tl;dr
UserTesting – https://www.usertesting.com/get-paid-to-test
Pros:
- The testing dashboard is easy to use
- The pay structure is transparent and easy to understand
- There are a lot of tests available, much more than the other platforms
- Issue partial payment if there is a problem with your test and it isn’t your fault (they might still issue the payment if it is your fault, if your rating is high and this is your first time causing it)
Cons:
- The pay-per-test is low compared to some other platforms
- Doing the screeners for these tests take time and you only qualify for very few of them
Usability testing has been one of my favorite side hustles. I’ve not gotten rich from it, but I have made a lot of extra money over the years. I enjoyed the testing and learned a lot about User Experience (UX), which also helped me become a better software developer.
I started on a few usability testing sites in 2017 as a way to make some extra cash. userfeel was the first site I signed up for as a usability tester, but for some reason, I never qualified for a single test. The second site I tried was UserTesting, and I have been a tester with them since then. UserTesting was my “gateway drug” to usability testing, and so to honor it, I am going to write it a brief review from a long-time tester’s perspective.
Who/what is UserTesting?
UserTesting is a company that pays people to test websites and apps from small startups and huge international companies. The company was big/successful enough to actually go public for a while (ticker symbol: USER) but was acquired and went private in 2022 (I was an early shareholder but ended up losing 25% of my investment when this happened … oh well. You win some, you lose some).
At some point, it also acquired Intellizoom, another usability testing platform that I use.
How much have I made with UserTesting?
I signed up as a tester in 2017 and have since completed 824 tests, earning $10,334 as of May 2024. This may not seem like a lot of money since I have been doing it for eight years, but keep in mind that I only do these tests on a super part-time basis (maybe at 5-7 hrs/wk), whenever I’m free, and if I qualify for a test. If you spend more time than I did on the platform, then you’d make much more — I’d say $200-$400 a month is realistic.
What do I like about UserTesting?
UserTesting’s tester platform is easy to use and navigate. You’ll find all the tests you’re eligible to take on the dashboard. And since the screeners are done on the dashboard, you won’t be redirected to another page. There are plenty of tests to qualify for, though you may not qualify for all of them.
Once qualified, for a website test, UserTesting will use a Chrome extension to open the testing page and give you tasks to complete. An extension records your screen and voice as you perform the tasks, and displays a timer and options to pause or quit the test. For mobile tests (either a mobile website or mobile app), there’s a UserTesting app to do the session recording instead. Once you’re done, the extension uploads the recorded data to the platform, and you get paid via PayPal after 14 days. The whole process is smooth and enjoyable.
UserTesting treats its testers well. If there’s a problem with the testing page that isn’t your fault — for example, if you can’t access the test page because of locked permission — you can report the problem and get a partial payment. If you’re scheduled for an interview, but the company cancels it less than 24 hours in advance, or doesn’t show up at all, you’ll also get a partial payment. And if a company gives you a 1-star rating that UserTesting doesn’t think is justified, they’ll automatically remove it. I’ve experienced all of these things personally and am grateful for UserTesting’s swift resolution and clear communication.
Finally, I like that UserTesting doesn’t send email notifications every time a test is available. I know some people like that, so they don’t have to check the test dashboard, but I don’t like getting those emails — especially since UserTesting has a huge number of tests. I prefer to check the test dashboard at my leisure.
What do I not like about UserTesting?
As of May 2024, UserTesting pays $10 per test, $4 per short test, and $30 or $60 for a 1-on-1 interview, depending on the length. The pay is relatively low compared to some other platforms. That being said, the duration of the tests can vary a lot – some tests can be done very quickly (for example, I recently completed a $10 test in 2 minutes, the equivalent of $300/hr), and some will take 30 minutes. To its credit, UserTesting allows testers to report tests that take too long, for example, more than 40 minutes, unless it was specified in the test screener.
The Chrome extension recorder and the mobile app can occasionally be buggy, but these issues are rare.
Do I still test with UserTesting?
Yes, I still do UserTesting tests once in a while.
Although the pay is relatively low, UserTesting has a transparent pay structure and is easy to use as a tester. To save time, though, I mostly stick to shorter tests. I also prefer to use a few other platforms that have higher pay but more special requirements. I will talk about those platforms in another article.
You said that UserTesting helped you become a better software developer. Explain…?
There is a Chinese saying, 久病成醫, which translates to “Prolonged illness makes a doctor of a patient.” From doing so much Usability testing, I got exposed to a lot of different user interfaces, user experience (UX) considerations, and UX research techniques, and became familiar with them – not enough to be a UX professional, but good enough to be aware of the importance of making my software easy to use.
UX has helped me improve my skills as a software developer by making me more user-focused. I’m able to see things from the user’s perspective, so I can create software that’s not only functional, but also easy and enjoyable to use. I’ve also improved my teamwork and communication with designers and product managers (even help me communicate better for my interviews, as a nice side bonus). Plus, I pay more attention to accessibility and refine my work based on user feedback. As a result, my products led to happier users (and happier bosses).
Would I recommend UserTesting?
Yes. I would recommend UserTesting to anyone who is looking for extra income on the side, or stay-at-home moms/dads. It is a flexible role that you can do at home with just a computer (or mobile phone) and Internet. The UserTesting platform is very well-designed and is a joy to use.
My sister, who is a stay-at-home mother, told me that she managed to make $60 in her first week as a tester, so it is a decent “boba money” generator.
Additionally, if you are a software developer or an aspiring one, I think it is a great side hustle because it gives you a better understanding of software from the users’ perspective, which in turn helps you design and build more usable products.
I don’t get any referral bonus for referring people to become UserTesting testers. If you are interested, just sign up directly on their website.
Have you tested with UserTesting? What was your experience?