Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Justin Bryant
If you recently tried signing up for Amazon Mechanical Turk, you probably ran into an unexpected message saying the platform is no longer accepting new worker applications.
For years, MTurk was one of the easiest ways to find online microtasks. Whether you wanted to complete surveys, label images, verify business information, or earn a little extra money in your spare time, it was one of the first platforms people recommended.
Now, new workers need to look elsewhere.
The good news is that you have more options today than ever before.
Since Mechanical Turk launched in 2005, the online microtask industry has changed dramatically. What started as simple data entry and survey work has evolved into a much broader market that includes data annotation, AI training, search evaluation, market research, content moderation, and dozens of other remote freelance opportunities.
In many ways, today's platforms are actually more specialized than MTurk ever was.
Some focus on quick microtasks you can complete in a few minutes. Others specialize in academic research studies. Some hire contributors to evaluate AI models, while others offer longer-term freelance projects with more predictable pay.
The challenge isn't finding alternatives.
It's knowing which one fits the kind of work you're actually looking for.
That's exactly what this guide is designed to help with.
Rather than simply listing websites similar to Amazon Mechanical Turk, I'll explain what each platform does well, where it falls short, and who I think should use it. I've also reviewed several of these companies individually using the same scoring system, so you'll find recommendations based on hands-on research rather than affiliate rankings.
Before we get into the list, there's one important update you should know.
Amazon hasn't completely shut Mechanical Turk down. Existing workers can still use the platform, but as of July 30, 2026, new worker registrations have been closed, and Amazon says it doesn't plan to introduce new features going forward. If you don't already have an account, you'll need to choose one of the alternatives below instead.
What Makes a Good Amazon Mechanical Turk Alternative?
One thing I want to point out before jumping into the rankings is that there isn't a perfect replacement for Amazon Mechanical Turk.
MTurk was unusual because it combined several different types of online work into a single platform. On any given day, you might find surveys, data labeling projects, image annotation, transcription, market research, or simple data verification tasks all in the same marketplace.
Most modern platforms don't work that way.
Instead, they've become much more specialized.
Some focus almost entirely on AI training. Others are built around academic research studies. Some specialize in search evaluation or content moderation, while others still offer the short microtasks that made MTurk so popular.
That's actually a good thing.
Rather than trying to recommend one website that does everything, I think it's more helpful to match the platform to the type of work you're interested in.
As I evaluated these alternatives, I focused on a few things that I think matter most to former MTurk workers:
- Similarity to the types of tasks available on MTurk.
- Work consistency.
- Pay transparency.
- Flexibility.
- Overall reputation.
- Long-term viability.
I also leaned toward companies that have been around for several years.
The AI training industry changes quickly, and new platforms seem to appear every month. While some of those companies may turn out to be excellent, I generally have more confidence recommending platforms that have established track records and have continued operating through multiple changes in the industry.
With that in mind, here are the alternatives I think are most worth considering.
1. Clickworker
Best Overall Amazon Mechanical Turk Alternative
If someone asked me today which platform comes closest to replacing Amazon Mechanical Turk, my answer would be Clickworker.
While no platform is an exact replacement, Clickworker offers many of the same types of flexible, task-based work that made MTurk popular. You can complete assignments whenever you have free time; there's no long-term commitment, and the work is generally accessible even if you're new to online side hustles.
Like MTurk, Clickworker offers a wide variety of microtasks.
Depending on what's available, you may find opportunities involving:
- Data labeling.
- Data annotation.
- AI training support.
- Surveys.
- Product categorization.
- Internet research.
- Data collection.
- Even occasional in-person projects, such as photographing retail displays.
One area where I think Clickworker improves on MTurk is work consistency.
It's still not something I'd rely on as a full-time income, but I generally found more active opportunities available than I did on Amazon Mechanical Turk during its later years. The platform also supports payment methods like PayPal, which many contributors will find more convenient than MTurk's older payment system.
That doesn't mean Clickworker is perfect.
One complaint I still have is that you'll occasionally click on a listed project only to discover it has already filled or is no longer available. It's frustrating, but it's also a fairly common issue across microtask platforms.
Overall, though, I think Clickworker delivers the closest experience to what MTurk originally offered.
It's beginner-friendly, flexible, has a long operating history, and supports several different types of online work instead of focusing on just one niche.
Why I Recommend Clickworker
- One of the closest experiences to MTurk.
- Good variety of microtasks.
- Better work consistency than MTurk's final years.
- Supports PayPal payments.
- Beginner-friendly.
- Long-established platform with a solid reputation.
In my own review, Clickworker earned 20 out of 30 points, with a weighted score of 60%, making it one of the highest-rated microtask platforms I've reviewed.
If your goal is simply to replace Amazon Mechanical Turk with something that feels familiar, I think Clickworker is the best place to start.
