If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, joining a paid focus group is a terrific option.
Who doesn’t enjoy sharing their opinions?
And who wouldn’t enjoy getting paid for those opinions?
There are a wide variety of reputable paid focus groups available, with some paying more than others.
You can participate in a conversation about pretty much any subject you can think of.
There will always be opportunities for you to make money talking about whatever interests you, be it what you bought at the grocery store last week or your thoughts on the local political climate.
So, what online focus groups actually pay their participants?
Keep reading to find out!
The Top Online Paid Focus Groups Online and In-person
User Interviews
User Interviews has expanded internationally after originally just being available in North America.
This is promising, as they are among the best-respected online communities for sharing ideas and opinions.
Joining only necessitates a few minutes of your time, as signing up is a breeze.
Connecting your social media accounts like Facebook and LinkedIn can increase your chances of being granted participation in research projects.
Your profile will be used to help match you to relevant studies.
Multi-day studies, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and other assignments are just some of the options available to participants.
Engaging in paid focus groups and user interviews can earn you cash, Amazon or Visa gift cards, or a check.
When deciding which tasks to pursue, you’ll be able to see the monetary returns upfront.
This way, you won’t waste your time.
The average pay for a 30-minute focus group or other tasks is between $75 and $225, making this a potentially lucrative side income.
You might also enjoy this platform over the rest because of the unusually varied nature of the tasks offered.
Everything from the latest gadgets and fashion to sports and music are discussed, as well as food, hobbies, pets, and relationships.
Their roster of clients includes industry heavyweights like Pinterest, Spotify, and Wayfair.
As a participant, you will have a say in how their new products, websites, services, and apps are developed.
Survey Junkie
SurveyJunkie is primarily a paid survey research platform.
Although the compensation isn’t as high as it is with User Interviews, the assignments are varied and entertaining, and the process is straightforward.
In addition to being completely free, joining Survey Junkie couldn’t be easier.
It’s possible to earn as much as $150 for a single survey or as little as 5 cents for one little task.
Focus groups, both in-person and online, as well as product testing and telephone surveys, are among the many services offered by Survey Junkie.
Paid focus groups can pay anything from $50 to $150 and are usually held in convenient locations.
You may receive $50 or more for taking part in a product test.
As an added bonus, you get to keep the item.
Don’t forget to include your phone number in your profile; phone surveys pay up to $100!
Despite only becoming accessible once a month on average, the top-paying Survey Junkie assignments are a fantastic opportunity to make some additional money.
Focus Group
Focus Group (in certain regions, called “Inspired Opinions”) conducts paid focus groups via phone, in-person, and online worldwide.
After you’ve joined up and registered an account, you may be contacted by phone or email to be offered the option to take part in a study.
If you want to participate in telephone polls, please include your contact number.
There are 16 locations in the United States where these can be held, or they can be conducted over the phone or online.
If you meet the requirements to join this club, you may receive more frequent job offers, especially in the healthcare industry, which is one of their areas of expertise.
A typical payout ranges from $50 to $250, and you can cash out your rewards points for cash whenever you reach the threshold of 1,000 points (or $10).
Google User Research
If you’re interested in earning money while providing feedback that could influence one of the most prominent companies in the world, Google User Research (also known as Google Usability) is the platform to explore.
Given that the vast majority of openings are accessible solely through the service’s website, it is perfect for anyone who lacks the time or resources to physically visit each location.
Sometimes, companies will also hold paid focus groups in person.
When you sign up to work for Google, you can expect to make about $75 per hour.
There can’t be many bigger research organizations than this one, that’s for sure.
Mindswarms
Mindswarms is a business that conducts a unique type of survey and review by capitalizing on the widespread availability of camera phones.
In as fast as 10 minutes, you can make money by filming yourself responding to a predetermined set of questions.
In most cases, you’ll have fewer than seven messages that need your attention.
As market research companies go, Mindswarm is one of the most flexible as the job may be done via phone and filed online whenever it works for you and wherever you are.
Users can make as much as $50 per task, which is not bad at all.
PingPong
PingPong is a newer player in the market research industry, but it is completely legitimate.
Nestle, Skyscanner, and Dropbox are just a few of the prominent companies that count as their clients.
PingPong is based in Europe and pays in Euros.
However, anyone, no matter where they live, is welcome to join at no cost.
Include your contact information in case they would like to schedule an interview with you.
