How to Get Paid to Take Online Surveys

Tips for finding legitimate online paid surveys plus a ranking of the best survey sites that really pay.

Is it really possible to make money for online surveys?  Yes.  There are lots of reputable marketing companies that run valuable research for major brand companies, and that compensate you for your time. But there are also a lot of copycat and scam companies that try to blend in with legitimate ones. With hundreds, possibly thousands of "Get Paid To" (GPT) sites around, how can you tell the difference? 

We scoured the web to find reviews and articles written by real people with real experience. Here are the top tips and top sites that people have found success with.  Don't forget to check out the resources on the sidebar to find some of the best articles on the topic.

Got thoughts, comments, more to add? Visit our forums thread on this discussion.

In this article:

• 10 Safe and Profitable Tips for Making Money Taking Surveys
• Top 20 Best Paid Survey Sites
• 50 More Paid Survey Sites with Good Reviews
• Top Sites that Pay Via Sweepstakes or Other Offers
• 13 Survey Sites to Avoid

 

10 Safe and Profitable Tips for Making Money Taking Surveys

#1. Don't pay to work.  A legitimate research company will never ask you to pay in order to access their surveys.  Some sites are actually "membership clubs" that require a fee in order to get their directory of survey companies.  They might claim that their directory is only filled with the best survey sites.  But their directory often consists of the most spammy and lowest incentive companies. Just start slow -- sign up for the most reputable ones (listed below) and add more as you go. You don't need to pay someone else to do that for you.

#2. Sign up for research companies, not directories. Some sites make their money through referral fees. They'll get your information and sign you up with hundreds of other survey companies who pay for new users. These might be hard to spot at first because they don't require a fee like the membership clubs mentioned above. Look for the "about us" section and see whether the company actually conducts research on behalf of real clients. Look out for language like "we send you surveys from top survey companies."

#3. Protect your privacy. Legitimate research companies will protect your privacy, so a quick and dirty way to verify if a survey company is on the up and up is to read their private policy terms. Do they "share" your information with their "partners"?

#4. Watch out for paid offer sites. Many sites present themselves as paid survey sites but are really paid offer sites.  These sites make money by getting people to sign up for offers, click on advertisements, and provide their email addresses. You can spot these by their super long list of "offers" that you have to go through in order to complete the survey or redeem your prize.  They might offer you something like $20 to sign up for a service that costs $5.99/month (presumably you'll cancel after the first month).  They might also pay you to read emails and click on the advertisements. Know that your information is most definitely being sold, and it's not something they can hide very well in their private policy terms. 

Paid offers aren't necessarily scams.  They're doable, just like paid surveys, but it takes a real savvy and dedicated user to sort through all the fine print, keep detailed records, and not mind personal information being sold to the highest bidder.

#5. Watch out for spyware. Some sites require that you download a program so they can monitor your web behavior. Some people are fine with this. Just know that there are plenty of companies that don't require this so if it makes you uncomfortable, skip it and try another site.  If you do decide to register, don't use that computer for any online activity that has sensitive information.

#6. Fill out your profile. Now that you know the difference between sites that sell your information versus sites that don't, make sure to fill out your profile on the legitimate paid survey sites. You won't get sent surveys unless you match their profile, so not filling them out will just disqualify you from the beginning. Sometimes you still need to go through a screener survey in order to qualify for the longer survey.  Some sites will give you a small compensation even if you don't qualify.

#7. Find out how you're paid. Some pay in cash. Some give points that get converted to cash. Others pay with gift cards, products, and sweepstake entries. Before you take a survey or accept a product review, know how you'll be compensated.  Also, after you've done a few surveys for a company, check your account to make sure you're being properly credited and how long you'll have to wait to redeem your points for cash or product.  Watch out for any redemption deadlines (some points might expire before you've accrued enough to cash out), and make sure that the gift cards they offer are valuable to you if the company doesn't offer cash.

#8. Be active. Some survey sites send you more surveys if you are more active. They might even send you surveys with higher payouts. Check your account and make sure your profiles are updated so you're getting the most relevant surveys. Also, some sites require a certain amount of activity in order to keep your account active, which means keeping any non-redeemed earnings valid.

