Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Justin Bryant
If you're interested in getting paid to test websites and apps, UserTesting is one of the most well-known platforms in this space.
The basic idea is pretty simple. Companies need feedback about their websites, apps, and other digital products. UserTesting pays contributors to test them and share their thoughts about the experience.
But just because a side hustle is legitimate doesn't necessarily mean it's worth your time.
For this UserTesting review, I'm looking at six things that I think matter most for this type of side hustle. Barrier to entry, work consistency, pay transparency, work difficulty, time commitment, and reputation.
After scoring all six categories, I gave UserTesting 22 out of 30 possible points. That would normally equal 73%, but because I give more weight to reputation, my final weighted score is 68%.
Overall, I think UserTesting is decent.
I wouldn't expect to make a lot of money with it, and inconsistent test availability is probably its biggest weakness. However, the work is easy, the time commitment is low, and getting started is fairly accessible compared to many other online side hustles.
Is UserTesting Legit?
Yes, UserTesting is a legitimate company.
It's been around for a long time, and the transcript identifies the company as being founded in 2007 and based in Bellevue, Washington.
I also checked its Better Business Bureau information as part of my review. The listed location matched the company information I found elsewhere, which is one of the things I like to check when I'm trying to determine whether an online side hustle is legitimate.
Of course, legitimacy and quality are two different things.
The bigger question with UserTesting isn't whether the company exists or whether people actually get paid. It's whether you'll qualify for enough tests to make the platform worth using.
That's where my scorecard comes in.
Barrier to Entry
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Barrier to entry is one of UserTesting's biggest strengths.
The application process is fairly simple. You'll need to complete a practice test, and you should typically hear back within a few days.
Experiences do vary, though.
When I looked through discussions about the application process, I found people who said they were approved within a couple of days, while others reported being rejected. That's why I don't like judging these platforms based on one person's experience.
One thing I really like is that UserTesting isn't limited to the United States.
The platform accepts contributors from regions including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the US. Your location can still affect which tests you qualify for, but the platform itself has broad international availability.
For the practice test, you need to be fluent in English, German, or French.
You don't need special professional experience. You mainly need to meet a few basic requirements.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a compatible device.
• Have a microphone.
• Download the UserTesting app when required.
• Have a PayPal account so you can receive payments.
The device requirements are also pretty flexible. Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices are supported.
For a side hustle like this, it's difficult to ask for a much lower barrier to entry.
You don't need a degree. You don't need previous user testing experience. It's available across many parts of the world, and there's a good chance you already own a compatible device.
The practice test and approval process keep me from giving UserTesting a perfect score, but overall, I think 4.5 out of 5 is fair.
The bigger challenge isn't getting the equipment or experience you need to join. It's qualifying for enough tests after you're accepted, which brings me to work consistency.
Work Consistency
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Work consistency is where UserTesting starts to lose points for me.
The problem is that just because you're accepted onto the platform doesn't mean you'll automatically have tests available whenever you want to work.
UserTesting says new tests are posted daily. However, whether you actually qualify for those tests depends on factors like your location, demographics, and how you answer the screening questions.
That's an important distinction.
You might log in and see opportunities, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll qualify to complete them. Many tests are looking for a very specific type of person, so you'll often have to answer screening questions before you're allowed to participate.
The amount of work people receive can vary quite a bit.
I found one example of someone who completed 53 tests in 30 days. That's obviously pretty good, but I don't think the vast majority of people should expect anything close to that.
A more realistic experience for some users might be getting one or two tests in a week, which could work out to around $20. Other people may qualify for tests more frequently, while some may struggle to get even one or two per week.
That's one of the biggest problems with side hustles that rely on screening.
Two people can sign up for the same platform and have completely different experiences simply because they live in different places or fit different demographic profiles.
I do think UserTesting may be slightly better in this area than some of the AI training and data labeling platforms I've reviewed. Some of those platforms only have a handful of projects available while having a very large pool of contributors competing for them.
Still, I wouldn't get too excited about the claim that tests are posted every day.
Daily tests don't necessarily mean daily work for you.
Overall, I think UserTesting can be useful when you qualify for tests, but I wouldn't rely on it for consistent income. Test availability is simply too unpredictable.
That's why I give UserTesting 2.5 out of 5 for work consistency.
Pay Transparency
My Score: 3 out of 5
When it comes to pay, UserTesting is fairly straightforward.
For most standard tests, I would expect to earn around $10 per test. That seems to have been the standard for years, and I didn't find much to suggest that has changed.
Occasionally, you may qualify for a live interview that pays $20 or more. These usually require you to participate in a live conversation, sometimes on camera, so they're a little more involved than the standard tests.
For the vast majority of opportunities, though, I would go into UserTesting expecting something around $10 per completed test.
UserTesting pays through PayPal, and that's really the only payment option you have.
