Best Focus Group Sites That Pay (2026): 12 Platforms Compared With Real Payout Data

Focus groups pay more per hour than almost any other online side hustle often $50 to $300 for a single session. That’s the good news.

The bad news: you won’t qualify for most of them. You’ll apply for a dozen studies, get accepted to one or two, and that acceptance might come three weeks after you applied. Focus group income is high per session and wildly inconsistent in frequency.

That’s the honest starting point, and it’s why most “best focus group” articles leave people disappointed. They list 30 platforms, show the highest possible payout number, and never mention that you might apply to 50 studies before getting accepted to 5.

I’ve spent over 15 years evaluating online income methods. Focus groups sit in a specific category: excellent supplemental income, terrible primary income. The per-session pay is genuinely impressive. The ability to turn it into reliable monthly income is genuinely limited by qualification barriers, limited volume, and study availability that you don’t control.

This article ranks 12 platforms that actually pay, compares realistic earning ranges, explains the screening process most sites don’t fully disclose, and gives you the income math so your expectations are calibrated before you sign up for anything.

First — This Is Important…

Hey, my name is Mark.

After 15+ years testing online income methods, focus groups are one of the highest-paying micro-tasks available — but they’re supplemental income by nature. The qualification barriers and inconsistent availability make them impossible to rely on as a primary income source, no matter how many platforms you join.

For recurring monthly income that you control, the model I use is local lead generation. I build simple websites that rank in Google and generate leads for local businesses. Each site pays $500–$1,200/month, recurring, with 92–97% margins. No screening process. No waiting to get accepted. No income that depends on whether a research company happens to need your demographic this month.

Go here to see the exact system I use to do this

Now — here are the platforms that actually pay, ranked and compared.

How Focus Groups Work (The Screening Process Nobody Explains Properly)

Before diving into platforms, you need to understand the full process. It’s not like signing up for a survey site where you start earning immediately. Focus groups have a multi-step funnel, and understanding it saves you from frustration.

Step 1: Create a detailed profile. Every platform asks for demographic information — age, gender, income, occupation, education, location, household composition, tech usage, health conditions, purchasing habits, and more. This profile determines which studies you’re eligible for. Incomplete profiles drastically reduce your chances of being matched with studies. The more data points you provide, the more studies you’ll qualify to screen for.

Step 2: Apply for specific studies. Companies post studies looking for very specific participants. A study might need “women aged 30–45 who own a specific brand of smartwatch and have purchased wearable technology in the last 6 months” or “IT decision-makers at companies with 100+ employees who evaluate cybersecurity software.” You fill out a screening questionnaire for each study you want to participate in.

Step 3: Wait for selection. The research company reviews applicants and selects participants who best match their criteria. Acceptance rates vary by study, but 10–20% is common for general consumer studies. Highly specialised professional studies may accept an even smaller percentage. You might wait days or weeks between applying and hearing back.

Step 4: Participate in the session. Sessions typically last 30–90 minutes and are conducted via video call (Zoom, Teams, or the platform’s own software), phone, or in-person at a research facility. You answer questions, give opinions, react to concepts or prototypes, or test products. Some studies involve multi-day diary tasks where you log experiences over several days. Online sessions are now far more common than in-person, which is a major improvement in accessibility.

Step 5: Receive payment. Payment arrives 1–10 business days after the session, depending on the platform. Common payment methods include PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards (Amazon, Visa), check, or the platform’s own rewards system. Some platforms pay within 24 hours; others take up to 3 weeks via check.

The entire cycle — from application to payment — can take 1–6 weeks. This timeline is why focus groups feel unreliable as income despite the high per-session rate. The hourly rate is excellent; the total hours available to you are limited and unpredictable.

12 Best Focus Group Sites That Pay

1. User Interviews

Payout range: $50–$450 per study (average ~$75) Payment method: PayPal, gift cards, bank transfer Payment timing: Within 10 business days Availability: US, Canada, international (expanding) Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5

User Interviews is the most consistently recommended platform for several good reasons: they have the highest volume of studies across the broadest range of topics, a clean modern interface, and reliable payment. Studies range from 15-minute surveys paying $10–$15 to multi-hour in-depth research sessions paying $200 or more. You can browse available studies before applying, which helps you prioritise the highest-paying opportunities that match your profile.

