How I Made Extra Money in College with UserTesting.com — And Why You Should Try It Too

Back in college, I lived in a house with a bunch of other guys. It wasn’t a fraternity, but it was definitely a place full of broke students hustling to make some extra cash. Like many college students, we tried all sorts of ways to make money on the side—most of which turned out to be total wastes of time. You know the usual stuff: online surveys, watching ads, entering sweepstakes… and ninety percent of the time, you either don’t get paid or the pay is laughably low.

But one platform that actually worked and didn’t waste my time was UserTesting.com. If you’re looking for a legitimate way to earn some extra money without a huge time commitment, let me tell you what UserTesting is and how it works. It’s a simple gig that pays you for giving feedback on websites, apps, and digital products — helping companies improve their user experience before launch.

What Exactly Is UserTesting.com?

At its core, UserTesting is a platform that connects companies with real people like you and me. These companies want to figure out if their products or services have any bugs, usability issues, or confusing design elements before they go live to the public. They also want honest feedback on how to make things better.

You might wonder: why don’t these companies just hire professionals or full-time employees to do this? The answer is simple — the companies want feedback from real consumers, not experts. Professionals might analyze the product differently or overlook problems that actual users would have. Getting feedback from genuine users ensures the product will truly resonate with their target audience.

According to UserTesting’s website, testers can earn anywhere from $3 to $60 per test. Most tests pay between $10 and $20, and typically take between 5 to 20 minutes to complete. The higher-paying tests usually take longer or require more detailed feedback.

How Does UserTesting Work?

The process is pretty straightforward:

1. Companies ask a group of testers to review a product or website.

2. As a tester, you’re asked to perform specific tasks on the site or app — just like a normal user would.

3. While doing this, your screen and audio are recorded so the company can see how you interact with their product.

4. After the test, you complete a short survey to provide additional feedback.

Before you start testing, UserTesting asks you for detailed personal info. This is because companies are looking for testers who fit certain demographics. For example, a company might want feedback specifically from men aged 25-35 living in the U.S. who are interested in investing. Your profile helps match you with tests you qualify for.

Once you’re approved and set up, you connect your PayPal account to UserTesting, and payments are usually made within about a week.

How Many Tests Can You Do?

In your dashboard, you’ll typically see 1-2 tests per day available to you, but sometimes there are more. I’ve seen days with up to 5 or 6 tests if you’re lucky. The best part is you can complete these quickly, especially if you focus and know what companies are looking for.

However, quality matters. Companies rate testers based on the usefulness of their feedback. If you’re just clicking through or giving shallow answers, you’ll get a low rating, which means fewer or no future invites. On the other hand, if you give detailed and thoughtful feedback, your rating improves, and companies will be more likely to hire you repeatedly. That’s how you can increase your earnings over time.

Who Can Join?

UserTesting is open to testers from many countries. However, the highest-paying tests generally come from companies targeting users in English-speaking, first-world countries like the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The demographic you belong to influences how many tests you qualify for and how much you get paid.

How Much Money Can You Make?

Personally, I made over $100 from UserTesting just casually taking tests when I had free time. One of my housemates got really serious and ended up making between $500 and $600 over a few months. With consistent effort and quality feedback, you could potentially make $300 or more a month.

If you really nail it, companies start sending you more and better-paying tests. It’s not going to make you rich, but it’s a great way to earn some quick beer money or save up for small things — like buying a birthday gift or covering a few extra expenses.

Why UserTesting Might Be the Best “Side Hustle” for Students and Beginners

• Low barrier to entry: No experience needed. Just a computer or smartphone and an internet connection.

• Flexible schedule: You choose when and how many tests to take.

• Real impact: Your feedback directly helps companies improve their products.

• Reliable pay: Payments are made through PayPal, usually within a week.

It’s not the kind of side hustle that will replace a full-time income, but it’s a legit way to make some money without scams or complicated sign-ups.

Thinking About a Career With More Stability and Growth?

If you’re tired of side gigs and want a career that pays well, offers upward mobility, and can be done remotely, consider tech sales. It’s a booming field with lots of opportunities and flexibility.

I’ve shared quite a bit on this channel about tech sales because it’s one of my favorite careers — and you can get into it quickly. For example, someone named Mahogany landed a tech sales job in less than two weeks after training with a company called Course Careers. They offer free training, which you can check out through the links in the description or pinned comment.

I’ve also interviewed many people who went through Course Careers, including Della, a stay-at-home mom who made over $100,000 a year in just a month and a half after starting tech sales.

If you want to learn more about tech sales, I highly recommend exploring those resources.

Final Thoughts

UserTesting.com is a legit, easy-to-use platform that helped me make some quick money in college, and it can do the same for you. It’s a flexible side gig that rewards you for sharing your honest opinions and helping companies improve their products.

If you want a little extra cash without long hours or complex tasks, give UserTesting a shot. And if you’re looking for a longer-term career with solid pay and growth, definitely check out tech sales.

If you found this useful, don’t forget to hit like, subscribe, and ring the notification bell for more insights and tips. Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below — I love hearing from you!

Helpful Links:

• UserTesting.com — Sign up and start testing.

• Course Careers — Free training to start a career in tech sales.

• Interview with Della on Tech Sales Success — How she made $100k+ in under two months.