Disclosure: this guide has no affiliate links. I don’t earn anything if you join User Interviews. Last updated: October 2026. Pay, payout rules and ratings were checked on User Interviews’ own pages, its support center and Trustpilot in October 2026.
User Interviews promises something rare: paid sessions where companies pay you $20 to $1,500 or more for your opinion. So, is User Interviews legit? Yes, User Interviews is legit. It’s a real research recruiting company with millions of vetted members, it has paid participants tens of millions of dollars, and it was acquired by UserTesting in January 2026.
It’s also not a steady side income. You apply to studies through screeners, researchers pick who they want, and new members often wait a long time for their first invite. This User Interviews review covers what it pays, how you get paid, the complaints about missing payments, and who it’s really worth it for.
I haven’t built my own earnings history on User Interviews, so I don’t quote personal results. This review is based on User Interviews’ own pages and support center, Trustpilot reviews and the sources linked below.
Key Takeaways
- Is User Interviews legit? Yes. It’s a research recruiting platform that says participants have earned $60 million sharing feedback with companies.
- Pay depends on the study. User Interviews says the average study pays over $45, with studies ranging from $20 to $1,500 or more.
- You’re paid mostly in gift cards. When User Interviews pays you, you choose from options like Visa virtual cards and Amazon gift cards. Some researchers pay by PayPal or cash directly.
- Studies are limited and competitive. You answer screening questions first, and researchers choose who takes part.
- Watch the taxes. If you earn $600 or more in a year as a US resident, you’ll need to fill in a W-9 and receive a 1099.
What Is User Interviews?
User Interviews is a platform that connects researchers with people willing to take part in studies. Companies use it to recruit people for interviews, surveys, usability tests and focus groups, and participants get paid for their time. It says it has a panel of 6 million vetted consumers and professionals (User Interviews).
In January 2026, UserTesting acquired User Interviews. The company says participant accounts, payments and the platform won’t change, and that User Interviews continues as a standalone product (User Interviews FAQ).
Is User Interviews Legit or a Scam?
User Interviews is legit. It’s a real company with a published payment process, a support center and millions of members. It says participants have earned $60 million sharing feedback (User Interviews).
Trustpilot shows a more mixed picture. User Interviews has a 3.4 out of 5 TrustScore from 1,252 reviews, with 67% five-star reviews and 16% one-star reviews (Trustpilot). That split tells you something: most people who complete studies are happy, while a vocal minority have a bad time.
Here’s what the complaints say. Common themes on Trustpilot are:
- Delayed payments. Some participants report waiting weeks beyond the stated timeline for an incentive, and slow help from support.
- Studies that fall through. Reviewers say they completed a long screener and were then told the study was no longer available, or were marked a no-show by mistake.
- Few invitations. New members often see very few studies despite a complete profile.
My verdict: is User Interviews legit, or a scam? It’s legit. But it’s an unreliable income source. Treat it as occasional bonus money, and don’t count on a particular payout date.
How User Interviews Works
Before you decide if User Interviews is worth it, it helps to see how the platform actually runs.
The process has four steps (User Interviews):
- Create your profile. The more accurate and complete it is, the better your chances of being matched.
- Apply to studies by answering screening questions.
- Get approved by the researcher and schedule a session.
- Complete the study and receive your payment.
User Interviews says more than 5,000 studies launch each month. Screeners are generally unpaid, though, and you may spend several minutes on one and never get picked. Many studies involve scheduled live sessions, so you need to be available when the researcher is.
Types of studies
| Study type | Typical length | Typical pay |
|---|---|---|
| In-person research | 30 minutes to 2 hours | $40 to $1,000+ |
| Online studies | 30 minutes to several days | $20 to $1,500+ |
| Focus groups | 1 to 3 hours | $40 to $200+ |
| One-on-one interviews | 30 minutes to 2 hours | $20 to $300+ |
| Diary studies | 3 days to several weeks | $55 to $400+ |
| Surveys and user testing | 10 minutes to several hours | $20 to $300+ |
Source: User Interviews. These are ranges the company publishes, not averages you can count on.
How Much Does User Interviews Pay?
A fair follow-up to “is User Interviews legit” is whether it pays well enough to bother.
User Interviews says the average study pays over $45, with a range from $20 to $1,500 or more (User Interviews). Researchers set the amount for each study, and User Interviews doesn’t guarantee an hourly minimum.
That makes the pay per hour very good when you’re selected for a long interview, and poor when you spend time on screeners that go nowhere. Studies that need niche professionals, like developers or business owners, tend to pay more.
The real limit is how often you get picked, not the amount. If you want a steady rate for your time, a platform like Prolific, which requires researchers to pay at least $8 an hour, is more predictable. Our Prolific review explains how it compares.
User Interviews Payout: Methods, Speed and Taxes
Payment is the main reason people ask “is User Interviews legit”, so here are the details.
When User Interviews distributes the incentive, you choose from more than 1,000 reward types, including Visa virtual cards, Amazon gift cards and charitable donations. When a researcher pays directly, they pick the method, which may include cash, PayPal, direct deposit or a gift card (User Interviews support).
| Detail | How it works |
|---|---|
| Minimum cashout | None stated |
| Payout methods | Gift cards and Visa virtual cards from User Interviews; PayPal or cash only if the researcher pays directly |
| Speed | Usually within a day or two of the session |
| Maximum wait | Researchers have up to 10 business days to release payment |
| If you aren’t paid | Contact support after 10 business days; they can’t follow up after three months |
Sources: User Interviews support.
