My Honest Review of Userbrain: A Usability Testing Platform

Today, I want to talk about a platform that I recently explored called Userbrain. As someone who often tests and reviews platforms, especially those that pay users for feedback, I was curious to see how Userbrain stacks up—especially compared to other similar platforms like UserTesting.

What is Userbrain?

As the name suggests, Userbrain is a usability testing platform where companies get feedback on their websites, apps, or digital products. Businesses want to know how real users experience their tools, and that’s where people like me—and possibly you—come in. By reviewing their products and offering insights into the user experience, we help these companies improve their designs and functionality.

How Does Userbrain Work?

Signing up for Userbrain is relatively straightforward. You can register either via your computer using Chrome or through your mobile device—they support both Android and iOS.

Once registered, you’ll be prompted to take a qualification test. This is an unpaid sample test that helps the platform assess whether your feedback meets their standards. It usually involves recording yourself as you complete a series of tasks on a website, speaking out loud about what you see, how you feel, and what works or doesn’t work.

The tasks are relatively simple: things like exploring a website, describing what you think it’s about, registering an account, or attempting to buy something. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions, and it’s important to speak your thoughts aloud as you go. The test typically takes between 5 to 20 minutes.

After submitting the qualification test, you’ll receive feedback via email within 7 to 10 days. If you pass, you’ll start receiving paid tests.

Earnings: How Much Does Userbrain Pay?

This is where things get a bit disappointing. Userbrain pays $5 per test, which is significantly lower than what similar platforms like UserTesting offer (usually around $10 per test).

The platform pays via PayPal, which is convenient, and there’s no high payout threshold—you’ll get paid once a test is approved. That said, tests can be infrequent depending on your profile and location, so don’t expect this to replace a full-time income.

My Personal Experience

I went through the registration and testing process myself. After signing up, I had to:

1. Read through their testing guide and watch tutorials on their official YouTube channel.

2. Download the Chrome extension (required for desktop testing).

3. Complete the qualification test using detailed, spoken feedback.

Once I submitted my test, I waited for their response. I appreciated the clear instructions and the user-friendly interface. The dashboard shows your test history, your pending and completed earnings, and available tasks.

One useful feature is the browser extension itself. When there’s a test available, it notifies you in real-time. If you see a number on the extension icon (like "1"), that means a test is waiting for you.

What Others Are Saying

In my research, I found mixed reviews. For instance, on platforms like Trustpilot, Userbrain currently has a low average rating of around 2.6 out of 5. Most of the complaints revolve around:

• Low payment rates.

• Infrequent test opportunities.

• Delayed responses from customer support.

However, I also found some positive reviews, especially from users who appreciated how easy it was to get started. It seems the platform does reply to feedback and is actively working to improve, which is encouraging.

One notable review I found on a channel called "Paid From Surveys" echoed the same sentiment: while Userbrain is legitimate, the payout is on the lower side, making it better suited as a side gig rather than a primary income source.

Is Userbrain a Scam?

From my research and personal experience, Userbrain is not a scam. It’s a real platform that pays real money for usability testing. However, it’s not perfect—especially if you're looking for a platform with frequent tests and higher payouts.

Final Thoughts

If you're just starting out with user testing and want to gain experience, Userbrain can be a good starting point. It’s easy to use, beginner-friendly, and has a low entry barrier. But if you're looking to earn significant income or more frequent opportunities, you may want to pair this with other platforms like UserTesting or TryMyUI.

So, if you’ve got a few spare minutes and enjoy giving constructive feedback, go ahead and give Userbrain a try. It’s not life-changing money, but it can be a fun and productive way to earn a little extra on the side.