Swagbucks is a real website where you can get some extra money by doing easy things on the internet. You can earn by shopping online, watching videos, or even searching for stuff on the web. It won’t make you super rich, but it’s a simple and free way to get a little more money in your pocket.
Swagbucks won’t make you a lot of money, but you can get enough for a movie night or a free gift card every month.
The trick is to use Swagbucks for things you’re already doing like shopping on the internet, looking at videos, or using it to search for stuff online.
You can do more like answering questions in surveys, trying out free stuff, or doing a daily vote. But don’t think of Swagbucks as your main job—it won’t pay you that much.
We’ve looked at Swagbucks really closely and have all the best ways for you to earn more for your time.
What is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a website and app where you can sign up for free and get points called “SB points.” You can turn these points into money or gift cards by doing easy stuff online.
The simplest way to get SB points is by using Swagbucks to look for things on the internet, just like you would with any search engine. This way, you get points without even trying hard.
But searching online isn’t the only way to get more points. There are lots of other things you can do to earn SB points too.
Is Swagbucks Legit?
Yes, Swagbucks is legit and safe. A group called the Better Business Bureau gives the company behind Swagbucks, called Prodege LLC, a pretty good grade. Another website, Trustpilot, rates them really well too, with lots of people saying they are “Great” or “Excellent.”
Some folks might think it sounds too awesome to be real. They wonder how you can get free money or free gift cards to places like Visa, Apple, or Amazon just for shopping, answering questions, and watching short clips. But it’s actually true and not fake at all.
How Does Swagbucks Work?
To start, make a free Swagbucks account using their app or by going to Swagbucks.com. You’ll even get a $10 bonus just for joining!
Once your account is set up, you can begin doing easy tasks to earn what they call SB Points.
You can use these points in two cool ways:
- Gift Cards: You can turn your SB Points into free gift cards for places like Amazon, Visa, Target, Starbucks, Walmart, Home Depot, Old Navy, and Kohl’s.
- PayPal Money: You can also change your SB Points into real money in your PayPal account. You can use this money to buy stuff online or even move it to your bank (but PayPal will charge you a little fee for that).
So, you see, earning with Swagbucks is pretty simple and fun!
How To Earn Swagbucks Points (SB Points)
Don’t think of Swagbucks as a regular job. What’s cool about it is you get extra money for things you’re already doing.
Here are a bunch of ways you can start collecting SB Points:
- Swagbucks Surveys: Earn up to 100 SB points for taking surveys listed on your dashboard.
- Swagbucks App: Offers mobile-friendly surveys and special app-only ways to earn.
- Swagbucks Video: Watch videos to earn a few SB points; optimal for background noise.
- Shopping Online: Earn approximately 3 SB points per dollar spent when you shop through the Swagbucks portal.
- Swagbucks Search: Use their search engine instead of your usual one to earn SB points.
- Buying Gift Cards: Purchase gift cards through Swagbucks to earn up to 10 SB points per dollar.
- Playing Games: Earn SB points for in-app purchases or for playing free games.
- Swagbucks Discover: Get paid for signing up for new services or trying new products, but be cautious.
- Entering Swag Codes: Look for hidden Swag Codes on the site and enter them for free SB points.
- Referring Friends: Earn a 10% commission on your friends’ SB points when they sign up using your referral code.
- Upload Receipts: Use Swagbucks Magic Receipts to earn SB points by shopping at popular stores.
- Printing Coupons: Print coupons from Swagbucks and earn up to 50 SB points per day, plus additional SB points when you redeem them.
So, as you can see, there are lots of ways to earn with Swagbucks!
How much money can I make with Swagbucks?
The conversion rate between Swagbucks and actual money is generally 1 SB point to $0.01. Therefore, a minimum of 300 SB points is required to redeem $3 via PayPal or in gift cards.
To give you an idea:
- Surveys typically offer between 40 and 100 SB points and take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
- From a labor standpoint, you could potentially earn close to the federal minimum wage. For example, earning 100 SB points ($1) in 10 minutes equates to $6 per hour, which is $1.25 less than the federal minimum wage. However, consistently achieving this rate is not guaranteed.
While you could theoretically earn close to the federal minimum wage by doing Swagbucks surveys, there are several nuances to consider:
- Survey Availability: There’s no guarantee you’ll have constant access to surveys, making it difficult to earn continuously.
- Eligibility Criteria: You might start a survey and realize you don’t meet the criteria, wasting time without earning points.
- Earning Limits: Some Swagbucks activities have daily or monthly earning caps.
- Time Considerations: The time you spend on Swagbucks could potentially be used for more profitable or enriching activities.
- Opportunity Costs: Using your time on Swagbucks means forgoing other ways you could be earning or enjoying yourself.
- Special Offers: Though Swagbucks sometimes offers bonus points or promotions, these are usually temporary.
- Disparate Rates: Different activities on Swagbucks offer varying amounts of points for the time invested.
In summary, while Swagbucks can provide some extra cash, it’s not a reliable or steady source of income.
Is Swagbucks Worthwhile?
The feasibility of accumulating enough surveys or tasks to generate a consistent income stream is pretty low. In essence, you’re spending unpaid time browsing for surveys or contemplating various product trials.
This inefficient payout is a common issue among not just Swagbucks but most survey platforms. There’s always the risk that you might invest several minutes into reading about a survey, only to find out you don’t meet the demographic criteria or that the survey quota has already been filled. Either scenario results in a loss of potentially productive time from an earnings standpoint.
Therefore, the return on the time you invest can be minimal—often amounting to only around a dollar an hour or even less. Nonetheless, Swagbucks can still be a worthwhile endeavor for those looking to make a bit of extra cash during idle moments or while at home.
Is Swagbucks the Right Fit for You?
With a user base of approximately 10 million and over $430 million in rewards distributed, Swagbucks has established itself as a reliable platform since its inception in 2008 in El Segundo, CA. It has maintained steady growth and longevity, comparable to the iPhone’s lifespan.
As mentioned earlier, Swagbucks won’t serve as a substitute for your primary source of income. However, if you’re on the lookout for an uncomplicated side hustle that can potentially add an extra $40 to $60 to your monthly income, it may be worth exploring Swagbucks.
One of the most appealing aspects of Swagbucks is its versatility. With a myriad of options for earning bonus SB points, integrating this platform into your daily activities should be relatively simple.
Other Options Besides Swagbucks
While Swagbucks is a well-established player in the paid survey space, there are several other platforms available for those looking to earn some extra money. Many of these have not been around as long as Swagbucks, but they do offer varying earning potentials and features that might be more aligned with your preferences.
Alternatives for Paid Surveys:
- Branded Surveys: Known for a variety of survey topics and an easy-to-use interface.
- Life Points: Focuses on surveys that help shape future products and services.
- Survey Junkie: Prioritizes high-quality, in-depth surveys and pays directly via PayPal.
- InboxDollars: Offers not just surveys but also pays for watching videos and shopping online.
- MyPoints: Provides multiple ways to earn, including surveys, shopping, and even travel deals.
Each platform has its own pros and cons, so you might want to try out a few to see which one best suits your needs.