Around five percent of Americans have reported earning money online in the past year. This included making money from freelancing opportunities, selling items, and taking surveys.
Many people have invested time into doing survey jobs from home. Why? Anyone can do it if they have an internet connection or a smartphone.
Not all survey opportunities are created equally, however. Some sites exist only to scam users out of their time or personal information. So how do you know which surveys jobs from home are legitimate?
The fifteen websites listed below are legitimate, vetted sites you can use to earn money. Continue reading to find out what they are. Also, learn how to avoid potential scam sites.
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Why Do Online Surveys Jobs From Home?
Doing surveys won’t make you rich, and it won’t usually create a sustainable income you can live off of. Most people use survey jobs from home to create a little extra cash. They work great for situations where you need a few extra dollars fast.
Some survey sites allow you to cash out quickly, at as little as $3 to $10. For others, you may need to accumulate as much as $50 to cash out.
If you use them steadily in your free time, you could potentially make enough for your morning cups of coffee for the week. You might even have money leftover. Besides, who doesn’t like (or could use) a few extra dollars?
Unfortunately, there are some scam survey sites you need to beware of. The fifteen sites listed below, however, have all been vetted by many users. Most of the sites below have been in operation for many years.
Important Information Before You Get Started With Surveys
Before you get started earning with surveys, it’s essential to know most opportunities require a few things. If you don’t meet those qualifications, you won’t be able to sign up or cash out your earnings.
But don’t worry.
The qualifications are pretty basic and very easy to meet. It’s rare someone doesn’t meet them.
To begin with, most sites will require you to be at least eighteen years of age. There are a handful of survey sites that allow teenagers who are at least sixteen to participate.
You’ll also usually need a PayPal account. Some survey sites will allow you to be paid through gift cards or checks. PayPal is generally the fastest, most reliable option for cashouts, however.
The last qualification is that another person in your household can’t already have an account. The majority of survey jobs only allow one account per household. If you live with other people, make sure you ask first.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best survey sites!
1. Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars offers a $5 sign up bonus, so you start your account with a little money already earned. Besides surveys, you can earn cash for:
- Replying to emails
- Watching videos
- Playing games
- Browsing the internet
- Shopping online through affiliate links
One thing that makes Inbox Dollars unique is that you earn cash instead of points. Not having to translate points to money has made this a fan favorite.
2. Swagbucks
Swagbucks allows you to earn points for completing surveys, watching videos, and completing polls. You can also make money by doing affiliate shopping or using their search engine.
Swagbucks users have the potential to earn bonus prizes through drawings and special offers. These prizes vary from bonus points to automatic gift cards and more.
3. Vindale Research
Vindale Research is one of the oldest and longest-running survey sites currently available for use. They pay cash only for their surveys, and you have to earn at least $50 before you cash out.
There are many ways to earn on Vindale Research. Besides surveys, you can also watch videos or interact with email advertisements. There is also an option to test real products in your home if you qualify.
Completing surveys on Vindale Research starts at $1 per completion. Product testing will pay out upwards of $5 with a bonus of keeping the item.
4. Pinecone Research
It’s tough to get into Pinecone Research because you aren’t allowed to simply sign up. You have to be invited. If you do manage to get on the research panel, the payouts are well worth it.
The downside to having such strict criteria is that certain people won’t get a lot of survey opportunities. Each survey you do manage to qualify for will earn you an entry into random drawings. These drawings are held throughout the year and allow participants to win up to $5,000.
5. Opinion Outpost
Opinion Outpost focuses primarily on surveys. The great thing about this site is the minimum payout amount is low compared to many other websites. You can cash out on PayPal at $10 and receive a gift card at just $5.
6. Toluna
On Toluna, you can receive points for completing surveys, testing products, and even playing games. The one big downside to this survey site is that it’s tough to reach the minimum cash-out amount. You must earn 60,000 points, which translates to about $12.
7. Ipsos I-Say
Unlike other sites, Ipsos I-Say focuses only on surveys. This can be a great option if you don’t want to be distracted by playing games or watching videos, which usually pay out less than surveys.
Ipsos I-Say has a loyalty program that offers bonuses, too. When you hit a specific number of completed surveys, you receive a predetermined number of bonus points. Bonuses can help your points rack up quickly.
8. Survey Savvy
The best thing about Survey Savvy is that there is no minimum amount necessary to cash out. The downside is you can only receive payment via check, which means it could take a while to receive your earnings.
9. Life Points
Life Points is a great survey site if you want to earn a few quick bucks. The minimum cash out amount is only $3. The site always has a lot of different surveys on a variety of topics.