#9. Keep records. The only way to decide whether a survey site works for you is to keep records on your earnings and time spent. Some survey sites will provide a higher ROI. If you sign up with a bunch of sites and take any survey that falls into your inbox, you may get discouraged by the spammy, low paying sites and not notice the quality ones that actually make you money.

#10. Have a dedicated email, mailing address, and credit card. Expect a lot of spam, both in your email inbox and real mailbox. And if you're going to try out the paid offers route, definitely make sure to have a separate credit card that you can monitor for identity theft and unauthorized charges. You might also consider doing all your paid survey/offers on a dedicated computer that doesn't have access to sensitive files or online information.

Got thoughts, comments, more to add? Visit our forums thread on this discussion.

 

Legend for list of survey sites

  This icon represents cash payouts -- either the company will pay you cash directly or they give points that are converted directly to cash (as opposed to only redeeming points for gift cards or prizes).

  This icon indicates a cash payment through PayPal only. You must have a PayPal account to receive cash payments.

  This icon represents a company that primarily conducts focus groups, which requires more time (but have higher payouts) and may be offline (going to a physical facility), phone (interviews), or online (bulletin boards or web conference calls).

  This icon represents a paid offer site (most often have paid surveys, too).

 

Top 20 Best Paid Survey Sites

These sites are characterized by high payouts, an easy redemption process, and real user reviews. They consistently make the top lists of experienced survey takers.

    20/20 Research primarily conduct discussions (focus groups, bulletin board discussions, and individual interviews). Offline focus groups take place in Memphis, Miami and Charlotte. Online and telephone interviews are also available.
75.4% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
20/20 Research: Make Money with Focus Groups (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)
Not a Member of 20/20 Research? Here is One Reason to Join Today! (Boost Your Income Today)

  American Consumer Opinion offers cash payment from $4 to $50, proportional to the length of time it would take the average person to complete the survey.
85.2% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.1 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
American Consumer Opinion (ACOP): Top 25 (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Baker Street Solutions offers Amazon gift certificates for completing online surveys, but their product testing opportunities pay $25-$40 cash.
88.7% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Baker Street Solutions - Legitimate Survey Panel #10 (Living on one income)
Baker Street Solutions: Online Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Brand Institute (also referred to as Global Online Recruiting) runs a lot of surveys often related to drugs and health products. It may be hard to qualify and there aren't many surveys, but compensation is higher than most. Surveys usually take 15-30 minutes and often offer compensation anywhere from $2.00-$100.00, depending on the project.
54.1% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
5.9 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Brand Institute: Top 25 Legitimate Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  BuzzBack provides sweepstakes, gift certificates and cash for studies. Cash surveys pay $1 to $10. 
62.9% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Survey Panels....times are tough! Buzzback surveys (Living on one income)
Buzzback Market Research: Online Paid Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Clear Voice Surveys sends out surveys regularly, and pay from $1 - $20. If you don't quality for a survey, you still get $0.25. You are paid via a Payoneer debit card or gift certificates at Amazon or restaurants.
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
5.3 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Clear Voice Surveys Panel: Should you join? Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

E-Poll generally gives 500 to 3000 points per survey completed. You can redeem gift cards at various stores: Amazon, Home Depot, etc. It takes 3500 points for a $5 gift card, 6750 for a $10 card, on up to 17,250 for a $30 one. They give points even when you don't qualify for surveys.
67.7% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.2 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
E-Poll a Great Survey Site (Associated Content)
E-Poll: Top 10 Legitimate Survey Review: Is it worth your time? (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Esearch pays $2 to $10 via PayPal for completing surveys. 
88.4% (Survey Police)
3.5/5 stars (MySurvey123)
4.8 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Esearch.com: Legitimate Survey Company (Living on one income)
Esearch.com: Legitimate Online Paid Survey Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

    Focus Forward offers cash surveys as well as online and offline focus groups.. You need a minimum of $10 in your account to request a check.
72.3% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.7 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Join Focus Group, Get Paid (The Sun's Financial Diary)
Focus Forward Online Review UPDATE (I am speaking)

