How to earn £40-£250 in a couple of hours via market research focus groups – including the top 20 agencies to join
If you're willing to give your views on anything from fantasy football to chocolate spread or luxury cars, you could walk away with £40-£250 from taking part in a market research focus group.
Focus groups are usually recruited for via market research agencies, and knowing the right sites to sign up with can substantially boost your takings. So to help, we've compiled the top 20 companies below.
All the agencies listed restrict the number of projects you can take part in. Usually the limit is one every six months – and that's with ANY agency. (They do sometimes make exceptions though, and you'll always be told of any restrictions before being offered a job, so it's not something you need to worry about).
With that in mind then, see this as a nice little occasional earner rather than a chance to amass a fortune. But if you keep at it, it can really pay off – as this email from Rosie shows:
I've been doing market research for over a decade. Initially, I thought it would just give me a bit of extra pocket money, but over the years I've made over £5,000, which I put towards my first flat deposit! It's also really fun taking part in the focus groups. Oh, and they usually give you free sandwiches... what's not to love?- Rosie
We'd love to hear which market research agencies you rate, and why. Please pop your thoughts in the comments below or in the Market Research forum thread. Plus see our guide to making cash by filling in Online Surveys.
Before we get onto the top market research sites to sign up to, here are a few tips to max your earnings:
The number of focus groups you can do is restricted to a couple or possibly a few a year (though firms will sometimes make exceptions and let you do it more frequently for hard-to-fill projects).
Because of this, aim for the higher-paying projects. We're talking projects paying at least £50, rather than smaller projects paying a tenner. The really sought-after jobs can even pay £150 or more.
Projects are usually advertised by email, but never use your normal email address. It'll be immediately flooded with market research requests. Instead, set up a dedicated email account. As a powerful free option, Gmail is among the best.Though don't forget to check that account. One recruiter told us: "We often contact people by email initially and have noticed quite a few people setting up special email addresses to register with us (eg, Sallyssurveys@gmail.com). They then forget to check that address and can miss out when we contact them."
To boost your chances, set aside some time to sign up to all the agencies below. As the number of focus groups you can attend is limited, we've picked the ones with solid feedback from MoneySavers and Trustpilot.
It's a numbers game. If you're not selected to take part straightaway, keep applying – companies often have oddly specific criteria. One seasoned focus group-er we spoke to said she had a hit rate of about one in six.
Spaces on popular projects vanish more quickly than the green triangles in a Quality Street tin at MSE Towers. So when an email for a suitable session hits your inbox, register your interest immediately. Also, make yourself easy to get hold of.
Most in-person focus groups take place in major cities. Yet it's still well worth everyone signing up – these days many projects are run via video call, online forums and even WhatsApp groups.
If an application form asks for your opinion on something, get really into it and try to stand out. This will up your chances of selection.
Are you really a Porsche 911-owning, tequila-drinking pescatarian? Don't be tempted to fib, as companies can tell who's telling porkies.
As one recruiter told us: "We can spot people who merrily go through ticking all of the options in our survey in the hope of getting picked... they don't."
If the company demands any type of fee or deposit, walk away. None of the companies below did when we checked.
These can be another source of opportunities, often at locations handy for you. For example, I recently got £50 for a chat on childhood vaccinations for our local council.
Your first £1,000 of income from 'trading and miscellaneous' work is tax-free, which includes focus groups. Above that, you'll need to declare it. For full information, read HMRC's self-employment info.
If you're a 'business decision maker' you're often paid more. Same goes for professionals such as accountants, dentists and solicitors.
For example, we saw a company paying £220 for a three-hour session on business credit cards or £125 if you make decisions on toilets in office buildings.
Unfortunately, people working in advertising, the media and marketing are often excluded from taking part in research. However, it's still worth joining – this restriction will be made clear on individual projects' application forms.
You need to be 16 or over to join the majority of the market research companies listed below. (This can vary, so check with the individual firm.)
However, many projects specifically ask for kids under-16 to be interviewed, accompanied by their parents, so it's worth keeping an eye out on their behalf. We've seen some fun activities listed, eg, get paid to test Lego.
The child will receive anything from £15-£40 for an hour, and the parent usually gets a chaperone fee of about £30.
Target the higher-paying projects to max your earnings
Set up a dedicated email address
Sign up to ALL the agencies below
Don't get disheartened if you're not picked at first
Apply quickly to avoid missing out
Live in the sticks? You can take part online
Be opinionated…
… but be honest
Never pay a fee to join
Keep an eye out on local Facebook groups
A tip on tax
Business person? You can earn more
Some projects restrict people who work in certain fields
Kids can take part too
Now without further ado, here are the top market research companies to sign up to. We've chosen these based on feedback from users, as well as our own experiences when we signed up.
