You can earn by testing games, but there are not many game tester jobs that are truly worth it, and the best-paid ones need experience. These 8 options are free and legit, and below I show what you do on each one and how it pays you.
Three good game tester jobs to start
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#1 SimplyHired
Best for: Finding full-time game tester jobs
It is a free job search site, available more or less worldwide. You sign up and search for game testing jobs, and most offers are full-time positions.
- Cash out from
- Set by the employer
- How you get paid
- Salary from the employer
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#2 Game Companies/Developers
Best for: Experienced game testers
Most gaming companies post their job openings on a Career page. Xbox Research, Activision and Electronic Arts are often looking for game testers.
- Cash out from
- Set by the employer
- How you get paid
- Salary from the employer
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#3 GameRound
Best for: Gamers with no testing experience
You test unreleased PC games and earn points for reviews and surveys. You do not need experience, and most tests take no more than a couple of hours.
- Cash out from
- 800 pointsfor the cheapest reward, a G.Round tumbler
- How you get paid
- Gaming gear · Amazon gift cards · Steam gift cards
This is not a ranked list, so pick the options that fit your experience. No legit game tester job asks you to pay.
On this page6 sections
Compare all 8 game tester jobs
| Site | What you do | Cash out from | How you get paid | Join or read review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for game tester jobs · most are full-time | Set by the employer | Salary from the employer | ||
| Apply on a company’s Career page · strict qualifications | Set by the employer | Salary from the employer | ||
| Test unreleased PC games · no experience needed | 800 pointsfor the cheapest reward, a G.Round tumbler | Gaming gear · Amazon gift cards · Steam gift cards | ||
| Freelance game tester jobs · fixed rates or your own proposal | Not clear yet | Payoneer | ||
| Playtests of mobile games · no experience needed | Nonepaid for every approved test, usually within a few days | PayPal · Gift cards · Virtual bank cards | ||
| A list of beta tests on other sites · no pay from Betabound | No pay for testssome companies give a reward, with no guarantee | None | ||
| Test unreleased games · up to 3 tests a day | $25 | Prepaid Visa · Bank transfer · Gift cards | ||
| Test games before release · tests depend on your location | Not clear yet | PayPal |
No site on this list matches these filters.
8 Best game tester jobs
Now that you know what to expect from this kind of job, it’s time we discuss the actual options you can choose from. Keep in mind this is not a prioritized list, so just choose the option that suits you best.
I will keep updating this guide if I find more opportunities in the future that are truly worth it, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new opportunities.
#1 SimplyHired
- What you do
- Apply for game tester jobs · most are full-time
- Cash out from
- Set by the employer
- How you get paid
- Salary from the employer
SimplyHired is a job search platform where you can find various types of jobs to apply for, including working as a game tester.
It’s free to join, and it is available more or less worldwide. However, some companies prefer that you live in a certain location before they consider hiring you.
Read more
To find game tester jobs, just sign up as a member and then search for game testing opportunities. You’ll then see job offers which will most likely be full-time positions. There will still be part-time positions offered, but based on my testing, most offers are for full-time positions.
Keep in mind, though, that you have to go through an application process like you normally would when applying for jobs, so there’s no guarantee you will immediately be able to find work as a game tester.
#2 Game Companies/Developers
- What you do
- Apply on a company’s Career page · strict qualifications
- Cash out from
- Set by the employer
- How you get paid
- Salary from the employer
Another option is to go to specific game companies/developers and see if they are looking for game testers. Most gaming companies have a Career page you can check out. This page is where the company posts job openings.
All you have to do is search for tester jobs, and if there’s an opening for that position, you will see it among the results. Just keep in mind that the qualifications for this position will most likely be pretty strict. So if you are not an experienced game tester, it’s probably not the right opportunity for you.
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A few examples you can check out are XBox Research, Activision, and Electronic Arts. These are three of the most popular game companies/developers today and are often looking for game testers.
#3 GameRound
- What you do
- Test unreleased PC games · no experience needed
- Cash out from
- 800 pointsfor the cheapest reward, a G.Round tumbler
- How you get paid
- Gaming gear · Amazon gift cards · Steam gift cards
GameRound is a site that offers opportunities to earn as a game tester. What’s great about this site is that you don’t necessarily need to have experience as a game tester to earn from it.
