What if you could get your hands on the latest products for 100% free and also get paid for it?
Welcome to the world of product testing. From tech and toys to food, cosmetics, and home goods, large companies spend millions of dollars each year testing new products to make sure they’re perfect before they’re released to the general public.
Aside from offering testers free products, many companies are willing to pay for your honest opinion and review (even if it’s negative).
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, then you’re in the right place! Whether you’re looking for some free stuff or simply want to make an extra buck, here are some of the best product testing sites in Canada.
How Do Product Testing Sites Work?
If you’re like many other Canadians, you’ve no doubt realized the dramatic rise in grocery costs in addition to other consumer goods.
In fact, about the only thing I’ve seen a noticeable price drop in are flatscreen TVs. I’ve seen 64-inch TVs on sale at Costco for far less than I would’ve paid five years ago. But that can mostly be attributed to technology becoming cheaper and more accessible.
Unfortunately, I don’t see the cost of goods and services dropping significantly any time soon. Thankfully, though, there are abundant opportunities to take advantage of free samples and even get paid to test products in Canada.
Here’s how product testing sites work.
Companies are constantly innovating and offering new products. But before these products hit the shelves and millions of dollars are wasted on production, companies need to know if they’re any good.
Enter product testers.
By signing up to a product testing site, you can get exclusive access to products, sometimes even before they are available to the public. Your mission is to use these products and give honest feedback.
This feedback could include:
- Participating in live focus groups where your responses and reactions are recorded by staff.
- Writing a review to the company about your experience with the product.
- Filling out written or online surveys about the product.
- Comparing one product to a competitor’s product and describing the difference.
Additionally, testers are often compensated for their time and effort. This could be in the form of cash/cheque, gift cards, or simply being allowed to keep the product itself.
It’s a win-win for both parties: companies get valuable insights, and testers get free products and/or some extra cash.
The Best Product Testing Sites In Canada
Getting free samples is one thing. But what if you could get free samples and get paid?
Whether you’re a savvy shopper, a tech enthusiast, or just someone who loves freebies, you’re going to want to bookmark this piece. Below, I’ve meticulously scoured the web to bring you some of the best product testing sites in Canada.
Just remember that each site operates a bit differently, so it’s important to read the fine print before diving in and signing up.
1. Toluna Product Testing
- Learn more: toluna.com
Toluna stands out with its vibrant community vibe. Here, you’re not just testing products. You’re also part of a live discussion forum, where you can connect with other testers in Canada. Here, you can share your opinions, earn points, and exchange them for cash or vouchers.
2. Chick Advisor
- Learn more: chickadvisor.com
Chick Advisor is a hub for beauty enthusiasts. It’s a platform where your passion for skincare, makeup, and all things wellness can get you free samples and even extra cash. Share detailed reviews, engage in the community, and get rewarded with exclusive access to the latest (often unreleased) products.
3. Ipsos i-Say
- Learn more: ipsosisay.com
Ipsos i-Say blends opinion sharing and market research onto a single central platform. As a member, you’ll participate in surveys, share your views on products, and earn points redeemable for gift cards or cash.
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and survey-taking platforms in Canada. Compared to some of the others on this list, it’s also known for offering higher-than-average pay and giving customers the opportunity to work with more exclusive companies.
4. Nielsen Homescan
- Learn more: nielseniq.com
Nielsen Homescan is an interesting platform. Users can take surveys, test products, and use Nielsen’s “Homescan” feature, which allows them to scan their receipts and share them with Nielsen.
Nielsen then uses your receipt data to generate reports on consumer spending habits, which may be used by large companies and political groups to help create policies and products.
5. Sample Source
- Learn more: samplesource.com
Sample Source is as simple as it gets and is easily the most straightforward product-testing site on this list. Once you sign up, you can choose from hundreds of samples that range from cosmetics to pet treats, snacks, and small home goods.
