This isn't about joining every single survey site you find on Google. It's about focusing on those with decent payouts, low payment thresholds and a reliable volume of surveys.
We tested and analysed MoneySavers' reviews to find the top 10 sites. Huge thanks to all the MoneySavers whose feedback went into the guide. If you've found a top survey site we're missing, add it in the Survey sites discussion.
01
Ipsos
Top payer, £10 Amazon vouchers/mth typical
A must-join, Ipsos is probably the best paying survey site. Its surveys are plentiful, and many rack up £10 or more of Amazon vouchers every month
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Forumites report Ipsos is refreshingly upfront about payment and survey length before you start clicking. It pays in retail vouchers, including Amazon and John Lewis. Once you cash in, vouchers take two to three weeks to arrive.
Quick Stats. Payment method: High street vouchers incl Amazon, Capital Bond and John Lewis. Typical ££ per survey: £1. Payout threshold: £10. Typical survey time: 20 mins. Feed back: Ipsos
02
Swagbucks*
mega popular with forumites
With a cult following in the Forum, Swagbucks* pays you 'swag points' to answer daily polls. You can also mix it up by getting paid to watch videos, search via its page instead of Google and even play free online games.
Points can be spent on rewards in its Reward Store. Some rewards are better value than others, so always compare a few. For example, 850 points equals a fiver Amazon voucher, but you need 1,050 points for £5 cash via paypal. On its rewards page, there are gift cards in US dollars too, so ensure you choose the ones marked GBP.
Swagbucks only lets you earn points once a day on certain types of poll - answer a second poll and you won't get paid. So always read terms and conditions carefully.
For motivation, join other Swag points chasers in the forum's popular Swagbucks ChallengE 2013 thread.
Quick Stats. Payment method: Cash via Paypal, Amazon vouchers and more. Typical ££ per survey: From 70 Swag Bucks (40p). Payout threshold: From 1 Swag Buck (depends on reward). Typical survey time: 15-20 mins. Feed back: Swagbucks
03
GlobalTestMarket
Reliable US site that sends £30 cheques
US survey site GlobalTestMarket pays by cheque in sterling once you've earned $50 (currently £31ish). Many forumites amass £100 a year from the site.
Cheques take up to eight weeks to arrive, but at £30-£40 a time (depending on the exchange rate), it's worth the wait. The site often screens you out after a few questions, but usually bungs a few points anyway.
GlobalTestMarket also sends surveys that enter you into a prize draw instead of paying cash. Unless you've heaps of time, stick with surveys that pay.
Quick Stats: Payment method: Cash (cheque).Typical ££ per survey: £1.20. Payout threshold: 1,000 points ($50/£32). Typical survey time: 20 minutes. Feed back: GlobalTestMarket
04
Crowdology
you only need to earn £4 before it pays
Another popular site, Crowdology pays hard cash via Paypal. The payment threshold's a low £4, and many folks rack this up every month.
On the downside, forumites report its payment system can be glitchy, though the cash arrives in the end. A top tip is to post complaints on its Facebook page to get a result.
Quick Stats. Payment method: Cash via Paypal. Typical ££ per survey: 30p - £2. Payout threshold: £4. Typical survey time: 20 mins. Feed back: Crowdology
05
MySurvey
you only need to earn £3 before it pays
MoneySavers earn cash quickly from MySurvey, as it has a low £3 payout threshold and abundant surveys. It pays in cash via Paypal.
You can get a £3 Paypal payment for 345 points, or a £5 Argos voucher for 550 points. The site also lets you swap 1250 points for a £10 Amazon voucher, though, bizarrely, this is a worse value exchange than Paypal cash.
Quick Stats. Payment method: Cash via Paypal & Argos/Amazon vouchers. Typical payment per survey: 100. Payout threshold: £3. Typical time to complete: 20-30 mins. Feed back: MySurvey
06
OnePoll
Best for fun, quick polls
Mega-popular for its speedy surveys, OnePoll runs polls for the press, meaning fun questions about celebs and your lovelife. It works slightly differently to other survey sites and doesn't send out invitations - you need to log on daily to check.
The payment per survey is tiny, often 20p. But while hitting the £40 withdrawal target takes ages, it's still worth it, as surveys are super-quick.
One bugbear of OnePoll users is getting stuck on £39.90, then not having any more surveys available for weeks. If that happens, try referring a friend to hit the threshold – you get 50p for everyone who signs up.
Some Forumites are also peeved by the number of surveys that just enter you into a competition, rather than giving you cash.
OnePoll also has a free iPhone app that lets you earn cash on the go. However, OnePoll says it's currently redesigning its app and is currently offering very few surveys through it. So wait for the relaunch to get it.
Quick Stats: Payment method: Cash (BACS or Paypal). Typical £ per survey: 20p. Payout threshold: £40. Typical survey time: 2 mins. Feed back: Onepoll
07
Pinecone
INVITATION ONLY - but very generous
The holy grail of survey sites, Pinecone pays megabucks, but is invitation only. You get £3 for every survey. Sadly, the recruitment process is more secretive than MI6. You have to wait until you're invited or spot a web banner advert on another site to sign up.
We've included it so you'll know to jump if an invite appears. If you are lucky enough to be recruited, you get paid cash via PayPal. Yet it's tough to join, as the first rule of Pinecone is "do not talk about Pinecone".
Quick Stats. Payment method: Cash via PayPal. Typical ££ per survey: £3. Payout threshold: £3. Typical time to complete: 15 to 20 minutes. How to sign up: Look for banner adverts on websites (often mum and baby sites).
08
Newvistalive
lucrative, but you need to earn £50 before it pays
While Newvistalive has a high £50 payout threshold, many MoneySavers have racked up £50 cheques fairly quickly. It pays up to a generous £5 per survey - some forumites have made £50 in six months.
It's especially important to read questions carefully and answer truthfully. Newvistalive adds in 'quality control' questions to weed out members who fib to get more surveys.
Quick Stats. Payment method: Cash (cheque). Typical ££ per survey: 50p to £1. Payout threshold: £50. Typical survey time: 15 mins. Feed back: Newvistalive
09
Toluna
earn Amazon vouchers
Another survey site to try is Toluna. Forumites earn regular Amazon vouchers, though some report payments can be slow.
Once you reach 80,000 points, you can cash in for a £15 retail voucher, including Amazon and Love2shop.
Some forumites are frustrated about how long it takes to receive vouchers after you've ordered them. It also seems to take quite a long time for points to be added onto members' accounts after they’ve completed surveys.
Quick Stats. Payment method: High street vouchers incl Amazon & Love2shop. Typical ££ per survey: 3,000 to 5,000 points. Payout threshold: 80,000 points for £15 Amazon voucher. Typical survey time: 15-30 mins. Feed back: Toluna
10
YouGov
Reliable, but long slog to hit target
People either love or hate YouGov. The surveys are short ‘n' snappy, and the site is commissioned by everyone from academics to charities, so you get to put in your tuppence on serious subjects. Yet MoneySavers say it takes three to five years to hit the payout threshold.
Surveys are infrequent (about one per month), and you can't cash in until you hit £50. At 50p per survey, this takes years. The £50's paid via bank transfer.
Quick Stats: Payment method: Cash via bank transfer. Typical payment per survey: 50p. Payout threshold: £50. Typical time to complete: 5 to 10 mins. Feed back: YouGov
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