Why Most Survey Apps Are a Waste of Time
Let's be honest: 90% of survey apps are garbage. They either:
- Pay pennies per hour (less than $1/hr)
- Disqualify you after 10 minutes of screening questions
- Have $50+ minimum payouts you'll never reach
- Take weeks to send payment
I tested 50+ survey apps over 6 months to find the ones actually worth your time. These 15 apps have the best pay rates, lowest payouts, and actually send your money.
📊 Complete Comparison: Best Survey Apps
| App | Avg/Survey | Min Payout | Payment Speed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Freecash 🏆 | $0.50-3.00 | $0.10 | Instant! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2. Swagbucks | $0.40-2.00 | $3 | 1-3 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3. Survey Junkie | $1.00-3.00 | $5 | 1-2 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4. Branded Surveys | $0.50-2.00 | $5 | 1-2 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5. InboxDollars | $0.25-2.00 | $15 | 3-5 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 6. PrizeRebel | $0.50-2.50 | $2 | Same day | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 7. Pawns.app | $0.30-1.50 | $5 | 1-2 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 8. AttaPoll | $0.20-1.00 | $3 | 1-2 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 9. Prolific | $2.00-10.00 | $5 | 1-3 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 10. Gain.gg | $0.25-1.50 | $0.50 | Instant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Detailed Reviews: Top 10 Survey Apps
Why It's #1: Freecash has the highest payouts and instant withdrawals. You can cash out immediately to PayPal, crypto, or gift cards with almost no minimum.
Beyond surveys, they offer paid offers, games, and tasks. The variety means you always have ways to earn.
Payment Methods: PayPal, Bitcoin, Visa cards, Amazon, Steam, and 100+ gift cards
Pro Tip: Complete the "Offerwalls" for higher payouts than surveys!
💰 Join Freecash - Instant PayPal Withdrawals!
The only survey site where you can cash out INSTANTLY. No waiting days or weeks for your money.
💰 Join Freecash Free →Why It's Great: Swagbucks has been around since 2008 and has paid out over $800 million to users. It's the most trusted name in survey apps.
Beyond surveys, earn from watching videos, shopping cashback, playing games, and searching the web.
Payment Methods: PayPal, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Visa gift cards
Bonus: Get a $3 sign-up bonus!
Why It's Great: Survey Junkie has the highest pay per survey of any mainstream survey site. Surveys pay $1-3 each and take 5-15 minutes.
The interface is clean and you always know exactly how much you'll earn before starting a survey.
Payment Methods: PayPal, Bank transfer, Gift cards
📝 Survey Junkie - $1-3 Per Survey!
20 million users can't be wrong. The highest paying surveys available.
📝 Join Survey Junkie →Why It's Great: Prolific connects you with university researchers running legitimate studies. The pay rate is significantly higher than regular survey sites - often $8-15 per hour.
Studies are more interesting than typical surveys and you're actually contributing to real research.
Downside: Fewer surveys available - keep it open in a tab and check frequently.
Payment Methods: PayPal
Why It's Great: Branded Surveys has the lowest disqualification rate of any survey site. You'll actually complete most surveys you start.
Their loyalty program gives you bonus points the more you use it - up to 19% more per survey!
Payment Methods: PayPal, Amazon, Visa prepaid cards
6-15: More Survey Apps Worth Using
6. InboxDollars - $5 sign-up bonus. Good variety of earning methods.
7. PrizeRebel - Fast payments, $2 minimum. Been around since 2007.
8. Pawns.app - Surveys + passive bandwidth sharing. Double income!
9. AttaPoll - Best mobile survey app. Quick surveys on the go.
10. Gain.gg - Instant withdrawals, very low minimum.
11. LifePoints - Global availability, reliable payments.
12. Toluna - Product testing opportunities alongside surveys.
13. MyPoints - Sister site to Swagbucks, good for shopping cashback.
14. Pinecone Research - Higher paying but invite-only.
15. Opinion Outpost - Quick surveys, $5 minimum payout.
💰 How I Made $347 Last Month from Surveys
Here's my exact strategy for maximizing survey income:
| App | Time/Day | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Freecash | 15 min | $127.50 |
| Swagbucks | 10 min | $68.00 |
| Survey Junkie | 10 min | $72.32 |
| Prolific | 5 min (checking) | $54.00 |
| Branded Surveys | 5 min | $26.00 |
| TOTAL | ~45 min/day | $347.82 |
🚀 Tips for Maximizing Survey Earnings
1. Use Multiple Apps - When one app runs out of surveys, switch to another.
2. Complete Your Profile - Better matching = fewer disqualifications.
3. Be Consistent - Survey sites reward active users with better surveys.
4. Check Prolific Often - High-paying studies go fast!
5. Do Surveys During Off-Hours - Less competition = more surveys available.
6. Never Lie - Inconsistent answers get you banned.
7. Use a Dedicated Email - Survey invites add up fast.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What survey app pays the most?
Freecash and Prolific have the highest pay rates. Freecash offers the most opportunities while Prolific pays $8-15/hour for academic studies.
How much can you realistically make from surveys?
With multiple apps and 30-60 minutes per day, most people earn $100-400/month. Don't believe claims of $1000+/month - that's not realistic for surveys alone.
Why do I keep getting disqualified from surveys?
Surveys target specific demographics. Complete your profile fully, answer screening questions honestly, and use sites like Branded Surveys that have lower disqualification rates.
Are survey apps safe?
The apps listed here are all legitimate and safe. Avoid any site asking for SSN, credit card, or payment to join.
Which survey app has the fastest payouts?
Freecash and Gain.gg offer instant withdrawals. Most others pay within 1-3 business days.
🎯 Conclusion: Start Earning Today
Survey apps won't make you rich, but $100-400/month in extra income is very achievable with minimal effort. Start with these 3 apps:
- Freecash - Highest earnings, instant payout
- Swagbucks - Most variety, most trusted
- Survey Junkie - Best pay per survey
Add more apps as you get comfortable. The key is having multiple options so you always have surveys available.