SURVEYS

This isn't about joining every single survey site you find on Google. It's about focusing on those with decent payouts, low payment thresholds and a reliable volume of surveys.

We tested and analysed MoneySavers' reviews to find the top 20 sites. Huge thanks to all the MoneySavers whose feedback went into the guide. If you've found a top survey site we're missing, add it in the Survey Sites discussion.

01IpsosTOP PAYER, £10 AMAZON VOUCHERS/MTH TYPICAL

A must-join, Ipsos is probably the best paying survey site. Its surveys are plentiful, and many rack up £10 or more of Amazon vouchers every month. Full info

02Swagbucks*MEGA POPULAR WITH FORUMITES

With a cult following in the Forum, Swagbucks* pays you 'swag points' to answer daily polls. You can also mix it up by getting paid to watch videos, search via its page instead of Google and even play free online games. Full info

03GlobalTestMarketRELIABLE US SITE THAT SENDS £30 CHEQUES

US survey site GlobalTestMarket pays by cheque in sterling once you've earned $50 (currently £31ish). Many forumites amass £100 a year from the site. Full info

04CrowdologyYOU ONLY NEED TO EARN £4 BEFORE IT PAYS

Another popular site, Crowdology pays hard cash via Paypal. The payment threshold's a low £4, and many folks rack this up every month. Full info

05MySurveyYOU ONLY NEED TO EARN £3 BEFORE IT PAYS

MoneySavers earn cash quickly from MySurvey, as it has a low £3 payout threshold and abundant surveys. It pays in cash via Paypal. Full info

06OnePollBEST FOR FUN, QUICK POLLS

Mega-popular for its speedy surveys, OnePoll runs polls for the press, meaning fun questions about celebs and your lovelife. It works slightly differently to other survey sites and doesn't send out invitations - you need to log on daily to check. Full info

07PineconeINVITATION ONLY - BUT VERY GENEROUS

The holy grail of survey sites, Pinecone pays megabucks, but is invitation only. You get £3 for every survey. Sadly, the recruitment process is more secretive than MI6. You have to wait until you're invited or spot a web banner advert on another site to sign up. Full info

08NewvistaliveLUCRATIVE, BUT YOU NEED TO EARN £50 BEFORE IT PAYS

While Newvistalive has a high £50 payout threshold, many MoneySavers have racked up £50 cheques fairly quickly. It usually pays between £50p and £1 per survey - some forumites have made £50 in six months. Full info

09TolunaEARN AMAZON VOUCHERS

Another survey site to try is Toluna. Forumites earn regular Amazon vouchers, though some report payments can be slow. Full info

10YouGovRELIABLE, BUT LONG SLOG TO HIT TARGET

People either love or hate YouGov. The surveys are short ‘n' snappy, and the site is commissioned by everyone from academics to charities, so you get to put in your tuppence on serious subjects. Yet MoneySavers say it takes three to five years to hit the payout threshold. Full info

11Valued OpinionsESTABLISHED SITE, PAYS VOUCHERS INCL M&S & TOPSHOP

One of the most established survey sites is Valued Opinions, though MoneySavers report glitches recently. It pays in retail vouchers, including M&S, John Lewis, Topshop and, when available, Amazon. Full info

12Panel OpinionPAYS IN HARD CASH, UP TO £5 PER SURVEY

Paying in cold hard cash, PanelOpinion has a low payout threshold of £10. We've a little less feedback on this one than some other sites, but what we do have is good. MoneySavers have made up to £5 for one survey. Full info

13Survey FriendsUSE POINTS TO BID ON REWARDS INCLUDING TVS

This site works a little differently to the others. As well as spending Survey Friendspoints on retail vouchers, you can use them to bid on rewards such as Kindles, Tesco vouchers and TVs. Full info

14Vanson BourneTOP PAYER, BUT YOU MUST WORK IN IT OR BUSINESS

For anyone who works in IT or business, Vanson Bourne is a must-join. It pays hugely generous £5 or £10 in Amazon vouchers per survey. People usually receive the voucher by email just a few hours after completing a poll. Full info & safety details

15PureprofileRELIABLE SITE, BUT INFREQUENT SURVEYS

One for dedicated survey stashers, Pureprofile is a reliable player, but surveys are scarce. With around one survey a one month, it usually takes nine months to two years to reach the £25 target. Full info

16VivaticREGULAR POLLS, BUT YOU NEED TO EARN £25 BEFORE IT PAYS

For belt 'n' braces, Vivatic is worth a look. It's been very popular for its regular surveys and payouts in past years. Yet since it hiked its payout threshold to £25, forumites are less happy. Full info

MoneySavers have also reported getting screened out after answering a mass of questions. So this one's only worth joining if you're a keen survey fan.

