I joined Survey Junkie to test it myself, and I have been paid by it many times. Below is how you earn, how the payouts work, the ID check before your first cashout, and who should join.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He has been paid by Survey Junkie many times.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit, easy to use, and pays from $5
A good survey site if you live in the US, Canada, Australia or the UK. Expect extra cash, not an income.
Earn your first 150 points in 5 to 10 minutes after joining.
On this page
The short answer
Survey Junkie is legit, and I have been paid by it myself many times. It is very easy to use, it has a decent amount of surveys, and the payout threshold is only $5.
But it is only available in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. You will not qualify for every survey, and readers report that Survey Junkie asks for a photo ID and a selfie before the first cashout. Join it next to other survey sites, not as your only one.
- Free to join, with a joining bonus
- Low payout threshold: 500 points ($5)
- Good reward options: PayPal, gift cards, and bank transfer in the US
- Several ways to earn, including focus groups and product tests
- App for Android and iOS
- Fast support
- You will not qualify for all surveys
- Only available in 4 countries
- ID verification before your first cashout
- Limited earning opportunities if it is your only survey site
My experience with Survey Junkie
I joined Survey Junkie to test it myself and compared it to the hundreds of other survey sites I have tested. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- December 2018Review first published Dec 6, 2018
- Latest retest
- Checked: earning methods, payouts
- Paid out
- Many timesSurvey Junkie has paid me many times
- Support
- Very quick, good answersI contacted the support staff a few times
- Paid surveys and the profile surveys
- The joining bonus
- The Surf to Earn browser extension
- Cashouts from my account
- The support staff, a few times
- Focus groups, product testing and phone interviews. Survey Junkie only sends these invites once in a while.
- Bank transfer and the gift card options in the US
Payment proof and my test
Survey Junkie has paid me many times. In the video below, I give you an inside look and show exactly how you can earn from Survey Junkie.
Screenshots from my account
Survey Junkie has paid me many times. It is free to join if you live in the US, Canada, Australia or the UK.
Join Survey Junkie freeSurvey Junkie at a glance
| What it is | Survey site with more than 20 million members |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Who can join | US, Canada, Australia and the UK, from age 18 |
| Joining bonus | Up to 150 points in your first 5 to 10 minutes: for joining, your profile, your email, tutorials and profile surveys |
| Ways to earn | Paid surveys, Surf to Earn, and invites to focus groups, product tests and phone interviews |
| Point value | 100 points = $1 |
| Minimum cashout | 500 points ($5). $10 if you joined before September 2019. |
| Payout methods | PayPal in every country; e-gift cards; bank transfer in the US |
| ID check | Readers report a photo ID and a selfie before the first cashout |
| Apps | Android and iOS. The website also works well on mobile. |
| Support | Very quick and good answers when I contacted it |
Is Survey Junkie legit and safe?
Yes, Survey Junkie is legit. I have been paid by it many times. But legit does not mean it is the right site for everyone. Here is what you should know before you join.
- You must verify your identity to cash out
Several readers report that Survey Junkie asked for a photo ID and a selfie when they cashed out for the first time. One reader was offered a phone call instead. Survey sites see a lot of fraud, and Survey Junkie is one of the sites with the most security I have seen. If you do not want to verify your identity, choose another site.
- You will not qualify for every survey
Companies look for the opinions of specific groups, so you get screened out of some surveys. That happens on every survey site. Fill out your profile to match more surveys. If you see no surveys, try again a few hours later.
- Only 4 countries
You can only join from the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. If you join from another country with a VPN, it goes against the terms, and you will likely get banned.
- Surf to Earn collects browsing data
The browser extension learns about your interests while you browse and uses the data for market research. It does not collect sensitive data. Only install it if you are comfortable with that.
My takeI am overall pretty positive about Survey Junkie. Most complaints I have seen come from people who did not qualify for surveys often enough or did not make enough money. Join with the right expectations, and join a few other legit survey sites at the same time.
How you earn on Survey Junkie
There are 4 ways to earn. Paid surveys are the main one. Tap one to read more.
Paid surveysMain earner
Survey Junkie has a decent amount of surveys, and the list is updated regularly. If you see no surveys at some point, try again a few hours later.
You will not qualify for all surveys. There is no trick to qualify for more, but filling out your profile gives you a better chance of matching. When you first join, you also get paid for the profile surveys.
