Looking to earn some extra money online without dealing with the usual, tedious surveys? Prolific offers something different: a platform that connects you with real academic research.
This means you’ll find studies that are not only more engaging, but also pay better than your average survey site. But is it really worth your time?
In this article, we’ll explore all aspects of Prolific, from how it works and the types of studies available, to genuine user reviews and tips for maximizing your earnings.
By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if Prolific is the right choice for you.
Before we dive in..
After 15 years of testing every way to make money online, I’ve seen what works—and what’s a complete waste of time.
If I had to start from scratch today, there’s only one business model I’d choose.
It’s simple, scalable, and works even if you’re a total beginner.
Want to see how it works?
👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
Key Takeaways (If you’re in a hurry)
- Prolific is an online research platform connecting academic researchers with participants.
- You can earn approximately £7-10 per hour, with some studies paying higher, depending on the length and nature of the task.
- To get started with Prolific, simply sign up, fill out your profile so you’re matched with relevant studies, and then participate
- Prolific is Legit with a proven track record of reliable payments and fair compensation for completed studies.
- VERDICT: Prolific is a solid option for those seeking a legit and engaging way to earn extra cash online, especially if you value contributing to real research.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
What is Prolific surveys?
Prolific is an online research platform that connects academic researchers with participants willing to take part in studies. Unlike traditional survey sites that focus on market research, Prolific is designed for scientific studies—meaning the surveys tend to be more engaging, and the pay is generally better.
Most of the studies come in the form of surveys, but they can vary quite a bit. Some are quick, just a couple of questions that take seconds to complete, while others are more in-depth, lasting 30 minutes or more.
Before joining a study, you get a clear breakdown of what it involves, including an estimated completion time and payout. The instructions are usually straightforward, so you know exactly what’s expected. Since researchers are looking for quality responses, Prolific doesn’t rely on frustrating screen-out questions—you qualify for a study before you even see it.
Prolific is about making academic research more accessible, while also giving people a fair way to earn a little extra cash.
And it’s important to note that their proprietary pool is thoroughly verified , if we were to rate it on a scale it would be a 5/5, ensuring the data provided is reliable. In addition, they platform and collect complete datasets which is a great attribute to gather high-quality data efficiently.
With a pool of 200k active verified and engaged participants, prolific stands out as one of the best research platforms available today.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
Who’s Prolific Surveys Really For?
Honestly, I think Prolific is perfect for someone looking to add a little something to their income without leaving the house, maybe enough to cover some extra groceries.
You could realistically see anywhere from $20 to $100 a month, if you catch a decent number of studies. And, let’s be honest, that’s pretty good for a survey-type platform.
However, if you’re dreaming of a serious income, like thousands of dollars a month, or thinking you can ditch your day job, Prolific isn’t going to cut it. It’s not designed for that.
If you’re aiming for a more substantial income, you’d be better off exploring things like freelance writing or other freelance gigs. There are definitely opportunities out there to bring in a much bigger paycheck. But for a little extra cash on the side, Prolific is a solid option.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
How much money can you make on Prolific surveys?
Earnings on Prolific vary depending on study availability and how much time you put in. On average, most participants make around £7-10 per hour (roughly $9-13 USD), with some high-paying studies pushing the hourly rate to £18 or more.
Unlike many survey sites that pay pennies, Prolific’s structure ensures fair compensation, making it a legitimate option for earning extra cash in your spare time.
Each study lists its estimated completion time, payout, and hourly rate calculation, so you can quickly decide whether it’s worth doing.
The best-paying studies are often longer or involve interactive elements like economic decision-making, psychological experiments, or video analysis. Some studies even pay £20+ for an hour of participation, but these are less common.
Some users report making £30 or more in a single day, but this depends on availability and your eligibility for specific studies.
How Does Prolific Work?
Prolific connects academics researchers and organizations with a thoroughly verified and 100 human participant pool.
If you want to earn money by taking part in interesting tasks from anywhere, prolific offers a unique and reliable way to contribute to high-quality data especially for research while you make extra cash.
You Sign Up and Tell Them About You
Signing up is super easy. You just create an account, and if you’re over 18 and live in an OECD country, you’re good to go (they’re planning to expand this, too).
After you sign up, you’ll fill out the “About You” section. It’s like a detailed questionnaire that helps them match you with studies that fit your profile. The more info you give them, the more studies you’ll likely qualify for.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
Find & Participate in Studies
Prolific makes it easy to access studies through its self-serve platform. The dashboard displays available research opportunities, each specifying the estimated completion time, compensation, and study details.
Unlike amazon mechanical Turk workers, prolific thoroughly verifies its participant pool, ensuring high quality data collection for researchers while giving participants fair compensation for their time.
