I have used Testable Minds and have been paid by it myself several times. It is legit and pays in money, not points, but studies are not always available. Below is how it works, what verification gets you, and which sites I recommend if you want to earn more regularly.
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 Testable Minds several times, has historical video proof from an earlier test, and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Legit research studies, worth it where studies are common
Paid psychology and behavioral studies, in money, through PayPal or bank transfer. Studies are not always available, and earnings are capped at $50 a month.
On this page
The short answer
Yes, Testable Minds is a legit online survey panel. I have been paid by it myself several times. Researchers all over the world use it to recruit participants for psychological and behavioral experiments, and you are paid in money, not points.
But studies are not always available, so you can’t expect to earn regularly. You can earn a maximum of $50 per month, and the first withdrawal needs $20 unless you verify your account. It is worth it if you live in a country with a decent number of studies, like the US or UK.
- Available globally
- Offers payment via PayPal
- Decent rewards per study completed
- Rewards in money, not points
- Interesting studies about behavioral economics and cognitive skills
- Limited earning opportunities
- Relatively high payout threshold unless you get a verified account
- You can earn a maximum of $50 per month
- In some countries you will not find any studies at all
- Support is not always fast
My experience with Testable Minds
I have used Testable Minds and have been paid by it several times. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- May 2020Review first published May 21, 2020
- Latest retest
- Checked: studies, threshold, verification
- Paid out
- Several timesPaid by it myself
- Support
- Not always super fastIn my experience
- Paid studies from the member dashboard
- Payouts, several times
- The registration with an SMS code
- The verification steps and the benefits of a verified account
- The FAQ and support
- Revolut payouts and the Revolut card. I have not personally used Revolut.
Inside Testable Minds: my screenshots
I have been paid by Testable Minds several times. The video was published in 2021 and shows historical payment proof from an earlier test. It does not document a new retest or confirm current payout conditions. The screenshots show the studies, the referral program, the verification steps and the mobile site.
Screenshots from my account
Testable Minds paid me, but studies are limited. These sites let you earn more regularly.
See the best sites in your countryTestable Minds at a glance
| What it is | Platform where researchers recruit participants for psychological and behavioral experiments. Comparable to Prolific. |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Paid studies, referral program |
| Rewards | In money, not points |
| Minimum cashout | $20 · $10 for the first withdrawal if you are a verified user |
| Payout methods | PayPal, direct bank transfer, Revolut |
| Earnings cap | A maximum of $50 per month |
| Verified account | Photo, ID document and phone number. Gives a lower first threshold, more studies and higher-paying ones. |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Who can join | Available globally. Some countries have many more studies than others, and some have none. |
| App | No app. The site is mobile-friendly, but a laptop or desktop works better for most studies. |
| Support | FAQ page, email: [email protected], and a contact form behind the Support button |
Is Testable Minds legit and safe?
Yes, Testable Minds is legit. I have been paid by it several times. But that does not necessarily mean it is worth your time. Here is what you should know.
- Studies are not always available
Some countries have many more studies than others, and in some you will not find any at all. You also race against other members for a spot: once a study is full, you are not accepted anymore.
- Verification asks for your ID
To become a “Verified Mind”, you submit your photo, an ID document and your phone number. It lowers your first threshold and gives you more and higher-paying studies. I do not have a problem uploading my ID to this site, because it is legit and it is a way to protect itself against fraud.
- Researchers approve your work first
Testable Minds only wants members who are genuinely interested in helping science. If you rush and do not take a study seriously, your work will not be approved, and you are not paid for it.
- Earnings are capped
So that people do not see it as a job, you can earn a maximum of $50 per month.
- You need a phone number to join
Registration sends a verification code by SMS. If the code does not arrive, contact their support.
My takeTestable Minds is a good site to join if you live in a country where there is a decent number of studies available, like the US or UK. If studies are rare where you live, this site will be of little value to you. But if you would like to help science and find the type of studies it offers interesting, it can definitely be a good site to join.
How you earn on Testable Minds
There are 2 ways to earn. Paid studies are the main one. Tap one to read more.
Paid studiesMain earner
When you log in to the member dashboard, you immediately see all the studies you can take part in. Researchers create them, so it is rare to find two that ask you to do similar things. Most are about behavioral economics and cognitive skills.
Each study shows the maximum number of participants and how many are taking part now. If a study is already full, do not bother joining, because you will not be accepted anymore.
Read the instructions carefully. When you have completed the work, the researcher checks it. If it is satisfactory, the participation reward is credited to your Testable Minds balance.
Referral program$1 per referral
Share your invite link. When someone signs up through it, you earn $1, but only when they make their first withdrawal. Make sure the people you invite are really interested in the site.
