Last Updated on May 6, 2025 by Eric Cantu
Let’s be real — when I first heard about Swagbucks, my reaction was probably the same as yours:
“Wait, they’re gonna pay me for watching videos and answering surveys? Sounds like a scam.”
But curiosity (and my urge to do a legit review) got the best of me. I signed up. And here we are, months later, with stories to tell, receipts to show, and some very real thoughts about whether this whole “get paid for your time” gig is worth it.
If you’re wondering whether Swagbucks is legit or just another too-good-to-be-true side hustle, buckle up. I’m gonna give you the unfiltered breakdown — no fluff, no fake hype.
Is Swagbucks Legit, or Just Another Online Scam?
Yes, Swagbucks is legit — it’s a free rewards platform that pays real cash and gift cards for completing online tasks like surveys, games, and shopping, though not all methods are equally worth your time.
What Even Is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is one of the most popular get-paid-to (GPT) sites out there. It’s a free rewards platform where you earn points (called SB) for doing random online tasks — think surveys, playing mobile games, shopping online, and even uploading grocery receipts.
You can redeem those SB points for PayPal cash, gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, you name it), or prepaid Visa cards. 100 SB = $1, for reference.
It’s owned by a company called Prodege, and it’s been around for over a decade with a solid Trustpilot score. So yeah — not some fly-by-night operation. But “old and trusted” doesn’t always mean “good,” so let’s keep going.
My First Win (and the Hook That Got Me)
I’m not gonna lie — I got hooked after I earned $30 in like three days.
How? One of the mobile game offers: I played this slot-style game to level 50, and boom — 3,000 SB (aka $30) dropped into my account. I was shook.
And that first cash-out… felt amazing. I went straight for a PayPal payout, and it hit in about 24 hours.
That was the moment I realized — yeah, this thing’s real. You can make money with Swagbucks.
But.
Not all offers are created equal.
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The Survey Rabbit Hole (And Why I Avoid Them Now)
Let’s talk surveys. Everyone thinks this is the easiest way to earn on Swagbucks, but I’ve got beef.
You can spend 15 minutes answering deeply personal questions about your household, income, grocery habits, car maintenance, AND STILL get hit with: “Sorry, this survey is now closed. Here’s 1 SB.”
Translation: you get 1¢, as in one measly penny for your time.
After a while, I stopped messing with surveys unless I was already half-watching TV. They’re a time sink and not reliable if you’re trying to hit $5 or $10 in a day. There are better legit survey sites out there if you’re dead set on this route — but Swagbucks surveys aren’t it.
Best Ways to Earn on Swagbucks (Without Losing Your Mind)
After burning myself on sketchy surveys, I figured out which methods are actually worth it. Here’s what works:
1. Mobile Game Offers
Hands-down the most profitable. Look for games that pay $20–$50 in SB for reaching certain levels.
Pro Tip: Download through the Swagbucks app only — or the offer won’t track.
This is one of the few apps where you can literally get paid to play games. And if you’re already the kind of person who enjoys a mobile grind, this is a sweet setup.
2. Shopping + Cashback
If you’re already buying stuff on Amazon, Target, Instacart, etc., do it through the Swagbucks portal. Some stores offer 1–10% cashback in SB. Think of it like Rakuten, but with more options.
3. Receipt Uploads (Magic Receipts)
Get paid for uploading your grocery receipts. It’s small — like 2 to 50 SB — but it adds up. And for folks looking to earn money online without investment, this one’s literally free money from your daily life.
4. Daily To-Do List + Swago Boards
These are daily bonus challenges. Complete a checklist of simple tasks (like the poll, search bar, etc.), and you get bonus SB. Easy wins that almost feel passive once you’re in the routine.
Have you seen this scam going around?
Swagbucks is legit, but here’s a scam that doesn’t pay out. Check out my article on the “Get Paid to Watch YouTube Videos Scam!”
What Sucks (Yeah, I’m Gonna Be Honest)
So not everything is roses with Swagbucks. Some parts can be really frustrating. Here’s where the cracks start to show. Do they outweigh the good stuff? In my expert opinion, no, but that’s up to you to decide for yourself.
❌ Offer Tracking Can Be a Dumpster Fire
Sometimes you complete an offer, but the points never post. That’s infuriating.
Wanna file a ticket? Hope you took screenshots of every single step — including the “Offer Completed” screen.
