Companies are constantly trying to figure out what consumers want. So, what if you could get paid to tell them your opinions? That’s the idea behind survey sites. The “best survey sites” are ones that are legit, easy to use, and clear about how you're getting paid and when. They're also very popular with stay-at-home moms, students, and folks in debt, and people who are just looking to get paid from home.

I mean, survey sites can be a great way to side hustle when you need extra cash. There are plenty of survey sites out there, so we tested the most popular ones and came up with our favorites extra cash with surveys. Plenty of variety here, so we’re sure you’ll find one that fits your needs and the level of effort you'd like to put in.

Note: this isn't mad money. But if you're motivated and looking to take the “every little bit helps” approach when it comes to building up your first $1,000 emergency fund or whittling down your debt, these can work. My suggestion? Do it while you're binging Netflix one rainy Saturday.

Top Survey Sites

Swagbucks

This is one of the most popular survey sites out there because signing up is super easy. All you need is your email and a password, or you can sign up with your Facebook account. Below are all the ways to optimize your Swagbucks earnings.

And Swagbucks even takes into account that you won’t qualify for every survey. Even if you don’t qualify, you’ll still get 1 SB or “Swagbuck” for your time.

Surveys also usually have higher point values since they take a longer time to complete. This can be a great place to start out if you want to quickly earn one of the lower value gift cards!

And finally, download the SwagButton. It’s not related to taking surveys, but it is an extension that shows you SB offers on participating sites. That way you won’t miss out on points just because you didn’t go through the SwagBucks portal! Super simple, super easy.

• The TL:DR: Swagbucks is a site where you can complete a lot of different tasks. Not just surveys, but you can watch videos and play games to earn the titular Swagbucks (abbreviated SB). Then redeem for gift cards.
• Payouts: Giftcards of varying values. 
• Sign Up Bonus: $5 smackaroos.

Opinion Outpost

• The TL:DR: Opinion Outpost pays users cash and rewards for completing paid surveys online. It’s free to sign up. LOTS of questions at the outset, but pretty decent paid survey opportunities once you are inside and through the qualifying survey. 
• Payouts: Via Paypal
• Sign Up Bonus:  No. 

Survey Junkie 

• The TL:DR: Popular because it pays actual Paypal cash and surveys range 50-450 per survey meaning you have to do less surveys to make a real profit. 
• Payouts: By completing surveys you earn points, and 1000 points can be exchanged for $10.00 – redeemable to your Paypal account.
• Sign Up Bonus: None.

Other paid survey opportunities

With these you get paid, and can stand to “earn more', but you won't be paid in cash. Instead, users accrue points for gift cards. If you're smart, you can use the points to get grocery, Amazon, and gas gift cards and put that cash toward your debt repayment. Or, you can use the points to get gift cards to your favorite retailers and fund your shopping habit for free. 

MySoapBox

• The TL:DR: You collect points redeemable for gift cards at your favorite stores and restaurants.
• Payouts: Earn points for each survey, points then turn into gift cards. 
• Sign Up Bonus: Earn a BONUS of 2,000 points just for signing up!

Travel Trails

• The TL:DR: You collect points redeemable for gift cards at your favorite stores and restaurants. Earn with surveys and also providing feedback in their forums. A little strange, but if you're someone who loves doing Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews, might as well put that energy into someplace you can earn something for your opinion.
• Payouts: Earn points for each survey, points then turn into gift cards. 
• Sign Up Bonus: Earn a BONUS of 2,000 points just for signing up!

Prize Rebel

• The TL:DR: Join PrizeRebel and you can earn rewards such as Paypal, Amazon gift cards, and more for your opinions. 
• Payouts: Paypal or gift cards (including coveted ones from Amazon)
• Sign Up Bonus: None.

Toluna

• The TL:DR: Toluna matches users with 15-20 minute surveys.  Toluna calls their users “Influencers” because surveys are often around giving direct products/business and service feedback for some of the largest brands in the world like Coca-Cola, Kellogs, and L'OREAL.
• Payouts: Complete surveys for “points” which can then be exchanged for gift cards and cash.
• Sign Up Bonus: None.

The Final TL: DR

*Torie Winkler contributed to this post.

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