Check Out the Top Survey Sites in Your Country
How much can you make?
In my experience, sites with these kinds of studies usually pay quite well, because the studies involve more than simply answering surveys.
But that does not boost the earning potential much, because studies are not always available, and you race against other members for a spot. So it takes a bit of patience.
The best way to get more studies is to complete your profile and verify your account. Do those two things first when you log in for the first time.
To make sure people do not see it as a job, you can earn a maximum of $50 per month. If you live in a country with many studies, that is what you can earn. In my opinion, that can be some nice extra earnings, and you help science at the same time.
Payout methods and minimums
| Method | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | $20 · $10 for a verified user’s first withdrawal | Rewards are in money, so you always know what you have earned |
| Direct bank transfer | $20 · $10 for a verified user’s first withdrawal | Paid straight to your bank account |
| Revolut | Same as above | Only where Revolut is available. Verified users get a free physical Revolut card worth $7 and a $1 bonus. |
Once you have earned $20, you can request payment. It is a relatively high threshold, but you can lower it by verifying your account. This is a different verification from the SMS code at registration: you submit your photo, an ID document and your phone number.
Verified users get a lower threshold ($10) for the first withdrawal, access to more studies and higher-paying ones. That is why, if you decide to join, I definitely recommend that you verify your account.
What 28 readers told me
This review has 28 comments since July 2020: 14 from readers and 14 replies from me. These are the things readers ask about most.
All from 2020, about pending study payments and the minimum. The minimum is $10 if you are a verified user and $20 if you are not.
Readers asked if uploading an ID is safe, and one did not receive the SMS code. One reader got a first study within a month of joining and verifying.
The steps are in the review: register with your phone number, complete your profile and verify your account.
“It seems they have updated the policy. The new policy states that the minimum withdrawal is $10. I emailed them and they confirmed.”
Mikael: the minimum payout threshold is $10 if you are a verified user and $20 if you are not verified.
“in order to become a verified member, you said we need to show them our ID. That wouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Mikael: With this particular site, I do not have a problem with uploading ID. … I also understand that they have a lot of fraud and this is a way to protect themselves against this.
“I’ve attempted the registration several times but I don’t seem to get the verification code even though I’ve tried with two different phone numbers.”
Mikael: You should contact their support about this.
Testable Minds alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Prolific | Academic studies with fair pay | £6/$6 | 3.4 / 5 |
| People for Research | Paid research studies, mostly for people in the UK | No threshold; paid per study | 3.1 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research studies, open globally | Paid per project via PayPal | 3.0 / 5 |
If you want sites with more opportunities and different kinds of surveys, see the top survey sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Testable Minds
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Testable Minds scores 62 out of 100. To earn more regularly, start with these sites.
See the best sites in your countryTestable Minds FAQ
Is Testable Minds a scam?
No. Testable Minds is a legit survey panel, and I have been paid by it several times. But studies are not always available.
What is the minimum payout?
$20. If you verify your account, your first withdrawal needs $10.
How does Testable Minds pay?
Through PayPal or direct bank transfer, and through Revolut where it is available. Rewards are in money, not points.
How much can I earn?
A maximum of $50 per month. How close you get depends on how many studies there are in your country.
Should I verify my account?
Yes, I recommend it. You submit your photo, an ID document and your phone number. You get a lower first threshold, more studies and higher-paying ones.
Who can join Testable Minds?
Anyone who is at least 18, wherever you live. But some countries have far more studies than others, and some have none.
Does Testable Minds have an app?
No. The site is mobile-friendly, but I recommend a laptop or desktop, because most studies involve more than answering surveys.
How do I contact Testable Minds?
Check the FAQ page first. Otherwise, email [email protected] or click the Support button on the right side of the page to open the contact form.
Who tested Testable Minds 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).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Testable Minds, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
I’ve attempted the registration several times but I don’t seem to get the verification code even though I’ve tried with two different phone numbers.
You should contact their support about this.
I watched the review you made on youtube about testable minds and in a month of joining and getting my account verified I received my first study. Thank you for this. I saw another site called Testable.Org? Can you please make a review about it.
Glad it helped. The platform you are asking about is for people that want to do resaerch and not for people that want to earn, so it is not really relevant for me to review.
I would love to be part of it
I explain how tog et started in the review above.
I would love to be part of it.
I explain how t get started above.
I have done two studies with a normal account but the payments are still pending even after the average approval time. Is this normal?
will I loose the money I earned if I proceed to make my account premium? Do you have any idea on that?
Thanks.
They should be approved soon then if you have done everything honestly. If you have not heard back soon, you should contact their support.
Not sure I understand what you mean about making your account premium?
I meant registering as a verified user.
