My Review of PineCone Research

PineCone Research is considered by many survey takers to be the best survey company in the industry. They provide fewer surveys per month than other companies, but the higher quality makes up for that difference. PineCone Research sends out a few short "household surveys" each month, and uses the responses from those to assign paid surveys, so there are never any disqualifications. No wasted time or frustration! Membership to PineCone Research is free, but open only at limited times, and occasionally by invitation. Some surveys will also lead to product tests. Another incentive is the pay. PineCone Research surveys pay $3 per survey. Surveys generally take 20-30 minutes, and rewards are generally processed the day after the survey is completed. Up to the spring of 2013, PineCone automatically sent the reward (in either check, PayPal, or prepaid credit card form) automatically to the survey-taker. However, this has changed to a point-based system. Each survey now awards 300 points, which can then be immediately redeemed (if desired) for the $3 in cash. Other rewards are also available, if so desired.

Survey Invites: High
Regions: North America (United States, Canada), Europe (United Kingdom)
Minimum Age: 18+ Adult
Rewards: Cash, Gift Cards
Redemption Balance: One survey!
Processing Time: Next day


Average 9/10
Quality 10/10
Frequency 8/10
Payment 9/10
Support 9/10
JOIN PineCone Research

Insider Tips for Success

1
Every survey pays 300 points ($3), and usually takes less than half an hour to complete.
2
You are only sent surveys you qualify for. No disqualifications!
3
You get the credit for completing your survey the next day! No extended waiting or thresholds to meet!
4
PineCone Research registration is open only at certain times or by invitation. If you get a chance, register immediately!
5
Complete the occasional short unpaid "household surveys" to qualify for the paid 300 point ($3) surveys!
6
You can still opt to get your $3 payment in cash (via check, PayPal or prepaid credit card).
GET SURVEYS BY EMAIL!
Get the best survey opportunities sent right to your email.

User Reviews (25)

25 PineCone Research
(25 votes)
4 out of 5 stars
5 Star
10
4 Star
7
3 Star
3
2 Star
2
1 Star
2
JOIN FREE IN SECONDS!

JOIN PineCone Research

Recent User Reviews

Sort by:

Be the first to leave a review.

Verified

"{{{review.rating_comment | nl2br}}}"
|{{{review.rating_score[0]}}} Star Rating
Show more
{{ pageNumber+1 }}
Leave your rating

User Reviews (25)

  • PineCone Research
    Sunshine r.rating
    November 24, 2015

    Not sure yet

    I didn't have any problems with the first few surveys I took with them in the beginning, but I just completed one yesterday that took nearly an hour and when I got to the very last page, it either froze up or timed out. So when I tried to access it again from my email link, it said I already took it. However, it shows 'Closed' in my survey listings, instead of 'Completed' like the other two that I completed show. So I have contacted them about this issue, as I am not sure if I have received credit. Also as I explained in my contact form, I don't mind taking some time to fill these surveys out honestly and thought-provokingly, but only if my time is going to be honored with the appropriate credits. I will give some time for them to respond, but am putting taking any more surveys from them on hold until I get their feedback / answer regarding this issue.
  • PineCone Research
    Walter r.rating
    November 13, 2015

    The Best!

    I have been involved with taking surveys for about ten years. Pinecone is the best company with which I have worked - bar none! I see some reviewers complaining about the surveys being too long. I don't know what they're talking about. I have found that almost all of the surveys are quite succinct and can be done in 15 minutes or less. I also don't know what some reviewers are talking about when they complain about the amount of time it takes to get paid. I have arranged to be paid through Pay Pal, and I find that, in almost every instance, my compensation is sent to my account within 1/2 hour of my request. Pinecone Research is GREAT! I only wish they could send me more surveys!
  • PineCone Research
    Crista r.rating
    September 11, 2015

    Its ok

    Payouts are great, surveys can be boring..the downfall is is that they can drop you at anytime and won't let you back in.
  • PineCone Research
    Sonya r.rating
    April 3, 2015

