I joined the watchLAB panel to see if its research studies are worth your time. It is legit and pays quite well per study, but invites are rare. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend if you want to earn regularly.
Legit and pays well per study, but invites are rare
US only, and most focus groups are in certain cities. In-person focus groups can pay up to $400. No payout threshold.
On this page
The short answer
watchLAB is legit. It is a market research firm that pays you to take part in research studies for its clients, and it pays quite well compared to similar sites. There is no payout threshold.
But the opportunities to earn are not very frequent. You can consider yourself lucky if you get a study once or twice a month. It is only available in the US, and most focus groups are in certain cities. It can only serve as a decent secondary site.
- Pays quite well for every study you participate in
- No payout threshold
- Direct bank transfer for most studies
- In-person studies pay right away
- Limited earning opportunities
- The site lacks information about its earning opportunities
- Doesn’t have an FAQ or Help page on its website
- It can take long to get paid for online studies
My experience with watchLAB
I signed up for the watchLAB panel and waited for invites. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- December 2023Review first published Dec 21, 2023
- Latest retest
- Checked: sign-up, studies, payouts, support
- Invites I received
- NoneWhile I was testing the site
- Highest pay mentioned
- Up to $400For in-person focus groups
- The registration form
- How invites, rewards and payouts work
- The website on a mobile phone
- The support options
- A research study. I never received an invite while I was testing the site.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from watchLAB.
Inside watchLAB: my video
In the video below, I explain exactly how you can earn from watchLAB.
Screenshots from my test
watchLAB invites are rare. The top sites in your country let you earn regularly.
See the best sites in your countrywatchLAB at a glance
| What it is | A market research firm that pays you to take part in research studies for its clients |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Research studies only: paid surveys, in-person or online focus groups, phone interviews, user testing, taste tests |
| How often | Not very frequent. Once or twice a month is lucky. |
| Typical pay | Up to $400 for in-person focus groups. Surveys pay less; focus groups pay the most. |
| Minimum cashout | None |
| Payout methods | Mostly direct bank transfer. Checks for in-person focus groups, gift cards for some studies. |
| Payout speed | Right away for in-person studies. Several weeks for online studies. |
| How invites arrive | By email and SMS. There is no member dashboard. |
| Where you can join | From what I can tell, only the US. Most focus groups and interviews are in certain cities. |
| Support | No FAQ or Help page. You get the contact details in a study invite. |
Is watchLAB legit and safe?
Yes, watchLAB is legit, because you can really earn from its studies. But that does not automatically make joining a good idea. Here is what you should know.
- Invites are rare
You can consider yourself lucky if you get to take part in a study once or twice a month. I never received an invite while I was testing the site. So this is not something you can earn from regularly.
- You must share your mobile number
watchLAB asks for your mobile number when you sign up, because it also sends study invites by SMS. If you are not comfortable sharing it, this site is not for you.
- Follow every step of a study
Each invite has full instructions. If you miss just one step, there is a very likely chance you cannot complete the study and earn the reward.
- Slow pay for online studies
In-person studies pay right away. For online studies, it can take several weeks to receive your earnings, so you have to be very patient.
- Little information, no help page
The website says little about its earning opportunities, has no FAQ or Help page, and does not show support contact details. You only get those in a study invite.
My takeIf it were not for the limited earning opportunities, I would say watchLAB is a good site to join. But as it is now, it can only serve as a decent secondary site. Only join if you need an extra site to earn from and you are eligible. You will not earn from it very often, but when you do, it pays well.
How you earn on watchLAB
There is only one way to earn: research studies. They come in several types.
Research studiesUp to $400
As a panel member, you are invited to research studies from time to time. There is no member dashboard, so invites come by email, and watchLAB can also send them by SMS. Check your email regularly.
Most studies are paid surveys, in-person or online focus groups, phone interviews, user testing or taste tests. Paid surveys are the most common and simplest. Focus groups pay the most: in-person focus groups can pay up to $400.
Each invite has full instructions. Read them carefully, because if you miss just one step, you may not be able to complete the study and earn the reward. Most focus groups and interviews are only in certain cities, usually where watchLAB has an office. You see the list of cities when you sign up.
How much can you make?
The opportunities to earn are quite limited, but watchLAB pays quite well compared to similar sites. If you get invited to an in-person focus group, you can earn up to $400.
I cannot tell you what the paid surveys pay, because I never received an invite when I was testing the site. As the site pays quite well, you can still expect a decent amount per survey.
Even so, the earning potential is not that great, because there are few opportunities. If you want a site to earn from regularly, this is not the best option.
How you get paid
| Study type | Reward | When |
|---|---|---|
| Most studies | A set amount by direct bank transfer | Online studies can take several weeks |
| In-person focus groups | Usually a check | Right after the study |
| Some other studies | Gift cards | Depends on the client |
The invite email tells you the reward for the study. The type of reward depends on watchLAB’s clients and how they want to reward participants. There is no payout threshold.
Overall, the payment system is relatively simple, and I like that it offers direct bank transfer. For more sites with this method, see the top sites that pay via direct bank transfer.
Who can join, and how
watchLAB does not say which countries it is available in, but from what I can tell, it is only available in the US. Most focus groups and interviews are only in certain cities, usually where watchLAB has an office.
To sign up, fill out the registration form, including your mobile number, and click “Submit”. Then wait for watchLAB to invite you. It can take some time, so be patient.
There is no member dashboard and no app. Most studies need a computer, a phone call or a visit to a location. You can answer paid surveys on your phone, but a laptop or desktop is more convenient.
What readers told me
This review has 2 comments since 2024: 1 from a reader and 1 reply from me.
A long-time member was rarely called back, and two of the three studies they qualified for were cancelled at the last minute.
“I was a member for 5 years and only got called back a few times … Of the 3 I qualified for, 2 of them were cancelled at the last minute.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
watchLAB alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Junkie | Easy-to-use survey site in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Userlytics | Usability tests that pay rather well | No threshold; PayPal | 3.6 / 5 |
| 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 |
If you are looking for a primary site to earn from, see the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored watchLAB
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. Platform Information.
watchLAB scores 48 out of 100. If you want to earn regularly, see these sites first.
See the best sites in your countrywatchLAB FAQ
Is watchLAB a scam?
No. watchLAB is a legit market research firm that pays you for research studies. But invites are rare.
How much does watchLAB pay?
In-person focus groups can pay up to $400. Surveys pay less. The invite tells you the reward for each study.
How does watchLAB pay?
Most of the time by direct bank transfer. In-person focus groups usually pay by check, and some studies pay in gift cards.
Is there a minimum payout?
No. You are paid for every study you complete.
How fast does watchLAB pay?
Right away for in-person studies. For online studies, it can take several weeks.
Who can join watchLAB?
From what I can tell, only people in the US. Most focus groups and interviews are in certain cities.
Does watchLAB have an app?
No. There is no member dashboard either. Invites come by email and SMS.
How do I contact watchLAB?
The website has no FAQ or Help page and no support contact details. You get the contact information in a study invite.
Who tested watchLAB for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with watchLAB, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
I was a member for 5 years and only got called back a few times – considering I do focus groups part time, that’s an amazingly low call back. Of the 3 I qualified for, 2 of them were cancelled at the last minute. I would give it zero stars if I could.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.