It was successful and did the first withdrawal. Few cents were charged when withdrawing with pay pal.
Money on paypal is on hold.I’m not sure what the reason is.
thanks for clarifying that. Great to hear you had your first task there.
Have you checked if you need to approve them inside your PayPal account? Sometimes you have to do that and it can be done with just a few clicks if that is the case.
It was my first payPal money so they hold that money for sometime I guess.
After the withdrawal, testable minds states that we could withdraw with a $1 minimum. I have a our $3 at the moment but can not withdraw since they are saying I should have a $5 minimum for the withdrawal. Was there a change to their policies that they haven’t updated yet? For me it still shows as “You can withdraw funds when you have $1 or more available.”
I have not heard of any updates in their policy like that. Maybe try to contact their support. Let me know how it goes.
Hello,
It seems they have updated the policy. The new policy states that the minimum withdrawal is $10. I emailed them and they confirmed.
ok. Thanks for the update.
Hello,
I’m quoting your review “Aside from the lower threshold ($10) for first withdrawal, they will also waive the threshold for your ‘next succeeding withdrawals’.” Can you explain this with regard to my question?
This is what they show under the withdrawal option “You can withdraw funds when you have $1 or more available.”
Doesn’t this mean I can withdraw if I have more than $1 available? But I can’t.
Thanks for making me aware of this – the quote from my review is from the previous terms they had and I just forgot to update it here. Sorry about the confusion – but as mentioned in the previous reply, the minimum payout threshold is $10 if you are a verified user and $20 if you are not verified.
I will update the review with the newest info asap.
Trying to do a withdrawal again and it states I should have $10 minimum. This is unacceptable since they even states we can withdraw at $1 after first withdrawal
They do not state anywhere you can withdraw after earning $1. They very clearly state that the minimum threshold for verified users is $10 as you can also see I mention in the review above.
I’ve gone through the site & now I’m convinced that there will be no issue if I upload my document.
I like the fact that it is about psychology & cognition.
I’m doing a course on “Social Psychology” from Coursera.
I also have read a book on Evolutionary psychology.
Looks like, I have to install Facebook once again.
One more thing, what is Revolut?
Under the Verified section, they have mentioned that Revolut isn’t available for my country (India). Now, I have to just upload an ID proof to become a verified number.
Great you are not concerned about verifying your account at Testable Minds.
And it definitely is some interesting topics and sounds very relevant for you.
Revolut is another way to receive money and supposedly has smaller fees than PayPal. But I have not personally used it yet.
Are there any other sites like these? (I’ll look into prolific now). I love to contribute to science, research, engineering (that is AI, AR, VR, ML, etc) or any other place where my opinions are valued & looked into & at the same time, I can also earn some extra cash 😉
I’m going through the 4 other product testing sites that you had mentioned to me the other day.
Plus, in order to become a verified member, you said we need to show them our ID. That wouldn’t be a problem, right?
It’s just, I’m a little sceptic(by nature) & I’m not exactly comfortable sharing my ID & especially when a lot of Identity fraud cases are increasing.
Which sites(if any) are you comfortable sharing/showing such information(ID proof)?
At the moment, I do not know of anyone similar except for Prolific.
With this particular site, I do not have a problem with uploading ID. But it is definitely good to be skeptical about this.
Overall, I do not have a problem with it if it is a site I know is legit because I also understand that they have a lot of fraud and this is a way to protect themselves against this.
Hey Mikael! I was thinking that (if possible) can you add a feature like ratings by people who have used that particular survey site OR any site that you are reviewing?
So basically anyone who has used this survey site will rate it(if they don’t want to leave a comment) OR rate as well as leave their thoughts.
I do know that trusted review sites like trustpilot exists, but not everyone sees it & in some cases people don’t even read comments as most of the people today like to SKIM articles.
After giving your rating, there will be an average rating by people just below your rating ON THE TOP PAGE(you can also mention the number of people who have rated beside it).
I do know that some people might misuse it, but still, it would be better to have as many experiences as possible of people who have tried the site in question.
What do you think of this idea? Is it worth it? Or maybe just too complicated?
Please do let me know.
Thanks for the suggestion.
In my humble opinion, review sites like Trustpilot often do not give the right picture. The ratings there can easily be manipulated and when it comes to survey sites, people tend to only want to leave a review if they are really upset or if they have been pushed to give ratings.
I have a whole article about whether you can trust survey reviews where I go more into details about this.
But having a feature like that can also have its benefits but so far I have chosen not to have it because I would rather that people share it and communicate about it in the comments. But it might be something to look into and see if there is a good solution.
thanks
i really like the way you said that sir. and i will be looking into this as a whole thank you. look forward to working with you.
Glad you liked it.