Comparison

Prolific vs Respondent: which pays more for research studies?

Prolific and Respondent are the two reference platforms for earning money by participating in academic and market research studies. Prolific has more study volume and is more accessible for general profiles; Respondent has fewer projects but the ones available pay significantly more. The right choice depends on your profile and how long you are willing to wait between projects.

Prolific4 points

Respondent3 points

Detailed comparison

Criterion

Prolific

Respondent

Ease of getting started

Simple registration and first studies available almost immediately.

More detailed profile process. Aimed at more professional profiles.

Study volume

Consistently high availability. Always something for almost any profile.

Lower volume but each project is very well curated.

Hourly pay

Average of $8 to $12 per active study hour. Industry standard.

Interview projects that can exceed $100 for a 45–60 minute session.

Study type

Academic surveys, psychological tests, and online studies. Varied.

Primarily in-depth interviews with real companies and brands.

Payment speed

Payment within 21 days via Circle or PayPal.

Payment within 5–7 days of completing the study. Faster.

Safety and reputation

Very well established in the academic world. Payment always guaranteed.

Trusted platform with real business clients. Payment guaranteed.

Minimum withdrawal

£5 via Circle. Accessible from the start.

$10 via PayPal. Very accessible given the size of the projects.

Earnings potential

Consistent earnings but capped by the industry hourly rate.

A single session can exceed what you earn in a week of regular surveys.

Profile required

Any adult. The more complete the profile, the better the match.

Preferably professional profiles or those with specific experience.

Verdict

Prolific wins by a narrow margin: it is easier to start, always has studies available and suits almost any profile, so nearly everyone can make use of it from day one. Respondent stays very close because it pays far more per session (a single interview can beat weeks of surveys) and pays faster, but projects arrive in a trickle and call for a more professional profile. Ideally use both: Prolific for everyday earnings and Respondent for the high-paying projects.

Choose Prolific if…

Anyone who wants a consistent flow of accessible studies regardless of professional profile.

Choose Respondent if…

Anyone with a professional or specialised profile who prioritises high pay over frequency.