❌ Customer Support Is… Meh
Support tickets can take a week or more to get a response. And even then, it’s a toss-up whether you’ll get the SB you earned.
❌ Not All Offers Are Available to Everyone
Some high-paying offers are region-locked. I had a friend in Canada who saw totally different options than me in Texas.
❌ Game Fatigue Is Real
That $40 game offer seems amazing — until you’ve spent 20 hours grinding it with ads every 30 seconds. It starts feeling less like passive income and more like digital labor.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
Let’s break it down. Based on my experience and other real user comments I’ve seen across Reddit and forums:
- Light users: $10–$25/month
- Casual grinders: $50–$100/month
- Hardcore strategists (yes, they exist): $200–$500+/month
There are people who’ve made $1,000+ in a year or more, especially if they jumped on high-paying promos and cashback deals.
But it’s not replacing your 9–5. This isn’t “how to build wealth online” — this is “how to earn lunch money by playing Candy Crush and uploading your Target receipts.”
If you want to make actual money online, check out my guides on affiliate marketing.
Is Swagbucks Free? What About Swagbucks Plus?
Swagbucks is 100% free to join and use. You never have to pay.
They recently rolled out something called Swagbucks Plus — it’s like a premium version that supposedly boosts your cashback and bonuses.
I tried it for a month… and honestly? Meh. Didn’t see much difference. If you’re just starting out or looking for safe ways to earn online, skip it.
📌 TL;DR How to Swagbucks Like a Pro
- Swagbucks is a legit rewards site that pays out real cash and gift cards — but not all tasks are worth your time.
- Game offers and cashback shopping are the highest-earning strategies, especially when tracked correctly.
- Surveys can be frustrating and time-consuming with little payout — approach them with low expectations.
- Screenshot every offer as you complete it to protect against missed credit and support delays.
- Avoid Swagbucks Plus unless you’re already earning regularly — the benefits aren’t worth it for beginners.
- Treat it like a side hustle, not passive income, and you’ll be surprised how much you can earn.
Just Need the Cliff Notes?
I got you. 👉 Check out the 3-minute WFYL Quick Read version here. It’s perfect to save for later or share with your circle.
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Final Verdict: Worth It?
Swagbucks isn’t going to replace your job, but it can put some extra money in your pocket if you use it wisely. Skip the time-wasting surveys, go for the high-value offers, and treat it like a flexible side hustle — not a get-rich-quick scheme. For me, $800+ later, it’s proven itself legit… just with a few lessons learned the hard way.
What do you think? What’s your experience been with Swagbucks? Got questions about specific offers or need tips? Drop a comment — I’ve probably tried it. Or failed at it. Or rage-quit it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Swagbucks actually pay you?
Swagbucks rewards you with SB points, which you can redeem for PayPal cash, gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks), or prepaid Visa cards. Most redemptions start at 300 SB, or $3.
Can you really make money playing games on Swagbucks?
Yes, many users report earning $20–$50 (sometimes more) from mobile game offers — but only if you complete the offer objectives within the required time. Always screenshot your progress to protect your payout.
Is Swagbucks safe to use with your personal info?
Swagbucks is owned by Prodege, a long-standing market research company. While it’s considered safe, it’s smart to create a dedicated email for survey sites to avoid inbox clutter.
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I’m in South Africa. Will Swagbucks still pay out to me here?
Yes. Swagbucks is available in South Africa. 🙂 thanks for the comment!
This is the first time I’ve seen this visually explained. As I am reading your article, mu thought process was: Why not? It seems like an easy way to earn money online. But when I got to the point where you simulated what you can get for a day versus the effort needed to achieve it, then the thought took a u-turn to: Not really worth it. Agree that there are better ways to earn money online. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, when you really take a look at it, your time is worth more than pennies on the dollar. Thanks for the comment!
I laughed when I read your comment that Swagbucks surveys are mind numbing. I would have to agree. Years ago, I signed up for Swagbucks and tried it for a while, but I don’t have the patience for the surveys. To be fair, that isn’t only an issue with Swagbucks. Other programs I tried were similar. I just don’t like taking surveys. For anyone that is interested, though, I will second that it’s not a scam. It would be kind of hard to make a bunch of money from it, I think, but they really do pay you. For someone that doesn’t mind taking surveys and has realistic expectations, it could be an easy way to pick up some extra cash. I didn’t realize they had added other ways of earning money, so that’s pretty cool. I may have to give them another try – just not for surveys! 🙂
Yes, mind numbing is the only way I could put it. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Dear Eric,
Thanks for the review “Swagbucks Scam – Is Swagbucks a Scam or Legit?” I do totally agree with you its not worth the time we invest. After attending many questions it says I am not qualified take another survey that’s okay but there are days I use to take 5 to 6 surveys but I won’t qualify for even one and when I see the time its more than 30 minutes but nothing earned. Thanks again.
