At-a-Glance Comparison

Get a look at the differences between National Consumer Panel and Focus Group with this overview of their features and benefits.

National Consumer Panel Focus Group
National Consumer Panel
  • Get rewarded for scanning your groceries and other purchases
  • Receive a free barcode scanner or use the app to scan products
  • Choose from a huge merchandise catalog when you redeem your points
  • Take surveys on a variety of topics to earn even more points
  • Get sweepstakes entries for your ongoing participation
  • Backed by market research leaders Nielsen and IRi
Focus Group
  • Focus groups paying up to $200
  • Potential for 4-6 monthly invites for high-paying focus groups
  • Online, in-person, and phone surveys available
  • Operated by the Sago online community, a top-tier market research company
  • Opportunities for participating in a variety of research studies such as product testing, concept testing, and advertising research.
  • A chance to influence the development of new and services.
  • Flexible scheduling and weekend sessions available.
  • A comfortable and professional environment for in-person focus groups.
  • Opportunities to participate in online focus groups from the comfort of your home.
  • Quick and easy payment options, including cash, gift, PayPalli>
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
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Rating Comparison

Which is better, National Consumer Panel or Focus Group? See how their expert and user ratings compare.

National Consumer Panel Focus Group
National Consumer Panel
[4.69/5]
Focus Group
[4.71/5]
National Consumer Panel
[4.5/5]
Focus Group
[4.25/5]
National Consumer Panel
[4.25/5]
Focus Group
[5/5]
National Consumer Panel
[4.5/5]

Read 16 Reviews

Focus Group
[5/5]

Read 31 Reviews

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Rewards Comparison

Compare National Consumer Panel rewards and Focus Group rewards to see how their redemption options stack up.

National Consumer Panel Focus Group
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
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Opportunities Comparison

Compare how you can earn money with National Consumer Panel and Focus Group and find your next side hustle.

National Consumer Panel Focus Group
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group Yes
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel Yes Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
National Consumer Panel No Focus Group No
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Service & Snafus

Learn about customer service and potential issues with National Consumer Panel and Focus Group before you sign up.

National Consumer Panel Focus Group
National Consumer Panel

This program is backed by the Nielsen company so expect quick and courteous response if you run into any problems.

Focus Group

Most users report an excellent experience with customer service when encountering a problem. You can expect a quick response if you're having problems.

National Consumer Panel

Since scanning all of your purchases can be a bit tedious, some might consider the compensation from National Consumer Panel to be a bit low for the effort.

Focus Group

While there's no doubt that Sago is a completely legitimate and professional market research organization, they aren't the fastest to pay out, and qualifying for focus groups can be a bit difficult. This stems from the fact that focus groups are generally small in nature and very specific demographics are sought. While the company has some of the best pay-outs, you may find yourself receiving few invitations for these lucrative opportunities.

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Final Verdict

See our closing thoughts to help you decide if National Consumer Panel or Focus Group is better for you.

National Consumer Panel Focus Group
National Consumer Panel

If you buy a lot of groceries and don't mind taking the time to scan them, National Consumer Program is a great way to earn a variety of rewards as well as sweepstakes entries. There's really no reason not to give this one a try. Might as well get paid for things you already buy, right?

If you stay diligent about scanning the products you buy, you will be eligible to rack up some great merchandise. It's also worth noting, that if you find NCP isn't for you, a prepaid shipping label is provided for you to send your scanner back. As of December 2015, you can now use their app which performs the same function as the scanner which eliminates the hassle of shipping if you change your mind.

Focus Group

The prestigious Schlesinger Associates, a leading provider of market research opportunities for the last 40 years, operates Inspired Opinions. You can certainly expect a professional experience. That being said, to the average user this program is an all or none proposition. While focus groups are the crown jewel for increase your earning potential, they can be exceedingly difficult to qualify for due to limited size and the need for precise demographics when it comes to precise research. Although there may be some hurdles to overcome, there's no reason not to give Focus Group a shot. There's simply way too much upside to ignore this program.

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