Quick answer: some online IQ tests are genuinely free, including Altto, International IQ Test, 123test’s demo tests and IQTest.com’s basic score. Several of the most advertised sites, such as MyIQ, Brain IQ Test and Test-IQ.org, charge to unlock your full result, usually with a $1-style 7-day trial that then renews at about $30 to $40 every month unless you cancel.
A note on fairness: Altto runs its own free IQ test, so we have an interest. That’s why every fact below comes from each site’s own pages, linked in the table, and why we’ve listed other genuinely free tests too. Prices are shown as the sites list them (mostly US dollars) and can change, so check the source before you pay.
What popular IQ test sites charge
| Site | Score free? | What it costs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altto (this site) | Yes: score, percentile, breakdown, answers and certificate | Free. No sign-up, no card, nothing to unlock. | – |
| International IQ Test | Yes, according to the site | The site says it is 100% free, with no payment and no sign-up, and sells no add-ons. | Source |
| 123test | Yes, on its free demo tests | Free demo IQ tests (10 and 8 questions) with results and no registration. Longer professional versions cost $12.99 each. | Source |
| IQTest.com | Yes, the general score | General score free. An optional detailed profile costs $14.95 one-off; the site says it has no subscriptions. | Source |
| IQTestFree.io | Yes, according to the homepage | The homepage says the test and full result are free with no subscription fees. Its terms also describe a paid plan, without prices. | Source |
| IQ Institute (iq-institute.org) | Basic test free; full report paid | Premium report $1.95 one-off (non-refundable), plus a discounted 7-day trial that then renews at $29.95 a month. | Source |
| Test-IQ.org | A free demo result only | Full results are paid. A 7-day trial of its “Pro Suite” then renews automatically at $39.99 a month. | Source |
| MyIQ | Full breakdown needs membership | $1 for 7 days, then $29.99 every 28 days, renewing automatically. | Source |
| Brain IQ Test (brainiqtest.com) | The report is unlocked by a trial | $1 for 7 days, then $29.95 every 4 weeks. 30-day money-back guarantee; cancel at least a day before billing. | Source |
| BrainOwl | Not confirmed | Its terms describe a $1 7-day trial that then renews at $29.95 a month. (Its pricing and refund pages say different things.) | Source |
| Brght | Results are paid | Results “starting at” $19.95, according to its homepage. | Source |
| IQ Genius Lab | Not confirmed (appears paid) | Its FAQ says the subscription includes the score, certificate and report; its terms say a trial turns into a paid plan unless cancelled. Prices aren’t shown on its pricing page. | Source |
| Mensa UK | Paid, but a real supervised test | Supervised test £49 (the usual route to membership); home test £15 for an indicative score that doesn’t count for entry. Its online workout is described as for entertainment only. | Source |
Checked 26 October 2026 from each site’s own pricing, terms or FAQ pages. “Not confirmed” means the site’s pages didn’t make it clear. Sites change their prices; tell us via the contact page if something here is out of date and we’ll fix it.
How the “£1 trial” usually works
On many paid sites the test itself is free, but when you finish you’re asked for a small payment, often $1 or £1, to see your score. That payment is usually a 7-day trial of a membership. If you don’t cancel before the trial ends, it renews automatically at the full price, typically about $30 to $40 every month or every four weeks. The renewal price is in the site’s terms or pricing page, but it’s easy to miss on the payment screen.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has general advice on spotting free trials that turn into subscriptions: How free is this trial?
How to tell if an IQ test will charge you
- Look for the price before you start. A genuinely free test says so plainly and never asks for card details.
- Check for “trial”, “membership” or “unlock”. These words usually mean a subscription.
- Read the renewal price. Find the pricing or terms page and note what the trial turns into and how often.
- If you do pay, set a reminder to cancel a day or two before the trial ends, and keep the confirmation email.
If you’ve already been charged
- Cancel straight away using the site’s cancellation page or the link in your receipt, and screenshot the confirmation.
- Ask for a refund. Many of these sites state a refund window in their terms (for example 3 or 30 days).
- Talk to your bank or card provider if the company won’t help; you may be able to ask for a chargeback.
- Get free advice from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Are online IQ tests accurate?
No online test, free or paid, gives an official IQ score. Only a supervised test given by a psychologist, or Mensa’s supervised test, does that. Online tests give an estimate. Where the sites describe their scoring, the comparison groups come from their own users rather than independent studies, and none names an outside body that certifies it, so words like “certified” are the site’s own label. Several paid sites say in their terms that the test is for entertainment or educational purposes.
Try Altto’s free IQ test
20 puzzles covering patterns, numbers, shapes and logic, in about 15 minutes (or a 10-question quick test). Your score, percentile, ability profile, every answer explained and a certificate appear the moment you finish. No sign-up, no email, no card, and nothing to unlock.
Take the free IQ testMore free tests: daily brain training, typing speed, reaction time and personality, all on the tests page.
Frequently asked questions
Are online IQ tests really free?
Some are, and many aren't. Several popular sites let you answer every question for free, then ask for payment, often a $1 or £1 trial, before showing your score. That trial usually renews automatically as a monthly subscription of about $30 to $40. Sites such as Altto, International IQ Test, 123test's demo tests and IQTest.com's basic score show a result without payment.
Why do IQ tests ask for £1 at the end?
The low first payment is usually a short trial, often 7 days, that turns into a monthly subscription unless you cancel before it ends. The renewal price is in the site's terms or pricing page, so check it before you pay anything.
I paid £1 and was charged more. What can I do?
Cancel the subscription straight away using the site's cancellation page or the link in your receipt email, and keep a screenshot. Then ask the company for a refund; many state a refund window in their terms. If that fails, contact your bank or card provider about a chargeback, and you can get free advice from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
Are free online IQ tests accurate?
None of them is an official IQ test. Only a supervised test given by a psychologist, or Mensa's supervised test, gives an official score. Online tests give an estimate, and how good that estimate is depends on how well the questions were designed and calibrated. Treat any online score, free or paid, as a rough guide for fun.
Do certificates from online IQ tests mean anything?
No outside body certifies online IQ tests. Words like "certified" or "official certificate" on these sites are the site's own label. Altto's free certificate says it is for personal interest.
Is Altto's IQ test free?
Yes, completely. Your score, percentile, breakdown by area, every answer explained and a certificate are shown free the moment you finish, with no sign-up, no email and no card. Altto is paid for by adverts on the page, not by charging for results.