  Global Test Market will reward you with MarketPoints for every online survey you complete. You'll receive money for every online survey you take, even if it turns out you are ineligible to complete the survey. One MarketPoint is equal 5 cents. Once you reach 1,000 MarketPoints, you can redeem your balance for $50 U.S. dollars.
73.5% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.2 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Global Test Market - Legitimate Survey Company (Living on one income)
Global Test Market: Revisiting an Old Favorite (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  HCD Surveys has many current events and political surveys. Surveys are often short and interesting, and usually pay $1.00 - $5.00. Payment is given in the form of points (100 points per dollar) and can be redeemed when you have earned 1000 points.
86.1% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
8.2 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
HCD Surveys - Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)
HCD Surveys: Legitimate Online Paid Survey Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Lightspeed Panel gives Lightspeed Points for completing most surveys. Then, redeem your points for cash, online gift certificates, music downloads, and other prizes. You get 75 to 1000 points per survey, and need a minimum of 500 points (equivalent to $5, or $1 per 100 points) to cash out.
64.1% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
6.5 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Lightspeed Consumer Panel: Top 25 Legitimate Survey Sites (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Netverdix offers incentives ranging from $2 to $60 for surveys, focus groups and media analysis. Even if you don't quality for the survey, you will be entered into a cash drawing. They pay out every month, as long as you have more than $2 in your account.
85.5% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
6.3 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Netverdix: Online Paid Survey Update! (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  NFO My Survey uses a point system, where 100 points is equal to a dollar. They also reward members with daily giveaways and raffles or sweepstakes entries.
77.5% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.8 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Top 25 Legitimate Survey Sites: NFO My Survey (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Opinion Outpost (Pro Opinion) gives Opinion Points for each completed survey that are redeemable for cash.  10 Opinion Points = $1.00. Points are redeemable when you reach 50 points ($5). Opinion Outpost’s average survey pays $3 to $10.
82.1% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.2 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Opinion Outpost - Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)
Opinion Outpost: Top 25 Legitimate Online Paid Survey (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  PineCone Research usually pays $3 per survey (it used to be $5) and the payment can be made via PayPal or check. There's no need to redeem points or save up.  You must find a banner ad in order to get access to their registration page.  You can usually find one at MySurvey123
88.5% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Pinecone Research: Top 25 Cash Paying Online Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Survey Savvy pays cash for every survey you qualify and complete, and there is no minimum requirement to request payment.
66.4% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
5.9 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Survey Savvy Review (I am speaking)
Survey Savvy: Updating a Legitimate Survey Site (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Survey Spot offers instant games and/or sweepstakes entries as well as cash rewards ranging from $3-$10 for completed surveys.
69.6% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
6.8 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
SurveySpot: The Best Paid Survey Site - Ever (Associated Content)
Survey Spot: Top Paid Survey Site (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Valued Opinions offers rewards in the form of gift cards from major retailers like Amazon. You must be invited or find a advertising link to join. For each survey you complete, you will receive a reward, typically between $2 and $5 and up to $50 for specialist surveys. Once your account reaches $20 you will be able to redeem your gift card reward.
72.3% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
6.5 (Paid Survey User Reviews)

  Your2Cents pays $1 to $5 for completed surveys. If you end up not qualifying for a survey, you'll still get a sweepstakes entry and/or a small cash reward. You can request a check once you have accumluated $10 in your account.
71.9% (Survey Police)
5.8 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Your2Cents - Legitimate Survey Company (Living on one income)
Your2Cents: Top 25 Legitimate Survey Sites (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Got thoughts, comments, more to add? Visit our forums thread on this discussion.

 

50 More Paid Survey Sites with Good Reviews

These are sites that have good, decent or mixed reviews, but not enough reviews were found in general to make a good judgment call. If there are any complaints about these, it's that they have low per survey payouts, not enough surveys, or high payout minimums, but they're still a pretty safe bet if you're looking for more legitimate sites to sign up with. Some don't have specific reviews linked, but have made it to at least a few top lists (that are linked to on the sidebar).

