TryMata Review: Classic Remote Usability Tests with Simple, Flat Payouts
This is a Click Work–style review of TryMata (formerly TryMyUI), a long-running remote usability testing platform where you record your screen, think out loud, and get paid a flat rate per completed test. Instead of racing for low-paying surveys, you’re doing 10–30 minute UX tests that can deliver a much better hourly rate when the invites are flowing.
TryMata in a Nutshell (Unmoderated UX Tests You Can Do from Home)
TryMata is a remote usability testing platform where you complete tasks on websites, apps, and prototypes while your screen and voice are recorded. Most work is unmoderated testing: you’ll get a scenario, follow step-by-step instructions, think out loud, and then submit your recording for review and payment.
- Category: Usability testing, UX research, product feedback.
- How you earn: Flat-pay tests (often around $10 for ~20 minutes) plus occasional higher-paying longer studies and surveys.
- Payouts: Cash via PayPal-style methods once a test is approved and your balance hits the payout rules for your region.
- Best for: People who don’t mind talking out loud on mic, following instructions, and giving honest feedback on digital products.
This TryMata review looks at the platform through a Click Work Stack lens: how its test flow works, what typical earnings look like, and how it pairs with other usability testing platforms like UserTesting, Userlytics, and TestingTime.
How TryMata Works (From Sign-Up to First Approved Test)
TryMata runs mostly unmoderated usability tests. You’ll install their recorder, complete a short qualification test, and then grab paid tests when they’re available. The key to success is clear audio, steady pacing, and honest narration.
- 1. Create your account: Sign up with your name, email, and basic demographic info.
- 2. Install the recorder: Download the TryMata screen recorder or browser extension on a laptop/desktop.
- 3. Complete a qualification test: You’ll usually do a sample test so the team can review your audio quality and feedback style.
- 4. Watch for test invites: Once approved, you’ll see tests in your dashboard or via email—not constant, but worth grabbing quickly.
- 5. Record tests: Follow the on-screen scenario, complete tasks, and think aloud clearly from start to finish.
- 6. Get your test approved & paid: If your recording meets quality standards, it’s approved and your earnings are added to your balance.
There’s no shift schedule or minimum hours—TryMata is very much a “grab tests when they appear” type of platform.
What a Typical TryMata Test Looks Like
- You accept a test with a set payout and estimated duration.
- You’re given a scenario (for example: “You’re looking for a new pair of running shoes”).
- You complete tasks on a website or app while your screen and voice are recorded.
- You speak your thoughts out loud—what confuses you, what you like, what you’d change.
- You submit the recording and wait for approval and payment.
Pros, Cons & Red Flags to Know Before You Commit to TryMata
TryMata has been around for years as a legit, mid-tier usability testing option. It’s not as saturated as some bigger names, but it’s also not an endless firehose of tests. Think “solid supporting UX platform” rather than a main job.
What TryMata Does Really Well
- Clear, flat payouts: Most tests list a fixed rate up front, typically competitive for 15–20 minutes of work.
- Unmoderated tests: No live researcher—just you, your screen, and the scenario, which many people find less stressful.
- Straightforward tasks: Scenarios are usually clear and beginner-friendly.
- Fits around your life: You can do tests at home with a basic setup.
- Stack-friendly: Easy to layer alongside UserTesting, Userlytics, and survey work in a Click Work Stack.
Where TryMata Falls Short (Potential Dealbreakers)
- Volume can be inconsistent: Some weeks are busy; others are quiet with few tests available.
- Quality bar matters: If your audio is bad, you rush, or don’t follow instructions, tests can be rejected.
- Desktop-first: Many tests expect a laptop/desktop with a proper mic, not just a phone.
- Not beginner-proof: If you don’t “get” thinking aloud, your approval rate may suffer.
- Limited control: You can’t force tests to appear; you’re always at the mercy of demand and your profile match.
None of these are fatal if you treat TryMata as one piece of a broader usability testing and survey stack instead of your only channel.
Track TryMata Alongside Your Other UX Testing Platforms
Use the Click Work Tracker to log TryMata, UserTesting, Userlytics, TestingTime, and survey panels in one place—so you know your real hourly rate across the whole stack, not just one-off payouts.
What Can You Realistically Earn with TryMata?
TryMata won’t replace a day job, but it can be a nice bump in a UX-heavy Click Work Stack. Earnings depend on how often you’re invited, how quickly you grab tests, and your approval rate.
- Early stage: Expect fewer tests while you’re proving quality and building a history of approved recordings.
- Solid contributors: Once you’ve shown good audio and clear feedback, you’re likelier to see steady but not constant invites.
- Per-test payouts: Many testers report tests around $10 for ~20 minutes, which is solid if you can snag a few per week.
- Monthly range: Realistically, most people fall into the $0–$150/month bucket depending on country, profile, and how aggressively they check for tests.
The key metric to watch is “blended hourly across all UX platforms”—TryMata is there to raise that number when tests hit, not to be your only income stream.
Example “TryMata in the Mix” Week
- Daily: Check TryMata, UserTesting, and Userlytics dashboards for new tests.
