With rising costs and uncertainty with the economy, it’s no shock that people are turning to side hustles to make extra money. A 2024 Quicken survey found that over one-third of Americans had taken on these gigs.
Participating in focus groups is one option for earning cash online (or locally) for giving your thoughts. However, you should first take the time to find and pick a reputable focus group company before providing any personal information.
After researching several options, I identified five companies that are the best paid focus groups based on their pay and reputations.
How we evaluate products
We researched 12 focus group companies identified from top Google search results. We evaluated these companies based on their availability, TrustPilot user ratings, earnings potential, payment methods, and the variety of paid gigs offered.
Best paid focus groups
Using focus groups is a great way for companies to collect input and feedback on their products, services, or advertising campaigns. The feedback gathered this way may be more in-depth since the facilitators can ask follow-up questions and participants can engage in discussions.
Participating in a focus group can also be a way for you to earn extra money at the end of the session. However, you must be careful to avoid the many common scams in this industry.
Based on my research, these are five of the best paid focus group opportunities.
| Focus group platform | Best for | Available formats | Typical pay | Time to Receive Payment |
| 20|20 Panel
|
Quick surveys |
|
$1 to $350 | 7-10 days after project completion |
| Focuscope
|
Payment options |
|
$75 to $250 | 3-5 days after in-person project completion
|
| Prolific
|
Participant support | $8 per hour and up | Instantly through PayPal cashout with $6 in minimum approved earnings | |
| User Interviews
|
Overall experience | $20 to $1,500 | 1-10 days after project completion | |
| watchLab
|
Simple application |
|
Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
20|20 Panel
Best for quick surveys
Types of opportunities
- Roundtable discussions
- Online surveys
20|20 Panel has operated since 1986. Through the company, businesses can get feedback from consumers via in-person group roundtable discussions and through online interviews and discussions. The site advertises a pay range of $50 to $350 for these studies.
While other companies only have focus groups that require significant time commitments, 20|20 Panel offers quick surveys you can complete online in a matter of minutes and earn $1 or more. Occasionally, taking online surveys can lead to paid interviews for extra compensation.
While the company’s website offers limited details, it does have a simple application process. 20|20 Panel pays out within seven to 10 days of finishing a project, and payment methods include physical and virtual Mastercard or Visa gift cards.
Pros
- Short survey opportunities
- Quick application process
- Speedy payments
Cons
- Limited online details
- Cumbersome website
- Limited in-person opportunities
Focuscope
Best for payment options
Types of opportunities
- Roundtable discussions
- Virtual focus group sessions
With many focus group companies, the only payment method for participating is a gift card. If you’re using focus groups to earn money to pay down your student loan or credit card debt or to save for a new car, that payment option can be frustrating. Focuscope provides more flexibility since you can receive your payment via PayPal, bank transfer, or gift card.
The Illinois-based market research company was launched in 1980. In addition to hosting in-person roundtable discussions at its Chicago offices, it holds virtual discussions via video conferencing nationwide. Participants can access online materials to prepare for the online sessions.
The company advertises a pay range of $75 to $250 per project. The third-party Tremendous platform handles the payment process, which usually takes three to 10 business days, depending on whether you complete the study online or in the office.
Pros
- Multiple payment methods
- Short signup process
- Robust participant support resources
Cons
- Limited payment details
- In-person opportunities limited to Chicago
Prolific
Best for participant support
Types of opportunities
- Virtual focus group sessions
Since 2014, Prolific has provided market research services to companies in the U.S. and abroad. Through this company, you can take part in online focus groups and earn money. The minimum rate is $8 per hour, but there’s the potential for higher earnings. You can conveniently cash out instantly via PayPal once you have $6 in approved earnings.
Prolific has better-than-usual customer reviews. On TrustPilot, it has earned 4.6 out of 5 stars based on over 5,700 reviews. Participants praised the company’s available studies, responsive customer support, and quick payments.
The company also has a participant hub with detailed guides on how to get the most from the study experience and get paid. This makes it stand out from competitors that often provide limited resources or are vague on how their studies work.
Pros
- Stellar participant reviews
- Robust participant support resources
- Multiple virtual opportunities
Cons
- Payment only through PayPal
- Unclear rates
User Interviews
Best for overall experience
Types of opportunities
- In-person focus groups
- Phone discussions
- Virtual focus group sessions
I chose User Interviews for the best overall experience because of its simple application. You can complete the process in less than 15 minutes and qualify for paid opportunities as soon as the next day.
You can earn money by participating in online, in-person, or phone sessions. However, the in-person and phone opportunities may be limited based on your location. When I searched, I only found online opportunities available to me in Orlando.
Depending on the format and time commitment, you could earn between $20 to $1,500 per study. According to User Interviews, the study compensation averages out to be more than $60. It can take up to 10 days to get paid after you complete a study.
The site uses the Tremendous platform to offer payment options, including various gift cards. However, some researchers may opt to pay you directly using their preferred method.
User Interviews has an excellent rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on about 670 reviews. Participants wrote that the studies were fun to engage in and the company was a good source of occasional income.
