Respondent pays well, but you will not qualify for most of its studies, so it pays to join a few alternatives too. All the sites below are legit and free to use, and I show what you do on each, when you can cash out and how it pays.
My top 3 Respondent alternatives
-
#1 User Interviews
Best for: High-paying studies, like on Respondent
You can see the studies you can apply for before you even sign up, so it is easy to find out if one interests you. You are paid for each study you complete.
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for each study
- Paid via
- PayPal · Bank transfer · Amazon gift cards +1 more
-
#2 Survey Junkie
Best for: Earning between studies, with surveys and focus groups
It is a user-friendly survey site that pays quite well compared to most other survey sites, and from time to time you find focus groups. It has an app for Android and iPhone.
- Cash out from
- $5
- Paid via
- PayPal · Gift cards · Bank transfer (US)
-
#3 UserTesting
Best for: Testing websites and apps from home
You use websites and apps and speak your thoughts while you do it. The tests usually pay well, and you can join more or less worldwide.
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for each approved test
- Paid via
- PayPal
I suggest you join several of these sites, so you get access to more studies.
On this page7 sections
Compare all 7 Respondent alternatives
| Site | What you do | Cash out from | Paid via | Join or read review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interviews, focus groups and other studies · most for US residents | Nonepaid for each study | PayPal · Bank transfer · Amazon gift cards +1 more | ||
| Surveys, sometimes focus groups · US, Canada, Australia, UK | $5 | PayPal · Gift cards · Bank transfer (US) | ||
| Website and app tests, speaking your thoughts in English | Nonepaid for each approved test | PayPal | ||
| In-person and remote studies · most for US residents | Nonepaid for each study | Gift cards through Tremendous · Charity | ||
| Diary, live and express missions in the app | Nonepaid for each mission | PayPal | ||
| Surveys and game offers, easy to qualify · many countries | $5 | PayPal · Bank transfer · Gift cards +1 more | ||
| Academic research studies · about 33 countries, often a wait list | $6or £6 | PayPal |
No site on this list matches these filters.
7 best Respondent alternatives
Now that you know what to expect from these alternatives, it’s time we discuss the actual options you can choose from. I have personally tested all these options, so I know they are legit and free to use. And as explained earlier, I suggest you join multiple sites or apps to gain access to more opportunities. This is the best way to maximize your earnings, in my opinion.
I will keep updating this guide if I discover more good Respondent alternatives, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new options.
#1 User Interviews
- What you do
- Interviews, focus groups and other studies · most for US residents
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for each study
- Paid via
- PayPal · Bank transfer · Amazon gift cards +1 more
User Interviews is a market research site that will pay you for participating in paid research activities. It also offers high-paying studies, so it can be a good alternative to Respondent.
What’s great about it is that you can immediately see the available studies you can apply for, even without signing up. So, it provides an easy way to figure out if there is a study you are interested in, which makes it a user-friendly site, in my opinion.
Read more
Some studies will pay you in cash via PayPal or direct bank transfer, while some will reward you with an Amazon electronic gift card or a digital Reward Link gift card. It is technically available worldwide, but most of the opportunities are for people who live in the US.
#2 Survey Junkie
- What you do
- Surveys, sometimes focus groups · US, Canada, Australia, UK
- Cash out from
- $5
- Paid via
- PayPal · Gift cards · Bank transfer (US)
Survey Junkie is a survey site that has been around for a while. You can earn by answering surveys, but you can also find focus group opportunities from time to time.
It’s a user-friendly site, and it pays quite well compared to most other survey sites, based on my experience. You can get paid in cash through PayPal or via bank transfer. You can also redeem various gift cards. You’ll only need to earn $5 to request a payout.
Read more
It is available in the US, Canada, and Australia, but it recently opened up for UK residents. It also has an app that works on both Android and iOS devices.
#3 UserTesting
- What you do
- Website and app tests, speaking your thoughts in English
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for each approved test
- Paid via
- PayPal
UserTesting is a platform that helps companies improve the usability of their websites and eliminate bad user experiences. So, to earn from it, you’ll have to perform usability tests. You will mostly be dealing with sites and apps when you become a member, so the scope will be a bit limited compared to other market research platforms.
That said, I find user testing platforms quite interesting. Aside from that, their testing projects usually pay well. You just need to be prepared to speak your thoughts while performing the tests.
Read more
It pays via PayPal, so you will easily receive your earnings. It is also available more or less worldwide, so signing up won’t be a problem. Just be aware that you can NOT take tests while you are traveling, as it will detect if you log in from a different country than where you registered.
#4 Focus Insite
- What you do
- In-person and remote studies · most for US residents
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for each study
- Paid via
- Gift cards through Tremendous · Charity
Focus Insite is a market research company that connects you with researchers who are conducting studies. So, for you to earn from this site, you have to participate in any of the research studies it offers.
You can earn from in-person or remote studies, and they usually pay quite a good amount. It uses Tremendous as the platform for you to claim your rewards. There aren’t a lot of opportunities to earn from this site, so set your expectations accordingly.
Read more
It is available more or less worldwide. However, most opportunities will be for people who live in the US. So, if you live somewhere else, then you shouldn’t expect too many opportunities to earn.
