I checked out Focus Insite to see if its paid research studies are worth signing up for. It is legit and pays well per study, but invites are rare. Below is what I found, and which focus group sites I recommend next to it.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He checked Focus Insite himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit and pays well per study, but studies are rare
A research panel that invites you to focus groups, interviews and surveys by email. Expect a study once every couple of months at best.
On this page
The short answer
Focus Insite is legit. It is a market research company that connects you with researchers, and you earn by taking part in their studies. It pays a decent amount per study.
But there are very few opportunities to earn. You can consider yourself lucky if you can take part in a study once every couple of months. Most studies are for people in the US, and you claim your reward through a different platform. Only join it as a secondary site.
- Pays a decent amount per study
- Simple sign-up: one registration form
- Choose in-person studies, remote studies, or both
- The invite tells you how to contact the researcher
- Very limited earning opportunities
- You have to use a different platform to claim your rewards
- Requires a certain level of commitment to earn
- Most opportunities are for people in the US
- Rewards take one to two weeks to arrive
My experience with Focus Insite
I checked out the Focus Insite website, its studies, the sign-up form and the support options. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- December 2023Review first published Dec 19, 2023
- Latest retest
- Checked: studies, rewards, sign-up, support
- How invites arrive
- By emailThere is no member dashboard
- How often you can earn
- RarelyOnce every couple of months is lucky
- The studies on the website and the types of studies it runs
- The registration form to join the panel
- The “How it works” section of the website
- The website on a mobile phone
- Taking part in a paid study. My review does not show that I completed one.
- A payout. My review does not show a reward from Focus Insite.
Focus Insite at a glance
| What it is | Market research company that connects you with researchers who run studies |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Research studies only: mostly focus groups, sometimes surveys and online or phone interviews |
| Study formats | In person, or remote by phone or online. You choose when you sign up. |
| Pay per study | Depends on the time it takes. Around $50 for a 20-minute in-person study, around $250 for a study of about 2 and a half hours. |
| How you are paid | Through Tremendous: a digital or physical gift card of your choice, or a donation to charity |
| Payout speed | One to two weeks after you complete the study |
| Member dashboard | None. Invites arrive by email. |
| Where you can join | More or less worldwide, but most opportunities are for people in the US |
| Sign-up | One registration form puts you in the participant database. You still apply for each study. |
| Support | The “How it works” section, and the researcher’s contact details in each invite |
Is Focus Insite legit and safe?
Yes, Focus Insite is legit, since you can earn from the opportunities it offers. But the fact that it is legit doesn’t always mean it is worth your time. Here is what you should know before you join.
- Very few opportunities to earn
Quite a few studies are being conducted, but only a handful will be suitable for you. You can consider yourself lucky if you can participate in a study once every couple of months.
- It is very specific about who it accepts
Joining the panel is not enough. You still apply for each study, and the researcher screens you to find out if you are suitable for it. This takes patience.
- In-person studies depend on where you live
If you choose in-person studies, you only receive invites for studies in your area, which might never happen. Remote studies give you more opportunities to earn.
- You claim rewards on another platform
Focus Insite pays through Tremendous. You get an email with a link after the study, and you pick a gift card or a charity there. It is a bit confusing at first, and the reward takes one to two weeks.
- Mostly for people in the US
The site does not say which countries it is available in. You can join from more or less anywhere, but most opportunities are for people who live in the US.
My takeIn my opinion, Focus Insite is a decent site to earn rewards because it pays relatively well. However, before you join, you must align your expectations properly. This is not something you can regularly earn from. So, I would only suggest you join the panel if you are looking for a secondary site to earn from.
Focus Insite studies are rare. These focus group sites give you more chances to take part in paid research.
See the best focus group sitesHow you earn on Focus Insite
There is only one way to earn: research studies you are invited to by email.
Research studiesPaid per study
After you join the panel, you receive invitations to research studies by email. So check your inbox from time to time once you have joined.
When you sign up, you choose the type of studies you are interested in: in-person, remote, or both. For in-person studies, you travel to the location where the study is held. Remote studies are done by phone or online.
Most of the time, the studies ask you to join a focus group, online or in person. Sometimes they ask you to answer a survey or do an online or phone interview. Based on my experience, the remote option is better, because there are more opportunities to earn.
