UserTesting Review: I’ve Made $1,235 Testing Websites and Apps — Here’s How It Actually Works

If you've ever wondered whether those websites that claim they'll pay you for your opinion actually work, UserTesting is one platform I can speak about from personal experience.

I first made a YouTube video about UserTesting when I had completed just 11 tests and earned $210 USD.

A lot has happened since then.

As of this update, I've now completed 138 tests and earned $1,235 USD through UserTesting.

So rather than giving you another review based on information pulled from the internet, I want to show you what UserTesting is actually like after using the platform myself.

I'll explain how it works, what you actually do during a test, why you'll get rejected from plenty of screeners, how much you could be offered for different opportunities, and some things I wish more people understood before signing up.

And no—this isn't something I'd recommend treating as guaranteed income.

But as one piece of an extra-income strategy? It's a platform I've continued to use long after making my first $210.

What Is UserTesting?

UserTesting connects companies and researchers with everyday people who can give feedback on websites, apps, prototypes and other experiences.

The idea is pretty simple.

Imagine a company is designing a new checkout page for its website.

The people building that page already know how it's supposed to work. What they need to know is what happens when someone who had nothing to do with designing it tries to use it.

Can you figure out where to click?

Is something confusing?

Does the design make sense?

Can you find the information you're looking for?

That's where testers come in.

Depending on the study, you may be asked to navigate a website, use an app, interact with a prototype or complete specific tasks while providing your feedback.

UserTesting currently describes its opportunities as including websites, apps, prototypes and real-world experiences.

You're essentially getting paid to provide the perspective of an actual user.

My UserTesting Earnings: $1,235 From 138 Tests

When I originally recorded my UserTesting tutorial, my dashboard showed:

11 completed tests

$210 USD earned

Today, those numbers look very different:

138 completed tests

$1,235 USD earned

That's an additional 127 tests since I made the original video.

But there's something important I want you to notice about those numbers.

If you simply divide $1,235 by 138, my overall average works out to roughly $8.95 per completed test.

That doesn't mean every test pays $8.95.

Far from it.

I've seen different payment amounts depending on the type of opportunity. Even when I had only completed 11 tests, I had already received a $60 test.

UserTesting itself says the reward varies depending on factors including the type and duration of the test and customer demand, and the amount you're being offered is displayed before you take a test.

That's why I don't think it's useful to advertise UserTesting as something like:

“Make $X per hour!”

That's not how my experience with the platform has worked.

Some days you may see opportunities. Other times you may not qualify for what appears.

Which brings us to probably the most important thing a new tester needs to understand.

You're Going to Get Rejected From Screeners

When you log in and see available tests, that doesn't automatically mean you can take all of them.

Many opportunities begin with screener questions.

These questions determine whether you fit the specific audience the researcher needs.

For example, you might be asked about:

• Your employment
• Your job level
• The industry you work in
• Products you use
• Shopping habits
• Hobbies
• Household information
• Technology you use

In my original video, I deliberately demonstrated this by answering screeners and getting the wonderful:

“That one wasn't a match.”

More than once.

😂

And that's normal.

If a company needs feedback from people working in a particular industry and you don't work in that industry, your opinion isn't necessarily useful for that specific study.

UserTesting explains that screeners are used to match customers with their target audience and can cover subjects such as employment, shopping habits, hobbies, likes and dislikes.

Don't lie on screeners just to qualify.

This is one of my biggest tips.

It can be tempting to figure out what you think the "correct" answer is.

Don't.

The purpose is to find people who genuinely fit the research criteria.

There will be tests you don't qualify for.

Move on to the next one.

What Do You Actually Do During a UserTesting Test?

This is the part that initially sounds intimidating but becomes much easier once you've done it.

For many tests, you're completing tasks while sharing your thoughts.

You might be looking at a website and be asked something like:

“Where would you go if you wanted to find the return policy?”

Instead of silently finding it, you explain your thought process.

You might say:

“I would probably look at the bottom of the page first because that's where I'd normally expect to find information about returns.”

Then you navigate the site.

Maybe the link is exactly where you expected.

Or maybe you can't find it.

That difficulty can actually be valuable feedback.

The company isn't hiring you to tell them everything is amazing.

They're trying to understand how a real person experiences what they've built.

UserTesting's current guidance continues to emphasize communicating your thoughts while completing tasks, and some tests may record your screen and voice. UserTesting

Watch My UserTesting Walkthrough

If you'd rather see the process instead of only reading about it, this is where I'd embed my original UserTesting walkthrough.

In the video, I take you through the signup process, show what the dashboard looks like, demonstrate actual screener questions and show my earnings at the time.

Just remember that the video was recorded when I had earned $210 from 11 tests.

My updated total is now $1,235 USD from 138 tests, and parts of UserTesting's interface and onboarding process may have changed since the video was recorded.

How Do You Sign Up for UserTesting?