1) Saros – a big, well-established agency
Established agency Saros typically pays £40 to £100 cash for two hours' work. We've also seen projects that involve taking part in WhatsApp groups for a few weeks pay £200. You can sign up to hear about projects by email. Also 'Like' its Facebook and Instagram pages to get first dibs on the latest opportunities.Typical payment per project: £40-£100 How and where does it run groups? Most face-to-face research takes place in the major cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. People can take part in certain projects remotely, including by telephone, chat forum, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
I have done a couple of things for Saros in the past, got paid on the day in cash. Whoop-peee, £40 or £50 straightaway.- Forumite Danielle1977
2) Angelfish Opinions – good for fun online projects
With plenty of online projects, Angelfish Opinions has great Trustpilot feedback. Tasks are often on fun subjects – it's even done taste-testing for Nandos. We saw it offer £90 for a online chat about books and £75 for a focus group on soft drinks. Its Facebook and Instagram pages are full of current opportunities. Typical payment per project: £40-£150How and where does it run groups? Angelfish told us it runs 70% online via Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Face-to-face groups are UK-wide.
3) Research Opinions – one of the higher payers
Based in Manchester, Research Opinions runs focus groups across the country – often for tasty sums. We saw £120 for a focus group on speakers and £120 for an online forum about chocolate spread on pancakes (sign me up...). Join its busy Facebook and Instagram pages for a heads-up on new projects. Typical payment per project: £50-£200How and where does it run groups? UK-wide, with many online sessions. It interviews people by phone or by Zoom.
I attended a focus group with Research Opinions for two hours (drinks and snacks provided) and was given £50 cash. All I had to do was sit in a room with five other people and give my opinion on a certain well-known brand.- Forumite Needeasymoney
4) Research-i – get paid £50-£200 to test new video games
Before big new video games hit the shelves, companies need to test them out to see if they’ll be a hit. And Research-i will pay you £50-£200 to do it – occasionally as much as £600. On some projects, you can even bring a mate to play games together. Most sessions are in-person, because gaming firms like to keep their cards close to their chests to minimise the risk of leaks. However, Research-i also recruits for other topics (eg, travel, haircare), which are more likely to be remote. See its current list of projects to apply and keep an eye on its Facebook page. Typical payment per project: £50-£200 How and where does it run groups? Most gaming projects take place in central London or Sussex. It also runs remote testing on other topics.
5) Market Research 4 U – good for people in the South East or UK-wide for online studies
When we checked, Market Research 4 U had heaps of opportunities on offer, from £50 for a one-hour chat on mobile phones to £150 for a 90-minute interview on cars.You need to sign up to receive alerts. Typical payment per project: £50-£150 How and where does it run groups? You can take part in remote projects by telephone or video call (often Zoom or Microsoft Teams). The majority of in-person groups take place in London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
6) QMR – good for heaps of opportunities
Another well-established agency is QMR. You need to sign up to get alerts. MoneySavers say it can take a while to get picked, but is well worth it if you are. When we checked shout-outs included £60 for a one-hour focus group on hair-styling tools and £135 for an online project on beer.
Typical payment per project: £50-£200How and where does it run groups? The vast majority of projects are online via Zoom video calls. In-person groups are UK-wide.
7) Trend Market Research – high payer with lots of projects
Trend Market Research is another good bet, with reams of well-paying projects. We saw £80 an in-person chat on fast food and £230 for a three-hour discussion on cars (car discussions are often one of the top payers if you fit the bill). Follow it on Facebook for alerts.Typical payment per project: £50-£200How and where does it run groups? Most projects we saw were online via Whatsapp, chat forums or Zoom video calls. In-person interviews were UK-wide, but mainly in London and the Home Counties.
8) iPoint Research – plenty of remote projects available
When we checked, iPoint Research had stacks of well-paying projects on offer. We saw it recruiting for focus groups on topics including women's fashion (£250), charities (£50) and second-hand Nissan cars (£100). The vast majority of its research is online and the latest projects appear on its site.Typical payment per project: £50-£250How and where does it run groups? Most projects take place online via Zoom and Microsoft Teams. A few are face-to-face and these are UK-wide.
9) Take Part in Research – fun online projects, eg, £200 to play mobile games
Take Part in Research pays decent rates for sessions, which are mostly online. We spotted £50 for a 90-minute video call on supermarkets or £100 for a three-hour chat about working in manual labour. One lucrative gig paid £200 to trial a mobile game for three hours.To be in with a chance, register and follow it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.Typical payment per project: £50-£200How and where does it run groups? Typically online and UK-wide.
