User Interviews review: $50–$150 studies, low volume
By Pamela · Editor, SurveyQueen
Last updated · tested first-hand
User Interviews is a different product from everything else on this list. Companies post research studies — usability tests, interviews, diary studies — and pay $50 to $150 for an hour of your time. There is no points system and no threshold.
The trade-off is selection. You apply to studies with a short screener, and most applications go nowhere. One to four accepted studies per month is typical for a general consumer profile.
Quick verdict
Best for: Anyone with a specific professional profile, and anyone willing to apply to many studies for occasional large payouts.
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User Interviews at a glance
| Pay per survey | $50 – $150 per completed session; some studies higher |
|---|---|
| Effective hourly | $50 – $150 per completed session (not an hourly rate) |
| Minimum cash-out | None — paid per study |
| Payout methods | PayPal, Visa gift card, Amazon |
| Payout speed | Within 10 business days of the session |
| Screen-out rate | High at application stage; low once accepted |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
| Countries | US-heavy, some remote-global studies |
Pros
- By far the highest per-session pay available to ordinary participants.
- No points, no threshold — you are paid per completed study.
- Studies are interviews, usability tests and diary studies, which are actually interesting.
- Clear, published incentive amounts before you apply.
Cons
- You apply and are screened; most applications are declined.
- One to four accepted studies a month is a realistic ceiling for most profiles.
- Sessions are scheduled calls — you need a quiet hour and a webcam.
- Professional and niche profiles get far more invitations than general consumers.
How the process works
Browse open studies, read the incentive and the time commitment, then complete a screener. If the researcher selects you, you book a slot and attend, usually on a video call.
Attendance matters: no-shows and cancellations damage your standing and reduce future invitations. Only apply to sessions you can genuinely attend.
Who gets picked
Professional profiles — developers, nurses, finance staff, small-business owners, IT buyers — receive the most invitations and the highest incentives. General consumer studies exist but are heavily oversubscribed.
Fill your profile out fully and honestly. Misrepresenting your role to pass a screener gets you removed from the session and from the platform.
Payment
Payment is issued after the session, normally within ten business days, as PayPal, a Visa gift card or Amazon credit. There is no threshold to reach and no balance to manage.
Our verdict
One accepted User Interviews study can pay more than a month of consumer-panel surveys. That makes it the highest-value item on this list, in expected dollars per hour of effort spent applying.
Treat it as a lottery you can improve your odds at: complete your profile, apply consistently, and never miss a booked session.
User Interviews FAQ
- How much does User Interviews pay?
- Typically $50 to $150 per session, with some specialist studies paying $200 or more.
- How often do you get accepted for studies?
- One to four a month is realistic for a general consumer profile. Professional and niche profiles get considerably more.
- When does User Interviews pay?
- Within about ten business days of completing the session, via PayPal, Visa gift card or Amazon credit. There is no minimum threshold.