Beermoney is, according to Urban Dictionary, “Extra money for non-essential payments, available for spending on luxuries, hobbies, or a fresh pint of your favorite draft.” I use this definition, because this is (in most cases) not intended to be a primary source of income. This is a way to supplement what you already have. There is no way to know what you will make any given month, so do not count on it.
The dollar amounts next to each site are what I made in 2019. Anyway, on to the revenue streams:
Respondent.io ($4,300): Studies – Most countries – This site allows users to screen for online or in-person surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The pay is amazing, easily averaging $125 per test. You take the qualification survey and if you score 100% on it you have about a 10% chance to get invited to take the survey by the coordinator. The site as a whole pays extremely well, but you have to fill out quite a bit of the qualification questionnaires to be invited to anything. I have personally filled out over 500 of them and have participated in about 40 actual surveys. It’s more of a numbers game than anything else. Thankfully, each screener only takes me a few minutes to fill out and the pay for time invested is definitely worth it. I have made up to $300 with one hour of work doing an in person focus group. Most focus groups are done through webcam, so you don’t even have to leave your house. They payout via PayPal 7 days after the activity is complete.
SwagBucks ($775) Surveys – Majority of countries– This is more of a catch-all for stuff to do when you want to make and save money. You can do surveys, play games, and watch videos to earn points. You can also get cash back from using SB to visit and buy from different stores. You get paid in points which can be used to purchase gift cards or sent directly to PayPal. Each point is the equivalent of $0.01. Usually, SB will have deals where you can get certain gift cards for less. For example, a $20 Amazon gift card for 1800 SB points. The payout can be slow, but if you don’t mind running ads in the background, using a plug-in to save money while you shop, or killing time playing a game, SwagBucks can be a great way to earn $20 a month.
Mturk ($3,142): Small tasks and surveys – US mainly. Confirmed also in Canada, Europe, & Aus. – This is by far the one I spent the most time on and has been the best earner. This site lets humans perform small tasks that robots still cannot do well. It is owned by Amazon. Downside is there are slim pickings on weekends and when colleges are out on vacation. I typically stick to surveys, but once in a while do batch jobs which there are more of. You have to wait a week for your first payout, which will go to an Amazon payment account. You can the get payouts one time per day after that. Approval for mturk can sometimes be a pain in the ass, almost impossible if you are not from the US, but is definitely worth it in my opinion if you can get approved.
Secret shopper US and Secret shopper UK ($485): In-person store evaluation – US and UK only – These links will take you directly to a sign-up page. US version populates with my ref code. Feel free to delete it before signing up, if you want. You will be taken to the app store where you can download the actual app on your phone. Essentially, you go to stores near you that are identified in the app and take pictures or videos of specific items. I like this one because I have the ability to make a few extra bucks if I am already out shopping. The pay for this one averages about $15/hr. Note: I have not tried the UK version, but it was recommended by another Redditor.
Usertesting ($800): Website evaluation – US & maybe select others – This site allows you to review new websites and apps. The pay is usually $10 per recorded test lasting 10-15 minutes. Sometimes the pay is more, but never less. I average a few tests a week. Some weeks I will get a dozen tests, other weeks nothing. This one is great to practice your feedback skills, which open up a lot of other doors. Pay is through PayPal, one week (to the minute) after the test is complete.
Redbubble ($305) 25% off ref code for first order over $40: T-shirt creation – Worldwide – After getting rejected by merch by Amazon, I came here. You design and publish t-shirts, phone cases, and about 20 other mixed products, with each sell netting you a few bucks. They are based in Australia, and do pay-outs once a month on the 15th via PayPal. You do all of the uploading and just wait for people to find it with keywords or searches. Great if you are artistic or know how to use any creative software.