The platform lists thousands of new studies every month, covering technology, food, consumer goods, family, software, hobbies, pets, sports, transportation, beauty, social media, and more. You’ll get paid via cash, check, PayPal, Amazon, or Visa gift card — the incentive type and amount are displayed before you select a study, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

One note: even with User Interviews’ volume, expect to apply for many more studies than you’re accepted to. The breadth of studies helps, but the screening process still filters most applicants for most studies. The advantage of User Interviews is sheer volume — more studies means more chances to qualify.

2. Respondent

Payout range: $25–$250+ per study (average ~$140/hour reported) Payment method: PayPal Payment timing: Within 8–10 business days Availability: Global Trustpilot rating: 1.5/5 (mixed reviews — important caveat)

Respondent connects participants directly with companies running research — including major brands like Airbnb, Microsoft, Dropbox, and IBM. The platform skews heavily toward professional and B2B studies, which typically pay significantly more than consumer studies. Connecting your LinkedIn profile improves your chances of qualifying for higher-paying business-focused studies, and professionals in software, finance, healthcare, and marketing tend to see the most opportunities.

The payouts are genuinely excellent — $100–$250 per hour is common for professional studies. However, Respondent’s Trustpilot rating (1.5/5 based on 130+ reviews) is a legitimate concern. Common complaints include delayed payments, studies being cancelled after scheduling, and unresponsive support. The high per-study payouts are real, but verify that specific studies have clear payment terms before committing significant time to the screening process. Respondent takes a 5% processing fee from your payout.

3. FocusGroup.com (powered by Sago)

Payout range: $50–$350 per study Payment method: PayPal, gift cards (via Tremendous), check Payment timing: 5–10 business days Availability: US (national online studies + select local markets)

FocusGroup.com is operated by Sago (formerly Schlesinger Group), one of the oldest and most established market research companies in the industry. Studies include online video sessions, phone interviews, and in-person groups in select cities. They regularly post national studies that you can participate in from anywhere in the US — you’re not limited by geography for their remote offerings.

Be on the lookout for their “National” studies, which typically pay between $75 and $200 for phone or webcam sessions. Studies cover cars, technology, banking, consumer products, and more. You’ll receive email notifications about qualifying studies a few times per month.

4. Recruit and Field

Payout range: $100–$275 per study Payment method: PayPal, digital gift cards Payment timing: Within 10 business days Availability: US

Recruit and Field has been operating since 1977 and has built a participant database of over 300,000 consumers, business leaders, and medical professionals. They specialise in professional and technical research areas, particularly healthcare, legal, and financial services. If you have a professional background in any of these fields, you’ll qualify for higher-paying studies more frequently than on general-purpose platforms.

All participants are welcome to register, but specialised professional backgrounds have a clear and substantial advantage on this platform. The minimum payout ($100) is higher than most platforms, reflecting their focus on more in-depth, higher-value research.

5. Prolific

Payout range: $8–$14/hour equivalent (individual studies vary) Payment method: PayPal Payment timing: Within a few days of study approval Availability: Global (UK-based, but accepts US participants) Minimum payout: $8 (£6 GBP)

Prolific is technically an academic survey platform, not a traditional focus group site. But it deserves inclusion because it enforces minimum pay standards ($8/hour equivalent), which most survey and focus group platforms do not. Studies come from universities and academic researchers, meaning they’re genuinely interesting — psychology experiments, behavioural studies, language tasks, decision-making research. This isn’t answering “which brand of toothpaste do you prefer?” repeatedly.

The pay per individual task is lower than traditional focus groups, but the volume is higher and the qualification rate is better. You’ll complete more studies and earn more consistently than on platforms where you apply for one $200 study and wait three weeks. Many people find Prolific more reliable as a steady income supplement than traditional focus groups, even if the per-session rate is lower.