Quick Stats. Payment method: Cash via Paypal. Typical ££ per survey: £1. Payout threshold: £25. Typical survey time: 20 mins. Feed back: Vivatic

17Opinion OutpostPOPULAR AS YOU ONLY NEED TO EARN £3 BEFORE IT PAYS

Popular for its low payout threshold, Opinion Outpost pays Amazon vouchers or cash via Paypal. Surveys are sporadic, but you only need to earn £3 to get a payout, so should see cash quickly. Full info

18OpinionWorldMIXED FEEDBACK

Feedback's mixed for OpinionWorld. While some have clocked up £70 in a few months, others are frustrated by being entered for prize draws rather than being given reward points. Full info

19JusttheanswerSLOW BURNER, ONLY FOR KEEN SURVEY FANS

Paying in Amazon vouchers, Justtheanswer has a low £5 payment threshold. Yet even this takes ages to earn, with an incredibly slow trickle of surveys. Full info

20MindmoverINFREQUENT BUT INTERESTING SURVEYS

Another slow-burner, Mindmover pays out cash via Paypal when you reach £20. Surveys are infrequent - forumites report it takes a while to clock up enough to get paid. Full info

All it involves is giving opinions on the chosen subject, usually over sarnies and a cuppa, and you can walk away with anything from £30 to £160.Traditional market research can also be a banker. Companies pay cash for taking part in focus groups. These take place at a pre-organised address, in your own home, on the phone, or online in a designated chat forum.

You can only do one or two a year

The catch is agencies restrict the amount of focus groups a person can do, typically to one every six months - and that's not just with their own agency, but ANY agency. Though if you sign up for a few and combine it with other income-boosters, it's a welcome addition.

To get started, sign up with the following agencies. As the number of focus groups you can attend is limited, we've picked the ones with solid feedback from MoneySavers.

01SarosBIG NAME AGENCY WITH PLENTIFUL FOCUS GOUPS

With established agency Saros, you typically get £30 to £100 for two hours' work. You're only allowed to take part in two discussions per year, and it can take a while before you're selected.

MoneySavers report when you do get picked, it's easy cash. Forumite LEJC says: "I did a three-hour forum at a local hotel on the concept of chocolate, and got paid £50. I tasted three pieces of chocolate, had a lovely bacon roll and unlimited tea - not too bad for a morning's work."

02Focus4People
MAINLY IN THE SOUTH EAST AND LONDON

It's possible to earn £20 to (if you're very lucky) £250 a time with Focus4People. Most focus groups take place in London and the south east of England, but it also runs telephone and online sessions, so it's worth everyone joining.

Forumite MartinLewisisalegend says: "Without wishing to brag - I got £90 for the one focus group I attended. Cash in hand on the day for a couple of hours giving my opinion - I highly recommend it."

03ResearchopinionsTOP FOR NORTHERNERS

A must-join for northerners, Research Opinions runs most of its focus groups in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. It recruits for focus groups, individual in-depth interviews and online sessions.

04HeadboxGOOD FOR TEENAGERS & YOUNG PEOPLE

MoneySavers report hip agency Headbox is especially good for teenagers and young people. While it doesn't send as many requests as some other agencies, when you get lucky, payment's generous.

MoneySaver lindauk says: "I signed up to headbox months ago and hadn't heard anything. Then I got an email today to complete a little task and get £10 paid straight into my Paypal account. Not bad for 10 minutes work, if that."

05IndiefieldA GOOD BET FOR LONDONERS

Another big player is Indiefield. Be sure to update the profile section - your postcode, age and gender means you will be notified of pertinent research events in your area.

Most focus groups are in London, though there are also a few outside. MoneySavers say it typically pays £35 a time.

06FocusForceONLINE PANELS AND FACE-TO-FACE GROUPS

While we've a little less feedback on this agency, FocusForce holds focus groups within the M25, mostly after work, typically paying £40 - £50 a survey. It sends daily email requests.

It also invites people to join online panels - for these you can live anywhere in the UK.