Is UserTesting Legit Or A Scam? (Honest Review & Earnings!)
If you want an easy way to make money online, website testing gigs are a very popular side hustle.
These user testing gigs don't require any experience to start. And you get paid with real money for completing tests on your own schedule, so it's quite flexible.
UserTesting, one of the leading website testing gigs out there, is the perfect example. The company pays testers with PayPal cash for their work, and it has hundreds of thousands of testers from around the world.
But is UserTesting legit? And how much can you realistically make with this website?
Well, I've been using the platform for over 6 years at this point and have made over $1,800. And my UserTesting review is sharing how it works, its pros and cons, and how to decide if it's worth it.
Let's get to it!
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What Is UserTesting?
UserTesting is a customer feedback platform and usability testing platform that began in 2007. It lets companies get feedback from real people about the quality of their websites, apps, and online services.
For companies, UserTesting is an effective way to get valuable feedback to improve websites and apps. And for user testers, the platform is a flexible way to make money online.
If you've ever used testing platforms like TestingTime or PlaytestCloud, UserTesting should feel quite familiar. And I like the fact that it pays testers with free PayPal cash for their efforts.
Is UserTesting Legit?
Yes, UserTesting is legit. The company pays its users on time and works with hundreds of reputable companies for testing purposes. I've also earned over $1,800 from UserTesting over the last 6 years and can confirm it pays on time and is legitimate.
There are also plenty of other positive UserTesting reviews and payment proof online. The company is a leader in this space, and overall, it's a reliable online side hustle.
The main drawback of UserTesting is the fact that you don't qualify for every test on your dashboard. This means it can take some time to sift through the tests until you get accepted to one, which is the most common complaint about the site.
However, UserTesting is one of the highest paying sites in this side hustle category. And it's my favorite usability testing gig I've ever tried.
How Does UserTesting Work?
After using UserTesting for over 6 years, it’s safe to say that the platform is very easy to use. Overall, the entire process just takes four simple steps:
- Sign up to become a tester
- Apply to tests
- Complete tests
- Get paid
Let’s take a look at each of these steps in a bit more detail.
1. Sign Up For UserTesting
UserTesting is free to sign up for, and you create an account by signing up under the “get paid to test” tab. All you have to do is enter your email address to get started, and UserTesting sends you a sign-up link to create your account.
Just note that there are several UserTesting requirements to become a tester, including:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Having a PayPal account
- Having a Mac or Windows computer with at least 1GB of RAM
- Having a standalone microphone (not the one built into your computer)
In some cases, UserTesting gigs ask you to show your face, so having a webcam can help you qualify for more tests. This isn't a requirement, however.
Once you sign up, UserTesting sends you a short, unpaid practice test. This test ensures your device and microphone are working and that you can follow basic instructions and provide feedback in English.
If you pass this test, you can move on to filling out your demographics information which helps UserTesting match you with more available testing gigs.
2. Apply For Tests
Once UserTesting approves your account, you can begin searching for available tests and answering screener questions to try and qualify for them.
You can find paid testing opportunities under the “Available Tests” tab. Each test outlines the device you need to use (computer or phone) and how much the test pays.
Screener questions are mostly about your demographics and only take a minute or two to complete. Just keep in mind, you won’t qualify for every test based on your demographics, and this is unpaid work.
Also note that UserTesting generally has few common test types you can apply for:
- $10 Test – The most common and takes around 15 minutes to complete.
- $4 Test – A newer test type that takes a few minutes to complete.
- $30-$60 Test – Live testing sessions where you sit with a real person for 30-60 minutes and answer questions (oftentimes requires a camera to show your face as well.)
I like that there's a variety of test types and pay ranges. And even though you don't qualify for every test you complete screeners for, UserTesting is still a reliable way to make quick money.
3. Complete Tests
If you qualify for a UserTesting test, you receive more instructions about what the test is about and the steps you need to follow to complete the test.
Tests can involve all sorts of things, like creating a new account on a website, using a certain app feature, or just navigating around a platform.
Tests often have very specific instructions you need to follow as the tester. And the key to nailing these tests and keeping your rating high is to speak clearly, but to also speak your thoughts out loud.
In other words, the more you talk about what’s going on and the more feedback you give, the better!
This video from UserTesting user and YouTuber Side Hustle King shows a walk-through of how a test can look like if you're curious. And his video also gives tips on how to pass the practice test.
Overall, it's a pretty straightforward side hustle. After you submit a test, it goes into pending until UserTesting and the client review your work and approve it.
As long as you follow instructions carefully and provide as much feedback as possible, you shouldn't face disapprovals. And if you keep your approval rating high, you can qualify for more test opportunities.
4. Get Paid
UserTesting pays testers with PayPal money seven days after you take a test and it's approved. There's no minimum withdrawal amount either, so you always get paid for the tests you complete.
For example, if you take a $10 test on January 1st, you receive the $10 in your PayPal account on January 8th, assuming the test is approved.