Most testing opportunities are relatively simple and won’t take you more than a couple of hours to complete. Just be aware that you won’t earn cash from this site. Instead, you’ll usually be paid for gaming equipment like gaming keyboards, a mouse, mousepads, etc.
Read more
If that’s all you are after, then this is one of the best options you can go for, especially since this opportunity, as mentioned, won’t require you to have a background in game testing.
#4 UpWork
- What you do
- Freelance game tester jobs · fixed rates or your own proposal
- Cash out from
- Not clear yet
- How you get paid
- Payoneer
UpWork is one of the most popular freelancing sites. It’s a go-to site for freelancers because it offers plenty of job opportunities.
You can find full-time and part-time opportunities. It is also available worldwide, so signing up as a member won’t be a problem. Once you become a member, all you have to do is log in and search for game tester opportunities.
Read more
I do have to say that there are a good number of game tester positions available at any given time, so you won’t have a hard time finding work. Once you’ve found a game tester job you are interested in, you just have to send your application.
Some openings have fixed rates, while some have flexible rates where you’ll have to send your proposal on how much you want to get paid for doing the job. So before you apply for a job, make sure you know the market rate for game testing to avoid being underpaid.
#5 PlaytestCloud
- What you do
- Playtests of mobile games · no experience needed
- Cash out from
- Nonepaid for every approved test, usually within a few days
- How you get paid
- PayPal · Gift cards · Virtual bank cards
PlaytestCloud is one of the sites that offers one of the easiest paths to earn from testing games. It is a testing site that will pay you to test unreleased games and provide feedback. It is designed to provide usability playtesting tools for game studios.
The reason why I say it’s one of the easiest paths to earn as a game tester is that you don’t need to have a background in game testing to perform the tests they offer. Usually, once you become a member, you can just work on testing offers and answer surveys to earn.
Read more
You will typically earn around $9 for a 15-minute playtest, which is a decent rate, in my opinion. This opportunity is mainly available for people who live in English-speaking countries, though. To join, you have to pass a qualification test, which is relatively easy, in my opinion.
Once you are a member, you can start working on offers. The site will pay you right away for every test/survey you complete via PayPal. So before you register as a member, make sure you have an active and verified PayPal account first.
#6 Betabound
- What you do
- A list of beta tests on other sites · no pay from Betabound
- Cash out from
- No pay for testssome companies give a reward, with no guarantee
- How you get paid
- None
Betabound is a website devoted to listing all the available beta testing opportunities out there. Think of it as a bulletin board for testing projects. To test games, you have to indicate in your profile that you are willing to do gaming tests.
Then, when you log in to their site, you’ll see all the available game testing opportunities under “Available Opportunities”. When you click the testing offer, it will take you to the site hosting the testing project. Simply follow the instructions on how to join the project.
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As for how you will get paid since the testing projects will be handled by a different platform, then expect the payment to come from them and not Betabound. Based on my experience, these sites usually use a convenient payment method like PayPal, Payeer, or direct bank transfer.
#7 Game Tester
- What you do
- Test unreleased games · up to 3 tests a day
- Cash out from
- $25
- How you get paid
- Prepaid Visa · Bank transfer · Gift cards
Game Tester offers a unique opportunity and allows you to test games that have not been released to the market yet. In return, you will receive rewards once you complete the testing.
When you complete a test, you will receive gold coins and experience points. You can use the gold you earn to purchase items from their shop and unlock other site features. You can use the experience points you receive to level up your account and unlock certain benefits.
Read more
Game Tester is available globally, and it has a mobile app that works on Android and iOS devices.
#8 GBTN
- What you do
- Test games before release · tests depend on your location
- Cash out from
- Not clear yet
- How you get paid
- PayPal
GBTN, or Global Beta Test Network, is a platform that allows players to test games while getting paid for their participation. It allows everyday gamers to play games before release, collect feedback and experience, and get paid at the same time.
It is available worldwide, but the availability of testing opportunities depends on your location. It pays via PayPal, so you can withdraw your earnings conveniently.