Focus groups, product testing and more$5–$150 per task
Survey Junkie no longer shows much information about these options. But as a member, you might still get invites to product testing, online or in-person focus groups, phone interviews and more once in a while.
Do not expect these invites often. If you get one, it usually pays quite well, often between $5 and $150 per task, depending on the task.
Surf to EarnExtra surveys + passive
Surf to Earn (formerly Survey Junkie Pulse) is a browser extension. It learns about your interests while you browse and then offers you exclusive surveys you would otherwise not get. You get a browser notification when one is available. It takes a little time before these surveys start.
You also earn passively, because the data is used for market research, like Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel. The points are added 30 days after you install it. To keep earning, you need to be online at least 5 times per month. You can install it on several browsers and devices.
Joining bonusUp to 150 points
You get 25 points (25 cents) for joining, 50 points for filling out your profile, and 25 points for confirming your email. Short tutorials give 10 more points, and extra profile surveys give 40 points in total.
So you can earn your first 150 points in just 5 to 10 minutes. It is not a huge amount, but it is a nice start.
Click to Start Earning on Survey Junkie
How much can you make?
Survey Junkie gives some decent earning opportunities. But it is NOT a way to make a full-time income or get rich easily.
It is a great way to make some extra cash and have your opinion heard. Survey sites in general will not make you a full-time income, even if you join as many as you can.
Survey Junkie alone gives you limited earning opportunities, so I suggest you also join other sites. See the list of the best survey sites and join a few extra to boost your chances of earning.
Payout methods and minimum
| Method | Minimum | Where |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | 500 points ($5) | Every country where Survey Junkie is available. Some countries need a verified PayPal account. |
| E-gift cards: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sephora, iTunes, Starbucks and more | 500 points ($5) | Options depend on where you live. The listed cards are for the US. |
| Bank transfer | 500 points ($5) | US only |
The $5 threshold applies to members who joined after September 2019. If you joined before that, the threshold is $10. There are survey sites with a lower threshold, but $5 is a good one for a survey site. See survey sites with a low minimum payout.
Readers report that you have to verify your identity the first time you cash out.
Is Survey Junkie worth it in your country?
Survey Junkie is only available in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. Pick your country to see where Survey Junkie stands on my list of the best sites there.
What 35 readers told me
This review has 35 comments since 2020: 18 from readers and 17 replies from me. These are the four things readers write about most.
Readers were surprised by the photo ID and selfie check when they cashed out. Some refused and left. Survey Junkie offered one reader a phone call instead.
Readers from Nigeria asked if they can join. Survey Junkie is only open in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK, and joining with a VPN goes against the terms.
Not every member sees surveys all the time. For a survey that was not credited, contact the support of the survey platform.
The payout currency depends on your country. For a cashout problem, contact Survey Junkie support, and never use a VPN.
“They are now asking for photo identification and a selfie if you want to receive payment. … They don’t advertise this … you don’t learn this until after you try to redeem payment.”
Mikael: That is why they ask for verification and you should expect to have to verify your identity in some way before getting paid by any paid survey site, to be honest.
“I just registered on survey junkie from the US but I haven’t received any surveys yet for about three days.”
Mikael: In general, there will just not always be available surveys on Survey Junkie so you are not doing anything wrong. As long as you have filled out your profile, there is nothing more you can do than wait.
“I was wondering if you know what to do in those cases where you complete a survey but are not given the points”
Mikael: The survey platforms’ support should be able to see the surveys you have started and that way find the survey.
Survey Junkie alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrizeRebel | Surveys, tasks and offers, with a very low threshold | $5 PayPal; some gift cards from $2 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Branded Surveys | Surveys in the US, UK and Canada, paid via PayPal, bank transfer or gift cards | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Swagbucks | Many daily ways to earn, one of the biggest GPT sites | About $5 PayPal; gift cards from 100 SB | 4.3 / 5 |
Not in the US, Canada, Australia or the UK? See the best survey sites in your country.
How I scored Survey Junkie
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Survey Junkie scores 88 out of 100. It is one of the legit survey sites worth joining in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
Join Survey Junkie freeSurvey Junkie FAQ
Is Survey Junkie a scam?
No. Survey Junkie is legit, and I have been paid by it many times. It has more than 20 million members.
Who can join Survey Junkie?
People in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK who are at least 18 years old.
What is the minimum payout?
500 points, which is $5. Members who joined before September 2019 have a $10 threshold.
How does Survey Junkie pay?
Through PayPal in every country where it is available, and in e-gift cards. In the US, you can also get paid by bank transfer.
