Get Paid for Research Studies: Best Companies and Tips

The recent side hustle culture is making everyone look for additional sources of income to either support their 9-5s or break from the standard model entirely. But the reality is – not everyone needs it, and we certainly don’t have to lose all of our free time to earn a little extra. There are other, simpler ways to earn money, like getting paid for helping with research.

Companies and academic institutions regularly seek participants to test new products, answer surveys, or participate in clinical trials. The topic and purpose of each survey or trial can vary drastically, from health and wellness to consumer behavior.

While some offer modest compensation for your participation, others pay substantial amounts. This way, you could be using your free time to help with something meaningful and earn extra money at the same time. It’s the ultimate win-win situation.

What Are Paid Research Studies?

Data is the most valuable resource for companies, academic institutions, healthcare companies, or market research firms. To gather vast amounts of data, companies launch paid research studies to attract participants and reward them for taking part in their research.

The ultimate purpose of these studies is simple yet crucial to many of these institutions. Some companies want to improve existing or future products, academic institutions need to support scientific research, and medical organizations want to test potentially life-changing drugs.

This is a mutually beneficial arrangement since participants get paid to participate, and researchers get the data they need. There are many different types of paid studies, and each one has its format and requirements. No worries, here’s a breakdown of the main paid studies you can find online.

Online Surveys

A lot of people do online surveys because they’re easy, accessible, and take little time to complete. Participants have to answer questions on things like consumer habits, personal opinions, and experiences. However, what really makes online surveys so popular is the fact that they can be completed from anywhere, at any time.

Compensation. Anywhere between $0.25 to $50 per survey, depending on length, complexity, topic, and purpose.
Participant profile. Once again, it depends, but typically these surveys are open to everyone. So, if you’ve never tried participating in a paid study, this might be a good place to start.
Format and time. Paid surveys and questionnaires can range from a few yes or no questions to extensive questionnaires asking for detailed answers. These surveys could take from 5 to 20 minutes to complete.

Focus Groups

Participating in focus groups is another popular method. These groups usually take place online, but they’re also organized live. A focus group includes a small group of 10-12 people, who discuss different topics from product reviews to marketing ad reactions. A dedicated moderator guides the discussion to make sure that they’re getting what they need, but otherwise, it’s pretty much an open discussion.

Compensation. You can get $50 to $200 per focus group session.
Participant profile. Since focus groups choose specific topics, the profile will also be more or less targeted to a single demographic, depending on the goal. For example, a healthy snack producer might look for healthy and active male and female participants from 25 to 45 years old to share their experiences with a specific health and wellness product.
Format and time. Focus groups are very flexible, you can choose to attend a local session or join an online meeting. Typically, a session can last from 1 to 2 hours.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials seek to test new medical treatments, drugs, or devices to evaluate their safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects. Usually, clinical trials are conducted in three phases, with each phase designed to answer specific research questions.

Just note that while trials are conducted under strict protocols, which are necessary to get government approvals and financing, you should always consult with health professionals and your family doctor before considering this option.

Compensation. Clinical trials can pay significant amounts, from $500 to $5,000+, depending on the trial’s duration, complexity, and level of risk.
Participant profile. Potential participants have to undergo a screening process to determine their eligibility based on specific criteria like age, gender, health status, and medical history.
Format and time. This may be the most lucrative paid research type, but, it also requires time and availability. A single phase can take a few months to a year or more.
Regulations. Clinical trials are highly regulated by governmental agencies like the FDA in the United States. All participants are fully informed about the risks and benefits before consenting to begin trials. But even before that, all willing participants have to get approved and go through an extensive screening process.

Product Testing

This is probably one of the most fun ways to make money. Companies and brands look for “testers” to test their products and pay them to do so! You could test electronics, cosmetics, foods, or household items and share feedback on their quality, performance, usability, and overall satisfaction. This feedback helps companies refine their products before a full market release or improve existing ones.

Compensation. You can choose to either get the product you’re testing for free or get paid in cash between $10 to roughly $200.
Participant profile. Products usually require specific demographic criteria like age, gender, lifestyle, or location. Companies may also target users who have certain habits related to a product.
Format and time. It depends on the company, though usually, this could just be you providing feedback about a product online. As for time, this is a rather quick paid research. You could literally try out a snack and give your opinion and that’s it. But if we’re talking about a device test, like a phone or a gaming laptop, this could require specific expertise and time to test.

Usability Testing

If you’re someone who really doesn’t want to attend any live paid research activities, usability testing is probably a good fit for you. Similar to product testing, companies are constantly looking for people to test their digital products, websites, and apps. The goal for most of these tests is to get a genuine review of the digital asset like the colors, textual directions, and general comprehension.

