Paid surveys are often advertised as a simple and quick way to earn money or gift cards. But behind this tempting promise lie big differences between platforms. Some are reliable and truly let you make good use of your time, while others offer endless surveys with minimal—or even non-existent—rewards. Therefore, it’s crucial to know where to sign up so you don’t waste valuable time on unprofitable websites.
After more than 10 years of analysis and testing, experts have identified the platforms that keep their promises—and those you’re better off avoiding. Which are the best sites to earn the maximum in gift cards? The answer might surprise you.
What is Toluna and how does it work?
Toluna is an online community platform that offers paid surveys. Users, known as “Toluna Influencers,” share their opinions on various topics. Their responses help major brands improve their products and services. In return, they earn points that can be converted into gift cards, donations, or cash. Toluna isn’t limited to surveys: users can also earn rewards by interacting with the community, entering contests, and playing games.
How much money can you make with Toluna?
Earnings on Toluna vary depending on the time and effort you invest. Surveys are the main source of rewards and pay between 15 and 50,000 points, depending on their length. Most surveys, however, fall between 2,000 and 4,000 points. To better understand point value: on average, 5,500 points equal about £1.
Toluna sets a minimum PayPal cash-out threshold at £35, which corresponds to roughly 192,500 points. For smaller amounts, users must opt for gift cards. Some, like Amazon or Tesco vouchers, are particularly advantageous since they cover a wide range of products and therefore can function almost like cash.
To maximize earnings, you should participate regularly in surveys and favor those with the highest point totals. Toluna also offers additional ways to earn rewards, including games and contests that provide extra points. Still, consistency and patience are required to reach a meaningful sum.
6 ways to earn points on Toluna
To maximize your earnings on Toluna, it’s important to know the most effective methods of collecting points. Some options pay more than others, and using them optimally enables higher rewards. Here are the best ways to make money on Toluna:
1. Toluna surveys
Surveys are the heart of Toluna and the most reliable way to earn points. Many brands publish surveys to better understand consumer preferences and adapt their products or services. These surveys cover a variety of topics, including finance, shopping, movies, travel, and sports. Each survey clearly shows the number of points and the estimated time to complete it.
The more surveys you complete, the more points you collect and the more frequently Toluna will send you suitable surveys. New users are often disqualified after a few screener questions if they don’t match the desired target group. A question like “Do you have children?” can, for example, lead to exclusion if the survey is intended only for parents.
Over time, Toluna analyzes your answers and better tailors surveys to your profile. This reduces the likelihood of disqualification and gives you more chances to collect points more easily.
How much money can you make with Toluna surveys?
Most Toluna surveys offer between 2,000 and 4,000 points and take between five and 20 minutes. Some surveys can pay more points, while others require more time.
In general, 5,500 Toluna points equal about £1, which isn’t particularly high. Some surveys take a long time but offer only small rewards, making them less attractive. It’s therefore better to favor shorter surveys with higher rewards.
It can be difficult to compare different surveys, since some offer more points but also require more time. To make the best choice, divide the offered points by the estimated duration in minutes. This gives you a value you can call “points per minute” (PPM), which makes it easier to pick the most lucrative surveys.
To illustrate this, let’s look at the two examples in the image above.
A general survey pays 3,000 points and takes 10 minutes, which is 300 PPM. A lifestyle survey, on the other hand, offers 4,000 points but takes 20 minutes, i.e., 200 PPM. It’s clear that the general survey uses your time more efficiently.
To go further, you can convert the PPM value into an hourly earning. Simply multiply the PPM value by 60 to get the hourly rate in points, then divide by 5,500 (the approximate value of £1 in Toluna points). Our calculations show that the average hourly earning is about £2.50. However, some surveys are significantly more profitable and pay up to £5.50 per hour, while others yield only £0.82.
These amounts are below the UK minimum wage. Nevertheless, it’s better to focus on surveys with the highest hourly rate rather than giving them up entirely. For example, the general survey mentioned above yields £3.27 per hour. That’s not a competitive wage, but it’s a decent way to earn a little extra on the side.
2. Answer your profile surveys
Click the “Account” tab in the menu to open the “Profile Surveys” section. These surveys help Toluna better understand your profile and interests.
There are 13 profile surveys, each paying up to 100 points and taking only a few minutes. Each survey can be answered only once.
It’s recommended to complete these right after signing up for Toluna. This way, you’ll receive only surveys that match your profile in the future and maximize your earnings.
Profile surveys are an efficient and quick way to collect points on Toluna.
3. Vote in the sponsored polls
Go to the “Sponsored Polls” tab to see a selection of quick multiple-choice polls. These belong to the Toluna community and often offer a small reward, usually 15 points per vote. Each poll takes only a few seconds. However, not all polls pay points. Some sponsored polls offer no reward, which can be frustrating. Therefore, check the “Vote” button before participating: if no point value is shown, there’s no compensation.
4. Enter a contest
Toluna regularly holds monthly contests to motivate users to be more active in the community. As a reward for participating, members can receive points and enter a prize draw.
An example is the October 2024 contest: Toluna Influencers had to look at an image and guess a song title. After submitting answers, five participants were randomly selected and each received 1,000 points.
These contests provide a simple and quick way to collect additional points without much effort. By staying active on the platform and taking part in various activities, you maximize your chances of rewards.
5. Refer a friend to Toluna
Toluna offers a referral program that lets you earn additional points. Share your referral link with friends, and for each successful sign-up you receive 500 points.
You can refer up to 10 friends per month, earning a maximum of 5,000 points. But beware: Toluna verifies all referrals to ensure they’re genuine. Creating fake accounts won’t work.
6. Play the Toluna games
Under the “Games” tab in the navigation menu, Toluna offers several interactive mini-games that entertain users while also giving them the chance to collect points.
Some games are permanently available, while others are accessible only for a limited time. It’s worth checking this section regularly so you don’t miss any opportunities.
All games are free, and some let you earn additional points. One of the most popular is Toluna’s daily wheel of fortune. You can spin it once a day and, depending on the result, win between 40 and 1,000 bonus points.
However, there’s also a segment that says “Better luck next time.” If the wheel lands on it, you won’t receive points that day. Since you can play again daily, it’s worth trying again the next day.
Toluna offers a genuine way to earn rewards in exchange for your opinion. Through surveys, games, and community interactions, you can collect points and convert them into cash or gift cards. Unlike questionable platforms, Toluna provides a transparent system accessible to everyone. If you’re looking for a reliable way to use your time online, this platform could be an interesting option. So, can you really make money with Toluna? The answer is yes—provided you stay active and take a strategic approach.