Users of PingPong have the option to take part in surveys, website and product testing, and even discussions.
The assessments and findings are then integrated into the development and promotion of various products.
If you qualify, you can earn up to $100 per hour by taking part in PingPong’s paid focus groups and other surveys.
Related Reading: Best Paid Survey Sites – Learn More Here.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is exceptional among paid focus group companies in that it has fifteen research facility sites across the United States.
Locations can be found in:
- Chicago
- New York
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Minneapolis
- Denver
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Phoenix
- Orange County
- For Lee, New Jersey
They conduct focus groups and market research online, so you may participate regardless of where you live and still get rewarded with a Visa gift card for your time and input.
This is a genuine and entertaining method to make money, and they conduct studies on every continent.
Each focus group job through Fieldwork usually lasts between one and two hours, and the minimum remuneration is usually approximately $75.
Watchlab
Paid focus group studies and individual interviews are just some of the types of market research at Watchlab that are available to American residents.
Participants have been compensated anywhere from $50 to $200.
Check out Watchlab’s Facebook page for a sneak peek at its products.
After joining, you should keep an eye on this page, as that’s where paid focus group chances are typically advertised.
An in-person focus group might be hosted by Watchlab in states like New York, California, Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, and Washington.
In addition, they provide paid focus group opportunities in the digital realm.
Field Voices
Field Voices, located in the state of Illinois, offers generous compensation to its community members in exchange for their participation in direct data collection for a wide variety of businesses.
They use a variety of research methods, including focus groups, to listen to their customers.
The hourly rate is larger than at some rival platforms, so financial rewards can be respectable when they materialize.
They’re also open to applicants from all over the world.
Field Voices offers pay rates between $150 and $300 for as little as an hour or two of “work.”
DScout
DScout is built around a mobile app that allows users to capture and share video comments, much like Mindswarm.
There are presently over a hundred thousand users all over the world, and DScout makes sure that their tasks are easy and enjoyable to do.
Although the income isn’t high for such quick tasks, it can be more engaging than filling out lengthy surveys.
Payment is made through PayPal, and participants are sometimes given early access to upcoming product releases.
Experience Dynamics
Genuine customer feedback is what Experience Dynamics offers to businesses.
Your feedback on online services, apps, and programs is welcome and valued.
If you’re into user experience and user interface, you might find this one very interesting.
Users who provide honest responses to Experience Dynamics surveys might earn $50 to $150.
You don’t need any prior experience in IT to apply, and they hire all over the world.
It’s possible that the company will visit your house or place of business to talk to you, as well as conduct interviews over the phone, go over your notes, or do some combination of the above.
Don’t forget to provide them with your phone number if you want to participate in over-the-phone tasks, and they may also ask you to fill out online surveys.
GLG Insights
This company is unlike the others on this list.
You will get paid by the hour rather than being recruited for reviews, focus groups, and surveys.
Experts in their fields join GLG Insights as “council members” to convey their insights to the rest of the business world.
There have been instances where high-profile world leaders, including David Cameron (former British Prime Minister), Susan Rice (former National Security Advisor), and a former White House Chief of Staff, have shared their thoughts and opinions with select GLG customers.
You can charge whatever you like per hour for consultations, and joining only requires you to connect your LinkedIn page and upload your résumé.
Your phone number will be used to contact you as an appropriate job becomes available after you’ve been accepted.
Apex Focus Group
For those interested in joining paid focus groups in their vicinity, Apex Focus Group is the ideal option.
They provide paid survey panel options and even the chance to take part in clinical studies, as well as the standard focus groups.
Although the site’s primary purpose is to help people locate local focus groups, it also occasionally posts links to online surveys, product reviews, and such.
Focus group participants can expect to earn between $100 and $400 for their time and effort.
Respondent
This market research company does both online and in-person surveys and studies.
You can join their group from anywhere in the globe, including the United States.
To join Respondent to earn extra cash, you will need a PayPal account and a LinkedIn or Facebook profile.
Once you’ve joined, you’ll be able to see all the open focus group options.
Then, for the groups that really interest you, you submit an application to lead focus groups.
The marketing research team will review your answers, and if they find that you fit their target demographic, they will contact you to invite you to participate in the study.
The two parties can then settle on a mutually agreeable time.
You can earn anywhere from $50 to $250 or more for each survey you complete for Respondent.
