How to Make Money Online Doing Surveys

In 2025, making money online through surveys is a popular side hustle for those seeking flexible, low-effort ways to earn extra cash. By sharing your opinions on products, services, or market trends, you can earn rewards ranging from $0.25 to $5 per survey, with occasional opportunities like focus groups paying up to $100.

With over 20 million users on platforms like Survey Junkie and $600 million paid out by Swagbucks, online surveys are a legitimate way to earn pocket money from home. However, they’re not a path to riches, typically yielding $10-$250/month for most users.

This article will explain how to make money online doing surveys, covering their earning potential, legitimate platforms, whether they’re worth your time, and practical steps to get started.

Drawing insights from sources like Forbes, NerdWallet, and Pawns.app, we’ll provide a beginner-friendly roadmap to maximize your survey earnings in 2025. Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent, or looking to supplement your income, this article will help you navigate the world of online surveys with confidence.

Why Online Surveys Are Popular

Online surveys are questionnaires designed by companies to gather consumer feedback, helping them refine products, services, or marketing strategies. In exchange, participants receive cash, gift cards, or points redeemable for rewards. Here’s why they’re appealing:

Accessibility: Anyone 13+ (varies by platform) with an internet connection can participate, requiring no skills or experience.
Flexibility: Complete surveys anytime, anywhere—on your phone during a commute or at home while watching TV.
Low Entry Barrier: Most platforms are free to join, with no upfront costs.
Variety: Surveys cover topics like consumer habits, product testing, or social issues, keeping tasks engaging.

With 70% of companies relying on market research in 2025, surveys are a growing side hustle, though their low payouts require realistic expectations.

How to Start Making Money with Online Surveys

1. Sign Up for Reputable Platforms

Choose trusted survey sites to avoid scams. Register with:

A secondary email to manage spam.
Basic demographic info (age, gender, location) to match surveys.
No payment or sensitive data (e.g., Social Security number).

Top platforms are listed in the “Which Online Survey Is Legit?” section below.

2. Complete Your Profile

Detailed profiles increase survey eligibility:

Fill out all demographic and interest sections (e.g., hobbies, shopping habits).
Update profiles regularly, especially after life changes like moving or job shifts.
Example: Swagbucks users with complete profiles qualify for 20% more surveys.

3. Select High-Paying Surveys

Maximize earnings by:

Sorting surveys by payout or time (e.g., $3 for 10 minutes vs. $1 for 15 minutes).
Checking emails or dashboards frequently for new invites.
Starting with short surveys to build momentum.

4. Combine Tasks

Many platforms offer additional earning methods:

Watch videos, play games, or shop online for points (e.g., Swagbucks).
Refer friends for bonuses (e.g., $3 per referral on InboxDollars).
Example: A Reddit user earned $100/month on Swagbucks by mixing surveys with gaming tasks.

5. Cash Out Strategically

Understand payout thresholds:

Most sites require $5-$25 to redeem (e.g., Survey Junkie at $5, Swagbucks at $3).
Choose cash via PayPal or gift cards (Amazon, Walmart) for flexibility (pawns.app).
Redeem promptly to avoid account issues.

Can I Actually Make Money from Online Surveys?

Yes, you can make money from online surveys, but earnings are modest compared to other side hustles. Here’s a detailed look at their potential:

Typical Earnings: Most surveys pay $0.25-$5, taking 5-20 minutes. Completing 3-5 daily surveys can yield $10-$50/month (surveyjunkie.com). For example, Survey Junkie claims up to $40/month for three daily surveys, while Swagbucks users average $50-$250/month with consistent effort.
High-Paying Opportunities: Focus groups or product tests pay $20-$100 but are rare and require specific demographics (e.g., parents or tech professionals). A 2024 Medium post reported $1,500/month by dedicating 20 hours weekly to high-value surveys.
Hourly Rate: Surveys often pay below the U.S. minimum wage ($7.25/hour). A 2017 NerdWallet test found hourly earnings of $0.41-$2.03 across popular sites. Clark.com’s 2025 review reported $1.31/hour across 50 hours, earning $65.73.
User Experiences: Ginny Velting earns $50-$100/month on Amazon’s MTurk, focusing on short surveys. A Reddit user reported $200-$250/month on Prolific by logging in daily for 2-3 hours.
Factors Affecting Earnings:
- Demographics: Age, gender, location, and income influence eligibility. Urban U.S. residents often qualify for more surveys.
- Time Commitment: More hours increase earnings but may lead to burnout.
- Platform Variety: Joining multiple sites boosts opportunities.

