Chances are, if you’ve ever searched for easy ways to make extra money online, you’ve probably stumbled across paid survey sites. They sound easy enough: share your opinions, bank some cash.
But with so many options—and at a time when scams are skyrocketing—it’s important to understand which sites are legitimate and actually worth your time (like KashKick!).
Below, we explore how much you can earn by taking surveys, break down the pros and cons of the best survey for money sites, and share some red flags to avoid.
Key Takeaways
- Survey for money sites are a legitimate way to make some extra money, but they won’t replace your full-time job.
- The best survey sites have low payout minimums, cash rewards and clear points systems.
- KashKick stands out because it’s easy to use, pays out reliably and offers a variety of earning options beyond surveys.
- To avoid scams, never pay upfront fees or provide personal information.
- Maximize your earnings by looking for apps that offer a variety of ways to earn, like KashKick.
Are “Survey for Money” Sites Legit?
Yes, many survey for money sites are a legitimate way to earn extra cash.
Big brands recruit market research companies to collect consumer opinions on their products, services and advertisements. In turn, market research companies conduct surveys to collect these opinions. That’s why they’re willing to pay you.
(For more behind-the-scenes intel, learn why rewards platforms like KashKick pay you.)
But take note: While there are plenty of legitimate survey sites out there, there are some bad apples. Stick with established companies with positive reviews to ensure you don’t get played!
How Much Can You Make From Paid Surveys?
Transparently, paid surveys won’t replace a full-time job. In fact, they won’t cover your weekly grocery haul. But they can be a straightforward way to earn some pocket money—and it adds up over time.
On many survey for money sites, you can expect to earn anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars per survey. Higher-paying opportunities—like product testing, consumer panels or long-form studies—can pay more, but you won’t come by them as often.
Ultimately, how much you earn depends on:
- The platform
- Survey availability
- Length of survey
It’s also important to understand that you won’t qualify for every survey on every site. Many surveys need respondents to meet specific demographic requirements. For example, a flood insurance company might only want to survey homeowners in high-risk areas, like Florida and Texas.
Best Survey for Money Sites
1. KashKick
Before diving into the list, keep in mind that a good survey site is transparent and pays reliably (and preferably in cash!).
KashKick isn’t your average survey site. Yes, you can make money taking surveys—it’s simple—but you can also get paid to play games, claim deals and shop online. So, when you get bored taking surveys? You’ve got backup options!
When you tap over to surveys within KashKick, you can scroll through available surveys and see exactly how long they’ll take and how much you can earn. They can range from 3 minutes to 30 minutes and pay out a few cents to a few dollars.
What’s nice about KashKick is that, unlike other survey sites, you don’t have to deal with a complicated points system. You’ll earn Kash: $1 Kash = $1 USD. That way, you’ll know exactly how much you’ve made.
Once you earn $10 Kash, you can Kash Out for cash via PayPal, a gift card or a donation. It takes just one to three days to process.
Learn more about getting started and earning money with KashKick.
Pros:
- Variety of ways to maximize your earnings
- Transparent rewards system
- Quick PayPal payouts for cash
- Easy-to-use, modern layout
- Free, fast, simple sign-up
Cons:
- Only available in the U.S.
- Like other survey sites, you’ll likely get disqualified from some surveys
2. InboxDollars
It’s hard to believe, but InboxDollars has been around since 2000! Similar to KashKick, the rewards platform pays you for taking surveys, playing games and shopping online.
You’ll earn dollars (hence the name), not points, which you can cash out via PayPal or for a gift card once you hit the minimum of $15. You can snag a $5 bonus when you sign up and confirm your email.
Pros:
- Earn cash, not points
- Variety of tasks available
- $5 bonus
Cons:
- Higher first cashout minimum ($15)
3. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is a classic survey site. It’s been around since 2005 and rewards users with points for completing surveys. Once you earn 500 points, you can request a payout for $5 via PayPal, gift cards or a bank transfer. (For context, most surveys pay less than 50 points.)
Survey Junkie doesn’t reward you for playing games or trying new apps, but it will reward you when you sign up for Surf to Earn, another form of market research for those comfortable with sharing their data.
Pros:
- Low cashout minimum
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Points system
- Limited earning opportunities
4. Swagbucks
Swagbucks, like KashKick, pays users for taking surveys, playing games and earning cashback with online purchases.
But unlike KashKick, you’ll earn points called SBs. These don’t directly convert to a cash amount, but right now, you’ll need 1,530 SBs to cash out for a $15 gift card or PayPal cash. For context, the site says you can earn around 25 to 500 SBs per survey.
