InboxDollars vs Branded Surveys: Which Pays Better in 2026?

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

 
InboxDollars
Branded Surveys
Our rating
2.6 / 5
3.6 / 5
Earning potential
3 / 5
3 / 5
Payment reliability
3 / 5
4 / 5
Hourly pay
Surveys averaged $1.16 an hour in a 5-hour DollarBreak test
$1.47 and $2.20 an hour in two published tests
Survey length
Most take 3 to 25 minutes
Most take 5 to 20 minutes
Minimum cash-out
$15 first cash out, then $10
$5 (500 points)
Payout time
About 3 business days, up to 10
Approved in 1 to 2 business days; instantly for Silver and Gold members
Before your first cash-out
$15 for the first cash out, then $10; Persona photo ID and selfie check when asked
Points can be reversed for up to two weeks; photo ID and a selfie may be required at cash-out
Cash-out methods
PayPal, Gift Cards, Prepaid Card, Charity
PayPal, Bank Transfer, Gift Cards, Charity
When screened out
Not paid
Compensated on request if a survey closes after 5+ minutes
Ways to earn
Surveys, Offers, Cashback, Receipts, Games, Paid emails
Surveys, Offers, Games
Apps
App Store 4.5, Google Play 4.0
App Store 4.6, Google Play 4.4
Minimum age
18 in InboxDollars' help centre (Prodege's shared terms allow 13+ with a parent's approval)
16 or over (US terms)
Trustpilot
Rating withheld by Trustpilot after it removed fake reviews; 47,577 reviews
4.2 from 123,977 reviews (Branded invites reviews)
Running since
Running since 2000; now owned by Prodege
Paying members since 2012; owned by Dynata since 2022
Joining
Open sign-up
Open sign-up

InboxDollars

Pros

  • ✓ $15 first cash out, then $10
  • ✓ No fee on gift cards
  • ✓ Surveys, offers, shopping and receipts in one place

Cons

  • × US residents only, one account per household
  • × Payment removed if you go inactive before it is processed
  • × PaidEmails no longer pay cash to new members

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

Overall, Branded Surveys comes out ahead of InboxDollars in our reviews. Branded Surveys scores 3.6 out of 5 in our review, InboxDollars 2.6. Our reviews give Branded Surveys 4 out of 5 for paying reliably and InboxDollars 3. The two are not exclusive: where both accept members in your country, running them side by side means fewer days with nothing to do.

Join InboxDollars →Join Branded Surveys →

InboxDollars vs Branded Surveys FAQ

Which pays better, InboxDollars or Branded Surveys?

Both score 3 out of 5 for earning potential in our reviews. InboxDollars: Surveys averaged $1.16 an hour in a 5-hour DollarBreak test. Branded Surveys: $1.47 and $2.20 an hour in two published tests.

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

Branded Surveys: $5 (500 points). InboxDollars: $15 first cash out, then $10.

Which pays out faster, InboxDollars or Branded Surveys?

InboxDollars: About 3 business days, up to 10. Branded Surveys: Approved in 1 to 2 business days; instantly for Silver and Gold members.

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

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

Can I use both InboxDollars 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.

Both platforms appear in

Highest PayingPayPal SurveysMobile AppsGift Card Surveys

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