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A Comprehensive and Detailed Apex Focus Group Review. Apex Focus Group: Scam or Legit?
If you’re in the “making money outside of your 9-5” tribe, chances are you’ve heard about joining focus groups to earn extra income. And to be honest, it’s quite a lucrative way of increasing your earnings, with payment ranging in the hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Now, sometimes finding focus groups that are worth your while can be somewhat of a challenge. This is where Apex Focus Group comes in. You may have heard of it, but need some legit, no-BS Apex Focus Group reviews before taking a deep dive in. I totally get it.
So is Apex Focus Group Legit? Or is it a scam? How does Apex Focus Group pay you? What’s it like working for Apex Focus Group?
We’ve got all these answers and more. Let’s get you on your way to big money!
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that we may make a commission if you make a purchase via a qualifying link (at no extra cost to you!). You can read our full disclosure for more info.
What is Apex Focus Group?
Apex Focus Group is a team that connects you with local paid focus groups. They pool together all their resources and manpower to locate the best paid focus groups from across the web and land them right into your lap – well technically, your email inbox.
When you complete your initial sign up, you are required to input your zip code. This allows Apex Focus Group to match you to profitable focus groups in your local area, increasing your chances of being chosen to participate.
If you prefer to by-pass the sign up process, it’s still possible for you to land legit Apex Focus Group opportunities via their listing of Available Focus Group Studies. However, do note that when I personally checked individual studies on this list, some were as outdated as 2019, and therefore not applicable.
I did find more recent opportunities listed here – some offering as much as $850 in compensation! These are local part time focus group opportunities and will not be available in every state.
Personally, I can attest to legit opportunities after signing up with Apex Focus Group, as I observed several high-paying focus groups and clinical trials being promoted daily via email.
My personal, detailed Apex Focus Group review is listed further below.
How does Apex Focus Group work?
Apex Focus Group scours the internet to find you opportunities to exchange your opinions for money. They can connect you to Focus Groups, Clinical Trials and Paid Survey Panels. There are thousands of market research options available in almost every single state.
Note that, Apex Focus Group is not the company that hosts these focus groups, trials and paid survey panels. They just connect you to them. So technically, you can spend time looking for these opportunities on your own. Apex Focus Group just makes it easier by gathering them all up and putting them all in one easy location.
Paid Focus Groups
Apex Focus Group boasts of having over 1,000 real, legitimate focus group opportunities for you! If you see a focus group opportunity, all you have to do is sign up and see if you qualify as a good match. This is an important step because obviously you can’t give valuable opinions on puppy food if you’ve never owned a puppy!
Once you’ve been selected, you will have to participate in a small group interview with other persons who share similar demographics/traits and experiences as you. This may be either in-person or virtually.
There are opportunities for everyone! Are you into fashion? There’s a paid focus group for you. Are you a small business owner? There’s one for you too. Own a smart phone? You guessed it… cha ching!
Paid focus groups can be quite lucrative as you can get paid hundreds of dollars for just an hour or two of your time. Apex Focus Group will suggest and connect you to these groups, but ultimately, it’s up to the individual market research firm to select you and handle payments.
Paid Survey Panels
Apex Focus Group also helps you get compensated through Paid Survey Panels. Here, they connect you with companies who know your views are worth big bucks. Basically, companies pay respondents for answering survey questions. This very important information is used as market research to give insight for companies to improve products and services.
Phone Interviews
Apex Focus Group also connects you to paid phone interviews. This option is quite similar to paid surveys. However, instead of responding to survey questions online, you do so via a phone interview. Market research companies will ask qualified consumers their opinion on certain products. They pay around $100 for 30 – 40 minutes of your time.
Clinical Trials
Apex Focus Group can also get you access to experimental treatment. The Apex Focus Group team can connect qualified persons with clinical research studies that offer treatments under development. You’ll get paid and you’ll get to contribute to the improvement of medical sciences.
Clinical trials can include participating in studies for people with PTSD, depression etc. Compensation often includes $500+, free study-related care from doctors and free study medication. This can be a great way to get paid and get help!
Real Apex Focus Group Reviews
My Personal Apex Focus Group Review
I personally applied to be a focus group participant via the Apex Focus Group website. Apex Focus Group actually dangles an irresistible and juicy $750/week compensation. Of course, this is only if you qualify for these opportunities.
I completed my Focus Group Profile, ensuring that I answered questions accurately. Accurate answers mean that I can be matched to more opportunities that I qualify for. And entering your zip code means you’ll get notified when there’s a local opportunity.
I also added information such as my birthday, gender, the smartphone I own, my employment status, education level and that I am a parent.
My first assignment was a chance to sign up to get paid to be a tastemaker. How exciting!
In addition to this, by registering with Apex Focus Group to become a focus group panelist, I got access to “private invite only” assignments via email. I can confirm that I received several legit paid focus assignments.
Note that, depending on your personal circumstances, you may qualify for many, a few, or none at all.
Apex Focus Group Reviews from Others
• Apex Focus Group Review from their Website
On their site, Apex Focus Group displays reviews from their members. One member raves that Apex Focus Group is a “go-to resource for making some income.”
