Real Patients
Real Patients (formerly Savvy Cooperative) is a patient-owned research community where patients and caregivers are paid for healthcare research: surveys, interviews, advisory boards and product…
In one paragraph
Real Patients pays for online surveys — billed per study or session, paid via ACH bank transfer and PayPal. Typical pay: signup page: 'Most participants are paid same-day. Average: $110/hour for your time and expertise.' Homepage examples show $75 for a 30-minute survey, $150 for a 1-hour focus group video call and $500 for quarterly advisory-board meetings — advertised, not guaranteed. Available: Primarily United States. Minimum age 18+ — the terms of service require users to affirm they are 'at least 18 years of age or older', an emancipated minor, or using the site with the consent of a legal parent and/or guardian (parents/guardians may also use the site on behalf of a minor).
Quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Surveys & Market Research |
| Platform type | Expert market research participant network |
| Website | realpatients.com |
| Pay unit | Per study or session |
| Typical rate | Signup page: 'Most participants are paid same-day. Average: $110/hour for your time and expertise.' Homepage examples show $75 for a 30-minute survey, $150 for a 1-hour focus group video call and $500 for quarterly advisory-board meetings — advertised, not guaranteed. |
| Payout methods | ACH bank transfer, PayPal, Gift card or voucher |
| Payout cadence | After project completion |
| Minimum payout | No minimum threshold is published — payment method scales with gig value per the official signup FAQ: 'For gigs that reward $249 or less, we will send you a link to our gift card catalog', while 'For rewards $250 and above, we include the option to be paid by bank transfer or PayPal'; most rewards process within 5 business days and the signup page says most participants are paid same-day. |
| Minimum age | 18+ — the terms of service require users to affirm they are 'at least 18 years of age or older', an emancipated minor, or using the site with the consent of a legal parent and/or guardian (parents/guardians may also use the site on behalf of a minor). |
| Countries | Primarily United States — the terms state 'The Site is intended primarily for U.S. users' and payment rails are US-centric (ACH/direct deposit, gift cards, PayPal, IRS W-9 above $600/year), while the platform serves patients and caregivers across 2,500+ health conditions and non-US residents may register with data processed in the US. |
| Languages | English |
| Equipment | Computer, Smartphone, Stable internet |
| Experience needed | Beginner |
| Identity verification | Account creation plus patient-profile verification before participating; platform states HIPAA compliance; W-9 may be required above $600/year. |
| Last verified | 2026-10-02 |
Pros & cons — facts only
Pros
- Rated beginner — open to newcomers.
- Pays via PayPal.
- Publishes rate guidance: signup page: 'Most participants are paid same-day. Average: $110/hour for your time and expertise.' Homepage examples show $75 for a 30-minute survey, $150 for a 1-hour focus group video call and $500 for quarterly advisory-board meetings — advertised, not guaranteed.
Cons
- Entry gated by qualification/identity checks.
How to join Real Patients
- Create an account (email magic link or Google)
- complete quick screeners (under 2 minutes) that match you to opportunities
- complete and verify your profile
- browse and apply to Opportunities.
Signup involves: Sign up · Profile completion · Demographic survey · Identity verification · Study application
Pay & payouts
- Typical rate: Signup page: 'Most participants are paid same-day. Average: $110/hour for your time and expertise.' Homepage examples show $75 for a 30-minute survey, $150 for a 1-hour focus group video call and $500 for quarterly advisory-board meetings — advertised, not guaranteed.
- Billed per: Per study or session
- Payout methods: ACH bank transfer, PayPal, Gift card or voucher
- Payout cadence: After project completion
- Minimum payout: No minimum threshold is published — payment method scales with gig value per the official signup FAQ: 'For gigs that reward $249 or less, we will send you a link to our gift card catalog', while 'For rewards $250 and above, we include the option to be paid by bank transfer or PayPal'; most rewards process within 5 business days and the signup page says most participants are paid same-day.
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18+ — the terms of service require users to affirm they are 'at least 18 years of age or older', an emancipated minor, or using the site with the consent of a legal parent and/or guardian (parents/guardians may also use the site on behalf of a minor).
- Languages
- English
- Identity verification
- Account creation plus patient-profile verification before participating; platform states HIPAA compliance; W-9 may be required above $600/year.
- Skills
- Lived health experience as a patient or caregiver across 2,500+ conditions.
- Equipment
- Web-based — a computer or smartphone with internet for the profile, under-2-minute screeners and surveys; focus groups are run as '1 hour video call' engagements, so video-call capability is needed for those opportunities.
What kind of work
- Online surveys
- Interviews
- Online communities
- Product testing
Real Patients FAQ
Is Real Patients legit?
Yes — Real Patients is a real, operating platform. We verified its signup, payout, and policy pages directly on 2026-10-02 using 7 sources.
How much does Real Patients pay?
Signup page: 'Most participants are paid same-day. Average: $110/hour for your time and expertise.' Homepage examples show $75 for a 30-minute survey, $150 for a 1-hour focus group video call and $500 for quarterly advisory-board meetings — advertised, not guaranteed. Work is billed per study or session, so earnings scale with volume and acceptance rates.
How does Real Patients pay out?
Via ACH bank transfer, PayPal, Gift card or voucher. Payout cadence: After project completion. Minimum payout: No minimum threshold is published — payment method scales with gig value per the official signup FAQ: 'For gigs that reward $249 or less, we will send you a link to our gift card catalog', while 'For rewards $250 and above, we include the option to be paid by bank transfer or PayPal'; most rewards process within 5 business days and the signup page says most participants are paid same-day.
Who can join Real Patients?
Minimum age 18+ — the terms of service require users to affirm they are 'at least 18 years of age or older', an emancipated minor, or using the site with the consent of a legal parent and/or guardian (parents/guardians may also use the site on behalf of a minor). Primarily United States — the terms state 'The Site is intended primarily for U.S. users' and payment rails are US-centric (ACH/direct deposit, gift cards, PayPal, IRS W-9 above $600/year), while the platform serves patients and caregivers across 2,500+ health conditions and non-US residents may register with data processed in the US. Account creation plus patient-profile verification before participating; platform states HIPAA compliance; W-9 may be required above $600/year.
How do I sign up for Real Patients?
Create an account (email magic link or Google) → complete quick screeners (under 2 minutes) that match you to opportunities → complete and verify your profile → browse and apply to Opportunities.
What skills does Real Patients require?
Lived health experience as a patient or caregiver across 2,500+ conditions.
Sources & verification
Facts on this page were verified against 7 sources. Last full check: .
- share.realpatients.com officialchecked
- realpatients.com officialchecked
- realpatients.com officialchecked
- realpatients.com officialchecked
- savvy.coop officialchecked
- medcitynews.com third-partychecked
- swaay.health third-partychecked