6. Probe Market Research

Payout range: $50–$400 per study Payment method: PayPal, check Payment timing: Varies (typically 1–3 weeks) Availability: US

Probe operates both online and phone-based studies across various industries, and their upper payout range ($400) is among the highest for single-session studies on any platform. They conduct focus groups, mock juries, product trials, mystery shopping, and online surveys. Consumers, medical professionals, and executives are all in demand.

Sign-up involves completing an online profile form. The site isn’t flashy, but the studies pay well and Probe has been well-reviewed by participants for payment reliability and study quality over many years of operation.

7. Fieldwork

Payout range: $75–$200+ per study Payment method: Cash, check, Visa gift card (varies by study) Payment timing: Immediate for in-person; 1–3 weeks for online Availability: US — 14+ cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lee NJ, LA, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and more)

Fieldwork operates physical research facilities across major US cities and has been doing so since 1980. This means both online and in-person opportunities, and in-person studies sometimes pay premium rates. The facilities feature the classic one-way mirror setup where clients observe the discussion from an adjacent room.

The major advantage of Fieldwork is their frequency — they run hundreds of studies per month across their locations, and each facility has its own recruitment team actively looking for participants. The drawback is geographic: if you don’t live near one of their facility cities, you’ll only have access to their remote studies, which is a smaller subset of the total.

8. L&E Research (L&E Opinions)

Payout range: $75–$250 per study Payment method: Check, gift card Payment timing: 2–3 weeks (check) Availability: US — 10+ cities

L&E Research has been in business for over 30 years and pays out millions of dollars in research incentives annually. They run frequent studies across consumer goods, healthcare, technology, and finance. Their nationwide studies are accessible online, paying $125–$250 for qualified participants.

Payment is typically via check, which is the main downside — checks take 2–3 weeks and feel archaic compared to PayPal. But the study quality and pay rates are solid. Register on their L&E Opinions portal and update your profile regularly to maximise matching.

9. Rare Patient Voice

Payout range: Up to $120/hour Payment method: Check, gift card Payment timing: Varies by study Availability: US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand

If you or someone you care for has a medical condition — even a relatively common one — Rare Patient Voice is worth registering with. They specifically recruit patients and caregivers for medical research studies, often paying $120/hour. Studies are primarily conducted via phone or webcam.

The niche focus means less competition from general participants. If your health profile matches an active study, you’ll get accepted at a much higher rate than on general platforms. This platform won’t work for everyone, but for those it serves, the acceptance rates and pay are excellent.

10. Dscout

Payout range: $2–$100+ per mission Payment method: PayPal Payment timing: Within days of completing a mission Availability: US (primarily), some international

Dscout uses a mobile app-based model where you complete “missions” — multi-part tasks involving video responses, photos, screen recordings, and diary entries. Individual tasks within a mission might pay $2–$15 each, but full missions accumulate to $50–$100+.

This is a different experience than a live focus group. You’re recording responses on your own time over several days, which offers more flexibility but less of the interactive discussion format. Dscout works with major brands and the missions are generally well-designed. The main complaint from users is that screener surveys can be time-consuming and aren’t compensated.

11. watchLAB

Payout range: $75–$350 per study Payment method: Check, PayPal Payment timing: Immediate for in-person (on-site); 4–6 weeks for online Availability: US (based in Illinois, studies nationwide)

watchLAB is based in Illinois and serves companies across the country with a focus on healthcare, technology, and financial services research. Their initial questionnaire is simpler than most platforms, making registration quicker. Opportunities come via email, so keeping your profile current is important.

In-person participants at their Chicago or San Francisco locations get paid on the spot. Online participants face a longer wait — up to 4–6 weeks, which is on the slower end. But the per-study payout makes it worthwhile if you have patience with the payment timeline.

12. Brand Institute

Payout range: $50–$200+ per study Payment method: Check, PayPal Payment timing: Varies Availability: Global

Brand Institute focuses specifically on consumer and pharmaceutical research — helping healthcare brands develop names, taglines, and marketing concepts. Studies tend to be more in-depth than typical consumer focus groups, sometimes requiring product testing over several days.

Compensation reflects the additional time commitment. They accept participants globally, which broadens the opportunity beyond US residents. When new focus groups become available, you’ll be notified via email if your profile matches their criteria.

