I tested Toloka to see if its AI training tasks are worth your time. It is legit, but most tasks pay little and you can only cash out through Payoneer. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
Legit, but low pay per task and Payoneer only
Open worldwide, with a user-friendly app. Most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1, and you need $20 to cash out.
On this page
The short answer
Toloka is not a scam. It is a legit site that pays you for completing tasks. The tasks help improve AI models, for example by labeling data or answering questions.
But most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1, so you have to do a lot of them to earn a significant amount. You can now only withdraw through Payoneer, from $20. It can be a secondary site. It is not a site to rely on.
- User-friendly app for Android and iOS
- Quite a lot of available tasks, depending on your country
- You earn in US dollars, so there are no points to convert
- Available worldwide
- A comprehensive FAQ with troubleshooting tips
- Low rewards: most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1
- Payoneer is the only payout option
- You need $20 to cash out, minus a 1%–3% fee
- You must share your phone number to sign up
- The referral program is no longer available
My experience with Toloka
I tested Toloka myself and made a video of how it works. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- July 2020Review first published Jul 21, 2020
- Latest retest
- Checked: tasks, payout options, sign-up
- Pay per task
- Around $0.10 to $1For most tasks
- Payout option
- Payoneer onlyFrom $20. PayPal and Skrill were removed.
- Payout
- Not reachedI did not reach the payout threshold. For me, it was not worth the time.
- The paid tasks and how they work, shown in my video
- The sign-up, which asks for your phone number
- The Toloka app on a phone
- The FAQ and the contact form
- A payout. I did not reach the $20 threshold, so my review does not show a cashout.
- Toloka Annotators, the other way to earn. It is essentially a different platform, so this review covers the Tolokers tasks only.
An inside look at Toloka
In the video below, I give you an inside look and show exactly how Toloka works and what it offers.
Screenshots from my test
Toloka pays little per task. The top sites in your country give you more ways to earn.
See the best sites in your countryToloka at a glance
| What it is | Task site where you help improve AI models, mostly with data labeling. It used to be called Yandex Toloka and is now on Toloka.ai. |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Paid tasks only. The referral program is no longer available. |
| Task types | Answering questions, data labeling, field tasks where you take pictures, and recording simple real-life activities with your phone |
| Pay per task | Most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1. Training tasks pay nothing, but raise your rating and skill level. |
| Currency | US dollars, no points |
| Minimum cashout | $20 |
| Payout methods | Payoneer only. Papara, QIWI, PayPal and Skrill are no longer available. |
| Fees | A 1%–3% processing fee, taken from the amount you withdraw |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Sign-up | With a Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Microsoft or Apple account, plus your mobile number |
| Apps | Android and iOS |
| Where you can join | Worldwide. Which tasks you get depends mostly on your location. |
| Support | FAQ with troubleshooting tips, and a contact form that is easier to find in the app |
Is Toloka legit and safe?
Yes, Toloka is legit. It is a real site that pays you for performing tasks. But that does not automatically make it a good way for you to earn. Here is what you should know.
- Most tasks pay little
Most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1 at most. It is a fairly decent rate, but not high, so you have to do a lot of tasks to earn a significant amount. You have no control over which tasks you get.
- One payout option, from $20
You can now only withdraw through Payoneer, and you need $20 first. That takes quite some patience. A processing fee of 1%–3% is taken from the amount you withdraw.
- You must share your phone number
Toloka asks for your mobile number when you register, to confirm your sign-up. If you do not want to share it, you cannot join, and you cannot get an inside look first.
- Your rating decides what you earn
Toloka checks your work before it pays. A high rating gets you more per task, and a high skill level qualifies you for more tasks. Do your best work on every task.
- It is hard to find where to join
On Toloka.ai, you cannot easily see how to join and start earning. You have to go to its Tolokers page first.
