Product testing and surveys let you influence decisions made by major companies and researchers - and they’re also a straightforward way to earn points and redeem rewards.
Below, we compare effort, frequency, and credibility - and explain how each method works in market research.
Quick Overview: What to Expect from Both Options
Both options bring your opinion into market research. The main differences are the process, availability, and the types of rewards.
Product Testing - Real-Life Use Plus Feedback
With product tests, you receive products at home, try them over a set period, and share your feedback. You’re often allowed to keep the product. Invitations are usually selective and based on your profile (household, interests, prior experience), so availability can vary.
At Ipsos iSay, product tests are a special study type. You’ll get a brief eligibility check, then complete the real-life test and follow-up surveys. For this, you collect points you can redeem for rewards (e.g., gift cards or prepaid cards). Ipsos iSay covers costs such as shipping.
Surveys - Predictable, Mobile & Flexible
Online surveys are regularly available, typically short, and easy to complete on a laptop or phone. You get invitations by email or push notification, open the link, and answer step by step. Short entry questions at the outset help match studies to your profile.
At Ipsos iSay, you earn points for fully completing surveys, and even if you're not a perfect fit for a survey, you'll still receive some points. The expected points are shown before you start; the length and topic of paid surveys can vary. You can track your progress anytime in your account. Participation is free; your information is used for market research and handled confidentially.
The Direct Comparison: Product Test or Survey?
To help you decide faster, here’s how the key criteria stack up:
Effort & Time
Product tests require real-life use (sometimes over several days), diaries, or photo notes. Surveys usually take a few minutes up to half an hour (some might be a little longer) - ideal when you want something you can do on the go. The longer they are, the more rewards you will receive.
Frequency & Availability
For steady activity, surveys have the edge: invitations are more frequent, profiling is standard, and overall availability is broader. Product tests are rarer and more targeted.
Credibility & Privacy
Choose established survey panels with transparent processes. Ipsos iSay is the community of a global market research company. You can take part via website and mobile app.
Practical Tips: What Should You Focus On?
Both options pay off when you’re organized. These steps can increase invitations, completion rates, and predictable redemption of your rewards:
- Keep your profile updated - for both online surveys and product tests.
- Build a routine: Set aside regular time (e.g., 10–15 minutes daily). Paid surveys often appear at short notice; quick responses help. Turn on notifications so you don’t have to check manually.
- Quality over speed: Read carefully and avoid contradictions or duplicate answers. Some providers run quality checks. Clean responses can lead to more invitations. The same applies to product tests: keep your diary and feedback thorough.
- Optimize your mix: Combine predictable surveys with occasional product tests. You’ll benefit from surveys’ high availability and still grab product testing rewards - or the chance to keep products - when they fit your profile.
- Redeem rewards strategically: Check your points regularly and choose rewards you’ll actually use. With Ipsos iSay, you see the points before each activity, making it easier to weigh effort and benefit.
- Always complete fully: Especially with surveys, finish everything as instructed. This shows reliability and can lead to invitations for higher-value studies.
Conclusion: Product Tests or Surveys? A Fair Answer
If predictability matters most, online surveys are usually the better pick. If you want to become a product tester, treat those tests as a bonus - they’re attractive but less frequent.
For a reliable start, we recommend Ipsos iSay. For not only exciting product testing, but also interesting online surveys, that keep you on your toes. We offer:
- clear process,
- mobile participation,
- transparent rewards.
That way, time on the bus — or any idle screen time — turns into a meaningful side activity.
Your next step?
