Observa pays you for small mystery shopping jobs, called gigs, near where you are. I installed the app to see if it is worth it. It is legit and has no payout threshold, but the rewards are low and the gigs depend on your city. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
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 Observa himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit gig app, but only worth it in a major city
Gigs usually pay $3 to $25, to PayPal or Coinbase with no threshold. US and Canada only, and you have to travel to each location.
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The short answer
Observa is a legit mystery shopping app. It pays you for small observation jobs, such as taking photos in a shop. There is no payout threshold, and you are paid through PayPal or Coinbase once your work is approved.
But the rewards are low, usually $3 to $25 per gig, and you have to go to each location. It is only available in the US and Canada. Several readers report rejected work and missing pay, and slow support. It is only worth it if you live in a major city and need an additional app.
- Offers payment via PayPal
- No payout threshold
- Gigs seldom ask you to make a purchase
- User-friendly app without pop-up ads
- Limited earning opportunities
- Low rewards
- Only available in the US and Canada
- You may spend money and time on travel to each gig
- Readers report rejected work and slow support
My experience with Observa
I installed the Observa app and looked at the gigs, the waitlist, the payment terms and the support options. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- September 2021Review first published Sep 17, 2021
- Latest retest
- Checked: gigs, payouts, support
- Pay per gig
- Usually $3 to $25What the gigs in the app offer
- Review of your work
- Around 24 to 72 hoursThen you are paid
- The gigs in map mode and list mode
- The waitlist for gigs someone else is working on
- The sign-up and the app
- The desktop login page and the Help page
- Completing a gig. My review does not show that I did one.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from Observa.
What I saw when I tested Observa
These screenshots show what I saw in the Observa app. This is not payment proof: my review does not show a payout.
Screenshots from my test
Observa at a glance
| What it is | A mystery shopping app for small observation jobs, a lot like SmartSpotter |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Gigs (mystery shopping jobs) and a referral program |
| Pay per gig | Usually $3 to $25, in US or Canadian dollars |
| Typical gig | Go to a specific shop, take photos and write down your observations. You seldom have to buy something. |
| Rules | GPS on, be near the location, one gig at a time, 2 hours to complete it |
| Minimum cashout | None |
| Payout methods | PayPal (default) or Coinbase: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or Bitcoin Cash |
| Payout speed | After your work is reviewed, which usually takes around 24 to 72 hours |
| Referral program | 25% commission on the first 4 observations of each referral |
| Apps | iOS and Android. The website is only for account settings. |
| Who can join | US and Canada, 18 or older |
| Support | Help page with tutorials, and email: support@observanow.com |
Is Observa legit and safe?
Yes, Observa is a legit app that pays for completed gigs. But that does not automatically make it worth your time. Here is what you should know.
- Readers report rejected work and missing pay
Between 2022 and 2023, several readers wrote that Observa rejected their submissions or did not pay them, and that support did not help. Other readers were paid, one of them always within 3 days. Make sure you submit every requirement.
- Gigs depend on your city
Major cities usually have more gigs than smaller cities. In a rural area, chances are you will not earn a lot from it.
- Travel can cost more than you earn
You have to go to each location, which can cost you money for transportation and time. If you have to go out of your way, you might spend more on gas or end up with extremely low pay per hour. Only take gigs near where you already are.
- Support replies can be slow or generic
Readers report canned responses, or a virtual assistant that says support is busy. One reader waited a week for payments that usually come within 72 hours.
- Use your PayPal email
Register with the same email address as your PayPal account, because Observa automatically uses it for payments.
My takeIn my opinion, Observa is not a bad app. But it’s also not a stand-out either. It’s somewhere in the middle. It’s a pretty decent app for earning if you live in a major city. But if you live in a rural city, then chances are, you won’t earn a lot from it. The best thing about Observa, in my opinion, is that it doesn’t have a payout threshold.
Observa only pays off near the gigs in a major US or Canadian city. These sites let you earn from home.
See the best sites in your countryHow you earn on Observa
There are 2 ways to earn. Gigs are the main one. Tap one to read more.
GigsUsually $3 to $25
Gigs are Observa’s mystery shopping jobs. Log in to the app to see them as red spots on a map, or switch to list mode to see all gigs near your location.
You can only accept a gig when the app recognizes that you are near the location, so turn on your GPS. Press the gig to see the details and accept it. You have 2 hours to complete it, and you can only accept one gig at a time.
Most gigs ask you to go to a specific shop, take photos and write down your observations. You seldom have to make a purchase. Upload the requirements through the details page. Observa reviews your work, usually in around 24 to 72 hours, and pays you if everything is in order.
A gig marked yellow means someone else is working on it. Join the waitlist, and you get a push notification when it is available again.
Referral program25% for 4 observations
Share your invite code. When your referral signs up with it and completes a job, you receive a 25% commission. This only counts for the first 4 observations your referral completes. The rate is decent, but that limit makes the earning potential quite low.
How much can you make?
It depends mostly on your location. Major cities usually have more gigs than smaller cities, so in a metropolitan city you can earn more from Observa.