My takeIn my opinion, if you are looking for extra secondary sites to earn from, Toloka can be a viable choice. However, don’t expect to earn a lot from it, because the rewards aren’t that high. The mobile app does help you become a more efficient earner. But if you are looking for primary sites to earn from, I suggest other sites instead.
How you earn on Toloka
There is one way to earn: paid tasks. The referral program Toloka used to have is no longer available.
Paid tasksAround $0.10 to $1 each
The tasks are different from the tasks on most GPT sites. They focus on improving AI models and involve data labeling. Some tasks only ask you to answer questions. Field tasks ask you to go out and take pictures, and for those you need the app.
A newer type of task asks you to use your phone to record simple, real-life activities like cleaning, organizing or walking. It is very simple, and it is in high demand.
You log in, pick a task and follow its instructions. Then you submit your work for review. When Toloka finds that it meets its requirements, you receive the promised reward.
There are also tasks that pay nothing. They work as training tasks that raise your rating and skill level. Your rating is the quality of your responses combined with your activity. Your skill level is how well you handle a type of task. A high rating gets you more per task, and a high skill level qualifies you for more tasks.
How much can you make?
It mostly depends on how well the tasks pay and how many tasks you get. You have no control over which tasks are made available to you. That mostly depends on your location.
Most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1 at most. It is a fairly decent rate, in my opinion, but it is also not that high. So you have to do a lot of tasks to earn a significant amount.
Keep your rating and skill level high, because that is how you get paid more and qualify for more tasks. But overall, Toloka does not have a high earning potential. If you are patient and willing to put in some effort to earn a bit extra on the side, it can be an option. Just don’t expect to earn too much.
Payout method, minimum and fee
| Method | Minimum | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Payoneer | $20 | 1%–3% processing fee, taken from the amount you withdraw |
Every task pays in US dollars. Toloka does not use points, so it is very easy to see how much you have earned.
Toloka used to also pay through Papara, QIWI, PayPal and Skrill. These options are no longer available, which is a big shame, in my opinion. I like that it offers Payoneer, because it is a convenient payout method today. If you prefer PayPal, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
How to sign up for Toloka
Go to the Tolokers page on Toloka.ai. The main website does not make it easy to see how to join. Then click to sign up with your Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Microsoft or Apple account.
Toloka then asks for your mobile number, to confirm your registration. You must be at least 18 years old.
Personally, I do not mind sharing my phone number with a platform I know is legit. But I do not like it when a site asks for it during sign-up, before you can get an inside look.
What 33 readers told me
This review has 33 comments since 2020: 17 from readers and 16 replies from me. These are the four things readers write about most.
Readers from Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Uganda asked if Toloka works there and what else to join. Toloka is open worldwide, but which tasks you get depends on your location.
Readers asked about PayPal withdrawals and the minimum. Toloka has since removed PayPal. Payoneer is now the only option, from $20.
How much you can earn in a week, and how task reviews affect your score. Pay depends on your tasks, your rating and your location.
A phone number that Toloka says is already in use, and a ban for two accounts with the same payment details. Contact support about sign-up problems, and only use one account.
“FYI, Paypal is no longer available as a payment option for Toloka, according to their website.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing. I will look into this asap and get the article updated accordingly.
“why does it always give comment that my phone number is already in use for other yandex user.”
Mikael: You need to contact their support about this.
“some of these tasks are about language comprehension. Then have no chance to turn them down and ask for a review and ends up destroing my score.”
Mikael: Sorry to hear that. But thanks for sharing your experiences.
Toloka alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| ySense | Surveys and other ways to earn, open in most countries | $10 PayPal | 4.0 / 5 |
| TimeBucks | Tasks and other ways to earn in almost every country | $3 | 3.9 / 5 |
| JumpTask | Small tasks paid in crypto | $0.50 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Outlier AI | Remote AI training work, but task availability is inconsistent | No threshold; paid weekly | 3.1 / 5 |
If you are looking for primary sites to earn from, see the top GPT sites. They offer several ways to earn and good earning potential, and you will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Toloka
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Toloka scores 46 out of 100. I recommend these sites before Toloka.
