I have been a Prolific member for years and have been paid by it several times. Below is my payment proof, how the academic studies work, how it pays, and the account bans readers report before you join.
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 has been paid by Prolific several times and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Legit, with interesting studies, but few surveys in many countries
Academic studies with fair pay and PayPal from £6/$6. Open in about 33 countries, and surveys can be rare.
On this page
The short answer
Prolific is legit. I have been paid by it several times, and I show the payment proof in my video. It is a crowdsourcing platform where researchers, for example at universities, pay you to take part in their studies.
The surveys are interesting and pay fairly well. But there are not many surveys in many countries, and you might not even get one a month. It is only open in about 33 countries. Several readers report that their account was put on hold or banned without an explanation.
- Interesting academic studies that make a difference
- Pays through PayPal, from £6/$6
- Fairly good rewards; researchers must pay at least the equivalent of $8 per hour
- You see the approximate length before you start
- Mobile-friendly website
- Not very many surveys, depending on your country and profile
- Researchers must approve your answers, which can take days
- Hard to become a member: about 33 countries, with waiting lists
- Readers report holds and bans without an explanation
- PayPal is the only payout method
My experience with Prolific
I joined Prolific, verified my account, took studies on desktop and on my phone, and cashed out. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- February 2018Review first published Feb 27, 2018
- Latest retest
- Checked: studies, payouts, countries
- Paid out
- Several timesThrough PayPal
- Survey length
- 10–20 minutesOn average, in my experience
- Devices
- Desktop and phoneThe website works well on a phone
- Verification
- Phone numberTook me less than 1 minute
- Academic studies, for example from the University of Düsseldorf
- Verifying my account with my phone number
- Cashing out to PayPal, several times
- Taking surveys on my phone and giving feedback after a study
- Support. I have not needed to contact it, so I cannot say how fast it replies.
- The AI taskers group for specialized participants.
- Posting a study as a researcher.
Payment proof
I know from personal experience that Prolific really pays. I have been paid by it several times. In the first video, I give you an inside look at Prolific and show my payment proof. In the second, I show exactly how to withdraw your earnings.
How to withdraw from Prolific
Prolific has few surveys in many countries. The top sites in your country give you more to do every day.
See the best sites in your countryProlific at a glance
| What it is | Crowdsourcing platform for academic research. Formerly Prolific Academic, now at prolific.com. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014, by two Ph.D. students who found it hard to recruit research participants |
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Paid surveys and studies from researchers |
| Pay | Researchers must pay at least the equivalent of $8 per hour |
| Survey length | Usually 10–20 minutes |
| Minimum cashout | £6/$6 |
| Payout method | PayPal only |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Verification | Email, plus your phone number or Facebook account |
| App | No app. Mobile-friendly website and the “Prolific Assistant” Chrome extension. |
| Where you can join | OECD countries except Turkey, Lithuania, Colombia and Costa Rica: about 33 countries |
| Support | Contact form after the FAQ, when logged in, and a Facebook page |
Is Prolific legit and safe?
Yes, Prolific is legit. I have been paid by it several times, and it works with reputable researchers. But legit does not mean problem-free. Here is what you should know.
- Accounts can be put on hold or banned
Since 2023, several readers wrote that they failed Prolific’s automated review, or got an account hold or ban, without being told why. Some appealed and were rejected. Prolific has strict quality control. I have never had issues with it.
- Few surveys in many countries
Prolific depends on researchers to post studies. In some countries, you get invited quite often; in others, you might not get one survey a month.
- Studies fill up fast
Some studies fill up very quickly. Do not wait too long, or use the Prolific Assistant extension to get notified. One reader’s submission was rejected because the time limit had expired.
- Payments wait for approval
The researcher has to approve your answers first, so it takes some days before the reward shows in your account.
- Do not cheat on location
Using a phone number from another country to get in is unethical, and sites like this have strict security. You will get banned and lose your earnings.
My takePersonally, I like being a member of Prolific, mainly because it helps researchers get answers. For me, it is an extra platform next to the survey sites where I get daily surveys and can make more money. Join it with the right expectations.
How you earn on Prolific
There is one way to earn as a participant: academic surveys and studies. Tap one to read more.
Paid surveys and studiesAt least $8 an hour
All studies are academic, for example from universities, but you do not need a degree. You just give your opinion and feedback. Many studies are very specialized, so they look for a certain profile: where you live, what you do for a living, how many children you have and more.
You get an email when a study is available. On average, a study takes 10 to 20 minutes in my experience, and you always see the approximate length before you start. Some studies fill up very quickly, so do not wait too long.
After each survey, you can give quick feedback on whether it worked.
AI taskers groupHigher pay
If you are a subject matter expert or excel at technical, demanding tasks, you can join a specialized participant group. The current one is AI taskers: members who passed the AI Task Assessment and get exclusive AI studies.
To join, take a screening test or a pilot study. If you do not qualify, you keep full access to all other studies.
Check Out the Top Survey Sites in Your Country
How much can you make?
