If you've been exploring online platforms to earn some extra money, you may have come across Toluna, a well-known survey site that promises rewards for sharing your opinions.
While it offers multiple ways to earn, it’s important to approach the platform with realistic expectations. This review will dive into how Toluna works, its earning potential, and whether it’s worth your time.
What Is Toluna?
Toluna is a market research platform that has been around since 2000. Users, often referred to as Toluna Influencers, participate in surveys, polls, and product testing in exchange for points, which can later be redeemed for gift cards, PayPal cash, or other rewards.
Unlike some newer platforms, Toluna is established and operates in over 50 countries. However, longevity doesn’t automatically translate to a stellar user experience. While it offers legitimate ways to earn, the platform also comes with notable drawbacks.
How Toluna Works
Here’s a breakdown of how you earn on Toluna:
- Sign Up: Anyone over 16 can sign up for free. You’ll need an email and a PayPal account if you want to withdraw your earnings as cash.
- Surveys: Surveys are the primary method of earning, but they can be inconsistent in terms of availability and payouts.
- Other Activities: In addition to surveys, you can take part in polls and games, though these tend to offer much smaller rewards.
- Referral Program: Referring friends can earn you extra points, but the program is capped, and not many people may be eager to sign up under your referral, given the modest earnings.
Who Can Join Toluna?
Toluna is accessible to users in over 50 countries, but it’s important to note that survey availability and payouts can vary widely depending on where you live.
Surveys tend to be more frequent in countries like the US and the UK, while users in other regions may find fewer opportunities.
Earning Methods on Toluna
Here are the main ways to earn points on the platform, though none are particularly lucrative.
1. Surveys
Surveys are the bread and butter of Toluna, but their frequency and pay rates vary significantly. You might be lucky and receive several surveys a week, but you can also go days without any invitations.
According to Toluna, surveys pay between 15 and 50000 points (up to $15), it depends on the length and topic of each survey.
The bigger issue, however, is frequent disqualification from surveys, which can be frustrating after answering several screening questions.
2. Sponsored Polls
Sponsored polls are a quick and easy way to earn a few extra points. They take about 10 seconds to complete and typically reward you with 15 points per poll.
While the points are small, they require minimal effort and can be a useful supplement to your survey earnings.
3. Profile Surveys
Completing profile surveys allows Toluna to match you with more relevant and higher-paying surveys. These surveys gather information about your demographics, preferences, and lifestyle, which helps tailor future surveys to your profile.
Filling out your profile can earn you up to 1,200 points and may increase your chances of qualifying for better surveys.
4. Competitions and Contests
Occasionally, Toluna runs contests where users can win points or enter prize draws. For example, one popular contest is where users can earn 1,000 points if they can correctly guess a book based on a photo.
While these contests are fun and engaging, they shouldn’t be relied upon as a primary source of earnings since they are sporadic. However, if you enjoy a bit of competition, this can be a fun way to earn some extra points.
5. Games
Toluna offers a few interactive games where you can earn points just by participating. One notable game is the "Toluna Fortune Wheel," where you can spin the wheel for a chance to win up to 5,000 points.
While games like these may not offer consistent earnings, they provide a lighthearted way to earn points in addition to surveys and polls.
6. Referral Program
Toluna offers a referral program where you can earn points by inviting friends to join the platform. You’ll receive 500 points for each successful referral, and you can refer up to 10 friends per month, allowing you to earn up to 5,000 points monthly from referrals alone.
This is an easy way to boost your points with minimal effort, provided you can get others to sign up.
7. Sign-Up Bonus
New users on Toluna are rewarded with a sign-up bonus of 500 points. While this is not a large sum, it provides a small head start on your journey toward earning rewards on the platform.
Is Toluna Legit?
Toluna is a legitimate platform in the sense that it does pay out, and it’s backed by a well-established company. However, “legitimate” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a valuable use of your time.
Many users report dissatisfaction with how long it takes to earn enough points for meaningful rewards, as well as frequent disqualifications from surveys.
On Trustpilot, Toluna holds an average rating of 4.1 stars, but closer scrutiny reveals common complaints about survey disqualifications and low payouts, which are consistent with general trends across survey platforms.
Payment Methods and Thresholds
Toluna offers several payout options, but they come with some limitations and delivery times:
PayPal:
You can cash out via PayPal once you hit the 35,000-point threshold (about $10). While this is a reasonable option, it requires more points than some gift cards. After redeeming your points, delivery of your reward can take up to three weeks, making this a slower option than some might expect.
Gift Cards:
Gift cards for various retailers, like Walmart, are available. For example, a $10 Walmart gift card costs 30,000 points, while PayPal costs 35,000 points for the same amount. Regardless of the type of gift card, expect up to three weeks for delivery once the reward is ordered.
