Start with these 3
If you do not want to open every platform on day one, start with the three that give most readers the best spread: one higher-paying option, one phone-friendly option, and one steady low-friction backup.
Best overall
Octopus Group
Start here if you want the strongest pay per hour and the best chance of making surveys feel worth your time.
Highest pay rate in this list
Best on your phone
AttaPoll
Best if you want something easy to chip away at during spare moments without sitting down for long desktop surveys.
Built for short phone sessions
Low-friction backup
Survey Village
A good third sign-up if you want a straightforward platform with regular enough surveys and a simple cash-out flow.
Reliable option to round out the stack
Earning extra money online has never been more important—or easier. While you won’t get rich from survey sites, you absolutely can earn an extra $200-500 per month with minimal effort. The trick? Understanding which platform suits YOUR situation best.
We’ve personally tested every major survey platform in Australia over the past 6 months. We tracked completion rates, actual hourly earnings, payout speed, and which platforms work best for different goals. Here’s what we learned: there’s no single “best” platform—each excels at something different.
If you want the raw numbers behind this list, open the 30-day survey earnings experiment. If you already know you want a more detailed read on specific sites, my Survey Village review and Purple Patch review are the best follow-up reads.
What to realistically expect
Be realistic: Survey sites won’t replace your job. But they can:
- Earn $200-500/month working 10-15 hours
- Cover your Netflix, Spotify, and coffee budget
- Build up Christmas shopping money
- Fill dead time (waiting rooms, commuting, Netflix ad breaks)
Best approach: Start with two or three sites, learn which ones suit you, then add more only if you want extra volume.
Quick Comparison: Find What Matters to You
| Platform | Hourly Rate | Surveys/Week | Min. Cashout | Best Feature | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
💰 Octopus Group
|
$16.80/hr | 5-6 | $10 | Highest pay rate | Bank/eGift cards |
|
🎥 Influence
|
$45/hr* | Varies | $10 | Video surveys | PayPal |
| Survey Village | $12/hr | 3-4 | $10 | Instant rewards | Flexi eGift cards |
| Purple Patch | $10-12/hr | 3-5 | $5 | Lowest cashout | GiftPay eGift |
| PureProfile | $9.60/hr | 4-6 | $25 | Most trusted | Bank/Gift cards |
| Purkle | $9-11/hr | 3-4 | $10 | Consistent surveys | GiftPay eGift |
| SaySo | $8-10/hr | Varies | $15 | Product trials | Gift cards |
| AttaPoll | $6-8/hr | Many | $5 | Mobile-first | PayPal/Revolut |
*Video surveys typically shorter but require camera setup. Rates calculated from actual testing, January 2026.
Complete platform reviews
If you already know which kind of survey site you want, jump to that review. If not, start with Octopus Group for higher pay, AttaPoll for shorter phone sessions, and Survey Village as the easiest third platform to add.
💰 Octopus Group
Best for: Maximum earnings per hour
5-6 surveys/week
💰 Our earnings: $147 in one month (about 9 hours of surveys)
If you can only sign up for one platform, make it this one. Octopus Group consistently delivers the highest pay rates among traditional survey platforms, with an average of $1.40 for 5 minutes and $2.80 for 10 minutes.
✅ What We Love
- Highest hourly rate: $16.80/hour average
- Consistent invites: 5-6 surveys every week
- Multiple payout options: Bank transfer or eGift vouchers
- Popular gift cards: Woolworths, Coles, and more
- Reliable payments: Never had an issue
- Quality surveys: Interesting topics
- Still paid if disqualified: 10-20 cents compensation
⚠️ Consider This
- Screening questions: Some disqualifications (normal for all platforms)
- Limited availability: Quality over quantity approach
📊 Typical Earnings
- 5-minute survey: $1.40
- 10-minute survey: $2.80
- 15-minute survey: $4.20
- Expected monthly: $100-150
💭 Our Real Experience
“Started with Octopus Group in September 2025, completed 52 surveys by December. Average payout was $2.65 per survey, took about 10 minutes each. Cashed out three times ($50 Woolworths cards) with instant delivery. Easily the highest-paying platform we tested. The only downside is wishing there were MORE surveys available!”