    Can't Recommend

    I was with Pine Cone Research for about a year. The surveys take too long to complete for the $3. Then I was sent several surveys for which I wasn't compensated. When I asked about it, they said the compensation was entry into some sweepstakes. Rip off.
  • PineCone Research
    Noel r.rating
    March 18, 2015

    decent site

    So this site has probably the best pay out of any of the other survey sites I've tried out. They pay $3 per survey... every time! You can choose to get paid via check or PayPal, which are both convenient options. Only downside is that there aren't always a whole lot of surveys and payment can sometimes come slowly. I just wish I signed up sooner, back when they were still paying $5 per survey.
  • PineCone Research
    Sondra r.rating
    March 10, 2015

    Fantastic survey panel

    PineCone Research is awesome. They pay you about $3 per survey which is cool. Each survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. You can earn more by testing products for them. They are a honest survey panel and I have earned money from them.
  • PineCone Research
    Dave r.rating
    March 2, 2015

    Pay Issues

    This place is decent if you are ok with getting sweepstakes rewards, and waiting on your money to come through via check. I would much rather prefer paypal or some immediate form of payment. In my opinion, there is no good reason for this, but honestly if they did do this I would give them one more star.
  • PineCone Research
    Ann Marie r.rating
    January 16, 2015

    Awesome

    PineCone Research is one of the better survey sites. They pay generously and I get regular invitations. I highly recommend them because they payout promptly.
  • PineCone Research
    Jennifer r.rating
    December 26, 2014

    Pays on time, everytime

    Pinecone has never failed to pay me on time when I asked for it. The surveys are easy and quick, but I do wish they sent me more than the 2-4 I get every month. I haven't gotten to evaulate a product yet, but I heard from my friends that they've had nothing but great experiences doing that too!
  • PineCone Research
    Laura r.rating
    December 12, 2014

    Awesome survey site

    PineCone is one of the best survey sites in the market. They pay generously and there is a decent volume of surveys every month. The customer support is very helpful. I have made good money and I highly recommend them to everyone.
  • PineCone Research
    Margo621 r.rating
    December 10, 2014

    No PayPal option for a while.........

    Love this site; however the gripe I have is that for some inexplicable reason (they won't tell you WHY), you have to take your cash option via check for some undisclosed number of checks before they will let you use the PayPal option. Seems weird to me......what difference can it possibly make if you've already earned the points???? Hard as hell to cash their checks with an electronic bank account! Otherwise, I am very pleased with the site -- easy surveys and good rewards.
  • PineCone Research
    Emilia r.rating
    November 17, 2014
    I have just left Pinecone Research after over 7 years as a panelist. During this time, I received 1 survey request every 1-2 weeks, and always completed them on time. I was initially paid $5 per survey, and then my pay was inexplicably reduced to $3 per survey. Lately the surveys were getting longer and longer, and less and less relevant to me (being asked to rate processed meat when I repeatedly have indicated I'm a vegetarian!). I asked for a more appropriate compensation for my time, and after a lengthy email correspondence with company talking-head Karen Scott, I learned that market research has indicated that $3 per 15-20 minutes of time is appropriate. I disagree! That works out to $9-$12 per hour, which is about minimum wage. My time is worth more than that, but Karen Scott was sadly not able to increase my compensation, even back up to the $5 per survey that some members receive. So, if you are considering Pinecone, prepare to take excruciatingly boring and irrelevant surveys for minimum wage. Your time and opinions are incredibly valued.
  • PineCone Research
    Maddie r.rating
    October 14, 2014

    definitely one of the best

    Pinecone pays out a decent amount per survey, always pays, and is fast with the rewards. They also offer a ton of reward options.
  • PineCone Research
    Josie r.rating
    October 9, 2014

    Higher Quality

    The best thing about Pinecone is that you actually qualify for the surveys that they send you. Compared to some sites where you answer questions for find minutes and then get rejected. I wish they have more surveys because this is one of the best companies out there.
  • PineCone Research
    Bob r.rating
    October 5, 2014

    Slow, Steady, Reliable

    Pinecone doesn't offer as many surveys as other sites but they add up over time and always pay out.
  • PineCone Research
    Jake r.rating
    October 2, 2014

    Not as good as they used to be

    Pinecone used to be a lot better, offering a lot of surveys that paid well. Over the years this has changed and I've experienced some technical issues lately. Hopefully they'll turn it around...
  • PineCone Research
    Margo r.rating
    September 30, 2014

    Consistently Good

    This is one of the most reliable and responsive survey companies I've ever worked with. You earn points for every survey which can be used to purchase products or converted into cash. My first cash out was extremely quick. I just wish they had more surveys.
  • PineCone Research
    Jennifer r.rating
    September 20, 2014

    Um....thanks?

