Appen Review UK 2024 - Unbiased Micro Tasking Platform Review

Appen, a microtasking platform, has gained popularity as a go-to choice for those seeking to earn money from the comfort of their homes. In this comprehensive Appen review for 2024, we will delve into every aspect of the platform, providing you with a clear understanding of what it offers, how it works, and whether it's a legitimate opportunity.

Is Appen a legit online money-making platform or is it a scam?

We spent time using the platform ourselves to figure out whether or not Appen was worth the hype. We also took to the web to find other user reviews so that we could provide you with as much detail as possible about the platform.

From our own experience, we found Appen to be a legitimate work-from-home platform that offers genuine paid tasks. However, as we delved into our research we found a number of negative online reviews that suggest that platform isn’t as reliable as it may seem.

What is Appen?

Before diving into the details, let's establish what Appen is. Appen is a technology company specializing in providing human-annotated data for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Essentially, it connects businesses and organizations with a distributed workforce to perform various tasks that require human intelligence, such as data labeling, content moderation, and voice recognition.

Like other data entry side hustles, Appen can be used to earn extra money by completing online tasks on behalf of paying customers. The Appen ‘workforce’ is made up of a team of micro taskers who all want to make money online.

Simply put, Appen is a platform through which home workers can find flexible online jobs. Businesses use Appen to outsource online tasks, which are completed by the community or workers.

Appen is a job marketplace similar Fiverr or Upwork. However, the platform is less well-known which means that the competition for jobs is lower. This makes it easier to land jobs on Appen which makes it suitable for beginners.

How Does Appen Work?

Appen is an online platform that connects microtaskers with online jobs that are posted on behalf of paying customers. Users can pick jobs to complete as and when it suits them - there is no minimum or maximum work requirement on Appen.

Some tasks require specific qualifications and users must pass online tests to be able to access these opportunities. Customers set a deadline for the tasks and users are expected to meet the deadline upon accepting the job.

The Appen platform has a straightforward structure. Customers request work, the Appen team creates tasks based on the customer’s request, tasks are distributed to a pool of online workers who get paid to complete them.

Appen has four main components that users should understand.

The Appen Crowd

At the heart of Appen's operation is its global workforce, known as the "Crowd." These individuals, often working from their homes, play a crucial role in completing the tasks assigned by clients. Appen provides a platform for workers to access tasks, complete them, and earn money in return.

The Crowd is made up of home workers from around the globe who have a variety of backgrounds. Some members may be students who are looking to make extra cash around their studies and others may be busy mums who want to make extra cash whilst their kids are asleep.

Appen Work from Home Tasks

Another key aspect of the Appen platform is the tasks on offer.

Appen offers a wide range of tasks that vary in complexity. These tasks may include audio transcription, image tagging, sentiment analysis, and more. The nature of tasks can be diverse, catering to individuals with different skill sets and interests.

Users can choose which tasks they would like to complete and can also opt into qualifications that could provide access to further tasks on Appen.

Unlike some remote side hustle platforms, the jobs that are available on Appen don’t appear to be ‘worthless’. Instead, workers are invited to contribute towards huge projects and the tasks that are available are engaging and require brainpower. For this reason, Appen is a good option for anyone who is looking for a challenge.

Here are some of the jobs that were available when we signed up:

Appen Payment Structure

Appen compensates its workers based on the type and complexity of tasks performed. Payments can be on an hourly or per-task basis. The rates also depend on the region and the client's requirements.

Users are paid upon task completion, as long as they meet the requirements of the task. Users can choose to be paid directly to their bank, through PayPal or through Payoneer. Workers will need to take care of their own taxes and typically work as independent contractors.

Appen Eligibility Requirements

Due to the complexity of the of the tasks that are available on Appen, workers need to qualify for some jobs. For this, the platform provides free training. However, it is worth noting here that the training is unpaid.

Anyone can apply to Appen Connect - the proprietary platform for jobs that do not require any specific qualifications. After creating an account, you are given instant access to the job dashboard.

Users must complete their profile to unlock job opportunities. However, we were able to apply for our first job on the platform minutes after creating an account.

Is Appen Legit?

Yes, Appen is legit. The platform is partnered with some of the world’s biggest companies including NVIDIA, Azure and Google Cloud. The platform’s links with these huge brands speak for itself and proves that working with Appen is a reliable and legitimate way to make extra money online or even from your phone.

Appen was founded in 1996 and has since developed a good reputation as one of the best data companies in the world. The company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under ticker APX. This is a big green flag!