Gigs usually pay $3 to $25. In my opinion, that is a decent rate, and the gigs seldom ask you to spend money. But you also spend money on transportation and time to get there. Always weigh the reward against the possible expenses and time before you take on a gig.
Overall, Observa’s earning potential is relatively decent in a major city. But it is only worth it if you are already near the location anyway.
Payout methods and minimum
| Method | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | None | The default. Paid to the email you registered with. |
| Coinbase | None | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or Bitcoin Cash. Ask Observa to switch. |
You are paid in US or Canadian dollars, depending on where you live. Observa pays immediately once it has verified your submission, which can take up to 72 hours. I like that there is no payout threshold, so you can receive your earnings quickly.
For more sites and apps that pay quickly, see the fastest paying sites.
What 17 readers told me
This review has 17 comments since July 2022: 11 from readers and 6 replies from me. All of them are from 2022 and 2023. These are the things readers wrote about most.
Readers report gigs that were rejected or not paid after they did the work. Other readers were paid without problems.
Readers say support gives canned responses, or a virtual assistant that does not follow up.
A reader was paid within 24 hours for her first gig, but waited a week for the next ones.
Gigs seldom ask you to make a purchase. Most ask for photos and observations.
“I have used Observa for several months, and haven’t ever had an observation rejected. Payment always arrives in 3 days via PayPal.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
“Observa is a mixed bag sometimes they pay out quickly other times they take days, they reject your work for no reason and support is horrible…”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
“The 1st one I did no problem at all I got pd within 24 hours. Now it’s going on day 7 and day 8 for the last 3 I have done.”
Mikael: If you have done everything correctly, you will get paid.
Observa alternatives I have reviewed
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, from home, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Swagbucks | Many daily ways to earn, one of the biggest GPT sites | About $5 PayPal | 4.3 / 5 |
| iShopFor Ipsos | Mystery shopping jobs plus expenses back, paid to PayPal | None (PayPal) | 3.1 / 5 |
| SmartSpotter | Photo spots in shops, a lot like Observa | None; automatic payout at £20 | 2.9 / 5 |
See also the top survey apps. If you are looking for primary sources of extra income, see the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Observa
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Observa scores 50 out of 100. I recommend these sites before Observa.
See the best sites in your countryObserva FAQ
Is Observa legit?
Yes. Observa is a legit mystery shopping app that pays for completed gigs. But the rewards are low, and readers report rejected work and slow support.
How much does Observa pay?
Gigs usually pay $3 to $25, in US or Canadian dollars. You also spend time and maybe money to get to each location.
How does Observa pay?
Through PayPal by default, or Coinbase in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or Bitcoin Cash. There is no payout threshold.
How fast does Observa pay?
Observa pays once it has verified your work, which usually takes around 24 to 72 hours. One reader waited a week.
Who can join Observa?
People in the US and Canada who are at least 18 years old.
Can I use Observa on a desktop?
Only to change your account settings. The gigs need the app on your phone, for iOS or Android.
How do I contact Observa?
Check the Help page first. Otherwise, press “Contact Support” in the app menu, or email support@observanow.com.
Who tested Observa 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 Observa, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Observa is a bad app. Didn’t go t paid even thou drove and wasted my time and money. Bad app.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
It says in the app 72 hours to get paid. I live on a very tight fixed income. The 1st one I did no problem at all I got pd within 24 hours. Now it’s going on day 7 and day 8 for the last 3 I have done. Now support is saying 92 hrs or more to get pd. Now this makes a big deal for me when it comes down to it. I can’t eat. I very much was depending on this app to help me out when I needed extra money. Am I ever going to get paid
If you have done everything correctly, you will get paid.
But you can also check out the fastest paying sites here.
Observa is a mixed bag sometimes they pay out quickly other times they take days, they reject your work for no reason and support is horrible, be prepared for frustration using this app
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Absolutely horrible company I did 3 merchandiser jobs for them at Walgreens did everything they asked, and they rejected everyone for some stupid reason. If someone is saying they’ve never had issues getting paid from Observa they are lying and probably are employees of Observa and not independent contractors using their app.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I have used Observa for several months, and haven’t ever had an observation rejected. Payment always arrives in 3 days via PayPal. I have contacted customer service regarding missing items for a project, and while they always respond very quickly—it is just a canned response. Other than that, I highly recommend it!
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Did Observa pay you to come on here and say that, or are you an Observa employee? Cause there is no way you haven’t had any rejection from them in several months, they go out of their way to not pay
How did you reach customer service. It is a virtual assistant that replies that they are busy and have a long list of other callers. Then never follow up.
Observa is a mixed bag sometimes they pay out quickly other times they take days, they reject your work for no reason and support is horrible, be prepared for frustration using this app
Horrible, Horrible company; I did 5 Surveys for them, two were going to restaurants and obtaining a photo of the outside of the establishment and getting a photo of the front and back of the cocktail menu and the other 3 had to do with getting vodka photos at a liquor store and they did not even pay me!! They are a rip off! tried reach out to customer service and they do not even respond they must need the $25 more than I do!! Stay away, they waste your time
Sorry to hear that. But thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.
My own humble opinion here is must you purchase any goods when you visit any of those big shops??
I agree. I was done the same way. This site is a scam.