When game developers create a game one of the most important things is to get feedback from real players. Not engineers or people who have worked on the game. Real folks trying them out and giving feedback on their own phones at home, reacting in real time to what they experience. This has given the rise to game tester gigs and in this case we are looking at PlaytestCloud, a German company founded in 2013. The platform connects mobile and PC game studios with everyday players who record themselves playing unreleased games and submit their feedback. Based on our research and available contributor feedback, the platform’s reputation is largely positive.
Quick Facts
| Platform Name | PlaytestCloud |
| Earning Potential | Around $9 per 20-minute test |
| Typical Duration | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Payment Frequency | Per test with no minimum cashout |
| Required Equipment | iPhone 5s / Android 5.0 or newer |
What’s Inside
- Is PlaytestCloud real and safe?
- How hard is it to sign up?
- Can I do this whenever I want?
- How much money can you really make?
- When and how do you get paid?
- What stuff do you need to start?
- Is the work easy or hard?
- The Pros and Cons of PlaytestCloud
- Final Verdict: Is PlaytestCloud worth your time?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is PlaytestCloud real and safe?
Don’t be scared of it’s international roots. PlaytestCloud is a real company that has been running since 2013 and works with global major game studios to gather player feedback. Our research into Trustpilot reviews shows game testers being paid on time and reliably. A huge plus is the company is super responsive to support requests and has a squeaky clean reputation in the game development industry.
The only real complaint from testers is the lack of potential game tests to participate in, which actually shows how positive the experience is when active ones are going on.
How hard is it to sign up?
If you have less than give minutes, you have time to quickly register. All you are doing is entering your email, completing your device details and gaming preferences then agreeing to the terms. Standard stuff. After sign up you have to wait for a qualification test invitation, which doesn’t take too long to arrive. The qualification test is not paid but only takes about five minutes of your time as well. It works by you playing a test game while thinking aloud into your microphone. If you pass it, you are in! You must be 18 or older, or have a parent or guardian complete the process for you.
💡 Insider Tip:
Tests fill up within minutes of going live. The single best thing you can do to get more tests is check your email quickly when invitations arrive and respond within the first few minutes.
Can I do this whenever I want?
This is an on-demand platform where you must wait to be invited to game test opportunities. PlaytestCloud sends test invitations by email and you accept what is available, there’s no list to browse. When a developer needs testers that match your profile, an invitation is sent to your inbox. You have to respond quick as opportunities fill up fast. We’re not joking.
If you are accepted to a test, there is also a deadline window you must complete before it expires. Some testers report getting multiple tests per week while others wait months. Everything is attached to your device type, demographic profile and gaming history so ensuring you have a complete profile is the priority.
How much money can you really make?
The rough payout is about $9 for an average test that will last between 15 to 20-minutes. If there is a more complex or longer test, you will get paid more. Volume is unpredictable and realistically getting two tests a month is where your expectations should be. This is not meaningful income beyond coffee / snack money, but it’s for doing something you would enjoy anyway if you like games.
When and how do you get paid?
PaytestCloud pays through a platform called Tremendous, we’ve talked about this in other reviews so it is a popular choice by gig providers. There is flexibility with it as it lets you choose between PayPal, virtual gift cards or a virtual Visa card as your cash out mechanism. There is no minimum cash-out balance required as far as we can tell, which is always a bonus.
After you complete a playtest your submission is reviewed and approved, which usually takes a few days. You can then request the payment or stack your earnings, but we suggest cashing out more frequently instead of building up a big balance.
What stuff do you need to start?
The only real requirement is a working smartphone and to download the app. PlaytestCloud is really focused on mobile games, so having a console is not required. They state an iPhone 5s / Android 5.0 or newer is the minimum requirement but frankly these are very old devices and will limit your potential to test games. Your phone’s microphone is used to record you as you dictate your opinions / feedback during tests. It is very important that you conduct tests in a quiet space otherwise you risk being rejected.
Is the work easy or hard?
You play a game and talk about what you are doing and feeling the entire time, so its a fairly easy thing to do. You are literally a narrator of your own gaming experience so while it may feel awkward at first, you get used to it as you do more tests. Some of the games you test are are rough prototypes while others are are polished betas, so there is good variety to ensure you are not bored and doing repetitive tasks.
The Pros and Cons of PlaytestCloud
| The Pros | The Cons |
|---|---|
| No cashout minimum: Every test payment released immediately. | Very low volume: One to two tests per month. |
| Quick pay: Around $9 per session. | Tests fill fast: Slots gone in minutes. |
| Play unreleased games: Early access to titles before launch. | Can be awkward: You have to get over the narration. |
Final Verdict: Is PlaytestCloud worth your time?
If you enjoy mobile games, proceed. The sign-up is fast and your chances of getting approved is high. For game tests you gain access to, the reported compensation is competitive for game testing and getting to play unreleased titles is genuinely fun. Go into this gig knowing you’re going to earn $10 to $20 per month and you will be a happy camper.
The Bottom Line: The game tests are fun. PlaytestCloud has a well-documented history of issuing reliable payments to its testers, so you are more than likely going to get paid. Just do not count on it for anything more than occasional pocket money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact PlaytestCloud support. The team reviews technical issues and has compensated testers when the problem was on the platform’s end. Do not wait days before reaching out.
Yes but when outside the US, especially for long stretches, the test frequency is much lower and you may wait months without receiving an invitation.
A think-aloud test requires you to talk continuously while playing the game. Describe what you see, what you are trying to do, what confuses you, what you like or dislike, and any bugs or oddities you notice.
PlaytestCloud does not currently run a referral program that pays testers for bringing in new testers.
Yes. PlaytestCloud pays you as an independent participant and nothing is withheld. In the US, if total self-employment and freelance income from all platforms exceeds $400 in a year, self-employment tax applies.