Payout Comparison Table

Platform	Pay Range Per Study	Avg. Hourly Equivalent	Payment Method	Payment Speed	Best For
User Interviews	$50–$450	$50–$100/hr	PayPal, gift cards, bank	10 days	Broadest opportunity range
Respondent	$25–$250+	~$140/hr	PayPal	8–10 days	B2B/professional studies
FocusGroup.com	$50–$350	$75–$150/hr	PayPal, gift cards, check	5–10 days	Established, reliable
Recruit and Field	$100–$275	$100–$150/hr	PayPal, gift cards	10 days	Healthcare/legal professionals
Prolific	Varies ($8+/hr min)	$8–$14/hr	PayPal	Few days	Consistent volume, academic
Probe	$50–$400	$75–$200/hr	PayPal, check	1–3 weeks	Highest ceiling payouts
Fieldwork	$75–$200+	$75–$100/hr	Cash, check, gift card	Immediate–3 weeks	In-person premium
L&E Research	$75–$250	$75–$125/hr	Check, gift card	2–3 weeks	Frequent consumer studies
Rare Patient Voice	Up to $120/hr	$120/hr	Check, gift card	Varies	Patients/caregivers
Dscout	$2–$100+	Varies	PayPal	Days	Mobile, flexible timing
watchLAB	$75–$350	$75–$175/hr	Check, PayPal	Immediate–6 weeks	Healthcare/tech focus
Brand Institute	$50–$200+	Varies	Check, PayPal	Varies	Pharma/consumer research

Additional Platforms Worth Registering With

Beyond the 12 core platforms above, these are worth having on your radar:

FocusGroups.org — An aggregator listing focus groups in 47+ US cities. Not a research company itself, but a useful job board for finding opportunities. Claims to have paid out over $16.5 million to participants.

FindFocusGroups.com — Another aggregator that pulls listings from multiple research companies. Useful for browsing what’s available in your area or nationally.

GLG Insights — A consulting marketplace that pays professionals $100–$150+/hour for expert interviews. Requires LinkedIn profile connection and career verification. Best for senior professionals and subject matter experts.

Zintro — Connects researchers with industry experts. Most opportunities pay $150–$300/hour. Popular industries include software, banking, healthcare, and e-commerce. Free to create an expert profile.

Maven — An on-demand consulting platform where you set your own rates. Projects pay $25–$500+ depending on scope. Strong for professionals with niche expertise.

For the broader landscape of survey-based income (lower pay but more volume), see best survey sites for beginners. For the general guide on focus group participation, see how to make money with online focus groups.

Qualification Difficulty: Why You Won’t Get Into Every Study

This is the part that manages expectations — and it needs to be said clearly because no other ranking article adequately addresses it.

Most focus group studies have strict demographic, professional, and behavioural criteria. You might be rejected from 80–90% of the studies you apply for. This isn’t a reflection of you — it’s the fundamental nature of market research. A study looking for “Android users aged 25–34 who switched from iPhone in the last 6 months and work in digital marketing” simply won’t accept anyone outside that specific window.

Ways to dramatically improve your acceptance rate:

Complete your profile fully on every platform. Missing data means automatic disqualification. If a platform asks 50 profile questions, answer all 50 — not just the 20 that feel relevant.

Sign up for multiple platforms simultaneously. All 12 above plus the additional aggregators is reasonable and recommended. The more platforms you’re on, the more studies you’ll see, and the more chances you’ll have to match someone’s criteria.

Check for new studies daily. Popular studies fill within hours. The participants who earn the most are those who respond to new study notifications quickly. Enable email and push notifications on every platform.

Be scrupulously honest in screening questionnaires. Researchers cross-reference answers and will disqualify you (and sometimes permanently ban you from the platform) for inconsistencies. If a screener asks whether you use a product you’ve never heard of and you say “yes” to try to qualify, you’ll eventually get caught.

Highlight professional expertise prominently. Professional backgrounds in healthcare, technology, finance, law, marketing, and management are in high demand. Professional studies pay more and have fewer qualified applicants, so your acceptance rate for these is significantly higher than for general consumer studies.