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- Variety of ways to earn
Cons:
- Complicated points system
- Higher cashout minimum
5. Pinecone Research
Over at Pinecone Research, you can get paid to take surveys, play games and more. Survey earnings vary, but the site says they typically pay 100 to 300 points. Then, once you earn 1,000 points, you can cash out for $10.
Unlike other sites on this list, you won’t have the option to cash out through PayPal. Instead, you can claim a virtual Visa card or gift card to Amazon, Walmart and more.
Pros:
- Earn $5 when you take a 5-minute intro survey
Cons:
- No PayPal cashout option
- Poor app reviews
6. Toluna
Toluna is a tried-and-true survey platform—you won’t find any paid games or deals. With Toluna, you’ll earn points that you can redeem for gift cards or PayPal cash. Currently, 3,000 points equals $1, but it’s unclear how many points you need to cash out.
The site says you can get paid anywhere between 15 and 500,000 points per survey—quite a range. Note that higher earning opportunities are likely lengthier or more involved.
Pros:
- Cash out through PayPal
- Easy user interface
Cons:
- Complicated points system
- Unclear on cashout minimum
- Can take up to 3 weeks to receive rewards
7. LifePoints
LifePoints is another site that exclusively offers surveys for money. When you sign up, you’ll get survey reminders to your inbox. Surveys offered through LifePoints take, on average, 10 to 20 minutes to complete, according to the site.
For each survey you complete, you’ll earn points, called LPs. Once you earn 550 LPs, you can explore ways to cash out, like through PayPal credits or gift cards. But note that most gift cards are offered in increments of $10 (or 1,100 LPs).
Pros:
- Highly rated apps
Cons:
- Confusing points system
8. Opinion Outpost
With Opinion Outpost, you can earn points by taking surveys, testing new products and watching ads. Exchange these points for gift cards or cash through PayPal. The site doesn’t make it clear how many points you need to cash out, but a review noted the minimum is $5 (or 50 points). According to the site, you can earn up to 50 points per survey.
Pros:
- Low payout threshold
Cons:
- No apps; available via desktop or mobile browser only
9. MyPoints
MyPoints is similar to KashKick in that you can earn points from a variety of tasks: taking surveys, playing games and shopping online. You can cash your points out for gift cards, cash through PayPal or United MilagePlus miles.
Pros:
- Get 5 points (up to 25 a day) even if you disqualify from a survey
Cons:
- Complicated points-to-dollar ratio
- Unclear withdrawal minimum (one review suggested $15)
How to Avoid a Survey for Money Scam
As you explore your options, keep an eye out for scams. Here are a few simple rules of thumb to keep in mind:
- Beware of unusually high rewards: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! You won’t make hundreds of dollars through survey sites.
- Avoid surveys that require upfront payment: You should never have to pay to join a survey site. Period!
- Check for positive reviews: Reviews are a great way to gauge if a survey site is worth your time.
- Avoid surveys that ask for sensitive information: When filling out surveys, never provide super personal information (think: Social Security number, banking info or passwords).
How to Maximize Survey Earnings
Although surveys for money won’t make you rich, there are a few ways you can maximize your earnings:
- Respond quickly to survey invitations. Surveys can fill up fast, so for those sites that send out invites, it’s important to jump on them!
- Use multiple survey sites. Don’t overwhelm yourself, but signing up for two or three sites can give you more opportunities to earn.
- Take advantage of referral programs. Some survey sites have pretty solid referral programs. With KashKick, for example, you’ll get 25% of each reward your referrals earn from playing games and completing deals. (Note that surveys and other activities aren’t included, but this can become pretty lucrative!)
- Fill out profile surveys. Your answers will help match you to surveys and avoid disqualifications. Some sites even offer a bonus. With KashKick, it’s an easy $1 bonus.
- Pay attention. Answer questions truthfully and consistently. If a survey site thinks you’re not paying attention or lying, you can get disqualified. Additionally, some surveys will ask obvious questions to make sure you’re focused. What’s 2 + 2?
Make Money Answering Surveys Online
Paid surveys won’t pay your rent or replace your full-time job, but they can be a great way to earn some extra cash from the comfort of your couch.
Look for sites that have clear reward systems, low cashout minimums, cash payouts and ways to earn besides surveys (because you’ll definitely get bored!).
KashKick checks all these boxes.
Survey for Money Sites FAQs
What is the best survey site to make money?
While there are several good options, KashKick stands out as the best overall choice because it’s easy to use, offers a variety of ways to earn and pays out in cash.
Can you make $100 a day on online surveys?
Making $100 a day on online surveys is not realistic. You could earn $100 a month on surveys if you’re really committed. However, using a platform that offers multiple ways to earn, like KashKick, will get you closer to your $100 goal.
Can you do paid surveys under 18?
Most survey sites require users to be at least 18 years old. Check each site’s age requirements before signing up.