UserTesting works by inviting approved contributors to record themselves using a company's website, app or prototype while thinking out loud, then paying each completed test to a verified PayPal account, usually 14 days later. What decides how many invites you get is your rating, the average of your last 12 rated tests.
UserTesting gets recommended in plenty of side hustle threads, usually with no explanation of how the platform decides who gets tests. The short version: it's an application, a practice test, then a feed of invitations that grows or shrinks with your ratings. Here's the whole process from UserTesting's own contributor support centre.
Getting accepted: the four-step application
- Confirm your email after signing up on a computer or in the iOS or Android app.
- Set up PayPal payments, because every test is paid to a verified PayPal account.
- Create your profile, including the demographic details customers screen on.
- Take the practice test, a screen and audio recording of you completing realistic tasks while thinking out loud.
UserTesting's team manually reviews the practice recording to check you're comfortable thinking out loud and can follow instructions, and it says a review usually takes about a week. You must be at least 18, and UserTesting welcomes contributors from around the world, with its chatbot Edison checking whether your country is supported.
The language rule matters more than location. UserTesting currently supports testing in English, French and German, and you need to speak, read and write one of them fluently.
What a UserTesting test looks like
Once you're approved, tests appear in your feed. Each has screener questions, and some have extra requirements such as being a small business owner. UserTesting lists these common test types:
| Test type | What you do |
|---|---|
| Site navigation | Complete tasks on a live website while saying what you think |
| Prototype | Try an unfinished design where some links or images won't work yet |
| App | Complete tasks in a mobile app |
| Surveys, card sorts, tree tests, click tests | Shorter structured tasks |
| Comparison | Compare two experiences and explain your preference |
| Face recording | Tests that include your camera |
| Live Conversations | A scheduled one-on-one session with a researcher |
You can test on a computer or a phone, but UserTesting says scheduling a Live Conversation needs a computer. For computers, its minimum requirements include Windows 10 (64-bit) or macOS 12 or later, at least 8 GB of memory, at least 20 GB of free storage and an upload speed of at least 5.0 Mbps. Phones need Android 8.0 or higher or one of the latest two iOS versions, plus at least 400 MB free.
How UserTesting pays you
All payments go to your linked PayPal account, usually 14 days after you complete a test. Payment amounts vary by test type, duration and customer demand, and your dashboard shows what each test pays before you accept it. UserTesting doesn't withhold taxes, so you're responsible for your own tax obligations. For a closer look at the rates, see my guide to how much UserTesting pays.
Your Test history shows each payment's status. If one is still Processing after 14 days, UserTesting asks you to contact support.
Why ratings decide your income
This is the part people underestimate. UserTesting says contributors with high ratings receive more test invites. Your rating is the average of your last 12 rated tests: its own example is 57 stars over 12 tests, which works out at 4.75 and displays as 4.5 stars.
- All 1- and 2-star rated tests are automatically reviewed for fairness.
- Customers don't have to rate tests, and an unrated test doesn't affect your invitations.
- Incomplete tests often earn 1- or 2-star ratings, so report a problem instead of submitting a broken session.
Tips that make a first test go well
- Read each task's instructions out loud before you start it, which UserTesting itself recommends.
- Explain what you expected, what surprised you and why you clicked something. The customer is paying for your reasoning, not just your clicks.
- On prototype tests, keep an open mind: missing links and images are normal, so comment on the design rather than the gaps.
- Leave yourself time. UserTesting lists rushing through a test as one of the reasons a payment can be cancelled.
Why payments get cancelled
Customers can cancel a payment, and UserTesting lists the usual reasons:
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- Accepting a test when you don't meet the customer's stated requirements.
- Giving false information in a screener to qualify.
- Submitting an incomplete test.
- Uploading a short and superficial video. On average, customers expect a 15-minute recording.
- Retaking a test you've already done. If a test feels familiar, quit it; UserTesting says quitting doesn't affect your rating or account.
You may also see a 'test not available in your area' message after qualifying. UserTesting says that usually means a location check didn't complete, and it doesn't affect your account.
My verdict on how UserTesting works
UserTesting rewards people who talk clearly, follow instructions and answer screeners honestly. It's flexible extra income, not a job: invites are irregular, you'll be screened out of many tests, and the first weeks are slow while your rating builds. If you're fluent in English, French or German and enjoy explaining your reactions, it's one of the more respectable options. For similar work, my list of remote jobs with no experience is a good next step.
Frequently asked questions
How long does UserTesting take to approve you?
UserTesting says a practice test review usually takes about a week, after which it emails you to say whether you've been approved.
When does UserTesting pay?
Payments go to your verified PayPal account, usually 14 days after you complete a test.
How is a UserTesting rating calculated?
It's the average of your last 12 rated tests. Higher-rated contributors receive more test invites.
Which languages does UserTesting support?
UserTesting currently supports testing in English, French and German, and you must be fluent in at least one of them.
Can I do UserTesting on my phone?
Yes, you can test on a computer or phone, but scheduling a Live Conversation test needs a computer.