💡 Pro tip: Complete your profile fully. The more they know about you, the more relevant surveys you’ll receive (meaning fewer disqualifications).
Start earning $16.80/hour • 2-minute signup
🎥 Influence
Best for: Video surveys & highest pay per minute
3-8 minute surveys
💰 Our earnings: $89 in one month (about 2 hours of video recording)
Completely different from traditional survey sites. Instead of clicking through questionnaires, you record yourself answering questions on camera. The pay rate is 3-4x higher—$0.75 per minute ($45/hour)—but surveys are shorter and less frequent. Perfect as a supplement to other platforms.
✅ Why It’s Great
- Highest pay per minute: $0.75/min vs $0.14-0.28 on text surveys
- Quick surveys: Usually 3-8 minutes
- More engaging: Talk instead of typing
- Flexible scheduling: Record whenever you want
- Direct PayPal: Easy cashouts
- Fewer disqualifications: Less screening
⚠️ Requirements
- Must be comfortable on camera
- Fewer surveys: Maybe 2-3 per week
- Good lighting needed
- Quiet environment
- Smartphone required
- Review process: 24-48 hours
🎯 Perfect For
- People comfortable on camera
- Those who prefer talking to typing
- Anyone wanting highest hourly rates
💭 Our Real Experience
“Initially skeptical about video surveys, but the pay rate is unbeatable. Completed 7 surveys in November, earned $89 for about 2 hours total (including setup time). The app is super easy—shows you the question, you record your answer, done. Takes 30 seconds to get comfortable on camera. Best for supplementing other survey sites.”
iOS & Android • Start earning $45/hour
⚡ Survey Village
Best for: Instant rewards & solid pay
Instant delivery
Don’t let the basic website design fool you—Survey Village offers excellent pay rates at $3 for 15 minutes ($12/hour). The standout feature? Gift cards are delivered to your email instantly after redemption. No waiting days or weeks for payment.
✅ Key Strengths
- Solid pay rate: $12/hour average
- Instant rewards: Gift cards sent immediately
- Flexi eGift cards: Use at Coles, Target, Myer, more
- Fair compensation: Even short surveys pay well
- Regular invites: 3-4 per week
⚠️ Trade-offs
- Basic website: Looks dated but works fine
- No PayPal: Gift cards only
- Limited payment options: Flexi eGift only
💰 Expected Earnings
- 15-minute survey: $3
- Monthly potential: $60-90
🚀 Purple Patch
Best for: Quick cashout & beginners
Only $5 minimum!
Purple Patch stands out with the lowest minimum withdrawal we’ve found—just $5. This makes it perfect for beginners who want to test surveys without waiting weeks to see real money. The pay rates are solid too at $10-12/hour.
✅ Key Benefits
- $5 minimum cashout: Lowest available
- 200-400 points per survey: ($2-4 each)
- Paid for disqualifications: 10 points even if screened out
- High-value opportunities: Multi-day forums up to $50
- GiftPay eGift cards: Many retailer options
- Consistent invites: 3-5 surveys weekly
💵 Earning Potential
- Standard survey: $2-4 (10-20 mins)
- Multi-day forum: Up to $50
- Monthly estimate: $40-80
- Bonus: 10 points for disqualifications
🎯 Perfect For
- First-time survey takers
- Anyone wanting quick validation
- People testing multiple platforms
More Excellent Options
🏆 PureProfile
Best for: Trust & established reputation
Rate: $9.60/hour ($2.40 per 15 mins) • Cashout: $25 • Payment: Bank or gift cards
One of Australia’s most trusted survey sites with a long track record. Solid pay rates and reliable payments make it a safe choice. Particularly good for beginners who want the security of an established platform. Bank deposit option is a nice alternative to gift cards.