Surveys provide real money but won’t replace a full-time job. They’re best for casual earners with spare time, like students or retirees.

Which Online Survey Is Legit to Earn Money?

Not all survey sites are trustworthy. Legitimate platforms are free, transparent, and have positive user reviews. Here are the top five for 2025:

1. Survey Junkie:

Payout: $0.50-$5/survey, up to $40/month for three daily surveys.
Rewards: Cash via PayPal or gift cards (Amazon, Target). Cash out at $5.
Pros: Simple interface, frequent surveys, 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating.
Cons: Occasional disqualifications, limited non-survey tasks.
Availability: U.S., Canada, Australia.

2. Swagbucks:

Payout: $0.25-$20/survey, $50-$250/month with tasks like gaming or shopping.
Rewards: PayPal cash or gift cards. Cash out at $3-$5.
Pros: Diverse tasks, $10 sign-up bonus, over $600 million paid out.
Cons: Complex points system (100 SB = $1).
Availability: Global, with U.S. focus.

3. Branded Surveys:

Payout: $1-$5/survey, $1 sign-up bonus.
Rewards: PayPal cash or gift cards. Cash out at $5.
Pros: Fast payouts, 4.1/5 Trustpilot rating, BBB accredited.
Cons: Fewer high-paying surveys.
Availability: U.S., Canada, UK.

4. InboxDollars:

Payout: $0.50-$5/survey, $5 sign-up bonus.
Rewards: PayPal cash, gift cards, or checks. Cash out at $15 first time.
Pros: Over $80 million paid since 2000, multiple tasks.
Cons: High initial cash-out threshold.
Availability: U.S. primarily.

5. Pinecone Research:

Payout: $3/survey, higher for product tests.
Rewards: PayPal cash, gift cards, or merchandise.
Pros: Consistent payouts, exclusive platform.
Cons: Invite-only, limited survey frequency.
Availability: U.S., Canada, UK, Germany (pawns.app).

These platforms are vetted for reliability, making them safe choices for beginners.

Is Making Money Doing Surveys Worth It?

Whether online surveys are worth your time depends on your goals, availability, and tolerance for their limitations. Here’s a thorough evaluation:

Pros:

Ease of Access: No skills or experience needed, ideal for beginners.
Flexibility: Work on your schedule, from anywhere with internet.
Supplemental Income: Earn $10-$250/month for small expenses like coffee or bills. A UK user earned £200/year for home upgrades.
Learning Opportunity: Discover new products or trends, enhancing market knowledge.
Bonuses: Sign-up or referral bonuses (e.g., $5 on InboxDollars) boost earnings.

Cons:

Low Earnings: Hourly rates ($0.41-$2.03) are below minimum wage, with rare high-paying surveys.
Disqualifications: Users often spend 5-10 minutes answering screening questions only to be rejected, wasting time.
Privacy Risks: Sharing demographic data may lead to spam or data misuse if platforms aren’t secure.
Survey Fatigue: Repetitive tasks can feel tedious, as a Vice writer described surveys as “soul-sucking”.
Delayed Payouts: High thresholds (e.g., $25) or processing delays (2-10 days) frustrate users.

Comparison to Alternatives:

Affiliate Marketing: Earns $100-$5,000/month with effort but requires content creation.
Freelancing: Pays $20-$100/hour for skills like writing or design.
App Testing: Pays $10-$50/task, less time-intensive than surveys.
A Reddit user called surveys “time-wasting” compared to app testing or microtasks.

