I tested Thrifty Pig twice to see if its surveys and research activities are worth your time. It is legit and has improved a lot, but the rewards are still low compared to the top survey sites. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
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 tested Thrifty Pig himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit and improved, but the rewards are still low
A US and Canada survey panel with research activities on the side. It now pays via PayPal from $5, but it is far from the industry leaders.
On this page
The short answer
Thrifty Pig is legit. It is a market research company that lets you earn by answering surveys and completing research activities. It has significantly improved since I first tested it, and it now pays via PayPal.
But the rewards are still relatively low compared to the top survey sites, and it is only for people who live in the US and Canada. I only recommend it if you need an additional site to earn from.
- Offers decent bonus rewards when joining
- The site is user-friendly
- Now offers payment via PayPal
- A $5 payout threshold
- Works well on a mobile browser
- Limited earning opportunities
- Rewards are low compared to the top survey sites
- Only for people in the US and Canada
- Research activities are rare
- No mobile app
My experience with Thrifty Pig
I tested Thrifty Pig when I first wrote this review, and again after it added new payout options. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- December 2024Review first published Dec 23, 2024
- Latest retest
- Checked: surveys, payout options, support
- Surveys available
- A good number nowFew when I first tested it
- Pay per survey
- Around 50 to 200 coins100 coins = $1
- Registering and confirming my email
- The member dashboard and the profile survey
- The Surveys tab and the survey details
- The payout options, the Help section and the site on a mobile phone
- A research activity, such as a product test or focus group. My review does not show that I took part in one.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from Thrifty Pig.
Inside Thrifty Pig: my screenshots
These screenshots are from my test. They show the research activities, the payout options, the site on a mobile phone and the registration form.
Screenshots from my test
Thrifty Pig pays less than the top survey sites. These sites let you earn more for your time.
See the best sites in your countryThrifty Pig at a glance
| What it is | Market research company with a survey panel |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Paid surveys, and research activities: product testing, online and in-person focus groups, phone interviews |
| Pay per survey | Typically around 50 to 200 coins |
| Coin value | 100 coins = $1 |
| Joining bonus | 100 coins in total for confirming your email and completing your profile |
| Minimum cashout | 500 coins ($5) |
| Payout methods | PayPal, paper check, Amazon gift cards |
| Apps | No app. The dashboard is optimized for mobile browsers. |
| Where you can join | US and Canada only |
| Support | Help section, contact form, and email: support@thriftypig.com |
Is Thrifty Pig legit and safe?
Yes, Thrifty Pig is legit, because you can earn from it. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is worth your time. Here is what you should know before you join.
- The rewards are relatively low
Around 50 to 200 coins per survey is not a bad rate, but it is far from the industry leaders. You can earn a decent amount, but not as much as on the top survey sites.
- You will not qualify for every survey
Every survey starts with qualifying questions. Surveys also have a maximum number of respondents, and once that is met, they close. Getting to surveys quickly gives you a better chance.
- Research activities are rare
Product tests, focus groups and phone interviews pay more than surveys, but invites are quite rare. Focus groups and interviews usually last more than an hour, sometimes over several days.
- Only for the US and Canada
Thrifty Pig is only for people who live in the US and Canada. If you live somewhere else, this is not for you.
My takeThrifty Pig is not a bad site, in my opinion. It has significantly improved since the last time I tested it. It now offers payment via PayPal, but the rewards it offers are still relatively low compared to the top survey sites. So, I only recommend you join if you need an additional site to earn from.
How you earn on Thrifty Pig
There are 2 ways to earn. Paid surveys are the main one. Tap one to read more.
Paid surveys50–200 coins each
Log in to the member dashboard and click the Surveys tab to see all available surveys. The first time you log in, you answer a profile survey. It helps Thrifty Pig figure out which surveys to send your way, and you earn a small reward for it.
Click a survey to see the full details, including the reward in coins. Each survey starts with qualifying questions. If you qualify, you answer the survey. If you do not, you move on to the next one.
When I first tested the site, there were not a lot of surveys available. Since then, the number of surveys has significantly improved, so there is a good chance you can earn regularly.