Studies fill up quickly, so checking the platform regularly or enabling browser notifications helps secure a spot. You must complete tasks from anywhere whenever you want attentively, as test questions ensure honest free text responses.
After finishing a study, you receive earnings upon researcher approval, typically within a few hours but no later than 22 days.
I’d definitely recommend Prolific to anyone looking to find the right audience for their research. For my own projects, I often need to recruit specific types of participants, and Prolific makes it easy to connect with a pool of verified and engaged individuals. It’s a solid platform for collecting reliable data, and I think it’s worth giving it a try to see how it works for your needs.
Get Paid
Prolific offers complete flexibility in participation, allowing you to take surveys whenever you want. Participants receive payments through PayPal, with a minimum cash-out threshold of £5.
New users can cash out on Tuesdays and Fridays, but after four withdrawals, you qualify for instant cash-outs.
Prolific ensures fair compensation by setting a minimum hourly rate of £6. Researchers launch ai training metrics and behavioral studies, creating diverse earning opportunities. You maintain control over your earnings and can track payments through your account.
Prolific Reviews
I’ve spent some time digging around Trustpilot, Reddit, and a few other places where people are talking about their experiences, and here’s what I found:
One person on Trustpilot mentioned,
I’ve been using Prolific for about six months now, and honestly, it’s been one of the best survey sites I’ve tried. The studies are actually interesting, and they pay fairly. I’ve had a few issues with studies not approving, but their support team is quick to respond and sort things out. It’s not going to make you rich, but it’s a solid way to earn a bit of extra cash.
Then, over on Reddit, in the r/ProlificAc subreddit, someone said,
Honestly, Prolific is miles ahead of anything else I’ve tried. The studies are actually research, not just mindless surveys, and the pay is decent. I’ve had some really interesting studies, and the researchers are usually pretty good about approving them quickly. The community on Reddit is also really helpful if you have any questions.
Now, what’s the overall vibe? Well, it’s pretty darn positive. The biggest thing people keep mentioning is the quality of the studies. They’re not just your typical, boring surveys. People actually find them interesting, and they feel like they’re contributing to real research, which is a big plus.
And then there’s the pay. Unlike a lot of other survey sites, Prolific gets a lot of praise for paying fairly. People feel like their time is valued, and they’re not getting ripped off. That’s a huge deal because we’ve all had those experiences with sites that promise a lot and deliver very little.
Another thing that keeps popping up is the support and the community. If you run into any issues, people say the support team is pretty good at getting back to you and sorting things out. And the Reddit community is a goldmine for getting questions answered and sharing experiences.
Of course, it’s not perfect. There are occasional hiccups, like studies not approving or technical glitches. But those seem to be the exceptions, not the rule.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
Is Prolific Legit?
When considering any online earning platform, the big question always comes up: Is it legit? No one wants to waste time completing surveys only to find out they’ll never see a cent of their hard-earned money.
Fortunately, Prolific is 100% legit, and I’ve personally confirmed that by successfully withdrawing earnings multiple times.
Once you complete a survey, Prolific notifies you that your response has been logged. You’ll then wait for the researcher to approve your submission, which typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a week.
From my experience, I’ve never had a survey get rejected. However, do keep in mind that the platform includes trick questions to ensure you’re fully engaged, so stay attentive.
The minimum withdrawal amount is just £5, which is easily achievable with less than an hour’s work. Payments are made via PayPal, and you can expect the money in your account within 48 hours of submitting your withdrawal request. It’s as simple as it gets.
Prolific pays better than many “micro-task” sites like Clickworker and Mechanical Turk. In fact, one user reported earning $350 in just a couple of months of part-time work. If you’re looking for a reliable, legitimate way to make money online, Prolific fits the bill.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
What Kind of Studies Can You Expect on Prolific?
Prolific got a pretty wide range of academic research studies, and it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. So, here’s a look at the types of studies you’ll probably run into:
Standard Surveys:
These are your typical questionnaires, but they’re not your average online junk. Think of them as short, like 5-10 minutes, and they’ll ask you about things like what you buy, what you think about stuff, or even just how you feel. You’ll probably make a few bucks, like £0.50 to £3.00, so they’re good for when you’ve got a spare moment.
Interactive Research Tasks:
If you’re tired of just clicking buttons, these are for you. They’re like little games or scenarios. You might have to remember pictures, make decisions in pretend situations, or even play at being an economist. They’re usually more interesting than surveys, and you can make a bit more money, like £4.00 for a 20-minute game.
Unique Psychological Studies:
This is where Prolific gets interesting. They have studies that dive into how our brains work. You might listen to sounds and say how they make you feel, or look at weird shapes and try to guess their emotions. It’s like being part of a psychology experiment, and it’s pretty fascinating.
