Most survey apps are a waste of time. We tested 15 of them over 90 days to find the ones that actually pay decent money for your time. Spoiler: only 6 are worth using.
Survey apps promise easy money. The reality? Most pay $0.10-$0.50 for 15-minute surveys. That's $2-4/hour, below minimum wage.
But some survey apps pay $1-$5+ per survey, with consistent availability. The difference is knowing which ones to use and when they are actually worth your time.
We tracked every survey completed, every dollar earned, and every disqualification over a 90 day period. Here's what actually works.
Don't Rely on Surveys Alone
Surveys can fill small gaps of idle time. But the most consistent earnings come from stacking multiple reward sources that fit naturally into your routine.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
Why Most People Fail With Survey Apps
Before the rankings, understand why 90% of people quit survey apps frustrated.
Disqualifications are the biggest issue. You spend 5 minutes answering screening questions, then get kicked out with no pay.
Low pay per hour compounds the problem. $0.50 for a 20-minute survey equals $1.50/hour. Not worth anyone's time.
High minimums trap your earnings. If you need $25 to cash out but only earn $3/month, you'll never see that money.
Survey droughts hit randomly. Some days there are zero surveys available for your demographic.
The apps we recommend below minimize these problems. Not eliminate — but minimize. Because your attention has real value, don't waste it on apps that pay pennies.
Tired of surveys? You can earn rewards by visiting local partners instead. Most users earn more from passive methods:
- Watch videos (zero effort)
- Games that pay (higher upside)
- Instant payout apps (fast cash)
6 Best Survey Apps That Actually Pay (2026 Ranked)
Ranked by effective hourly rate and reliability, not just advertised payouts.
1. Prolific — Best Overall ($8-15/hour)
Prolific is the gold standard. It connects you with academic researchers who pay fairly because universities require ethical compensation.
Pay per survey: $1-$15 (average $3-5)
Effective hourly: $8-15/hour
Minimum payout: $5 (PayPal)
Disqualification rate: Very low (pre-screened)
Availability: Medium (depends on your profile)
Best for: Anyone who wants the highest consistent pay rate.
Pro tip: Fill out your profile completely. More matches = more surveys. Install browser extension for notifications.
2. UserTesting — Best High-Pay ($10 per test)
Not traditional surveys. You test websites and apps while speaking your thoughts aloud. Each test pays $10 for 15-20 minutes.
Pay per test: $10 standard, up to $120 for live interviews
Effective hourly: $30-40/hour
Minimum payout: $1 (PayPal, 7 days after test)
Availability: Low-Medium (competitive)
Best for: Users comfortable speaking aloud with a microphone.
Pro tip: Keep the app open. Tests fill up fast. Quiet environment with good microphone helps you qualify.
3. Swagbucks — Best for Variety ($3-8/hour)
Swagbucks combines surveys with videos, games, shopping cashback, and search rewards. Surveys alone pay less, but the variety helps.
Pay per survey: $0.25-$5 (average $0.50-$1)
Effective hourly: $3-8/hour (surveys only)
Minimum payout: $3 (gift cards), $25 (PayPal)
Disqualification rate: High
Availability: High (always surveys available)
Best for: Users who want variety beyond just surveys.
Pro tip: Use the Daily Poll and daily goals for bonus points. Stack with shopping cashback on purchases you'd make anyway. See our full Swagbucks review for more tips.
4. Survey Junkie — Best Pure Survey App ($5-10/hour)
Survey Junkie focuses only on surveys. Clean interface, reasonable pay, low minimum.
Pay per survey: $0.50-$5 (average $1-2)
Effective hourly: $5-10/hour
Minimum payout: $5 (PayPal, gift cards)
Disqualification rate: Medium
Availability: High
Best for: Users who want a straightforward survey-only experience.
Pro tip: Complete profile surveys first. They pay and unlock better-matching paid surveys.
5. Amazon MTurk — Best for Micro-Tasks ($6-12/hour)
MTurk offers "Human Intelligence Tasks" including surveys, data labeling, transcription, and more. Pay varies wildly.
