Want to make extra cash just by sharing your opinions? Survey Junkie is one of the most popular survey sites out there, with over 20 million members and counting. But the big question is: does it actually pay, or is it just another time-waster?
We’ve got the answers. This review breaks down exactly how Survey Junkie works, how much you can realistically earn, and whether it’s worth signing up.
Join Survey Junkie FreeWhat Is Survey Junkie?
Survey Junkie is a free online platform that connects you with market research companies who want to hear what you think. Brands use your feedback to improve their products, services, and marketing. In return, you get paid in cash or gift cards.
The platform has been around since 2015 and is owned by DISQO, a consumer insights company based in Los Angeles. With millions of active users and a solid track record, Survey Junkie has established itself as one of the most trusted names in the paid survey space.
How Does Survey Junkie Work?
Getting started is simple and takes just a couple of minutes. You sign up with your email, answer some basic profile questions about yourself (age, location, household income, interests), and confirm your email address. That’s it—you’re ready to start earning.
Once you’re in, you’ll see available surveys on your dashboard. Each survey shows you:
- How many points you’ll earn (100 points = $1)
- How long it will take to complete (usually 5-30 minutes)
- Your likelihood of qualifying (green diamonds mean higher chance)
When you click on a survey, you’ll answer a few quick screening questions to see if you’re a good fit. If you qualify, you complete the survey and earn your points. If you don’t qualify, you still get 2-3 points for trying, which is a nice touch that other survey sites don’t always offer.
Ways to Earn on Survey Junkie
While taking surveys is the main way to earn, Survey Junkie offers several other opportunities:
Online Surveys – The bread and butter of the platform. Most surveys pay $0.50 to $3 and take 5-20 minutes.
Focus Groups – These are rarer but pay significantly more, anywhere from $5 to $100 per session. You might participate online or in-person.
Product Testing – Occasionally you’ll get invited to test products at home and provide feedback.
Surf to Earn – Install Survey Junkie’s browser extension or desktop app and earn passive points just by browsing the web normally. You can earn 100+ bonus points just for installing it.
Profile Surveys – Complete additional profile questionnaires to earn 10-50 points each and get better matched to higher-paying surveys.
Referral Program – Invite friends and earn bonus points when they sign up and start taking surveys.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Let’s be real: Survey Junkie won’t replace your day job, but it’s a solid way to earn some extra spending money. Here’s what to expect:
Survey Junkie advertises that members who complete 3-4 surveys daily can earn around $40-$130 per month. Based on user experiences and testing, here’s a more realistic breakdown:
Casual users (3-5 hours per week): $30-$50 per month
Active users (1 hour per day): $100-$150 per month
Individual surveys typically pay between $0.50 and $3.00, with most falling in the $1-$2 range for 10-15 minutes of your time.
The real money comes from focus groups and product testing opportunities, which can pay $50-$100 each, but these are much less frequent—maybe once a month if you’re lucky.
One tester reported earning $5 in less than an hour during their first session. Another long-time user mentioned making thousands of dollars over 7 years of consistent use. The key is setting realistic expectations and treating it as pocket money, not income.
Join Survey Junkie FreeGetting Paid: Cash Out Options
One of Survey Junkie’s best features is the low cash-out minimum. You only need $5 (500 points) to redeem your earnings, which is lower than many competitors. Here’s how you can get paid:
PayPal – Get instant cash sent to your PayPal account. Most payments arrive within 24 hours. When choosing PayPal, you must cash out your full balance.
Bank Transfer – U.S. residents can choose direct deposit. This takes 3-4 business days to process but is secure and convenient.
Gift Cards – Choose from popular retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Sephora, Apple, Groupon, and more. Gift cards are available in $5, $10, $15, $20, $25, and $50 denominations.
Prepaid Visa Card – Use it anywhere Visa is accepted.
There are zero fees for cashing out, regardless of which method you choose. Your points never expire as long as you log in and complete at least one survey within a 12-month period.
Is Survey Junkie Legit?
Yes, Survey Junkie is 100% legitimate. Here’s the proof:
- Over 20 million members since launching in 2015
- Pays out over $1.5 million monthly to users
- 3.8-3.9 star rating on Trustpilot from 45,000+ reviews
- 4.5 stars on Apple App Store (83,000+ reviews)
- 4.3 stars on Google Play Store (105,000+ reviews)
- BBB accredited business
- Owned by DISQO, a reputable consumer insights company
The platform is completely free to join, never asks you to pay anything, and delivers on its promise to pay users for their opinions. Thousands of users confirm receiving regular payments through PayPal and gift cards.