2. Prolific
Best for Paid Research Studies and AI Evaluation
If the survey and research side of Amazon Mechanical Turk appealed to you more than the data labeling work, then Prolific is probably the first platform I'd recommend looking at.
While it isn't a direct replacement for MTurk, it fills a very similar niche by connecting contributors with universities, researchers, and technology companies that need human participants for studies and AI-related projects.
One of the biggest differences is quality.
Amazon Mechanical Turk mixed together thousands of different requesters, which meant the quality of work and pay varied dramatically from one HIT to another.
Prolific takes a much more curated approach.
Instead of browsing an open marketplace, you'll typically receive studies that match your demographic profile, education, professional background, or other characteristics you've shared during registration.
Depending on your qualifications, you may find opportunities such as:
- Academic research studies.
- Consumer research.
- Behavioral studies.
- Market research surveys.
- AI evaluation.
- AI training projects.
- Research interviews.
If you've read my full Prolific review, you'll know I think the platform has a lot going for it.
Studies generally explain what you'll be doing, how long they'll take, and what you'll earn before you accept them. Compared to Amazon Mechanical Turk, I think that's a meaningful improvement in transparency.
That said, Prolific has its own challenges.
The biggest one is the waitlist.
Unlike Clickworker, where most people can create an account relatively quickly, Prolific approves contributors based partly on demographics and current research demand. That means some applicants receive access quickly, while others may wait weeks or even months before they're invited onto the platform.
Work consistency is another area where expectations matter.
Just because you're accepted doesn't mean you'll have a constant stream of studies available.
Much like MTurk, opportunities depend on researcher demand and whether your profile matches the type of participants they're looking for.
Personally, I don't think Prolific should replace a full-time job.
I think it works much better as one piece of a broader side-income strategy.
If you combine it with platforms like Clickworker or TELUS Digital, you'll have a much better chance of finding work consistently than relying on any single platform.
Why I Recommend Prolific
- Excellent for paid research studies.
- Better study quality than many survey platforms.
- AI evaluation opportunities.
- Clear study descriptions and estimated completion times.
- Flexible schedule with short-term projects.
In my review, Prolific earned 17 out of 30 points, resulting in a weighted score of 58%. While it scored slightly lower than Clickworker because of its waitlist and inconsistent work availability, I still think it's one of the strongest choices if you're specifically looking for studies, surveys, and AI research rather than traditional microtasks.
If the research side of Amazon Mechanical Turk was your favorite part of the platform, Prolific is the alternative I'd recommend exploring first.
3. TELUS Digital
Best for Long-Term AI Projects and More Consistent Freelance Work
If you're looking for something that's a step above traditional microtasking, I think TELUS Digital is one of the strongest alternatives to Amazon Mechanical Turk.
It's not an exact replacement.
Instead of focusing on hundreds of small, independent tasks like MTurk, TELUS Digital specializes in larger AI projects that are often more structured and, in my experience, have the potential to provide more consistent work once you're accepted.
The company has been involved in AI data services for many years and hires contributors around the world for a variety of remote freelance roles.
Depending on your location, you may find opportunities such as:
- Search engine evaluation.
- AI response rating.
- Online map analysis.
- Digital content evaluation.
- Internet safety projects.
- Social media evaluation.
- Content review.
- Data annotation and AI-related analysis.
While these aren't always the quick five-minute tasks that MTurk became known for, they appeal to many of the same people who enjoy flexible online work.
The biggest difference is that projects tend to be more structured.
Rather than constantly searching for individual tasks, you're often accepted into a specific project where you complete similar work over a longer period of time. That can lead to more predictable hours and steadier earnings than constantly refreshing a marketplace looking for the next available HIT.
Another advantage is pay.
Although compensation varies depending on your country and the project you're assigned to, many TELUS Digital positions advertise hourly rates instead of paying contributors on a task-by-task basis. Personally, I prefer that approach because it makes it much easier to estimate what you'll actually earn before committing your time.
Of course, there are trade-offs.
Because these projects are generally longer term, the hiring process can be a little more involved than simply creating an MTurk account. Some positions require assessments or qualification exams, and you'll need to wait for projects that match your location and experience.
For me, that's a worthwhile trade.
I'd much rather spend a little extra time qualifying for a project if it means having access to steadier work afterward.
Why I Recommend TELUS Digital
- More consistent project-based work.
- Global hiring for many roles.
- Hourly pay on many projects.
- Strong reputation in the AI industry.
- Flexible part-time schedules.
- Long-established company with years of experience.
While TELUS Digital isn't the closest match to Amazon Mechanical Turk, I think it's one of the best options for people who want to move beyond microtasks and into more stable AI evaluation and search analysis work.
If your goal is simply to earn a few dollars here and there, Clickworker may be the better fit.
