Set a base rate from session type
A task-based usability test or diary study demands more sustained attention than an open discovery chat, so each interview type carries a different implied hourly rate before adjustments.
Free MVP research tool
Interview Incentive Calculator
Calculate a fair participant incentive from interview type, duration, and how hard your audience is to reach, so you recruit reliably without over- or under-paying.
- Calculated instantly from your inputs
- No signup or data submission
- A focused next step for MVP planning
Your entries remain in this browser session and are not sent to MVPHub.
Your inputs
Describe your research session
Enter the interview type, duration, and audience difficulty. The calculator returns a suggested incentive range based on effort and scarcity.
Your calculated result
Your result
0/100
Planning score
Recommended next actions
How it works
Scale by duration and reach difficulty
The base rate is applied per minute, then multiplied by a scarcity factor — harder-to-reach audiences such as senior professionals or niche specialists command a higher incentive to justify their time.
Adjust for regional cost of living
A regional multiplier nudges the suggested amount up or down so the incentive feels fair and locally appropriate rather than a flat global number.
Frequently asked questions
Why pay for discovery interviews at all?
A fair incentive widens who is willing to talk to you beyond people who already love giving free feedback, reducing selection bias toward unusually engaged users.
Should incentives be cash or gift cards?
Either works; gift cards are easier for many organisations to process without extra tax paperwork, but cash or direct transfer often has a higher perceived value for the same amount.
What if my research budget is very limited?
Consider non-cash incentives — extended product access, a personalised summary of findings, or early access to a beta — but expect a smaller and more self-selected pool of respondents.
Does a higher incentive always get better answers?
No — beyond a fair rate, more money mainly increases recruiting volume, not honesty. Overpaying can attract people who are there only for the incentive rather than genuine interest in the problem.
Do B2B participants need different incentives?
Often yes. Senior professionals frequently cannot accept personal payment due to company policy — donating to a charity of their choice or offering their organisation a report are common workarounds.
How we compare
| Capability | MVPHub | User Interviews | Respondent.io |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant incentive calculation from your inputs | ✓ | — | — |
| Regional and difficulty-adjusted suggestion | ✓ | × | × |
| Participant recruiting panel and payment processing | × | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in scheduling and screening | × | ✓ | ✓ |
MVPHub calculates a fair incentive range from your session details. User Interviews and Respondent.io are recruiting marketplaces you would use to actually find and pay participants once you know what to offer.