UserTesting Review and Earning Guide (In-Depth)

UserTesting.com offers the opportunity to make money testing websites and apps, but is it legit? Is it safe? Is it worth the time?

In this UserTesting review, we'll dive deep into all of those questions and more, sharing first-hand experience testing with UserTesting, along with reviews, insights, and data from other users and sources around the web.

For detailed info on how UserTesting works (for both clients and testers), who can become a tester, how much you can expect to earn, and more, keep on reading!

What is UserTesting.com?

UsertTesting.com is a usability testing platform that enables companies to test their websites, apps, products, prototypes, and more, with users of all different demographics and backgrounds.

Those users (aka testers or participants), are recruited by UserTesting and paid to complete usability tests on their own time as independent contractors.

According to Crunchase, Darrel Benatar (one of the co-founders of UserTesting), said the idea for UserTesting.com came about when he saw his co-worker Dave Garr doing usability testing on his businesses site, Suprise.com. After seeing its effectiveness, Darrel and Dave started UserTesting.com together to make usability testing easy for other designers.

Nowadays, UserTesting.com is one of the most popular usability testing platforms in the world, working with clients like Walmart, Dominos, Facebook, lululemon, and more.

Company Info

• Founded: 2007.
• Name: User Testing, Inc.
• Located: 690 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94107, US (HQ).
• Founders: Dave Garr | Darrell Benatar
• Socials: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
• Contact details: support@usertesting.com | 1-888-877-1882

Is UserTesting.com Legit?

UserTesting is undoubtedly a legitimate company. They've been around since 2007 delivering a valuable service to clients and allowing everyday internet users to make extra cash by participating in their usability tests. The company is very transparent, they're active on socials, and they pay.

This all being said, don't quit your day job just yet. Keep reading for more info on how exactly UserTesting.com works, how much you can expect to earn as a tester, and more.

Related: How to Spot Survey Scams & GPT Scams (in 10 Steps)

Who Can Join?

• Age requirement: 18 years old.
• Country requirements: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR China, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam
  • Note: if UserTesting already has enough testers from your country, they may not accept your application right away. Also, they're adding new countries regularly, so don't be afraid to apply just incase.
• Device requirements: PC, Mac, iOS, and Android are all supported. You'll need to download the UserTesting screen recorder and have a microphone (built-in to the device is fine as long as the sound quality is good). Must have a reliable internet connection.
• Payout requirements: PayPal account.
• Other requirements: Must be fluent in English.

Support Quality

UserTesting has a virtual assistant available 24/7 for common questions. For more complicated issues, you can contact them via the Tester Support Center or the email/phone number listed above.

They say their staff will get back to you “as soon as possible.” In our experience, this ranges from 3 hours to 48 hours. That said, some users have reported it taking much longer.

We sent a purposely vague request asking “How do I start?” and their response was prompt, polite, and professional. They followed up with links to get started as both a participant (test taker) or as a customer (companies/businesses). They also were happy to answer any follow-up questions.

While our support experience was good, overall, the support quality on UserTesting is a hit or miss. Based on reviews, if you have a more complicated issue, you may receive a response much more slowly (or, in some cases, not at all).

How UserTesting Works

UserTesting works as a middle-man between web developers and app developers who want to test their designs for usability issues and everyday people who want to make extra cash testing websites and apps.

They provide the software and handle all payments and support issues, making the process easy for both parties.

For Customers/Clients

If you're looking to test a website, app, prototype, or something else, UserTesting offers a free trial for new customers and they make it easy to get started.

You can use their on-site tools to set up your test in minutes, or you can get help from their research team for more complex studies. Tests can be self-guided or live interview style, can include all sorts of specific tasks and questions, and can be customized in many different ways.

When you're ready to distribute your test, you can either bring in your own audience or you can target UserTesting participants from specific demographics.

Once your test is distributed, you'll start receiving results in as little as an hour. You can then watch the feedback, annotate it, and share it with colleagues if needed. If you're unsatisfied with a test that you receive, you can request to have it replaced with a new one.

For Participants/Testers

To become a UserTesting participant, you'll first need to apply and take a practice test. If approved, you'll start receiving paid tests to your dashboard.

Some quick details about tests:

• Device requirements vary. Some tests are available on multiple devices, others require a specific kind of device.
• All tests will require you to record your screen and voice, but some will require a face recording as well.
• There are live interview tests. These are typically conducted over Zoom.

To qualify for a test, you'll need to pass an unpaid pre-screener of 1-10 questions. Some customers are looking for very specific people so you won't qualify for every test that hits your dashboard.

Once you do successfully qualify, taking a test is easy. For standard non-live (unmonitored) tests, you'll walk through a set of simple pre-written tasks while speaking your thoughts out loud. You may also be asked to leave some written feedback at the end.

Completed tests pay anywhere from $10-$60 each. Payments are sent via PayPal seven days after test completion.

