UserTesting.com Review: Is It Worth It?

Unlimited Rewards

Earn up to 5x points on every $1 spent with your card.

SecurePay mobile app dashboard showing a $7,896 total balance, two Visa account cards, and finance navigation icons.
    A person with short hair and light stubble facing forward, centered against a solid green circular background.

    Steven Hillman FCA

    Chartered Accountant

    TaxStore® Founder & CEO

    Updated on:

    9 November 2023

    Our Guide on UserTesting.com 

    Every day, the digital landscape expands with countless new websites, each vying for attention.


    However, many launch with imperfections, and achieving a seamless user experience is a top priority. This is where UserTesting.com steps in, offering a platform where businesses seek real-world users to evaluate their websites. For those exploring lucrative side hustles, joining UserTesting.com's team of testers could be an attractive opportunity.


    Would you be willing to earn money by providing valuable feedback on websites? Wondering if the pay matches the effort? In this article, we'll delve into UserTesting.com, guiding you through what you need to know to decide if this is the side hustle that could pay off for you.

    About UserTesting.com

    The UserTesting logo, featuring the word

    User-friendly design is an important consideration when creating websites. Nobody will engage with a page that’s hard or frustrating to use. Website owners must design their pages with visitors’ needs in mind, but it’s hard to gain quantitative data about what these needs are.


    UserTesting.com bridges this gap by pairing registered testers with companies who need to find real-life, regular people who can evaluate their websites. In turn, the testers get paid for reviewing the website and sharing their human insight.


    The platform has been around since 
    1999, and is chiefly a US company — so, expect your payments to be made in US dollars. Thankfully, the website is available in the UK as well as other territories all over the world.

    Who Can Join the Website? 

    A person wearing glasses and earphones holds a tablet while viewing a UserTesting website hero banner.

    UserTesting.com requires you to be at least 18 years old to sign up. Having a laptop or a phone is a given since you’ll be testing websites. Make sure that your device has a working microphone as some tasks will require you to share your opinions out loud.


    Another minimum requirement you need to join is a PayPal account, as this is where UserTesting.com will send payments — make sure you have one before creating a profile on the platform.


    Before you can start reviewing a website, you will also need to do the 
    screener test. Customers will be able to see the results of your screener tests as well as the test video you upload — this is one way they can match their website to your demographic. If you pass the test, only then can you begin testing a website.

    Ways to Earn Money on UserTesting.com

    A stylized, black-and-white patterned piggy bank sits on top of green paper money against a purple background.

    Unlike other get-paid-to sites, there is only one way you can earn money on UserTesting.com: testing websites, web products, and other similar types of software. While the tasks may appear singular, however, there is actually a lot of variety in the things you will do.


    You may be asked to check the usability of a website page, test a prototype software or feature, or see how a website behaves on a mobile screen. Simply browse the available tests and see if you’re compatible with the website through the screener test.

    Earning Potential 

    A hand inserts a coin into a translucent piggy bank sitting on a white surface with paper money nearby.

    According to UserTesting.com, you could earn an average of $10 per test, which is a little above £8 as of writing. You could also earn up to $120 if you have a Live Conversation with a website owner or developer. Live Conversations are when you attend an online meeting with a UserTesting.com client and share your opinion about their website. Some tasks also provide a small bonus if you do well.


    The pay may seem good, but one major limiting factor is the frequency of tests. Some have reported doing only a few within a week. At most, you can take one to two tests a day. Another source of hindrance is the screener tests.


    These make it harder for you to qualify for some of the tasks. If you manage to get a test daily for five days, you could potentially earn around £40. Since most of the tests are 10 to 20 minutes long, you’ll only have to work for less than two hours during a week to reach £40.

    Getting Paid 

    Close-up of a blue PayPal app icon on a smartphone home screen, surrounded by other app icons on a red background.

    As we mentioned above, UserTesting.com requires you to have a PayPal account, which is where they’ll pay you. Unlike other task-oriented websites, UserTesting.com does not allow you to exchange money for gift cards.


    One other important thing to remember, as mentioned above, is that the website pays in US dollars. Thankfully, PayPal can instantly convert your money into the intended currency.

    Signing Up for UserTesting.com 

    A speech bubble stencil on a textured gray wall reading

    To become a tester on UserTesting.com, you must follow these steps.

    1. Visit the UserTesting.com website and click or tap “Get Paid to Test.”
    2. Enter your email and click “Get Started.”
    3. You will need to share the requested information, such as your complete name and address.
    4. Answer the practice test. Once you pass, you can start browsing for tasks.
    5. If you’re using a mobile phone, be sure to download the UserTesting app on the iOS App Store or Android Play Store.

    UserTesting.com Pros and Cons 

    Two sticky notes pinned to a corkboard, one light green labeled

    While reviewing UserTesting.com, we found several advantages and disadvantages that could affect your experience.

    Here’s what to expect as a tester.


    Pros

    • High payout for each task you accomplish
    • Consistent and reliable payouts
    • Anyone above 18 can join
    • Wide variety of tasks to do


    Cons

    • Payments are limited to PayPal
    • Screener tests can make it harder for you to qualify for a test
    • Test frequency may not always be reliable

    Is UserTesting.com a Good Side Hustle?

    Through UserTesting.com, you can try out websites and earn money by sharing your feedback.


    We’ve found that it’s a great side hustle, but we don’t recommend it as a main income source. You may not always qualify for tasks, and the frequency of tests is not overly reliable.

    ARTICLE SOURCES

    🔒 Subscribe to unlock the full article


    Join TaxStore for free to access the full version of this guide, plus tools, tips, and expert services to help you grow your business.


    Create your free account today – it only takes a minute.

    Disclaimer: This blog is for general purpose guidance, and no liability is accepted by TaxStore for action taken or not taken in reliance upon the contents of this blog. Where appropriate, professional advice should be obtained.