Pay per task: $0.01-$20+ (average $0.10-$1)
Effective hourly: $6-12/hour (with good task selection)
Minimum payout: $1 (Amazon gift card), $10 (bank transfer)
Availability: Very high
Best for: Users who want variety and are willing to learn the platform.
Pro tip: Use scripts like MTurk Suite to find good-paying HITs. Avoid anything below $0.10/minute.
6. Branded Surveys — Best for Consistency ($4-8/hour)
Branded Surveys has a points system with decent conversion and regular availability.
Pay per survey: $0.50-$3 (average $1)
Effective hourly: $4-8/hour
Minimum payout: $5 (PayPal, gift cards)
Disqualification rate: Medium-High
Availability: High
Best for: Users who want consistent survey availability.
Pro tip: Check daily for bonus point opportunities. Leveling up unlocks higher-paying surveys.
Highest Paying Survey Apps (Ranked by Hourly Rate)
If maximizing your hourly rate is the goal, here's how the apps stack up:
| Rank | App | Effective Hourly Rate | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UserTesting | $30-40/hour | Low |
| 2 | Prolific | $8-15/hour | Medium |
| 3 | MTurk | $6-12/hour | High |
| 4 | Survey Junkie | $5-10/hour | High |
| 5 | Branded Surveys | $4-8/hour | High |
| 6 | Swagbucks | $3-8/hour | Very High |
Notice the trade-off: highest paying apps (UserTesting, Prolific) have lower availability. Swagbucks pays less per hour but always has surveys available.
The best strategy is using high-paying apps first, then filling gaps with high-availability apps.
Survey Apps That Pay Same Day
Need money fast? These survey apps offer same-day or instant payouts:
| App | Payout Speed | Minimum | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prolific | Same day (usually hours) | $5 | PayPal |
| Swagbucks | Instant (gift cards) | $3 | Gift cards |
| Survey Junkie | Same day | $5 | PayPal, gift cards |
| MTurk | Instant (Amazon) | $1 | Amazon gift card |
| Branded Surveys | 24-48 hours | $5 | PayPal, gift cards |
| UserTesting | 7 days after test | $1 | PayPal |
Fastest legitimate payout: MTurk to Amazon gift card is instant with just $1 minimum. Swagbucks gift cards are also instant at $3.
For PayPal cash, Prolific and Survey Junkie typically process same-day.
Warning: Any site promising "instant $50 payouts" for surveys is a scam. Legitimate same-day payouts exist but require reaching minimum thresholds first.
Realistic Survey Earnings (90-Day Test)
Here's exactly what we earned testing these apps for 90 days, dedicating about 5 hours/week to surveys:
| App | Hours Spent | 90-Day Earnings | Effective $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prolific | 18 | $187.50 | $10.42 |
| UserTesting | 8 | $120.00 | $15.00 |
| MTurk | 10 | $82.40 | $8.24 |
| Survey Junkie | 12 | $78.00 | $6.50 |
| Swagbucks | 15 | $67.25 | $4.48 |
| Branded Surveys | 7 | $38.50 | $5.50 |
| TOTAL | 70 hrs | $573.65 | $8.19 avg |
$573 in 90 days from 70 hours of work. That's roughly $190/month or $8/hour average.
Not bad for work you can do from your couch. But it's not going to replace a job.
That's why we recommend stacking surveys with other methods like store visits and walking apps. For a full breakdown, see our guide to apps that actually pay real money.
Survey Junkie vs Swagbucks: Which Pays More?
This is the most common comparison question. Here's the breakdown:
| Factor | Survey Junkie | Swagbucks | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Rate | $5-10/hour | $3-8/hour | Survey Junkie |
| Survey Availability | High | Very High | Swagbucks |
| Minimum Payout | $5 | $3 (gift cards) | Swagbucks |
| Disqualification Rate | Medium | High | Survey Junkie |
| Other Earning Methods | Surveys only | Videos, games, cashback | Swagbucks |
| Interface | Clean, simple | Busy, many options | Survey Junkie |
Bottom line: Survey Junkie pays better per hour for pure surveys. Swagbucks offers more ways to earn beyond surveys.
Use Survey Junkie if you only want surveys. Use Swagbucks if you want variety.
