Swagbucks is one of the most popular rewards platforms out there, but is it actually worth it? While it won’t make you rich, it can help you earn extra cash, PayPal money, or free gift cards each month just by doing simple tasks online.
You can rack up points (called Swagbucks or “SB”) for everyday activities like online shopping, searching the web, watching videos, and even playing games. Want to earn more? Complete surveys, sign up for free trials, or take the daily poll for bonus points.
In this in-depth Swagbucks review, we’ll walk you through how the platform works, how much you can realistically earn, and the best tips to maximize your rewards without wasting time.
What is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a free rewards platform available as both a website and mobile app. Once you sign up, you can start earning Swagbucks points (known as SB) by completing simple online activities.
One of the easiest ways to passively earn SB points is by using the Swagbucks search engine for your everyday web browsing. It’s a seamless way to collect rewards just by doing what you already do online.
Of course, that’s just the beginning, Swagbucks offers plenty of other ways to earn extra cash and gift cards, from taking surveys to shopping online and more.
Is Swagbucks a Scam?
Swagbucks is not a scam. It’s a legitimate and trusted rewards platform that has been around for years. The site is run by Prodege LLC, which holds a B rating from the Better Business Bureau. On Trustpilot, Swagbucks has a 4.1 out of 5 rating based on over 36,000 reviews, with more than 80% rated as “Great” or “Excellent.”
It might seem too good to be true. After all, you’re earning free gift cards or PayPal cash just for shopping online, watching videos, or taking surveys. But Swagbucks really does pay out. While you won’t make a full-time income, it’s a simple and legit way to earn a little extra spending money.
How Does Swagbucks Work?
Getting started with Swagbucks is easy and completely free. Just sign up at Swagbucks.com or download the mobile app. As a welcome offer, new users receive a $10 sign-up bonus after completing qualifying activities.
Once you’ve created your account, you can start earning Swagbucks Points (SB) by completing simple tasks like shopping online, watching videos, taking surveys, or using the Swagbucks search engine.
You can redeem your SB points in two main ways:
- Gift Cards: Exchange your points for free gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Starbucks, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Old Navy, and more.
- PayPal Cash: Transfer your points into real money through PayPal. You can use your PayPal balance to shop online or transfer the cash to your bank account (note that PayPal may charge a small transfer fee).
Anyone 13 or older can join, and it only takes a minute to get started. Sign up here and claim your $10 bonus today!
SwagBucks
Swagbucks is an online rewards platform that allows users to earn money by completing various tasks.
How To Earn on Swagbucks
Swagbucks isn’t meant to replace a job, but it’s a smart way to earn extra money online by turning your everyday activities into rewards. Instead of changing your routine, you can get paid for things you’re already doing, like browsing the web, shopping online, or watching videos.
Here are some of the most popular ways to earn Swagbucks Points (SB) and start building up rewards fast:
1. Take Surveys
Swagbucks offers paid surveys similar to platforms like Survey Junkie. Each day, your dashboard will display a list of available surveys you can take in exchange for SB points.
Each survey includes an estimated completion time and the number of SB points you’ll earn. Most surveys pay between 50 to 100 SBs (roughly $0.50 to $1). While the payouts aren’t huge, surveys are a quick and easy way to earn a little extra when you have free time.
2. Use the Swagbucks Mobile App
The Swagbucks app is available for both iOS and Android and gives you full access to the platform from your phone. You can take surveys, track your SB points, and redeem them for gift cards or PayPal cash, all from the app.
One major perk of the mobile app is the ability to unlock exclusive earning opportunities. For example, Swagbucks LIVE lets you earn SB points by answering trivia questions or watching movie trailers.
Thanks to its user-friendly design and solid performance, the Swagbucks app ranks as one of the best mobile survey apps. It’s one of the reasons this platform earned a 9.6 out of 10 in our full Swagbucks review.
Sometimes, fake Swagbucks apps show up in the Google Play Store. To stay safe, make sure you're downloading the official app from Swagbucks.com or the verified developer.
3. Watch Videos on Swagbucks
If you often find yourself watching random YouTube videos and losing track of time, Swagbucks Watch lets you earn a bit of extra cash for doing something similar. The earnings are small, watching about 30 minutes of video usually earns 1 to 2 SB points, which equals just a penny or two.
However, there are ways to make it more efficient. Since videos pause if you click away from the screen, using split-screen mode can help keep them playing while you work on something else. If you’re at a computer most of the day and enjoy background content, this can be an easy way to earn passively.
4. Shop Online with Swagbucks
Swagbucks offers a cashback program that can give you a solid return for your time, especially if you already shop online. It works similarly to Rakuten. When you start your shopping trip from the Swagbucks shopping portal and make a purchase at a partnered retailer, Swagbucks earns a commission and shares part of it with you as SB points.
You’ll typically earn 3 SB points per dollar spent, though this rate can vary by store or promotion. The more you shop, the faster your points can add up. Popular participating retailers include Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy, and many specialty shops.