  African American Voice specializes in surveys for African American consumers. For each survey you complete, you are awarded a minimum of 50 MarketPoints (for a minimum 20 minute survey). MarketPoints are redeemable for cash once you’ve accumulated 1000 MarketPoints (equivalent to $50.00 USD).
57.9% (Survey Police)
African American Voice: Top 25 Online Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Amplitude Research (AmpUpNow) registers users for several panels -- Panelspeak Consumer & Technology Panel and B2B Survey Panel. The Consumer Panels pay a minimum of a $2.00 Target GiftCard, whereas the minimum payout for the Technology panel is a $10 Target GiftCard.
76.8% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)

    Cash Crate is a popular paid offer site (with a few surveys) with a minimum $20 payout threshold. They have both "free" offers -- signing up for offers that doesn't cost you money upfront, as well as offers that cost you an upfront payment, but presumably you are paid more to sign up.
CashCrate Review (Easy Money Blog)
CashCrate.com Review: It's a really small crate! (I've Tried That)

   Cash Lagoon is mainly a paid offer site but have received decent reviews and include daily surveys that you can earn a small amount for. Minimum payout is only $2.00 for PayPal payment, or you can request a check.
Cash Lagoon: Offer Site with Great Low Payout! (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  ClickIQ compensates with point credits that are redeemable for cash. Sweepstakes entries are used as well and from time to time study sponsors may offer an alternate reward. Points can be redeemed when you reach 2500 points ($25).
80.4% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
ClickIQ: Online Paid Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

    CreationsRewards offer a variety of ways to earn money: visiting sites, reading emails, signing up for offers, and taking surveys.
CreationsRewards: A Reliable GPT Site (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

CVS Advisor sends online surveys about CVS products and services. As compensation, you are given ExtraBucks, which you can spend at CVS stores. You must be a part of their CVS ExtraCare program to join the panel.
CVS Advisor Panel - Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)

  Daily Survey Panel promises abundant surveys, fast and low minimum payouts, and points that never expire. Points are redeemable for PayPal credit or gift cards to a variety of merchants.
Daily Survey Panel Review (I am speaking)
Survey Review: Daily Survey Panel (Frugal at Home)

Data Intelligence  offers points that can be redeemed for a variety of products, including gift cards. There are mixed reviews on this site as there are complaints that their points system is confusing and difficult to redeem in a reasonable amount of time.  
64.3% (Survey Police 64.3%)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Datatelligence Online: Is this survey site for you? A Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Directive Analytics For each survey you complete  Directive Analytics will reward you with DirectPoints. The value of DirectPoints is fixed against the U.S. Dollar at one cent per DirectPoint (i.e., 10 DirectPoints=10 cents, 100 DirectPoints=$1.00). Payout is usually $1-$5. Mixed reviews. not a lot of information
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)

    Dollar Surveys offers surveys as well as offers, and from the mixed reviews, it's a grab bag of good and bad ones.  You much have a PayPal account in order to receive payouts.
Survey Review: Dollar Surveys (Frugal at Home)
DollarSurvey.net: Worth a Dollar? (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

E-Rewards earn gift certificates to retail outlets and online stores for completing surveys. In order to join, you must sign up with one of their sponsors to receive an inviation to join. 
79.0% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)

  Elite Opinion (formerly Tech Panel) runs business surveys covering industries like Financial Services, IT/Tech, Telecom, Education, Marketing, and Human Resources. You are paid through ELITEOpinion Points that are redeemable for cash, gift certificates, or merchandise. On average, surveys are worth 1000-1500 points ($10-$15). They are operated under Lightspeed, a top rated survey company.
67.0% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
EliteOpinion Panel: Online Paid Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Executive Advisory Board is for business professionals and owners. They have higher payouts (ranging from a minimum of $10 U.S. to $300 U.S. or more, depending on the length of the online survey). Also, just for being a member, you are entered each month in a drawing for $250 in cash prizes.
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)

  FGI Research conducts research for manufacturers, universities, public opinion firms, media companies, advertising agencies, and service providers. Completed surveys are compensated via cash payment (PayPal only) or entries into their drawings.
78.3% (Survey Police)

