The Platforms

UserTesting

An honest, in-progress review of UserTesting: what the tasks actually pay, how fast they move, screeners, and how to fit it into your side hustle rotation.

I should say up front that I am not a UserTesting "expert" (based on experience) so this is a work in progress and I'll update it as I learn.

(Same disclaimer as always: anything on this site is not a get-rich-quick system or investing advice – this is an honest, in-progress account of what UserTesting has paid me so far.)

(Quick answer: UserTesting pays $1 for surveys, $5 for screen recordings, and $8 to $10 for screen-plus-voice tests, with live interviews paying up to $75). It pays through PayPal, with a $1 minimum and payouts after 14 days.)

Getting In

Approval was easy. The wait took a couple of days after I got in before real work showed up. If you sign up and see nothing give it a little time before you decide it's broken.

What the Tasks Actually Pay

Here's the pattern I've noticed so far:

$1: A survey just like on any other platform

$5: A screen recording (you have to download their extension which I have never loved but Gemini says is safe and is very easy to uninstall if you have concerns)

$8 to $10: Screen recording plus your voice (I always close whatever tabs I have open because what else I do is not their business)

Over $10: Seems to be live interviews (and the range goes as high as $75) – never done one of these

The site tells you whether a task is for a computer or a phone but you can complete the screening for the survey on either the computer or phone and then switch to the other device. You will need to download the UserTesting app but the QR code makes it very easy to go back and forth as needed.

Liner Notes: UserTesting

What it is: A platform where companies pay you to test websites, apps, and ideas, through short surveys, screen recordings, or live interviews.

What I've earned: $68 paid and $84 pending as of mid-October 2026.

Typical task: About 5 to 10 minutes usually with some up to 15 minutes.

Getting Approved: Easy but it took a couple of days before work showed up.

Payout: PayPal $1.00 minimum threshold and deposits automatically after 14 days

Best for: Short time periods but need to monitor for new tasks.

My take: A solid add to the rotation, not an all-day site.

How Fast Do They Go?

The $10 ones usually take me 5 to 10 minutes. My longest was about 15 minutes, and that's because I wanted to be thorough and make sure I did what I was getting paid to do.

The tasks go fast, though. If you leave the site open on your laptop, it dings when a new one comes in, and you'll want to move. They can also get repetitive, so it helps to treat them like a rhythm instead of a grind.

The Catch: It's Not an All-Day Site

Here's where UserTesting is different from Prolific. There are a lot of closed surveys and tests I don't qualify for, so I'm not sitting here all day racking up studies.

My approach has been simple: grab a $10 test or two every other day, sprinkled with $1 surveys when they show up. That's not a paycheck but it's a good solid add to the group.

What I've Earned So Far

September was $15, all of it from $1 tests. Then October brought the $10 ones, and I'm at $68 paid and $84 pending, about $152 total (they allow 14 days to pay out).
On paper, a $10 test in 5 to 10 minutes works out to $60 to $120 an hour. But that doesn't count the time spent waiting for tests or getting screened out, so don't take that number to the bank. I'll track my real hourly rate and update this post.

The User Interviews Connection

UserTesting announced in January 2026 that it acquired User Interviews, and I just did my first User Interviews session for $1. I'm not claiming anything official about what happens next, but I wouldn't be surprised if the two platforms start to overlap. I'm keeping an eye on it.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to get approved
Solid pay for the time on the $10 tasks
A mix of surveys, screen recordings, and live interviews
The dashboard updates itself, and it dings on new tasks

Cons
Lots of closed studies and screeners you won't qualify for
Not a steady, all-day source
Tasks go fast so you have to be watching

The Honest Bottom Line

If you can grab a $10 test or two every other day, with some $1s sprinkled in, UserTesting is a good add to your rotation. It's not a main course, and it's not Prolific. It's the side dish that keeps the plate interesting.

I'm still learning this one, so check back. I'll update it as I go.

Want the bigger picture? See how it fits with Prolific, Connect, and Clickworker, and my summer results.