User Perspectives:

Ben Thornbury, an 18-year-old UK student, earns £200/month ($250) on Qmee for 10 hours weekly, funding community projects.
Clark.com’s tester found surveys frustrating, earning $65.73 over 50 hours, preferring microtasks.

Verdict: Surveys are worth it for those with spare time (e.g., during commutes or downtime) seeking $50-$200/month. They’re less ideal for those needing significant income or disliking repetitive tasks. Combining surveys with other side hustles maximizes returns.

Challenges of Online Surveys

Low Payouts: Most surveys pay $1-$3, requiring hours for meaningful earnings.
Disqualifications: Up to 50% of attempts may result in rejection after screening questions.
Spam Emails: Survey sites may send frequent emails or sell addresses to advertisers.
Inaccurate Time Estimates: A survey estimated at 20 minutes may take 60, reducing hourly earnings .
Privacy Concerns: Sharing data risks spam or breaches if platforms lack security.

Overcome these by choosing trusted sites, using a secondary email, and prioritizing short, high-paying surveys.

Tips for Success in 2025

Join Multiple Platforms: Register with Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Branded Surveys to increase opportunities.
Update Profiles: Accurate demographics boost eligibility. Update after job or location changes.
Prioritize High-Paying Surveys: Choose $3+/survey tasks for better hourly rates.
Combine Tasks: Earn more with Swagbucks’ gaming, shopping, or referral bonuses.
Use Anti-Malware: Protect devices when visiting multiple sites.
Set Realistic Goals: Aim for $50-$100/month to avoid frustration.
Refer Friends: Earn $0.50-$5 per referral on sites like InboxDollars or Swagbucks.
Check Reviews: Use Trustpilot or Reddit for user feedback before joining new platforms.
Avoid Scams:
- Red Flags: Upfront fees, requests for bank details, or promises of “thousands monthly”.
- Verification: Check Trustpilot, Reddit, or BBB ratings. Legitimate sites like Swagbucks have thousands of reviews.
- Tips: Use a secondary email, avoid sharing sensitive data, and read privacy policies.

Case Study: From Zero to $300/Month

Meet Lisa, a 2025 college student who started online surveys to cover textbook costs. She signed up for Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Branded Surveys, using a secondary email. Lisa completed profiles fully, focusing on consumer and lifestyle surveys. She spent 10 hours weekly, prioritizing $2-$5 surveys and Swagbucks’ gaming tasks.

After one month, she earned $80 ($40 from surveys, $40 from games). Lisa referred five friends to Swagbucks, adding $15. By month three, she joined Pinecone Research for $3/survey and optimized her schedule, hitting $300/month. She cashed out via PayPal for books and coffee, proving surveys’ potential with strategy.

Are Online Surveys Right for You?

Surveys suit:

Beginners seeking easy, flexible side hustles.
Those with spare time (e.g., commuters, students).
People comfortable sharing opinions for small rewards.

They’re less ideal for:

Those needing significant income ($500+/month).
Individuals disliking repetitive tasks or privacy risks.
Busy professionals with limited time.

Alternatives like freelancing ($20-$100/hour) or affiliate marketing ($100-$5,000/month) offer higher potential but require skills or effort.

Final Thoughts

Making money online with surveys in 2025 is a legitimate, accessible way to earn $10-$250/month, ideal for beginners with spare time. Platforms like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Branded Surveys offer reliable payouts, but low earnings ($0.25-$5/survey) and disqualifications require patience.

By joining multiple sites, prioritizing high-paying surveys, and combining tasks, you can maximize returns. Despite challenges like spam and low hourly rates, surveys provide pocket money for small expenses.

Start today by signing up for Survey Junkie or Swagbucks, completing your profile, and taking your first survey. With consistency, online surveys can be a rewarding side hustle in the dynamic digital economy of 2025.