Do I need to verify my ID?
Readers report that Survey Junkie asks for a photo ID and a selfie the first time you cash out. Survey sites do this to stop fraud.
Why do I not qualify for more surveys?
Companies look for specific groups, so nobody qualifies for every survey. Fill out your profile to match more surveys. There is no secret trick.
Does Survey Junkie have an app?
Yes, for Android and iOS. The website also works well on mobile.
Can I use Survey Junkie with a VPN?
No. It goes against the terms, and you will likely get banned and not get paid.
How to join Survey Junkie
- Open Survey Junkie through my invite link. You can only join from the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
- Sign up. It only takes a few seconds.
- Verify your email to get your first joining bonus right away.
- Fill out your profile and take the profile surveys to match more surveys.
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Survey Junkie, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Who tested Survey Junkie for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
Hi,
Just an FYI. Your referral link redirects to a junk offer site.
Thanks for letting me know. But it works fine when I test it. If it does not work for you, it is likely because of your location. The platform I got the link from sometimes redirects links if the person clicking is not from the country the platform is for, or if he/she is using a VPN or anything like that.
But I really appreciate you letting me know.
Thanks
Just tried to redeem my first gift card (7/26/24) for $5.35. They want me to send them my personal ID, license front & back! I currently belong to 5 different survey sites and not one of them has ever been so intrusive! I have redeemed several gift card amounts for surveys I have taken on Branded & other sites! I do not recommend this site! They get to keep my earned $5.35 because I will NOT be submitted my personal ID to redeem earned points! I have NEVER had to do this with any other survey site I use! My email and profile info PROVES I am the person who completed the surveys! WHY should they now need copies of my ID’s? They didn’t need them to allow me to spend my time taking their surveys! Highly suspect! I personally do not trust this site.
Most survey sites will ask for some kind of verification at some point. I understand your frustration but email and profile can be faked and survey sites see a lot of scammers trying to fake their country and profile. That is why they ask for further verification to make sure you are actually from the country you say you are – you would probably be surprised if you knew how many people that try to scam survey sites every day, and if they did not ask for further verification, they would quickly go out of business because of these scammers. I have seen that happen to several survey sites.
How a site asks for verification will vary but if you, in general, do not want to verify your identity, you should not use surveys as a way to earn as basically all of them will ask for this at some point.
Hope this explains a bit more about why this is.
You should say upfront in your review that the site requires sensitive personal information before you can cash out. If I had known this, I never have signed up. I do not feel comfortable giving them my driver’s license and a selfie. I think this is very creepy and intrusive. Yelp all you want that these cheapskates are trying to avoid fraudulent use, but how do I know they’re not using my information in a way that I do not like, or what if they get hacked and the hacker gains access to my ID and selfie? You need to be more honest and upfront about what these sites demand of us. Also, I have to laugh at the thought of you recommending the site so highly. The survey pay is terrible. Very few of the surveys pay at the rate of even three dollars an hour, which is unethically low.
More or less all free earning platforms will ask for verification before they pay you. I understand it can be scary, but they have to do this to avoid fraud. So if you do not want to verify your identity, you should honestly not expect to be able to earn from these platforms. But you, of course, have to be careful and only join the ones you know are legit.
As for the rating, this is given based on many parameters and based on my opinion and experiences after having tested hundreds of survey sites over the past 7 years, and it is also based on feedback I have gotten from hundreds of my viewers on YouTube and visitors to my website. That being said, that does not mean everyone will agree, and everyone are welcome to come here and share their own experiences and opinions, as long as it is done in a proper and polite tone.
They are now asking for photo identification and a selfie if you want to receive payment. Totally ridiculous to ask you to send this over the internet. They don’t advertise this … you don’t learn this until after you try to redeem payment.
Survey sites have a big problem with fraud in general, and that is why they have to ask for verification before paying people. For example, a lot of people are asking their country to get access to surveys in countries they do not live in, but if they allowed this, the market research they would gather would be worthless, and they would quickly go out of business. That is why they ask for verification and you should expect to have to verify your identity in some way before getting paid by any paid survey site, to be honest.
HI, I am living in Australia. I am unable to redemption my points. Can u pls suggest.
You need to contact their support about this. But make sure you do not use a VPN or anything like that because then you will not get paid as that goes against their terms.
