I tested Userbrain, a user testing site that pays you to record yourself while you test websites and apps. It is legit, but $5 per test is low, and it was not accepting new testers when I last updated this review. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
Legit, but low pay, and not taking new testers
$5 per approved test, paid through PayPal. But other user testing sites pay more, and new testers could not sign up when I last checked.
On this page
The short answer
Userbrain is a legit user testing site. It pays you $5 for every testing project you complete, through PayPal, and the payout threshold is low.
But a $5 reward is pretty low, and other user testing sites pay more. It takes some time before you can start earning, because you first have to pass an unpaid qualification test. And Userbrain was not accepting new testers when I last updated this review. You are better off joining other user testing sites.
- Offers payment via PayPal
- Available globally
- Limited earning opportunities
- Low rewards
- It takes some time before you can start earning
My experience with Userbrain
I tested Userbrain myself to see how it stacks up against other user testing sites. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- March 2022Review first published Mar 11, 2022
- Latest retest
- Checked: tester sign-up, pay per test, payouts
- New testers
- Not acceptedWhen I last updated this review
- Devices
- Chrome on desktop, iOS appNo Android app
- The Userbrain Chrome extension and the qualification test steps
- The project list and how you apply for projects
- The tester sign-up page
- The FAQ and the contact options for testers
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from Userbrain.
Inside Userbrain: my screenshots
These screenshots are from my test of Userbrain.
Screenshots from my test
Userbrain at a glance
| What it is | User testing site: you record your screen and voice while you test websites and apps |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| New testers | Not accepted when I last updated this review. Check the website from time to time. |
| Who can join | Any country, 18 or older, native English or German speakers |
| Ways to earn | Testing projects only, after an unpaid qualification test |
| Pay per test | $5 per approved test |
| Time per test | Around 5 to 20 minutes |
| Minimum cashout | $10 for your first payout, then $5 |
| Payout method | PayPal, credited in 5-10 business days |
| Devices | Google Chrome extension on a computer; an iOS app for mobile tests. No Android app. |
| Support | A comprehensive FAQ. The contact form is for Userbrain’s customers, not its testers. |
Is Userbrain legit and safe?
Yes, Userbrain is legit, since you can earn when you complete a testing project. But that does not make it worth your time. Here is what you should know before you apply.
- Not accepting new testers
When I last updated this review, Userbrain was not accepting any new testers. This can change from time to time, so check the website if you are interested.
- Low pay per test
Every test pays a fixed $5. That is good if you finish a test quickly, but if a test takes you longer, your time-to-money ratio suffers. Other user testing sites pay more.
- An unpaid qualification test first
Before you can work on paid projects, you take a qualification test that takes around 5 to 20 minutes. You are not paid for it, and the review can take up to a week.
- No guarantee of work
You have to apply for a spot on each project and wait for confirmation. Some days there are a decent number of projects, other days you will not find any.
- Hard to reach support
The FAQ is comprehensive, but there is no real way for testers to contact the support team. The contact form is filed under Userbrain’s customers, and I cannot say if they will get back to you.
My takeIn my opinion, Userbrain is not a great user testing site. It offers a convenient payment method, and the payout threshold is quite low. But a $5 reward for finding errors and bugs on websites is pretty low, and other user testing sites pay more. So there is really little incentive to sign up when it starts accepting new testers. You are better off joining other user testing sites.
Userbrain is not taking new testers, and $5 per test is low. These sites let you start earning right away.
See the best sites in your countryHow you earn on Userbrain
There is only one way to earn: testing projects. You first have to pass a qualification test.
Testing projects$5 per test
First, install the Userbrain Google Chrome extension. It records your screen while you test a website. Click its icon next to the address bar to start the qualification test. It takes around 5 to 20 minutes, and you are not paid for it. Afterwards, you answer a few questions about your recording and upload it. The review can take up to a week, so keep checking your email.
If you pass, log in to find available projects and apply for them. Each project lists the instructions in detail. Once you are accepted as a tester, you do the test and explain out loud what you are doing. Work in a quiet room and use a decent microphone. A headset with a microphone is better than a laptop’s built-in one. Be honest in your feedback: that is what the website owners want from you.
After the test, submit your work. Userbrain takes a week at most to review it. When it approves your submission, you receive $5. A test typically takes around 5 to 20 minutes, and longer if you are new to this.
See the Top Survey and GPT Sites in Your Country
How much can you make?
Every project pays a fixed $5. That is good if you can finish a test quickly. If a test takes you longer, your time-to-money ratio suffers.
Some days there are a decent number of projects, other days you will not find any. And you have to apply for a spot as a tester, so there is no guarantee you can earn from every project posted on the site.
That is why the earning potential is not that good. The rate is also relatively low compared to other user testing sites.
How you get paid
| Method | Minimum | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal (first payout) | $10 | 5-10 business days |
| PayPal (after that) | $5 | 5-10 business days |
You need only two approved tests to reach the first payout. Userbrain recommends you collect a bit more before you cash out. For more sites with a low payout threshold, see the fastest paying sites.
What 2 comments told me
This review has 2 comments since 2022: 1 from a reader and 1 reply from me.
A reader wrote in 2022 that Userbrain blocked them after they asked for their money and updated their billing details.
“Be aware they blocked me after asking for my money.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Userbrain alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Userlytics | Usability tests that pay rather well | No threshold | 3.6 / 5 |
| UserTesting | Recorded website tests, around $10 each | Paid per test, PayPal only | 3.4 / 5 |
| User Interviews | Paid research studies, mostly for US residents | No threshold; paid per study | 3.4 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research projects that pay well, straight to PayPal | None | 3.0 / 5 |
See the top user testing sites. Want a steady stream of extra cash? See the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You can start earning from them right away.
How I scored Userbrain
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. Platform Information.
Userbrain scores 46 out of 100. If you want to earn now, start with the top sites in your country.
See the best sites in your countryUserbrain FAQ
Is Userbrain a scam?
No. Userbrain is a legit user testing site that pays you for completing testing projects. But the pay is low, and it was not accepting new testers when I last updated this review.
Is Userbrain accepting new testers?
Not when I last updated this review. This can change from time to time, so check the website if you are interested.
How much does Userbrain pay?
$5 for every approved test. A test typically takes around 5 to 20 minutes.
How does Userbrain pay?
Through PayPal. Your first payout needs $10, after that $5. It typically takes 5-10 business days to reach your PayPal account.
Who can become a Userbrain tester?
People in any country who are at least 18 years old and native English or German speakers.
Is the qualification test paid?
No. It takes around 5 to 20 minutes, and the review can take up to a week. You need to pass it before you can work on paid projects.
Can I test on my phone?
Only on an iPhone or iPad, with the Userbrain iOS app. There is no Android app.
Who tested Userbrain for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Userbrain, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Be aware they blocked me after asking for my money.
They told me to update my billing, which I did, then wrote me another email to ask me if my billing was correct, which is right, then blocked me for no reason.
They have my full name and my PayPal address; they can check the address on my PayPal or LinkedIn.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.