Online Surveys for Money: Legit Sites That Pay
Getting rich quick? A dream, but unlikely. Earning some extra money with very little effort? That is definitely possible when you do surveys for money online. The best survey sites make it simple to pick up small payouts or gift cards in your spare time. Just set reasonable expectations and stay consistent, and you can reliably turn surveys for cash into a little extra budget boost.
In this article, we’ll break down how survey sites work, what kind of payouts you can expect and how to spot the legitimate options from the scams. We’ll also highlight seven of the best platforms so you can skip the guesswork and start turning your free time into real rewards.
Best Online Survey Sites That Pay (Quick List)
These are legit online survey sites that pay real money or gift cards. But the best option for you depends on how quickly you want to cash out and how you prefer to get paid. Here’s a breakdown of our featured picks. Additional legit survey sites are listed later on this page.
Comparison of Legit Survey Sites
| Survey Site | Best For | Payout Methods | Minimum Cash Out | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Branded Surveys |
Frequent invites |
PayPal, gift cards, direct deposit |
$5 |
1-3 days |
Survey Junkie |
Straight surveys |
PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards |
$5 |
1-3 days |
InboxDollars |
Daily surveys |
PayPal, check, gift cards |
$15 for first payout, then $10 |
2–10 days |
YouGov |
Opinion research |
Cash, gift cards |
~$50 |
7 days or longer |
MyPoints |
Unique rewards |
Cash, gift cards, travel miles |
$3–$10 |
5-10 days |
Swagbucks |
Variety of tasks |
PayPal, gift cards |
$3-$5 |
1–3 days, but could be up to 10 |
Pinecone Research |
Higher-paying surveys |
Gift cards, prepaid cards |
$10 |
3-5 days |
LifePoints |
Mobile surveys |
PayPal/Venmo, gift cards |
$5 |
1–10 days |
Toluna |
Global market research |
PayPal, gift cards |
$10 |
1–3 days, but could take weeks |
Our Top Picks by Goal
Different survey sites work better for different goals. They all have different payout speeds, minimum cashout thresholds and ways you get rewarded.
- Best overall: Branded Surveys
- Best for user satisfaction: YouGov
- Best for PayPal payouts: Survey Junkie
- Best for reward options: MyPoints
- Best for beginners: InboxDollars
7 Featured Legit Survey Sites (Full Reviews)
These seven survey sites are not only popular, they’re transparent about payments and consistently pay users — as long as they meet the requirements.
1. Branded Surveys is Best For Getting More Invites
Branded Surveys is a reliable platform that uses a points-to-cash system. You earn those points by taking surveys, answering polls and doing daily challenges. You can get your payout after racking up as little as $5, and the dashboard is relatively easy to use. If you use the app consistently, you can get your first payout in a couple of days.
What you’ll do:
- Answer polls
- Take Surveys
- Daily Challenges
How you get paid:
PayPal, direct deposit, gift cards.
What to watch out for:
Disqualifications tend to be a more frequent issue.
Read our Branded Surveys review.
2. Survey Junkie Is Best for Straightforward Paid Surveys
Survey Junkie is one of the most recognized names in the survey world. It connects you with surveys matching your profile, making you more likely to qualify and finish each one. The signup is free, and the interface is clean and easy to navigate.
What you’ll do:
- Complete demographic surveys
- Take market research questionnaires
How you get paid:
PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards, with a $5 minimum cashout.
What to watch out for:
Disqualifications are common if your profile isn’t fully completed.
Read our Survey Junkie review.
3. InboxDollars Is Best for Users Who Prefer Cash Payments
Signing up for a free account with InboxDollars means you could earn as much as $225 a month taking these surveys. They send you short surveys every day, which you can fill out whenever you have a few extra minutes. You can also watch videos or read emails, giving you multiple ways to earn.
You can join for free and earn a $5 bonus. Most active users get their first payout within a week.
What you’ll do:
- Take surveys
- Read emails
- Complete offers
How you get paid:
PayPal, gift cards and checks, with a $15 minimum payout at first, then it’s $10.
What to watch out for:
The higher cashout threshold can slow down your first payout.
Read our InboxDollars review.
4. YouGov Is Best for Long-Term Opinion Surveys
YouGov is best for people who enjoy sharing opinions on public issues and brands. Companies pay YouGov for consumer insights, then YouGov shares a portion of that revenue with users who complete surveys. It is widely cited by media outlets for its research and data. You may see YouGov data cited in news stories to show public opinion on a topic.
What you’ll do:
- Take longer-form surveys
- Participate in recurring polls
How you get paid:
Cash or gift cards after reaching a higher redemption threshold, usually around $50.
What to watch out for:
Earnings accumulate slowly compared to most casual survey apps.
Read our YouGov review.
5. MyPoints Is Best for Gift Card Rewards
MyPoints is one of the original players in the online rewards space. It launched back in the dial-up internet days as a way to reward shoppers for spending online. At its core, MyPoints works on a simple system: Complete tasks, earn points and cash those points in for gift cards or PayPal cash.