Hi Mikael, I was wondering if you know what to do in those cases where you complete a survey but are not given the points, but instead get one of those messages about why you’re not getting paid for it, even though you’re pretty sure you did nothing wrong. The only place I see a survey number is on the very first screen where you click to join the survey, after that I see no way of documenting the survey number to use as a reference when emailing customer service. Any advice would be much appreciated!
The survey platforms’ support should be able to see the surveys you have started and that way find the survey.
Thanks Mikael, much appreciated. Keep up the great work!!
You are welcome.
I always do a thorough check on sites before signing up and I use several sites. My go to sites are Paid Viewpoint, Swagbucks, Prize Rebel and Branded Surveys. They are all excellent sites and don’t make you jump thru hoops to get paid.
I like to add a site now and then just to check them out and try something new. None of the before mentioned sites ask for unreasonable ID confirmation to pay you. They are all at the top of their game in this industry in my opinion.
Thanks for sharing your experience about this. I agree that all the sites you mention are great.
Site seemed OK until I tried to get paid. They want a photo ID and a selfie. There are many other better sites. Never had this request from other sites. I emailed them to tell them to cancel my account. They don’t have any direct way to cancel that I could find.
It is quite normal for survey sites to ask for some kind of verification before paying as they experience a lot of fraud and Survey Junkie is one of the sites with the most security as far as I have seen. But if you do not feel comfortable with that, then definitely go for other sites instead.
Just a followup. They emailed me back with this message: “If you do not wish to complete ID Verification, we are able to verify your account with a phone call as an exception”.
I feel as though already having given my name, address, phone number and email is sufficient identification of my identity. Who would do surveys and then ask for payment in some bogus PayPal account? Doesn’t make sense to me so I am moving on. I would not trust them going forward. As always thanks for all your helpful advice and YouTube videos.
Best Regards, Robert
Thanks for sharing.
But think you would be surprised how many people are trying to cheat survey sites:-) In most cases they are trying to pretend they are from countries they are not and this is a huge problem for survey sites and therefore many of them have extra security check.
But luckily there are many other great options if you do not want to use SJ.
i have the same problem gettinmg paid, i have pay pal, my real id, my selfie and now they want additional info and will call me Mon-tru- friday to speal with me, I thionk its a stall to pay me, and it is only 7 dollars I want to rerdeem. Not a good enought excuse from them, just send the money to my pay pal account is all I ask them to do
Who has time to sit around monday tru friday to get an answer. Wahsy iif you missthe call? Kevin you should let them know, you recommended them.
Thanks.
You are welcome.
What is the payout currency? Thanks.
It depends on the country you live in.
Why do I have to show ID just to redeem a measley $23.00?
Because they experience a lot of fraud so they need to have strict security. If not, they would get tons of fake accounts and quickly go out of business. And it is only the first time you cash out you have to verify your identity.
I just registered on survey junkie from the US but I haven’t received any surveys yet for about three days. I logged into my account and found out I haven’t filled in all my profile then I filled it up. Each time I get to where the survey ought to be, It gives me the list of other survey sites (inbox dollars,yougov etc) saying I should join but I am already a member of those survey sites.
Is it a must to join those other survey sites before I can be able to fill surveys on survey junkie?
No, it is not a must to join other sites to get surveys on Survey Junkie. Those are just promotional message and the earn by referring you to those sites.
In general, there will just not always be available surveys on Survey Junkie so you are not doing anything wrong. As long as you have filled out your profile, there is nothing more you can do than wait.
That is why it is good to be a member of several sites to get more opportunities. I can understand you also already are a member of other sites. If you want to join more, you can also check out the best sites in the US here.
Hope this helps and let me know how it goes.
Thanks for the info.
you are welcome
A friend in Nigeria referred me to survey junkie and I am already a participant. Contrary to the fact that u have it in three countries. Am I eligible?
Survey Junkie is only available in the US, Canada, and Australia.
If you have managed to join from other countries it must be by using a VPN and this goes against their terms so you will then likely end up getting banned. Do you live in Nigeria yourself? Because then I will be happy to suggest a few sites that are available there.
Pls do recommend sites here in Nigeria because we have participants in surveyiunkies finding it difficult to cashout and have done their survey
SurveyJunkie is not available in Nigeria. So if you know anyone that has received surveys there, it is because they have used a VPN to make it look like they are from another country – this is considered fraud and therefore they will have a hard time getting paid.
You can check out this list of the best survey sites in Nigeria. All the sites on that list are available there without fraud and will pay there.
Hope this helps