The company deducts a small “fulfillment fee” before sending payment through PayPal.
I-Say
I-Say, a global leader in market research, is a subsidiary of Ipsos.
It admits participation from across the globe.
Many of the surveys are rather short in scope, like those found on Survey Junkie, and may only pay a dollar or so.
Nevertheless, more profitable options, like paid focus groups or in-depth surveys, do surface every once in a while.
You may still contribute to I-Say no matter where you are or what you’re doing, thanks to the site’s functional mobile app.
It’s ideal for anyone with short amounts of free time. I’m talking about parents, commuters, and students.
You can make an extra $50-$100 an hour by participating in paid focus groups.
The fact that they don’t actually pay out in cash is a major drawback.
When you achieve 500 points, you can redeem them for a Visa prepaid card or a gift card to use at places like iTunes or Amazon.
Related Reading: Are Survey Sites Legit – Find Out Here.
20|20 Panel
When taking part in research, polls, or paid focus groups, a 20|20 Panel user can earn anywhere from $50 to $150 for their honest opinions.
20|20 is a survey and panel platform with extensive experience thanks to its long history (more than three decades).
If you join, you’ll have a say in how the company operates and how its products are marketed, and you’ll get paid for it.
The vast majority of their offerings are focus group opportunities, which can be joined from anywhere in the world.
Survey Feeds
Survey Feeds is an American company that hosts focus groups and other research studies in cities across the United States, including New York, Miami, San Franciso, Los Angeles, Boston, and more.
You can join online, and if you have a Facebook account, you should follow this research firm there because they frequently post the highest-paying focus group opportunities there.
Although online surveys, web conferences, and phone interviews are common remote tasks here, Survey Feeds also offers in-person focus groups, clinical research, and one-on-one interviews.
Earning $50 to $475 per assignment is possible for those who work with Survey Feeds, making this a lucrative opportunity for those who are interested in being paid for their opinions.
Recruit and Field
Recruit and Field is another reputable business that operates in the market research industry.
You can take part in a session either in person or remotely, as they host both online surveys and in-person focus groups.
Recruit and Field conduct focus groups all throughout the United States and is always looking for new medical professionals.
They occasionally need other experts as well, and they seek applicants from all walks of life.
This top-rated market research firm pays between $100 and $275 for each project, rather than per hour, in the form of gift cards or PayPal cash.
Probe Research
Probe Research, a consumer research firm, gathers people from all across the United States to take part in what it calls the “best US focus groups” in exchange for compensation.
Client services offered by the company include:
- Surveys.
- In-person and over-the-phone interviews.
- Usability testing of websites and products.
- Paid focus groups.
Anyone can participate in a focus group, either in person, online, or over the phone, and get paid $50 to $400 for their time.
Brand Institute
Since Brand Institute is essentially a branding agency, it conducts consumer surveys to help determine how a large corporation should present itself to the public.
In the United States, they have branches in Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, Raleigh-Durham, Boston, New York, Dallas, and Rockville.
Brand Institute also has locations in London, Basel, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Toronto, Frankfurt, Seoul, and San Juan, among other cities in the world.
Because of this, they are well established in the North and South American markets in addition to Europe and Asia.
Brand Institute, consistently ranked as one of the top research firms, compiles consumer feedback to aid with business identification and the creation of a unique brand image.
If you sign up and are selected to participate, you will receive an invitation through email. After finishing a project, you can get paid via PayPal or a traditional cheque.
Engage
According to Engage Research, they are constantly on the lookout for new people to interview as part of market research initiatives designed to increase client sales.
You may be asked to take part in a paid focus group, provide feedback on the usability of a website, or share your thoughts in an online forum.
They welcome participants from all over the world and study in various fields, including healthcare and consumer behavior.
This market research firm typically pays between $50 and $250 for each task.
SIS International
Since SIS International conducts research on a global scale, it needs people from all over the world to take part in its studies.
They assist businesses with market research in a variety of industries, including healthcare and B2B.
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, are just a few of the locations where SIS conducts focus group research.
On average, their focus groups will comprise six to eight people who will then analyze products, services, and marketing strategies.
Pay ranges from $25 to $200 for each task, with the latter figure being the most common.
Users can subscribe to SIS’s social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram in addition to signing up for the database.
Find Focus Groups
Find Focus Groups is an internet resource that can help you locate paid focus groups in your area.