Survey Junkie takes privacy seriously, using encryption to protect your data and only sharing necessary information with research partners in a secure way.
The Good and The Not-So-Good
What We Love:
- Completely free to join and use—no hidden fees
- Super low $5 minimum payout
- Multiple cash-out options (PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards)
- Get paid even when you don’t qualify for surveys (2-3 points)
- Clean, easy-to-use interface and mobile app
- Fast PayPal payouts (usually within 24 hours)
- Established reputation with millions of satisfied users
- No points expiration if you stay active
- Simple points system (100 points = $1)
Things to Keep in Mind:
- You won’t qualify for every survey (this is normal for all survey sites)
- Earnings are modest—best for extra spending money, not bills
- Survey availability can vary depending on your demographics
- Some users report disqualifications after spending time on screening questions
- Requires ID verification for first cash-out (for security)
- Focus groups are infrequent (about once a month)
- Limited to U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia residents
Who Should Use Survey Junkie?
Survey Junkie is perfect for you if you:
- Want an easy way to make extra money during downtime
- Enjoy sharing your opinions and influencing products
- Need a flexible side hustle with zero commitment
- Like the idea of getting paid while watching TV or commuting
- Want a legitimate, established platform with proven payouts
- Appreciate a straightforward earning system without complicated rules
It’s probably not the best choice if you’re looking for consistent, high income or need to make money quickly. Survey Junkie is ideal for turning spare moments into dollars, not replacing your salary.
Tips to Maximize Your Survey Junkie Earnings
Want to make the most money possible? Here are some insider strategies:
- Complete your profile thoroughly – The more Survey Junkie knows about you, the better it can match you with qualifying surveys
- Fill out all profile surveys – Each one earns you 10-50 points and increases your survey matches
- Check in daily – New surveys appear throughout the day, and the best ones go quickly
- Look for green diamonds – These indicate surveys you’re most likely to qualify for
- Install the browser extension – Earn 100+ bonus points plus passive income through Surf to Earn
- Answer honestly and consistently – Survey Junkie has quality control checks; being truthful means more survey opportunities
- Don’t rush through surveys – Take time to read questions carefully. Going too fast can get you flagged
- Cash out early and often – Redeem at $5 to secure your earnings rather than waiting for larger amounts
- Use the mobile app – Take surveys anywhere, anytime to maximize earning opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Survey Junkie really free?
Yes, Survey Junkie is completely free to join and use. There are no membership fees, subscription charges, or hidden costs. You’ll never be asked to pay anything.
How long does it take to get paid?
PayPal payments typically arrive within 24 hours after requesting a cash-out. Bank transfers take 3-4 business days. Gift cards are usually available immediately or within a day.
What’s the minimum age to join?
You must be at least 16 years old to join Survey Junkie (18 in some regions). Age requirements vary slightly by country.
Why don’t I qualify for some surveys?
Market researchers need specific demographics for each survey (certain ages, locations, income levels, etc.). Not qualifying is normal and happens on all survey sites. The good news is Survey Junkie gives you 2-3 points even when you don’t qualify.
How many surveys can I take per day?
There’s no official limit, but survey availability depends on your demographics and what’s available that day. Most users see anywhere from 5-20 surveys daily, though not all will be a match.
What countries is Survey Junkie available in?
Survey Junkie is currently available to residents of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Do my points expire?
No, your points never expire as long as you remain active. To stay active, just log in and complete at least one survey within a 12-month period.
What information do I need to cash out?
For your first cash-out, Survey Junkie requires ID verification for security purposes. You’ll need to upload a photo ID to confirm your identity. This is a one-time process.
Can I use Survey Junkie on my phone?
Absolutely! Survey Junkie has apps for both iOS and Android, plus the website works great on mobile browsers. This lets you take surveys anywhere.
Are my personal details safe?
Yes, Survey Junkie uses encryption to protect your data and follows strict privacy policies. They only share necessary information with research partners in a secure, compliant way.
Final Verdict: Is Survey Junkie Worth It?
Survey Junkie is one of the most legitimate, user-friendly survey platforms available. It delivers exactly what it promises: a simple way to earn extra cash by sharing your opinions. The low $5 minimum payout, multiple redemption options, and consistent survey availability make it stand out from competitors.
Will you get rich? No. But if you’re looking for an easy, flexible way to make $30-$100+ per month during time you’d otherwise be scrolling social media or watching TV, Survey Junkie is absolutely worth it. With over 20 million members and a proven track record of paying out millions monthly, it’s one of the safest bets in the survey space.
The best part? It’s free to join, and you can start earning within minutes of signing up.
Note: Survey Junkie is available to residents of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Minimum age is 16+ (18+ in some regions).