. Cash or gift cards only come from special surveys from time to time, and Permission Research does not explain how those rewards work or how cash is paid.
- Anti-virus programs can block the installation
If the software will not install, there is a good chance your anti-virus program is blocking it.
My takeIn terms of earning potential, I would say Permission Research is pretty bad. You do not earn cash regularly. But if you are into planting trees, it can be an option, and once the software is installed, it takes little to no effort. If you want to earn extra cash regularly, the top survey sites in your country have more transparent earning opportunities.
Permission Research does not pay cash regularly. Check availability only if passive research and helping plant trees appeal to you.
Check Permission Research availabilityHow you earn on Permission Research
There are 2 ways to earn. Neither pays regular cash. Tap one to read more.
Having the software installedTrees and a sweepstakes entry
Installing the software is part of becoming a member. It runs in the background and gathers information about your internet activity while you browse as normal. You do not have to do anything special.
Permission Research uses this for market research. In return, it plants trees on your behalf with Trees For The Future, and you are entered into its sweepstakes. It does not say how many trees you “donate”.
Paid surveysSometimes cash or gift cards
From time to time, you get an email about a survey. You first answer pre-screening questions. If you qualify, you take the survey. If not, you move on to the next one.
Special surveys sometimes offer cash or gift cards as a “thank you”. Permission Research does not say how the cash is paid, for example by prepaid card or check.
How do you get paid?
If you expect to earn cash regularly, you will be disappointed. The reward for being a member is trees planted around the world, through Permission Research’s partnership with Trees For The Future.
As a member, you also enter the sweepstakes, with a grand prize of $100,000 cash (not available in all countries). If you are lucky, that can be very lucrative, but it is luck only.
Special surveys sometimes give cash or gift cards as a “thank you”. If you just want to earn extra cash quickly, I suggest you check out the best survey sites with low payout thresholds.
Permission Research alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrizeRebel | Surveys, tasks and offers, with a very low threshold | $5 PayPal; some gift cards from $2 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Pawns | Passive earning plus surveys, paid in cash | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel | Similar passive panel with rewards and prize draws | Depends on your country | 3.3 / 5 |
See the top survey sites in your country. You will find a site you can join regardless of where you live.
How I scored Permission Research
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Permission Research scores 62 out of 100. It is a low-effort research panel, but not a regular way to earn cash.
Check Permission Research availabilityPermission Research FAQ
Is Permission Research a scam?
It is a research community owned by Comscore, an internet research company. But you do not earn cash regularly.
What do you get from Permission Research?
Trees planted on your behalf with Trees For The Future, an entry into the sweepstakes, and sometimes cash or gift cards for special surveys.
Is the Permission Research software safe?
It monitors your internet activity. Permission Research guarantees it does not collect sensitive information like credit card numbers and social security numbers, but it does not explain clearly what the software does. I feel the website needs more transparency about how the software works.
Can I use Permission Research on my phone?
No. The software only works on a desktop or laptop, and the site is not optimized for mobile. I think that makes sense, as the site is meant for desktop and laptop use only.
Who can join Permission Research?
Anyone aged 18 or older with a computer and an internet connection, worldwide. Most opportunities are in the US.
How do I contact Permission Research?
Through the contact form on its website. I found support easy to reach this way, but I feel that is about the only consolation the site gives you.
Who tested Permission Research 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).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Permission Research, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.