How you get paid
Most platforms pay in USD through a handful of services. Set the right account up before you apply, so your first payout is not delayed or eaten by conversion fees.
Airtm
Digital dollar wallet with a US virtual account, a USD virtual Visa card and 500+ local withdrawal methods. Popular in Latin America and other emerging markets.
Tip: Airtm offers cash-out to local currency in minutes, which helps where PayPal or banks are expensive.
Used by: Remotasks
Payoneer
Popular with freelancers outside the US. Receive USD/EUR payouts and withdraw to your local bank account.
Tip: Payoneer balances can also be withdrawn to Airtm through a direct integration.
Used by: OneForma, Clickworker
PayPal
The most common payout method on AI training and research platforms. Fast, but currency conversion fees are high when you withdraw in a different currency.
Tip: Withdraw in USD to a multi-currency account (Wise or Revolut) instead of letting PayPal convert, to save on fees.
Used by: Alignerr, DataAnnotation, CloudResearch Connect, Clickworker, Prolific, Remotasks
Revolut
Not a platform payout method itself, but a cheap way in Europe to receive SEPA and bank transfer payouts and to hold USD or EUR without high conversion fees.
Tip: Pair it with platforms that pay by SEPA or bank transfer.
Wise
Multi-currency account with local bank details (USD, EUR, GBP and more) and mid-market exchange rates. Used directly by Mercor and great for receiving any bank transfer payout.
Tip: Use your Wise USD account details on platforms that pay by ACH or bank transfer to avoid international wire fees.
Used by: Mercor
Stripe Connect
Some platforms (Mercor, Alignerr) pay contractors through Stripe. You set up a Stripe Express account during onboarding and receive money to your bank account.
Tip: You do not need to create a Stripe account in advance, the platform invites you during onboarding.
Tremendous
Reward platform used by research sites like Respondent. You receive an email and choose how to redeem: PayPal, bank transfer, Visa card or gift cards.
Tip: Choose PayPal or bank redemption for cash; gift cards are not always available in every country.
Used by: Respondent
Bank transfer (SEPA / ACH)
Direct payment to a bank account. SEPA is used inside Europe, ACH inside the US.
Tip: If you are outside the US, a Wise USD account gives you ACH details to receive US payouts.
Used by: CloudResearch Connect, Clickworker
Amazon gift card
Some survey platforms let you cash out as an Amazon gift card, often with no minimum balance.
Tip: Only worth it if you shop on the Amazon store the card is issued for.
Used by: CloudResearch Connect