Crowdtap vs Branded Surveys: Which Pays Better in 2026?

Every figure below comes from our reviews of Crowdtap and Branded Surveys, where each one links to its source.

 
Crowdtap
Branded Surveys
Our rating
1.6 / 5
3.6 / 5
Earning potential
1 / 5
3 / 5
Payment reliability
1 / 5
4 / 5
Hourly pay
About $3.33 an hour in a DollarSprout test before late 2025
$1.47 and $2.20 an hour in two published tests
Survey length
Single questions take under a minute; longer surveys over 10 minutes
Most take 5 to 20 minutes
Minimum cash-out
$5 gift card
$5 (500 points)
Payout time
Members report gift cards that never arrived
Approved in 1 to 2 business days; instantly for Silver and Gold members
Before your first cash-out
Crowdtap may verify your identity before a redemption
Points can be reversed for up to two weeks; photo ID and a selfie may be required at cash-out
Cash-out methods
Gift Cards
PayPal, Bank Transfer, Gift Cards, Charity
When screened out
Not stated
Compensated on request if a survey closes after 5+ minutes
Ways to earn
Questions, Surveys, Interviews
Surveys, Offers, Games
Apps
App Store 4.2, Google Play 3.2
App Store 4.6, Google Play 4.4
Minimum age
13 or over, with a parent's or guardian's permission under 18
16 or over (US terms)
Trustpilot
1.4 from 970 reviews; 93% of the last 12 months' reviews are 1-star
4.2 from 123,977 reviews (Branded invites reviews)
Running since
Online since at least 2010
Paying members since 2012; owned by Dynata since 2022
Joining
Open sign-up
Open sign-up

Crowdtap

Pros

  • ✓ Questions as short as one at a time
  • ✓ Gift cards from $5
  • ✓ Open from 13 with a parent's permission

Cons

  • × Members report no surveys since late 2025
  • × Support site down; BBB rating F
  • × Points expire after about a year

Branded Surveys

Pros

  • ✓ $5 cash out, instant approval for Silver and Gold
  • ✓ Weekly Elite bonuses up to 19%
  • ✓ Rejections limited to two weeks

Cons

  • × US, Canada and UK only
  • × Points can be rejected after completion
  • × Text code and ID checks at payout

The Verdict

Our review of Crowdtap does not recommend joining it, so Branded Surveys is the better choice. Branded Surveys is the stronger platform of the two on our overall rating. We rate Branded Surveys 3.6 out of 5, against 1.6 for Crowdtap. Branded Surveys scores 4 out of 5 for payment reliability, against 1 for Crowdtap, based on its terms and what members report.

Join Crowdtap →Join Branded Surveys →

Crowdtap vs Branded Surveys FAQ

Which pays better, Crowdtap or Branded Surveys?

Branded Surveys scores higher for earning potential in our reviews, 3 out of 5 against 1 for Crowdtap. Crowdtap: About $3.33 an hour in a DollarSprout test before late 2025. Branded Surveys: $1.47 and $2.20 an hour in two published tests.

Which has the lower minimum cash-out, Crowdtap or Branded Surveys?

They are level. Crowdtap: $5 gift card. Branded Surveys: $5 (500 points).

Which pays out faster, Crowdtap or Branded Surveys?

Branded Surveys is faster by the figures in our reviews. Branded Surveys: Approved in 1 to 2 business days; instantly for Silver and Gold members. Crowdtap: Members report gift cards that never arrived.

What happens when Crowdtap or Branded Surveys screens you out of a survey?

Crowdtap: Not stated. Branded Surveys: Compensated on request if a survey closes after 5+ minutes.

Can I use both Crowdtap and Branded Surveys?

Yes. Joining one does not stop you joining the other, as long as both accept members in your country and you keep to each platform's own account rules.

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