Charitable Donations:
Toluna allows users to donate their points to charity. For 2,000 points, you can have 100 grams of plastic removed from the ocean, offer four meals to children suffering from malnutrition in Africa, or plant one tree in Madagascar. This option provides a meaningful way to spend your points, though it's more about giving back than making money.
It’s also important to note that points expire after 12 months, so if you are close to a reward threshold, make sure to cash out before losing them.
Pros and Cons of Toluna
Like any platform, Toluna has its upsides and drawbacks, but it’s important to weigh them before deciding whether to invest your time.
Pros:
- Legitimate Payouts: Toluna is a genuine platform that does pay its users.
- Multiple Earning Methods: You can earn through surveys, polls, and games, though none of these methods offer high returns.
- Global Availability: Toluna is available in over 50 countries, offering a wide reach to users around the world.
Cons:
- Low Earnings: The biggest drawback is the low payout for the time invested. Survey disqualifications are also common, further diminishing earning potential.
- Time-Consuming: Surveys often take 10-20 minutes, and you can earn as little as $0.60 for this time, making it an inefficient way to earn money.
- Points Expire: If you don’t stay active, your points will expire after 12 months, which adds pressure to keep participating even if the rewards are small.
- Three Weeks for Reward Delivery: After redeeming your points for any reward, there is a three-week delivery time before you receive your PayPal cash or gift cards. This adds a delay, especially if you’re eager to access your earnings.
Can I Use Toluna on Mobile?
Toluna offers a mobile app for Android and iOS, which is convenient for users who prefer to participate on the go.
The app works well enough, though it doesn’t provide a significantly different experience from the desktop version. The same frustrations with survey availability and disqualifications apply.
Do’s and Don’ts on Toluna
Do’s:
- Complete Profile Surveys: This helps Toluna match you with more relevant surveys, though it won’t eliminate the risk of disqualification.
- Stay Active: To avoid losing points, try to log in regularly and cash out once you hit the payout threshold.
Don’ts:
- Don’t Expect to Earn Much: Toluna is better suited for those who are looking for small, occasional earnings rather than a reliable source of income.
- Don’t Waste Time on Low-Paying Activities: Focus on surveys with higher payouts and skip the small tasks that offer minimal rewards.
How Much Can You Really Earn?
If you’re looking to make serious money, Toluna likely isn’t the right platform. On average, users report earning about $1 to $2 per day—if they’re consistently receiving and completing surveys.
To put this into perspective, you need 30,000 points to cash out for $10. Given the time commitment and relatively low earnings per survey, it could take weeks or even months to hit this threshold.
Additionally, points expire after 12 months, which means you need to stay active and cash out regularly to avoid losing what you've earned.
Other Earning Websites
If you're looking for additional ways to earn money online, consider checking out these platforms. Each offers unique earning methods and opportunities:
Feel free to explore these platforms for more opportunities to earn money online. Each has its strengths, so you may find one or more that align with your earning goals!
FAQ for Toluna
1. What is Toluna?
Toluna is a market research platform where users earn points by completing surveys, polls, games, and product tests, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
2. Is Toluna available worldwide?
Yes, Toluna operates in over 50 countries, but survey availability varies by location, with more opportunities in the US and UK.
3. How do I earn on Toluna?
Earn points by participating in surveys, sponsored polls, profile surveys, contests, games, and referring friends.
4. How much can I earn on Toluna?
Users typically earn about $1 to $2 per day. Reaching the payout threshold of 30,000 points (approximately $10) can take time.
5. How do I cash out my points?
Points can be redeemed for PayPal cash, gift cards, or charity donations. The minimum cash-out threshold is 35,000 points for PayPal.
6. How long does it take to receive rewards?
It may take up to three weeks to receive your PayPal cash or gift card after redeeming points.
7. Do Toluna points expire?
Yes, points expire after 12 months of inactivity, so stay active and cash out regularly.
8. Is Toluna a legitimate way to make money?
Toluna is legitimate and pays users, but earnings are low and may not be ideal for those seeking consistent income.
Conclusion: Is Toluna Worth It?
While Toluna is a legitimate platform that does pay its users, it’s difficult to recommend it as a reliable or efficient way to earn money online.
The primary issue lies in the low earning potential, coupled with frequent disqualifications and time-consuming surveys. If you’re looking for a quick or consistent income, there are likely better platforms available.
However, if you don’t mind dedicating time to share your opinions for modest rewards and are patient enough to accumulate points over time, Toluna may still have some value. Just be sure to manage your expectations and view it as a side activity rather than a significant income source.