What you’ll do:
- Take surveys
- Earn rewards through shopping portals
How you get paid:
Gift cards or PayPal, with relatively low redemption options.
What to watch out for:
Survey availability and payouts can vary widely.
Read our MyPoints review.
6. Swagbucks Is Best for Earning Small Rewards in Multiple Ways
Swagbucks is best for people who want surveys plus other low-effort earning options in one place. It has a variety of tasks you can complete, so you shouldn’t get too bored. All of them are easy enough. You can prop up your feet and turn on Netflix while you’re completing online surveys and searching the Web.
What you’ll do:
- Take surveys
- Watch videos
- Play games
- Complete shopping offers
How you get paid:
You can redeem points for PayPal cash or gift cards, with cashouts starting around $3 to $5.
What to watch out for:
Surveys can fill up quickly, and offers require careful attention to terms.
Read our Swagbucks review.
7. Pinecone Research Is Best for Higher-Paying Surveys
Pinecone Research is best for users who qualify for invitation-only research panels.
What you’ll do:
- Test products
- Complete opinion surveys
How you get paid:
Most surveys pay a flat amount (often around $3 each) and can be redeemed immediately via gift cards or prepaid cards.
What to watch out for:
Availability is limited, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
More Legit Survey Sites to Consider
These additional survey platforms are commonly used and can help increase invite volume when combined with other apps:
- Toluna — global panel with strong mobile app
- OpinionApp — short surveys, simple interface
- Valued Opinions — brand-focused research surveys
- LifePoints — frequent mobile surveys
- Rakuten Insights — consumer opinion surveys tied to retail brands
How Paid Online Surveys Work (and Why You Get Screened Out)
Are you wondering why someone would pay you to take a survey? What do the companies who are paying get out of it? These online survey sites are connecting advertisers with specific demographic groups (you) so they can get your opinions on products and services. This is also why users often don’t qualify for every survey.
You Get Disqualified Because Surveys Target Specific Profiles
Companies look for people with certain ages, locations, jobs or buying habits, and screening questions help them narrow results. Getting disqualified can be frustrating for some people. Just know that it happens and it’s normal, not a scam or a blatant attempt at wasting your time.
You Can Reduce Disqualifications by Completing Your Profile Fully
Most of these sites will have you fill out a profile. Completing it fully and accurately can help you qualify more often and ultimately save you time.
Ways to reduce screen-outs include:
- Answering profile questions honestly
- Avoiding rushing through surveys
- Keeping demographics consistent
- Using one dedicated email address
How Much Do Online Surveys Pay (Realistically)?
Every survey site is a little different. How much you’ll make depends on how often you take surveys, which ones you qualify for and how many different sites you use.
Many Users Report Earning Between a Few Dollars and a Few Dozen Dollars a Month
InboxDollars says you could earn up to $225 a month. Branded Surveys says up to $140 a month, and Survey Junkie says up to $130 a month with them. However, these estimates are on the higher end — so for people who use those sites often and qualify for lots of surveys. Most users say they earn between $5 to $50 per month, depending on survey availability and how often they participate.
Earnings Depend on Time, Demographics and Availability
Factors like age, location, interests and consistency all influence how many surveys you receive and complete. That’s why it’s important to use these sites regularly so you don’t miss survey opportunities as they come along.
How to Avoid Survey Scams (Red Flags Checklist)
If you’re going to spend your free time on surveys, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the most value out of it. The right habits can help you earn more while steering clear of scams.
Red flags include:
- Requests for upfront payments
- Guaranteed income claims
- Requests for Social Security numbers
- Claims you can get paid just for browsing or scrolling
- Pressure to install unknown software
Legitimate survey sites don’t charge fees or promise guaranteed income. By staying consistent and cautious, you can make survey apps a safe and worthwhile side hustle.
Surveys That Pay Cash Instantly (What “Instant” Really Means)
If only the money would magically appear in our hands after we submit a survey. But it’s not going to happen that quickly. “Instant” survey payouts usually mean a low minimum cashout threshold rather than immediate approval. And even if you’re getting paid through PayPal or gift cards, most redemptions still take one to several days to process.
Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Survey Income?
You must report survey income to the IRS. If you earn $600 or more from one platform, you may receive a 1099 tax form, but you are still responsible for reporting income even if you don’t receive one. (This is general information, not tax advice, and rules can vary.)
Top Paid Surveys FAQs
Online surveys do pay, but the amounts are small and best suited for spare-time earnings rather than reliable income.
Making $100 a day from surveys alone is very unlikely for most people and should not be expected.
Some sites offer low minimum cashouts, but most payouts still take at least a day or two to process.
Paid surveys are generally safe if you use reputable platforms and avoid sharing sensitive personal information.
Final Verdict: Are Online Surveys Worth It?
Using paid survey sites won’t be worth it for everyone. You don’t make all that much money from it, so it’s best for small, flexible earnings. However, that’s also what makes it worth it for some people. It’s low effort and you can do it whenever you have some time. If you want to give it a try, use multiple trusted survey sites to maximize earnings, keep expectations realistic and watch out for scams.
