UserTesting is one of the most frequently recommended “easy money” platforms in the make-money-online space. The pitch is simple: companies pay you to use their websites and apps while speaking your thoughts out loud. Twenty minutes of work, $10 in your pocket.
That pitch is technically accurate. But the full picture — inconsistent test availability, a screening process that rejects you from most tests, and a hard income ceiling — tells a different story.
UserTesting is legitimate. It does pay real money. But as a primary or even meaningful supplemental income source, it has significant limitations that most recommendations gloss over.
I’ve spent 15+ years evaluating income methods. Here’s the complete UserTesting review.
First – A Quick Note…
Hey, my name is Mark.
I’ve tested dozens of “get paid for your opinion” platforms over 15+ years. UserTesting is one of the better ones — but “better” in this category still means modest, inconsistent income.
The best method I’ve found for building recurring income is local lead generation. I build simple 2-page websites that show up in Google and generate leads for local businesses. Each site pays $500–$1,200 monthly, recurring, with 92–97% margins.
Go here to see the exact system I use to do this.
But first — the full UserTesting breakdown.
What UserTesting Is
UserTesting is a user experience (UX) research platform. Companies (clients) pay UserTesting to recruit real people (testers) to evaluate their websites, apps, and prototypes. As a tester, you navigate the product while speaking your thoughts, reactions, and frustrations out loud. This feedback helps companies identify usability problems.
Founded: 2007 Headquarters: San Francisco, California Business model: Companies pay UserTesting for research. UserTesting pays testers per completed test. Platform type: Desktop and mobile testing
How It Works
Step 1: Apply and Get Approved
You create a profile on UserTesting.com, providing demographic information (age, gender, location, device types, occupation, interests). Then you complete a sample test — a practice session where UserTesting evaluates your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly while navigating a website.
Approval is not guaranteed. UserTesting reviews your sample test for: clear audio quality, ability to think aloud naturally, following test instructions, and providing useful commentary (not just “this looks nice” or “I don’t like this”).
Rejection reasons: Poor audio quality, mumbling, failure to articulate thoughts, not following task instructions, or providing superficial feedback.
Step 2: Receive and Accept Tests
Once approved, available tests appear on your dashboard. Each test includes a description, estimated time, and payment amount. You must qualify for each individual test based on your demographic profile — companies target specific user types (age ranges, income levels, occupations, device types).
The screening problem: Before each test, you answer 1–5 screening questions. Companies use these to select testers matching their target audience. You’ll be screened out of most tests. Typical acceptance rate: 10–30% of tests you attempt to qualify for.
Step 3: Complete the Test
Tests typically involve navigating a website or app while completing specific tasks (“Find a pair of running shoes under $100 and add them to your cart”) and speaking your thoughts continuously.
Test types:
- Unmoderated tests (most common): Self-guided, recorded session. You follow written instructions and speak aloud. 15–20 minutes typical. Pay: $10 per test (standard rate).
- Live/moderated tests (less common): Video call with a researcher who guides you through tasks and asks follow-up questions. 30–60 minutes typical. Pay: $30–$120 per session.
Step 4: Get Paid
Payment: $10 per standard unmoderated test. $30–$120 for live sessions. Payment method: PayPal. Payment timing: 7 days after test completion. No minimum threshold — every completed test gets paid.
Income Math
Best-case scenario (highly active tester):
| Factor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Available tests per week | 8–12 |
| Screening pass rate | 25% |
| Tests completed per week | 2–3 |
| Pay per test (standard) | $10 |
| Weekly income | $20–$30 |
| Monthly income | $80–$120 |
| + Occasional live sessions (1–2/month) | $30–$120 |
| Total monthly income | $110–$240 |
Typical scenario (average tester):
| Factor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Available tests per week | 5–8 |
| Screening pass rate | 20% |
| Tests completed per week | 1–2 |
| Pay per test | $10 |
| Weekly income | $10–$20 |
| Monthly income | $40–$80 |
| Total monthly income | $40–$80 |
Income ceiling: Even the most active, demographically desirable testers rarely exceed $200–$300/month. UserTesting is fundamentally a supplemental income platform, not a primary income source.
Effective hourly rate: Standard tests ($10 for 15–20 minutes) = $30–$40/hour during the test itself. But factoring in screening time (attempting 4–5 tests for every 1 you qualify for, at 2–5 minutes each) drops the effective rate to $15–$25/hour.
For context on what platforms like this can realistically contribute, realistic online income expectations provides a broader framework.
Pros
Legitimate payments. UserTesting has paid testers reliably since 2007. PayPal payments arrive within 7 days. No minimum payout threshold.
Decent effective hourly rate. $30–$40/hour for the actual test time is well above minimum wage. Even with screening time factored in, $15–$25/hour is competitive for no-skill-required side income.
No special skills required. You need a computer with a microphone, internet access, and the ability to speak your thoughts clearly. No technical expertise, no portfolio, no experience.
Flexible schedule. Complete tests whenever they’re available. No shifts, no commitments, no schedules.
Interesting work. If you’re curious about UX and product design, testing new websites and apps is genuinely more engaging than surveys or data entry.
Cons
Inconsistent test availability. You might have 3 tests available on Monday and zero on Tuesday through Friday. Income is unpredictable week to week.
High screening rejection rate. Being screened out of 70–80% of tests you attempt is frustrating and time-consuming. You’ll spend significant time trying to qualify for tests you never complete (and never get paid for).
