UserTesting.com
UserTesting.com Review
UserTesting.com is one of the most popular platforms for online user testing, where you can get paid to test websites and apps. But how does it compare to other online gigs in terms of pay, flexibility and quality? In this review, I will share my experience of joining UserTesting.com as a tester, and evaluate its pros and cons from a market research perspective. I will also give you some tips on how to get more tests and improve your rating.
Andreea – Our UX Research Expert: Andreea is from Timisoara, Romania with a background from user experience (UX) research. Her UX knowledge comes in really handy when reviewing survey experience. Originally joining HuginX as a freelancer, she is now a regular contributor to site. When Andreea is not working with panel reviews, she enjoys old classic movies and she has a passion for baking.
What’s the concept?
UserTesting.com is a website that offers users the opportunity to earn money by participating in user testing gigs. User testing is a method of evaluating the usability, functionality and design of a product or service by observing how real users interact with it. UserTesting.com’s business model is based on selling access to user testing participants to companies that want to improve their products or services.
To sign up for UserTesting.com, users need to create an account, provide some basic information about themselves, and complete a sample test. Once they are approved, they can browse through the available gigs and apply for the ones that match their profile. However, not every gig is open to everyone. Each gig has a very specific set of criteria that determines who will qualify for it. For example, some gigs may require users to be of a certain age, gender, location, income-level, employment status or occupation. These criteria are set by the clients who request the user testing service.
As an investigative journalist with a background in the market research industry, I decided to try out UserTesting.com for myself and see how it compares to other online gigs. I signed up for the website and completed the sample test, which took me about 15 minutes. Then I started browsing through the available gigs, which ranged from testing websites, apps, games, surveys, prototypes and more. The gigs paid between $10 and $60 per test, depending on the length and complexity of the task.
However, I soon realized that qualifying for a gig was not as easy as it seemed. Out of the 50 gigs that I applied for, I only qualified for 10 of them. That means I wasted 80% of my time answering screening questions that ultimately rejected me from the gig. The criteria were often very narrow and specific, such as being a female between 25 and 34 years old who lives in New York City and works as a graphic designer. Sometimes the criteria were not even related to the product or service being tested, such as being a fan of a certain TV show or having a pet cat.
Based on my experience, I would say that UserTesting.com is not a reliable source of income for online gig workers. The chances of qualifying for a gig are low and unpredictable, and the time spent on screening questions is not compensated. The website may be suitable for users who are looking for some extra cash or who enjoy giving feedback on products or services, but it is not a viable option for those who need a steady and consistent income.
How do I start earning money with UserTesting.com?
The process is relatively straightforward; you start by submitting your email address and take a practice test to make sure you cover the essential criteria to become a tester. These are the requirements:Â
- A computer or mobile device that meets our minimum specifications.Â
- Reliable internet connection with an upload speed of at least 3MBps
- An external or built-in microphone
- At least 18 years of age
- English proficiency: Ability to communicate your thoughts in English
Once you have been approved as a tester, you are ready to be matched with new surveys, online focus groups and tests. By answering screening questions thoroughly, you’ll be able to be matched with more surveys. New tests go live every day, and you’ll receive a notification when you’re eligible to participate.
How much can you make on UserTesting.com?
As soon as you start getting invitations to participate in new studies, you’re ready to make money. UserTesting pays quite well, depending on the projects you participate in. While a 20-minute test pays around $10, you can expect to receive between $30 to $120 for live interviews.
Top User Testing Gigs
- There is no minimum payout threshold
- Incentive levels are above average (compared to regular surveys)
- Easy payment process through PayPal
- Interesting and engaging tasks
- Transparent for users
- Fair payment levels
- Payments can take up to 21 days (depending on when your answers are approved)
- Quite a few technical requirements to qualify for the best-paid surveys (webcam, microphone...)
- PayPal is required to get verified and paid (no other payment options)
- Professional interviews and user testing
- Interesting tasks compared to standard surveys
- Relatively well paid compared to standard surveys
- It can take time to qualify for the first studies
- Studies available on an irregular basis
- 10 days payment time is quite long
- Pays well for tests
- Easy to use interface
- Honest about time and payment
- Supportive customer service
- Hard to qualify for tests
- Tests fill up quickly
- Technical issues sometimes
- Great platform for earning money.
- Easy to use and navigate.
- Good customer support.
- High-quality research studies.
- Prompt payment.
- Some surveys are repetitive.