At the moment, PayPal is the only way to receive payments. There are no free gift cards, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency rewards available. However, if you want to earn real money, this isn't really an issue.
And in my experience, UserTesting always pays on time. And of the $1,800+ I've made as a tester, I never received late payments.
How Much Does UserTesting Pay?
UserTesting pays $10 per test on average, and tests take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. I’ve taken 160 tests in the last six years and earned $1,892 throughout my testing days on UserTesting. This comes out to approximately $11.8 per test.
In my consistent months of testing, I was earning between $300-$350 per month (usually due to completing one $10 test every day and the occasional live study here and there).
I think the more you complete tests and keep your rating high, the more tests you ultimately receive and qualify for.
In short, you can expect to make at least $150 to $200 per month if you keep a UserTesting tab open and complete one test every other day. And it's a nice way to get free PayPal money without much effort.
That said, your demographics are responsible for 90% of your success on testing platforms like these. So don’t get surprised if there are months where you barely get tests and months where you make much more.
Is UserTesting A Scam?
No, UserTesting isn't a scam, and the company has paid me on time for years and is one of the leading user testing gigs out there. There are also plenty of positive reviews and online payment proof, including my own screenshots which I've shared above.
The main reason people don't like UserTesting is that it's not always consistent. However, UserTesting is just a flexible gig app you can use, not a full-time online job.
As long as you have realistic expectations and stay consistent, there's no reason you can't make decent side cash with UserTesting.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Average pay of $10 per test
- You get paid with PayPal cash
- Lot of test options available
- Higher pay than most surveys sites
- Easy sign up requirements
- Easy-to-use platform
- Available in numerous countries
- Works with numerous devices
Cons:
- You don't qualify for every test, so there's some unpaid work
- You need a microphone to become a user tester
- No sign up bonus or referral bonuses
Other UserTesting Reviews
After making almost $2,000 with UserTesting over the last few years, I think it's a legit company and an excellent way to earn money online as a beginner.
That said, one of the best ways to see if UserTesting is legit is by looking at what other real users have to say about the platform.
So, let's take a look at what some other UserTesting reviews on Reddit are saying about their total earnings:
- Sauciestcoconut says: “I earned a total of $553 and completed 53 tests in my first 30 days.”
- FIREful_symmetry says: “I have made 240 bucks in the past week, but there are some weeks I only make 10 or 20 bucks.”
- UnFair-Leek-7647 says: “I started user testing in January 2022 and have done 62 tests so far this year for a total of $768. Not bad but ideally I'd like more. I usually get a minimum of 1-2 tests per week. But some weeks I could get 4-5.”
As you can see, it’s clear that earning money on UserTesting has its ups and downs. But it’s ultimately a lucrative online side hustle that can earn you a few hundred dollars per month.
This UserTesting review from YouTuber GigLife also shares how the platform works and what to expect in terms of earnings after one month of using it.
Overall, you won't quit your day job by using UserTesting. But it's one of the higher-paying gpt websites out there. And I like how quickly it pays and the fact that you earn PayPal cash.
The Best UserTesting Alternatives
If you’re interested in UserTesting and want to maximize your earning potential with other sites, here are a few of the best sites like UserTesting you can consider:
- PlayTestCloud – This site pays you to test apps and pays about $9 per short test.
- Userlytics – Make $50-$100 per month with tests that can pay up to $90.
- UserCrowd – Take super short tests that pay $0.20-$1 per test.
- TryMata – Most similar site to UserTesting that pays $10 per 20 minute test.
- Appen – A popular microtask site that sometimes has usability testing work.
- UserFeel – Make $10 through Paypal for 10-20 minute tests almost anywhere in the world.
- Remotasks – A microtask site like Amazon MTurk that has a variety of testing gigs and short paid gigs.
- User Interviews – One of the best ways to get paid for market research and focus group work.
Tom also made a video that covers similar hustles, like using microtask websites like Clickworker and Amazon MTurk. But the bottom line is you can combine all of these user testing gigs and other sites into a nice side hustle stack.
Extra Reading – How To Make Money In One Hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make A Lot Of Money On UserTesting?
Most people can likely make $10 to $200 per month with UserTesting. How much you earn depends on how much effort you put in, how many screeners you complete, and your demographics.
If you want to earn $5,000 a month, this isn't the right gig. But it's a flexible side hustle you can use to make some beermoney.
How Long Does It Take To Get Approved On UserTesting?
The UserTesting application test takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Once you submit the test, you usually hear back about UserTesting approval within a few business days.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this UserTesting review helps you understand how this platform works and what to expect in terms of earning potential.
After taking 160 tests on the site, it’s safe to say that it’s become one of my favorite online side hustles today. And the tests are actually pretty fun once you get into them (a lot more enjoyable than cash survey sites in my opinion).
Just have realistic expectations in terms of earnings. A few hundred dollars a month is a great month for UserTesting. But don't expect to earn $10k a month or anything even close to that amount.
Thanks for reading!
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