Your earnings can be turned into cash through PayPal. You can also choose to receive your earnings in the form of a gift card.
10. Lightspeed Research
When compared to other survey jobs from home, Lightspeed Research offers generous payouts. The number of surveys available at any time, however, is generally a little lower than other sites. You can use points to receive cash, gift cards, or other rewards.
11. 20/20 Research
20/20 Research focuses on more specific surveys. Specific topics mean the number of surveys available is lower, and people are less likely to qualify for them than other general sites.
If you qualify, the payout per survey is high. A single survey opportunity has the potential to pay out $100 in varying gift cards and items.
12. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is the best site to make a few quick bucks, hands down. They have a ton of surveys available at any given time, and the minimum payout is $10. You can easily earn this in a few hours.
13. Cashcrate
Cashcrate offers a modest sign-up bonus of $1. It may not sound like much, but it’s free money. All you have to do is fill out your profile.
You can earn money on Cashcrate through surveys, affiliate shopping, games, and contests. Earnings can be cashed out through PayPal.
14. Cash Karma
Cash Karma is entirely app-based. Being confined to an app makes it easy to earn a few cents or dollars on your lunch breaks or while riding public transportation.
There are many different ways to earn. Besides surveys, you can earn points for watching videos and completing sign-up offers. There are bonus achievement badges that allow you to make more.
15. Pro Opinion
Pro Opinion is a slightly different type of survey site. It pays you to answer questions on topics you’re an expert in.
Your points can be redeemed for the usual cash or gift cards. Pro Opinion also allows you to donate your earnings to a charity of your choice.
Tips for Maximizing Survey Earnings
The easiest way to maximize your survey earnings is to sign up for multiple sites. You don’t want to sign up for all of them, but choosing between two and four is a great idea.
The key is to find the right number of sites that allow you to always have earning opportunities. You want to do this without being spread so thin that you never make enough to cash out on any website.
You may want to experiment with a few different sites to see where you qualify for the most opportunities. If one survey site rarely or never has opportunities for someone in your demographics, don’t be afraid to invest your valuable time elsewhere.
How to Find the Right Survey Site for You
Although the fifteen survey sites listed above are legitimate options to earn some extra cash, not all of them will be perfect for you. Finding the right survey site for you is key to maximizing your earnings, as detailed above.
But how do you know which survey site is right for you? Consider the following to figure it out.
Are Fast Payouts Important?
Start by asking yourself how important fast payouts are for you. Some people don’t mind waiting longer for more substantial sums of money at one time. Others would prefer to cash in their earnings in small amounts more often.
Do You Want to Be Able to Earn Money in Ways Besides Taking Surveys?
Most survey sites allow you to earn cash by doing other things. Popular alternative earning options include watching videos, taking polls, and doing affiliate shopping.
Some people would prefer extra options in case they get tired of filling out surveys. Others would prefer to focus solely on taking surveys and not have additional distractions.
Is It Important You Be Able to Earn Cash Versus Gift Cards or Rewards?
Many people prefer to have the ability to earn cash. Although you’d think this is something all sites would offer, it isn’t. Several survey opportunities only allow you to earn gift cards or other rewards.
If you want to earn cash, research which sites offer that option before signing up. You don’t want to waste time earning gift cards when your preference is for money.
Tips for Avoiding Scam Survey Sites
The fifteen survey sites listed above are legitimate opportunities to earn some much-needed extra cash. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of scam sites.
Scam survey sites can go several different ways. Usually, they just don’t pay out your earnings, so it’s a big waste of time. Sometimes, they may be trying to steal your sensitive information.
The best way to avoid scams is to research sites online before signing up. If a lot of people are claiming a survey site is a scam, it’s better to be safe and avoid it.
Keep in mind that one or two people claiming a site is a scam isn’t a deal-breaker. It’s when a lot of people are saying the same thing that it becomes a red flag.
Another thing to keep in mind is that survey sites should never require your sensitive information. At no point should you need to enter your social security number or credit card information on a survey site. If a place is asking for this information, it’s a scam.
Do You Have More Questions About Surveys Jobs From Home?
Doing surveys jobs from home isn’t going to make you rich or create a sustainable income. It can, however, allow you to make a few extra bucks each week. The fifteen sites listed above are among the best options for legitimate survey sites.
Do you have more questions about survey jobs from home? Or, do you want more information on other legitimate ways to make money online?
Check our free articles on our site. You’ll find plenty more information on how you can create a surplus income working from the comfort of your own home.