- Low pay for some studies.
- Some studies are over-subscribed.
- Some studies are not relevant.
- Some users have reported technical issues.
- Fair payment
- There is no payout threshold
- Transparent reward system
- PayPal payment available
- Excellent support
- Earning opportunities limited
- Can be hard to qualify
- Cash options are not always available
How do I get paid to test
UserTesting.com pays its test participants for their time and opinions, usually through PayPal or Amazon gift cards. The amount and frequency of payment depend on several factors, such as the type, length, and complexity of the test, the availability of participants, and the demand from clients.
Typically, test participants can earn between $10 and $60 per test, and they receive their payment within 7 days after completing the test. To become a test participant, you need to sign up on UserTesting.com, create a profile, and take a practice test. Once you are approved, you can browse and apply for tests that match your profile and interests.
You will need to have a computer or mobile device with a microphone and a stable internet connection to take the tests. You will also need to follow the instructions and answer the questions honestly and clearly. UserTesting.com is a great way to earn some extra money while helping businesses improve their user experience.
Pros and cons – Our view
If you are looking for a way to earn some extra cash online, you might have heard of UserTesting.com, a site that pays you to test websites and apps. But is it worth signing up for? We decided to investigate and share our findings with you.
UserTesting.com is one of the most popular user testing sites, with over 2 million testers worldwide. It pays well for tests, usually between $10 and $60 per test, depending on the length and complexity. The tests typically take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete, and you can do them from your own device, as long as you have a microphone and a stable internet connection.
The site has an easy-to-use interface, where you can see the available tests, the estimated time and payment, and the qualification criteria. You can also filter the tests by device type, language, and category. The site is honest about the time and payment for each test, so you know what to expect before you start.
Another positive aspect of UserTesting.com is the supportive customer service. If you have any questions or issues with a test, you can contact them via email or chat, and they will respond quickly and professionally. They also provide helpful resources and tips on how to improve your testing skills and rating.
However, UserTesting.com is not without its drawbacks. One of the main challenges is qualifying for tests. You have to answer a few screener questions before each test, and sometimes you may not match the criteria that the client is looking for. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if you get screened out of many tests in a row.
Another downside is that the tests fill up quickly. Since many testers are competing for the same tests, you have to be fast and alert to grab a test before it’s gone. You may also need to refresh the dashboard frequently to see new tests. Some testers use browser extensions or notifications to get an edge, but this may not always work.
A third negative aspect is that technical issues sometimes occur during or after a test. For example, you may experience glitches with the recording software, or your test may not upload properly. This can affect your rating and payment, and you may need to contact customer service to resolve the problem.
A final drawback is that account deactivation can happen without warning. Some testers have reported that their accounts were deactivated for no apparent reason, or minor mistakes or misunderstandings. This can be very disappointing and unfair, especially if you have been a loyal and high-quality tester for a long time.
User reviews of UserTesting.com
Here is a summary of user-generated ratings of the user testing site UserTesting.com from different sources:
Trustpilot: 4 out of 5 stars
Trustpilot is one of the most popular review sites for UserTesting.com, with over 1,000 reviews. Most of the reviews are positive, praising the site for its easy-to-use interface, fair compensation, and helpful feedback. Some of the reviewers also mention that they enjoy testing new products and services and learning new skills. However, some of the reviews are negative, complaining about the lack of tests available, the strict qualification criteria, and the slow payment process. Some reviewers also report technical issues and poor customer service.
Sitejabber: 2 out of 5 stars
Sitejabber is another review site for UserTesting.com, but with much lower ratings than Trustpilot. The site has 144 reviews, most of which are negative. The reviewers express their frustration with the site for its low test frequency, high rejection rate, and unfair rating system. Many reviewers claim that they have been disqualified from tests for no valid reason or have received low ratings from clients for subjective reasons. Some reviewers also accuse the site of being a scam or a waste of time.
TrustRadius: 8.3 out of 10
TrustRadius is a review site for business software and services, including UserTesting.com. The site has 220 reviews, mostly from professionals who use UserTesting.com for their work. The reviews are generally positive, highlighting the benefits of UserTesting.com for gaining insights into user behavior, preferences, and feedback. The reviewers appreciate the quality and diversity of testers, the flexibility and customization of tests, and the speed and reliability of results. However, some of the reviews are negative, pointing out the drawbacks of UserTesting.com for its high cost, limited scalability, and occasional technical glitches.
This is how we review gigs
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