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Get Paid $10-60 to Test Websites and Apps
The first time I heard about user testing I thought it was a scam. Companies pay you to browse websites and talk to yourself? That can't be real.
Turns out it's very real. And it's one of the easiest ways to make extra money I've ever found.
Here's why companies pay for this. They spend thousands or millions building websites and apps. They're too close to their own product to see what's confusing. They need fresh eyes. They need someone who's never seen their website before to try using it and say out loud what they're thinking.
That someone is you.
🧪 A typical test takes 15 to 20 minutes and pays $10. Some longer tests or live interviews pay $30 to $60. That's decent money for browsing websites and speaking your thoughts.
How It Actually Works
You sign up for a testing platform. You complete a sample test to prove you can speak your thoughts clearly. Then you wait for test invitations.
When a test matches your demographic you get an email or notification. You have to act fast because tests fill up quickly. You answer a few screener questions to confirm you're the right fit. Then you complete the test.
During the test you share your screen and your microphone. You're given a task like "Find the pricing page and tell us if the plans are clear" or "Try to add an item to your cart and check out." You literally just use the website while narrating your thoughts.
"I'm looking for the pricing page. I see a menu at the top but pricing isn't listed. Oh there it is under the Resources dropdown. That's not where I expected it to be. The plans are clear though. I like that they show monthly and annual options side by side."
That's it. That's the whole job.
The Platforms That Actually Pay
Not all testing platforms are created equal. Some send you constant tests. Others send one every few months. Here's where to focus.
UserTesting is the biggest and most reliable. They pay ten dollars per standard test and thirty to sixty for live interviews. Tests are regular once you're established. The catch is their sample test is picky. They want clear, constant narration. No long silences.
Userlytics pays slightly less at five to fifteen dollars per test but they have more consistent work. Their approval process is faster and they're less strict about perfect narration.
Trymata formerly TryMyUI pays ten to thirty dollars per test. They focus on ecommerce and SaaS websites. Tests are interesting and pay fairly.
UserFeel is smaller but worth signing up. Ten dollars per test and they pay reliably. Less competition for test slots.
| Platform | Pay Per Test | Approval Time |
|---|---|---|
| UserTesting | $10 standard, $30 to $60 live | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Userlytics | $5 to $15 | 3 to 5 days |
| Trymata | $10 to $30 | 1 week |
| UserFeel | $10 | 3 to 7 days |
How to Pass the Sample Test
This is where most people fail. They're not used to thinking out loud so they go silent while completing tasks. Silence equals rejection.
The key is constant narration. Even if you're just reading text on the screen read it out loud. Even if you're thinking about where to click say "I'm looking for the login button. I expected it in the top right but I don't see it there. Oh here it is in the center of the page."
Don't worry about being insightful. They're not testing your design expertise. They want your genuine first impressions and thought process.
Before your sample test practice on any website. Open Amazon and try to find a specific product while narrating everything you're doing. Do this for five minutes. It feels weird at first then becomes natural.
Pro tip: If you get stuck on a task say so. "I can't figure out how to get back to the homepage. The logo doesn't seem to be clickable." This is exactly the kind of feedback companies want.
Getting More Tests
Your first month might be slow. You'll get a few tests maybe three or four. Don't get discouraged. This is normal.
Companies rate your tests on a five star scale. The higher your rating the more tests you receive. A 4.5 star average unlocks significantly more opportunities than a 3.8 average.
How do you get five star ratings? Be thorough. Complete all tasks. Speak constantly. Give specific feedback not just "this is good" or "this is confusing." Explain why something works or doesn't work.
Also fill out your profile completely. List every device you own. Every browser you use. Every piece of software you're familiar with. More profile data equals more qualifying tests.
Finally enable notifications. Tests fill up in minutes sometimes seconds. You need to see the invitation immediately.
Real Talk About Earnings
Let me be honest about what to expect. You're not going to replace your full time income with user testing. But you can absolutely make meaningful extra money.
A realistic weekly breakdown once you're established on two or three platforms:
Monday you grab one test during lunch. Ten dollars. Tuesday nothing comes through. Wednesday you qualify for two tests. Twenty dollars. Thursday you get invited to a live interview and it pays forty five dollars for thirty minutes. Friday you catch one more test before the weekend. Ten dollars.
That's eighty five dollars for maybe two hours of actual testing time. Some weeks are better. Some weeks you might only get twenty dollars. But it averages out to decent hourly pay for work you can do in pajamas.
The Equipment You Need
Nothing fancy. A computer with a microphone is all you need for most tests. Some tests require a webcam but you can opt out of those if you prefer.
A quiet space is helpful. Background noise makes transcription harder and can affect your rating. But honestly I've done tests with my dog barking in the background and still got five stars.
Some mobile tests require you to install an app that records your screen. These pay the same as desktop tests and are often even simpler.
🧪 Sign up for UserTesting and Userlytics today. The approval process takes time so start now. In two weeks you could be getting paid to browse the internet.
Your opinion is literally worth money. Go get paid for it.