Online Surveys for Cash: Are They Worth the Time and Effort?
Online Surveys for Cash: Are They Worth the Time and Effort?
Angela Mae WatsonSun, April 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC
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Looking to earn a little extra cash from home? It's likely you've already considered paid surveys online. While you might not make a full-time income doing them, it could still be a good way to supplement your regular paycheck, build savings or even pay off debt faster.
Before you get started, here's what to know about doing online surveys, how safe they are and whether they're worth it.
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How Much You Can Earn
You can make money through surveys, but how much you can actually earn depends on several factors.
"Earnings from surveys can vary significantly depending on the survey type, length and the platform you use," said Dennis Shirshikov, finance professor at the City University of New York. Some surveys pay pennies, while others pay several dollars or more.
"Typically, surveys pay anywhere from 50 cents to $5 each," Shirshikov said. If you do these types of surveys regularly, you can expect to earn around $50 to $150 a month.
Certain platforms offer higher-paying surveys, though these usually take more time. They also generally require you to have more in-depth knowledge or meet other specific criteria before you can do them.
"In-depth surveys can pay $300 or more," said Scott Lieberman, founder of TouchdownMoney. "How much you can make is determined by your willingness to do surveys and your eligibility. You're usually only eligible for a couple [of] surveys per company in certain timeframes, but if you apply for every opportunity, you can make $500 to $1,000 per month."
Keep in mind that you might not always earn cash from the surveys you complete. Some platforms pay in other ways, such as through points you can redeem for physical or digital gift cards.
How To Get Started
The first step is to create an account on a legitimate platform or website. Some well known names in the space include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, InboxDollars and FocusGroups.org. This should be free, but if it's not, you may be wise to look elsewhere.
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To create an account, you'll typically need to provide some basic contact information like your email and a unique password. You may also have to fill out an online questionnaire about yourself. The entire process doesn't generally take that long. Once you have an account, you can start doing surveys and earning money.
The way you earn money depends on the type of survey, though.
"You can make money from surveys in multiple ways," Lieberman said. "Some surveys are online-only, some require you to make a visit to a specific location and some take place over multiple visits."
Typically, the lower-paying surveys can be done completely online.
Is It Safe?
"Participating in surveys is generally safe, especially if you use reputable platforms," Shirshikov said.
However, despite there being so many reputable survey sites to choose from, there are also scams. Websites like AARP have outlined red flags to look for, which include promises of high payouts, required payments to participate, asking for personal information like bank account or Social Security numbers, misspelling or odd language, and nontransparency in regard to things like privacy policy.
"Always research the site's background and read reviews to ensure its legitimacy and safety," Shirshikov said.
The Bottom Line
Online surveys aren't likely to make you rich, but they could be worth it. Aask yourself how much time and energy you're willing to commit to doing them before taking the plunge. Some surveys take only a few minutes to complete, while others can take hours.
"[Surveys] are best suited for those looking to make a little extra money in their spare time without the commitment of a regular job," Shirshikov said. If you're a student, stay-at-home parent or simply have a little extra time on your hands, they could be a great way to earn some extra cash.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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