In the world of AI, data training companies play a pivotal role in teaching algorithms to understand language, images, and user behavior. These firms recruit a global crowd of annotators and evaluators to tag data, test models, and refine AI outputs. As more outfits flood the market, distinguishing reputable providers from time-wasting scams becomes essential.
Here at The AI Tribune, we compile real user feedback so you can decide for yourself, without having to jump through hoops or waste hours on endless platform redirects.
Note: All reviews below are direct reports from individuals who have worked with Appen. These comments reflect personal experiences, not our own opinions. We strongly encourage everyone to conduct their own due diligence before signing up.
About Appen
Appen (formerly Figure Eight and CrowdFlower) is one of the oldest and largest crowd-sourcing platforms for AI data training. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Appen offers tasks ranging from search-engine evaluation to natural language processing and speech recognition. Contractors log into their web portal to qualify for projects, complete annotation tasks, and earn pay, typically on a per-task or hourly basis.
Positive Reviews from Real Users
Many contractors praise Appen for providing flexible, remote work opportunities, especially as a side gig or stopgap income source. Here are some positive testimonials gathered from Indeed and Trustpilot:
“Appen, best company so far. Working with them since 2020, they provided me projects aligned with my skills. The payment is fair, the payment punctuality is flawless (most of the time), as their own page self-recognizes; the support team is functional, although the onboarding process for new projects takes too long, in my view…”
“Overall, this is an exceptional company for those who are self-employed! Working with Appen on various AI development type projects has been very beneficial for me and has taught me quite a bit as well! My only wish is that either they had longer projects available or the projects that were available paid a little bit more during their short existence…”
“Great company AI. Artificial technology driven company, nice company for those who want to be part of technological advancement through artificial intelligence. Machine learning.”
“Flexible work experience. The work is easy and work-life balance is great because of the flexible working hours; can get multiple projects to earn more money so overall good experience.”
“Fun Community, Horrible Management. Management was horrible, would drop important information last minute, and would ignore requests for help from workers. The community of workers were great – with many senior employees filling in for management and helping out when times were tough…”
Negative Reviews from Real Users
On the flip side, a significant number of users report confusion, delayed payments, and poor support. Below are some of these critiques, unfiltered:
“Not to rate 0 cos we can’t… Appen or should we say CrowdGen…or MatrixGo…or UHRS…or…another that was to be downloaded…again… The platform is chaotic, with endless app redirects, confusing workflows, and payments that barely justify the effort.”
“They just collect your data to be sold… The idea that I could help AI translate a very specific rare language for $20 an hour seemed like a legit job. Surprise surprise, I’ve let myself be fooled.”
“Absolute garbage. I’ve spent hours… qualifying for projects that never come to fruition. Not a single cent made. Now my account is under review for some reason… Don’t waste your time guys, bogus operation.”
“Unpaid for Almost a Year – Completely Unprofessional! I completed multiple projects in May 2024, and despite almost a year passing, I have yet to receive payment. My attempts to resolve this issue have been repeatedly ignored.”
“If you are thinking about signing up DONT waste your time. It’s crazy how it takes them more than two weeks to do something as simple as an identity verification… Now I don’t get any projects and I get removed from those that I was literally waiting for them to approve my verification.”
Final Verdict: Is Appen Legit?
Based on hundreds of user reports, Appen is indeed a real platform—thousands of contractors worldwide have been paid for annotation and evaluation work. The company’s long history and sizable client roster lend it credibility. However, legitimacy does not guarantee a smooth experience. Common pitfalls include:
In conclusion, Appen can be a legitimate source of supplemental income, especially for those needing flexible, home-based work. Yet, prospective contributors should weigh the risks of potential delays and tech headaches. As always, perform your own research, set realistic expectations, and compare alternatives before committing.
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