Your Friend,
Paul
I hear you, Paul. You’re not alone. There’s way better ways to make money online 🙂 Thanks so much for your honesty!
Hi Eric
Thanks for your review of Swagbucks.
I do quite like it for playing around and earning some pocket money here and there. The best way to earn on there is the deals where you sign up for like a month trial get paid SBs, then quickly cancel your membership.
But in the long run, I agree its not a sustainable way to make money online. VERY interested in the platform you recommend. Thank you!
Agreed. There are ways to take full advantage of Swagbucks, just don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re going to make full time income off it. Very good way to look at it and use it. And yes, I can’t recommend the training platform I link to highly enough. Check it out for yourself and see if it’s for you 🙂 I look forward to seeing you on the inside!
Thanks for the comment!
I have been using it for a couple years now, and there is much more to it than just the surveys. The offers will give you cash back on lots of different things. Btw, the surveys are a thing you learn to quickly get through.
There are lot’s of them that only take 3-5 minutes and you can get 60 cents to a few dollars. I even sign up for the at-home surveys, which they ship you a product, you try it out and then take a survey of 5-15 minutes for 5-10 bucks.
You just need to spend more than an hour on it at a time. Thanks for this post!
Yeah I can’t even imagine spending more than 15 minutes on it, but that’s really good that it’s something you’re using regularly and getting a benefit from. Thank you for the insight and keep accumulating your rewards!
See, there really are people out there who like surveys, lol. Thanks for the comment!
Well, from my personal experiance I think that it is a scam. Just like so many others, like Neobux, clixsense etc. People dont understand that they cant earn with just clicking button. Even when working online, hard work is needed, but folks will always trying to find those ”easy” methods of earning.
I can appreciate your honesty, Daniel. The thing about calling something a scam is that a scam would mean you receive nothing when promised something. And Swagbucks is pretty clear on telling you before you start that 30 minute survey that you’re going to earn a whole 50 cents, lol. There are definitely way better ways to make money online, and you’re right, these “super easy surveys” aren’t going to get you to financial freedom. Thanks for the comment!
Hi Eric, Thanks for this expose’ on yet another work for nothing (or very Little) program. I too have been sucked in by many of these programs that use your time and want to pay you in pennies or voucher!
I followed your links to your platform and I must say that I loved it right away. I have since upgraded so that I can have access to all the training, additional websites and all the awesome free tools that really work.
Thanks for the informative article. I am sure it will help many others too.
Regards
Bryanb
What a great comment, Bryan! Thanks so much for your insight and for sharing your experience. Glad to work with you, brother. Since you went through my link you’ll have me as your support coach. I think you’re going to love the training and community at WA 🙂
Oh, I have tried doing the survey thing. It is VERY frustrating, time consuming and boring. What bothered me what that I seemed to not qualify for any surveys. Who does qualify? I am sure they are not a scam, but there are so many better ways for me to spend my time making money from home!
I think you hit that right on the head. Amen to every word you said 🙂 Thank you so much for the comment! Great insight 🙂
I heard of swagbucks through Facebook and Twitter. I was curious about it, and now that you have described it, it’s not my cup of tea. I value my time… lol But good to know, your opinion is very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment, Agnes. Glad I could help 🙂
Hi Eric. Really loving your site. I’ve been looking into making money online for some time now and thought that Swagbucks might be an easy answer. I’m really glad I found your video review. You’re right, those surveys look like no fun at all. I do like your suggestions for the “Daily Routine” to earn a few SB here and there, but now I know that Swagbucks isn’t that answer I was looking for with regards to supplemental revenue. I’m very impressed with the training platform you recommend. If you’re my coach there, I’m signing up! Thanks for this!
