Using the best paid focus groups is a simple and fun way to make extra cash when you need it.
Market research companies work on behalf of big businesses and brands to help them improve their products and services.
They need normal people just like you to give their opinions on what they like and what could be done better.
These focus groups take part in-person and online, so you can choose the way to participate that suits you.
If you’re looking for an easy online job that pays handsomely for your time, read on to learn about the best paid focus groups looking for participants today.
15 Best Paid Focus Groups to Make Extra Cash
Focus groups are where a small group of people are invited to get together to answer questions in a controlled environment.
Participants will be a certain demographic that has been chosen because they are the most likely user of a niche product or service.
There are many legitimate paid focus groups that are used to determine what people think about branding, packaging, or even the usability of something.
Focus groups for money are also used for research purposes and political campaigns.
Take a look at the best paid focus groups below and start getting paid for your opinion. It’s also worth checking out our best paid survey sites to learn how to make extra cash via other forms of market research.
User Interviews
User Interviews is a well-known paid market research platform that connects researchers with participants.
They’ve paid out over $15 million since 2016, and they conduct paid interviews and focus groups in-person, on the phone, and via webcam.
Paid focus groups are available to those living in the US or Canada, and to sign up, you’ll have to provide information, such as:
- Name
- City
- Phone number
- Other demographic information
These details help User Interviews connect you with the right focus groups.
Once your profile is created, you can browse studies and apply to any that take your interest.
Pay ranges from $75 for 30 minutes and up to $450 an hour for niche interviews and studies.
Respondent
Respondent offers some of the best paid focus groups, user interviews, and surveys to business professionals.
The platform is used by many large companies to perform research and offers in-person and online studies.
Pay is extremely good, but you will need to have skills and/or professional experience as a:
- Software developer: paid $200/hour
- Marketer: paid $150/hour
- Executive: paid $700/hour
- Enterprise software user: paid $750/hour
- Business owner: paid $500/hour
- Sales and support: paid $100/hour
To get started, create your profile and verify your employment using a work email.
Research studies that fit your demographic will be sent your way, and you can apply for any you like the sound of.
Want to know more? Check out this in-depth Respondent review.
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is a great place to earn extra cash online, mainly from taking paid surveys.
But, once you’ve signed up for this survey site, there are often great studies and focus groups you can also choose to be a part of.
The different options include:
- Phone surveys. Here you’ll be asked market research questions on the phone. Pay is up to $100.
- Product testing. Enjoy getting a free product to test out, plus $50. All you have to do is fill out a survey about your experience.
- Face-to-face focus groups. Take an online survey, and if you’re a good fit, you’ll be invited to an in-person focus group and paid up to $150.
Probe Market Research
Probe Market Research is a research recruiting firm that gets feedback for its clients for different products, services, and online campaigns.
They’re based in the US, and focus group interviews are conducted online, by phone, and in groups.
Focus groups pay anywhere between $50 and $400, depending on the amount of time needed to dedicate to the study.
American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion has paid out over $35 million to their 7+ million active members.
They offer a range of short surveys that pay $0.05 – $0.50 and longer, in-depth surveys, that pay around $50.
Surveys are initially paid in points, which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash via PayPal or check.
PRC Market Research
PRC Market Research offers some of the best paid focus groups that are usually held in-person during the day or evening.
They also need people to fill out surveys online, which typically pay $100+, either in digital gift cards or PayPal cash.
To receive emails about focus groups, you’ll need to fill out your personal information and answer a range of pre-screening questions.
Focus groups are paid $50 – $200 directly after a session, which is around 2 hours long.
Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is a leading market research company that rewards users for sharing their opinions.
All you have to do is answer a few simple questions about yourself so you can be matched to surveys that fit your demographic.
All Branded Surveys are provided by market research clients on behalf of Fortune 500 companies.
Once your survey answers are approved, you get paid points, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
Inspired Opinions
If you’re looking for another paid focus group opportunity, Inspired Opinions pays people to take part in market research studies from countries across the globe.
You can apply to take part in focus groups in different ways, such as:
- Online paid focus groups
- By phone
- In-person at the nearest venue to you
All you need to do is create a profile and fill out some of your personal information.
When a study fits your demographic, you’ll be notified by phone or email.
Focus group studies pay each participant between $50 and $250.
Recruit and Field
Recruit and Field have been paying people for their opinions since 1977.
They provide market research for a variety of big brands, including Google, Apple, Nestle, Spotify, Netflix, Uber, and more.
You have the opportunity to participate in a variety of ways, such as:
- Online surveys
- In-person interviews
- Phone interviews
- In-home product testing
They have focus groups for a range of people, including consumers, business professionals, and medical professionals.
Pay is between $100 to $300 per study, and you can choose to receive gift cards or PayPal cash.
Ipsos iSay
Ipsos iSay is a leading market research company that conducts over 70 million interviews a year in more than 100 countries.
They work with companies in multiple different industries and have been around since 1975.
To start getting paid for your opinion, just sign up and fill out some basic information about yourself.
Their focus groups pay around $100 for an hour of your time, and you can also use the i-Say app to take quick surveys that pay $1.50 each.
Mindswarms
Mindswarms offers you an innovative way to get paid for your opinion, as they ask you to complete mobile video surveys.
This is easier than attending in-person focus groups because you can record yourself sharing your opinion at a time that suits you.
They currently have over 250,000 respondents in over 79 countries, and if you want to join them, you’ll have to create a profile video on sign-up.
Mobile video surveys require you to answer seven questions and pay, on average, $50.
Experience Dynamics
Usability testing is the process of observing users as they test out a product to determine issues, errors, and opportunities.
This helps a brand or company validate a design, understand user behavior and get feedback on what could be done better.
Experience Dynamics needs participants to provide user testing services, eye testing, and reviews.
Payment for user research studies typically pays around $250 for 60 minutes of your time.
Focuscope
Focuscope has some of the best paid focus groups that allow you to make money in your spare time.
They hold around 500 research projects a year, with the average pay per study being around $150, and often as high as $250.
Some studies are held virtually, while others are in-person and can be in a small group or one on one.
Typically, you’ll be asked to talk about a subject or try out a product and give your opinion.
Join Focuscope by filling out your basic details and answering a few simple questions about yourself.
Sago
Sago is a global market research platform helping businesses get answers to important questions about their services and products.
To get paid for your opinions with Sago, you can participate in research studies in a variety of ways. These include:
- Online surveys
- On the telephone
- At in-person focus groups or interviews
- By receiving products to test
- As a member of an online community
They seek a variety of study participants, including consumers, business professionals, patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
To get started, join via the panel website according to your location.
Apex Focus Group
Apex Focus Group is a platform that helps you find paid focus groups near where you live.
While you will find some online focus groups, the majority are in-person and location independent.
You’ll find a wide range of market research groups to choose from that fit different backgrounds, lifestyles, interests and locations.
You can even get paid to take part in clinical research studies and get access to an experimental treatment that’s under development.
Compensation is reportedly around $55 – $120 per one-hour session and $250 – $700 for multi-session studies.
Final Thoughts on the Best Paid Focus Groups
Now you know the best paid focus groups to make extra cash in your spare time.
If you love chatting and sharing your opinion, this is a great way for you to top up your monthly income.
However, be aware that while focus groups do pay a high hourly rate, the amount of focus groups you can participate in might not always be regular.
To make better money online, check out these online jobs that pay daily and these flexible work-from-home jobs anyone can do.