✓ Bank deposits
✓ Regular surveys
✓ 4-6 surveys/week
📋 Purkle
Best for: Consistent survey availability
Rate: $9-11/hour ($3 per 16-20 mins) • Cashout: $10 • Payment: GiftPay eGift cards
Often overlooked but offers decent pay with regular survey invites. The pay rate is fair, cashouts are straightforward, and you’ll get a steady stream of opportunities. Worth adding to your rotation—it won’t be your highest earner, but it’s reliable supplementary income.
✓ Fair pay
✓ Low minimum
✓ 3-4 surveys/week
🎁 SaySo
Best for: Variety beyond surveys
Rate: $8-10/hour • Cashout: $15 • Payment: Online gift cards
SaySo diversifies beyond surveys with product trials, focus groups, and mystery shopping. If you get bored with standard surveys, this adds variety to your earning routine. Pay rates are slightly lower than top competitors but the diverse opportunities make it interesting.
✓ Focus groups
✓ Mystery shopping
✓ Variety
📱 AttaPoll
Best for: Mobile convenience & quick surveys
Rate: $6-8/hour • Cashout: $5 • Payment: PayPal or Revolut
Designed specifically for your phone with quick surveys perfect for filling 5-minute gaps. Lower pay than others but extremely convenient with many survey opportunities. Great as a supplementary platform for commutes, waiting rooms, or TV commercial breaks. PayPal payout is a nice bonus.
✓ Many surveys
✓ PayPal payout
✓ $5 minimum
The Smart Strategy: Maximize Your Survey Income
💡 What Actually Works (Based on Our Testing)
- Sign up for 4-5 platforms minimum – Different companies send different surveys. More accounts = more choices = higher earnings
- Prioritize by pay rate – Check high-paying sites (Octopus Group, Influence) before lower-paying ones
- Complete profiles thoroughly – Better matching = fewer disqualifications = less wasted time
- Check multiple times daily – Best surveys fill up fast, especially high-paying ones
- Use “dead time” wisely – Commuting, TV ad breaks, waiting rooms, lunch breaks
- Track your actual hourly rate – Drop any platform consistently earning less than $8/hour
- Don’t chase every survey – Sometimes passing on a low-paying survey means catching a high-paying one later
Our Recommended Starting Combination:
Must-haves: Octopus Group + Purple Patch
If comfortable on camera: Add Influence
For mobile: Add AttaPoll
For variety: Add SaySo
For trust: Add PureProfile
🎯 Pro Approach: Build Your Stack
Start with 2-3 platforms, do them consistently for 2 weeks. Once you’ve got the routine down, add 2-3 more. This prevents overwhelm while maximizing opportunities. Most successful survey takers use 5-7 platforms.
💰 Realistic Monthly Earnings Breakdown
Casual Approach (30-45 mins per day)
• Octopus Group: 2-3 surveys/week = $28-42
• Purple Patch: 2 surveys/week = $24
• Survey Village: 1-2 surveys/week = $12-24
• AttaPoll (mobile downtime): $15-20
Total: ~$150-200/month
Perfect for covering subscriptions, phone bills, or coffee money
Committed Approach (1-1.5 hours per day)
• Octopus Group: 4-5 surveys/week = $50-60
• Influence (video): 3-4 surveys/month = $50-70
• Survey Village: 3 surveys/week = $36
• Purple Patch: 3 surveys/week = $36
• PureProfile: 3 surveys/week = $30
• Purkle, AttaPoll, SaySo: $50-60
Total: ~$350-450/month
Covers groceries, utilities, or builds serious savings
Maximum Effort (2+ hours per day)
All platforms at full capacity: $500-600/month
This requires dedication and treating it like a part-time job
These are realistic estimates based on our actual 6-month testing period. Your results will vary based on demographics and survey availability in your area.
Common Questions About Survey Sites
Are online surveys actually legit?
Yes, every platform we listed is 100% legitimate and pays real money. We’ve personally received payments from all of them. However, avoid sites promising “get rich quick” ($1000/day claims) or requiring upfront fees—those are scams. Legitimate survey sites are free to join.
Should I sign up for one platform or multiple?