Prolific can be a nice way to earn a bit of extra cash. The reward per survey is decent compared with many other survey sites, because researchers have to pay you at least the equivalent of $8 per hour. That is not a set hourly rate you can earn, just a floor Prolific sets so participants are paid fairly.
Because it is a crowdsourcing platform, it does not offer surveys very often. You might not even get one a month, but this depends a lot on your country and profile. Some readers get quite regular surveys.
If your main goal is to make as much money as possible on surveys, Prolific might not be the right site for you. It can take a long time to reach the payout threshold.
Payout method, minimum and limits
| Method | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | £6/$6 | Once a day. A 72-hour cool-off applies until your fourth cashout, or after you change your PayPal address. |
Your answers have to be approved by the researcher first, so it takes some days before you see the reward in your account. PayPal is the only method. If you like that, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
Who can join Prolific?
Prolific is open to participants in OECD countries, except Turkey, Lithuania, Colombia and Costa Rica. That is about 33 countries. It plans to open to the whole world at some point. In some countries, you land on a waiting list first.
You must be over 18. You verify your email, plus your phone number or Facebook account. I used my phone: you get a text message with a code a few seconds later. It took me less than 1 minute.
There is no Prolific app. An app called Prolific Surveys in the Google Play Store has nothing to do with this panel. The website works well on a phone.
Is Prolific worth it in your country?
Prolific is only open in about 33 countries, and the number of studies differs a lot per country. Pick your country to see where Prolific stands on my list of the best sites there.
What 39 readers told me
This review has 39 comments since 2018: 22 from readers and 17 replies from me. These are the three things readers write about most.
Readers from India, Nigeria, South Africa and other countries were waitlisted, not supported, or got few surveys. Prolific is only open in about 33 countries.
Readers failed the automated review or were banned after months or years, without being told why. Appeals were mostly rejected; one account was reopened.
Readers like that the studies matter, that they rarely get screened out, and that the pay is usually higher than on other sites.
“the surveys are interesting, informative and don’t feel like a colossal time suck the way most survey sites are.”
Mikael: Yes, in some countries Prolific gives very good opportunities but in others you hardly ever get any surveys.
“All of a sudden, they will tell you that you failed the automated review, they will not even explain to you what that means, and why you failed it, and you will no longer be allowed to take surveys.”
Mikael: They have strict quality control. But personally, I have never had issues with it and have been paid by it many times.
“Prolific will put a hold on your account and disenroll you without a specific reason. You can appeal, which I did.”
Mikael: Very sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing your experiences.
Prolific alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| ySense | Surveys and offers, open in most countries | $10 PayPal | 4.0 / 5 |
| YouGov | Regular surveys, with an email for every new survey | Varies by country | 4.3 / 5 |
| User Interviews | Paid research studies, mostly for US residents | No threshold; paid per study | 3.4 / 5 |
Want daily surveys? See the top survey sites in your country or the best survey sites, and use Prolific as an extra site.
How I scored Prolific
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Prolific scores 68 out of 100. Use it as an extra site next to sites with daily surveys.
See the best sites in your countryProlific FAQ
Is Prolific a scam?
No. Prolific is a legit research platform, and I have been paid by it several times. But readers report holds and bans without an explanation.
Is Prolific the same as Prolific Academic?
Yes. Prolific Academic changed its name to Prolific. Its website is now prolific.com.
How does Prolific pay?
Through PayPal only, from £6/$6. You can cash out once a day after your fourth cashout.
How much does Prolific pay?
Researchers must pay at least the equivalent of $8 per hour. How much you earn depends on how many studies you get.
Which countries can join Prolific?
OECD countries except Turkey, Lithuania, Colombia and Costa Rica: about 33 countries.
How old do you have to be?
Over 18.
Does Prolific have an app?
No. The Prolific Surveys app in the Google Play Store has nothing to do with this panel. Use the mobile-friendly website.
Why was my Prolific account put on hold?
Prolific has strict quality control and does not tell you the reason. You can appeal through the website.
Who tested Prolific 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 Prolific, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Prolific will put a hold on your account and disenroll you without a specific reason. You can appeal, which I did. But what can you say when you have no clue what they think you did? Of course, my appeal was rejected. To the best of my knowledge, I did none of the things they list as common reasons for holds. I had only 2 rejections for 31 submissions. I am a senior citizen and an elected library trustee. I am a rule follower and I don’t screw around with people. Who bans people without a specific explanation?
Very sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing your experiences. This is the first time I hear something like this about Prolific, but it definitely sounds frustrating.
I had been a member for over 3 years. I would average around 20 dollars a day, which is excellent, compared to most survey sites. You cannot wait for emails, you have to go to the website and your page will come up with the surveys available to you, stating the pay amount etc. What was great is that you will qualify, no kicking you out of the survey once you start.
Here is the bad part. After 3 plus years, with very few rejected surveys, I logged on and there was a banner stating I was Banned! So I had the option to submit an appeal, which I did. I am waiting for the reply.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Let me know hen you hear back from them about the appeal.
will do!
Great. Thanks.