Personally, PayPal is one of the payment methods I like to see with side hustle platforms. It's widely available internationally, with some exceptions, and most people can create an account pretty easily.
One thing UserTesting seems to do fairly well is actually getting payments out.
For standard tests, UserTesting says payments are usually sent 14 days after you complete the test. Your results still have to be approved first, and PayPal itself can sometimes add another 24 to 48 hours before the money becomes available.
So if you see someone claiming that you can complete a UserTesting test and cash out the same day, I wouldn't expect that to be the normal experience.
You're more likely to wait around two weeks.
That's not particularly fast, but it's also not bad compared to some other platforms I've reviewed. Some companies pay weekly, while others make you wait until the following month.
Another positive is that there doesn't appear to be a withdrawal minimum. You don't have to keep completing tests until you've accumulated a certain balance before getting paid.
Overall, I think UserTesting is pretty average when it comes to pay and pay transparency.
I like that the standard $10 test rate is fairly predictable, PayPal is a solid payment method, and there isn't a high cash-out threshold to worry about.
At the same time, $10 per test isn't especially high, there aren't many payment options, and you're generally waiting about two weeks to receive your money.
That's why I give UserTesting 3 out of 5 for pay transparency.
Work Difficulty
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
One of the main reasons people look into UserTesting is because the work itself is fairly simple.
You're essentially getting paid to test websites, mobile apps, or prototypes and provide feedback about your experience. You don't need specialized technical skills or previous experience as a professional tester.
There are a few different types of tests you might encounter.
Recorded tests are self-guided. You'll complete specific tasks on a website, app, or prototype while speaking your thoughts out loud. You may be asked what you think about the layout, how easy something is to use, or whether you're having trouble finding a particular feature.
There are also surveys where you'll answer questions and provide feedback.
Finally, UserTesting offers live conversations. These are video calls where you'll speak directly with someone about the product or experience you're testing. They can pay more than standard recorded tests, although some people may not be as comfortable with this format.
For me, this is one of the easiest types of side hustle work you can do.
I'd put it somewhere around the same skill level as basic data labeling. You're not being asked to build the website or fix technical problems. You're mainly being asked to use something and explain what you think about it.
The biggest thing you'll need to get comfortable with is thinking out loud.
Instead of silently navigating a website like you normally would, you need to explain what you're seeing, what you're looking for, what confuses you, and what you like or dislike about the experience.
Some people will naturally be better at that than others, but it isn't something that requires extensive training.
The live interviews may be a little more intimidating if you don't like being on camera or talking to strangers. However, most of the opportunities aren't necessarily going to require a live interview.
Overall, I give UserTesting 4.5 out of 5 for work difficulty.
The work is simple, beginner-friendly, and doesn't require specialized experience. As long as you're comfortable speaking your thoughts out loud and giving clear feedback, I don't think most people will find the actual testing process very difficult.
Time Commitment
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Time commitment is another area where I think UserTesting does very well.
Most standard tests take around 15 to 20 minutes to complete. That's been pretty consistent for years. I first looked at UserTesting more than five years ago, and the typical test length hasn't changed much since then.
That makes UserTesting fairly easy to fit around your existing schedule.
You don't have to set aside several hours at a time, and there isn't a weekly commitment where you're expected to complete a certain number of hours.
If you have kids, work a regular 9-to-5, attend college, or simply don't have much free time, you can check for available tests when it's convenient for you.
Of course, some opportunities can take longer.
Live conversations require you to be available at a specific time and participate in a video call. However, these aren't necessarily going to make up the majority of the tests you complete, and they can also pay more than the standard recorded tests.
The bigger limitation is actually finding tests you qualify for.
As I mentioned earlier, you may have plenty of time available but still not pass the screening requirements for a particular test. That's a work consistency problem rather than a time commitment problem.
When you do qualify, the commitment is usually pretty small.
Overall, I give UserTesting 4.5 out of 5 for time commitment.
It's one of the more flexible side hustles I've reviewed. You can fit individual tests around your existing responsibilities without committing to a fixed schedule or a minimum number of hours every week.
Reputation
My Score: 3 out of 5
Reputation is the category I consider most important because it helps determine whether a platform actually follows through on what it promises.
For UserTesting, the feedback is pretty mixed depending on where you look.
On Glassdoor, UserTesting had a 3.1 out of 5 star rating overall. When I narrowed that down specifically to testers, there were 14 reviews with an average of 2.9 out of 5.
What stood out to me even more was that only 10% of those testers said they would recommend working there to a friend.
That's not particularly encouraging. However, when I actually looked through the individual reviews, many of the ones displayed were four- and five-star reviews, with an occasional one-star review mixed in. So the feedback wasn't quite as negative as that 10% recommendation rate might initially suggest.
The app reviews are also surprisingly inconsistent.
UserTesting's Android app had a strong 4.2 out of 5 star rating with more than 1 million downloads.
On Apple's App Store, however, the rating was only 2.6 out of 5.