The exact interface can change, but the current application process is straightforward.

UserTesting says applicants create an account, provide basic information, complete the required setup/checklist and complete its qualification process. A verified PayPal account is required for payments.

You'll also need compatible equipment for the tests you want to take.

Some opportunities can be completed on a computer, while others are designed for mobile devices. UserTesting currently supports testing through compatible computers and its mobile app.

One skill matters more than people realize: talking.

When you're recording feedback, don't just click around silently.

Explain:

What are you looking for?

What did you expect to happen?

Why did you click that button?

What confused you?

What would make this easier?

You don't need to sound like a professional product designer.

You're there precisely because they want the perspective of a user.

How Much Does UserTesting Pay?

There's no single answer.

UserTesting says compensation varies based on factors such as the test type, duration and customer demand, and you can see the reward amount for a test on your dashboard.

From my own experience, I've completed many different tests, and I've also received opportunities worth substantially more than a typical shorter test—including the $60 test I mentioned earlier.

That's why I'd look at UserTesting as variable extra income, not a predictable paycheck.

UserTesting itself says the number of available opportunities depends on customer needs and your profile/background.

You may have a great week.

You may have a slow week.

And you may answer several screeners before finally qualifying for something.

How Does UserTesting Pay You?

UserTesting currently pays participants in USD through PayPal.

For standard completed tests, payments are generally sent automatically 14 days after completion, and there's currently no minimum payout threshold.

That last part is useful.

You don't have to keep completing tests until you reach some large cash-out balance before receiving your money.

If you're outside the United States and want the funds in your local currency, PayPal can handle currency conversion.

My Tips for Getting More Out of UserTesting

After 138 tests, there are a few things I'd tell someone who's just starting.

1. Check consistently.

Don't sign up, check twice, see nothing interesting and decide the platform doesn't work.

Opportunities change.

2. Complete your profile accurately.

Your information helps determine which tests may be relevant to you. UserTesting says a more complete profile can help match participants with appropriate opportunities.

3. Don't fake your screener answers.

Getting rejected can be annoying, but trying to guess the answer a researcher wants isn't the solution.

4. Speak your thoughts clearly.

Don't just tell researchers what you're clicking.

Tell them why.

Instead of:

“I'm clicking Menu.”

Try:

“I'm clicking the menu because I expected the pricing information to be there, but I don't immediately see another place where I'd look for it.”

That's much more useful feedback.

5. Don't rush just because you're being paid.

Quality matters.

UserTesting says participant ratings can affect test invitations, and it specifically advises participants to take their time and complete tests properly.

6. Don't rely on UserTesting alone.

This may be the biggest one.

UserTesting is one of several platforms I use.

If your goal is to build meaningful extra income every month, relying on one platform means you're completely dependent on the opportunities that platform happens to have available for you.

I'd rather have several options.

That's exactly what I talked about in [7 Realistic Ways to Make an Extra $1,000 a Month Without Getting a Second Job].

And if you want to see other platforms I've personally been paid by, read [5 Legit Apps I've Personally Used to Earn Extra Money] next.

Those are perfect internal links for this article because someone reading this UserTesting review is already looking for additional earning opportunities.

Is UserTesting Legit?

Based on my personal experience, I can say something much more useful than simply repeating what another review says:

I've completed 138 tests and received $1,235 USD through the platform.

That doesn't mean you'll make $1,235.

It doesn't mean you'll qualify for the same tests I did.

And it definitely doesn't mean UserTesting will replace your regular income.

But I have personally used it, completed tests and been paid.

That's why UserTesting continues to be one of the platforms I include when talking about ways I've made extra money online.

Is UserTesting Worth It?

I think the better question is:

Is it worth having UserTesting as one of the tools in your extra-income stack?

For me, it has been.

I can complete opportunities remotely, I don't have to commit to a work schedule, and I'm free to ignore tests when I'm not interested.

But I also know I'm going to get screened out sometimes.

I know tests aren't guaranteed.

And I don't build my monthly budget assuming UserTesting is going to pay me a certain amount.

That's an important distinction.

I see UserTesting as extra money when the right opportunities are available, rather than guaranteed monthly income.

Looking for More Legit Ways to Earn Extra Money?

Don't stop at one platform.

You can use WinThat Discover to find more earning opportunities and platforms worth exploring.

And if UserTesting was your introduction to this type of side income, I recommend reading these two guides next:

→ 5 Legit Apps I've Personally Used to Earn Extra Money

This goes beyond UserTesting and covers several platforms I've actually used myself.

→ 7 Realistic Ways to Make an Extra $1,000 a Month Without Getting a Second Job

This one takes a broader approach. Instead of trying to find one app that'll magically generate $1,000, it shows how different income streams can potentially work together.

Because after trying a lot of different ways to earn extra money, that's the biggest thing I've learned:

Don't depend on one opportunity. Build options.