Is Appen Legit Or A Scam? (Honest Review!)
If you research ways to make money, one online company you're probably going to come across is Appen.
This technology company lets you make money by completing microtasks in your spare time. And you get to work from the comfort of your own home on a variety of tasks that pay a decent hourly rate.
But is Appen legit? And how much does Appen pay?
In my Appen review, I'm covering how the platform works, the pros and cons, and how to ultimately decide if it's worth signing up for.
I'm also sharing testimonials from other Appen users as well as my experience with the platform so you know everything you need to know before deciding if it's worth it.
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What Is Appen?
Appen helps corporations improve their data, artificial intelligence, and various electronic processes. It's an international technology company that's been in business for over 25 years, specializing in all things AI.
The company operates in over 100 countries. It also partners with some massive enterprise clients, including the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, Pinterest, Google, and LinkedIn.
As an Appen contractor, you sign up for short-term or ongoing projects to help Appen train and improve these AI models. The work can range from simple image annotation jobs to more advanced social media and social media moderation jobs.
Overall, Appen is an excellent, free online job that's a flexible way to make money on the side. And the company was even voted #1 in the 2020 FlexJobs Top 100 Companies For Remote Jobs.
Is Appen Legit?
Yes, Appen is legit and pays you for completing a variety of online tasks and projects. The company works with thousands of freelancers from around the world. And it pays its workers on time as long as they submit invoices and complete tasks properly.
Appen tasks don't all pay minimum wage, but many pay minimum wage or much more. And it's a flexible online side hustle that's also great for making money online as a beginner.
Negative Appen reviews usually stem from contractors not getting paid for the work they submit. This can happen if an Appen client isn't happy with your work. But if you follow instructions carefully, you should get paid.
How Does Appen Work?
Appen offers part-time, flexible jobs to people from around the world. The company hires people as independent contractors who work on a combination of one-time or longer-term projects.
Some types of Appen jobs you can apply to include:
- Social media evaluation
- Data collection and analysis
- Search engine evaluation
- Translation
- Transcription
- Web search
- Paid surveys
If you want an at-home side hustle, Appen definitely has plenty of work. And the platform works in four simple steps.
1. Sign Up For Appen
Applying for Appen is free and easy. Simply visit Appen's website and enter your information to create a free account.
Appen is currently recruiting for flexible, part-time jobs online. However, it requires applicants to pass a few general requirements before applying to specific projects. Additional skills or criteria may also apply for specific projects.
Here are the Appen requirements for signing up:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have high-speed internet access
- Have a desktop computer that has Google Chrome or another qualified device as well as up to date virus and spyware software
- Have written communication skills, and be able to comprehend instructions
- Be able to perform research and analyze results
- Self motivation and organization skills are a plus
2. Apply To Appen Projects
Once you create your Appen account, you can begin applying to specific projects. There are three different categories you can choose from:
- Microtasks (small individual jobs)
- Projects (longer ongoing work)
- Survey & data collection
I like Appen since you don't need to pay to create an account or to apply to projects unlike some remote job sites. And once you create your account, you can search through a list of available Appen projects to apply to.
Tasks and projects outline how much they pay, the job requirements, and how long the project lasts.
For example, this Appen data collection task I found requires reading and recording short English sentences. One task takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and it pays $14 per task.
You have to be a native English speaker for this task, but $14 is a pretty good rate for a 30 minute job. And I like that Appen outlines the pay and requirements so you know what you're getting into.
When you find a project you're interested in, you submit your application, which prompts some qualification questions. If you qualify, you're then connected to the project and can begin working to get paid.
3. Accept Project Invitations
You can apply to Appen jobs directly, but the company sometimes sends email invitations out if you qualify for certain projects.
Your Appen profile outlines your skills, work experience, and the languages you speak. So, if you're a natural fit for a project or task, you might get an email invite.
Applying to jobs directly is still the fastest way to make money with Appen. But it's nice that you can also get invites from Appen to have work come your way.
4. Work & Get Paid
As mentioned, Appen jobs outline the requirements and pay. As you complete tasks, you submit the work and wait for it to get approved by the task provider. Once your task clears, money deposits into your Appen account.
This is slightly different from many gpt site that pay you automatically once you complete a survey or download apps for money. But this is because Appen jobs are a bit more involved, so Appen's clients need to double-check your work.
Appen pays monthly via Payoneer, and payments are sent within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice.
If you're looking for an online job that pays weekly, Appen might not be the right fit. But once you get a steady stream of projects under your belt, payments come in more regularly.
The fact Appen doesn't pay with PayPal cash is also a small downside, although Payoneer is also an excellent payment processing platform.
How Much Does Appen Pay?
Tasks on Appen generally pay between $3 – $20 per hour. However, projects with higher pay have more competition and may require specific or specialized skills. Lower paying projects are easier to qualify for, but can also have greater competition from other workers.
According to Appen: “Payment depends on the number of jobs you participate in and number of tasks you complete. Our payment structure is either by task or by project and it is communicated prior to joining a project. The more projects that you apply for, the more likely you will be accepted and make more money.”
