Best AI Training and Data Annotation Companies Ranked (2026)

Know someone looking for work? Share this page.

Most platforms hire both generalists and specialists: micro1, Mercor and DataAnnotation list generalist roles alongside expert roles, while Ethos focuses on experienced professionals and Outlier asks for at least an associate degree. The table ranks platforms by open roles, so the order changes as listings change, and “Count coming” platforms sit at the bottom.

AI Training Platforms Ranked by Open Roles

					Apply
1	micro1	410	+44	$6 to $400/hr	Apply
7-day change +44 Pay as listed $6 to $400/hr Countries No country list on its board. Pays in USD through Deel. Paid via Twice a month in USD through Deel, around the 5th and 20th Entry AI interview with Zara, then an ID check
2	Mercor	340	+18	$14 to $350/hr	Apply
7-day change +18 Pay as listed $14 to $350/hr Countries Most countries. Mercor publishes an unsupported list (Kenya and Ukraine among them). Paid via Weekly through Stripe or Wise Entry One AI interview of about 20 minutes, reused across applications
3	Turing	280	+97	Not listed	Apply
7-day change +97 Pay as listed Not listed Countries Each role lists its own countries. No visa sponsorship. Paid via Monthly on the 5th, by bank transfer or through Deel Entry Application, skill assessments and live interviews
4	SME Careers	264	New	Up to $150/hr	Apply
7-day change New Pay as listed Up to $150/hr Countries Each role lists the countries it accepts Paid via Weekly through Deel, the Friday after each Monday to Sunday week Entry Recorded AI interview of about 15 minutes, then a Deel contract and ID check
5	DataAnnotation	133	New	Up to $150+/hr	Apply
7-day change New Pay as listed Up to $150+/hr Countries No country list in its FAQ. Fluent English and reliable internet. Paid via Through PayPal, a few days after you request it Entry One Starter Assessment per track, then an ID check through Persona
6	Ethos	69	0	$70 to $100/hr	Apply
7-day change 0 Pay as listed $70 to $100/hr Countries 18 or over, in a country Revolut or Wise pays to Paid via Revolut or Wise after you invoice, on an agreed cycle or at project end Entry Recorded AI voice interview, then an ID check
7	Handshake AI	Count coming	New	Shown per role	Apply
7-day change New Pay as listed Shown per role Countries Open sign-up in the US; invite-only elsewhere Paid via Hourly, paid weekly through Stripe Entry US sign-up with work authorization; international fellows by invite
8	Outlier	Count coming	New	Shown per project	Apply
7-day change New Pay as listed Shown per project Countries Its own list of allowed countries (the UK is on it). No VPNs. Paid via Weekly on Tuesdays, by PayPal, Airtm or bank transfer Entry Sign-up, skill screenings and an ID check, about 30 to 90 minutes

Pay as listed by each platform. Checked 2026-11-08.

Sources

micro1410 open roles from Role board read by hand 2026-10-27 (no scraper, per micro1's referral terms), read 2026-11-05; pay from micro1 role board, 2026-10-27: 306 of 312 roles list an hourly rate (Each role lists one hourly figure).
Mercor340 open roles from Public jobs board, read twice a day, read 2026-11-08; pay from Mercor jobs board, 2026-10-29: 272 of 308 roles list an hourly rate (Hourly roles only; 36 more roles list per-task, one-time or yearly pay).
Turing280 open roles from Public board, read daily; only roles with a referral bonus and not covered by Mercor or Ethos, read 2026-11-08; pay from Turing board, 2026-10-29: 1 of 13 roles list an hourly rate (Most Turing roles show no pay; the dollar figure on a board card is a referral bonus).
SME Careers264 open roles from Public role board, every open role counted once, read 2026-11-08; pay from SME Careers jobs board, 2026-11-08: 263 of 264 roles list an hourly rate (Most roles list an "up to" hourly figure; the lowest is $2.50. 1 more role lists monthly or non-USD pay).
DataAnnotation133 open roles from Role board on the homepage, every card counted once, read 2026-11-08; pay from DataAnnotation role board, 2026-11-08: 133 of 133 roles list an hourly rate (Each role lists an "up to" hourly figure; the lowest is $40).
Ethos69 open roles from Public opportunity pages, read twice a day, read 2026-11-08; pay from Ethos opportunity pages, 2026-10-29: 69 of 69 roles list an hourly rate.
Handshake AIHandshake AI's terms do not allow automated collection from its site, so its board is not read by script.
OutlierOutlier publishes no public role list; projects are offered inside its app after sign-up.
7-day changecounts start 2026-10-22, so the chip covers the days on record.

Some links on this page are referral links.

How we rank

Ranked by live open roles, refreshed twice a day. Pay is shown as each platform lists it.

Get new roles on Telegram

There are dozens of AI training and data annotation companies, also called data labeling companies, and most lists just stack the names. We checked each one on its own website: what work each one offers, who it hires, how you get in, where it is open and what trainers report.

Find the Platform That Fits You

Chat with DigiNo Toucan.

DigiNo ToucanAI job matcher, replies instantly

How to Choose

Pick by your background first, then by where you live.

Write down your field and years of experience.
Check the location rule before you hand over ID.
Never pay to join.
Keep your own log of hours and ticket numbers from day one.

For a side-by-side of our two named picks, see which AI training platform fits you. If DataAnnotation is the one you know, our list of sites like DataAnnotation compares the closest matches, and this checklist helps you spot fake listings.

AI Training Companies FAQ

What Are the Best AI Training Companies to Work For?

Mercor and DataAnnotation list generalist roles alongside expert roles, and Outlier asks for at least an associate degree. The AI Training Job Matcher on DigiNo points you to the best fit.

What Are the Best Data Annotation Companies to Work For?

They're the companies in the table above. Prolific says it is not meant to be a full-time job, and researchers post studies with a time estimate and a reward per hour.

Which AI Training Companies Are Legit?

Every company in our list is a registered business we checked on its own pages, though Workada and RemoExperts are too new to judge.

Do Data Annotation Companies Charge a Fee to Join?

CrowdGen and OneForma say they never charge, and Mindrift, iMerit and Braintrust say joining is free. Any site that asks you to pay for access to AI training work is a red flag.

Which AI Training Companies Hire Outside the US?

Mercor works with experts in most countries, OneForma supports more than 100 countries, and Mindrift publishes an eligibility list. Handshake AI takes open applications only from people based in the US (elsewhere it is invite-only).

Is Scale AI the Same as Outlier?

Outlier says it is a platform operated by Scale AI, and Remotasks says it is powered by Scale AI.

Should I Sign Up for More Than One AI Training Company?

Yes. Work comes and goes on every platform, so trainers usually keep two or three active.