Best approach: use both.
For detailed breakdowns, see our Swagbucks review and Swagbucks vs InboxDollars comparison.
Stack Surveys With Location Rewards
Surveys work great for downtime. Add location-based rewards for when you're out and about.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
How to Maximize Survey Earnings
1. Prioritize by Hourly Rate, Not Total Pay
A $5 survey that takes 45 minutes = $6.67/hour.
A $1 survey that takes 5 minutes = $12/hour.
Do the math before accepting.
2. Stack Multiple Apps
Run Prolific, Survey Junkie, and Swagbucks simultaneously. When one is dry, another has surveys. Never wait.
This approach works well with no-risk money making apps that don't require purchases or deposits.
3. Fill Out All Profiles Completely
More profile data = more survey matches. Spend 30 minutes on each app's profile. It pays off.
4. Use Browser Extensions
Prolific's extension notifies you instantly when surveys drop. Speed matters — good surveys fill in minutes.
5. Know When to Quit
If you're getting disqualified 5+ times in a row, stop. Your time is worth more. Do something else.
6. Do Surveys During Dead Time
Waiting for food? Survey. Commercial break? Survey.
Don't dedicate prime productive hours to surveys.
Stack Surveys With Other Earning Methods
Surveys are fine for downtime. But for active earning time, other methods often pay better.
When sitting or waiting: Surveys work best. This is their sweet spot.
When moving around: Use location-based apps like store visit rewards instead.
When walking: Run walking apps in the background.
When shopping: Scan QR codes and receipts.
This way you're always earning something, matched to what you're doing.
Stack everything with passive income apps for maximum returns.
Survey Apps to Avoid
We tested these too. Save yourself the time.
OneOpinion: High disqualification rate and slow payouts.
Toluna (US): Points that expire and surveys are rarely available.
LifePoints: Very low pay per survey.
Any app requiring upfront payment: 100% a scam. Legitimate survey apps are always free to join.
Note: Some apps like InboxDollars have higher minimums ($15 first payout) but are still legitimate. They work better for users who combine surveys with other earning methods on the platform.
Ready to Start Earning?
Start with Prolific for best survey pay. Add location rewards for when you're moving around.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
FAQ: Best Survey Apps That Pay
How much can you realistically make with survey apps?
$50-$200/month with 5-10 hours/week of effort.
Top earners hit $300+ but that requires being very selective and efficient with which surveys you take.
Which survey app pays the most?
UserTesting pays the most per task ($10/test, effective $30-40/hour), but availability is limited.
Prolific offers the best balance of pay ($8-15/hour) and availability.
For pure volume, Swagbucks and Survey Junkie have the most surveys.
Which survey apps pay same day?
Prolific and Survey Junkie typically process PayPal payments same day.
Swagbucks and MTurk offer instant gift card redemptions.
MTurk has the lowest minimum ($1 for Amazon gift card). UserTesting takes 7 days after test completion.
What is Survey Junkie's average hourly rate?
Survey Junkie pays $5-10/hour on average, depending on which surveys you qualify for.
In our 90-day test, we averaged $6.50/hour across 12 hours of surveys.
Higher-paying surveys ($2-5) are available but less frequent.
Swagbucks vs Survey Junkie — which is better?
Survey Junkie pays better per hour for pure surveys ($5-10/hour vs $3-8/hour).
Swagbucks offers more earning methods beyond surveys (videos, games, cashback).
Use Survey Junkie for focused survey work, Swagbucks for variety. Best approach: use both.
Why do I keep getting disqualified from surveys?
Surveys target specific demographics. If you don't match (age, location, shopping habits, etc.), you're screened out.
It's frustrating but normal.
Prolific has the lowest disqualification rate because it pre-screens before showing you surveys.
Are survey apps worth the time?
For downtime, yes. Effective rates of $5-15/hour beat scrolling social media.
For dedicated earning time, location apps and gig work pay better.
Best approach: surveys for sitting time, other apps for moving time.
How do I avoid survey scams?
Never pay to join a survey site.
Never give banking info (only PayPal email for payouts).
Stick to established apps with reviews.
If it promises $50/hour for surveys, it's a scam.