10 Best Survey Sites To Earn Extra Cash In Your Spare Time!

Last Updated October 27, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Looking to boost your income? Check out the best survey sites to help you earn some extra money.

In today’s digital age, earning extra cash from the comfort of your home has never been easier. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, pay for groceries or gas, taking surveys online is a great way to enhance your earnings. 

I’ll be honest, survey sites won’t make you rich, however, they can provide an easy flexible way to earn a little extra during your downtime – seriously you can complete surveys while chilling on the sofa or binge-watching Netflix. 

However, not all survey sites are created equal. Some pay better, some are more legit and some just waste your time. The key is knowing which sites to trust and how to maximise your time and earnings. 

In this post, I’ll cover the best survey sites that can help you earn cash, gift cards or rewards. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Are Survey Sites Legit?

Before we get into the best survey sites, let’s unpack this commonly asked question: are survey sites legit?

Survey sites can be a good way to make extra cash, however, it’s essential to ensure you’re not falling for scams. To exercise caution stick to trusted platforms and watch out for any red flags.

Tips for avoiding scams: Be wary of any sites asking for a membership fee or sensitive personal information. Legit survey sites won’t ask for this.  

Red flags: Watch out for survey sites that have no reviews, offer unrealistic pay promises or bombard you with spammy emails. 

Trusted platforms: Ensure that you only use trusted platforms. All of the sites I mention below are among the most reputable in the industry. 

Now that’s out of the way, let’s get into the best survey sites to consider. These sites all have good to excellent scores on Trust Pilot, so you can trust that they are legit and worth joining. 

 10 Best Survey Sites:

1. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a favourite when it comes to survey sites and with a trust pilot rating of 4.2 / 5, it’s easy to see why so many people love it. 

What makes Survey Junkie stand out is how easy it is to use. You won’t be dealing with an old-school outdated interface. The site is super user-friendly which makes it easy to find and complete surveys. 

This platform is all about surveys  – no gimmicks – just straight-up surveys for points. You simply answer questions, earn points and cash out when you hit the threshold. It’s that simple!

Earning Potential: On average you’ll earn between 100 to 500 points per survey which equals between $1 and $5 and most surveys take about 10 – 20 minutes to complete. The more surveys you complete, the more opportunities you’ll get to make money. 

Payout Options: The minimum payout threshold is $10, which is equal to 1,000 points. Once you reach this point you can cash out via PayPal or redeem your points for gift cards to major retailers

Want an easy way to make some extra cash from home? Sign up for Survey Junkie here and start earning extra money online in a few minutes! 

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the most popular survey sites and it’s got a 4.2 rating on Trustpilot to back it up. 

But what makes Swagbucks even more appealing is the variety – it’s not just surveys. You can make extra cash by watching videos, playing games, and even just browsing the web. 

If you like options Swagbucks is perfect because you can switch things up whenever you feel like it. It’s a platform with a lot of flexibility so it’s a favourite for anyone looking to earn money online without getting bored.  

Earning Potential: Swagbucks uses a points system called SBs. You’ll earn SB points for completing surveys, shopping online, watching videos and more. For every 1,000 SB points, you can earn $10. 

Payout Options: You can cash out your SB points for PayPal cash or gift cards with a minimum payout threshold is 300 SB for a $3 gift card. 

Additional Features: Swagbucks often offers bonus SBs for reaching specific daily or monthly goals. They even have a Swagbucks live trivia game that lets you win even more points. 

If you’re looking for a survey site that offers variety Swagbucks is a great option. The platform offers lots of ways to earn, not just surveys. Plus, the payout options are flexible and frequent. 

3. InboxDollars

InboxDollars is one of the best survey sites. They offer a lot of fun surveys and also a variety of ways to earn extra cash. Beyond surveys, you can get paid to watch videos, read emails and even play games. 

What sets InboxDollars apart is its focus on cash. There are no points, every task earns you real dollars. 

Earning Potential: You’ll earn cash for doing simple tasks like answering surveys, watching videos and even opening emails. The more tasks you complete, the more you’ll earn. 