But if you're hoping to build a more reliable freelance income stream over time, I think TELUS Digital is one of the strongest platforms to consider.
Other Amazon Mechanical Turk Alternatives Worth Considering
The first three platforms on this list are the ones I'd recommend to most people because they each cover a major part of what made Amazon Mechanical Turk popular.
Clickworker is the closest overall replacement for microtasks.
Prolific is my favorite for paid research studies and surveys.
TELUS Digital is the best option if you're looking for more structured AI projects with the potential for steadier work.
That said, they aren't your only choices.
Here are a few other platforms I think are worth keeping on your radar.
Toloka
If you're looking for another microtask platform that's fairly easy to get started with, Toloka is a solid option.
Like MTurk, Toloka offers a variety of short online tasks that can usually be completed whenever you have spare time. Depending on your location, you may find opportunities involving:
- Data labeling.
- Image annotation.
- Search evaluation.
- AI-related tasks.
- Product categorization.
- Surveys.
I like Toloka because it's generally beginner-friendly and doesn't require a major time commitment.
The biggest drawback is that work availability varies quite a bit depending on your country and the projects that happen to be active.
I wouldn't rely on it as my only source of income, but I do think it's worth adding alongside Clickworker if you're trying to maximize the number of available microtasks.
DataAnnotation.tech
If you're interested specifically in AI training, DataAnnotation.tech is one of the fastest-growing platforms in this space.
Unlike Amazon Mechanical Turk, which focused heavily on simple microtasks, DataAnnotation.tech hires contributors to help evaluate and improve AI models.
Depending on the project, you might be:
- Comparing AI responses.
- Writing prompts.
- Evaluating chatbot accuracy.
- Rating AI-generated content.
- Completing coding or technical tasks.
The platform generally pays better than traditional microtask websites, but it's also much more selective.
Many projects require passing assessments, and some are specifically designed for contributors with expertise in writing, programming, mathematics, or other specialized fields.
If you're looking to move beyond entry-level microtasks, I think this is one of the most interesting platforms available today.
OneForma
OneForma offers a broad mix of AI-related freelance projects.
Its opportunities often include:
- Data collection.
- Search evaluation.
- Data annotation.
- Translation.
- Audio recording.
- AI training.
One thing I like about OneForma is the variety of work.
Rather than specializing in one area, it offers projects across multiple categories, giving contributors more ways to qualify for assignments.
That said, I wouldn't rank it as highly as Clickworker or TELUS Digital.
In my own review, concerns around reputation and contributor experiences kept it from earning a higher overall score.
Still, if you've already signed up for the platforms above, OneForma can be another useful account to have.
Alignerr
Alignerr is one of the newer companies focused almost entirely on AI training.
Unlike Amazon Mechanical Turk, it isn't really designed for simple data entry or survey work.
Instead, many of its projects involve evaluating AI-generated content or applying professional expertise to improve large language models.
Because of that, Alignerr tends to be a better fit for:
- Software developers.
- Writers.
- Teachers.
- Scientists.
- Engineers.
- Other subject matter experts.
It's not the easiest platform to get into, but if you have specialized knowledge, it can be a worthwhile option to explore.
Outlier AI
Outlier AI has become another major player in AI training over the last few years.
Like Alignerr and DataAnnotation.tech, it focuses on helping companies improve generative AI models rather than offering traditional microtasks.
Projects vary considerably, but they often involve:
- AI evaluation.
- Prompt writing.
- Fact-checking.
- Editing AI responses.
- Subject matter expertise.
One thing I always tell people about platforms like Outlier is to treat them differently than MTurk.
These aren't websites where you'll log in and complete dozens of five-minute tasks.
Instead, they're designed around larger projects that often require passing assessments before you're accepted.
If that's the type of work you're looking for, Outlier can be a strong addition to your list.
Which Amazon Mechanical Turk Alternative Should You Choose?
The answer really depends on what you liked most about MTurk.
If your favorite part was completing lots of small tasks whenever you had free time, Clickworker is probably the closest replacement.
If you primarily completed surveys and research studies, Prolific is the stronger choice.
If you'd rather move into longer-term AI evaluation work with more predictable projects, I'd recommend TELUS Digital.
For people who want to expand beyond traditional microtasking altogether, platforms like DataAnnotation.tech, Alignerr, and Outlier AI offer opportunities that simply didn't exist when Amazon Mechanical Turk was at its peak.
One recommendation I make in almost every review is not to rely on just one platform.
Project availability changes constantly, and even the best companies experience slow periods.
Instead of asking which platform is “the best,” I think a better strategy is to create accounts with several legitimate companies. That way, if one platform has fewer projects available, you'll already have other options instead of starting your search from scratch.
In my experience, that's the most reliable way to build consistent side income in the AI training and microtask industry.