I am always on the lookout for platforms through which one can earn money without putting in much effort. My research aims to give practical advice to new users if they should use the app, or something they should stray from.
For the past two weeks, I have been using Prolific surveys and have compiled a complete guide on how you can sign up and what I like and don’t like about the platform so that you can make an informed decision.
Bonus: An alternative app is mentioned here, which allows you to make money passively without lifting a finger.
Is Prolific Surveys Legit?
If you’re exploring ways to earn money online, you’ve likely stumbled upon Prolific. The big question is:
Are Prolific Surveys Legit?
My Answer: Yes, Prolific Surveys is LEGIT.
It’s a well-regarded platform that connects researchers with participants willing to answer surveys for money. Unlike many survey platforms that feel spammy or unreliable, Prolific stands out for its transparency and focus on academic research.
But how does it work, and is it worth your time?
What Are Prolific Surveys?
Prolific is an online platform designed to help researchers collect data for academic and market research studies. It differs from other survey websites because it prioritizes high-quality studies and fair participant payment.
Instead of mindless consumer surveys, you’ll often find surveys related to the following topics:
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Economics
- Political Science
- Health, and Medicine
This makes Prolific surveys a great option for those who want to contribute to meaningful research while earning some extra cash.
Requirements to Participate in Prolific
Getting started on Prolific isn’t complicated, but there are a few requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- A good understanding of English is needed.
- Access to a computer or mobile device
- Reliable internet connection.
Note: Prolific also requires you to complete a demographic profile. This helps the platform match you with surveys you’re eligible for, ensuring you only see relevant opportunities. It will take you a total of 20 minutes to set up your account.
Where is the Prolific Available?
Prolific isn’t a traditional app you download from the App Store or Google Play. Instead, it’s a browser-based platform. This platform has a 4.4/5 star rating on Trustpilot.
How to Get Started With Prolific Surveys
1. Create an Account
To create an account and become a participant, you’ll need a valid email address and a secure password. If you prefer a quicker setup, you can use your Google or Facebook account. Ensure you choose a strong password to keep your account secure.
After signing up, you’ll receive an email to verify your registration. Look for this email in your inbox or spam folder and click the provided link to activate your account.
2. Complete Your Profile
Once your account is active, you’ll be prompted to complete your ‘About You‘ section. This includes providing demographic details such as your age, gender, location, education level, and employment status. Prolific uses this information to match you with relevant studies.
For example, if a researcher is looking for participants aged 18–25 with a college degree, your accurate profile will ensure you qualify. Keep in mind that an incomplete or incorrect profile can result in fewer study opportunities.
3. Verify Your Email
After registration, Prolific will send a verification email to the address you provided. This is to confirm that the email belongs to you and to prevent spam or fraudulent accounts.
My Recommendation: If you don’t receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. I recommend using a personal email address rather than a work or school email to ensure you receive all communication.
4. Identity Verification
To ensure all participants are real and trustworthy, Prolific requires identity verification. This involves two types such as the following:
- Phone Verification: Enter your mobile number to receive a text message with a verification code. Input this code on the website to confirm your phone number.
- ID Verification: Upload a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license. Prolific uses a secure system to protect your information and only uses it to verify your identity.
5. Practice Study
Before accessing paid studies, I would recommend you complete a short practice study. This is designed to familiarize you with the platform’s interface and the type of questions you might encounter.
While this study doesn’t pay, it’s crucial to understand how to navigate the system. During this practice, pay attention to the instructions provided and ensure you’re comfortable using the platform.
6. Start Participating
Once your account is fully set up and verified, you’ll be taken to your dashboard. This is where you’ll see available studies tailored to your profile. Each study will display essential details such as the estimated time to complete, payment amount, and any specific requirements.
How Much Can You Earn by Completing Prolific Surveys?
The amount you can earn on Prolific varies depending on the surveys you complete. Payments are based on the estimated time required for each survey and a fair hourly rate, which is usually around $6–$12 per hour.
A 15-minute survey might pay $2–$3. While you won’t get rich, it’s one of the better-paying survey platforms compared to others in the industry.
Prolific pays in cash, not points. Earnings are deposited into your Prolific account and can be withdrawn to PayPal once you reach the minimum payout threshold of $5.
What I Liked About Prolific
One of the things I really like about Prolific is how fair the payment is. Unlike other survey sites where you spend 30 minutes just to earn pennies, Prolific pays a decent amount for your time. Most studies pay around $6 to $12 per hour, and you know exactly what you’re getting into before you start.
I also appreciate that the surveys are often linked to academic research, so they’re much more interesting than generic product surveys. It feels good to know that my answers might actually contribute to something meaningful.
Another thing I love about Prolific is how transparent and easy it is to use. Before you even click on a survey, it shows you how much you’ll earn, how long it will take, and whether you’re eligible. This saves so much time and frustration compared to other platforms.
What I Didn’t Like About Prolific
One thing I didn’t like about using Prolific is that surveys aren’t always available. There were times when I logged in, ready to earn, but found nothing to do.
Even when surveys appeared, they filled up really fast, so if I didn’t check frequently, I missed out.
This made it hard to rely on Prolific for steady earnings, which was frustrating when I was hoping for more consistent opportunities.
Another thing that bothered me was that I didn’t qualify for every survey.
A lot of times, researchers are looking for very specific groups of people, like certain age ranges or jobs, and if you don’t match, you’re out of luck.
It felt disappointing to see a survey pop up, only to find out I couldn’t participate. Plus, since Prolific doesn’t have a mobile app, using it on my phone wasn’t as smooth or easy as I’d like.
Passive App: An Alternative to Prolific
Prolific has its downsides, which is why when I recommend easy ways for my clients to earn money, Passive App becomes my go-to option. This app allows you to earn money simply by sharing your internet with people around you.
This platform only collects your email and IP address for registration purposes. It does not access any other personal information. The app is simple to install and works on Windows.
Once you set it up, you can start earning money. Big companies use Passive App to collect public data from the internet.
Is Passive App Legit?
Passive App is legit and is recognized for safe use by the following:
- Avast
- Kaspersky
- McAfee
- Microsoft Defender
What Do Individuals Think About Passive App?
Passive App is available to download on Windows. The app has positive reviews from individuals who are actively looking for ways to earn free sign-up bonuses or gift cards.
How Much Can You Earn with Passive App
You can earn up to $55/month through Passive App (without ANY investment). This amount can be directly withdrawn into your PayPal account. If you’re looking to earn more $$$, here are our top picks for money making apps without investment.
Your earning potential depends on the following factors:
- Geolocation
- Residential IPs
- Network Connectivity
Pro Tip: If you recommend Passive App to your friends and family members you can earn 10% of all their earnings. This would amount to a significant amount by the end of the month.