Completed tests may also be rated by clients, out of five stars. Users with lower ratings will have fewer future test opportunities, so be as helpful as possible during every test you take. If you submit an extremely poorly done test, your payment may be canceled, but this is rare.

Note: We'll go into more detail on each different testing opportunity available and how they work below.

UserTesting.com Earning Potential

Regular unmonitored UserTesting tests pay $10 each and typically take 10-20 minutes. Live interview tests pay $1/minute or $60/hour (e.g. a 30-minute test will pay $30, a 60-minute test will pay $60, etc.).

Factoring in time spent taking unpaid screeners, you should expect to earn $15-$60/hour on UserTesting.

This is (mostly) in line with the data we've gathered from users we have interviewed as well, with users reporting average hourly earnings from $4-$40/hour ($16.80/hour avg.).

Average monthly earnings were reported from $10-$73/month, with an average of $36.60/month.

Work Volume

You won't receive/qualify for enough tests to earn the hourly rate discussed above consistently. You may only receive a handful of tests a day, and it may take 20 screeners just to qualify for 1 test. It all depends on your demographics and timing.

The average user can expect to qualify for 1-5 tests a month, or a few tests a week if they're really active in taking qualifiers.

This opportunity is definitely not a job replacement.

Payment Proof

UserTesting Review and Rating Breakdown

Ways to Earn Money as a UserTesting Participant

There are two main types of tests you can qualify for and earn money from on UserTesting.com:

1. Regular Unmonitored Tests

These are the most common tests available on UserTesting.com. They pay $10 each and involve completing a specific set of tasks on a website or app while recording your screen, voice, and sometimes even your face.

As an example, if you were testing a new movie theater app, you might be asked to add a movie ticket to your cart. You may also be asked more general questions like “How do you like this page?” or “Is this item where you would expect to find it? Why or why not?”

Once you're finished with the recorded tasks, you may also be asked to answer 1-4 written and/or multiple-choice questions.

Overall, a full test like this should only take around 10-20 minutes.

2. Live Interview Tests

These tests pay $60/hour and involve speaking live with a client over Zoom or another video conferencing software. Most of them require you to have a face cam.

In some cases, you'll be testing a website or app live. In others, you'll simply be answering a series of interview-like questions such as:

1. How knowledgeable are you about insurance?
2. What is your biggest concern when choosing an insurance provider?
3. Who do you consult with about your Insurance needs?

These tests can take anywhere from 30-120 minutes. When you qualify for one, you'll find the link to join the test on your dashboard, 15 minutes prior to the starting time.

Tip: Show up on time. Showing up late (or not at all) will hurt your rating and you won't get paid. If you need to cancel, do it as far in advance as possible.

How to Withdraw Your Earnings

All participants are paid via Paypal. You need a confirmed account in good standing to receive payments. Payment is sent exactly 7 days after a test is completed.

UserTesting Pros and Cons

UserTesting Reviews From Real Testers

To give you an idea of what others' experiences are with paid testing on UserTesting, here are some 2021 reviews of UserTesting from our own efforts interviewing users (all dollar amounts are in USD).

We've also included some late 2020 to early 2021 reviews of Usertesting from Trustpilot further below.

Positive Reviews

• “I love this app. I consistently get a few tests a week or more depending on how often I log in. The tests are on a variety of topics, and are usually fun to do. Customer service responds quickly, and payments are made quickly. Their website is easy to use and attractive.” – User from the US.
• “This month I was able [to] work with 3 tests and have [received] $10 each. I'm very happy in being a part of UserTesting. Thank you.” – User from India.
• “I have enjoyed the UserTesting experience so much. It has become a fun hobby that I get paid for! When problems have occurred the UserTesting customer service members have been responsive and have dealt with each issue I have had efficiently and fairly.” – User from the US.
• “UserTesting has been a fun way to earn a little extra cash… It has been fairly easy to get started and I appreciate their communication to keep things safe.” – User from the US.
• “It's just great company. had really great work experience” – User from India.

Average Reviews

• “UserTesting has a nice platform and I've made a fair amount of money off of it. The only downside is you spend 10x the amount of time completing their automatic screeners (only for them to say “sorry this isn't a fit”) as you do actually completing studies. If you're looking for a quick buck, this is not it.” – User from the US.
• “You can make a few bucks here and there which is nice, but don't expect to earn enough to live on. When you do get a test assigned, they can be quite good fun to do[…]” – User from Germany.
• “Most days I get nothing at all. Most tests I see require a camera, and the rest I don't qualify. I'm on my PC most of the day and I'm lucky to get an actual test once a week.” – User from Canada.
• “It's the best usertesting website I've ever seen . But I gave them four star because they are too slow [when responding to] mails and support” – User from India.
• “Sometimes while I am in the midst of pre test screening, the test suddenly becomes unavailable. Even though the test seems apt for me and proceeding nice with questions. This wastes a minute or so. Not much big deal but should be fixed.” – User from India.

