MTurk is a well-known crowdsourcing platform that connects businesses with workers to perform microtasks such as data validation, transcription, and content categorization.
Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to mturk platform offering similar services, often with unique features such as better payment terms, different task types, or targeted user bases.
If you are a requester looking to outsource tasks or a worker seeking micro-task opportunities, exploring amazon mechanical turk alternatives can provide you with better options in terms of earning potential, task variety, or user experience.
In this guide, we will explore the 10 best competitors to MTurk, offering alternative platforms for earning money through online tasks and freelance work.
Worldwide Rank and SEO Metrics of MTurk
- Domain Authority: 88
- SEMrush Global Rank: 5,121
- SimilarWeb Global Rank: 7,542
- SimilarWeb Country Rank: #2,345 (33rd in the US)
- Total Traffic: Over 20 million
- Bounce Rate: 45%
- Average Visit Duration: Around 3 minutes
What Can You Do With MTurk?
- Outsource repetitive tasks such as data entry, transcription, and tagging.
- Find remote work opportunities performing micro-tasks.
- Utilize human intelligence for tasks that AI cannot efficiently execute.
- Conduct surveys or research studies with a broad participant pool.
- Contribute to the training of machine learning models through data processing.
Why Do You Need Alternatives to MTurk?
- Lower Pay Rates: Some workers find MTurk tasks underpaying compared to other platforms.
- Task Availability: There may be limited tasks for international workers.
- High Competition: The platform is crowded, leading to a challenge in getting quality tasks.
- Restricted Features: It lacks some advanced task-management tools for requesters.
- Region Restrictions: Certain countries may have limited access to MTurk services.
10 Best MTurk Alternative & Competitors
Prolific
Website: https://www.prolific.co
Launched: 2014
Ads you can post: Surveys, academic studies, and research projects.
Is it free?: Free for workers; requesters pay a small fee on top of participant payments.
Prolific is designed specifically for researchers to gather high-quality data for academic studies and surveys. Workers benefit from transparent pay rates and tasks that are generally more engaging and meaningful than repetitive micro-tasks.
This MTurk alternative ensures workers are paid at least $6.50 per hour and allows requesters to filter participants by demographics and other criteria.
Clickworker
Website: https://www.clickworker.com
Launched: 2005
Ads you can post: Data categorization, app testing, surveys, and translations.
Is it free?: Free for workers; businesses pay based on task type and volume.
Clickworker offers a variety of tasks for workers worldwide and focuses on data solutions for businesses. It also provides a dedicated app for mobile task completion, making it convenient for users to earn on the go.
This MTurk replacement is popular for offering a mix of tasks, including transcription, data collection, and online research.
Appen
Website: https://www.appen.com
Launched: 1996
Ads you can post: AI training, data annotation, and linguistic tasks.
Is it free?: Yes, for workers. Businesses pay for custom project solutions.
Appen specializes in training AI through human intelligence tasks. Its projects often involve language-based tasks, image tagging, and audio transcription, providing opportunities for workers with specialized skills.
This crowdsourcing platform like MTurk is ideal for those seeking steady, long-term projects rather than quick micro-tasks.
Microworkers
Website: https://www.microworkers.com
Launched: 2009
Ads you can post: Data entry, social media tasks, and research participation.
Is it free?: Free for workers; businesses pay a service fee.
Microworkers is a straightforward platform for short, simple tasks that pay quickly. Workers can participate in diverse projects, while businesses benefit from a wide talent pool.
This freelance microtask site is excellent for those looking to complete quick and varied tasks.
Lionbridge
Website: https://www.lionbridge.com
Launched: 1996
Ads you can post: Translation, content creation, and AI training tasks.
Is it free?: Yes, for workers; businesses pay per project.
Lionbridge connects businesses with skilled freelancers for language and content-focused tasks. It emphasizes quality, making it suitable for specialized tasks requiring human expertise.
This MTurk competitor is perfect for linguists and content creators.
TaskRabbit
Website: https://www.taskrabbit.com
Launched: 2008
Ads you can post: Physical errands, home repairs, and local services.
Is it free?: Yes for users; service fees apply for requesters.
TaskRabbit focuses on connecting people with physical tasks like handyman services, moving help, and deliveries. Though different from MTurk, it’s a valuable alternative for those who prefer in-person work.
This similar platform like MTurk caters to individuals looking for task-based, real-world jobs.
Field Agent
Website: https://www.fieldagent.net
Launched: 2010
Ads you can post: Retail audits, mystery shopping, and surveys.
Is it free?: Yes for workers; businesses pay for project services.
Field Agent specializes in retail-related tasks that require physical store visits or audits. It’s ideal for those who enjoy flexible, location-based tasks.
This MTurk substitute bridges the gap between digital and real-world jobs.
Zeerk
Website: https://www.zeerk.com
Launched: 2015
Ads you can post: Freelance gigs, small tasks, and custom projects.
Is it free?: Yes, with a small service fee deducted from worker payments.
Zeerk is a marketplace for micro-gigs, allowing workers to set their rates and offer services like writing, design, and marketing.
This Mechanical Turk alternative is great for freelancers looking for creative and flexible work opportunities.
Guru
Website: https://www.guru.com
Launched: 1998
Ads you can post: Freelance projects across design, writing, programming, and marketing.
Is it free?: Free to join; a small service fee is deducted from worker payments.
Guru is a freelancing platform connecting businesses with skilled professionals across various domains like writing, graphic design, and programming. Unlike traditional micro-tasking platforms, Guru focuses on more substantial projects with competitive pay.
This freelance microtask site is ideal for freelancers seeking higher-paying, project-based work instead of repetitive tasks.
Fiverr
Website: https://www.fiverr.com
Launched: 2010
Ads you can post: Freelance gigs such as graphic design, content creation, and marketing services.
Is it free?: Yes, with a 20% service fee deducted from worker earnings.
Fiverr is a global platform where freelancers can sell their services in categories like writing, design, digital marketing, and video editing. Workers set their rates and create listings for potential clients to browse.
This MTurk alternative is perfect for creatives and professionals looking to monetize their skills with customized gigs.
Conclusion
MTurk has long been a leader in the micro-tasking world, but it’s not the only option available. Platforms like Prolific and Clickworker cater to specific niches like academic research and diverse data tasks, while options like TaskRabbit and Field Agent offer opportunities beyond online tasks.
Choosing the right platform similar to mturk depends on your specific needs—whether it’s higher pay, unique task types, or a better user experience.
FAQs
1. What is MTurk used for?
MTurk is a crowdsourcing platform where businesses can outsource tasks like data entry, transcription, and survey participation to a global workforce.
2. Are there any platforms that pay better than MTurk?
Yes, platforms like Prolific and Appen are known for offering higher pay rates for their tasks, especially for workers with specialized skills.
3. Are MTurk alternatives free to use?
Most alternatives are free for workers. However, requesters or businesses may need to pay a fee for posting tasks or using services.
4. Which MTurk alternative is best for academic research?
Prolific is widely regarded as the best platform for academic research due to its focus on high-quality data and fair pay.
5. Can I find non-digital tasks on MTurk alternatives?
Yes, platforms like TaskRabbit and Field Agent specialize in real-world tasks such as handyman work, shopping audits, and deliveries.
6. How do MTurk alternatives ensure task quality?
Many alternatives, like Appen and Lionbridge, use rigorous screening processes and training for workers to ensure high-quality results.