I looked into Mars Research to see if its focus groups, taste tests and paid studies are worth it. It is legit and pays well, but most of it only works if you live near its facility in Florida. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
Legit and pays well, but only if you live near its Florida facility
Focus groups and taste tests in South Florida, plus a few paid studies you can do from home. US only.
On this page
The short answer
Mars Research is legit. It is a market research company, and it does pay you to take part in its research activities. And no, it is not the NASA one.
But most of its earning opportunities ask you to go to its facility in Florida. Its focus groups and taste tests pay relatively well, but they only matter if you live nearby. The paid studies you can do from home are not always available, so you cannot rely on it to earn regularly.
- Fun and unique earning opportunities, like paid taste tests
- Focus groups and taste tests pay well
- Mobile-optimized website
- Contact form and a phone number for support
- Limited earning opportunities
- Most opportunities require you to go to its facility in Florida
- Paid studies from home are not always available
- Only for US residents
- Long application form, and no FAQ page
My experience with Mars Research
I looked at Mars Research’s earning opportunities, the application forms, the website on a phone and the support options. This is what I checked, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- December 2019Review first published Dec 17, 2019
- Latest retest
- Checked: opportunities, application, support
- In-person opportunities
- Fort Lauderdale and Sunrise, FloridaFocus groups and taste tests
- From home
- Paid studies onlyNot always available
- The focus group, taste test and paid study pages
- The Upcoming Studies page and its qualifying surveys
- The application forms
- The website on a mobile phone and the contact form
- A focus group or a taste test. These take place at its facility in Florida.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from Mars Research.
Inside Mars Research: my screenshots
These screenshots are from my look at the site.
Screenshots from my test
Mars Research at a glance
| What it is | Market research company with focus groups, taste tests and paid studies. Not a survey site. |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Focus groups, taste tests and paid studies |
| Where | Focus groups at its facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Taste tests at its facility just outside the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. Paid studies from home. |
| Pay | Focus groups typically in the hundreds of dollars. Taste tests $30.00 for about 30 minutes. Paid studies pay more the longer they are. |
| How you are paid | Usually cash or check after an onsite session. For paid studies, Mars Research does not say how it pays. |
| Minimum cashout | None. You are paid per activity. |
| App | No app. The website is optimized for mobile. |
| Who can join | US residents only. 18 or older for focus groups and taste tests. |
| Sign-up | A long application form, and a separate one for the taste test panel |
| Support | Contact form and a phone hotline. No FAQ page. |
Is Mars Research legit and safe?
Yes, Mars Research is legit. It is not a scam, and it does pay you to take part in its research activities. But that does not make it a good way to earn for most people. Here is what you should know.
- Most opportunities are in Florida
Focus groups and taste tests take place at its facilities in Fort Lauderdale and Sunrise, Florida. If you live far away, travel costs may be higher than what you are paid.
- Paid studies are not always available
Paid studies are the only thing you can do from home. They start with a qualifying survey, and they are not always available, so you cannot earn regularly from them.
- A long application form
The application form is more detailed than most registration forms, and the taste test panel has its own form. After you apply, Mars Research contacts you by email or phone.
- Little information on how paid studies pay
Mars Research does not say how it pays for its paid studies. In my experience, studies like these usually pay by mail, with a check or a prepaid Visa card.
My takeIn my opinion, Mars Research is only really beneficial if you live near its facility. Its focus groups and taste tests pay relatively well, but that only matters if you can take part. If you live outside Florida, your time is better spent on other sites.
Not near Fort Lauderdale? The top sites in your country let you earn from home.
See the best sites in your countryHow you earn on Mars Research
There are 3 ways to earn. Two of them ask you to go to its facility in Florida. Tap one to read more.
Focus groupsTypically in the hundreds
Focus groups are the main way Mars Research gathers information for its partners. You give your opinions on new products, services and ideas, and you are paid for them and/or receive free products or services.
You have to be there in person, at its facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. If you live nearby, a session typically pays in the hundreds of dollars, and in my experience, focus groups like this can be quite fun. If you live far away, travel costs may be higher than what you are paid.
New to focus groups? See my focus group guide.
Taste tests$30.00 per session
Join the taste test panel and give your opinion on new fast food products. You are essentially paid to eat, and to give feedback.
You have to go to its facility just outside the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. A session usually lasts about 30 minutes, and you receive $30.00 for it.
Paid studiesFrom home
From time to time, Mars Research runs paid studies. You find them on the Upcoming Studies page, linked at the bottom of its website. This is the only opportunity you can do from home.
Each study starts with a qualifying survey that checks if you fit the group the study targets. If you qualify, Mars Research contacts you by email or phone with the details. The longer the study, the more you earn. But the studies are not always available.
How much can you make?
Based on what I saw, you can make a significant amount from Mars Research if you join its taste tests and focus groups. These kinds of opportunities typically pay well.
The catch is that they are only ideal if you live near its facility. If you live far away, the only way you can earn is through its paid studies. They pay more the longer they are, but they are not always available, so do not expect to earn regularly.
If you want to earn from home, see the fastest-paying survey sites instead. They all have a low payout threshold.
How you get paid
| Activity | Pay | How you are paid |
|---|---|---|
| Focus groups | Typically in the hundreds | In my experience, onsite activities usually pay cash or check once you finish |
| Taste tests | $30.00 for about 30 minutes | In my experience, onsite activities usually pay cash or check once you finish |
| Paid studies | Depends on the length of the study | Not stated by Mars Research. In my experience, usually a check or prepaid Visa card by mail. |
There is no payout threshold. For onsite activities, expect to be paid as soon as you finish.
Mars Research alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Interviews | Paid research studies, mostly for US residents | No threshold; paid per study | 3.4 / 5 |
| FocusGroup.com | US focus groups and research studies | $10 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research projects that pay well, straight to PayPal | None; paid after each project | 3.0 / 5 |
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Swagbucks | Many daily ways to earn, one of the biggest GPT sites | About $5 PayPal; gift cards from 100 SB | 4.3 / 5 |
For more focus groups, see my focus group guide. To earn regularly from home, see the top survey sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Mars Research
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. Platform Information.
Mars Research scores 56 out of 100. Unless you live near its facility, I recommend these sites first.
See the best sites in your countryMars Research FAQ
Is Mars Research a scam?
No. Mars Research is a legit market research company that pays you to take part in its research activities. But most of them are in Florida.
Where does Mars Research hold its focus groups and taste tests?
Focus groups are at its facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Taste tests are at its facility just outside the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida.
How much does a taste test pay?
A taste test session usually lasts about 30 minutes, and you receive $30.00 for it.
Can I earn from Mars Research at home?
Only through its paid studies. You find them on the Upcoming Studies page. They are not always available.
How does Mars Research pay?
In my experience, onsite activities usually pay cash or check once you finish. Mars Research does not say how it pays for paid studies.
Who can join Mars Research?
Only US residents. You must be 18 or older for focus groups and taste tests.
Does Mars Research have an app?
No. But its website is optimized for mobile.
How do I contact Mars Research?
Use the contact form on its website, or call its hotline. There is no FAQ page.
Who tested Mars Research for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Mars Research, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.