See the best sites in your countryToloka FAQ
Is Toloka a scam?
No. Toloka is a legit site that pays you for performing tasks. But most tasks pay little.
Is Toloka the same as Yandex Toloka?
Yes. It used to be called Yandex.Toloka. It has since changed its name and website, and is now on Toloka.ai.
How much does Toloka pay per task?
Most tasks pay around $0.10 to $1 at most. Some training tasks pay nothing, but raise your rating and skill level.
How does Toloka pay?
Only through Payoneer. PayPal, Skrill, Papara and QIWI are no longer available.
What is the minimum payout?
$20 through Payoneer. A processing fee of 1%–3% is taken from the amount you withdraw.
Which countries can join Toloka?
Toloka is available worldwide. Which tasks you get depends mostly on your location.
Does Toloka have an app?
Yes, for Android and iOS. You need it for field tasks.
Do I need a phone number to join?
Yes. Toloka asks for your mobile number to confirm your registration. You must also be at least 18.
How do I contact Toloka support?
Check the FAQ first. Some questions there lead to the contact form. In the app, the contact form is easier to find.
Who tested Toloka for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Toloka, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
I wet to join and have enough money 💰
I explain how it works and what you can expect in the review above.
I want to join
I explain how it works and how to get started in the review above.
Love your site! FYI, Paypal is no longer available as a payment option for Toloka, according to their website.
Thanks for sharing. I will look into this asap and get the article updated accordingly.
So which other site would you recommend
I link to my top recommended options in the review above.
You have well explained this site but my question is that how much money do yiu consider a good amount in a week? you can also take my query as that what do you think how much maximum money one can get in a week from this site & what should be the spending time at this site on daily basis?
I explain how much you can earn in the review above.
I have earned more than 200usd here..I used to do the tasks using the web version from this platform because it has different tasks there like uhrs that you wont find in their mobile app. But they banned me because I created two accounts that has the same payment details.payout was instant on paypal after the first payment. I just made 40usd on the other account before they had kicked me out..hahaha anyways sorry for my english..:)
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Is it available in Nigeria, so I can join?.
Yes, it should be.
Hi, why does it always give comment that my phone number is already in use for other yandex user. I am sure that my phone number is never use for any yandex.
You need to contact their support about this.
I am from India.. Please suggest some earning sites
You can see the best sites in India here.
I keep receiveing assignments from illiterate people looking for Spanish or English but are unable to write English or Spanish well. Moreover, some of these tasks are about language comprehension. Then have no chance to turn them down and ask for a review and ends up destroing my score. A piece of crap.
Sorry to hear that. But thanks for sharing your experiences.
Hi Mikael,
Thanks for your review. I will give it a short. What other GPT sites can I try out in Uganda. Thanks.
In Uganda, you can check out this list of good international options.
I am from Pakistan.. Please suggest some GPT sites with reasonable earning options.. thanks
In Pakistan, you should go for the best international sites.
Hi Mikael. I started using Yandex Toloka last month and made about fifty dollars which I think is wonderful. So far, I haven’t been able to make more than a dollar or two on all the others I’ve tried. I want to ask if there are similar sites to Toloka so I can have more options as it doesn’t always have tasks I can do. Thank you for you…?
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Great to hear.
Which country do you live in? Then I can suggest some more options for you.
I live in Nigeria…
You can check out a list of some good options in Nigeria here.
Bro, pls were u able to withdraw into your PayPal.? And how Long did it take?
As what i read, you can withdraw, 0.02$ in Paypal but I tried it to withdraw, its not the minimum withdrawn amount.
Thanks?
there might be some differences from country to country. But this is the threshold Yandex.Toloka itself also says it has. So strange they do not make it clear it might not be the case in all countries.
But thanks for sharing.
Will give it as trial
let me know how it goes.