• Apex Focus Group Reviews from Glassdoor
On Glassdoor, Apex Focus Group has racked up a 2.6/5 stars review. A closer analysis shows that 57% of reviewers (12 out of 21 persons) gave Apex Focus Group 3 – 5 stars! The remaining 9 persons gave Apex a 1-star review. Some of these reviewers still recommended Apex despite giving them the lowest rating.
The biggest complaint on Glassdoor was that Apex Focus Group was spamming their email. Personally, I can say that this was not true for me. I even tested their “unsubscribe” button at the end of the emails and as expected, the emails stopped, making this either an invalid complaint, or something that was fixed by the firm after the fact.
Other reviewers indicated that the opportunities were legit and they received their compensation with no issues.
Some people indicated that they had to complete several applications before being selected for one opportunity. However, this is no secret, as Apex states upfront that you may qualify for many, some, or none at all. Who knows what YOUR experience will be? There’s only one way to find out!
Here is some of what real Glassdoor reviewers actually had to say:
The Good
“They provide access to quality panel opportunities as well as great service to their clients.”
“I was paid via Paypal once I finished all the required Zoom calls and journaling. $250 wasn’t too bad for the amount of time it took.”
“Great experience and hope to have opportunity to be contacted to take part in more product testing opportunity.”
The Bad
“Not every opportunity is high paying. Some pay pennies which is not worth the time.”
“I don’t qualify for every studies that they recommend me . Success rate is maybe around 20%-30%.”
“Kind of sketchy given the way payment is received.”
• Apex Focus Group Reviews from BBB
Although not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, the Apex Focus Group BBB page shows a rating of A. BBB actually reached out to Apex Focus Group requesting information for clarification on their business.
Apex was transparent by stating that they do not own or operate any paid opportunities. They strictly match users to relevant opportunities. They do receive compensation from the various companies if they provide a suitable participant who qualifies for the opportunity.
• Apex Focus Group Reviews from Trustpilot
Apex Focus Group has a 3.2 out of 5 stars rating on Trustpilot. The lone reviewer complained that he completed tasks and got points, but no cash. Apex replied with an apology and suggested applying for higher-earning opportunities.
The lesson to be learnt here is to sift out the opportunities and choose to do the ones that are worth your while. Is it worth doing surveys for little money instead of doing an odd job in your neighborhood? Also, sometimes you need to complete several surveys before reaching the minimum payout level.
Bonus Tip!
No legitimate focus group or survey panel will ask you to pay a registration fee. At no point does Apex Focus Group ask you for any money, credit card information or sensitive information. If you’re connected to a third party company that does this, write them off instantly.
Apex has neither sent spammy links to any questionable sites. Still, do due diligence before clicking unknown links.
Is Apex Focus Group Legit?
Yes, Apex Focus Group is totally legit! This is based on my personal experience and real reviews from other participants. Apex Focus Group connects you with legitimate paid opportunities to make some extra cash. Once you qualify, these third-party companies are in charge of handling you and your payments.
Apex has a BBB rating of A, although not accredited by them. Additionally, it has a rating of 2.6 stars on Glassdoor, with 57% of raters giving them over 3 stars! Apex also has a 3.2 stars rating on Trustpilot.
They also have a physical location for their firm based in Georgia, with their full address listed on their website.
Is Apex Focus Group a scam?
We’ve already established that Apex Focus Group is legit. But does it pass the scam detector test? The Scam Detector Validator is a reputable algorithm and tool that ranks sites on a scale of spammy (0) to legit (100). The Scam Detector Validator gave Apex Focus Group a score of 58.8/100, confirming that Apex is totally legit, and not a scam!
FAQ
How does Apex Focus Group pay you?
Apex Focus Group does not pay you. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that it’s a scam or that you’ll never get paid. Many people have the misconception that Apex is in charge of your payments. However, Apex Focus Group does not own any paid opportunities. They just connect you with the companies that do.
Once you qualify for a paid opportunity, the method of payment will depend on the company. Payment can be in the form of cash in-person, cash via PayPal, cash via prepaid Visa card or even gift cards.
The method of payment will always be made known upfront before you commit yourself to the opportunity.
Pros and Cons of Apex Focus Group
Pros
• Saves you time from searching for paid opportunities on your own
• Offers many high-paying opportunities – some as high as $750!
• Offers flexibility – accept/decline offers based on your time and preferences
• Legit way to earn side income
• Your information is encrypted and safe
• You can access some opportunities without signing up
Cons
• May not qualify for many paid opportunities – the more you sign up for, the better your chances
• No social media presence
• Contact via email only – no telephone contact, no online chat option, no FAQ page
• Sends several emails per day – this gives you first access to paid opportunities, however, you can sign up with a dedicated email or utilize the “unsubscribe” button if it becomes too overwhelming.
Is Apex Focus Group a good job?
Technically, Apex Focus Group is not a job. It’s more of a side hustle and a good way to supplement your usual monthly income. Apex doesn’t provide a daily job spec and a consistent income. You’ll need to spend some of your free time applying for opportunities and crossing your fingers that you’re selected.