So about 3 weeks later I get an email stating that a decision was made manually (not AI?), and my appeal was denied. Could not disclose reason. Then rather harshly I was warned not to attempt to startt a new account, blah, blah.
But wait it gets better!
About 2 weeks after that I get an email from them stating that a researcher has given me a bonus on a survey! I thought WTF!? I go to the website and I can now log on and do surveys as usual. As they say Dont look a gift horse in the mouth!
Thanks for the update. This definitely sounds very strange. Good you got access again, but I understand if you do not feel safe spending too much time on it after this.
I’m from South Africa . I registered and join the site. Meaning I’m wasting my time.
You will likely not get many surveys from there. But you can see a list of the best survey sites in South Africa here.
Having been waitlisted by them and CloudResearch, I’m eager to join other companies comparable to these two even if I have to go through waitlisting, but from what I’ve seen, it’s well worth it. Could you please tell me about others that are similar to Prolific and CloudResearch?
I have not come across others exactly like this. But which country do you live in? Then I can suggest some of the best overall survey sites for you.
I’ve used the platform and the reward is usually higher than others, but very important to respond as soon as possible. I got an offer around noon, no information about how long the study will accept responses. A few hours later I could access the study, but then rejected compensation as the time limit expired! I had several emails regarding my issue, but they insist that I submitted the study too late. Even if no responses are accepted it’s possible to get access. Even a “thanks” from the researcher – but no payment from the company which offered me to participate
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
This survey site is a scam! Stay away! All of a sudden, they will tell you that you failed the automated review, they will not even explain to you what that means, and why you failed it, and you will no longer be allowed to take surveys.
They have strict quality control. But personally, I have never had issues with it and have been paid by it many times. You can also see payment proof in the video in the review above.
Totally agree, I managed to do over 60 surveys in 20 days then suddenly they tell you that you failed the automated review and thir maual checks. But they will not explain what you did wrong. Oh and the even emailed me to tell me that they were no longer going to reply to my messages!
Please don’t say that Prolific is a scam because it most definitely is not. It is far and away the best survey site out of all of them. I was on it for a year and earned about $100 a week, and if for some reason you failed the automatic review there’s something probably going on on your end. If someone doesn’t pass the automated review they do not tell you why, if they did many people would be able to bypass it.
can you teach please
It was nothing on my end. I did everything right, and still got banned. Eventually, everyone gets banned. They just steal your information.
Hi Mikael, I just tried to sign up but i am on their waiting list, do you have other websites that have similar or better than prolific?
Which country do you live in? Then I can suggest some good options.
Olá Miguel gostei muito da suas pesquisas e também por você esclarecer e explicar sobre os sites aí mencionados,sou Brasileiro e moro no Japão e aqui não tem muitas opções
Glad you like my website. You can see a list of the best sites in Japan here.
Hi is prolific avail in south Africa in 2024 as i hve registered but account not set up yet as it states surveys will be sent via email; plse advise
I mentioned the countries you can join from in the review above.
I love Prolific! In the 3 months since I joined I have earned $200 and the surveys are interesting, informative and don’t feel like a colossal time suck the way most survey sites are. No tiresome repetitive “qualifying” questions every time and they only send surveys that truly fit my profile.
Yes, in some countries Prolific gives very good opportunities but in others you hardly ever get any surveys. But great to hear about your results.
Hey Mikael! After signing, this is the message I got from them,
“Sorry, but your country of residence(India) is not currently supported. We will contact you when we launch in your country.”
But, then I got a “Your first study” for 0.00$ & time duration is 6minutes.
I even got a mail to confirm my registration.
I don’t understand.
Am I allowed to participate or not?
Currently my account status is “On hold”. All my other details are verified. I had even gone through their demo. Such a shame, they haven’t launched in India.
Can see you found your answer. A shame they are not available in India yet. Hope they will open up for you soon.
i have not being getting survey on prolific please any help
Depending on the country you live in, it will take patience to get any surveys from Prolific. Which country do you live in? then I will be happy to suggest some alternatives you can also join to get access to more surveys.
Hi Mikael, is it possible to participate in Prolific surveys from Nigeria? Secondly, I hear some people saying they need to buy a valid US number to verify thier account. How possible is it for someone in another country that is not eligible, participate in the survey?
Prolific is not for Nigeria. I have a list of the best sites for Nigeria here.
As for trying to cheat by getting a number in a different country etc. then that is definitely not something I recommend as it is deeply unethical and you are basically stealing from the company owners that are also just trying to provide for their families. In addition to that, most sites know that there are cheaters and they have strict security so you will quickly get banned and not get your earnings if you try to cheat.
I think Prolific Survey is the best for time spent, reward & interest.
Thanks for sharing your opinion Steve. Great to hear you are happy with Prolific.
All the best,
Mikael
The extra money is just an added bonus. The real value in Prolific is being able to contribute in the surveys and have a meaningful influence on important research and studies.
I agree William. When it comes to Prolific it is important to remember what the surveys are used for and how you in this way can contribute. It can be a great contribution.
All the best,
Mikael