Negative Reviews

• “I am really dissatisfied because I live in India and I rarely get any studies on my account like not even 2 per month” – User from India.
• “This is an easy way to make some extra money, but I have run into an issue multiple times while uploading a completed test on my Android mobile device, with the test crashing, not showing in the list of completed tests, or showing as Processing for over a month. Each time I have reported the issue and received no response from UserTesting support, and no payment for the completed tests, even after reporting the same issue multiple times. I have deleted the app from my phone and no longer complete tests that way due to this problem…” – User from the US.
• “Don't waste your time. I am on it [for] a few weeks and not getting any tests.” User from the US.
• “The site sometimes doesn't work and makes you get very low ratings and the support is one of the worst of the century, they answer you after a month and don't even answer you.” – User from Italy.
• “Customer service takes 3 weeks to respond to an email and then they don't even answer your question. They actually do NOT pay you when their tech screws up and doesn't upload a finished 15-min test video, so don't fall for that lie. Also, they will cancel live conversations the day of the conversation and not even tell you, let alone compensate you for saving that time for the conversation.” – User from the US.
• “I've been logged in for 2 weeks and I never really got something to test. I'm disappointed.” – User from Argentina.
• “Had the app for a while now and earned no money, but disappointed it’s not really student-friendly![…]” – User from the UK.

Summary

Usertesting.com has a surprising amount of negative reviews on Trustpilot. Their overall rating is a poor 2.7/5.

Most of the complaints are due to a low number of available tests, the pre-test screeners being annoying, bad customer support, and occasional bugs when conducting tests.

That said, some users have no problems earning money on the site and report a good experience. During our tests, we didn't have any issues either, which is why we were surprised by the low rating.

Want to help? If you're a Usertesting user, leave a review below!

Is UserTesting Worth It?

Although UserTesting isn't perfect, it's definitely worth trying out. It's one of the top paid usability testing sites on the web, offering a decently steady stream of testing opportunities and great hourly rates.

The application process is simple and quick as well — and the practice/qualification test is compensated, which is rare — so you don't have much to lose by applying.

Just keep in mind, you won't qualify for every test that comes your way, so don't expect to make a fortune off this site. The income you earn here can be very unpredictable. It's even tougher to qualify for tests if you're not near your phone/computer very often.

How to Get Started as a UserTesting Tester

Getting started with UserTesting is easy. The entire process should only take around 10-20 minutes (and part of it is paid).

Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

Step 1. Sign up to become a participant

If you're on a desktop computer, here's the application page. If you're on a mobile phone, you can download the UserTesting app from the App Store or Google Play store to get started.

To sign up, you'll need to provide your first and last name, location, payment info, username, and password.

Step 2. Take the practice test and complete your profile

The practice test is a quick intro test that takes around 10 minutes. It's used by UserTesting to see if you have what it takes to become a fully-fledged tester — and it'll give you a taste of what earning on the platform is like. As a nice little bonus, it pays $10.

Tip: While taking the practice test, be sure to test your mic beforehand, speak clearly, and follow instructions carefully. This test is very important to pass!

Once you're finished the practice test, you'll have to wait for the verdict from the UserTesting team. This usually takes no longer than 48 hours. They'll give you some feedback and a rating, and if your test is approved, you'll start receiving paid tests in your dashboard.

Around this time, you can also complete your UserTesting profile. Here, you'll be asked to provide your gender, birth year, household income, employment info, web browsers you have access to, web expertise level, languages you speak, and devices you have access to.

Tip: The info you provide in your profile will help UserTesting connect you with test opportunities, so be sure to keep it accurate and up to date.

Step 3. Start earning!

Now that you're approved, you can find available tests on the UserTesting site and app.

Look out for tests that you meet the requirements for, take screeners, and wait until you qualify for one. Don't give up right away if you're not qualifying for anything, it can take some time. Good luck!

UserTesting Alternatives and Similar Opportunities

Here are some UserTesting alternatives that we've reviewed:

• TryMyUI – A popular usability testing site very similar to UserTesting.com. Read our TryMyUI review to learn more.
• PlaytestCloud – Get paid to test mobile games on iOS or Android. Read our PlaytestCloud review to learn more.

For more opportunities and ideas, check out these guides:

• Paid usability testing sites – Full list of sites like UserTesting.com that pay you to test other websites and apps. Plus, tips and tricks to help you become a better usability tester.
• Micro job sites – Full list of sites offering paid tasks and other small jobs.
• Paid survey sites – Full list of the top survey sites.
• GPT (Get Paid To) Sites – Ultimate list of sites that will pay you to do a variety of tasks + tips.
• Focus groups – These offer some high payouts for easy work but they're infrequent. Try Respondent.io or User Interviews.
• Ways to make extra money – Tons of other ideas on how to make extra cash on the side!

Want to work from home full-time? Read my guide on how to start working from home.

Final Thoughts

If you're a UserTesting user, please click here to leave your own short UserTesting review (or thoughts/feedback) in the comments. Thanks! It helps a lot.

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