As someone who has worked in web data extraction and analytics for over a decade, I‘m often asked for advice on crowdsourced data solutions. Many clients have used Appen but are now considering alternatives due to concerning issues that have emerged.
In this post, I‘ll share my insights on the top 3 Appen alternatives based on extensive research and hands-on experience in this space.
Why Consider Appen Alternatives?
Founded in 1996, Appen is a publicly traded Australian company and a leading provider of training data for AI applications like computer vision and speech recognition.
However, Appen has faced some worrying problems lately:
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Financial losses: Appen‘s revenues fell 18% to $445.3 million in 2024, with a net loss of $27.7 million [1]. This raises concerns on their stability.
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Focus on larger customers: Over 80% of Appen‘s revenue comes from just their top 5 clients [1]. Smaller buyers may get less attention.
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Treatment of workers: Reviews highlight issues like low pay [2] and difficult interfaces [3]. This signals potential compliance risks.
These factors are making buyers reconsider Appen. Next, let‘s compare the top 3 alternatives that clients are switching to in 2024.
Top 3 Appen Alternatives for Data Contributors
For contractors or workers seeking sites like Appen, the key criteria are fair pay, worker treatment, and platform experience.
Based on extensive research into crowdsourcing platforms, here is my comparison of the top alternatives for workers:
1. Clickworker
Founded in 2005 in Germany, Clickworker has over 500,000 crowd contributors across 200+ countries creating training data.
Pros
- Highest rated alternative for workers (4.4 on Trustpilot) [4]
- Quick and easy sign-up process [5]
- Weekly payments via PayPal or Payoneer [6]
Cons
- Some mention payment delays, taking ~30 days [7]
With its large, global crowd and focus on worker needs, Clickworker is my top recommendation as an Appen alternative for contractors.
2. Amazon Mechanical Turk
Owned by Amazon since 2005, MTurk provides an online marketplace for outsourcing microtasks and data collection to a pool of 500,000 international workers.
Pros
- Quickly earn money completing simple tasks
Cons
- Low hourly pay rates [8]
- Tedious sign-up process with little support [9]
- Overall poor experience for workers
MTurk is better suited for one-off microtasks rather than steady data collection work.
3. Telus International
Founded in 2005, Telus International has over 1 million crowd contributors providing AI training data.
Pros
- Large pool of data collection tasks
Cons
- Lower pay rates based on unrealistic hourly allocation [10]
- Payment delays reported by multiple workers [11]
- Excessive personal information collection [12]
Telus trails other platforms significantly in worker experience and pay.
Top 3 Appen Alternatives for Data Buyers
For companies considering sites like Appen, criteria include data quality, security, and customer service.
Here is my comparison of the top 3 Appen alternatives for buyers:
1. Clickworker
Clickworker is considered a leader in ethical, high-quality crowdsourced data.
Pros
- Customers report reliable results and an easy-to-use platform [13]
- 500K+ contributors ensure diverse training data [14]
- Details provided on crowd demographics and skills
- ISO 27001 certified with strict security controls [15]
Cons
- Covers fewer languages (40+) vs. Appen (130+) [16]
With a focus on ethical, reliable service, Clickworker is my top choice as an Appen alternative for data buyers.
2. Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon Mechanical Turk offers fast, affordable crowdsourced data.
Pros
- Scales workers on-demand to handle large or fluctuating volumes [17]
- Low costs starting at $0.01 per task
Cons
- Concerning data quality issues reported [18]
- Limited English abilities assumed for workers [19]
- Weak customer service and interface
MTurk is suitable for large scale simple data tasks where quality is not critical.
3. Telus International
Telus International offers AI data collection and annotation services.
Pros
Cons
- Lower customer satisfaction than alternatives [22]
- Less transparent and restrictive pricing
Telus trails Clickworker in critical factors like quality, security, and customer service.
The Verdict: Clickworker is the Preferred Appen Alternative
In my decade of experience in crowdsourced data, Clickworker stands out as the leading alternative to Appen in 2024.
For workers, Clickworker rates highly for fair pay, good support, and an excellent overall experience.
For buyers, Clickworker provides reliable, ethical data with strong quality controls and customer service. Their security certifications also provide peace of mind.
While cheaper, Amazon Mechanical Turk has concerning feedback on data quality and treatment of workers. Telus International also trails in customer satisfaction, transparency, and focus on quality.
In summary, for both workers and companies, Clickworker is my top recommendation as an alternative to Appen in 2024. Their stellar reputation is well-earned. Reach out if you need any advice choosing an ethical yet affordable crowdsourced data partner.