When looking for ways to make money online, a popular option you always see is online survey sites. But are online surveys worth it? In this post we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of these types of reward sites and if they are worth using or not.
What Are Online Surveys?
Online survey sites may also be referred to more generally as online rewards sites. They are websites and apps that allow users to earn compensation for completing a range of simple tasks.
The most common tasks available are usually online surveys. But many sites allow users to complete addition tasks such as watching videos, playing games, listening to music and other similar activities.
These sites are usually free to use and many of them are available to a global audience. This makes them very accessible and a popular choice for anybody looking to make free money in their spare time.

Are Online Surveys Legit?
People often ask the question, are online surveys legit as it sounds too good to be true earning money for basic tasks. Yes, online surveys and reward sites are a legitimate way to earn money online. However, there are some scam websites out there that are not legit.
It’s also important to note that online survey sites can vary widely in quality, features and payment options. Some for instance use points based earnings systems, others cash. Some have very low payout thresholds whereas others could take months to build up enough to cash out.
And talking of payments, payout options can also really vary. Most sites do pay out in some form of cash but some may only pay out in gift vouchers. Cryptocurrency is also becoming a more popular payout option with some sites paying exclusively in cryptocurrency.

So, Are Online Surveys Worth It?
When asked, are online surveys worth it, we answer both yes and no. It probably depends on the person. Overall we lean more towards answering no, online surveys are not worth it for most people. This is due to the time/reward trade off. Generally speaking the amount of time spent completing surveys is not proportionate to the reward on offer.
The time spent completing surveys could probably be better spent on something that is more rewarding. Starting your own side hustle for instance would probably yield much better earnings if you are dedicated to spending enough time on them.
Online survey sites do have the advantage of being free to use. But many other ways of making money online are also free and are likely to provide you with a more substantial income. We recommend you check out this list of 50 ideas for online income streams.
But are online surveys worth it for some people? Sure, they have their place. Not everybody is looking to build an online income. For some people it is a simple and free way to make a few extra dollars in those few minutes of spare time. If you enjoy completing surveys then ensure you use the best free rewards apps.
Many of these sites offer money for free just for signing up. For example, sites like Timebucks give you $1 on sign up.

Online Survey Sites Pros & Cons
There are several pros and cons to online survey sites as listed below.
Pros
- Free to use
- Very accessible
- Multiple ways to earn such as surveys, games, videos etc.
- Various payment options.
Cons
- Amount of time spent on tasks isn’t always worth the reward.
- May take a lot of time to reach payout thresholds.
- Surveys may shut you out early.
Conclusion: Are Online Surveys Worth It?
So, are online surveys worth it? We do still recommend online survey sites as they may be a convenient option for some people. However for anybody that wants to make more serious money online then they are probably not worth it. The time it takes in completing tasks could be better spent in some other online venture with higher earnings potential.
For the equivalent time spent completing online surveys and reaching payout thresholds, you could probably set up a side hustle that will earn you much more money.
For instance, you could probably create a blog post or affiliate marketing campaign in the same amount of time. Both of which present a greater likelihood of providing a substantial income.
View more online income ideas on our blog including;
- Why you need multiple sources of income
- 50 ideas for building online income streams.
- How anybody can make money freelancing on Insolvo
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