Payout Options: You can cash out through PayPal or gift cards once you reach $30. That’s a bit higher than some other sites, but the variety of ways to earn makes hitting that threshold easier. 

Special Features: InboxDollars also offers cashback for online shopping and has a referral programme where you can earn money by inviting friends. 

If you’re looking for a survey site that offers variety in how you earn money, Inboxdollars is the perfect option. 

You can sign up for InboxDollars here and get a $5 sign-up bonus for joining. 

4. My Points

MyPoints is one of the OG sites and with a Trustpilot rating of 4.4 /5, it’s still going strong. Fun fact: It’s actually owned by Swagbucks so you know they’re legit. 

As the name suggests you’ll earn points for doing a bunch of different tasks – not just surveys. You can shop online, watch videos, play games and even read emails. So, if you like a bit of variety, MyPoints has you covered. 

Earning Potential: MyPoints rewards you for completing surveys, shopping online, watching videos and playing games. It’s a well-rounded platform that offers tons of ways to rack up points.

Payout Options: You can redeem your points for gift cards or cash via PayPal once you hit 1,750 points which equals $10. There are also options for travel miles, so if you’re a frequent traveller, this might be worth considering.

You can sign up for MyPoints here and start earning money. You’ll get a FREE $5 welcome bonus and an extra $1 just for creating your profile. 

5. Pinecone Research

Pinecone Research is a bit more exclusive compared to other platforms, but it’s known for offering higher-paying surveys. So if you can get in its completely worth it.

You’ll need an invite or referral to sign up which you can find on their website. But once you’re in, you’ll find that Pincone is super user-friendly. Surveys are prescreened to fit your profile, so you won’t waste time starting surveys you can’t complete. 

Earning Potential: What makes Pinecone research unique is that it focuses on product feedback surveys that are generally shorter and pay more than average. You can earn $3 per survey, which is pretty high compared to other sites. They also offer loyalty bonuses so the longer you stay, the more money you can make. 

Payout Options: You can cash out via PayPal or redeem your earnings for gift cards for various retailers. And the best part is the payout threshold is just $3 so you can cash out after completing just one survey. 

Pinecone Research is a great choice if you’re looking for higher-paying survey sites and value quality over quantity. 

6. Toluna

Toluna isn’t your typical survey site. It’s a community-driven platform that lets you earn points by sharing your opinions on a variety of brands and products. 

But Toluna is more than just surveys – it’s an interactive experience where you can connect with other users, create your own polls and even take part in discussions. 

So, if you’re looking for something beyond just clicking through questions, Toluna gives you that social element as well. 

Earning Potential: You earn points primarily by completing surveys, which vary in length and payout. Aside from surveys, Toluna also offers product testing opportunities and daily polls where you can earn small points for quick interactions. 

Payout Options: Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards including PayPal cash, gift cards and even sweepstakes entries for higher-value prizes. The payout threshold is $10 which is about 35,000 points. This isn’t hard to reach as each survey can give up to 6,000 points so you can accumulate points quickly. 

If you enjoy a more interactive community-based experience, Toluna is a great option. Plus, you’ll get to engage with other users and brands beyond just surveys – it’s like a mini social network for survey lovers. 

7. Branded Surveys

Branded surveys are known for being user-friendly and with plenty of opportunities, especially for those in the U.S. and Canada, the platform makes earning easy with a clear points system and frequent surveys. 

They also have a loyalty program where you can earn bonus points for completing a certain number of surveys each week. 

Earning Potential: Surveys typically pay between 50 to 300 points depending on the length and 1,000 points equal $10.  

Payout Options: Once you’ve hit 1,000 points you can cash out via Paypal or take gift cards. The more surveys you complete the more opportunities you get and if you’re a loyal user the bonus points really start adding up. 

Special Features: Branded surveys have a leaderboard feature where you can compete with other users to earn extra points. It’s a nice motivator to keep you going and could boost your earnings if you’re competitive. 

If you’re looking for a reliable and consistent survey site, Branded Surveys is a good choice with a little bit of extra fun thanks to its leaderboard.

8. LifePoints

If you’re looking for survey sites that go beyond questions to answer, LifePoints is one of the best survey sites. 