   Focus Pointe Global coordinates focus groups (online, phone, offline) and pays cash for your time.
Focus Pointe Global: Slow but Reliable (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  GARB (Great Apparel Research Board) conducts research on behalf of apparel companies. Users perform wear tests, review product concepts, packaging, graphics, and participate in focus groups. They used to be a part of the U30 Group but are now run by Bellomy Research.
58.9% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Garb: Online Paid Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Globalnet Panel offers points redeemable for cash or gift certificates (gift certificate redemption has lower minimum points).
GlobalNet Panel: Legitimate Online Paid Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Global Opinion Panels (Synovate) gives points as well as sweepstake entries for each completed survey.
68.2% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
7.0 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Top 25: Synovate (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Greenfield is an old and well established company with many surveys and compensation range from sweepstake entries to cash. It has long been a respected paid survey site, but recent changes have spurred some more negative reviews.
45.7% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
3.9 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Greenfield Online - Legitimate Survey (Living on one income)
Greenfield Online: Top 25 Legitimate Online Survey Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Harris Poll offers points that are redeemable for merchandise such as electronic equipment and accessories or gift cards.
72.6% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Harris Poll - Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)
Harris Poll Online: Top Survey Site Reviews (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Harvard Business School Research hosts psychology and social studies. Compensation range from $5 to $25 (gift cards) for online studies (more if you're a local resident).
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)

    InboxDollars mainly has paid offers as well as compensation for reading emails. They have daily paid surveys for a small compensation. You can redeem once you've reached $30.
Inbox Dollars Review (I am speaking)
InboxDollars: Is this for you? A Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Ipsos i-Say offers points or sweepstake entries for completing surveys. Once you have 50 points ($5) in your account, you can redeem them for merchandise or gift certificates from retailers like Amazon.
63.5% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
2.8 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Ipsos-i-Say: Top 25 Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  i.think provides cash or drawing entries for completed surveys. They pay cash with no minimum requirement. They also do focus groups.
79.2% (Survey Police)
3/5 stars (MySurvey123)
i_think.inc: Surveys Few and Far Between (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Mindfield offers surveys worth $1-$5, with a minimum amount of $5 for payout.  If you don't qualify for a survey, you will be entered into a monthly contest for cash and/or prizes. 
37.3% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123) 
6.5 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Mindfield Online Surveys - Legitimate Survey Company (Living on one income)
Mindfield Online: Legitimate Paid Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  MyOpinionNow gives reward points that can be redeemed for cash and/or gifts. Each 2000 points earned has a cash equivalence of $20, and this is the minimum amount required to begin redeeming your accumulated reward points.
MyOpinionNow.com: What you need to now (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  MyPoints gives you points to click on advertisements, read email, shop, play games, search, sign up for offers, and take surveys. Points are redeemable as gift cards and they have a wide range of merchants to get gift cards from.
67.4% (Survey Police)
4.5/5 stars (MySurvey123)
My Points: Is it a Survey Site?? (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  MySurveyCenter offers cash or other drawing entries for completed surveys. Funds are held until the account reaches $25 or for a period of 6 months, whichever comes first.
70.5% (Survey Police)
MySurveyCenter.com: Worth a Try (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Opinion Place is owned by AOL and offers either Amazon gift cards, AAdvantage miles, or PayPal credit. Typical surveys pay out between $1 to $5.
82.3% (Survey Police)
Opinion Place: Legitimate Online Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

OpinionWorld Business sends business related surveys and gives SurveyPoints for participating, which can be redeemed for products or gift cards.  3000 points will get you gift cards worth $25.
OpinionWorld Business: Online Survey Panel Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Partnership-Plus is a panel that specializes in clothing and accessories.  Panel members take surveys on their monthly purchases and receive points for completing them (200 per month). Also get bonus points for completing your monthly survey early, as well as not missing a month! Points are redeemable for cash (1000 points for $10).
78.6% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)

  PSB Surveys conducts research for Fortune 500 companies and major political campaigns. Surveys are compensated via PayPal or Amazon gift cards. A common complaint is their slow payment -- it may take up to 12 weeks.
3/5 stars MySurvey123
psbsurveys.com - Legitimate survey company (Living on one income)

    QuickRewards pay for you to shop, take surveys, sign up for offers, read emails, visit websites, and play games. What's great is that you can choose between these options when you sign up. If you're not interested in the offers, just choose surveys and you won't get sent emails for offers. The customer service is top notch as well. A pretty good place for anybody wanting to test the waters of offers and other types of paid-to-do options.
QuickRewards: Everything but the Kitchen Sink! (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Research Participants Institute conducts research projects that pay you to review presentations and provide your reactions and opinions. They have both online as well as in-person projects, including online jurors opportunities. Projects range in length between 15 minutes to 2 hours. You are paid at the end of the month.
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)