That's a pretty significant difference between the two platforms.
Trustpilot looks much better. UserTesting had a 4.5 out of 5 star rating there.
There were also a few things I liked about its Trustpilot profile. The company had claimed its profile, had been doing so for around eight years, and there wasn't a recent history of asking customers for reviews. UserTesting had also replied to 75% of its negative reviews, usually within one week.
I also checked the Better Business Bureau.
UserTesting had a B-minus rating and had been in business for 22 years according to its BBB profile. There had been 24 complaints over the previous three years, including 12 that were closed during the previous 12 months. The company had also resolved many of the complaints it received.
Finally, I looked through discussions from UserTesting contributors on Reddit.
Again, experiences were mixed.
Some people had positive things to say, while others complained about bugs, difficulty qualifying for tests, or simply not feeling that the pay was worth their time.
What I didn't see was an overwhelming number of people saying UserTesting was an outright scam.
Most of the disagreement comes down to whether the platform is actually worth using. Your experience can vary considerably depending on your demographics, location, how many tests you qualify for, and what you personally consider worthwhile pay.
Overall, I give UserTesting 3 out of 5 for reputation.
I've reviewed platforms with much worse feedback than this, but UserTesting's reputation isn't consistently strong enough for me to score it higher. Trustpilot and the Android app look good, while Glassdoor and the Apple App Store are much more mixed.
For me, that puts UserTesting right around average when it comes to reputation.
Overall Score
After reviewing UserTesting across all six categories, I gave it 22 out of 30 possible points.
If I weighed every category equally, UserTesting would score about 73%.
However, I put more weight on reputation because I think that's the most important factor when evaluating a side hustle platform. Once I account for that, my final score comes down to 68%.
Overall, I think UserTesting is decent.
I wouldn't sign up expecting to make a lot of money. The biggest limitation is simply that you don't know how many tests you're actually going to qualify for.
Some people may have a great experience and qualify for tests regularly. Others may sign in, go through multiple screeners, and struggle to find much work at all.
That's why I would treat UserTesting as an occasional side hustle rather than a reliable source of income.
When you do qualify, though, there are quite a few things I like.
The work is easy; most tests only take around 15 to 20 minutes, and the barrier to entry is fairly low. You don't need previous experience or a degree, and UserTesting accepts contributors from many parts of the world.
The pay is also fairly transparent. For a standard test, I would generally expect around $10, with some live interviews paying $20 or more. Payments are usually sent through PayPal around 14 days after completing a standard test.
My Final Verdict
I think UserTesting is worth considering if you're looking for something flexible that you can do in your spare time.
A typical test isn't going to take up much of your day. You're mostly testing a website, app, or prototype and explaining what you think as you use it.
The main thing I would keep your expectations realistic about is work availability.
Just because tests are posted daily doesn't mean you'll qualify for one every day. Your demographics, location, screening answers, and other factors can determine how many opportunities you actually receive.
That's ultimately why I landed at a 68% weighted score.
UserTesting does well when it comes to accessibility, difficulty, and flexibility. It's much weaker when it comes to providing predictable work, and its reputation is mixed depending on where you look.
Who UserTesting Is Best For
I think UserTesting makes the most sense for someone who wants an occasional side hustle without committing to a schedule.
It may be a good fit if you:
• Want simple online work that doesn't require experience.
• Are comfortable speaking your thoughts out loud.
• Have 15 to 20 minutes available here and there.
• Already have a computer or smartphone and microphone.
• Have access to PayPal.
• Don't need predictable weekly income.
If you're hoping to make a few extra dollars when tests are available, I think the platform can make sense.
Who Should Skip UserTesting
I wouldn't recommend relying on UserTesting if you need steady or predictable income.
The screening process means there's no guarantee you'll qualify for enough tests to earn a meaningful amount each week. Even if another contributor says they're completing tests every day, that doesn't mean you'll have the same experience.
I'd also look elsewhere if you don't like talking while you work. A major part of usability testing is explaining your thoughts as you navigate a product, and some opportunities involve live conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UserTesting legit?
Yes. UserTesting is an established company that has been operating for many years. The bigger question isn't whether it's legitimate, but whether you'll qualify for enough tests to make it worth your time.
How much does UserTesting pay?
I would generally expect around $10 for a standard test. Some live interviews can pay $20 or more.
How long do UserTesting tests take?
Most standard tests take around 15 to 20 minutes.
How does UserTesting pay?
UserTesting pays contributors through PayPal. Standard test payments are usually sent about 14 days after completing the test, assuming your submission is approved.
Can you make consistent money with UserTesting?
I wouldn't count on it. How many tests you qualify for can vary based on your demographics, location, screening results, and other factors.
Is UserTesting worth it?
For me, UserTesting earns a 68% weighted score. I think it's worth considering as a flexible side hustle for occasional extra money, but I wouldn't treat it as a reliable replacement for a regular job.