5 Legit Survey Sites That Actually Pay (I Made $89 Last Week!)
Hey there, frugal friends! 💕
I know what you're thinking – "Jessica, are paid survey sites actually legit?" Trust me, I was so skeptical when my neighbor Carol first told me about them. I mean, getting paid to share your opinions online? It sounded too good to be true.
But here's the thing: I decided to test it out myself, and last week I made $89 just from doing surveys during my kids' soccer practices and while my coffee was brewing in the morning. Not life-changing money, but definitely enough to cover our weekly grocery budget for produce!
So today, I'm sharing the 5 survey sites that have actually put real money in my pocket – no scams, no crazy time commitments, just honest side income that fits into my busy mom schedule.
Why I Started Taking Surveys (And Why You Might Want To Too)
Let me be real with you – when my husband's hours got cut last spring, I was frantically looking for ways to bring in extra income without having to pay for childcare. I tried everything: selling crafts on Etsy (made $12 in 3 months), flipping thrift store finds (too time-consuming), and even considered getting a part-time job.
Then Carol mentioned she was making $200-300 a month just answering surveys on her phone. I figured I had nothing to lose except maybe 30 minutes of my day, so I signed up for a few sites.
The best part? I can do them literally anywhere – waiting in the car during dance class, during my lunch break, or even while dinner's in the oven. It's not going to replace a full-time income, but it's been perfect for covering those little extras that always pop up.
My Top 5 Legitimate Survey Sites (Tested By This Busy Mama)
1. Swagbucks
This one's my absolute favorite! I've been using Swagbucks for over a year now, and I've earned $847 total. Last week alone, I made $32 from surveys, plus extra points from watching videos and searching the web.
What I love about it:
- Multiple ways to earn (not just surveys)
- $5 minimum payout to PayPal
- They often have bonus opportunities
- Mobile app makes it super convenient
Pro tip: Sign up through their website rather than the app – you'll get a $10 bonus when you earn your first 2,500 points!
2. InboxDollars
This site has been around forever (which I love – it means they're stable), and they've paid me $203 since I started. The surveys typically pay between $0.50 and $3.00, and I can usually complete 2-3 during my kids' hour-long soccer practice.
Why it works for me:
- Straightforward surveys with clear payout amounts
- $30 minimum to cash out (higher than some, but totally doable)
- They also pay for reading emails and playing games
- Regular users get access to higher-paying surveys
3. Survey Junkie
If you're just starting out with surveys, this is where I'd recommend beginning. The interface is super user-friendly, and they're really transparent about how much time each survey takes. Last week, I earned $18 here in about 3 hours total.
What makes it beginner-friendly:
- Clean, easy-to-navigate website
- Points system is simple (100 points = $1)
- $10 minimum payout
- They tell you upfront if you don't qualify for a survey
4. UserTesting
Okay, this one's technically not surveys – it's website testing – but I had to include it because the pay is amazing. You get $10 for each 20-minute test where you navigate a website or app and share your thoughts out loud.
I only qualified for 2 tests last week, but that's $20 for 40 minutes of work! The downside is that tests aren't always available, and you have to pass a screening test first. But when it works, it really works.
5. Vindale Research
This site has some of the highest-paying surveys I've found – I've seen individual surveys worth $15-20! Last week, I completed one $12 survey about household cleaning products (right up my alley as a mom blogger), plus a few smaller ones for $17 total.
The catch? The surveys are longer and less frequent than other sites. But if you have a solid 30-45 minutes to dedicate, the payout makes it worth it.
My Honest Strategy (And What Actually Works)
Here's how I structure my survey time to maximize earnings without going crazy:
- Morning coffee routine: 15 minutes checking for new surveys while my coffee brews
- Kid activities: Perfect time for longer surveys since I'm just sitting in the car anyway
- Evening wind-down: Quick 5-10 minute surveys while watching TV
I aim for about 5-7 hours per week total, which usually nets me $60-90. Some weeks are better than others depending on what surveys are available, but it's been pretty consistent.
Important reality check: You're not going to get rich doing this. Anyone promising $500+ a month from surveys alone is probably not being honest about the time investment required. But for extra grocery money, a small emergency fund, or saving up for family activities? It's been perfect for our family.
Red Flags to Avoid
I've learned a few things the hard way, so here are some warning signs of survey scams:
- Sites asking for payment or personal financial info upfront
- Promises of unrealistic earnings ($500+ per week)
- No clear contact information or customer service
- Surveys that ask for your Social Security number
Stick with established sites that have good reviews and clear terms of service. Trust your gut – if something feels off, it probably is!
Ready to Give It a Try?
If you're curious about adding some extra income to your monthly budget, I'd suggest starting with just one or two sites. Swagbucks and Survey Junkie are my top recommendations for beginners since they're user-friendly and have reasonable payout thresholds.
Set a realistic goal – maybe $30-50 for your first month – and see how it fits into your schedule. The worst thing that can happen is you decide it's not worth your time, and the best case? You find a simple way to earn some extra spending money!
Have you tried any survey sites before? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. And if you do decide to give any of these a try, come back and let me know how it goes!
Happy earning, friends! 💸