In exchange, you’ll just be asked to share your opinion and sometimes write a review on your experience with the product. Each month, you’ll be given new sample options to choose from.
6. Canadian Consumer Panels
- Learn more: canadian-consumer-panels.org
Unlike other product testing sites that primarily offer samples in exchange for short reviews, Canadian Consumer Panels offers part-time and full-time job openings for testers. Pay ranges from $25 to $45 per hour.
As an employee, you’ll be mailed samples and asked to participate in private research panels, where you’ll actively sample products and provide feedback to industry professionals. This can be a great job opportunity for retirees or stay-at-home parents who have extra free time on their hands.
7. Social Nature
- Learn more: socialnature.com
If you’re the type who enjoys writing reviews online, then you’ll like Social Nature. This platform offers an abundance of free samples to its users. The only stipulation is that you’ll be asked to provide a review of your opinion after receiving the sample.
Depending on what you’re sampling (and for which company), you may be asked to offer private feedback or write a public review online or on social media platforms.
8. American Consumer Opinion
- Learn more: acop.com
American Consumer Opinion (ACOP, for short) is a large multi-national product testing panel that works primarily with North American and Western European companies. Despite its name, ACOP allows people to sign up from a number of countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK.
9. Vindale Research
- Learn more: vindaleresearch.in
Vindale Research primarily offers paid survey opportunities to its users. However, you may occasionally be offered the opportunity to accept and review free samples for cosmetic products and others.
10. InboxDollars
- Learn more: inboxdollars.com
In my opinion, InboxDollars is one of the best-paid survey sites in Canada, second to Swagbucks. Although the site primarily offers gift cards and PayPal rewards for its survey-takers, users are often given the opportunity to test products and participate in research panels.
11. User Testing
- Learn more: usertesting.com
User Testing works with major brands like Subway, Canva, Hewlett-Packard, GoDaddy, Alaska Airlines, and others. Unlike many other product testing sites that primarily focus on physical products, User Testing specializes in helping its partners test their digital products.
As a member, you may test new website or smartphone app features to make sure everything is working before official updates are launched.
12. PrizeRebel
- Learn more: prizerebel.com
PrizeRebel is a lot like InboxDollars. Users can take surveys in exchange for physical prizes or gift cards. Like its competitor, though, PrizeRebel periodically offers paid product testing opportunities for its users.
13. Product Report Card
- Learn more: productreportcard.com
Product Report Card is similar to User Testing, as it works with major brands like UPS, Delta Airlines, Papa John’s Pizza, and others. In addition to product testing opportunities, Product Report Card also offers lots of high-paying surveys for its users to participate in.
This company also offers major sweepstakes events for its users, such as the opportunity to win a new car or a vacation. Who knows – you might just get lucky!
14. Univox Community
- Learn more: univoxcommunity.com
This platform allows users to influence brand decisions through surveys and sampling opportunities. As a member, you’ll earn rewards for your insights, and join a community where every opinion counts.
15. Home Tester Club
- Learn more: hometesterclub.com
Home Tester Club is a great platform for product enthusiasts. Sign up, test products at home, and share your honest feedback. In exchange, you’ll usually be allowed to keep the products you test. Depending on what you’re testing, you may also be offered payment in exchange for your opinion.
16. PINCHme
- Learn more: pinchme.com
PINCHme is a newer product testing platform that primarily focuses on cosmetic and health/beauty products. You can choose from hundreds of samples every day. In exchange for writing your review and opinion, you’ll be given PINCHme coins that can be redeemed on their platform for even more freebies.
17. Pinecone Research
- Learn more: pineconeresearch.com
Pinecone Research is an exclusive, invite-only platform that values quality insights. Participate in surveys, test products, and play a part in shaping the future of the market.
Compared to other survey and testing sites, Pinecone Research pays significantly more and offers some of the best opportunities on the market. That being said, it’s invite-only and there’s a relatively long waiting list for new sign-ups. It’s never a bad idea to add your name to the waiting list, though!
