Top 10 Survey Sites and Apps
Compare the top online survey platforms (apps and mobile-optimised websites) for earning money sharing your opinion.
Top 10 Apps to Earn Money Completing Surveys (October 2025)
Compare the top online survey platforms with my in-depth reviews!
Independent reviews of platforms available in the UK, ranked by someone who uses them
Paid survey sites connect you with market research companies that need consumer opinions. Companies pay these platforms to gather feedback on products, services, and consumer trends, and you earn cash or rewards for sharing your views through online surveys.
Top Rated Paid Survey Platforms
Clear!
I've been using Clear since it first launched in 2024, and it's become part of my shopping routine (replacing Amazon Shopper Panel when it shut down). I snap a photo of every supermarket receipt before throwing it away, and complete all the quick surveys they send my way. I consistently earn £5-10 each month with minimal effort. The payouts are pretty quick too.
How Paid Survey Sites Work
Sign Up Free
Create your account in minutes using an email address. Most survey platforms are completely free to join with no hidden fees. Some offer sign-up bonuses just for registering.
Complete Your Profile
Fill out detailed profile surveys honestly about your demographics, interests, and household. This determines which surveys you qualify for and reduces time wasted on screenouts.
Choose Available Surveys
Browse surveys that match your profile. Each shows the estimated time (usually 5-30 minutes) and payout (typically £0.50-£3) before you start.
Answer Honestly
Provide genuine responses - inconsistent answers get you flagged or banned. Some surveys include attention checks. You may still get screened out partway through if you're not the target demographic.
Cash Out Your Earnings
Once you reach the minimum cashout threshold (typically £1-£10), withdraw via PayPal, gift cards, or other payment methods. Most payments process within 24-48 hours.
Choosing the Right Platform
Not all survey sites are the same. Different platforms excel in different areas:
For High Survey Volume
Best for: Users who want consistent daily survey opportunities
Look for:
- Multiple survey providers integrated into one dashboard
- Daily survey availability regardless of demographics
- Quick surveys (5-10 minutes) for spare moments
- Good qualification rates for your demographic profile
Consider: More surveys doesn't always mean more earnings - pay attention to compensation per minute spent.
For Better Pay Rates
Best for: Maximizing earnings per survey completed
Look for:
- Higher compensation per survey (£1+ for 10-15 minutes)
- Specialized or academic research surveys (often pay better)
- Focus group opportunities (£30-100+ for 1-2 hours)
- Product testing programs with keep-the-product compensation
Consider: Higher-paying surveys may have stricter qualification requirements and fewer opportunities.
For Quick Cashouts
Best for: Getting paid without long accumulation periods
Look for:
- Low minimum cashout thresholds (£1-3)
- Multiple withdrawal options (PayPal, gift cards, bank transfer)
- Fast payment processing (same-day or 24-48 hours)
- No withdrawal fees for your preferred method
Consider: Some platforms offer better exchange rates for gift cards versus cash.
For Additional Earning Methods
Best for: Diversifying beyond just surveys
Look for:
- Platforms that also offer game offers, sign-up tasks, or cashback
- Refer-a-friend programs with lifetime commission
- Daily login bonuses and activity streaks
- Competitions and prize draws for active members
Consider: Hybrid GPT platforms often have surveys alongside other earning methods.
Maximizing Survey Qualifications
This is the #1 frustration with survey sites. You'll often answer screening questions for 2-5 minutes only to be told you don't qualify. Here's how to minimize wasted time:
Profile Optimization Checklist
- ✓ Be truthful always (inconsistency gets you banned)
- ✓ Complete every profile survey (even optional ones)
- ✓ Update life changes (new job, moved house, had baby)
- ✓ Check for new profile surveys (quarterly is good practice)
- ✓ Answer screening questions carefully (rushed responses = more screenouts)
- ✓ Never use survey bots or auto-fillers (instant ban)
- ✓ Join multiple platforms (demographics vary per survey provider)
Understanding Demographics That Matter
Certain demographics receive more survey invitations because they're valuable to market researchers:
- Age: 25-54 year-olds typically get more opportunities
- Income: Middle to high earners are frequently targeted
- Employment: Full-time professionals, especially in business/tech/healthcare
- Household: Parents with children often qualify for more surveys
- Decision-makers: Those who make purchasing decisions for their household
- Location: Urban areas and certain regions may have more opportunities
Important: Never lie about demographics to qualify for more surveys. Platforms verify answers across surveys and inconsistencies result in account closure.