Thanks for the comment, Jim! Yes, Swagbucks is going to be ok for earning a few dollars here and there if you don’t mind some mundane tasks like filling out surveys, but for any real online income definitely go through the training platform I mention and recommend. And yes, I would be your support coach. I’ve helped many, many people get started with their business online, and this mentoring community is the best I’ve ever been a part of. I think you’ll love it and I look forward to seeing you on the inside.
This is an informative post. Yo definitely fill me up. I always encounter a lot of swagbucks ads and I had no idea is it legit or not so I decided to look into it and I found article. Nowadays is really are really to stay safe and we always have to be alert. Thank you for the information you provide. I can see Swagbucks earns only a little bit here and there. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment, Jaden! I appreciate it.
Hi Eric – thank you so much for this informative review of Swagbucks. I’ve seen their ads and wondered if it was as good a deal as they promised. Clearly there is more work and time involved that the ads state. I probably won’t waste my time on their site. I’m going to start the training you mentioned. Is it ok even for total newbies? Best regards to you!
Hey Christy! Yes, the training is set up even for absolute newbies to understand. No matter your level of experience, the training takes you step by step through each and every process. I loved it myself, personally, and I think you will too. Thanks for the comment!
The problem with Swagbucks is that they play on an age-old tendency of humans…the tendency to try to get something for nothing, or plain old greed. They present a very convincing illusion that for very little work, you can rake in the (swag) bucks! The company doesn’t care about who they scam (yes I believe it’s a scam)…because they deal in volume. Their efforts are focused on marketing to new people. My advice is just to spend your time and effort building a business that will actually reward you for the effort you put forth.
I really appreciate the candor of your comment, William. Thank you for the insight. So many people get sucked into get rich quick schemes that they start believing all online opportunities should require no work. To earn real revenue consistently online you have to be trained right and put in the work just like with anything else. But, if you’re just someone looking to waste some time online with a survey and don’t mind earning a few pennies here and there for doing it, then maybe Swagbucks works out. Thanks for the comment!
Your review is well detailed and very true. Swag bucks is not a scam but it is not worth my time. I used to do these online surveys but I realized that they would waste so much of my time for pennies. As you have said, there are really better ways to make money online.
Oh, and no, taking online surveys is not fun at all!
Absolutely agreed! I literally laugh out loud when I see these surveys described as “fun”. I’m right there with you. Thanks for the comment, Dee!
I was just looking to make some money online and it does not seem like this is for me. Thanks for posting this article and clearly doing your research. It’s good to see that its not a scam but it does sound like there’s some better uses of my time! Appreciate the honest well thought out research.
Glad to help you out, Nick. For some who like to earn rewards here and there while they’re online, I saw go for it. But if you’re looking for a more straightforward way to make money online, definitely read my review for the training platform I recommend over all others. I think you’ll really enjoy it 🙂 Thanks for chiming in!
Thanks for the info Man. I’ve been seeing those ads and I’m always here thinking to myself, “well how much can I earn with Swagbucks” so I found your post on Google and I’m impressed with this post. How long have you been doing this? It’s well written and I liked what I saw with the training platform you recommend. Looking into that now. Thanks!
Hey Andre! Thanks for the comment. I built this website last year as I started researching online business and it’s been the most fun ride. I think you’ll really like what you see with the training platform I recommend. I owe all my success to my mentors there. I look forward to seeing you on the inside and helping you in every way I can. Thanks, Andre!
I think I’ll deal with Swagbucks even if they do not pay much; it’s going to be my first time with this kind of sites. It’s worth having the experience … we’ll see.
Thanks for the info!!
All I can say is prepare for some mind numbing surveys, lol. But if that’s alright with you, push ahead and good luck! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for saving me from finding out the hard and mind numbing way.
Yes, that is definitely the bottom line. There are plenty of better ways to make money online, and my top recommendation is definitely one of them. Thanks for the comment!
Nice review. I did not even know these things existed. I can’t see it being of any use for me, however. The amount of work that is required is not enough for the work involved. I would need an easier way to make money. Then again, maybe I am lot lazier than I thought, lol.
Hey Miles. Trust me, even someone who is seriously motivated is going to have a hard time making serious money with Swagbucks, lol. However, if you’re looking to make money online you may have to fix that laziness. Online business, just like traditional business, takes hard work, patience, and drive. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get after it, I’d highly suggest taking a look at my top recommendation.
