A Rating of Online Paid Survey Panels
There are many articles and blogs here at Helium, and elsewhere on the net, to help us find the legitimate online paid survey panels amongst the multitude of scam sites. However, once the legitimate sites have been identified, there is still a huge gulf between the best and worst of these.
So here is my take on “The Good the Bad and the Ugly” of online paid survey panels. Let me state upfront, I am not a resident of the USA, thus excluding a number of good sites restricted to USA participation only. All the panels listed below accept international membership.
The Good.
Panels that offer cash or gift card/online voucher (nearly as good) rewards, send frequent survey invitations, and have paid up as promised on multiple occasions.
www.globaltestmarket.comIn 2010, GTM has deteriorated by introducing sweepstakes entries as the only reward on a number of its surveys. Just hanging on to a “Good” rating while I see how long it takes nom to reach the 1000 points required for the $50 redemption.
www.lightspeedpanel.comA reliable site, with regular invitations, fair rewards, and a low threshold for PayPal redemption.
www.pureprofile.comProbably my best site at present. Positives are (1) a cash only reward program, (2) high end rewards, (3) even consolation cash for non-qualifying. Slight downside, do not always send email invitations - it pays to log in to the members area daily.
www.surveyhead.comAnother site that only just made “Good.” Surveyhead reward by cash via PayPal, at the top end of the scale. However, considering their payout threshold is reasonably high, need to provide more survey opportunities. The time lapse in survey completion confirmation and payment verification also needs to be improved.
www.valuedopinions.comLike Lightspeed, a reliable, site, where regular $1 to $5 surveys quickly add up to the $20 required to choose a gift card that is promptly dispatched.
The Bad.
Panels that invite international membership but have not sent any survey invitations at all. Remember, I am not a USA or UK resident, but was allowed to join. Obviously, no further comment is required.
www.acop.com
www.brandinstitute.com
.www.dollarsurveys.net
www.globalsurveymarket.com
www.opinionbar.com
www.opinionsquare.com
www.panelbase.net
www.surveysavvy.com
The Ugly.
Panels that send survey invitations so infrequently that their payout threshold is not attainable in 12 months. Also, Panels that fall short of “Good” by failing one of the key elements - cash/cash equivalent reward, insufficient surveys invitations, or failing to pay up in reasonable time. In addition, one that does not offer incentives outside the USA.
www.harrispollonline.comSend survey invitations, including reminders, but when you read the ”fine print" you find that no incentives are offered outside the USA.
www.greenfieldonline.com(also known as Ciao surveys). The word that first comes to mind to describe this site is “frustrating.” Sends many survey invitations, but the qualifying rate is only about 15%. How can this be when they know their members demographic from all the profile surveys one is asked to complete? Also frustrating is the numerous technical problems experienced during their surveys - and unlike many of their peers, once the page drops out that’s it, no opportunity to resume. Final gripe - miserly cash incentives, although on the positive side, the payout threshold via PayPal is low. Stop Press: currently in the process of being absorbed by Toluna.
www.toluna.comLike its acquisition above, Greenfield Online, this site also has a low survey qualifying rate (but not quite as bad). It is also miserly with its incentives. Even worse, unlike Greenfield, it has a high redemption threshold, unless you settle for entries in sweepstakes. The upside of this site is it does have a number of diverse activities members can participate in.
www.opinionworld.com(run by SSI who operatewww.surveyspot.comin USA). Up until 2010, 90% of their surveys offered the incentive of entries in sweepstakes/prize draws, and the opportunity to donate to a specified charity. Occasionally the incentive was a one off cash amount paid via PayPal. Really not good enough for the time involved. However, they now offer points on some surveys that accumulate to a cash threshold payout. Not enough of them though for promotion to “Good”.
www.zoompanel.comActually have interesting surveys, but insufficient numbers to reach the payout threshold, which is high for rewards which are mediocre.
www.opinionmatters.comSimply insufficient surveys to reach payout threshold.
www.clearvoice.comSame; insufficient surveys to reach payout threshold.
Well that is it - but bear in my mind my demographic (including geographical location) has a considerable influence on a number of my observations. As I stated earlier, they are all legitimate sites, so do not be afraid to try any or all of them and form your own opinions.