It offers surveys that are personalised to your interests which makes the experience more enjoyable and less of a chore. It’s also a global platform so you can join from almost anywhere. 

The platform is user-friendly and because surveys are tailored to your profile, you won’t waste time with ones you don’t qualify for. 

Earning Potential: You can earn points by completing surveys but LifePoints also offers daily challenges, focus groups and occasional product testing opportunities. You’ll earn between 30 and 400 points per survey depending on the length and complexity. 

Payout Options: To start earning you’ll need at least 550 points which is enough to get you a free $5 gift card. If you prefer to receive PayPal cash, you’ll need at least 600 points. Or you can choose donations.

Please note: Your points expire after 30 days of inactivity, so be sure to stay active on the platform to keep your balance!

9. Ipsos-iSay

Another one of the best survey sites is Ipsos i-Say. It’s a well-known and reputable survey site with a focus on delivering targeted surveys to its users. 

It’s operated by Ipsos which is a global market research company. So you can trust that the surveys are legit and often tied to big brands and organisations. 

Earning Potential: Surveys typically pay between 45 to 200 points. Longer surveys offer more substantial rewards. They also offer prize draws and contests for extra earning opportunities. 

You can expect to get surveys frequently and the site also sends email invites for new surveys that match your profile. 

Payout Options: The minimum payout is $5 so you can start earning cash pretty quickly. You can redeem your points for PayPal cash, gift cards or even donations. 

Special Features: One standout feature of Ipsos i-Say is its loyalty program, The more surveys you complete the more points you earn through loyalty bonuses. 

For example, after completing 10 surveys, you’ll earn additional points and the more surveys you do the higher your bonus. 

If you’re looking for a reliable platform with consistent survey opportunities, Ipsos i-Say is a great choice. The loyalty bonuses also make it rewarding for users who stick with the platform long-term. 

10. Drop

Drop is a little different from the usual survey sites because it lets you earn rewards for doing things you’re already doing—like shopping. 

You connect your credit or debit card, and every time you make a purchase with one of Drop’s partner brands, you automatically earn points. It’s kind of like getting free money for your regular spending.

Earning Potential: Drop offers surveys too, but its main selling point is earning rewards through your everyday shopping. 

You’ll earn points every time you shop with brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and Walmart. Surveys add to your points, and you can sometimes get bonuses for referring friends.

Payout Options: You can redeem your points for gift cards to tons of major retailers, including Amazon and Starbucks. Drop’s minimum payout is typically around 5,000 points, which equals a $5 gift card.

Special Features: The best part about Drop is its seamless integration with your existing spending. You don’t have to go out of your way to earn points—just shop like normal, and the rewards roll in.

Plus, Drop regularly offers limited-time bonuses and double points for specific purchases.

If you’re someone who loves getting rewarded for your everyday spending and wants an effortless way to earn gift cards, Drop is a game-changer.

Tips to Maximise Earnings on Survey Sites

Sign Up for Multiple Sites

Don’t just rely on one site! It’s best to join several platforms as survey availability can fluctuate. This ensures you always have surveys to complete and maximise your earning potential. 

Complete Your Profile

Ensure you always fill out your profile details fully to increase your chances of being matched with high-paying surveys. This is especially important for platforms like Ipsos i-Say and Toluna that offer targeted surveys. 

Other Ways To Boost Earnings

Take advantage of referral programs, cashback offers and any bonuses or challenges offered by survey platforms to boost your earnings.

FAQ’s about the Best Survey Sites

How much money can I realistically make from survey sites?

Most people typically earn between $50 and $300 a month, depending on how much time they invest. 

Are Survey Sites Safe To Use?

Yes, as long as you stick to well-reviewed legit platforms like the ones I’ve mentioned in this post. 

Which survey site pays the most?

Pinecone Research and Vindale typically pay higher than average, but this can depend on your location and demographic.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a way to make money online, survey sites are a great option. They won’t replace your full-time income, but they are an easy way to make some extra cash fast. 

Have you tried any of these best survey sites? Let me know in the comments below. 

This post was all about the best survey sites.

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