Amazon MTurk vs Clickworker An Honest Breakdown for Micro Task Beginners
Micro task platforms have been around for years. They offer small, simple tasks that anyone can complete for a few cents or dollars. Two of the oldest and most well-known are Amazon MTurk and Clickworker. I spent five weeks testing both to see which one was more suitable for a beginner trying to earn a little extra money. This is my honest breakdown.
Micro tasks are not glamorous. They involve data entry, categorization, surveys, and simple online tasks. The pay is low, but the barrier to entry is also low. Both platforms promise easy access to work, but the experience on each was very different.
- I tested both platforms for 5 weeks, tracking every task and payment.
- Total earnings on Clickworker: around $58.40.
- Total earnings on Amazon MTurk: around $32.70.
- Clickworker had more accessible tasks for beginners.
- MTurk required more time to find worthwhile tasks.
- Both paid through PayPal with low minimum thresholds.
- This is additional income only. Results vary by task availability, speed, and your location.
Why I Wanted to Compare These Two Platforms
I had tried micro tasks in the past, but I never compared two major platforms directly. Amazon MTurk is one of the oldest micro task platforms, owned by Amazon. Clickworker is a European-based alternative with a more modern interface. I wanted to see which one was more suitable for a beginner.
Another reason was the payment system. MTurk has a reputation for being complicated, especially for non-U.S. workers. Clickworker has a simpler payment process. I wanted to see if these differences actually mattered in practice.
Signing Up and Getting Started
Amazon MTurk required me to create an Amazon account and apply for a worker account. The approval process took about three days. Once approved, I could start browsing tasks immediately.
Clickworker had a simpler signup. I created an account, completed a profile, and started browsing tasks. The approval was instant for most task types.
My Week-by-Week Experience
Week 1: Learning the Platforms
My first week was about understanding how each platform worked. On Clickworker, I found a steady stream of small tasks: data categorization, short surveys, and text annotation. I earned around $11.20 in week one.
On MTurk, I found tasks that were more varied but harder to find. Many tasks were low-paying, and I had to use external tools to find the better ones. I earned around $6.80 in week one.
Weeks 2-3: Finding a Rhythm
By week two, I had a better workflow. Clickworker consistently had tasks available. I completed batches of data labeling and text annotation tasks. In weeks two and three, I earned around $22.40 on Clickworker.
On MTurk, I found a few higher-paying tasks, but the volume was lower. I earned around $13.20 on MTurk in weeks two and three.
Weeks 4-5: Understanding the Differences
The final two weeks made the differences clear. Clickworker felt more beginner-friendly with its simple interface and consistent task availability. MTurk had more variety but required more effort to find worthwhile tasks.
By the end of week five, I had earned around $58.40 on Clickworker and around $32.70 on MTurk.
Pay Rates and Task Types
| Criteria | Amazon MTurk | Clickworker |
|---|---|---|
| Pay per short task | Around $0.01 – $0.50 | Around $0.05 – $0.50 |
| Pay per long task | Around $0.50 – $5.00 | Around $0.50 – $3.00 |
| Minimum payout | Around $1 | Around $5 |
| Payment method | Bank Transfer, Gift Cards | PayPal, Bank Transfer |
| Task variety | Very high | High |
User Interface and Experience
Clickworker has a clean, modern interface that is easy to navigate. Tasks are clearly organized, and the payment system is simple. It felt designed for regular people.
MTurk has an older interface that feels cluttered. Finding good tasks requires sorting through many low-paying options. The payment system is also more complicated, especially for non-U.S. workers.
Comparing to Other Micro Task Platforms
| Criteria | Amazon MTurk | Clickworker | Picoworkers | Microworkers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task volume | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Pay per task | Low | Low-Medium | Low | Low |
| Beginner-friendly | Medium | High | High | High |
| Payment options | Bank, Gift Cards | PayPal, Bank | PayPal | PayPal |
If you want to see how Clickworker compares to other platforms, I have a detailed comparison of Clickworker vs. MTurk and another guide on Microworkers vs. Picoworkers.
"Clickworker felt like a modern platform designed for regular people. MTurk felt like an old marketplace where you had to dig for value. Both paid real money, but the experience was very different."
What I Liked and What Frustrated Me
MTurk Pros
- Very high task variety.
- Low minimum payout.
- Large volume of tasks.
- Established Amazon brand.
- External tools can help find better tasks.
MTurk Cons
- Outdated interface.
- Complicated payment system.
- Many very low-paying tasks.
- Requires external tools for efficiency.
- Harder for non-U.S. workers.
Clickworker Pros
- Clean, modern interface.
- Simple PayPal payments.
- Beginner-friendly.
- Consistent task availability.
- No external tools needed.
Clickworker Cons
- Higher minimum payout.
- Pay per task is still low.
- Fewer task types than MTurk.
- Some tasks require qualifications.
- Inconsistent work on some days.
Who Should Choose Which Platform?
Choose Clickworker if:
- You are new to micro tasks.
- You want a simple, modern interface.
- You prefer PayPal payments.
- You want consistent task availability.
- You are looking for additional income without complexity.
Choose Amazon MTurk if:
- You are comfortable with an older interface.
- You want access to a huge variety of tasks.
- You are willing to use external tools.
- You have a U.S. bank account or prefer gift cards.
- You want a very low minimum payout.
My Honest Verdict
After five weeks of testing, I can say that Clickworker is the more suitable choice for most beginners. The interface is modern, the payment system is simple, and the tasks are more accessible. MTurk is an established platform with more variety, but it requires more effort to navigate.
For a beginner, Clickworker provides a smoother experience. MTurk is worth exploring once you have more experience and understand how to find the most suitable tasks.
Final Verdict
Clickworker is more suitable for beginners. MTurk offers more variety but has a steeper learning curve. Both are established platforms that pay reliably. Results vary by task availability and your location.
If you want to explore other micro task options, I have a guide on Clickworker micro jobs review and another one covering 30 websites for microtasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for beginners, MTurk or Clickworker?
Clickworker is more suitable for beginners because it has a modern interface, simple payments, and consistent task availability. MTurk has more variety but a steeper learning curve.
Which platform pays more?
In my experience, Clickworker paid slightly more overall due to more accessible tasks. MTurk has some higher-paying tasks, but they are harder to find. These are estimates and actual results vary by person.
Do both platforms pay through PayPal?
Clickworker pays through PayPal and bank transfer. MTurk pays through bank transfer and Amazon gift cards. PayPal is not always available on MTurk.
Which platform has more tasks available?
Both platforms have a high volume of tasks. MTurk has more variety, but Clickworker's tasks are more accessible to beginners.
Can I use both platforms at the same time?
Yes. Many micro task workers use multiple platforms to maximize their earnings. I tested both simultaneously.
How long does it take to get approved?
Clickworker approved me instantly. MTurk took about three days to approve my worker account.
Which platform has a lower payout threshold?
MTurk has a lower minimum payout at $1. Clickworker requires $5. However, Clickworker's PayPal option is more convenient.
Results vary by person. What worked for me may not work for everyone. The income figures mentioned are estimates based on my personal experience and are not typical or guaranteed.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article point to external websites and platforms (such as Amazon MTurk, Clickworker, and PayPal) for reference and convenience only. These are not affiliate links, and we do not receive any commission, payment, or compensation from them. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by these platforms. All external links are provided solely to help readers access the original sources easily, and the content of this article is purely educational.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on personal experience and research and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, business, career, tax, or professional advice. Individual results vary based on skills, effort, market conditions, and numerous other factors. Income figures and results described are real examples but are not guarantees of what any individual will achieve. Platform policies, pay rates, and terms may change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
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