I never really ran into Swagbucks in my time on the internet, but of course, I had heard about them. However, after reading this helpful post I am glad I didn’t come across them. Thanks for sharing I found this post to be helpful and I will refer it to friends in the future in case they are wondering about joining Swagbucks.
Glad to be of help! Thanks for the comment!
Having done a few reviews on the “paid surveys” niche, I agree with your rating. Anyone who values their time knows that their “time” is worth $50 an hour, for me anyway.
There is nothing more aggravating after signing up than to be demographically disqualified for many of these offers. Some give it their all and can be rewarded for it, but most get little or no results from these survey programs.
Absolutely. Time value for me is a big one. Swagbucks isn’t a “scam”, just not exactly worth it as a way to make consistent money online. And I absolutely agree when it comes to what you said about the aggravating and frustrating moments. I never knew I could get so mad at an iPad, lol. Thanks Sheldon!
I saw your article and thought I would chime in. Like what most people have said: Swagbucks isn’t worth the time. I spent one entire week doing nothing but their “Daily Watch” while I was at work. so in a 40 hour work week I, realistically, would have spent 30 hours watching these videos. Yes, it was easy, I didn’t actually have to watch anything and instead let it play continuously, but that is where the problem lies: The video would constantly get stuck and freeze. Often times it would freeze for 20min until I gave up and refreshed, only to lose all of my time watching. And all of this for a few SwagBucks (their currency). At the endof the week I did not make enough to even trade in for their lowest gift card: a 10$ Amazon card for 1,000 Swagbucks.
Do not waste your time. I’m thinking about looking into your suggested alternative. I appreciate your review. Is Wealthy Affiliate truly free?
– Nehpets
Thanks for the inside scoop. I appreciate it. And I’m sorry for you having to watch the MIND NUMBING VIDEOS lol. And yes, Wealthy Affiliate is completely free. You never have to upgrade to premium, but I personally saw the benefit so I did after a few days. It’s worth trying out. It’s helped me exponentially. Thanks for the comment!
Hi there! I also agree Swagbucks is a waste of time! I took online surveys and complete offers and all I can assure it’s not worth it.
It’s not a scam because companies pay to advertise and get marketing research data. However, it’s up to each individual to decide how much their time is worth.
Nicely reviewed!
All the best
Stefan
thanks for taking the time to check out the review. Glad we agree
Eric,
I loved your review! I recently downloaded a few different survey apps to try to earn a little extra money when I would have otherwise been playing games on my phone or surfing Facebook. I truly enjoyed hearing your thoughts about the app, and some of your statements made me laugh a little 🙂 I’d agree that it’s not a reliable source of income, however, I’m fine with goofing around with it to earn a few cents at a time. Thanks for the review!
Ashley
Aww thanks ashley! I appreciate your honesty. Nothing wrong with earning a couple here and there lol. Thanks for the comment!
2 dollars an hour?! Holy cow. I’ve never understood why survey sites offer such a little. At the end of the day, it’s a lot more work than you’d expect and can get to you pretty quick.
Is that not just a reflection of how much these companies actually value consumer opinion?
I wonder if these surveys are actually even used for any real purpose by the merchants at all. They have to know at some level that people are almost on auto-pilot just taking them as quickly as they can to get on with it, know what i mean
I like the detail you give. Great job on reviewing Swagbucks.
Anytime. 🙂
I would say for someone who wants to just browse the net, it would be an okay way to pass time. I myself have used it, it seems to bring in a few bucks here and there. From what I have heard every stream of income counts. While I agree it’s like peanuts, but still it something.
I can agree with that. For what it is, if you simply install the search engine and go about your everyday searches, those pennies will add up.
But if you see a survey RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! Lol
Nice perspective.
thanks for the comment
It is funny, i recently read a post saying how Swagbucks is a great way to make additional money. But they left out how little you actually make! You Review has certainly made me see how it is not nearly what they talked it up to be.
Thanks Marc! Maybe if you just installed the search engine and went about your daily activities you could find yourself with a gift card at the end of the year, but yeah, we’re definitely talking pennies on the dollar here.
Thanks!
I tried Swagbucks for a few weeks and made a huge €5. Not worth the time it takes. Set it up as my search engine for a while too. Honestly, I’ve had more fun watching paint dry.
You and I are on the same wavelength with that thought, brother. I was actually going to put a metaphor about watching paint dry in the review itself, but i didn’t want to come off as too harsh. Glad you mentioned it!
Thanks for the comment!