Online Surveys for Money: 5 Legit Sites That Actually Pay

Getting rich quick? A dream, but unlikely. Earning some extra money with very little effort? That is definitely possible by doing online surveys for money. These apps make it easy for you to quickly make a few extra dollars (or earn gift cards) in your spare time. To really make money taking surveys, there are a few things you should know. For starters, it won’t make you a boatload, but we have some tips on how to maximize your earnings with platforms like Branded Surveys, InboxDollars, Swagbucks, KashKick and Scrambly. We’ll also explain how their legitimacy, ease of use and payout reliability helped them make the list. 

Can You Really Make Money Taking Surveys Online?

Definitely, but it’s not going to get you a crazy amount of money. Most of these survey sites pay between 50 cents and $5 per survey. Plus, each one could take as little as five minutes or as much as 20 minutes. Is it more money than you’d earn just doom scrolling on your phone? For sure. But using the apps consistently — and signing up for multiple sites — will go a long way when it comes to a decent payout. 

If it seems too easy, that’s because it is. The reason these sites are willing to pay for your opinion is so it can be used for market research. Companies want to know how consumers feel about certain things, like which ad design is more eye catching. All you have to do is answer these questions honestly, then you can get paid through platforms like PayPal, direct deposit or with gift cards. 

1. Branded Surveys: Earn Rewards Fast With a Trusted Platform

Branded Surveys is a reliable platform that uses a points-to-cash system. You earn those points by taking surveys, answering polls and doing daily challenges. You can get your payout after racking up as little as $5, and the dashboard is relatively easy to use. If you use the app consistently, you can get your first payout in a couple of days.

Payout Options: PayPal, direct deposit, gift cards.

2. InboxDollars: Get Paid for More Than Just Surveys

Signing up for a free account with InboxDollars means you could earn up to $225 a month taking these surveys. They send you short surveys every day, which you can fill out whenever you have a few extra minutes throughout the day. You can also watch videos or read emails, giving you multiple ways to earn.

You can join for free and earn a $5 bonus. Most active users get their first payout within a week.

Payment Options: PayPal, gift cards, or checks.

3. Swagbucks: A Longstanding Favorite for Daily Earnings

Swagbucks is popular among readers, probably because of the multiple ways you can make money outside of surveys. You can also answer polls, do daily tasks and earn shopping cash back. And, it’s known for being a transparent and trusted brand.

You’ll get rewards points (called SBs) for each survey you qualify for and complete. You can then redeem them for cash via Paypal or gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon. Your first payout can be in as little as two or three days, depending on how many points you earn.

Payment Options: PayPal or gift cards.

4. KashKick: Cash Payouts and Surveys That Add Up

Kashkick is a newer platform that offers cash payouts, so you won’t have to worry about figuring out a points system, and there’s no sign-up fee. Plus, the dashboard is simple to use.

After you register online, Kashkick will provide you with all sorts of money-making tasks you can do to boost your earning.

You’ll earn various dollar amounts (up to $1,000 a month) for answering survey questions, playing games, watching videos and reviewing things. Use it regularly, and you could get your first payout in three to five days. 

Payment Options: PayPal.

5. Scrambly: A Mobile-First Survey App with Extra Earning Options

Scrambly is an app-based platform for iOS with a gamified experience. You can do things like take surveys, complete mini-tasks, play games and earn coins to redeem for real rewards. It’s a way to make decent money — we’re talking between $50 to over $500 a month — all while enjoying a sleek mobile experience.

Depending on how much you use it, your first payout could come within a week.

Payment Options: Gift cards or PayPal.

Tips for Maximizing Survey Earnings (and Avoiding Scams)

To make money taking surveys, you have to do them consistently. Joining more of these platforms will give you even more opportunities. Keep them organized by using a dedicated email address for sign-ups. Then, you should keep track of what you’re earning and where so you can see who offers the best payout. And don’t lie or give random answers in order to get through as many as possible — that can get you disqualified from using these platforms. They want your honest opinions. 

And most importantly, don’t let your quest to find paid online surveys lead to becoming a victim of a scam. If any sites ask you for credit card information or try to charge strange fees, don’t use that site.