    After signing up they said "Unfortunately, there are no available openings for members with a household make-up that aligns with yours at this time." I guess I should be glad that they are not wasting my time....
  • PineCone Research
    Wendy r.rating
    September 16, 2014

    Best of the Bunch

    I have nothing negative to say about Pinecone Research. I don't get a ton of surveys each month, but they are relatively fast, well-written, and ALWAYS pay as promised.
  • PineCone Research
    Adam Wainright r.rating
    August 31, 2013

    New, worth a look

    This is kind of a newcomer on the block. While the site looks a bit dated, the quality of the surveys was good and they paid. Still not my #1, but close. Try it out and post what you find out about it.
  • PineCone Research
    sandhya gandhari r.rating
    August 4, 2013

    PINECONE RESEARCH

    I THINK ITS VERY INTRESTING IN SERVEY DONE.
  • PineCone Research
    Cheryl Mclevain r.rating
    July 29, 2013

    I don't like how they changed it to you having to get to 300 points to get some money. But otherwise it isn't bad at al.
  • PineCone Research
    Hannah r.rating
    May 28, 2013

    I think PineCone Research is the best survey panel out there. If you have limited time, and can only join one panel, I would recommend this panel over all others. I have NEVER disqualified from a survey. They send out short "household surveys" which ask a few questions, and based on those, you pre-qualify for the paid surveys. Each paid survey pays $3, and they usually credit you for the survey on the day after you complete it. I've occasionally been paid the same day for a survey I completed in the morning, or occasionally it was two days for a survey completed late at night, but usually the next day. They just changed their payment system. It used to be automatic payments, so you would get either a live check or money in your PayPal account the next day. However, they now pay in points, (300 points per survey = $3). There is still no minimum threshold for redeeming, so you can immediately go in to cash out your points for the $3, but you then have to wait another day or two. So, the new system means you have to request your rewards and wait two days instead of one for payment. Definitely a negative in my mind, but the rest of the system makes up for it. When I first started out, I would only get one or two surveys a month, but now I usually get 3-5 surveys per month, occasionally more. Sometimes I get product tests, which usually mean one survey to qualify, then the product to test, and then another survey to tell about the product afterwards. So, I'll get $6 in surveys plus the value of the product, which is nice. My best month with PineCone Research, I got several surveys and a product test, for a total of $21. While that might not sound like a lot of money, the time spent is minimal. Most surveys that PineCone sends take only 20-25 minutes, so the $3 payment is a good amount for the time spent. The household surveys (qualifiers) are unpaid, but usually take less than 5 minutes, and you generally only get one or two of those per month. You also do not have to spend any time logging in to your account or waiting, as PineCone notifies you of new surveys via email, and you can access the surveys from that email. So for the normal $12-15 a month I earn, I only spend about an hour and a half of my time. This is a much better return than most other survey companies. Definitely my favorite survey panel to work with!
  • PineCone Research
    Gregory Schwartz r.rating
    September 22, 2012

    I have been a member of PineCone Research for a couple of years now. They are Excellent! They pay you $3 for every survey you complete. The surveys are very interesting and are usually about brand new products...so new tjeu aren't even on the market yet! They give you a debit card so you don't have to cash the checks at the bank...they money is in your account within three days after completeing the survey!! Sometimes they send you samples to help you complete the survey. A few months ago they sent me two generous portions of the new Hershey's JUMBO Ice Cream Kisses! That was a SWEET survey indeed!!! So, check out PineCone Research. They look for new members once in a while and they are worth the extra effort to join! Good Luck!!! - gregg in Sarasota, FL
  • PineCone Research
    John r.rating
    July 22, 2023

    Legitimate Site That Pays....and FAST

    Unlike so many other survey sites that subject you to endless clicking through and giving information without ever offering an actual survey, Pinecone is a legitimate service. Their surveys are fun, easy to do, and pay very quickly!