apex-focus-grouppaid-surveysfocus-groupsside-hustle

Is Apex Focus Group Legit? Paid Survey Review

Updated: January 2026

MIXED

Apex Focus Group is technically real but has major red flags.

Some people get invited and paid ($75 per session), but many report never getting paid or receiving suspicious emails from 'Justin Jones.' They overpromise opportunities, ask for personal info (number of children), and have inconsistent payment. Better alternatives: UserTesting ($10 per test, reliable payouts), Respondent, or User Interviews for higher-paying focus groups.

Key Findings

What It Is

Free signup with email

Main Risk

Many users never got paid after completing sessions

Best Action

Use more reliable alternatives: UserTesting, Respondent, User Interviews

The Pattern

→Free signup with email
→Sends invitations for focus groups ($75-$150 per session)
→Many emails come from 'Justin Jones'
→Asks personal questions (number of children, family info)
→Very few people actually get selected
→Some report getting paid, many don't
→Overpromises opportunities
→Hard to contact if payment issues

Red Flags

Warning: Many users never got paid after completing sessions
Warning: Asks for personal family information upfront
Warning: Generic emails from 'Justin Jones' (same name for everyone)
Warning: Promises sound too good to be true
Warning: Very low selection rate despite signup
Warning: Some emails contain suspicious links
Warning: Payment inconsistency across users
Warning: Similar presentation to known scam sites
Warning: Hard to verify legitimacy on job sites
Warning: No signup fee (legit) but wastes time

What To Do

1Use more reliable alternatives: UserTesting, Respondent, User Interviews
2If you signed up, don't click links in emails
3Don't provide financial information beyond PayPal
4Screenshot everything if you do participate
5Track time spent vs actual earnings
6Report nonpayment immediately
7Use a dedicated email for survey sites
8Research the company on Glassdoor/Indeed first

What NOT To Do

✕Don't expect consistent income
✕Don't give credit card or banking info
✕Don't click suspicious links in emails
✕Don't provide unnecessary personal info (SSN, children details)
✕Don't wait months to report nonpayment
✕Don't rely on this as primary income
✕Don't fall for fake check scams if offered

Copy-Paste Script

I completed focus group on [date]. Session ID: [number]. Not paid $75 as promised. Request payment within 5 days or I report to FTC and BBB.

FAQ

Is Apex Focus Group a scam?

Not exactly a scam, but not reliable. Some people do get paid, but many don't. They overpromise opportunities and have inconsistent payment. The company is real but has too many red flags to recommend.

Why do all emails come from 'Justin Jones'?

Many users report getting emails from someone named Justin Jones. It's likely a generic sender name they use, which makes it seem less legitimate. Real focus group companies use professional recruiting systems.

What are better alternatives to Apex Focus Group?

UserTesting ($10 per test, 5-20 minutes, reliable PayPal payouts), Respondent ($50-$300 per session), User Interviews. These have better payment track records.

Should I give Apex my family information?

No. While they claim it's for demographic matching, it's excessive. Legitimate sites ask general demographics, not specific family details upfront.

How much can I realistically make?

Most make $0 because they don't get selected or paid. A few make $75-$150/month if lucky. Compare to UserTesting where users make $150-$500/month consistently.

Explore Related Topics

Learn more about similar scams and consumer protection strategies