Definitely multiple. No single platform has enough surveys to keep you busy or maximize earnings. We strongly recommend starting with 3-4 platforms (Octopus Group, Purple Patch, Survey Village, and one other based on your preference), then adding more as you get comfortable. More platforms = more survey invites = more choices = higher total earnings.
How much can I realistically earn?
Expect $150-250/month casual (30-45 mins daily), $350-450/month committed (1-1.5 hours daily), or $500+/month if very dedicated (2+ hours daily). This won’t replace a job but makes excellent side income for covering bills, subscriptions, or building savings.
Why do I get disqualified from surveys?
Companies need specific demographics for their research (e.g., “women aged 25-35 who bought a car in the last year”). You’ll get screened out if you don’t match their criteria. This is completely normal—even we get disqualified 30-40% of the time. The good news: platforms like Purple Patch and Octopus Group still pay you something for trying (usually 10-20 cents).
How long does it take to get paid?
Varies by platform: Survey Village and Purple Patch send gift cards instantly. Octopus Group, PureProfile, and most others process within 3-5 business days. Bank transfers take slightly longer than gift cards (5-7 days). Once you hit the minimum threshold, payouts are reliable.
Can I do surveys on my phone?
Absolutely! All platforms work on mobile. AttaPoll is specifically designed for mobile, and Influence requires a smartphone for video surveys. We actually prefer doing most surveys on our phone during commutes, waiting rooms, or while watching TV.
Do I need to pay tax on survey income?
Technically yes if you earn over the tax-free threshold, but most people earn well below that from surveys alone ($200-500/month). Keep records of your earnings just in case. We’re not tax advisors—consult an accountant if you’re earning significant income or have questions.
What’s the fastest way to reach minimum cashout?
Start with Purple Patch or AttaPoll (only $5 minimum). Complete 2-3 surveys and you’re there within a week. This gives you quick validation that surveys actually pay before committing more time to building up on other platforms.
Faster one-off bonus options
Surveys are useful if you want repeatable side income, but they are not always the fastest win. If you are happy opening a new account or trying a new app, a one-off bonus can sometimes beat several days of survey earnings.
- Bank and travel-card bonuses if you want the biggest one-off upside.
- Cashback sign-up bonuses if you shop online anyway and want an easy extra win.
- Crypto sign-up offers if you are comfortable with the extra setup and friction.
- Bonus stacking guide if you want to combine surveys, cashback and sign-up offers instead of relying on one stream.
If you only sign up for three survey sites, start here
For most readers, this is the best starting mix: one higher-paying site, one easier phone-first option, and one steady extra platform that rounds out your survey volume.
Octopus Group
Best overall pay and still the first site most people should prioritise.
Highest pay rate in this list
AttaPoll
Best if you want something you can use on your phone without waiting for longer desktop surveys.
Built for short phone sessions
Survey Village
A good third sign-up if you want a simpler, lower-friction platform to keep surveys ticking over.
Reliable option to round out the stack
If you are comfortable on camera, add Influence later for higher-paying video surveys rather than using it as one of your first three.
Last updated: January 2026. All rates and features verified through personal testing over 6 months.
Important information:
- Earning rates are averages based on our testing. Your results will vary based on demographics, location, and survey availability.
- Survey opportunities fluctuate. Some weeks you’ll have many invites, others fewer.
- Disqualification rates vary by demographic. More common profiles typically qualify more often.
- Payment times are estimates. Gift cards are usually instant; bank transfers take 3-7 business days.
- Minimum cashouts and payment options subject to change. Check platform terms before signing up.
- We may earn a commission when you sign up through our referral links at no extra cost to you. This helps us continue testing and reviewing survey sites.
- All platforms listed are legitimate and have paid us real money. We only recommend sites we’ve personally tested and received payment from.
- Survey income should be considered supplementary. This is not a “get rich quick” scheme or replacement for traditional employment.
Our testing methodology: We signed up for all platforms, completed surveys regularly for 6 months (September 2025 – January 2026), tracked time spent and earnings meticulously, verified all payments, and calculated actual hourly rates. All earnings claims in this article are based on real data from our personal testing.
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