ValueMe
ValueMe Review
ValueMe is a mobile app that tracks what you do on your phone. In return for your permission to access your mobile data, you can earn virtual points which can be exchanged into real rewards. This is a passive earning opportunity, but be warned; you’ll be asked to share A LOT of personal data. We’ve taken a closer look at what ValueMe is all about.
What’s the concept?
ValueMe is a so-called “online meter” which is used to collect data through your mobile phone. The overall purpose is to provide insights into how users engage with apps and websites on their phones. In this way, consumer brands can see where their users are going; which brands they engage with; what draws their attention; how and where they spend their time. Researchers then analyse the data to provide real-time insight and a better understanding of the online customer journey.
Is ValueMe a legit app?
ValueMe is owned by Qrious Insight, which is a new market research startup. The company is run by seasoned professionals from the insights industry, and there is nothing to suggest that the app is not fully legit.
Data Privacy: Potential drawbacks
Your personal data are valuable, which is why the ValueMe app rewards its members for their active consent to track their data on an ongoing basis. Here is a breakdown of data points that you will be asked to share, sorted by the information you’ll provide actively and passively:
Actively submitted data (based on you actively submitting your answers):
- Registration data: As part of signing up you’ll be asked to fill in data points such as your name, email address and phone number.
- Personal profile information: You’ll be asked to complete your personal profile, which will include information such as age, gender, address, zip code, income and education.
- Survey questions: The surveys can contain any question, from your shopping habits to medical treatments.
Passively submitted data (based on the app transmitting your data):
- Location: Approximate and exact location of where you are
- Personal info: email address, user-ID, race & ethnicity and other info
- Financial info: Purchase history
- App activity: Which apps you are using and for how long
- Web browsing: Which websites you’re visiting and for how long
- Device ID: The unique device ID linked to your phone
While some people might find this level of data sharing intrusive, others will see it as a great opportunity to earn extra money with a minimum of effort.
How to get started
This is an invitation-only app, which means you’ll need a valid link to get registered. Once you download the app, enter your phone number (must be a valid US phone number). Your account will be created when your phone number is confirmed via an SMS code. You also need to verify your email address.
Once registered, fill in the “About Me” survey, enable activity tracking and location tracking and just keep the app installed for as long as you wish.
Tasks you’ll able to earn money from, include:
- Passively sharing of location and web data: You need to actively consent to this first.
- Surveys: You’ll get points for completing consumer surveys
- Tasks: Earn extra from specific tasks such as online diaries, focus groups and scanning receipts
How much can you make on MobileXpression?
For each day that data tracking is enabled, you will receive points. At the time of writing this review, they pay $0.15 for each day of tracking, which makes it possible to earn the minimum payment of $5 in a bit more than a month based on just passively having the app installed. In addition to this, you’ll be able to earn extra points by completing tasks and surveys.
After earning at least 500 points (worth $5), you can redeem your points. Cash rewards can be transferred to your PayPal account, and gift cards are sent in digital form. Gift card options include Amazon, and Google Play, as well as pre-paid Visa cards. Alternatively, users can donate their points to charity.
- PayPal payments – Minimum 1200 points ($12.00)
- Amazon gift card – Minimum 1000 points ($10.00)
- Pre-paid Visa card – Minimum 1000 points ($10.00)
- Google Play gift card – Minimum 500 points ($5.00)
Points value: 100 ValueMe points = $1.00
Featured Passive Data Sharing Apps
- Surveys match well
- Short surveys
- A broad selection of topics
- Sporadic survey invitations
- Well functioning app
- Intuitive user interface
- Not quite living up to its ambitious marketing messages
- Passive earnings
- Well functioning app
- Additional earning options
- Transparent
- Low payment threshold
- Several reward options
- Potential privacy concerns around data sharing
- Decent Pay
- Does not drain the battery or impact your device
- Completely passive
- No PayPal cash
- Privacy concerns around data sharing
- Passive income once the apps are installed
- Good compensation compared to taking surveys
- You'll be sharing a massive amount of data about your online behaviour
- Some technical glitches in terms of VPN and Apps slowing down your devices
- The reward level of £10 per month has been the same for more than 5 years.
- No cash option
- Frequent survey opportunities
- More rewards than "just" surveys are available
- A legit company with a long history in the survey industry
- Low payout threshold
- Several payout options
- Both mobile app and browser support
- Lots of screenout questions
- Low incentives
- Below-average survey experience
