Swagbucks Review: How I Earned Over $600 in 2024

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by John Cirelly

If you’ve been researching ways to make money online, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Swagbucks. In this Swagbucks review, I’ll share my experience with the platform, what to keep in mind, and list some similar alternatives.

Key Takeaways

• Swagbucks is legit, and one of the most trusted survey sites online.
• You can realistically earn between $25 to $50 per month.
• New users get a $10 sign-up bonus.

Is Swagbucks Legit?

Yes, Swagbucks is legit. I’ve personally used Swagbucks for about two years now and have received hundreds of dollars in payments. Swagbucks has gained over 5 million downloads on the App Store and has a rating of 4.2/5 stars with over 136k reviews.

Owned by Prodege, LLC, Swagbucks is not just another fly-by-night reward program; it’s one of the front runners. On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Swagbucks is accredited with a B rating, which is rare to see for a rewards app.

I also checked reviews on Trustpilot. where Swagbucks boasts a 4.2/5 stars rating from over 35.9k reviews.

My Experience With Swagbucks

I primarily earn money from Swagbucks via surveys and browsing the web. These are easy tasks I do a few times a week to earn between $20 to $50 each month. Once I have around $25, I cash out.

I found surveys to pay the most and are the best task to stick with if you’re looking to max out your points. However, earning Swagbucks through using their search engine and referring friends is a great passive strategy I use as well.

I’ve calculated you can earn about $4 per hour doing surveys. It’s not a lot per hour, but it’s an easy way to make some extra cash each day in your spare time without much work or thought.

While I normally prefer cash, Swagbucks offers a nice bonus for picking a gift card instead. For example, sometimes you can get a $25 Amazon gift card for only $20 worth of Swagbucks.

How Much Does Swagbucks Pay?

In my journey with Swagbucks, I’ve explored various tasks and monitored the time versus payout ratio to give you a realistic overview of the earning potential. Here’s a breakdown based on my observations:

Quick Note: 100 Swagbucks typically equals $1. However, sometimes you can get more for your points depending on how you cash out. For instance, opting for a gift card.

1. Surveys

The surveys on Swagbucks vary greatly in both length and reward. On average, surveys can pay anywhere from 40 to 200 SB points, which equates to $0.40 to $2.00 per survey.

The time to complete these surveys can range from 5 minutes to over 30 minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the survey. Occasionally, you’ll find higher-paying surveys that offer upwards of 100 SB ($1), but these are less common and might have more specific qualification requirements.

2. Online Shopping Cashback

The cashback rates for online shopping through Swagbucks can significantly boost your earnings, especially if you shop online regularly. The cashback percentage varies by retailer but generally ranges from 1% to 15%. For instance, a $100 purchase from a retailer offering 5% cashback would earn you 500 SB points, or $5.

3. Watching Videos

This is one of the lower-paying tasks, offering about 2 to 3 SB points per batch of videos watched. Considering each batch can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, it’s a less efficient way to earn, but it’s a passive activity that you can do while multitasking.

4. Using the Swagbucks Search Engine

By using the Swagbucks search engine for your daily internet searches, you can randomly earn points throughout the day. This can range from 10 to over 100 SB points per day, depending on your search activities and frequency. It’s a more passive way to earn but with variable outcomes.

5. Playing Games

Earnings from playing games vary depending on the game and your level of engagement. You can earn back a percentage of in-game purchases or earn points by reaching certain levels in some games. This can range from a few cents to a few dollars’ worth of SB points.

6. Referrals

The referral program is quite lucrative. You earn 10% of your referrals’ earnings indefinitely. If a friend you referred earns 1000 SB, you get 100 SB. This can add up significantly if you have a lot of active referrals.

7. Daily Polls and Other Tasks

Participating in daily polls and completing various small tasks can earn you a few SB points daily. While each task might only offer 1 to 2 SB, they take only seconds to complete, making them a quick way to accumulate points over time.

The time it takes to reach the minimum payout of 300 SB ($3) varies greatly depending on the types of tasks you focus on. However, it’s completely realistic to be able to cash out in a single day.

In my experience, dedicating about an hour a day to a mix of surveys, shopping, and other tasks can lead to earnings of $25 to $50 per month. While Swagbucks won’t replace a full-time income, it can provide a nice supplemental income for relatively little effort.

