- What TestingTime does and who it works for
- How to sign up as a TestingTime tester
- What a TestingTime study looks like
- How TestingTime rewards testers, and what it doesn't tell you
- The catches to know before joining TestingTime
- Fake TestingTime invitations to watch for
- TestingTime facts in one table
- My verdict on TestingTime
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, TestingTime is a real company that recruits people for user tests, focus groups and interviews, and Startupticker reported it closed a CHF 2.8 million funding round. Its own page is refreshingly honest that invitations arrive irregularly and the money won't be enough to make a living. The catch is that you can't choose when you're picked.
TestingTime is one of those names that appears in search because someone's been invited to a study and wants to check it's not a trick. That's sensible. Anything involving an email asking for your time and details deserves a quick look. I've read TestingTime's participant page and the press coverage of its funding, so here's what the company says about how it works and what to expect.
What TestingTime does and who it works for
Startupticker describes TestingTime as a company that recruits test participants for user tests, focus groups and interviews, so businesses can try their products on real people before launch. It reported that companies can order test users in under 5 minutes, and that the company closed a CHF 2.8 million Series A funding round with Swiss backers.
The simple version: businesses pay TestingTime to find people who match a profile, such as owners of a certain device or people who shop a certain way. You're the person on the receiving end of that search. You sign up once, then you wait to be matched with studies that fit you.
How to sign up as a TestingTime tester
The participant page says you register through a sign-up link and answer profile questions that take less than 5 minutes. It also says you don't need any specific education or work experience to be a tester.
After that, nothing happens until a study needs someone like you. TestingTime says study invitations are sent on an irregular basis, and how often you get one depends on three things: your location, how well your profile matches a study and your reliability. It names Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands as the core markets where most studies run, so your location can make a big difference.
What a TestingTime study looks like
- Length: most studies range from 30 to 90 minutes, per the participant page.
- Format: some happen from home, such as online surveys or phone and video calls, while others are held at the customer's premises.
- Scheduling: once you accept an invitation, you can choose a day and time that suits you.
- Reliability: you're asked to show up on time, and to cancel as soon as possible if you can't make it.
Showing up matters more than people expect. TestingTime says reliability affects how often you're invited, and that answering questions over time and arriving on time can make future invitations more likely.
How TestingTime rewards testers, and what it doesn't tell you
The participant page ranks studies by format. It says you can earn the most from in-person studies, video-call interviews pay a little less, and online surveys a little less again. It's also blunt that the money won't be enough to make a living.
What I couldn't find on the page is a list of exact amounts or a description of how rewards are sent, so I won't guess at either. When you're invited, the study details should tell you the reward for that session, and I'd read that before accepting. If you're comparing it with survey sites, my page on online surveys for money shows how different sites work, and paid surveys in the UK lists options for UK readers.
The catches to know before joining TestingTime
- It's invitation-only in practice. You can sign up, but you can't apply to a specific study.
- Location matters. Most studies run in a handful of European countries, so readers elsewhere may see few invitations.
- Bigger rewards usually mean more effort. In-person sessions pay more but take travel and time.
- It's not a job. The page says plainly that it won't cover a living, so think of it as a bit of extra income now and then.
- Tax. If you do earn from studies, you may need to declare it. My guide on side hustle tax covers the basics for UK readers, and an accountant can advise on your own case.
Fake TestingTime invitations to watch for
Because research recruiters collect personal details, scammers copy them. Be careful if you see any of these:
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- An invitation asking you to pay a fee, buy a gift card or send money to take part.
- A message offering a very high reward for a few minutes of work.
- A link asking for your bank login or a copy of your ID before you've even been selected.
- Messages from a chat app or a free email address pretending to be TestingTime.
A real invitation will give you a study description, a length and a time to pick. Answer questions only inside your TestingTime profile, which you should reach by typing the website address yourself.
One more habit I'd suggest: keep a short note of every study you're invited to, including the date, the length and what you were told about the reward. If anything doesn't match later, you'll have a record to quote when you contact the company. It also helps you see which kinds of study suit you, so you can answer profile questions in a way that gets you matched more often.
TestingTime facts in one table
| What I checked | What TestingTime's pages say |
|---|---|
| Sign-up time | Less than 5 minutes |
| Experience needed | None specific |
| Invitations | Irregular, based on location, profile match and reliability |
| Study length | 30 to 90 minutes for most |
| Highest rewards | In-person studies |
| Core markets | Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, UK, Netherlands |
| Can it replace a job | No, the page says so itself |
My verdict on TestingTime
It's a legit research recruiter with a clear, honest participant page. If you live in one of its core markets and enjoy giving opinions, it's a reasonable way to pick up the occasional paid session. Don't expect steady invitations, don't pay anyone to take part, and keep your reliability high so you get asked again.
Frequently asked questions
Is TestingTime legit?
Yes. Startupticker reported TestingTime recruits participants for user tests, focus groups and interviews and closed a CHF 2.8 million funding round. Its participant page is open about how irregular invitations are.
How often does TestingTime send studies?
Irregularly. The page says how often depends on your location, how well your profile matches and your reliability.
How long are TestingTime studies?
Most studies range from 30 to 90 minutes. Some are online, and others are held at the customer's premises.
Do you need experience to join TestingTime?
No. The participant page says you don't need any specific education or work experience.
Can TestingTime replace a job?
No. The page says the money won't be enough to make a living, and that in-person studies pay the most.