When You Get Screened Out
Don't take it personally - screenouts are normal and expected:
- Good platforms give partial credit for screenouts (£0.01-0.10)
- Some surveys genuinely need very specific demographics (e.g., "female doctors aged 35-45 who own Teslas")
- Screening questions help researchers ensure data quality
- You might qualify for only 20-40% of surveys you attempt - this is normal
If you're consistently screened out immediately, your profile may need updating or the platform's demographics don't match yours. Try different platforms.
Common Survey Types
Standard Consumer Surveys
Time: 10-20 minutes | Pay: £0.50-£2
Questions about shopping habits, brand preferences, recent purchases, and consumer behavior. The bread-and-butter of survey sites.
Product Testing Surveys
Time: Varies | Pay: £5-£50+ or keep the product
Test physical products at home (cosmetics, food, electronics) and provide detailed feedback. May require photo/video evidence. Often have long application processes with low acceptance rates.
Focus Groups & Interviews
Time: 30 minutes - 2 hours | Pay: £30-£150+
Live video or phone discussions with researchers and other participants. Require scheduling and more involvement but pay significantly better. Competitive to qualify for.
Academic Research
Time: 15-45 minutes | Pay: £2-£10
University research studies, often psychology or social science. Usually pay better than consumer surveys but less frequent. May include memory tests, games, or hypothetical scenarios.
Medical & Health Surveys
Time: 10-30 minutes | Pay: £1-£5
Healthcare experiences, medications, medical conditions, wellness habits. Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) often have dedicated high-paying panels.
Diary Studies
Time: Daily entries for days/weeks | Pay: £20-£100+
Track and report specific behaviors over time (shopping, media consumption, food intake). Requires commitment but pays well for cumulative effort.
Red Flags & Scams to Avoid
🚩 Never Pay to Join
Legitimate survey sites are always free. Any platform asking for membership fees, "activation payments," or upfront costs is a scam.
🚩 Unrealistic Earning Claims
Promises of "£100+ per hour" or "unlimited surveys" are fraudulent. Realistic survey earnings are £20-100 per month depending on time invested and demographics.
🚩 Requests for Sensitive Information
No legitimate survey should ask for your full bank account details, credit card numbers, passwords, or National Insurance number during a survey. Basic demographic info is normal; financial credentials are not.
🚩 No Privacy Policy or Contact Information
Reputable platforms have clear privacy policies, terms of service, and contact information. If you can't find these, avoid the site.
🚩 Impossible Cashout Requirements
Some scam sites set minimum cashouts so high (£50-100+) that most users never reach them, or they make withdrawal processes deliberately difficult.
Maximizing Your Survey Earnings
Multi-Platform Strategy
Don't rely on one site - join 5-10 platforms to ensure consistent survey availability:
- Different sites have different survey providers and demographics
- Survey opportunities fluctuate - multiple sites smooth out dry periods
- Compare pay rates across platforms for similar surveys
- Some platforms excel in specific niches (parents, professionals, etc.)
Timing Matters
- Check sites early morning - new surveys often post overnight
- High-paying surveys fill up quickly - set email notifications
- Mid-month and end-of-quarter often have more survey volume
- Weekend surveys sometimes pay premiums for quick completion
Build Your Reputation
- Complete surveys thoughtfully - quality responses get you invited back
- Maintain high completion rates (don't abandon surveys midway)
- Pass attention checks (random questions verifying you're paying attention)
- Some platforms have "trusted user" tiers with better survey access
Efficient Survey Taking
- Read questions carefully but don't overthink - researchers want genuine reactions
- Use keyboard shortcuts where possible to save time
- Take notes on survey providers that consistently match your demographics
- Skip surveys with terrible pay rates (less than £3/hour equivalent)
- Set dedicated "survey time" blocks rather than constant checking
Tax Considerations
Survey earnings are taxable income in the UK. Here's what you need to know:
Trading Allowance
You can earn up to £1,000 per tax year from self-employment activities (including survey sites) before needing to report to HMRC. This is called the Trading Allowance.