- When a TryMata test appears: Grab it quickly, complete the scenario, and submit the recording.
- Off days: Fill your time with Prolific, survey panels, or local/AI gigs.
- End of week: Use Click Work Tracker to see how much TryMata added to your total earnings and hourly.
Some weeks TryMata might be quiet; others it might deliver a couple of tests that meaningfully bump your weekly total.
Requirements, Setup & Onboarding Checklist for TryMata
- Device: A laptop or desktop with the ability to run the TryMata recorder.
- Microphone: Clear audio is critical; USB headset mics usually beat built-in laptop mics.
- Internet: Stable connection that can handle screen recording and uploads.
- Location: TryMata accepts testers globally, but invite volume often favors certain regions and demographics.
- Environment: A quiet place where you can talk continuously for 15–30 minutes.
Onboarding To-Do List
- Create your account with accurate demographic info and language skills.
- Install the recorder and do a quick test to check audio levels and screen capture.
- Complete the qualification test like it’s a paid test—clear, calm, and detailed.
- Whitelist TryMata emails and check your dashboard regularly so you don’t miss invites.
- Start tracking time spent versus tests approved after your first week to gauge whether it fits your goals.
Tips to Succeed on TryMata & Protect Your Usability Testing Hourly
- Think out loud the entire time: Don’t go silent—explain what you expect, notice, and feel.
- Follow instructions exactly: If they say “don’t use Ctrl+F,” then don’t. Researchers can see everything.
- Slow down a bit: Rushing can make tests hard to follow and more likely to be rejected.
- Check for tests at peak times: Early in the day or on weekdays often sees more activity (varies by region).
- Track approval vs. rejection: If multiple tests get rejected, tweak your audio, pace, or narration style.
Strategy: Blend TryMata into a Usability Testing Stack
- Use TryMata for unmoderated, flat-rate tests you can do on your own schedule.
- Use UserTesting and Userlytics for a mix of moderated and unmoderated opportunities.
- Add TestingTime and Respondent for higher-paying scheduled interviews.
- Layer in Prolific and survey panels to keep money coming in on slower UX days.
- Revisit your stack monthly and lean into whichever platforms deliver the best sustained hourly for you.
Where TryMata Fits in a Click Work Stack
TryMata works best as a supporting UX testing platform—a place to grab extra tests when they’re available, not something you depend on for daily volume.
As a Core UX Testing Earner
- Build a UX-first stack around TryMata, UserTesting, Userlytics, and one interview platform like TestingTime or Respondent.
- Use Click Work Tracker to see which platform consistently gives you the best hourly over 30 days.
- Check TryMata regularly, but don’t rely on it alone—let it top up weeks where other platforms are slow.
- Use strong tests (clear, calm, detailed) to stand out and maintain a good internal rating if one exists.
When to Keep TryMata Casual (or Skip)
- You rarely see tests that match your devices, country, or demographics.
- You’re already busy with higher-paying interviews and don’t need more unmoderated tests.
- You prefer camera-off tasks that don’t require voice narration.
- Your time is better spent on AI training, local gigs, or specific survey panels that consistently beat TryMata’s hourly.
In those cases, TryMata can live in your “check occasionally” bucket rather than as a core platform.
Quick TryMata FAQ
Here are direct answers to common questions like “Is TryMata legit?” and “How much does TryMata pay?” that people search before signing up.
- Is TryMata legit?
Yes. TryMata (formerly TryMyUI) has been around for years connecting testers with real UX research projects. It’s a legitimate side-earning option, but like all UX platforms, volume is never guaranteed. - How does TryMata pay?
Most tests pay a flat amount per completed recording, with payments issued through supported methods like PayPal-style services once tests are approved. - Do I need prior experience?
You don’t need a UX job title, but you do need to follow instructions and speak clearly. Watching a few sample tests on YouTube can help you understand what good feedback sounds like. - How many tests will I get?
It depends on your country, devices, language skills, and demographics. Some testers get several tests per week; others may only see occasional opportunities. - Is TryMata worth it?
It can be worth it as part of a stacked UX strategy, especially if you like unmoderated tests. It’s rarely worth treating as your only or primary source of online income.
Final Verdict: Who Should Prioritize TryMata (and Who Should Skip It)?
TryMata is a solid, established usability testing platform that’s especially useful if you’re building a UX-focused Click Work Stack. It rewards clear communicators who can deliver thoughtful feedback on demand, even if tests aren’t available every day.
- Great fit if: You’re comfortable talking out loud, have a decent mic, and like short, flat-pay UX tests you can do from home.
- Good secondary earner if: You already use UserTesting, Userlytics, and TestingTime and want one more place to catch extra tests.
- Keep it casual or skip if: You prefer camera-off, no-audio gigs, live in a low-volume region, or already have better-paying uses for your focused screen time.
If you’re serious about Click Work built around usability testing and research, TryMata is worth a 2–3 week trial: complete the qualification test, log every invite and payout in the Click Work Tracker, then decide if it deserves a permanent slot in your stack.