Paid surveys and research studies pay small rewards for your opinions. This page compares panels open to Canadians on what each one publishes in its own terms and help pages: who can join, how rewards are paid and when you can cash out. Their terms and help pages don’t give comparable earnings figures, so this page doesn’t rank them by pay; the example below shows how to compare a survey’s pay per hour yourself. It is part of the side hustles hub; see also making money online and online jobs for teens.
Survey panels compared
| Panel | Who can join | How rewards are paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prolific | Over 18, with a verified account, in supported countries including Canada | Cash to PayPal, in pounds and US dollars; no gift cards | Cash out once approved balances reach £6 or US$6 combined; new participants join from a waitlist |
| LEO (Leger Opinion) | 16 or older; legal residents of Canada or the United States | Points for gift cards, prepaid cards, PayPal transfers, loyalty-program points or a donation | Points expire 1 year after they are earned; run by Leger Marketing |
| Survey Junkie | At least 18; residents of the United States, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom | Redemption options vary by region | Identity verification before redeeming |
| Toluna Influencers | At least 16, or the age required where you live | Toluna Points | Under 18, cash rewards and prizes go to a legal guardian |
| LifePoints | See its terms | Points (LPs) for gift cards, PayPal credit and other rewards | |
| Angus Reid Forum | See its terms | Points for rewards | Free to join; rewards include e-gift cards and exclusive prizes |
Panel rules change; the linked pages have the current terms.
Comparing pay per hour
A survey’s reward on its own doesn’t show what it pays for your time. Dividing the reward by the time it takes does.
Two surveys, with rewards converted to dollars.
| Survey | Reward | Time | Pay per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | $2.00 | 8 minutes | $15.00 |
| B | $5.00 | 40 minutes | $7.50 |
Survey B pays more per survey but less per hour. If you are screened out partway through, the time spent earns less or nothing, depending on the panel’s rules.
How survey panels work
- Join by creating an account; Toluna’s terms, for example, say membership is free.
- Fill in your profile, which the panel uses to match you with surveys.
- Take surveys from invitations or your dashboard. A survey can end early if you don’t fit the group it needs.
- Collect points or cash, then redeem once you reach the panel’s minimum for the reward you want.
Spotting survey scams
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes fake paid-survey jobs: after a few simple surveys, the platform claims there are issues and asks for deposits to continue, while a balance grows on screen that can’t be withdrawn. Its warning signs for job scams include:
- a job offer you did not apply for, often by text message or messaging app;
- a requirement to pay deposits, “upgrade fees” or “unlock payments”;
- a balance you can see but cannot withdraw;
- being asked to recruit others.
Taxes
For when side income has to be reported and how, see side hustle taxes in Canada.
Related guides
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on November 13, 2026. How we check facts.