  Resonance Research offer rewards of $3 to $5 for product surveys. Survey invitations are sent via email and payment is sent via PayPal. Surveys use Resonance, a proprietary research tool that measure emotions and motivations. 
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Resonance Research: Infrequent Surveys But They Pay! (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Rewarded Opinions is on a point system. Each point is worth 1 cent. You can cash out when you reach 2000 points ($20). They also run focus groups that pay up to $75.
Rewarded Opinions: New Online Paid Survey Site (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

SayNation also has a teen division for 13-17 year olds to take surveys and earn points. All points are only redeemable for gift cards at various merchants, including Amazon.
4.5 stars (MySurvey123)

  SendEarnings is a sister site of InboxDollars, run by the same company. Like InboxDollars, it's mainly a paid offer site, but includes daily surveys for a small compensation.  It also pays for clicking on ads in emails.
Send Earnings: A Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Socratic Forum offers surveys about e-commerce, technology, software, and business products and services. You can request a check in $5 increments.
71.1% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Socratic Forum: Steady and Reliable! (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Stanford GSB Behavioral Lab provides an opportunity for individuals to participate in online research being conducted by Stanford faculty members and graduate students. Most studies take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete. In general, studies pay between $5 and $15 (as Amazon gift cards) depending on the length of the study. In addition to paying studies, participants can also take part in non-paying drawing studies, in which their participation enters them into a drawing for one or two larger Amazon.com gift certificates. 
3.5/5 stars (MySurvey123)

  Survey Center Online is primarily a focus group research company but has surveys available from time to time.
3.5/5 stars (MySurvey123)

  Survey Spree pays $1 to $5 via PayPal for completed surveys. Additionally, you will earn an entry for a $1,000 drawing each time you complete a survey.
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Survey Spree: A Real Survey Site? A Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  TechSay recruits programmers, managers, technical managers and executives who work in the IT or technology industries for their surveys. They give at least 200 TekPoints ($10) per completed survey and is redeemable for cash once you have 1,000 TekPoints ($50).
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
TechSay.com: Online Paid Survey Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  Treasure Trooper is another popular and highly rated paid offer site with a variety of activities that will earn cash.
Is Treasure Trooper A Scam? (Work At Home No Scams)
How to Make Hundres Eah Month Online Using Treasure Trooper (Associated Content)

  U30 Group runs a variety of panels for top corporations in the U.S. Most of the opportunities are for product testing, but the surveys that they do have available have high payouts if you qualify (between $5 to $15).  Please note that the GARB Panel is no longer a part of U30.
75.3% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
U30/Garb Panel - Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)
U30 Group: Online Paid Survey Panel (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

  UCLA ABLab runs studies to provide insights into people’s behavior in business and social settings. When you receive an invitation to participate in a study, you will receive instructions for signing up for the study. The study may take place on the UCLA campus or online (i.e., online surveys you can do at your own computer). Studies typically pay $10 to $20 per hour. You will be paid in cash, via your BRUIN card, via PayPal, or in gift certificates or products for each study.

  Viewpoint Forum is a reputable survey site that only accepts new members via current member referrals. You can search for some active forums that have open requests for membership.
72.3% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)
Viewpoint Forum: How to Get A Referral (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Yale eLab conducts research that examines consumer behavior throught simple online surveys. You are entered into the lottery for a prize once you have completed the whole study. The odds typically vary from 1/60 to 1/100 and the prizes vary from $25-50 in the form of an Amazon gift certificate. You will see the information on probability of winning and prize before you start any of our studies. 

Got thoughts, comments, more to add? Visit our forums thread on this discussion.   

 

Top Sites that Pay Via Sweepstakes or Other Offers

Some users love to take surveys or sign up for sweepstakes with high payout potential, but with no guarantees. If you love a gamble and getting a chance to win big money or prizes, or be the first to try new products, here are some of the best sites for you.