Appen also provides excellent customer support services and is open and transparent about payment, contracts and requirements. All jobs that are posted onto the platform are verified by the Appen team, which makes a nice change from the scam job listings that rule Upwork and Fiverr.

Appen User Testimonials

During our Appen review, we read through several user testimonials to understand how other users have found the platform.

Despite having a positive experience with Apoen ourselves, we were surprised to see that many online testimonials were negative. Many users claimed that the platform did not pay them for the work that they completed and others said that the tasks were tedious.

It is important to note here that we tested Appen purely for the purpose of writing this review. Therefore, we only complete a handful of tasks through the platform. A lot of negative reviews are from users who have used Appen for a long period of time so may be a more reliable source of information.

We did manage to find some positive reviews online. However, the number of positive reviews was considerably less than the negative.

Due to the negative reviews that we found online; you shouldn’t rely on Appen as a source of income. Instead, it is worth signing up to the platform for extra cash that could supplement your main income.

Appen reviews Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a reputable source to use for employee reviews. Therefore, we used the website to learn more about how other people have found Appen.

Interestingly. the reviews on Glassdoor were significantly more positive than the reviews on Trustpilot (see above). In fact, 71% of reviewers on Glassdoor would recommend Appen to a friend and many users praised Appen for good customer support, flexibility and good task availability.

There were of course some negative reviews on Glassdoor also. Most negative reviews mentioned low pay and payment inconsistency. This is something to keep in mind of you’re hoping to earn a lot of money online.

Instead, check out our list of side hustles that pay well.

The reviews on Glassdoor are a better match with our own experience of the platform.

How Much Does Appen Pay?

Perhaps the most asked question about Appen is how much you can actually get paid. Most people start side hustles to make extra money to support their lifestyle so it is important to choose an option that pays well for the effort that you put in.

According to Indeed, workers on Appen earn between £10 and £35 per hour in the UK. The variation comes from the range of tasks that are available with the most difficult tasks offering a higher rate per hour.

Appen pays much higher than other micro-tasking platforms such as Clickworker however, a lot of user reviews claimed that payment was inconsistent and often late. Some users also claimed that they didn’t receive payment at all due to problems with Payoneer.

To test out the platform, we completed two transcription tasks and received $14 (£11.30) for each task that we completed. Altogether it took around 2.5 hours.

Appen isn’t the highest-paying side hustle that you could start in 2024 - those looking for a higher rate per hour should consider dropshipping or even Pinterest affiliate marketing. However, it is possible to earn higher than minimum wage through Appen in the UK and the flexibility of work certainly counteracts the pay.

Pros and Cons of Using Appen in the UK 2024

So far in our Appen review, we have covered a lot of advantages and disadvantages of using the platform. Below is a pros and cons list to summarize everything so far.

Pros:

• Flexible Working: The platform offers flexibility in terms of when and where you work, making it suitable for those with busy schedules.

• Competitive Pay: Depending on the tasks you choose, Appen can offer competitive pay rates.

• Easy registration: Anyone can apply as an Appen worker and the registration process takes minutes.

• Task Variety: Appen offers a wide range of tasks, allowing you to choose those that align with your skills and interests.

How To Use Appen in the UK 2024

If you’re looking to start earning money on Appen in 2024, in the following section we will provide a step-by-step guide to using the platform.

Before you sign up to Appen, take a look at our list of 40+ passive side hustle ideas to make sure that this is the right option for you.

Step 1: Create an Appen account

The first step is to create an Appen account. To do this, head to the Appen website and click ‘Join our crowd’.

From here, you will be able to choose which type of jobs you would like to apply for:

• Appen connect: This is the option for flexible remote working opportunities.

• AI model training: Discover full-time AI training roles and ongoing projects.

• Language jobs: Flexible job opportunities for language experts.

Choose which type of job you would like to apply for and then click on the relevant option. You will then be asked to create an account with your email and password.

Step 2: Complete your profile

After creating your account, you will be asked to complete your Appen profile. This includes filling out information about your skills and experience.

Try to include as much detail as possible to increase your chances of securing jobs.

Step 3: Apply to jobs

You will be able to see available jobs on the Appen dashboard. Apply to as many jobs as you like by filling out the application form.

It may take a few days to hear back about your application.

Conclusion

Appen is a legitimate work-from-home platform that you could use to make extra money in the UK. However, it is important to be aware of negative reviews that have been left about the platform by previous users. While our own experience of the platform was fine, some people have had issues with payment and work availability.

Appen won’t be able to replace your full-time income (unless you manage to land high-paid projects). Nevertheless, it is a good way to make extra money from the comfort of your own home. The platform is suitable for anyone who has good tech skills and the ability to understand data.

FAQs

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