Prolific.ac ($3,500): Based in the UK, this used to be one of my favorites because they pay in Great British Pound (GBP) which is the equivalent to 1.25x the USD. Prolific is similar to Mturk (listed earlier) in that all you do is fill out surveys. Pay is better than Mturk, but the availability of surveys is not as great. In fact, I personally haven’t seen a survey in months, but see others get them often. The initial questionnaire you have to fill out is a bit long taking me about 20 minutes, but ensures you qualify for every survey they show you and will never get disqualified for not meeting the demographic. You have to hit £5 before you can cash out, but you get this after a few days of watching for surveys. Leave it open in a tab and check it throughout the day. I wish I could do this one all day because the pay rocks, but I only see a few a day. They pay out in PayPal anytime you request it and have a balance of over £5.
Ebay ($190): Selling goods – Worldwide – Not much explanation needed here. You buy stuff in-person low, and sell online high. Here is a $2.99 beginner’s guide dedicated to flipping that covers absolutely everything you need to know (also mine).
PlaytestCloud ($190): Video game testing – Many countries – This is just simple game testing. It is super fun, very quick, and you get to test new games before anyone else. They send you tests for different listed devices, you download the game file, and they record your screen and voice. The only issue I have with this one is that you are only able to test 3-4 games per month, at $9-$11 each. Paid almost immediately after each test via PayPal.
UsabilityHub ($15): App testing – Many countries – This one lets the user take quick one or two minute surveys on your opinion of an app screen. They pay for this averages to about $.10 a minute, so it is nothing spectacular. Just leave it open in another tab and take a quick survey when you hear a new one come available.
Hope it helps!
GURU B S
This Post Has 23 Comments
As you can tell from the list, I just stick to the higher paying and passive earning places. I am far too lazy to give it the kind of effort you do. Although in my defense, I live in Australia so I don’t have access to the high volume sites like Mturk. In fact, most of that is useless here – the only ones on that list that work here are Prolific, UsabilityHub, the Reddit subs and of course Ebay. Redbubble probably works too – I haven’t tried that one. I use Teespring.
Redbubble is actually based in Australia so I am pretty confident it would work.
Which passive income options would you recommend? I’ve got my full-time job and a side hustle at the moment but would love to supplement those, even if it’s only a few bucks a month!
You can check my top article, you can make a hundred dollars faster and easier.
Just curious if you could give advice on the best site. I’m going to be beginning a fellowship soon and will be paid very little, but the catch is i’ll be living in a super low-cost area (foreign country). Realistically I only need to pull in an extra $100-$200 a month, which site would be the one you would recommend for consistency?
I also wanted to say I saw your original post and loved it! Youve inspired me to find new ways to make some spare cash, and as soon as I get a new computer (had to save up after the last one died) I’m going to be following your example. Thanks for the posts!
What country will you be staying in? This will help me let you know which you can do. Or you can email me.
And I hope you can save up for that PC and earn even more than you are expecting.
Thanks for your explanation in the email, your article is really great.
I’m a little confused about how the playtestcloud site works. Can anyone help me real quick?
You sign up, enter all the info you can about the types of games you play, and they will send emails inviting you to download and beta test new games.
I don’t know if you’re still checking in, but thanks for the list. I found a few I hadn’t tried before.
If you are checking, could you give some more info about what you do at Redbubble? How much time did you invest for that amount, or how many designs?
Hey there. I started out with about a hundred different designs. Mainly just repetitive designs of seashells, or diamonds. I think now I only have about half a dozen on there, but they are all styles that have sold. Mainly video game related stuff.
If you could only do one of these, which would it be?
Mturk. It is the most consistent and always has something to do.
I have a LOT of downtime at work… This is gonna be great. Thanks dude!
No worries. Good luck!
I have to admit that I’m initially skeptical, like others, but for something that’s basically browsing the web on one site versus another and getting a little for my time, this sounds like a nice idea.
Haha good luck using any of the ideas I listed.
Which one would be the best to make $50 quickly?
Depends on how quickly. Most of them require to wait a week to get paid. Some longer some less. Or you can check out the article I pinned, hoping to help you.
Thanks, helped me a lot.
Is doing research studies/focus groups interesting to do? I’ve never done them
I really enjoy it! They are interesting and always pay very well. I am starting one next week that will take two hours and pay out $300.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.