Compensation. You can expect to earn somewhere between $10 to $60 per test.
Participant profile. This depends greatly on the product. For example, an online retailer specializing in women’s clothes might target women aged 20-45 to walk through their app and provide feedback in dedicated user interviews.
Format and time. These tests typically take around 15 to 30 minutes to complete, making this a great way to earn money quickly.

Mystery Shopping

You’ve probably seen an ad or two for the position of a mystery shopper – even LinkedIn is full of these. Companies hire shoppers to pose as customers to evaluate the shopping experience at retail stores, restaurants, or other businesses.

Essentially you come to a specific shop to buy something from them and evaluate the process, it’s as simple as that. Once you’re done, you can share your feedback, and it will be used to improve customer service.

Compensation. It’s difficult to give clear estimates, but companies usually pay $10 to $50 per assignment.
Participant profile. In contrast to all other paid research methods, this one actually prefers not to have a specific profile. Companies want to hear from different people to get a holistic view of their business customer service.
Format and time. The shopping process can take around 15 to 30 minutes, but there’s also pre-visit preparation a company may want to go over with you, and an after-visit discussion. So, this could add up to 1 hour. Oh, and usually these assignments are in person.

Benefits of Paid Research

Now that we’ve gone through the main paid research types, you can see why it’s becoming an increasingly popular method for earning extra money. To sum up, let’s go over the key benefits:

Financial compensation. Whether it’s completing a quick online survey, joining a focus group, or participating in a clinical trial, you can earn money for your time and input.
Time and location flexibility. There are lots of surveys and studies you can participate in from your home and at a time that works best for you. Even focus groups or clinical trials usually offer multiple time slots and sessions.
Contributing to advancements in science and technology. Participating in research studies contributes to the development of new products and treatments.
Access to new products and services. If you’re interested in all things new, paid research could get you more than just extra cash. On a deeper level, some clinical trials may also offer a new treatment for serious diseases and conditions.
Learning opportunities. Taking part in focus groups or user interviews on specific topics may expose you to new perspectives or industry trends, offering growth opportunities.
Minimal to no entry requirements. Most studies don’t require specialized skills or qualifications. Whether you’re a professional, student, retiree, or stay-at-home parent, you can find study opportunities that match your profile.

How Much Do Research Studies Usually Pay?

As you may now know, payment for paid studies can range drastically. For everyday, common tasks and tests, general pay can range between $5 and $50. More involved studies, like focus groups or user interviews, can pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a few hours of participation.

High-paying studies are the ones that pay more but also require commitment in terms of time and participation. Clinical trials, especially those testing new medications or treatments, can pay significantly more.

For instance, a clinical trial with an overnight stay or multiple visits to a research facility might offer compensation of $1,000 to $5,000 or more. But it’s important to note that not everyone can apply for clinical trials. There’s a series of procedures to ensure ethical practice and participant eligibility.

What Key Factors Can Affect the Pay Amount?

Study type. Clinical trials and in-person focus groups generally pay more than surveys or product tests due to the complexity and level of participation required.
Duration. Longer studies that require more time and ongoing participation typically offer higher compensation.
Complexity and risk. Studies involving more complex tasks, specialized knowledge, or higher personal risk tend to pay more.
Participant profile and demographic. Specific or hard-to-find demographics like certain medical conditions or professional expertise, can get paid more.

Best Companies Offering Paid Research Studies

If you’re looking to get paid for participating in paid studies, there are numerous companies and platforms to choose from, and it can get overwhelming. Here’s a list of 5 different platforms with key information about what each one offers, so you know where to start.

1. Pawns.app

Pawns.app is a money-making platform with an intuitive dashboard. The goal is to make it easy for anyone to make money online, and one of the easiest ways to do that is with online surveys.

We offer a variety of paid surveys which usually only take a couple of minutes to complete. The platform is designed to make the process as simple as possible, that’s why all users can participate in as many surveys as they want, and keep track of all earnings easily.

Pay range. An average of $1 per survey.
Registration process. Pawns.app has an easy sign-up process. Simply sign up with an email and password, and you’ll be guided through the dashboard with an easy-to-follow tutorial.
Requirements. While most surveys are open to everyone, some surveys have location requirements with specific age restrictions.

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the most popular platforms for participating in tests and surveys to get paid. It rewards users for participating in different online activities, including surveys and even product testing. The platform partners with market research firms to offer a wide range of surveys that cover topics from consumer habits to entertainment preferences.