Pros
- Excellent customer reviews
- Potential for higher-than-usual rates
- Variety of study formats
- Easy application process
Cons
- Potentially limited local and phone studies
- Encourages social media connection
watchLab
Best for simple application process
Types of opportunities
- Roundtable discussions
- Phone discussions
- Virtual focus group sessions
Started in 1997, watchLab is based in Illinois. However, the market research company serves companies in cities all over the country, including San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, and Philadelphia. It caters to a broad range of industries but particularly focuses on healthcare, technology, and financial services.
Through watchLab, you can earn money by participating in online, phone, or in-person focus group sessions. The company also has an unusually basic initial questionnaire.
However, watchLab doesn’t provide much information about the participant experience, including potential earnings or payment methods.
Pros
- Multiple types of opportunities
- Serves more major markets than competitors
- Quick application process
Cons
- Limited details online
- Few customer reviews
How do paid focus groups work?
Although some companies offer opportunities for both focus groups and surveys, there are distinct differences between these two gigs. Completing surveys — even from the top survey sites — is usually a low-paying side gig, though there’s usually also a small time commitment. By contrast, focus groups are more intensive but typically pay a higher rate.
With a focus group, you sign up with a company that will ask you to complete an initial questionnaire to create an account; this serves as your initial profile. The questionnaire can be extensive, covering everything from your health to your education and employment. Usually, the questionnaire takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
Depending on the platform, the company might email or text you about potential focus groups you’re a match for, or you might have to manually fill out an application for focus group opportunities. Focus groups can occur online, in person, over the phone, or in a hybrid format that combines two or more of those methods.
The earnings potential varies based on the focus group topic, format, and duration. For example, one company may have a two-hour focus group session that pays just $30, while another may require multiple sessions over several weeks but pay as much as $500.
Making the most of this side hustle
To make the most out of participating in paid focus groups, follow these tips.
- Check a company’s credentials: Legitimate focus group companies may be members of organizations like the American Association for Public Opinion Research or ESOMR.
- Review the terms and conditions: Before accepting the terms and conditions, carefully read them! As I went through the process with several companies, I found that many stated that they would scan any linked social media accounts and store information from them. Be sure you’re comfortable with how the company will use and store your data before submitting your personal details.
- Answer as many screening questions as possible: Focus group companies will have you complete an initial screening questionnaire, and some of the questions will be quite personal. For example, a company may ask about any health issues you have or if you’re a caregiver for a family member. Although those questions can seem invasive, answering them may help you qualify for more opportunities.
- Apply for multiple platforms: To earn more money, consider signing up for more than one focus group platform and making yourself available for multiple types of opportunities. If you’re willing to participate in in-person focus groups, virtual discussions, and online surveys, you’re more likely to be matched with opportunities than if you limit yourself to one type of gig.
- Check your email and texts often: After you sign up with a focus group company, it will send you notifications via text or email when an opportunity pops up that matches your profile. The sooner you respond and apply for that opportunity, the more likely you are to be selected.
- Complete the requirements quickly: When you participate in a focus group, roundtable discussion, or survey, you might have several steps to complete. For example, you may need to complete a questionnaire or provide written responses to prompts. These assignments usually have deadlines, so be sure to complete the tasks on time to earn your payment.
FAQs
How do you sign up for paid focus groups?
To sign up for a paid focus group, you’ll typically follow these steps.
- Complete an online profile: The thoroughness of the initial screening varies by company, but you’ll generally have to provide information about your location, age, education level, employment, and hobbies.
- Wait for a response: Opportunities may not be available right away. Companies will use the online profile to match you with focus groups relevant to you, so you’ll only receive a notification when one is available.
- Participate in the study: Once you qualify, you’ll follow the instructions to participate in the study and receive your payment within the platform’s timeline after completion.
- Keep your profile updated: If anything in your life changes — such as you get married, have children, move to another state, or get a new job — update your profile so the platform can match you with appropriate gigs.
Can you make a reliable side income from paid focus groups?
Although focus groups can be a fun way to earn extra cash, they aren’t typically a reliable or consistent source of income. Opportunities can be sporadic, and depending on where you live, you might have few chances to participate — especially if you’re seeking in-person studies.
It’s best to view focus group income as a supplemental source of extra funds you might use to save extra for a vacation or bolster your emergency fund.
How long does it take to get paid for doing focus groups?
In general, it takes anywhere from a day to a few weeks after the focus group is over to receive your payment. Most companies pay within 10 days, but there are some outliers that may take longer.
Focus group companies that didn’t make our list
I looked at a broad range of focus group companies. Here are two well-known companies that didn’t make the top five list.
FocusGroup.com
Although FocusGroup.com has its own website, the same company behind 20|20 Panel actually runs it. When you sign up as a participant through FocusGroup.com, the site will redirect you to 20|20 Panel’s platform. Because of the shared parent company, I omitted this option.
Respondent
If you search for paid focus groups, Respondent is likely one of the top search engine results. However, I excluded it from this list because of poor participant reviews.
On TrustPilot, Respondent has a rating of only 1.5 out of 5 based on over 130 reviews. Participants complained about delayed or lost payments, unpaid survey listings, and unresponsive support staff.
Bottom line
If you like the idea of hearing about products and services and providing your input and feedback, focus groups may be a good side gig for extra money. You might make anywhere from $50 to $1,500 per project, depending on the company, study requirements, and duration.
However, even the best paid focus groups aren’t a reliable source of income since the gigs are inconsistent. If you’re looking for a more dependable income stream, check out ways to make money testing products.
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2024-12-19 22:44:41
