Apex Focus Group Review: Is $750 a Week Genuine or a Scam?

      Side Hustle Nation focuses on enhancing your personal profitability. To support this goal, we frequently collaborate with companies that align with this mission. If you register or make a purchase through links provided by our partners, we may earn compensation at no additional cost to you. Learn more. TLDR: Based on our knowledge, Apex Focus Group is a genuine source for finding paid market research studies. However, there are enough concerning aspects that it wouldn't be my top recommendation in this area. There are numerous other work-from-home review sites (some of which we list towards the end of this article). Still, paid focus groups can be an enjoyable and simple way to earn additional income. This is one reason we have been discussing them for years on Side Hustle Nation. In this article, I’ll explore: how Apex Focus Group operates (hint: it’s not a market research firm), potential earnings, and better alternatives to consider. Ready? Let’s get started!

      Apex Focus Group

      Apex claims it will provide you with legitimate paid focus groups through email, but you may encounter some questionable offers along the way.

      Pros: Sends out viable paid market research opportunities. You can earn $50-150/hr from these studies.

      Cons: Also sends offers that others have reported as scams. Engages in misleading marketing.

      What is Apex Focus Group?

      Apex Focus Group is a complimentary email service that delivers paid market research opportunities. It neither operates as a market research company nor arranges any paid focus groups. This isn’t inherently problematic, and they are quite transparent about their functioning, stating on their homepage: "Our team gathers focus groups from around the web to present you legitimate paid focus group opportunities." In essence, it is an affiliate business that profits by referring focus group participants to other research firms. A more detailed disclaimer was previously visible in the website footer: "Apex Focus Group (AFG) does not own or operate any paid opportunities. AFG connects subscribers with potential paid clinical trials, surveys, and focus groups from other providers. AFG may receive compensation from the opportunity providers it refers to subscribers." And that’s acceptable; done properly, it can be a useful service. Apex Focus Group is legitimate, but there are notable red flags to keep in mind and preferable alternatives for paid focus groups (as outlined below). Apex was established in 2019 and saw rapid growth starting in 2021. If you register, just be aware of what to expect. It’s essentially an email service that occasionally sends opportunities for earning money. The company isn’t accredited by the BBB, but they do respond to customer complaints on Better Business Bureau. All the complaints concern issues with customer service related to Apex’s third-party partners. On their part, Apex’s responses are thoughtful and compassionate. For example, part of one response reads: "I appreciate you sharing this experience with us so we can address it with them as well. While we aren’t ultimately responsible for transactions consumers have with these third-party partners, that doesn’t mean I’m unwilling to help. I would like to personally provide you with the $20 you were owed by [3rd-party partner] since they are one of our partners."

      How Apex Focus Group Works

      Once you join Apex, you’ll begin receiving emails featuring paid market research opportunities (along with other somewhat related offers — more on that below). Each email contains the project incentive upfront (the payment you'll receive) and an estimated time commitment. Here’s an example email I received: If the study seems relevant, complete the separate pre-screening process and hopefully, you’ll be selected. After the study, your reward will come from the third-party market research firm, not from Apex. One misleading aspect of the Apex site is their list of “Available Focus Group Studies.” At the time of writing, this list hadn’t been updated in over three years. Given that most studies are time-sensitive, none of them are truly “available.” That seems suspicious! On a positive note, they do list several of their focus group referral partners, allowing you to sign up directly with those companies: Schlesinger Group (now called Sago), Focus Pointe Global (acquired by Sago), Fieldwork, L&E Research, Probe Market Research, and Canvas Marketing (though there’s no clear way to join as a panelist).

      How Much Can You Make with Apex Focus Group?

      Apex asserts that you can earn "up to $750/week." While this is indeed possible through multiple-session studies, it’s wise not to rely on that as a consistent income source. I monitor paid research closely and may earn $750 annually from this type of side gig. As an aggregator of paid research studies, the compensation with Apex can vary greatly. A typical range is between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on the study. For instance, here are some studies they emailed me about: $650-1,000 for a study on new technology products, $100 for a