Looking to earn some extra cash from home in South Africa? Online surveys are one of the easiest and most accessible side hustles. You don’t need any special skills—just a smartphone or laptop and an internet connection. Many companies and brands are willing to pay for your opinion through market research platforms.
In this guide, you’ll learn how online surveys work, the best legit survey sites that pay South Africans, how to avoid scams, and tips to maximize your income.
What Are Paid Online Surveys?
Paid online surveys are questionnaires provided by companies or research agencies who want consumer opinions on products, services, trends, or advertisements. When you complete these surveys, you earn rewards like cash, gift cards, airtime, or vouchers.
For example, you may be asked to give feedback on:
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A new food product
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An upcoming smartphone design
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Your shopping habits
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Social issues or political views
These surveys usually take 5 to 30 minutes to complete, and your responses help companies make better decisions.
How Do Online Surveys Pay You?

Most South African-friendly survey platforms offer these payment methods:
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PayPal (popular for cash withdrawals)
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EFT/Bank Transfer
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Airtime top-ups
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Retail vouchers (Checkers, Takealot, Pick n Pay, etc.)
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Mobile wallets (like Mukuru or MTN Mobile Money)
Always make sure you choose a platform that offers a payment method you can access.
Best Paying Online Survey Sites in South Africa (2025)
Here are the most trusted and legitimate online survey platforms for South Africans:
1. Toluna Influencers
How it works:
Toluna offers daily surveys and product testing opportunities. You earn points that can be converted into vouchers or PayPal cash.
✅ Payment: PayPal or vouchers (Takealot, Superbalist)
✅ Minimum payout: R80 (approx.)
✅ Bonus: Community polls and contests
👉 Website: https://za.toluna.com
2. SurveySavvy
How it works:
You can earn R15 to R100+ per survey. It also offers referral earnings when people you invite complete surveys.
✅ Payment: USD via PayPal
✅ Minimum payout: No minimum
✅ Bonus: High-paying surveys from global brands
👉 Website: https://www.surveysavvy.com
3. Swagbucks
How it works:
Besides surveys, you can earn by watching videos, playing games, and shopping online. It’s one of the world’s most popular reward platforms.
✅ Payment: PayPal and international gift cards
✅ Minimum payout: $5 (approx. R95)
✅ Bonus: Daily goal bonuses
👉 Website: https://www.swagbucks.com
4. ySense (formerly ClixSense)
How it works:
Complete surveys, tasks, and offer wall promotions. ySense is well-known for having daily surveys available for SA users.
✅ Payment: PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill
✅ Minimum payout: $5
✅ Bonus: Referral program and loyalty bonuses
👉 Website: https://www.ysense.com
5. Mobrog South Africa
How it works:
Quick mobile surveys through the app or website. Surveys often take less than 15 minutes.
✅ Payment: PayPal or Skrill
✅ Minimum payout: R100
✅ Bonus: Simple interface, no ads
👉 Website: https://www.mobrog.com
6. InboxDollars (international)
How it works:
Earn cash for surveys, emails, and other tasks. Although it’s US-based, South Africans can participate via VPN or global sections.
✅ Payment: PayPal or gift cards
✅ Minimum payout: $10
✅ Bonus: $5 sign-up bonus
👉 Website: https://www.inboxdollars.com
7. Triaba South Africa
How it works:
Specializes in market surveys in the SA region. Each survey pays around R5–R30 and is sent to your inbox.
✅ Payment: PayPal
✅ Minimum payout: R80
✅ Bonus: Surveys are short and consistent
👉 Website: https://www.triaba.com
8. LifePoints
How it works:
Get points for short lifestyle surveys. The platform is trusted by top research agencies globally.
✅ Payment: PayPal and e-vouchers
✅ Minimum payout: R100
✅ Bonus: User-friendly mobile app
👉 Website: https://www.lifepointspanel.com
Tips to Maximize Your Survey Earnings
Want to earn more? Follow these smart tips:
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Sign up for multiple platforms – More platforms = more survey invites.
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Fill out your profile completely – The more they know about you, the more relevant surveys you’ll receive.
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Check your email daily – Surveys are time-sensitive.
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Use survey apps – Apps like Mobrog or LifePoints send push notifications.
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Be honest – Consistent answers prevent bans.
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Refer friends – Many platforms offer bonuses for inviting others.
Watch Out for Survey Scams
Not every survey site is legit. Avoid platforms that:
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Ask for an upfront payment
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Request banking PINs or personal documents
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Have no reviews or contact info
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Promise “R10,000 a day” earnings
Stick to trusted sites with a history of paying users.
How Much Can You Realistically Earn?
Most survey sites won’t make you rich—but they can provide extra cash, especially for students, stay-at-home parents, or part-time workers.
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Light users: R200–R500/month
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Regular users: R600–R1500/month
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Heavy users (multi-site): R2000+ with referrals and bonuses
Some even use surveys to pay for Netflix, groceries, or mobile data.
Final Thoughts
Doing online surveys is one of the easiest and safest ways to earn money online in South Africa. While it won’t replace your full-time job, it’s a reliable method to make extra income on your schedule.
Whether you’re using a laptop at home or a phone on the go, platforms like Toluna, ySense, and Swagbucks make it simple to start earning today. Just be consistent, honest, and sign up for several platforms to maximize your daily opportunities.
FAQs
Q: Is it free to join paid survey sites in South Africa?
A: Yes. You should never pay to join a legit survey site.
Q: How do I withdraw earnings?
A: Most sites offer PayPal, bank transfers, or vouchers.
Q: Are surveys safe to do?
A: Yes, if you use trusted platforms and don’t share sensitive info.
Q: How many surveys can I take per day?
A: This depends on your profile, but most active users can take 3–10 per day across different platforms.
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