Update your profiles regularly. Your circumstances change — new job, new phone, new purchases, new health conditions. Updating your profiles every 2–3 months ensures you’re matched with current studies.

Income Math: What You Can Realistically Earn

Let’s be honest about the numbers, because this is where most focus group articles mislead.

Conservative Scenario (Casual Participant)

• Signed up on 3–5 platforms
• Check for studies a few times per week
• Accepted to 1–2 studies per month
• Average payout: $100 per study
• Monthly income: $100–$200

Active Scenario (Dedicated Participant)

• Signed up on 8+ platforms plus aggregators
• Check for new studies daily, respond within hours
• Accepted to 3–4 studies per month
• Average payout: $125 per study
• Monthly income: $375–$500

Optimised Scenario (Professional + Consumer Studies)

• Signed up on all 12+ platforms
• Professional background attracting higher-paying B2B studies
• Accepted to 4–6 studies per month
• Average payout: $150 per study (weighted higher by professional rates)
• Monthly income: $600–$900

Income Ceiling Reality

Focus group income tops out around $500–$1,000/month for the most active and qualified participants. Breaking through that ceiling requires niche professional qualifications that make you eligible for high-paying specialised studies (medical, legal, enterprise software) or being in a major metro area where in-person studies add volume.

Treating focus groups as a full-time income source is not viable — the opportunities simply don’t exist at sufficient volume, and most platforms limit how frequently you can participate to avoid “professional respondents” who might bias research outcomes. Some platforms restrict participation to once every 3–6 months.

For context on what different income methods realistically produce, see realistic online income expectations.

How to Maximise Your Focus Group Earnings

Beyond the qualification tips above, experienced focus group participants use these strategies:

Stack platforms across categories. Don’t just sign up for 12 “focus group” sites. Add Prolific for academic studies, UserTesting for UX research (pays $10–$60 per test), and platforms like Survey Junkie that occasionally offer high-paying focus group opportunities alongside their regular surveys.

Specialise where possible. If you work in healthcare, sign up for Rare Patient Voice, Recruit and Field, and any healthcare-specific research panels you can find. Specialised panels have less competition and higher payouts.

Maintain a dedicated email. Use a separate email address for focus group platforms. This keeps your primary inbox clean and ensures you notice study invitations quickly rather than them getting lost in promotional email noise.

Keep a spreadsheet. Track which platforms you’ve registered with, when you last updated your profile, your acceptance rate, and total earnings per platform. This helps you identify which platforms are worth your time and which you should deprioritise.

Respond fast. The single biggest factor in acceptance rates (after profile completeness) is response speed. Researchers post studies and fill them within hours or days. Setting up push notifications and checking email frequently during business hours makes a measurable difference.

Scam Warnings

Focus group scams exist, and they prey on people looking for easy high-paying opportunities. Know the red flags:

Any site that charges you to sign up or access studies. Legitimate focus group platforms are always free for participants. The research companies pay you — never the other way around.

Studies that ask for sensitive financial information before selection. Your bank routing number, Social Security number, or credit card details are never needed to participate in a focus group. Some platforms need your SSN for tax reporting if you earn above $600/year, but this comes after you’ve participated, not before.

Payouts that seem unreasonably high for minimal effort. A $500 payout for a 15-minute online survey is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate high payouts ($200+) correspond to hour-long sessions or multi-day commitments.

Unsolicited invitations. If you receive emails or texts about focus groups you didn’t apply for — especially from platforms you never registered with — it’s likely a scam or phishing attempt.

No verifiable company information. Legitimate platforms have physical addresses, established web presences, company histories, and reviews on Trustpilot or BBB. If you can’t find independent information about the company, proceed with extreme caution.

How to verify legitimacy: Check Trustpilot and BBB reviews. Google the company name + “scam” or “review.” Verify the parent research company exists independently. Cross-reference with known platforms listed in this article. Never pay to participate.