BetaResearch offers surveys and product reviews. Payment is in the form of product or small gifts, such as phone cards.
71.6% (Survey Police)
4/5 stars (MySurvey123)

BzzAgent is a word-of-mouth marketing network that offers members an opportunity to try new products and spread the word about them. You aren't paid for your evaluation but may get "Cool Stuff" like rewards and special offers from merchants.
77.0% (Survey Police)
BzzAgent - legitimate survey panel (Living on one income)
BuzzAgent: Love it or Hate it (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Choozz  only accepts 13-35 years old. Each time you take a survey, you can play an Instant Win Game and also earn an entry in a $25,000 Cash Sweepstakes. For surveys that require extra effort, you can receive personal cash rewards or special prizes like iPods, flat screen monitors, games and CD vouchers, and much more. They also send products to test at home.
77.9% (Survey Police)
7.8 (Paid Survey User Reviews)

Kraft First Taste offers the inside scoop on the latest Kraft products and allows members to be one of the first to try them and share your opinion.
Kraft First Taste - open consumer panel (Living on one income)

NPD Online Research is a popular survey site that only offers entries into their sweepstakes as payment.
74.9% (Survey Police)
7.2 (Online Survey User Reviews)
NPD Online Research (NPDOR): Online Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Online-Sweepstakes lists thousands of available sweepstakes and contests with an easy to navigate design, useful sorting options, and a robust forums community. They also offer a very affordable premium membership which allows access to exclusive listings and tools that make entering easier and winning more likely.

Prizey is a site that features great giveaways from small sites and companies that get lost in the larger sweepstakes directories. The giveaways listed here are mostly run by blogs and small businesses, mostly targeting parents and families.

SheSpeaks sends a variety of products for testing including hair care, books, snacks, and make-up.
SheSpeaks Survey Group - Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)

Sweepstakes Advantage has an extensive sweepstakes listing that includes cash sweepstakes, free giveaways, online freebies, instant win sweepstakes, writing and photo contests, and much more. Browse the sweepstakes listings by category, prize or destination and track the sweepstakes you've entered with their free My Sweepstakes feature.

Zoom Panel gives points that are only redeemable for products in their catalog, but they have frequent surveys and points add up quickly.
75.7% (Survey Police)
3.5 stars (MySurvey123)
8.2 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
Zoom Panel: Legitimate Survey Panel (Living on one income)
Zoom Panel: Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

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13 Survey Sites to Avoid

These sites have major complaints regarding problems getting paid and credits being properly counted. These are the sites that don't follow through on their payment promises even though users have done everything properly. 

AW Surveys
Unverified (Survey Police)
Survey Company Blacklist (DWYTO)
A.W. Survey - Scam (MySurvey123)
AW Surveys: Is it Real? (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Cash4offers
Cash4offers: A Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Cashcow4me
Cashcow4me: A Survey Site Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Cash Krazy
CashKrazy.com Scam (MySurvey123)
Cash Krazy: Bait and Switch (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

ECN Research 
Unverified (Survey Police)
Survey Company Blacklist (DWYTO)
ECN Research - Spam! (MySurvey123)
ECN Research: Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Express Paid Surveys
Unverified (Survey Police)
Survey Company Blacklist (DWYTO)
Express Paid Surveys: Will You Be Scammed? A review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Global Survey Group
Global Survey Group - Scam or Spam (MySurvey123)

Memolink
Unverified (Survey Police)
Memo Link: Survey SIte? Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

My View
53.5% (Survey Police)
2.5 (Paid Survey User Reviews)
MyView (MySurvey123) -- user comments regarding trouble crediting account properly
MyView (Survival Guide to Online Surveys) -- user comments regarding trouble crediting account properly

Panda Research
Unverified (Survey Police)
Survey Company Blacklist (DWYTO)
Panda Research Scam (MySurvey123)
Panda Research: Worth Your Effort? A Review (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Survey Panel Group
Survey Panel Group Scam or Spam? (MySurvey123)
Survey Panel Group: Honest review of an Online Survey Site (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Viva Research
Unverified (Survey Police)
Survey Company Blacklist (DWYTO)
Viva Research - Scam (MySurvey123)
Viva Research: Scam or Not? (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

Vindale Research
Unverified (Survey Police)
Survey Company Blacklist (DWYTO)
Vindale Research - Scam (MySurvey123)
Beware of Vindale Research Scam Paid Survey Site (Associated Content)
Vindale Research: Lots of Complaints (Survival Guide to Online Surveys)

 

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