Legit Survey Websites That Pay Cash: A Complete Guide to Earning Online
In the digital age, making money from home has become more accessible than ever before. One of the most popular methods of earning online is through paid surveys. But with so many options available, how do you know which survey sites are legitimate and truly pay cash?
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about legit survey websites that pay cash, including:
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How paid surveys work
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What to look for in a legitimate survey site
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A list of 20+ trustworthy sites that pay real cash
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Tips to maximize your earnings
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Common scams to avoid
Let’s dive in!
How Paid Surveys Work
Paid surveys are part of a larger industry called market research. Companies want to understand consumer behavior so they can improve their products and services. Instead of hiring full-time focus groups, they often contract survey platforms that collect feedback from real users.
These survey sites then pay participants a small fee—typically ranging from $0.50 to $10 per survey—for their time and opinions.
What Makes a Survey Site Legit?
Before you sign up for any survey site, you should verify it meets these criteria:
✅ Pays in cash or PayPal, not only gift cards
✅ Has a reasonable payout threshold (ideally under $25)
✅ Transparent privacy policy
✅ No hidden fees or monthly subscription charges
✅ Positive online reviews on platforms like Trustpilot
✅ Registered company or long-standing reputation
Top 20+ Legit Survey Sites That Pay Real Cash
Here’s a list of trusted survey websites that consistently pay users in cash or PayPal:
1. Swagbucks
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Website: https://www.swagbucks.com
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Payout: PayPal cash, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $1
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Highlights: Offers surveys, watching videos, shopping rewards
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Trustpilot Score: 4.3/5
2. InboxDollars
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Website: https://www.inboxdollars.com
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Payout: PayPal, check
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Min. Payout: $15
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Highlights: Daily surveys, paid emails, games
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Trustpilot Score: 4.2/5
3. Survey Junkie
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Website: https://www.surveyjunkie.com
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Payout: PayPal, bank transfer
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Min. Payout: $5
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Highlights: Focused solely on surveys
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Trustpilot Score: 4.5/5
4. Branded Surveys
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Website: https://www.brandedsurveys.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $5
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Highlights: High-paying surveys and loyalty points system
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Trustpilot Score: 4.3/5
5. LifePoints
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Website: https://www.lifepointspanel.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $10
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Highlights: Easy and short surveys
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Trustpilot Score: 4.2/5
6. Toluna Influencers
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Website: https://www.toluna.com
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Payout: PayPal, sweepstakes
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Min. Payout: $10
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Highlights: Fun community features
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Trustpilot Score: 4.1/5
7. Pinecone Research
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Website: https://www.pineconeresearch.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $3
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Highlights: High-paying surveys, exclusive membership
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Trustpilot Score: 4.0/5
8. YouGov
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Website: https://www.yougov.com
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Payout: PayPal
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Min. Payout: $50
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Highlights: Political and social topic surveys
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Trustpilot Score: 4.2/5
9. MyPoints
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Website: https://www.mypoints.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $5
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Highlights: Surveys, cashback on shopping
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Trustpilot Score: 4.3/5
10. InboxPays
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Website: https://www.inboxpays.com
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Payout: Check, PayPal
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Min. Payout: $50
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Highlights: Paid emails, surveys
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Trustpilot Score: 4.0/5
11. PrizeRebel
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Website: https://www.prizerebel.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $5
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Highlights: Great for consistent earners
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Trustpilot Score: 4.2/5
12. Opinion Outpost
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Website: https://www.opinionoutpost.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $5
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Highlights: Quick surveys
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Trustpilot Score: 4.1/5
13. InboxResearch
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Website: https://www.inboxresearch.com
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Payout: PayPal
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Min. Payout: $20
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Highlights: High payout surveys
14. FusionCash
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Website: https://www.fusioncash.net
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Payout: PayPal, check
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Min. Payout: $25
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Highlights: Surveys, paid offers
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Trustpilot Score: 4.0/5
15. Ysense
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Website: https://www.ysense.com
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Payout: PayPal, Skrill
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Min. Payout: $5
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Highlights: Global availability
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Trustpilot Score: 4.3/5
16. Panda Research
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Website: https://www.pandaresearch.com
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Payout: PayPal
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Min. Payout: $50
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Highlights: Long surveys, email offers
17. Prolific
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Website: https://www.prolific.com
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Payout: PayPal
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Min. Payout: $6.50
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Highlights: Academic research, high pay per survey
18. Ipsos i-Say
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Website: https://www.i-say.com
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Payout: PayPal, gift cards
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Min. Payout: $10
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Highlights: Brand and product opinion surveys
19. Hiving
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Website: https://www.hiving.com
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Payout: PayPal
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Min. Payout: $4
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Highlights: Simple registration
20. QuickThoughts
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App: Available on iOS/Android
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Payout: Amazon, Visa gift cards (some regions offer PayPal)
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Min. Payout: $10
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Highlights: Short and mobile-friendly surveys
Tips to Maximize Earnings from Paid Surveys
Earning a full-time income from surveys alone is rare, but you can increase your side income significantly using these tips:
Sign up for multiple sites
The more platforms you use, the more survey invitations you'll get.
Create a dedicated email
Avoid clutter in your main inbox by using a separate email for survey accounts.
Be honest and consistent
Dishonest or inconsistent answers may disqualify you from surveys or even ban you.
Log in daily
Some sites reward regular login streaks or give daily survey bonuses.
Use survey apps on mobile
This helps you answer surveys on the go and maximize free time.
Refer friends
Many platforms offer bonus cash for referring friends who join and participate.
Red Flags: How to Avoid Survey Scams
Unfortunately, not every survey website is trustworthy. Here are signs to avoid survey scams:
🚫 They ask for a joining fee
Legitimate sites will NEVER ask for money to sign up.
🚫 Promise “get rich quick”
Surveys offer side income, not thousands overnight.
🚫 Unclear payout methods
If they don't tell you how and when you’ll get paid—run.
🚫 Too many ads or spam emails
A constant barrage of unrelated ads is often a scam sign.
🚫 No contact info or privacy policy
Lack of transparency is a huge red flag.
How Much Can You Earn from Survey Sites?
On average:
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$0.50 to $3 per survey
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$50–$200 per month (if active daily across multiple platforms)
It depends on your location, demographic, and the number of surveys you qualify for.
Pro Tip: U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia residents get the most survey invites.
Conclusion
Online surveys offer a legit and flexible way to make extra money from home. While it won’t make you rich, joining the right platforms and using the best strategies can help you build a consistent side income.
Whether you're looking to earn a few extra dollars a week or save up for something special, these legit survey sites that pay cash can help get you there.
Quick Summary of Top Legit Survey Sites:
Site | Payout Type | Min. Payout | Avg. Rating |
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Swagbucks | PayPal, gift cards | $1 | ★★★★☆ |
InboxDollars | PayPal, check | $15 | ★★★★☆ |
Survey Junkie | PayPal, Bank | $5 | ★★★★☆ |
LifePoints | PayPal | $10 | ★★★★☆ |
Ysense | PayPal, Skrill | $5 | ★★★★☆ |
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