18. Valued Opinions
- Learn more: valuedopinions.com
While Valued Opinions is primarily a paid survey site, users are sometimes offered paid product-testing opportunities. The rewards offered by this site are also quite high, and some of its partners offer gift cards up to $5 or more for completing simple tasks and product reviews.
19. BzzAgent
- Learn more: bzzagent.com
If you’ve ever fancied a career as an influencer, BzzAgent is a good place to start. Members can earn cash or gift card rewards in exchange for sharing social media posts with their followers and reviewing products.
20. Shopper Army
- Learn more: shopperarmy.com
Shopper Army offers a practical approach to product testing. Accept missions, review products, and provide candid feedback. It’s a hands-on way to influence product development and improvement.
21. Influenster
- Learn more: influenster.com
Influenster is very similar to BzzAgent. Members can sign up to receive single product samplers or “VoxBoxes,” which include several product samples. You typically won’t be paid for reviews, but you’ll get to keep all of the samples you review.
22. Parent Tested Parent Approved
- Learn more: ptpa.com
When it comes to kids’ products, parents tend to trust the word of other parents before anybody else. Parent Tested Parent Approved allows parents (and sometimes their kids) to test new kids’ products to provide their honest feedback to companies about product reliability and safety.
23. Elle Magazine
- Learn more: elle.com
Elle is a big name in the beauty business. Members of Elle Lab are given the opportunity to test new cosmetic and beauty products in exchange for giving their feedback and opinions.
24. NetGalley
- Learn more: netgalley.com
Enjoy reading science-fiction, fantasy, and murder mysteries? You’ll love this platform. NetGalley offers rewards to members in exchange for offering their reviews of ebooks.
25. BevTri
- Learn more: bevtri.com
Fancy getting paid to drink? BevTri is a Canadian company that operates in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. It plans to service more provinces, as laws change. It mails free samples of alcoholic beverages to its users in exchange for reviews and opinionated feedback.
26. Matrix Sciences
- Learn more: matrixsciences.com
It’s hard to say no to free food. Matrix Sciences is a research and review company centred around the agri-food industry. It works with major agricultural producers and food companies to reach out to consumers regarding their opinions on food quality, taste, and other features.
As a member, you’ll get to test free food samples and may even be able to participate in paid research panels.
Test Products Directly From Companies
The above companies are primarily large research and survey platforms that work with large brands as an intermediary between them and their customers. However, some companies work directly with their consumer bases, cutting out the middleman.
This can result in better samples and better pay for testers.
27. Best Buy Baby Samplers Club
While most people know Best Buy for tech, the retail giant also offers a wide selection of infant and toddler technology and learning tools. When you join the Best Buy Baby Samplers Club, you and your kids will get to test out the latest and greatest kid-friendly gadgets.
28. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is one of the largest household brand names in both Canada and the US. The company manufactures medical and first-aid products, soap, detergents, toothpaste, and more. It’s constantly innovating and creating new products as well.
Through its Friends and Neighbours program, the company sends out samples to its members in exchange for feedback and reviews.
29. McCormick Corporation (Food Items)
McCormick offers spices, herbs, and other packaged food items and snacks. Periodically, the company pays testers directly to try out new food products or sample new spice blends. They offer some of the highest-quality spices on the market, so at least you’ll be getting quality samples.
30. L’Oreal
L’Oreal specializes in hair care and other cosmetic products. L’Oreal testers will be frequently mailed free samples of shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, and other hygiene/personal care items.
Conclusion – Is Product Testing Worth The Time?
For the most part, product testing sites and companies will never be able to provide their members with a full-time income. However, they’re a great way to get free samples from your favourite cosmetic brands, get free snacks, and more.
Sometimes you’ll even have the opportunity to get paid in exchange for your product reviews and feedback.
Looking for a more reliable source of online income? Be sure to check out my list of the best sites to find remote work on next!