For more on identifying legitimate earning opportunities, see apps that pay you real money instantly.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highest per-hour pay among online micro-tasks ($50–$300/session is common)
• No special skills required — just your honest opinions and experiences
• Most sessions can be done from home via video call (far more options since COVID)
• Flexible — choose which studies to apply for, decline anything that doesn’t fit your schedule
• Some sessions are genuinely interesting and enjoyable (you’re sharing opinions, not doing tedious work)
• Professional backgrounds command premium rates ($100–$300/hour for specialised studies)
• Global opportunities expanding (many platforms now accept international participants)
• Low commitment — participate when opportunities arise, skip when they don’t

Cons:

• Highly inconsistent income — you can’t control how many studies you qualify for
• Screening process rejects most applicants for most studies (80–90% rejection is normal)
• Payment can take 1–6 weeks depending on platform and payment method
• Cannot reliably scale beyond a few hundred dollars per month for most people
• Not a viable primary income source under any realistic scenario
• Requires signing up for multiple platforms and checking regularly to maximise opportunities
• Some platforms have participation frequency limits (once every 3–6 months)
• Professional respondent restrictions mean platforms may disqualify highly active participants
• Screener questionnaires are time-consuming and uncompensated on many platforms
• In-person opportunities limited to major metro areas

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do focus groups pay? Most pay $50–$200 per session. Specialised professional studies and longer multi-hour sessions can pay $200–$450+. The average across all platforms and study types is roughly $75–$150 per session for 30–90 minutes of participation.

How often can I participate in focus groups? Most platforms allow participation every few months per platform. By signing up for multiple platforms (8–12+), you can realistically participate in 2–5 studies per month across all platforms combined. Some platforms restrict you to one study every 3–6 months to prevent professional respondent bias.

Are online focus groups legitimate? The platforms listed in this article are legitimate and well-established. Always verify unfamiliar platforms before providing personal information. The simplest test: search for the company on Trustpilot and BBB. Never pay to participate — all legitimate platforms are free.

Do I need special qualifications? Not necessarily, but professional backgrounds dramatically increase your access to higher-paying studies. Healthcare workers, IT professionals, financial services employees, legal professionals, and marketing/advertising professionals are consistently in high demand for specialised research.

How do I get accepted to more studies? Sign up on 8+ platforms. Complete all profile information on every platform. Check for new studies daily. Be honest in screening questionnaires. Apply early — popular studies fill within hours. Highlight professional expertise. Update your profiles every 2–3 months.

Can I make a living from focus groups? No. Focus groups are supplemental income — $200–$900/month for active participants depending on profile, location, and professional background. They pay well per session but don’t offer enough volume or predictability for full-time income replacement.

What’s the best focus group site? User Interviews offers the broadest range of opportunities and highest volume. Respondent pays the most per session for professional studies. Prolific offers the most consistent and reliable earnings. The best strategy is using multiple platforms simultaneously.

Do I have to be on camera? Many online focus groups are conducted via video call (Zoom or similar), so yes, you’ll typically need a webcam and be visible on camera. Some studies are phone-only or text-based. Dscout missions involve recording yourself on your phone. In-person studies are face-to-face. If being on camera is uncomfortable, look specifically for phone-based or chat-based study formats.

The Bottom Line

Focus groups are one of the best-paying micro-task income methods available online. If you sign up for multiple platforms, keep your profiles complete and updated, check for new studies daily, and respond quickly to opportunities, you can earn a meaningful income supplement — $200–$500/month is achievable for most people, with dedicated professional participants pushing toward $600–$900/month.

But “supplement” is the key word. The inconsistency, qualification barriers, participation limits, and variable volume mean focus groups work best as one piece of a broader income strategy — not the foundation of it. You don’t control the supply of studies, you don’t control whether your demographic matches what researchers need this month, and you can’t scale beyond the ceiling no matter how hard you work.

If you want recurring, scalable income that you control entirely — where your earnings compound over time rather than resetting to zero each month — a business model that generates monthly revenue from assets you build once is a fundamentally different proposition. That’s the path I took after years of testing supplemental income methods, and it’s what funds everything else in my life. Here’s how I build simple websites that generate $500–$1,200/month each in recurring revenue, with no screening process and no income ceiling.