Contact support at the 10-business-day mark. User Interviews says it can’t follow up on incentives once three months have passed, so don’t wait.
Taxes on User Interviews income
Study incentives are taxable income. If you’re a US resident and your payments total $600 or more in a year, you must report them on your tax return, and you’ll get a 1099 form by January 31. Once you reach $600, you also need to complete a W-9 form before you can redeem more incentives, or your account may be blocked from future studies (User Interviews). Outside the US, a W-8BEN form is requested instead.
I’m not a tax adviser, so if your earnings are large, check your own situation with a professional.
Who Can Join User Interviews?
The next question after “is User Interviews legit” is who is allowed to take part.
User Interviews is available in 34 or more countries across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific (User Interviews). Eligibility for each study depends on its screener, which may ask for your age, job, location, devices or experience with a product.
Researchers pick people based on your answers, so honest and consistent answers matter. Don’t try to guess what researchers want to hear. Inconsistent answers can get you rejected.
How to Get More Studies on User Interviews
Once you’ve settled “is User Interviews legit”, the next goal is getting picked more often.
- Complete your profile fully. Add your job, industry, devices and interests. Researchers choose participants based on your profile and screener answers.
- Check for new studies often. Studies can fill up, so apply early.
- Answer screeners honestly and carefully. Rushed or inconsistent answers can get you rejected.
- Show up on time. Missed sessions can get you marked as a no-show, and some reviewers report being marked as no-shows by mistake, so keep proof of your attendance.
- Use a quiet space and reliable internet. Many sessions are live video calls.
- Join other platforms too. Combine User Interviews with Prolific and a few others, so you aren’t relying on one source.
User Interviews Pros and Cons
Here’s the short version: is User Interviews legit and worth your time?
Pros
- High pay per session, with studies from $20 to $1,500 or more
- A real company with millions of vetted members
- Studies in many formats, including interviews, focus groups and diary studies
- Free to join, with no fees mentioned
- Available in 34 or more countries
Cons
- Gift card payouts in most cases, so no instant cash
- Unpaid screeners, and many applicants aren’t selected
- New members may wait a long time for a first study
- Complaints about delayed payments and slow support
- Taxes and W-9 paperwork once you reach $600
Who Is User Interviews Good For?
Is User Interviews legit for every kind of person? It pays real money, but it suits some people far better than others.
User Interviews is a good fit if you:
- Have a specific job, skill or experience that researchers want
- Like talking through your thoughts on a video call
- Can be available at set times during the week
- Want occasional high-paying sessions rather than steady pay
Skip User Interviews if you:
- Need money quickly or on a schedule
- Want PayPal cash for every payout
- Get frustrated by screeners and rejections
- Don’t want to deal with tax forms
User Interviews vs. Other Apps That Pay You
If you’re still asking “is User Interviews legit enough to try?”, compare it with the alternatives first.
User Interviews is one of 12 options in our guide to apps that pay you real money. How it compares:
- Prolific: academic and AI research with a minimum of $8 an hour and PayPal from $6, but a waitlist. See our Prolific review.
- Survey Junkie: surveys with cashouts from $5 by PayPal, bank transfer or gift card. See our Survey Junkie review.
- Freecash: games and offers with more payout options, but a 5% PayPal fee. See our Freecash review.
Want to test Freecash for yourself? Complete surveys, offers, games, and other tasks to earn rewards in your spare time.
Share your opinions through online surveys and earn rewards in your spare time. Survey Junkie is free to join and gives you a simple way to turn your spare time into extra cash.
If you’d rather earn from videos and websites, see our guide to getting paid to watch videos, which includes UserTesting and other paid feedback jobs.
FAQ
Is User Interviews legit?
Yes, User Interviews is legit. It’s a research recruiting platform with millions of vetted members, and it says participants have earned $60 million sharing feedback with companies. It was acquired by UserTesting in January 2026. Expect occasional studies, not steady income.
Is User Interviews a scam?
No. User Interviews is a real company that pays participants for completed studies. Most complaints are about delayed payments, slow support, studies that fall through after screeners and few invitations, not about the company refusing to pay. If you’re not paid within 10 business days, contact support.
How much does User Interviews pay?
User Interviews says the average study pays over $45, and studies range from $20 to $1,500 or more. Researchers set the amount for each study, and there’s no guaranteed hourly minimum. Specialist professionals tend to earn the most.
How do you get paid on User Interviews?
When User Interviews pays you, you choose from gift cards, Visa virtual cards and donations. If a researcher pays directly, they may use cash, PayPal or direct deposit. Most payments arrive within a day or two, but researchers have up to 10 business days to release them.
Is User Interviews income taxable?
Yes. If you’re a US resident and your study payments total $600 or more in a year, you must report them and you’ll receive a 1099 form by January 31. You also need to complete a W-9 before redeeming more incentives once you reach $600.
The Bottom Line
So, is User Interviews legit? Yes: it’s a real, established platform that pays well for the right study. But it’s built around selection, not volume, so expect long gaps between sessions, gift card rewards and some tax paperwork.
If you have a skill researchers want and can be flexible with your time, create a profile and apply to studies that match you. And if you want something steadier, combine it with Prolific and compare every option in our guide to apps that pay you real money.
Writes and tests every guide on hustle&passive. Everything here is something we have actually run — including the parts that did not work.