To make things even easier, you can install the Swagbutton, a browser extension that automatically alerts you when a site is eligible for cashback rewards. It’s a helpful way to make sure you never miss an opportunity to earn.
5. Use Swagbucks Search
Swagbucks has its own search engine that rewards you for everyday web searches. By using Swagbucks Search instead of Google, Bing, or Yahoo, you can earn SB points just for looking things up online.
To make the switch easier, install the Swagbucks browser extension in Chrome, which sets Swagbucks Search as your default. You’ll typically earn 1 SB point per day for using it, and the extension will also let you know when the site you’re visiting is eligible for rewards.
SwagBucks
Swagbucks is an online rewards platform that allows users to earn money by completing various tasks.
6. Buy Gift Cards Through Swagbucks
One of the easiest ways to earn SB points is by purchasing gift cards through Swagbucks. When you buy a gift card from their marketplace, you can earn up to 10 SB points per dollar spent, which amounts to a 10% cashback rate.
You can increase your rewards by using that same gift card to shop online through Swagbucks' portal, essentially stacking your cashback for double the benefit.
7. Play Games for SB Points
If you enjoy mobile games during your downtime, Swagbucks lets you earn SB points while playing. You can get rewarded for playing free games or earn points by making in-app purchases in games like Bejeweled, Deal or No Deal, and Casino-style apps.
In some cases, you can earn 12 to 15 SB points per dollar spent. To make sure the points track correctly, you may need to disable any ad blockers and ensure your browser or device is fully updated.
8. Try Offers Through Swagbucks Discover
Swagbucks Discover is one of the highest-paying features on the platform. This section includes special offers that reward you for signing up for services, testing products, or opening new accounts. Some of the most profitable deals involve trying meal delivery kits, subscription boxes, or even credit card offers.
While you should never sign up for something just to earn points, if you were already planning to try one of these services, this can be a great way to earn a few thousand SB points in a single shot. That translates to real cash or valuable gift cards in your account.
9. Enter Swag Codes for Bonus Points
Swag Codes are little hidden bonuses that Swagbucks shares throughout its site, app, and social media channels. When you find a code, simply enter it into the Swag Code box to earn free SB points. It’s a quick and easy way to score extra rewards, especially if you check the platform often.
10. Refer Friends and Earn Passive Income
One of the best ways to earn on Swagbucks is through the referral program. When you refer a friend, you’ll earn a 10% commission on all the SB points they earn, for as long as they use the platform.
This method is great for passive income. If your referrals stay active and continue earning, your point balance will grow without you having to do anything. You just log in when you're ready to redeem your rewards.
To make it count, your friends must sign up using your unique referral link, which you can find in the “Refer and Earn” section of your account. You’ll need to invite them individually to ensure the credit is tracked. While it may take a bit more time upfront, the long-term payoff can be well worth it.
11. Upload Receipts with Magic Receipts
Swagbucks’ Magic Receipts program lets you earn SB points by uploading receipts from stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Walgreens. All you have to do is purchase specific everyday items, upload a photo of your receipt, and the points will be credited to your account.
Some offers are small, like 2 SB points for buying broccoli, while others are much more rewarding, such as 1,000 SB points for purchasing items like eggs, laundry detergent, or pet food. It’s a great way to earn rewards for things you already buy.
12. Print and Use Coupons
Swagbucks also offers printable coupons you can use at popular retailers. You’ll earn 1 SB point for each coupon you print and 25 SB points for each one you redeem in-store.
While you can only earn up to 50 SB points per day from printing, the real value comes from the savings at checkout. You get to save money and earn points at the same time, making it a simple win-win if you regularly use paper coupons.
SwagBucks
Swagbucks is an online rewards platform that allows users to earn money by completing various tasks.
Is Swagbucks Worth Your Time?
Swagbucks isn’t a reliable source of steady income, and it’s not meant to be. While you can earn a few dollars here and there, stringing together enough surveys or tasks to create a consistent cash flow is difficult.
Like many survey sites, Swagbucks can be time-consuming. You might spend several minutes reading about a survey only to find out you don’t qualify. Sometimes, even if you do qualify, the survey may close before you finish. These are common frustrations that can lead to wasted time without any payout.
Because of this, the hourly rate is often low, sometimes less than $1 per hour. Still, Swagbucks can be worth it if you use it casually, during downtime, or while multitasking. It’s a simple way to earn a bit of extra money from home without taking on real responsibility.
Alternatives to Swagbucks
While Swagbucks is one of the most well-known rewards platforms, there are plenty of other paid survey apps and money-making websites that offer similar ways to earn extra cash. Some are newer, and others focus more heavily on specific types of tasks like surveys, product testing, or micro gigs.
Earning potential will vary from app to app, so it’s worth trying a few to see which ones fit your style best.
If you're primarily interested in online surveys, be sure to check out our latest survey and gig opportunities to find new, high-paying options updated regularly.