Does Apex Focus Group pay well?
Apex Focus Group does not pay participants, as they do not actually own the paid opportunities. Instead, they connect qualifying persons with these opportunities. Persons will then be paid directly from the third-party company.
Even though Apex Focus Group is not the company that makes the payments, they do connect you with high-earning opportunities. Some can be as high at $750, and a reviewer on Glassdoor indicated that he earned a whopping $1200 for a study!
Alternatives to Apex Focus Group
Apex Focus Group is one of many companies of its kind. There are many other firms that round up all of the best paid opportunities, as well as programs that specialize in individual options such as survey panels. Here are some of the others:
1. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie offers the chance to complete surveys online for cash, plus paid focus group opportunities. These can be done online, via the phone or in person. You can get paid up to $150 for a short focus group discussion!
Signing up for Survey Junkie is absolutely free so be sure to join to keep up with all of their money making options!
2. Respondent
Respondent offers many high-paying focus groups opportunities to increase your earning potential! You can earn up to $250 for a 1 hour session! The average payout is $140 per hour.
3. Facebook
Believe it or not, you can find paid focus groups via Facebook groups. Browse this list and join whichever ones you see fit!
4. 20|20 Panel
With 20|20 Panel, you can get paid anywhere from $50 to $150 for sharing your opinions for market research.
5. Mindswarms
Mindswarms is yet another option for persons looking for legitimate paid focus group opportunities.
6. User Interviews
User Interviews is another legit platform to find paid research studies. There are opportunities that pay anywhere from $10 – $2000 depending on the type of work and how much of your time is required. Typically, you can expect to be paid around $100 for an hour long session.
7. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a great place to get started for survey panels. These are usually short questionnaires for market research. They take 2-3 minutes to complete and are done online. It’s so easy, anyone can do it! Get started here with a $5 sign up bonus.
8. Fieldwork
Fieldwork allows you to sign up to participate in local paid market research opportunities. There are several states to choose from. If you don’t live in one of these areas, you can join their National Database instead.
9. L&E Opinions
L&E Opinions by L&E Research is another legit platform to find paid opportunities and studies. There’s a study for almost everyone. So chances are there’s a study for you too!
10. Plaza Research Corp
Plaza Research (PRC Corp) was founded in 1982 and boasts of being the “beginning and end point for all your focus group needs.” Typically, you can expect to earn a minimum of $50 – $125 per hour.
Are Focus Groups safe?
Focus groups are safe and a totally legit way to make some extra money. It’s never a bad idea to do your own research before committing to in-person focus group discussions. As with every other activity, let loved ones know where you will be and for how long.
Also, do not give personal, sensitive information to companies. This includes your credit card and social security information. Note that legitimate focus groups will never ask you to pay any registration fee or for any monetary investments.
Additional Info on Apex Focus Group Reviews
– Are paid focus groups legitimate?
Yes, paid focus groups are a legitimate way to earn extra cash. Qualifying participants will be paid to join a group discussion that offers insight to the market research team of a company. Companies know the value of consumers’ opinions and they are willing to pay big bucks for it.
They can use this information to figure out where they are falling short, to improve their products, to determine which ones should be pulled off the shelves and to gain an advantage over competitors. Basically, they invest in your opinions so that they can make informed decisions to increase their profit margins.
It’s a totally legit paid opportunity. And a win-win for you and the host company!
– How much do focus group participants get paid?
The payment for participating in a focus group will vary depending on the company, the length of time scheduled for the meetings and the products involved. Focus group participants can earn anywhere from $100 to $850 depending on these various factors.
Usually larger companies with bigger profit margins are willing to pay more. Realistically, multi-hour sessions may pay $250 – $500. But a reviewer on Glassdoor indicated that he earned a whopping $1200 for an opportunity found on Apex Focus Group!
– Is Apex Focus Group legitimate?
Yes, Apex Focus Group is totally legitimate. As mentioned earlier, they connect you to real paid opportunities such as focus groups, clinical trials, phone interviews and paid survey panels. They do not own these opportunities, they just connect you with them.
– Why do people go to focus groups?
People go to focus groups to make some extra income. They know that their opinions as consumers are valuable to market research, and they take advantage of this. The companies need these meetings and discussions with real consumers so that they can improve their products, and so, increase their profits.
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Final Thoughts on Apex Focus Group Reviews
Now that you know that Apex Focus Group is legit, and you know exactly how to use Apex Focus Group to make money, go ahead and get started soon. If this sounds like it is up your alley, it’s better to get started sooner rather than later. Just ensure that you choose opportunities that are worth your time and effort!
Have you ever used focus groups to get paid? Do you have your own personal Apex Focus Group review? Share with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
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Jamie says
Hey, Amanda.
Thanks for this detailed review of Apex. It was very informative and answered all my questions. I think I will be giving it a try.
Amanda Ramkissoon says
Hey Jamie.
So glad that this post was helpful. Good luck. Crossing my fingers that the highest-paying focus groups will be sent your way!
Amanda