Low income ceiling. $200–$300/month maximum for even the most active testers. This is supplemental income, not meaningful earnings.
Demographic dependency. Companies target specific demographics. If you’re a 35-year-old male tech professional in the U.S., you’ll see more tests than a 55-year-old retired teacher in a rural area. Your demographic profile — which you can’t change — determines your test availability.
Payment only via PayPal. No direct deposit, no bank transfer, no check. If you don’t have or don’t want PayPal, UserTesting doesn’t work for you.
Rating system creates pressure. UserTesting rates your test quality (1–5 stars). Low ratings reduce your test availability. This creates pressure to perform well on every test, adding stress to what should be casual side income.
No growth trajectory. Unlike freelancing, content creation, or business building, UserTesting income doesn’t compound or grow. Your 100th test pays the same as your first. There’s no skill progression that increases your rate.
Is UserTesting Legit?
Yes. UserTesting is a legitimate company with a real business model (companies pay for UX research), real payments (PayPal within 7 days), and a long track record (operating since 2007). It is not a scam.
The question isn’t legitimacy — it’s whether the income potential matches your needs. For apps that pay you real money instantly, UserTesting is one of the more reliable options. For making money online without experience, it’s a legitimate starting point.
But for building meaningful income, it has a hard ceiling that no amount of effort can overcome.
Tips for Maximising UserTesting Income
Keep your profile detailed and current. The more demographic information you provide, the more tests you’ll match. Update your profile when your situation changes (new job, new device, moved to a new area).
Check for tests frequently. Tests are first-come, first-served. Checking your dashboard 3–5 times per day (morning, midday, evening) increases your chances of catching available tests before other testers claim them.
Invest in audio quality. A $30–$50 USB microphone significantly improves your audio quality, which impacts your tester rating. Higher ratings = more test invitations.
Practice thinking aloud naturally. The testers who earn the most consistently provide clear, detailed, natural commentary. Practice by narrating your own browsing sessions before taking paid tests.
Don’t rush. Speed through a test and you’ll get a low rating. Take the time to provide thoughtful commentary. Quality feedback leads to higher ratings and more test opportunities.
Combine with other testing platforms. Don’t rely solely on UserTesting. Supplement with UserFeel, TryMyUI, Userlytics, and dscout to increase total test availability across platforms.
Alternatives to UserTesting
| Platform | Pay Per Test | Test Type | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| UserTesting | $10 (standard), $30–$120 (live) | Website/app testing | PayPal |
| dscout | $10–$100+ per “mission” | Diary studies, video feedback | PayPal |
| UserFeel | $10 per test | Website testing | PayPal |
| Userlytics | $5–$20 per test | UX testing | PayPal |
| TryMyUI | $10 per test | Website testing | PayPal |
| Testbirds | €20–€50 per project | Software/website testing | Bank transfer |
| Intellizoom | $2–$10 per test | Quick UX tests | PayPal |
Who UserTesting Is NOT For
If you need consistent, predictable income, test availability fluctuates too much.
If you need $500+/month, UserTesting’s income ceiling makes this nearly impossible.
If you’re looking for income that grows over time, there’s no progression or skill-based rate increase.
If you don’t have a computer with a microphone and reliable internet, you can’t complete tests.
If you’re outside the U.S., test availability is significantly lower (most clients target U.S.-based users).
For why most people fail at making money online, platforms like UserTesting illustrate a common pattern: they’re legitimate but have ceilings so low that they can never replace meaningful income. The risk isn’t losing money — it’s investing months into a platform that maxes out at $200/month when that same time could build something scalable.
The best business model for long-term income compares supplemental platforms like UserTesting against models with genuine growth potential.
Reality Check
UserTesting is a legitimate platform that pays real money for real work. It’s one of the better “get paid for your opinion” options available. But it’s supplemental income — $50–$200/month for most testers — with no path to meaningful earnings growth.
Use it as a starting point or a side complement. Don’t treat it as a primary income strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can you make on UserTesting? $40–$200/month for most testers. Rarely exceeds $300/month even with optimal effort.
Is UserTesting legitimate? Yes — operating since 2007, real PayPal payments, real clients including major companies.
How long does a test take? Standard unmoderated tests: 15–20 minutes. Live moderated sessions: 30–60 minutes.
How do you get paid? PayPal, 7 days after test completion. No minimum threshold.
How often are tests available? Varies by your demographic profile. 5–12 per week is typical, but you’ll qualify for only 20–30% of those.
Do you need any special equipment? Computer with microphone, stable internet connection, and webcam for some tests. A $30–$50 USB mic significantly improves quality.
Can you do this on mobile? Yes — UserTesting has a mobile app for testing mobile websites and apps. Pay is the same.
UserTesting pays $50–$200/month with a hard ceiling. Local lead generation builds single sites paying $500–$1,200/month recurring — more from one asset than a year of UserTesting.
Click here to see how it works.
The Bottom Line
UserTesting is legitimate, pays reasonably for the time involved, and requires zero special skills. As a casual side earner while watching TV or during lunch breaks, it’s fine. As an income strategy, it’s a dead end. The $10/test ceiling and inconsistent availability ensure it stays in the “beer money” category permanently. If you’re serious about online income, start here to prove money can come from the internet — then build something that actually scales.
Mark is the founder of MarksInsights and has spent 15+ years testing online business programs and tools. He focuses on honest, experience-based reviews that help people avoid scams and find real, sustainable ways to make money online.