Above £1,000 Annually
- Register for Self Assessment with HMRC
- Keep records of all survey earnings (most platforms provide annual statements)
- Pay income tax and National Insurance on earnings above personal allowances
- Consider consulting an accountant if combining with other income
Record Keeping
- Track all withdrawals from survey platforms
- Download annual earning statements from platforms
- Note that gift card earnings are still taxable income
- Keep records for at least 5 years
Note: This is general guidance only. Tax situations vary - consult HMRC or a tax professional for personal advice.
Getting Started: Your First Week
Choose 5-7 Platforms
Start with highly-rated platforms from the list above. Mix general survey sites with one or two specialized to your demographic (parents, professionals, etc.).
Complete All Profile Surveys
Spend your first session filling out every profile survey thoroughly and honestly. This investment pays off in better survey matching.
Test Each Platform
Complete 3-5 surveys on each platform to understand their interface, survey quality, and payment processing. Note which ones feel best.
Set Email Filters
Create filters to organize survey invitation emails so they don't clutter your inbox but you can quickly check for new opportunities.
Establish a Routine
Check your top 3-4 platforms once or twice daily. Morning checks catch overnight surveys; evening checks catch late additions. 15-30 minutes daily is usually enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are paid survey sites actually legit?
Yes, established survey sites are legitimate market research tools that companies use to gather consumer opinions. The platforms above have paid out millions to UK users. However, always research platforms before joining and never pay to access a survey site.
How much can I realistically earn from surveys?
Typical earnings range from £20-100 per month depending on your demographics, time invested, and number of platforms used. Users in high-demand demographics (professionals, parents, decision-makers) and those using multiple platforms tend to earn on the higher end. Don't expect to replace full-time income - surveys are supplemental earnings.
Why do I keep getting disqualified from surveys?
Survey disqualification is normal - even active users qualify for only 20-40% of surveys they attempt. Researchers need very specific demographics for each study. To reduce screenouts: complete all profile surveys thoroughly, answer consistently, and use multiple platforms to increase overall opportunities.
Do I get paid if I'm screened out?
Some platforms offer small compensation (£0.01-0.10) for screenouts, while others pay nothing. Platforms with screenout compensation are generally more user-friendly, though the amounts are minimal.
How long does it take to cash out?
Most platforms process PayPal payments within 24-48 hours once you reach the minimum threshold (typically £1-10). Gift cards are often instant or same-day. First withdrawals may take longer for identity verification. Some platforms offer instant PayPal for verified users.
Can I use survey sites on my phone?
Yes, most survey platforms work on mobile devices and many have dedicated apps. Mobile surveys are convenient for completing during commutes or spare moments. Some longer surveys may be easier on desktop with a larger screen.
Should I lie to qualify for more surveys?
Never lie on surveys. Platforms track answer consistency across surveys and profiles. Inconsistent answers result in account closure with any balance forfeited. Additionally, dishonest data damages the research quality that companies pay for, potentially ruining survey opportunities for everyone.
Why was my account banned?
Common ban reasons: providing inconsistent answers across surveys, using VPNs, creating multiple accounts, rushing through surveys without reading (failing attention checks), or suspicious activity patterns. Bans are usually permanent. Always follow platform rules and answer thoughtfully.
Are survey earnings taxable in the UK?
Yes, survey earnings count as self-employment income. You can earn up to £1,000 per tax year before needing to report to HMRC (Trading Allowance). Above this, you must register for Self Assessment and pay appropriate tax and National Insurance. Keep records of all earnings.
Can I refer friends for bonuses?
Yes, most platforms offer referral bonuses when friends sign up and complete their first surveys. Referral earnings vary but typically give you a percentage of your referrals' earnings or fixed bonuses. Some platforms provide lifetime commissions on referral activity.
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Disclaimer: This is independent editorial content comparing paid survey platforms. We may earn commission if you sign up through our referral links, but this doesn't affect our editorial independence or the ratings shown. Earnings vary based on time invested, location, and demographics. Always read platform terms and conditions. Last updated: October 28, 2025