Tech-Based Research:
If you’re comfortable with your computer, these studies pay pretty well. You might have to record your face while watching videos or use software that tracks where you look on a screen. They’re more involved, so you get paid more, like £7.50 for a 25-minute eye-tracking thing.
Longitudinal Studies:
These are studies that take place over days or weeks. You’ll have to come back every day and do something, like keep a sleep diary or track your mood. They pay more because you’re putting in more time.
Academic Experiments:
These are studies from actual universities. They’re usually pretty interesting, and you know you’re helping with real research. You might have to solve puzzles or make decisions under pressure. They feel more like you’re contributing to something important.
Basically, Prolific isn’t just about filling out surveys. They’ve got a whole range of stuff, so you’ll probably find something that interests you. And you get paid, which is always a bonus.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
Prolific Tips: How to Maximize Your Earnings
Getting the most out of Prolific requires a mix of strategy and consistency. Here are some tips to help you make the most money with this platform:
- Be Quick, Be First Prolific’s best-paying studies tend to fill up quickly, so the earlier you act, the better your chances of snagging them. Keep a Prolific tab open in your browser to monitor new studies as they drop. The platform auto-refreshes every couple of minutes, so you’ll be ready to click as soon as a new opportunity appears.
- Use Browser Alerts Prolific offers a Chrome extension that alerts you to new studies. You can also turn on audible notifications so you never miss a study. These little notifications can be your secret weapon to securing the most lucrative opportunities.
- Refresh During Peak Times The highest-paying studies often appear during business hours in the UK and US. Competition can be fierce, so manually refreshing the page during these peak times ensures you won’t miss out on a top-paying study. Just be quick – studies can be gone in seconds.
- Be Prepared with the Right Tools Most studies require a desktop or laptop, and sometimes even a working webcam, microphone, and headphones. Make sure you’re equipped, as some studies will require these, particularly for tasks like audio recognition tests. Avoid trying to complete studies on a mobile phone – you’re likely to miss out on a good chunk of opportunities.
- Stay Focused and Follow the Instructions Researchers use “attention check” questions to make sure you’re paying attention. If you rush through or answer carelessly, you risk having your submissions rejected. Be patient, read all the instructions carefully, and take your time to avoid wasting your effort. If you realize you’ve made a mistake, return the study instead of risking a rejection that could affect your account reputation.
By following these tips, you’ll have a much better chance of maximizing your Prolific earnings. It’s all about being quick, prepared, and focused.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
What’s Good:
- Engaging Research: You’ll find yourself participating in studies that are genuinely interesting, not just boring surveys.
- Real Cash, Real Easy: They pay directly to your PayPal, which is super convenient.
- Easy to Cash Out: You only need $5 to get your money, which is a nice low bar.
- Better Pay Than Most: You’ll likely earn more per hour compared to other similar apps.
- Fewer Annoying Cut-Offs: They pre-screen, so you’re less likely to get booted from a study mid-way.
- Works on Your Phone: The website is mobile-friendly, so you can do studies on the go.
What’s Not So Good:
- Study Availability Varies: The amount of work you get depends on who you are, so it might be limited.
- Payouts Can Be Slow: If the researchers take their time, you might wait a while for your money.
- No Welcome Gift: They don’t offer any bonuses for just signing up.
- Not a Full-Time Gig: This won’t replace your regular income, it’s just extra pocket change.
- No Friend Bonuses: You can’t earn extra by referring people.
- No Dedicated App: They don’t have a separate mobile app, just a mobile website.
RECOMMENDED: 👉 Click here to check out my No.1 recommendation
The Final Verdict: Is Prolific a Good Idea?
Look, when it comes to those online survey things, Prolific’s a cut above the rest. It feels legit, it’s easy to use, and they pay you a decent amount for your time.
If you’re looking to make a little extra cash in those spare moments, honestly, you could do a lot worse. The site’s pretty slick, it’s easy to figure out, and the studies are, surprisingly, kind of interesting. Plus, when you hear they’re paying around £6-12 an hour, you know they’re not messing around – they value your time more than those other survey sites.
Now, let’s be real here. You’re not going to get rich off this. It’s a good way to pad your wallet a bit, but it’s not going to replace your paycheck. And, you know, sometimes there might not be a ton of studies available.
So, if you’re thinking this is going to be your new full-time gig or a consistent source of serious income, you might want to look elsewhere. But, if you’re just after some extra spending money, or a fun way to earn a little cash on the side, you should give Prolific a shot.
Basically, Prolific is a solid option if you want to make some extra money while helping out with research. It’s not some crazy get-rich-quick scheme, but if you’re willing to spend a bit of time and effort, it’s one of the better ways to earn a little something online.
Before You Go…
If you’re serious about building a real online business and want to skip the trial and error, I’ve got you covered.
After 15 years of testing countless methods, there’s only one business model I’d recommend above all the rest.