Is Appen A Scam?
No, Appen isn't a scam, and the company has plenty of positive reviews online and pays its contractors on time. However, there are lots of Appen job scams going around trying to steal people's information and money.
Appen actually warns people about Appen scams that are going on, explaining how scammers pretend to be Appen recruiters to steal personal information. Appen scams also ask for your bank account info, credit card numbers, and other private data like social security numbers.
Just like with any type of online job, you should always use caution when providing personal information online. Legitimate companies, including Appen, don't ask you to provide payment or for personal information before you're even hired.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Appen provides a flexible schedule
- Find work-from-home jobs quickly
- Available worldwide
- Many tasks pay minimum wage or more
- You get paid with cash, not free gift cards
- There's a wide variety of projects you can apply to
Cons:
- Work can be inconsistent if you don't get accepted to projects
- Some tasks are repetitive
- You have to submit invoices to get paid
- Payments are sent monthly
Other Appen Reviews
I think Appen is a legit site with a lot of opportunities to earn money online. But one great way to sell if a site is legit or not is to see what other users have to say about their experiences.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other Appen reviews online from current and former workers that we can read for more information.
For starters, Appen has a 2.6 star rating on Trustpilot. Here's what some other Appen workers have to say about the platform:
- Extro Into says: “Scam, it doesn't pay. Would only recommend to my enemies.”
- Lena Kok says: “I have had money stuck in my Appen connect account for about a year now, but they definitely don't want to pay me. It displays the fault: ”Failed Payoneer”. They always say they will fix the problem, but they haven't fixed anything. This is frustrating.”
- One user says: “I performed voiceover for this Appen company, but they did not pay me anything, although they promised to pay for my work. They do not respond to my emails for a long time.”
Appen reviews on Glassdoor are higher rated, but still feature some common complaints including low earning potential. And one user also says you only get paid for about 80% of the work you complete.
However, there are still positive Appen reviews that enjoy the variety of tasks and flexibility. And if you apply to higher-paying gigs, the hourly pay can be quite decent.
This Appen review from YouTuber Sidehustle King also explains how Appen works and what types of jobs there are to give you a better understanding of what work might be like.
Ultimately, you probably won't make $100 a day or quit your day job with Appen. But it lets you make quick money on a flexible schedule, and it's completely free to get started.
The Best Appen Alternatives
If you want a flexible online hustle, Appen is worth considering. But it always helps to have a few online jobs and hustles in your toolkit so you can make as much as possible.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other sites like Appen you can use to find online work, including:
- Clickworker: A popular microtask site that pays you with PayPal money.
- Lionbridge: Another online gig that involves improving AI models.
- Premise Data: This gig app pays you for taking photos and completing short jobs around your city.
- Amazon MTurk: This Amazon-run marketplace pays you for completing similar tasks to Appen.
- Swagbucks: A leading survey site that also lets you earn free gift cards and PayPal money.
- Fancy Hands: One U.S. website like Appen that lets you find virtual assistant work.
Tom also made a video that shares some of his favorite microtask sites to make money, which includes Appen and some of its competitors.
Like Appen, these gigs probably won't replace your full-time income. But they're all a flexible way to make money online in your spare time.
You don't need previous work experience for these jobs either, which is a plus. And many sites are globally-friendly, so almost anyone can apply.
Extra Reading – The Best Way To Make $3,000 A Month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Appen Require Equipment?
Appen doesn't provide equipment or require it when signing up. However, certain jobs may require some equipment like a headset or microphone. But projects always outline any equipment requirements.
Extra Reading – The Best Work From Home Jobs That Provide Equipment.
Can I Do Appen Jobs On My Phone?
Appen has a mobile app for Android and iOS. It has many jobs you can do from your phone, such as answering surveys and doing basic image annotation work.
Is Appen Worth It?
Appen is worth it if you want a flexible online gig with a variety of job opportunities. It pays you real cash monthly, and many gigs pay minimum wage or slightly more.
If you want full-time, steady employment, then Appen isn't for you. In this case, you're probably better off selling your skills online as a freelancer or finding longer-term employment on platforms like Upwork.
Is Appen A Real Company?
Yes, Appen is a real company that works with plenty of Fortune 500 companies and other massive businesses. It has a long track record of helping companies to improve their AI models, and it pays its freelancers.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been freelancing and making money online for well over a decade. What started as a hobby at night after the kids were in bed, turned into my full-time job. Today, I earn money on my phone and computer by writing, managing social media, and doing various other tasks online.
But, is Appen legitimate? And can it actually help you increase your income? In my opinion, yes, Appen is a legitimate company that can help you make money.
While it may not be enough to be full time employment, it can help you supplement your income. Opportunities like this are great if you need to work from home or want something to make beermoney or cash for additional expenses.
That being said, Appen may not be the best fit for everyone. Reviews on Appen are mixed, and some people complain about getting paid and about the amount of work available.
Overall, use Appen to make some extra money on the side if you want to work online. But have realistic expectations, and know that it's not always steady income.
Hopefully, this Appen review helps you decide if the platform is worth your time or not!
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