Everyone talks about the big side hustles, but sometimes the small, consistent ones add up. I tried 
Prolific Research Studies for 3 months.
The Numbers
- Month 1: $198 (~12 hours)
- Month 2: $312 (~14 hours, got better at catching high-paying studies)
- Month 3: $337 (~13 hours, optimized profile, qualified for more)
- Total: $847 in ~39 hours = $21.70/hour effective rate
What I Liked
- Zero skill required. Just answer questions and give opinions.
- Flexible timing. Do studies while watching Netflix or during lunch.
- Fast payment. Most platforms pay within 1–3 days via PayPal.
- Actually interesting. Psychology experiments, product testing, etc.
What I Didn't Like
- Inconsistent availability. Some days 10 studies, some days zero.
- Qualification screeners. Spend time on screeners only to not qualify.
- Income ceiling. Realistically $200–$400/month max.
Pro Tips
- Complete your profile 100%. More demographic info = more invites.
- Install browser notifications. High-paying studies fill in minutes.
- Use multiple platforms: Prolific + UserTesting + dscout.
- Do studies during dead time — commute, lunch, waiting rooms.
This won't replace your job. But $200–$400/month extra with zero effort and no startup cost? Hard to beat as a supplement.
Has anyone tried Prolific or similar platforms? What's your monthly average?