Top Paid Survey Sites that really Pay
Online Paid Survey Panels that promise to pay you for your opinions and actually follow through with that undertaking. Yes, they do exist in amongst the thousands that make false or exaggerated claims, or are downright 100% scams.
So, how do you find these top paid sites that really pay? This is a question with two distinct elements. Firstly, “top paid” - the reward or incentive offered. This can be cash, gift cards/vouchers from retail or online stores, entries in "in house" sweepstakes/prize draws, or a donation to a charity - sometimes a combination of two or more of these. I think most would agree a cash or gift card/voucher (nearly as good) incentive at a fair and reasonable hourly rate defines “top paid.”
Secondly, “sites that really pay.” Of paramount importance - no one wants to spend hours completing surveys for promised cash rewards that never arrive. Alternatively, sites where survey invitations stop arriving before you reach the payout threshold.
Now it is time to reveal a “Home Truth.” I can assist you by listing the names of sites that reward reasonably in cash/cash equivalent, and have paid up on multiple occasions. However, I cannot state categorically that these sites will work for you. By work for you, I mean send you plenty of email invitations for surveys you qualify to complete.
The reason for this - your demographic. Statistical facts such as your age, sex, location, marital status, occupation, kids, even the appliances you own and the level of your household income. It determines if you form part of the group of people the researchers are targeting. Most survey sites will ask you to complete a number of profile surveys to establish this.
Apart from your demographic, the size of the Market Research Panel has a bearing on survey frequency. The more large business clientele they have, the more surveys they commission, and the more invitations you receive. The Panel may reward generously and pay out fast, but if you only get a survey bi-monthly or worse, it is not very lucrative.
In arriving at my top paid sites, I have also taken into account geographical restrictions. Many very good sites are only available to residents of the USA. As Helium is an international site, I have only considered survey sites that accept Panel membership globally, for the benefit of all readers.
An Australian based site that offers generous cash awards for regular surveys and click to view, including a “screened out” (failed to qualify) remuneration. The required $25 threshold can be reached monthly. Your progressive tally is displayed on an impressive "Transaction History" page. When you choose to redeem, the amount is transferred to your nominated bank account in 2-3 weeks.
For each completed survey, a reward ranging from $1 to $10 (rarely higher) is credited to your "Members Account". Once the balance reaches $20 they ask you to choose a Gift card provider from a list of popular Retail Stores. It is possible to achieve this monthly, and once achieved, the card arrives in a week or so.
Points ranging from 125 to 400+ are awarded for each survey completed, depending on the length and complexity. Points earned accumulate to the minimum conversion threshold - 550 points for any Online Gift Voucher, or 575 for $5 cash via PayPal. This is often reached after two surveys.
Pays US$50 once 1,000 points are accumulated. Points for completed surveys range from 25 ($1.25) to 300 ($15.00) depending on length and urgency. With regular invitations, the US$50 threshold is achievable in 8 to 10 weeks. It is paid by check, converted to your local currency, within the period they specify. A word of warning - GTM have recently introduced surveys with sweepstakes only rewards. Read the email invitation closely to determine this.
These four sites have offered me a steady stream of email survey invitations over two years now. The rewards are fair and reasonable, and multiple payouts have been forthcoming from all of them. They certainly fit the criteria of “top paid” and they certainly do pay.