UserTesting Review: Getting Paid to Test Websites
Side hustle review
UserTesting Review:
Getting Paid to Test Websites
Getting paid to use websites and apps and share your honest opinion sounds like a dream side hustle. UserTesting is one of the best-known platforms that does exactly that, and it is often recommended to moms looking for flexible online work.
In this UserTesting review, we explain how it works, what the tests are like, how you get paid, what it realistically earns, and the honest pros and cons.
At a glance
- You get paid
- Per test, through PayPal, about 14 days later
- Time
- Usually 10 to 20 minutes per unmoderated test
- Requirements
- 18 or older, a working microphone, and a computer or smartphone
- Good to know
- Tests fill fast, and you will not qualify for every one
Our take: legit and one of the better-paying test sites, but volume is unpredictable. Treat it as a bonus, not a paycheck.
We are not affiliated with UserTesting and are not paid for this review.
What is UserTesting?
UserTesting is a company that helps businesses see how real people use their websites, apps, and products. Companies pay UserTesting to run tests. Contributors, sometimes called testers, complete those tests while recording their screen and speaking their thoughts out loud.
For example, you might be asked to find a product on a store’s website and buy it (without actually paying), then explain what was confusing or easy along the way. Your feedback helps companies improve their designs.
How UserTesting works, step by step
- Apply on the contributor section of the UserTesting website. You need to be at least 18 and have a working microphone, plus a computer or smartphone that meets the basic device requirements.
- Complete a short practice test so the company can check that you speak clearly and follow instructions.
- Once approved, watch your dashboard or email for available tests.
- Answer screener questions for each test. Companies are looking for specific types of people, so you will not qualify for every test.
- If you qualify, complete the test while recording your screen and voice. Follow the tasks and keep talking about what you notice.
- Submit the test. After a review period, payment is sent to you.
Types of tests
Unmoderated tests
The most common type. You complete tasks on your own time within the listed timeframe, often around 15 to 20 minutes.
Live interviews
Scheduled video calls with a company’s researcher. These usually pay more and take longer.
Mobile tests
Some tests use your phone to try an app or website, through the UserTesting app.
Short tasks
Occasionally very brief tests or questions that pay smaller amounts.
How you get paid
PayPal
how you get paid
About 14 days
after you finish a test
No minimum
for most payouts
UserTesting pays contributors through PayPal. Payment is usually sent about 14 days after you complete a test. There is no minimum balance to reach for most payouts, since each test is paid individually.
What UserTesting realistically pays
The per-test pay can be good for the time involved. The challenge is volume. Tests fill fast, and you may not qualify for many of the ones you see. Some weeks you might complete several tests. Other weeks you might get none.
Many contributors earn a modest, unpredictable amount each month, from nothing at all up to occasionally more for people who check often and fit many screeners. Live interviews can boost earnings significantly when you get them.
Your contributor rating also matters. Clear, thoughtful feedback earns better ratings, which may lead to more test invitations.
How much time does it take?
10 to 20minutes per unmoderated test
Unmoderated tests usually take 10 to 20 minutes. Live interviews are scheduled and typically run longer. The bigger time cost is checking for tests and answering screeners, since many fill within minutes.
For moms, the biggest challenge is noise. You need to talk out loud without kids interrupting or background noise drowning you out. Nap time, early morning, or after bedtime usually works best.
A few habits help your results: close extra browser tabs before recording, read each task twice, and keep talking even when things work smoothly. Companies want to hear what you expected to happen, not just what went wrong. A quiet, steady stream of honest thoughts is exactly what they pay for.
Quick answers
Is UserTesting legit?
Yes. It is an established company that pays contributors through PayPal.
Do you need special skills?
No technical skills are required. You need to follow instructions and clearly explain your thoughts out loud.
Why can’t you qualify for tests?
Companies want specific types of users. Keep your profile updated, answer screeners honestly, and check for new tests often.
UserTesting review: pros and cons
Pros
- Free to join.
- Good pay per test compared to surveys.
- Interesting, varied work, and your feedback genuinely helps.
- No minimum payout for individual tests.
- Flexible: take tests when it works for you.
Cons
- Unpredictable volume. Some weeks bring few or no tests.
- Tests fill quickly and screeners disqualify many people.
- Requires a quiet space and speaking out loud.
- Needs a computer with a microphone for most tests.
- Low ratings can reduce the tests you see.
Who UserTesting suits
UserTesting suits moms who are comfortable talking through their thoughts, have a computer and a quiet window of time, and want occasional extra money. It works well alongside other side hustles. It is not a fit if you need steady income or cannot find quiet time at home.
If you enjoy this kind of work, our Side Hustle Spotlights series covers other flexible options with realistic pay and time expectations. And Finding Your Perfect Side Hustle can help you figure out whether testing is a good long-term fit or a stepping stone.
Our verdict
UserTesting is legitimate and one of the better-paying options for online tests, but it is unpredictable. Sign up, do your best on each test to keep your rating high, and treat the earnings as a bonus rather than a paycheck.
Ready to try it?
Apply as a contributor on the official site and take the short practice test.
Ready to learn more?
If you are ready to learn more about flexible ways to earn from home, join Money Magic for Moms and get access to all of our courses, including Side Hustle Spotlights and Finding Your Perfect Side Hustle, plus everything else in our member library.
