InsideHeads is a market research company that pays you for surveys and online focus groups. I joined and tested it myself. Below is how it works, how you get paid, and which sites I would pick first.
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 tested InsideHeads himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Legit, but surveys and focus groups are rare
Cash by check or bank transfer, with no payout threshold. Focus groups pay well, but you will be lucky to get one a year.
On this page
The short answer
InsideHeads is legit. It is a market research company that pays you cash for surveys and online focus groups, and there is no payout threshold.
But surveys are rare, and focus groups are even rarer. A focus group typically pays around $40 to $75, but you will be lucky if you get chosen once a year. Payment takes 2 to 4 weeks, by check or bank transfer. It is not a site to rely on for regular extra cash. The top survey sites in your country give you a lot more chances to earn.
- You earn cash for surveys and focus groups
- Focus groups pay rather well
- No payout threshold
- Surveys work on any device
- Limited earning opportunities
- Survey availability is quite low
- Takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive payment
- No PayPal: check or bank transfer only
- No FAQ page
My experience with InsideHeads
I joined InsideHeads and compared it to the hundreds of other survey sites I have tested. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- June 2020Review first published Jun 25, 2020
- Latest retest
- Checked: ways to earn, payouts, who can join
- Ways to earn
- Surveys and focus groupsBoth are rare
- Payout threshold
- NonePaid after every completed activity
- The sign-up, with the choice of region
- How surveys and qualifying questions work
- How online focus groups work
- The website and surveys on a mobile phone
- The ways to contact support
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from InsideHeads.
- A focus group. I explain how one works from the InsideHeads video below.
Inside InsideHeads: videos and screenshots
InsideHeads made two short videos. The first explains what the company does. The second shows how one of its online focus groups works: everything happens in a chat window, and the moderator writes in blue.
What InsideHeads does
How an InsideHeads focus group works
Screenshots from my test
InsideHeads rarely has something for you. The top survey sites in your country give you a lot more chances to earn.
See the best sites in your countryInsideHeads at a glance
| What it is | A market research company that runs a panel |
|---|---|
| Company | InsideHeads, based in Florida |
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Paid surveys and online focus groups |
| Focus group pay | Typically around $40 to $75, sometimes more |
| Minimum cashout | None. Every completed activity pays. |
| Payment | Check by mail in the US, bank transfer in other regions |
| Payout speed | Usually 2 to 4 weeks |
| Who can join | More or less worldwide. Choose your region at sign-up. It tends to favor the Americas. |
| Apps | No app. Surveys work in a mobile browser; focus groups need a laptop or desktop. |
| Support | Email, and a phone number on the Help page. No FAQ page. |
Is InsideHeads legit and safe?
Yes, InsideHeads is a legit market research company that pays you for its research activities. That does not make it worth your time. Here is what you should know.
- Few surveys
Feedback from many members says the site rarely offers any surveys. You only get paid when you complete a survey or focus group, so you cannot count on regular earnings.
- Focus groups are rare
Focus groups pay well, but you will be lucky if you get chosen to participate once a year.
- Slow payment, no PayPal
Payment usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. You get a check by mail in the US, or a bank transfer in other regions. There is no PayPal option.
- Focus groups need a computer
Surveys work on any device, but for a focus group you need a laptop or desktop. There is no way around it.
- No FAQ page
The website explains what InsideHeads does, but it has no FAQ page. For questions, you have to email or call.
My takeIn terms of earning potential, InsideHeads just pales in comparison to other survey sites. Focus groups can pay a significant amount, but they are quite rare, and you cannot depend on the surveys either. If you want to earn extra cash regularly, there are far better options.
How you earn on InsideHeads
There are 2 ways to earn. Tap one to read more.
Paid surveysLess than focus groups
InsideHeads emails you when a survey is available, or you log in and check the dashboard. Each survey tells you how much you will earn.
You first answer a few qualifying questions. If you qualify, you go on to the actual survey and earn the reward when you complete it. If you do not qualify, you try the next survey.
Unlike most survey sites, there is no points balance or threshold. Every survey you complete gets paid. InsideHeads has at least updated the look of its website since I first tested it.
Online focus groupsAround $40 to $75
In a focus group, you discuss a topic with other people. InsideHeads runs them in a chat window. The moderator’s messages are in blue, and the topic and materials show at the top of the chat window.
The key thing is to always respond to the moderator’s questions, so they can see you are paying attention. You get paid once the focus group is finished.
Focus groups typically pay around $40 to $75, and sometimes even more. You need a laptop or desktop to take part. Read more about how to join focus groups.
Check Out the Top Survey Sites in Your Country
How much can you make?
Not a lot. You only get paid when you complete a survey or a focus group, and both are rare.
If you get selected for a focus group, you can earn a significant amount: typically around $40 to $75. But this does not happen often. Surveys pay a lot less than focus groups.
That is why InsideHeads has low earning potential. Its earning opportunities are not available regularly.
Payout methods and speed
| Method | Where | Minimum | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check by mail | US | None | Usually 2 to 4 weeks |
| Bank transfer | Other regions, such as Europe or Asia | None | Usually 2 to 4 weeks |
You earn cash, but the payment options are a bit inconvenient and take quite a while. It would be better if InsideHeads also offered PayPal.
For sites that pay through PayPal, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
InsideHeads alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | High pay per survey and fast payouts, in more than 70 countries | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Swagbucks | Many daily ways to earn | About $5 PayPal | 4.3 / 5 |
| User Interviews | Paid research studies, mostly for US residents | No threshold; paid per study | 3.4 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research projects that pay well, straight to PayPal | None; paid after each project | 3.0 / 5 |
See the top survey sites in your country. They have better earning potential, and you can earn on a regular basis. Interested in focus groups? Read how to join focus groups and earn extra cash.
How I scored InsideHeads
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
InsideHeads scores 46 out of 100. These sites give you a lot more chances to earn.
See the best sites in your countryInsideHeads FAQ
Is InsideHeads a scam?
No. InsideHeads is a legit market research company that pays you for surveys and focus groups. But surveys and focus groups are rare, so it is not a site to rely on.
How much do InsideHeads focus groups pay?
Typically around $40 to $75, and sometimes even more. Surveys pay a lot less.
What is the minimum payout?
There is none. Every survey or focus group you complete gets paid.
How does InsideHeads pay?
By check by mail in the US, or by bank transfer in other regions. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. There is no PayPal.
Who can join InsideHeads?
You can join more or less worldwide. Choose your region when you sign up. It tends to favor the Americas.
Is there an InsideHeads app?
No. The surveys work in a mobile browser and from your email. For focus groups, you need a laptop or desktop.
How do I contact InsideHeads?
By email, or call the number on its Help page. There is no FAQ page.
Who tested InsideHeads 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 InsideHeads, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.