There are many benefits to participating in online research studies, including gaining free study incentives, receiving healthy compensation for your time, and being able to participate from the comfort of home. That’s why the number of people participating in online research studies continues to grow each year.
When you join an online paid research study, you will be asked to participate in one or more surveys. Your responses will provide the researchers with valuable information about the people who participate in their research. The more valuable and relevant the information, the better chance your company has to qualify for a research study prize or win a customer loyalty contest.
Table of Contents
15 best online research studies
1. SurveyJunkie
Survey Junkie is another excellent place to find online research projects. You can join for free and get paid for it. There are no minimums to complete so that you can make the most of your time.
Survey Junkie has been around for what feels like forever. They are an industry leader when it comes to online research businesses. They consistently pay on time and have no hidden fees or charges to worry about.
2. Mindswarms
Mindswarms is a great place to find online research projects. They have a wide range of topics to choose from and are always accepting new members. They also pay top dollar for every survey you complete, which you can redeem through their rewards program.
Mindswarms pays lightning fast too. You can get your money within 24 hours. Sometimes even the same day. This can’t be said for other online research studies companies.
3. Respondent
The unique thing about Respondent is, they have online surveys where you can get paid to fill them out. Respondent also does in-person research that will require you to go somewhere. You can choose which one is best for you.
Almost everyone reading this will opt for taking online surveys. This is because they’re easy to complete and you can do them from any computer. Better yet, they are quick and won’t take up much of your valuable time.
4. American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion (ACOP) is a very different kind of company. You’re not going to be able to participate in the research all the time. You might only hear from them several times per year.
You earn points at American Consumer Opinion, and they can then be redeemed for cash. The higher your points, the more money you can get. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket with them because the result will be that you don’t make very much per year.
5. FocusGroup.com
FocusGroup.com offers surveys and also live telephone and webcam focus groups. So if you can handle talking to strangers, this is the place for you.
Focus Group has a large variety of topics for their research studies. The topics are mostly related to health, wellness, pet products, finances, and your shopping habits. FocusGroup.com will pay you between $75 and $150 for each focus group that you participate in.
6. Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an in-person focus group that works in 11 cities across America. They will pay you for participating in their research studies. You’ll earn upwards of $75, and they’ll pay you via Visa gift card.
Fieldwork is probably not the top choice for people because of the limits of being only in person in only a handful of cities. If you live in one of the cities, they operate in, working with them is something that you might consider.
7. Plaza Research
Plaza Research is a great company to work for. They have been around for a long time, and they have some of the highest-paying online research projects available. Their surveys are very detailed and comprehensive. They also have a huge variety of topics for you to research.
You get paid between $50 to $200, and the surveys take about two hours. Plaza Research pays people via check, so you’ll need a bank account or at the very least someplace that can cash your check. The payouts are high, and that’s why you should have Plaza Research on your shortlist of focus groups and surveys to join.
8. Brand Institute
Brand Institute is a company that focuses on pharmaceuticals and healthcare. You can earn between $2 to $30 for taking a survey. Brand Institute will pay you via check or PayPal.
The healthcare industry will use the information you share to improve existing products and create new ones. It’s an opportunity to earn some extra cash and help the people who are looking for it.
9. User Interviews
User Interviews conducts their focus groups by phone, webcam, and also in person. The average payout is $50 per hour, and they pay by check only. You’ll be asked to spend around two hours taking their survey. In return, you’ll earn $50.
They’re a great company to work for that is always looking for people to join their research studies. However, not everyone who applies will be accepted. You should send them a few messages to see if you’re the type who is likely to qualify.
10. Engage
Engage will pay you between $50 and $250 via PayPal or check to participate in their research studies. They work with major brands on a variety of topics. This means that they will have a lot of data to sift through as you make your research decisions.
You can earn more money with Engage if you work in the healthcare field. Many of their surveys are about healthcare-related products. Engage is a great company to work for that is always looking for people with various opinions.
Now let’s turn our attention to colleges and universities
You may be surprised to learn that universities and colleges are willing to pay people to take part in focus groups. You don’t need to be a student, and the pay is pretty decent. You’re not going to get rich, but it sure beats flipping burgers for a little extra cash.
11. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University pays $8 per hour for people to take surveys. You’ll get paid in the form of a gift card. The time will vary, but you’ll only have to survey a few questions. You won’t be spending more than 15 minutes on each survey.
You can apply for this position at any time during the year. The only catch is, you must be over 18 and have never applied to Carnegie Mellon University’s focus group.
12. Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School
You can earn $16 per hour by signing up to the Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School. You’ll get paid via PayPal or by gift card. This is by far one of the highest-paying surveys that you’ll find from a university.
13. Harvard University Psychology Study Pool
Harvard University Psychology Study Pool will pay you $10-$25 per hour via gift card. You don’t need to be a student to get hired here.
It’s no surprise that they’re willing to pay people to take their surveys. They’re the top university in America, and they have access to some of the best research available.
14. MIT Behavioral Research Lab
MIT Behavioral Research Lab pays between $11 to $20 per hour for both in-person and online surveys. You must be a student to apply here.
They can have you participate in surveys anywhere from one hour to several hours long. The good thing is, you can do it on your own time.
15. American University Psychology Department
American University Psychology Department is willing to pay up to $20 per hour for smokers to give their first-hand experiences. Yes, you must be a cigarette smoker to participate. If you are a smoker, that $20 will go a long way in buying you more smokes.
Unfortunately, if you’re not a smoker, you can’t participate. It’s nothing personal; it’s just the rules. This is one of the few ways the industry has to get information from people addicted to smoking tobacco in the form of cigarettes.
Paid online research studies: The bottom line
So now you have a basic idea of where and how to find these research opportunities. You’ll want to focus on the potential side of things and see what will best suit you. The easiest way to do this is by joining the right survey company specializing in your area of interest.
The amount of money you make won’t be life-changing, but you’ll be rewarded handsomely for your time. If you’re currently between jobs or looking for something to do, this is an excellent way to make a little extra cash. Many of these companies will also send you surveys via email to do them on your own time.
Sign up for as many as you can and see what happens. Not all focus groups and surveys will be interested in what you have to say, but surely some of them will. You’ll have an opportunity to make some money from your opinion, and it’s an excellent way for you to get paid for something that doesn’t take too much time.
Always be on the lookout for new focus groups because they’re popping up all the time. If you keep up with them, you’ll have plenty to choose from. You may even find a company that will repeatedly add you to their focus groups to produce a steady side income.