Swagbucks is a fan favorite because it’s easy to use and it offers opportunities every single day. While it may not give the most competitive compensation, it sure makes up for it by being consistent. Swagbucks also offers multiple surveys and tests that require little to no offer to complete.

Pay range. $0.50 to $5 per survey, with occasional higher-paying offers.
Registration process. You only need to sign up with your email and complete a profile to match with relevant surveys. That’s it!
Requirements. Anyone aged 13 and older can register in most countries.

3. UserTesting

Remember when we went over usability testing? Well, UserTesting specializes in just that. As a participant, you’ll be asked to complete tasks on a website or app like navigation or checkout, and voice your comments as you go. While it may be just a simple walkthrough for you, for companies, this is invaluable data. And, as with Swagbucks, UserTesting also posts new tests every day.

Pay range. Around $10 for a 20-minute test, but there may be other higher-paying opportunities.
Registration process. To get access to UserTesting tests, you have to sign up and complete a sample test to demonstrate how well you can voice your feedback.
Requirements. For this one, you have to be at least 18 years old, have your computer/laptop, a stable internet connection, and a good microphone.

4. Respondent.io

Respondent.io connects researchers with professionals and general consumers. The platform already has over 3 million signed participants and they welcome new ones. Respondent.io offers a variety of study types, including one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

What’s great about this platform is that it specializes in connecting the right studies with the right participants. So, no matter who you are, chances are, you’ll find the right fit for you. Just know that the amount of available surveys depends on your profile.

Pay range. The range can be between $50 to $200 per hour. As a bonus, Respondent.io also handles payments via their platform, so you can participate in multiple studies available to you and check the status of each one.
Registration process. You have to create a profile on Respondent.io and link it to your LinkedIn account. Once you’re done, Respondent.io will notify you when a study matching your profile comes up.
Requirements. You have to be 18 years and older. Additionally, some studies require specific professional background or demographic criteria.

5. Pinecone Research

Pinecone Research is another well-known survey panel that offers paid surveys. Their primary focus is on product evaluation before they hit the market. If you choose this platform, you can expect a steady and consistent stream of surveys, just keep in mind that the frequency also depends on your profile.

Pay range. Somewhere between $1 to $5 per survey.
Registration process. All you have to do is sign up with your personal information and if they have an opening survey, Pinecone Research will contact you.
Requirements. Participants must be 18 years or older. Acceptance is based on demographic requirements.

Tips for Success in Paid Research Studies

While participating in paid studies can be a rewarding experience, there are certain things you should pay attention to if you want a successful outcome. Here are some key tips to help you maximize your earnings and contribute effectively:

Provide honest feedback. Remember, that’s the whole reason for surveys and trials. The more honest and open you are, the better you will contribute to specific research.
Follow instructions carefully. Most studies are simple and easy to follow, but others require more engagement and attention to detail, so make sure to familiarize yourself with any provided instructions.
Maintain confidentiality. You may get excited about finding a good opportunity, but don’t go openly discussing it. Many research studies have confidential information or proprietary products and may ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Use your experience and knowledge. To increase your chances of being selected for a higher-paying survey or study, make sure to highlight any strengths and experiences you have.
Set realistic expectations. While paid studies are a great way to earn extra cash, remember to be realistic. Some studies have either specific requirements or have too many interested participants. Stay open to new possibilities!

Alternative Ways to Get Paid

Participating in paid studies is a great experience for learning something new and getting paid for it, but there are other ways to earn passive income. Here are a few additional options you could consider:

Freelancing. If you have specialized skills you utilize in your day-to-day office job, why not use those skills for small freelancing gigs? There are plenty of platforms that can help you get started, like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com.
Affiliate marketing. You probably use social media, whether to scroll or post something from time to time. Affiliate marketing could be a good way to start a side hustle, especially since a big trend right now with affiliate marketing is to work with small and genuine accounts.
Micro-tasks and Gig Work. Platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, TaskRabbit, and Fiverr offer a variety of small task opportunities, allowing you to earn income by doing flexible assignments, like data entry.
Sharing your internet. If the above suggestions sound like too big of a commitment, you can always share your internet! Pawns.app offers more than paid surveys, you can also register and start sharing your internet for extra income without doing anything or committing more hours from your day. Plus, you get to choose when and how much of your internet you want to share.

Summing up

There are numerous ways to get paid and supplement your main income, but with so many different routes and choices, it can be difficult to land on a single method. Paid studies are a great starting point. Most studies don’t require you to have any specific knowledge or dedicate a significant amount of time. Other studies like product testing can even become a full-time job, where all you have to do is provide regular feedback. Whatever your needs and availability, you’re sure to find the right study for you!