How To Withdraw Money From Swagbucks

Withdrawing earnings from Swagbucks is straightforward, offering flexibility whether you prefer cash or gift cards. Once you’ve accumulated at least 300 SB points, equivalent to $3, you can start the redemption process. Here’s a simplified overview based on my experiences:

1. Access the Rewards Store: Log into your Swagbucks account and navigate to the “Rewards” section. Here, you’ll find a wide array of redemption options, including PayPal cash and gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
2. Choose Your Reward: Decide whether you want to redeem your points for cash or a gift card. PayPal cash is a popular option for those preferring cash, while gift cards offer a bit more value in some cases, depending on current promotions.
3. Confirm and Redeem: Once you’ve chosen your reward, confirm your selection and proceed with the redemption process. For PayPal cash, ensure your Swagbucks email matches your PayPal account email to avoid any issues.
4. Receive Your Earnings: Gift card codes are typically emailed within a day or two, while PayPal cash might take a bit longer, up to 10 days according to some user reports. However, in my experience, most rewards arrive much quicker than the maximum time frame.
5. Enjoy Your Rewards: Once you’ve received your reward, it’s yours to enjoy! Whether you’ve opted for PayPal cash to save or spend as you like, or a gift card for your favorite shopping destination, I have always been paid out quickly via PayPal or a gift card redemption code sent via email.

How Swagbucks Works

Swagbucks operates as a comprehensive platform that rewards users for engaging in various online activities. Here’s a condensed overview of how it functions, based on my firsthand experience and understanding:

Signing Up

First, you create a free account, which can be done quickly and includes a sign-up bonus to get you started. This process is straightforward, requiring only basic information.

Earning Points (SB Points)

Once registered, you can earn Swagbucks points (SB) through a plethora of activities. These include taking surveys, shopping online through the Swagbucks portal to earn cash back, watching videos, using the Swagbucks search engine for daily internet searches, and even playing games.

Daily Goals and Tasks

Swagbucks encourages consistent participation by setting daily goals for users. Meeting these goals results in bonus points, which can help boost your overall earnings.

To find the best bonus points, keep an eye on your Swagbucks dashboard and your inbox for emails about bonus point opportunities.

Referral Program

Inviting friends to join Swagbucks can significantly increase your earnings. You receive a percentage of the points your referrals earn, adding a passive income stream to your account.

Redeeming Points

Accumulated points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards. The platform offers gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, or you can choose to receive cash through PayPal. The minimum payout threshold is quite low, making it accessible even for casual users to quickly enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Mobile App

For those on the go, Swagbucks offers a mobile app available on both iOS and Android devices. The app provides a convenient way to earn points from anywhere, ensuring you never miss out on easy earning opportunities.

Pros and Cons

Having spent a considerable amount of time exploring and utilizing Swagbucks, I’ve come to recognize its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s an overview based on my experience:

Pros:

1. Variety of Earning Methods: Swagbucks offers numerous ways to earn points, from surveys and online shopping to watching videos and playing games. This variety keeps the platform engaging and allows users to find tasks that suit their preferences.
2. Low Payout Threshold: With a minimum payout of just 300 SB ($3), it’s relatively easy and quick to reach the point where you can redeem your earnings.
3. Flexible Redemption Options: The choice between PayPal cash and gift cards from a wide array of retailers provides flexibility in how you can use your earnings.
4. User-Friendly Interface: Both the website and mobile app are intuitive, making it simple for users to navigate through the various earning opportunities and redeem their points.
5. Bonus and Incentive Programs: Daily goals, referral bonuses, and sign-up bonuses offer additional ways to boost your earnings beyond the standard tasks.

Cons:

1. Time vs. Reward Balance: While there are many ways to earn, not all tasks are equally lucrative. Some activities, especially watching videos and certain surveys, offer low payouts relative to the time invested.
2. Qualification for Surveys: A common frustration is being disqualified from surveys after answering preliminary questions, which can feel like wasted time.
3. Not a Substitute for a Full-Time Income: While Swagbucks can provide a nice supplemental income, it’s not feasible to replace a full-time job or significant sources of income.

Other Swagbuck Reviews

I checked out Reddit to see what others were saying, and most people’s reviews were positive. Some even had some helpful tips, like sticking to surveys, and taking advantage of bonus points when offered.

Swagbucks Alternatives

I’ve been testing ways to make money online since 2016, and while Swagbucks is towards the top of my list, there are a variety of websites like Swagbucks to consider:

InboxDollars: A versatile platform offering users diverse opportunities to earn cash rewards by participating in surveys, watching videos, and completing offers, distinguishing itself with its wide range of earning options.

Pawns: Earn by taking quizzes, doing surveys, and selling your data. Pawns stands out by allowing users to earn by selling their spare internet bandwidth.

SurveyJunkie: A user-friendly website incentivizing members with rewards for sharing opinions on products and services through surveys, standing out for its simplicity and seamless user experience.

If you’re open to other ways to make easy money, here’s my top list of apps:

Is Swagbucks Worth It?

Swagbucks is worth it If you’re looking to supplement your income with a bit of extra cash or gift cards for minimal effort in your spare time.

The platform’s versatility in earning methods means there’s likely something for everyone, whether you enjoy taking surveys, shopping online, or just browsing the web.

It won’t replace a steady income, but it can certainly provide a financial boost or help you save money on purchases through cashback and gift cards.

The key to making Swagbucks worth it is finding the right balance between the time you invest and the rewards you receive. Focusing on activities that offer the best return for your time can enhance your overall experience.