10) Focus Force – good for online projects (plus a few in London)
Holding most of its groups online, Focus Force typically pays £50-£100 a session. When we signed up to test it, there were a host of projects, from £40 to test out a new luxury foundation to £100 for an in-home interview on pets.Typical payment per project: £50-£120How and where does it run groups? Most projects are online via Zoom. It holds in-person sessions in London.
11) Q Research – assignments across the UK
Q Research has tonnes of well-paying assignments nationwide. A session on mobile networks paid £100 and kids toys also £100. As always, businesses are desperate to connect with car owners – it paid a generous £150 to talk about electric vehicles. Sign up, then give it a follow on Facebook or Instagram for updates.Typical payment per project: £60-£150How and where does it run groups? Online and in person. Most groups take place in London and other major cities, including Manchester and Birmingham.
12) Talking Point Research – high payer with lots of projects
Another established agency, Talking Point Research is well worth a join. When we checked, projects included £70 for a drinks tasting session, £60 to visit a beauty store with a researcher and £80 for an online community about travelling to airports. Typical payment per project: £50-£100How and where is it running projects? Most projects are online on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. There are a few in-person groups, which take place across the UK.
13) Bunnyfield – good for research on fun topics
With decent feedback from MoneySavers, Bunnyfield runs focus sessions mainly online. Topics are often fun – we saw £50 offered to talk about luxury jewellery and £70 to chat about the Sky Sports app. Not a fan of group discussions? Most chats are one-to-one, which might appeal to some. Check out its latest projects on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. If you apply to take part and don’t get selected, you get entered into a monthly prize draw to win one of four £25 shopping vouchers.
Typical payment per project: £50-£200How and where does it run groups? It runs most focus groups via Zoom with the occasional in-person group in Bristol, London, Oxfordshire and Sheffield.
I've done focus groups for £50-£100. Better still are the telephone/live web ones where you don't have to leave the house. Bunnyfield's good for this.- Forumite MollyDolly
14) Focus for research – great for those living within the M25
London-based agency Focus For Research has plenty of projects around the area. Focus group contributors can earn £100 for sharing likes/dislikes about snacks or £120 for talking about alcohol. Once you register as a member, it will invite you apply for projects by email.Typical payment per project: £40-£120How and where does it run groups? It runs projects in all over the UK, but most are in London or the home counties.
15) Opinion Exchange – especially good if you’re in Scotland or Wales
Opinion Exchange offers the chance to take part in paid research on topics such as how you spend your spare time, Scottish galleries and Welsh current affairs. While it recruits nationwide, we saw plenty of opportunities in Scotland and Wales.We saw projects including £40 for an online discussion about sustainable fashion and £100 for an in-person group on utility usage. The company also runs online surveys, paying £1 upwards. Typical payment per project: £40-£100How and where does it run projects? It runs in-person groups across the UK. Other groups are remote, via Zoom and Microsoft teams.
16) Code 3 – plenty of remote opportunities
Agency Code 3 now runs nearly all studies remotely. We saw £50 for a study on sport on TV and £75 for one on takeaways. Register to hear about the latest assignments. Typical payment per project: £50-£150How and where does it run projects? The majority of projects are now remote using Zoom and Microsoft Teams. It runs a few in-person projects – mainly in London and other big UK cities.
17) Focus4People – runs groups online and UK-wide
It's possible to earn £30 to £150 per session with Focus4People. Projects included £70 for a focus group on sofas and £100 for a video gaming session. Like its Facebook page to see the latest projects.Typical payment per project: £30-£150How and where does it run projects? Most are taking place over telephone and Zoom video call. In-person focus groups are UK-wide.
18) Research Helper – join if you're keen
Another site worth joining if you're really committed is Research Helper. When we joined there were only a couple of opportunities currently available, including up to £60 for a project on supermarkets.Typical payment per project: £40-£80How and where does it run projects? UK-wide by Video call and telephone.
19) Rocket Research – for dedicated focus groupees
When we checked Rocket Research only a couple of opportunities available, but pay was decent. We saw £100 for a project where you needed to be a primary teacher and £60 to talk about NS&I savings. If you’re keen it’s worth checking - see its latest projects on Facebook to get involved.Typical payment per project: £40-£100How and where does it run projects? UK-wide
20) Fresh Thinkers – worth joining for belt and braces
While it had fewer projects than some of the other agencies we signed up to, Fresh Thinkers is worth signing up to for belt and braces.Typical payment per project: £40-£100How and where does it run projects? UK-wide, though we have not seen Fresh Thinkers offer many projects recently.
21 January 2025
Recent blogs
14 January 2025
27 December 2024