#5 dscout
- What you do
- Diary, live and express missions in the app
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for each mission
- Paid via
- PayPal
dscout is a micro-task mobile app that will pay you for participating in missions. There are three types of missions available: Diary missions, Live missions, and Express missions.
Once you complete a mission, you’ll get paid via PayPal. Just be patient because it will typically take 10 business days for the payment to be reflected in your PayPal account.
Read more
The app works on both Android and iOS devices. It is available globally, so you can sign up as a member regardless of where you live. Just bear in mind that mission availability will depend mostly on your location.
#6 TopSurveys
- What you do
- Surveys and game offers, easy to qualify · many countries
- Cash out from
- $5
- Paid via
- PayPal · Bank transfer · Gift cards +1 more
TopSurveys is a bit different from other options in this guide. However, I decided to include it because of one key factor: qualifying for the opportunities it offers won’t be that hard, so you can easily earn from it.
You can work on paid surveys and offers to earn rewards. You can get paid via PayPal or direct bank transfer. To do so, you’ll only need to earn at least $5 to cash out. You can also redeem various other gift cards.
Read more
It is available in many countries, and you will see which countries it is available in immediately on its homepage. It also has an app that works on both iOS and Android devices.
#7 Prolific
- What you do
- Academic research studies · about 33 countries, often a wait list
- Cash out from
- $6or £6
- Paid via
- PayPal
Prolific is a popular website where you can participate in research studies. What’s great about it is that the opportunities it offers can’t be found elsewhere, so joining this platform essentially gives you access to exclusive opportunities.
You’ll get paid via PayPal, so make sure you have a verified PayPal account before you sign up. It is available in more than 30 countries, but just be aware that they aren’t always accepting new members.
Read more
More often than not, there will be a wait list, which is what you will usually be signing up for. So, you just need to be patient if you intend to join Prolific.
Why use Respondent alternatives?
Respondent is known for high-paying studies, and it is one of the better-known market research platforms I have tested. But relying on it alone is not always the best strategy. Here is why:
- You will not always qualifyMany studies target very specific profiles. Even when many studies are listed, you might not be eligible for most of them.
- Opportunities can be limitedIt depends a lot on your location and background. You might go days or even weeks without a study you can join.
- You can earn more by combining platformsOn one site, your earning potential is capped. With several, you can take more opportunities.
- Some alternatives are easier to useSome have simpler qualification steps or more frequent invites, so they are more beginner-friendly.
- It helps you avoid downtimeWhen Respondent has no studies, you can switch to another platform and keep earning.
What to expect?
Most alternatives offer different kinds of research. You typically find these:
- Surveys
- One-on-one interviews
- Focus groups
- Product tests
Short surveys
Usually small rewards, but easier to get into.
Interviews and focus groups
These can pay a lot more if you qualify. They take more time and more detailed answers.
Screening questions are normal
Just like on Respondent, you will not qualify for every study. You often answer a few screening questions first, so researchers find the right people.
Processing times also vary, so do not expect instant payouts every time. And there will be slow days: studies depend on what researchers need at the time.
Your profile matters a lot.
Many platforms match you with studies based on your demographics, job, interests and habits. The more complete and accurate your profile is, the better your chances.
Bonus Tips
Here are two ways to improve your chances of qualifying for market research studies. There is still no guarantee you will qualify, so set your expectations right.
- Add niche skills and tools to your profileResearchers often look for people in a certain niche. Add tools you know, like Canva, Shopify or Trello, and the industries and special tasks you have worked in.
- Update your profile regularlySome platforms tag recently updated profiles as active and show them higher in their internal search. Adjusting a skill or adding a new tool is enough.
How I choose the sites on this list
I only put a site on this list when I have tested it myself. I test hundreds of sites every year, and I keep this list updated.
What I look at
- I have tested it myself
- Legit and free to use
- Offers studies, interviews or tests like Respondent
- Easier to qualify for, or more regular invites
Ready to start?
All of these sites are free to use. I recommend you join multiple platforms to get access to more studies. Based on my experience, that is the best way to get the most out of them.
I keep this list updated, so bookmark this page. Know a site that belongs here, or have a question? Leave a comment below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Respondent website?
Respondent is a market research platform known for high-paying studies. The catch is that many studies target very specific profiles, so you will not qualify for most of them. That is why it is a good idea to join a few alternatives too.
What are alternatives to surveys?
Interviews and focus groups on User Interviews and Focus Insite, website and app tests on UserTesting, missions in the dscout app, and academic studies on Prolific. Interviews and longer studies usually pay more than short surveys, if you qualify.
Which site is best for surveys?
On this list, Survey Junkie and TopSurveys are the survey sites. Survey Junkie pays quite well compared to most survey sites, but it is only in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. On TopSurveys, it is not that hard to qualify, and it is in many countries.
Can you make $100 a day doing surveys?
Do not count on it. Short surveys usually pay small rewards. Interviews and focus groups can pay a lot more, but only if you qualify, and studies do not come in every day. Join several sites to get access to more opportunities.
Where can I get paid instantly for online surveys?
Do not expect instant payouts every time. Processing times vary. On UserTesting, you are paid 14 days after a test, and on dscout, typically 10 business days after the mission deadline. User Interviews sends gift cards within a day or two after approval.
How does Survey Junkie pay you?
Through PayPal, e-gift cards, or a bank transfer in the US. You can cash out once you have 500 points, which is $5.