The invitation shows the type of reward you will earn. Once you have completed the study and Focus Insite confirms it, you receive your reward.
Types of studiesIndustry studies pay more
The studies are mostly about consumer perspectives, studies for industry-specific professionals, and studies for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
Based on my experience, the studies that look for industry-specific participants have the higher rewards.
Check Out the Best Online Focus Groups to Earn Money
How much can you make?
It mostly depends on how many studies you can take part in, and there are not a lot of opportunities on this site.
How much a study pays depends on the time it takes. For example, an in-person study that takes about 20 minutes usually pays around $50. A study that takes around 2 and a half hours pays around $250. So if you are invited to a longer study, grab the opportunity, because that is where you can earn the most.
Overall, even though the site pays well, the earning potential is not that good, because there simply aren’t a lot of opportunities to earn, based on my experience.
How you get paid
| Reward | How you get it | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Digital gift card of your choice | Through Tremendous, with the link in the email you get after the study | One to two weeks after the study |
| Physical gift card | Mailed to you, chosen through Tremendous | One to two weeks after the study |
| Donation to a charity of your choice | Chosen through Tremendous | One to two weeks after the study |
Focus Insite uses a different platform to pay out its rewards. The payment system is a bit confusing at first, but you will eventually get used to it, in my opinion.
If you prefer not to go to a different platform to claim your rewards, see the best sites that pay via PayPal.
How to join Focus Insite
Fill out the registration form to join the panel. After you submit it, you are part of the participant database, and you receive email invites when there are studies that may suit you.
For each study, you still apply, so the researcher can screen you and find out if you are suitable. The sign-up is simple, but the applications take patience, because Focus Insite is very specific about who it accepts.
There is no member dashboard and no app. You work through your email inbox. The study itself usually needs your computer, your phone, or a trip to a specific location.
What readers told me
This review has 4 comments since 2024: 2 from readers and 2 replies from me.
One reader got a call soon after signing up and was happy with the team. That is one experience; how often you are contacted depends on the studies that suit you.
One reader appreciated the warnings about how rare the studies are.
“I signed up and already got a call such a friendly and professional team!”
Mikael: Great to hear. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Focus Insite alternatives I have reviewed
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Junkie | Easy-to-use survey site in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| User Interviews | Paid research studies, mostly for US residents | No threshold; paid per study | 3.4 / 5 |
| FocusGroup.com | US focus groups and research studies | $10 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research studies, open globally | Paid per project via PayPal | 3.0 / 5 |
Studies are rare on every focus group site, so join several. See the best online focus groups to earn money. Looking for ways to earn on a regular basis? See the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Focus Insite
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Focus Insite scores 56 out of 100. It is a decent secondary site, but these focus group sites give you more chances to earn.
See the best focus group sitesFocus Insite FAQ
Is Focus Insite a scam?
No. Focus Insite is a legit market research company, and you can earn from the studies it offers. But the opportunities are very limited.
How much does Focus Insite pay?
It depends on the time a study takes. An in-person study of about 20 minutes usually pays around $50, and a study of around 2 and a half hours pays around $250.
How does Focus Insite pay?
Through Tremendous. After the study, you get an email with a link where you pick a digital or physical gift card, or a donation to a charity of your choice.
How fast does Focus Insite pay?
Expect your reward within one to two weeks of completing the study.
How often can I earn from Focus Insite?
Not often. You can consider yourself lucky if you take part in a study once every couple of months.
Who can join Focus Insite?
The site does not say which countries it is available in. From what I can see, it is available more or less worldwide, but most opportunities are for people who live in the US.
Can I use Focus Insite on my phone?
There is no app and no member dashboard. Invites arrive by email, so you can read them on your phone. The studies usually need your computer, your phone, or a trip to a specific location.
How do I contact Focus Insite?
Check the “How it works” section of the website first. For questions about a study, contact the researcher. The invitation includes their contact details.
Who checked Focus Insite for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Focus Insite, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
I signed up and already got a call such a friendly and professional team! Definitely recommend signing up if you’re looking for some extra income.
Great to hear. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I appreciated the cautionary emphasis.
You are welcome.