What to expect from game tester jobs?
As a game tester, your main job is to give feedback on games that are not released yet. Developers use your feedback to improve them, and you also look for bugs and errors they can fix before release.
Not for everybody
Your feedback shapes how the game performs after release. You have to be honest, very thorough, and have a knack for finding what is wrong with a game.
It can become a real job
Some of these options can become a decent source of income, and some are full-time jobs.
- With experience or educationThe high-paying game tester jobs usually need previous experience as a game tester, or a specific education. What you earn mostly depends on these two.
- Without experienceJobs that need no experience pay less. There are still good options, but the earnings are much lower.
Never pay for a game tester job
Game tester jobs are very popular, so many people try to scam you with huge rewards for testing games. If a site asks you to pay to get access to these jobs, stay away from it. The options on this list never ask for money.
How to start as a game tester
- Check your experienceIf you have worked as a game tester before, look at SimplyHired, UpWork and the Career pages of game companies. If not, start with GameRound, PlaytestCloud or Game Tester.
- Sign up or applyOn the job sites, you search for game tester jobs and apply like you normally would. On the testing sites, you sign up, and on PlaytestCloud, you first pass a qualification test.
- Test and give honest feedbackPlay the game, find bugs and give honest, thorough feedback. That is what developers pay for.
Want to earn while you play?
If you would rather earn a bit on the side and have fun at the same time, check out the best ways to earn money by playing games online.
How I choose the sites on this list
I only put a site on this list when I have tested it myself. I test hundreds of sites every year, and I keep this list updated.
What I look at
- Free and legit, never asks you to pay
- Really worth your time
- Options with and without experience
- I have tested it myself
Ready to start?
All of these options are free to join. Pick the options that fit your experience. If you have worked as a game tester before, look for full-time jobs. If not, start with the testing sites, and adjust what you expect to earn.
I keep this list updated, so bookmark this page. Know a site that belongs here, or have a question? Leave a comment below.
Frequently asked questions
Is game tester a legit job?
Yes. Game companies and testing sites really pay people to test games that are not released yet. Some of these jobs can even be full-time.
But game tester jobs are popular, so there are also many scams that promise huge rewards. If someone asks you to pay to get access to game tester jobs, stay away. The options on this list never ask for money.
Can I be a game tester with no experience?
Yes. GameRound and PlaytestCloud do not need a background in game testing, and Game Tester is open to everyone. Keep in mind that jobs with no experience needed pay less.
The high-paying jobs at game companies usually need previous experience as a game tester.
What kind of education do you need to be a game tester?
For the testing sites on this list, you do not need any. The high-paying game tester jobs often ask for previous experience or a specific education, so what you can earn mostly depends on these two.
Do video game play testers get paid?
Most do. PlaytestCloud pays for every approved test through PayPal, gift cards or virtual bank cards. Game Tester pays by prepaid Visa, bank transfer or gift cards from $25. GameRound gives gaming gear and gift cards, not cash.
Betabound is different: it lists beta tests, but it does not pay you to take part. The comparison shows how each option pays.
How do I become a game tester from home?
Sign up on a testing site like PlaytestCloud, Game Tester or GameRound, and test games from your own phone or computer. On PlaytestCloud, you first pass a short qualification test.
If you have experience, search for game tester jobs on SimplyHired or UpWork, or check the Career pages of game companies.
Is it hard to become a game tester?
It is not for everybody. You need to be honest, very thorough, and good at finding what is wrong with a game. Jobs at game companies have strict qualifications, but the testing sites are easy to join.
Hi Mike
Namibia is not included. Eish, we are suffering here.
You can check out this list of the best international sites which are the ones you should go for.
First I want to used this said
I explain how to get started in the article above.
Yes for the game tray for many
Hello Mikael I have seen that you have created a new YouTube channel so you can continue to share new projects coming out before the end of the year and I hope you are working on a channel very soon bless you for having this websites
I have NOT created a new YT channel. So if you see one using my videos or name, it is a fake channel. So do not follow that. Currently I am publishing here on my website and other socials. If I manage to get my YT channel back, I will post about it on X but if not, I will NOT create a new on but stick to other places to share.