Research activitiesPays more, but rare
From time to time, you are invited to product testing, online and in-person focus groups, and phone interviews. The invitation appears as a survey that checks if you are eligible. If you qualify, a representative contacts you to set a schedule.
For a product test, the product is mailed to you for free and you keep it. Afterwards, you answer a survey with your feedback. Focus groups and phone interviews usually last more than an hour, and sometimes run over several days.
Based on my experience, these activities pay more than surveys, because they take more effort. They are quite rare, so grab the opportunity if you get invited.
Check Out the Top Survey Sites in Your Country
How much can you make?
It depends on how many surveys you can complete. Research activities are quite rare, so you cannot rely on them as a steady source of rewards. Most of your earnings will come from paid surveys.
There is now a good number of surveys available, so you should be able to earn a decent amount fairly easily. You typically earn around 50 to 200 coins per survey, which is not a bad rate, in my opinion.
However, it is far from being the industry leader, so its earning potential is still not that high. You can earn a decent amount from it, but it won’t be as high as what you can earn from the top survey sites.
Payout methods and minimum
| Method | Minimum |
|---|---|
| PayPal | 500 coins ($5) |
| Paper check | 500 coins ($5) |
| Amazon gift card | 500 coins ($5) |
When I first tested the site, Amazon gift cards were the only payout option. Since then, PayPal and paper checks have been added. You get 100 coins as a bonus when you set up your account, so you only need to earn at least 400 more coins for your first payout.
Overall, I would say its payout system is relatively convenient and straightforward. For more sites with this method, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
How to join Thrifty Pig
Thrifty Pig is only for people who live in the US and Canada. Fill out the registration form with your email address. Thrifty Pig sends you a confirmation email: click the link to complete your registration, and you receive bonus coins.
When you first log in, complete your profile, because you also receive bonus coins for that. By the time your account is set up, you have 100 coins as a bonus.
There is no app, but the dashboard works well in a mobile browser. The user interface is quite simple, so you can answer surveys when you are not at your computer.
Thrifty Pig alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, payouts usually within 30 minutes | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Survey Junkie | Easy-to-use survey site in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Branded Surveys | Surveys in the US, UK and Canada, paid via PayPal, bank transfer or gift cards | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Swagbucks | Many daily ways to earn, one of the biggest GPT sites | About $5 PayPal; gift cards from 100 SB | 4.3 / 5 |
Looking for primary ways to earn extra cash? See the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You will find a site or app you can join regardless of where you live.
How I scored Thrifty Pig
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Thrifty Pig scores 58 out of 100. These sites pay more for your time.
See the best sites in your countryThrifty Pig FAQ
Is Thrifty Pig a scam?
No. Thrifty Pig is a legit market research company, and you can earn from its surveys and research activities. But the rewards are low compared to the top survey sites.
What is the minimum payout?
500 coins, which is $5. 100 coins equal $1.
How does Thrifty Pig pay?
Through PayPal, paper check or Amazon gift cards.
How much does a survey pay?
Typically around 50 to 200 coins per survey.
Is there a joining bonus?
Yes. You get bonus coins for confirming your email and for completing your profile, 100 coins in total.
Who can join Thrifty Pig?
Only people who live in the US and Canada.
Does Thrifty Pig have an app?
No. But the member dashboard is optimized for mobile, so you can use it in your phone’s browser.
How do I contact Thrifty Pig?
Check the Help section on the dashboard first. Otherwise, email support@thriftypig.com or use the contact form on the website.
Who tested Thrifty Pig 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 Thrifty Pig, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
I just came across your review of our site and wanted to let you know that no one from our team wrote those terrible comments to you. I am so sorry for any misunderstanding.
One quick clarification I would make on your review is that we *do* offer redemption via paper check and PayPal. We also have a huge number of survey opportunities available at any given time, as well as opportunities to participate in more in-depth studies (like focus groups, product tests, online diaries, etc).
We have made some nice improvements to the site recently and welcome any additional feedback you have. Thank you! Mary
Thank you very much for clearing this up. Happy to hear that. If you think these comments are horrible, you should see the ones I had to delete. Someone seems to be out to make your company look very bad.
But thanks for making me aware of the updates. I will definitely look into that and update the review accordingly.