For more than 15 years, this company has been connecting corporate executives with survey respondents all around the United States.
Online surveys and studies on a wide variety of subjects can be found here and accessed via a searchable database organized by state and city.
They may be able to assist you in locating the best local paid focus groups, whether you’re more interested in reviewing sports than video games, love chatting about cuisine or finances, or prefer to focus on travel.
The rates are flexible because this is mostly a search service.
Rare Patient Voice
Rare Patient Voice, an industry-leading medical research database, offers an hourly rate of $100.
Most of the studies posted on their site are conducted via telephone or video chat, so if you’re interested in participating, you can check them out.
This is something you should check out if you have any kind of medical ailment (even if it’s not incredibly rare).
Users from the United States, UK, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, France, and Australia are welcome to join the site.
Related Reading: Survey Junkie vs. Swag Bucks – Compare Them Here.
Prolific
Prolific is used by universities and think tanks when they require public feedback. Signing up to take part in online surveys is simple.
The compensation on Prolific is lower than average, typically falling between $8 to $15 per hour.
However, you are sure to find a number of brief surveys that pay out via PayPal, so it’s worth a shot.
Maru SpringBoard America
Members of the premier US market research community, Maru SpringBoard America, are eligible to take part in paid surveys.
The site provides access to numerous ways to earn cash, such as:
- Online focus groups
- Mobile surveys
- Online surveys
- Teen surveys
The company collaborates with companies in many different industries, from well-known corporations to philanthropies and government agencies to news outlets.
You can expect to receive four survey invitations every month, with each one paying anywhere from $0.50 to $5.
Paid Online Focus Groups FAQs
What exactly is a focus group?
When folks gather together to talk about something, like a product, service, or marketing effort, it’s called a focus group.
It’s possible that reviewing relevant materials will be a part of this.
Companies are willing to pay good money for honest feedback from regular people, and you don’t even need special skills to participate.
However, if you already have work experience in a relevant industry, like healthcare, you may be able to secure a higher hourly rate.
Sometimes the participants in a focus group will be asked their opinion on a political issue rather than a question about a product or service.
A paid focus group can meet in person or remotely using video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Teams, or FaceTime.
Are paid focus groups a scam?
No, paid online focus groups are completely legitimate.
A market research firm will gladly pay you for your honest opinion or detailed reviews of a product or service they are developing for their clients, making them a flexible source of income.
These businesses will facilitate focus groups, where a select group of people meet either virtually or in-person to provide their opinions on a topic.
They’ll talk about their experiences with the service or product in question or provide input that is intended to improve it or create a new one.
You’ve found the ideal place if you’re searching for a reputable list of focus group applications and websites to join.
You may rest assured that I only included the most reputable paid focus group alternatives after conducting extensive research on the various providers.
How much can you make as a paid focus group participant?
Participant compensation for focus groups and other types of market research studies varies greatly, depending on both the level of involvement required and the company in question.
Per-project pricing is more common than hourly rates.
Take into account time spent traveling to and from the appointment, as well as any time spent filling out pre- or post-visit surveys or reviews if you wish to convert this to an hourly rate.
Focus groups can pay hundreds of dollars, while shorter surveys that ask only a few questions may pay less than $1.
How do you choose the right online focus group for you?
Paying attention to reviews will help you decide which focus group firms to sign up with.
In addition to looking online for reviews, you can also check out their social media profiles, where you’ll likely discover the most recent evaluations.
Remember that research firms will be seeking individuals with backgrounds that are very indicative of the company’s ideal customer.
Accurately filling out the form will boost your chances of receiving an invitation to participate.
It may be worthwhile to provide your phone number for paid focus groups on the off chance that a spot opens up at the last minute.
The risk lies in deciding whether to apply to several jobs all at once or to take your time with each one.
Related Reading: Survey Junkie, Ibotta, Inbox Dollars, Rakuten – Compare The Platforms Here.
Final Thoughts
Participating in paid focus groups is a legitimate approach to support research companies while gaining financial compensation, albeit it won’t make you rich fast.
Meeting new people who share similar interests is a perk of joining such groups. Everyone benefits from the thought-provoking conversations that ensue.
Plus, the ideas that arise will guide the future of business leadership development.
Focus groups are a terrific way to make some extra cash in your spare time, and I’ll say it again: focus groups pay!
Why not sign up with a few of the companies above to see where it could lead you?