Is Swagbucks legit or a scam? If you’re looking to earn some extra cash online, you might be wondering if the Swagbucks app and website are worth your time.
In this honest Swagbucks review for 2024, I’ll explore how you can earn real money by answering surveys, shopping online, and more. I’ll cover how Swagbucks works, ways to earn Swagbucks rewards and redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards, and if it’s a worthwhile way to earn cash.
By the end, you’ll know if Swagbucks is a legit way to make money online or just another scam. Let’s dive in and see if Swagbucks is right for you.
Key Takeaways
This is Swagbucks in a nutshell, and a preview of everything you will learn after reading this article.
- Drumroll please… Swagbucks is totally legit!
- It’s a fun and easy way to make money online in your spare time. You earn money through surveys, games, shopping, and more!
- Don’t expect to get rich overnight. Swagbucks is a side hustle to fatten your wallet, not a full-time gig.
- I’ll spill my secrets to maximize your earnings. More Swagbucks (SB) = more rewards!
- Although there are many factors that influence earnings on Swagbucks, you can expect to make around $150 a month!
What is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a free online rewards and survey site that allows you to earn money by completing various tasks. As a Swagbucks member, you can accumulate points (called SB) which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash via PayPal.
Swagbucks’ has a B rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is a trusted organization that evaluates companies based on factors like transparency, honesty, and responsiveness to customer complaints.
A B rating from the BBB is an indication that Swagbucks is a legit and trustworthy platform, as a business needs to have at least 84 points out of 100 on their evaluation method to achieve this rating.

Is Swagbucks Legit?
With over a decade in business, Swagbucks has built a solid reputation as a legitimate way to earn money online. Here’s why:
- Swagbucks has been running since 2008, which gives us some certainty that it is legit, as it has more than 15 years on the market.
- As mentioned before,it has a rating from the Better Business Bureau, a company that certifies the services provided by other companies. Of course having a B is not a perfect score but it is still high, so it gives some reassurance when using it.
- On Trustpilot, Swagbucks boasts 4.1/5 star rating from over 36,000 reviews. While no company is perfect, the overwhelming majority of users report positive experiences, with many successfully cashing out their earnings.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence for Swagbucks’ legitimacy is the abundance of payment proof from real users. One example can be seen in this video, where the creator explains his journey and shows the earning potential. Like that one, there are plenty of real examples online.
Common Concerns
Of course, there are some common concerns and complaints about Swagbucks’ legitimacy. Some users report issues with disqualifications from surveys or delayed payments. However, these problems are not unique to Swagbucks and are common across many survey and rewards platforms.
Another common complaint is that the rates for completing the activities have been lowered through the years. Some people that have been using the platform consistently state that they could expect more money from Swagbucks a few years ago, and makes them question if the low rate makes it worth using today.
How Does Swagbucks Work?
- To start using Swagbucks, you have to create an account and become a member.
- As a member, you earn points (called SB or Swagbucks points) for completing various online activities. These activities include things like taking surveys, shopping online, watching videos, searching the web, and more.
- You can read the Terms of Use to have more specific information.
- The SB points you earn can be redeemed for free gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks, or you can cash out via PayPal.
- It’s a great way to earn rewards for things you might already be doing online.
The Business Model
But how does Swagbucks afford to give out all these rewards? Well, Swagbucks makes money by sharing advertising and affiliate revenue with its members. When you complete a survey or watch a sponsored video, the advertiser pays Swagbucks, and Swagbucks shares a portion of that payment with you in the form of SB points.

How Much Can You Earn on Swagbucks?
Let’s get real – you’re probably wondering if Swagbucks is worth your time. The short answer? It depends on how much effort you put in. Most users can expect to earn around $3 to $6 per day on average, which adds up to about $100 to $200 per month.
Users who devote more time to Swagbucks can potentially earn more, but don’t expect to get rich quick. Highly engaged earners report making around $1.29 to $1.50 per hour.
The beauty of Swagbucks is that there’s no limit to how much you can earn. Some exclusive deals can even pay out $50 to $250! But on a typical day, most Swagbucks members can realistically aim for that $3 to $6 range.

Top Ways to Earn Money on Swagbucks
These are the best alternatives that Swagbucks provides to make some extra money online.
Earn points by taking surveys
One of the top ways to earn money on Swagbucks is by taking paid online surveys. Companies are always looking for consumer opinions, and Swagbucks connects you with these surveys. Share your thoughts, and earn SB points for each survey you complete.
Earning cashback when shopping online
Another great way to earn on Swagbucks is by getting cash back when shopping online. With over 1500 partner retailers, you can earn SB points on your everyday purchases just by starting your shopping trip through the Swagbucks portal.
Using the Swagbucks search engine
Just set Swagbucks as your default search engine and earn SB points for your regular web searches. It’s important to note that you will not get rewarded for all searches, but the more you use it, the higher chance you have of getting SB.
Earn money online by watching video content
Watching video content on Swagbucks is another simple method to earn extra SB. From short clips to lengthier content, you can sit back, relax, and watch your points add up. The money comes from companies that pay Swagbucks for them to show those videos.
Earn Swagbucks points for discovering new products/services
Swagbucks offers a variety of opportunities to discover new products and services. Earn SB for signing up for free trials, checking out samples, and more, through the Swagbucks portal.
Playing games and entering sweepstakes
For a more entertaining way to earn, try playing games on Swagbucks. Earn randomly awarded SB for playing their free games, or get rewarded for in-game purchases through partner sites.
Scanning grocery receipts for bonus SB
Finally, don’t forget to scan your grocery receipts! Swagbucks’ Magic Receipts feature lets you earn bonus SB on your everyday essentials from popular retailers.

Tips to Maximize Your Swagbucks Rewards
Want to maximize your Swagbucks earnings? Here are some useful tips.
- First, make sure to install the Swagbucks browser extension. It alerts you when you can earn SB on your online purchases and automatically applies coupons. It’s an easy way to boost your earnings without any extra effort.
- Next, complete your daily to-do list. Swagbucks gives you bonus SB for checking off items like taking the daily poll, discovering deals, attempting surveys, and more. The bonuses add up quickly!
- Don’t miss out on Swagbucks Discover offers. These are often high-paying opportunities to earn a lot of SB for trying new products or services. Some offers are as simple as signing up for a free trial.
- For a fun way to earn, join Swagbucks Live trivia. Not only can you win the grand prize, but you’ll also get SB just for participating. It’s a great way to pad your earnings while testing your knowledge.
- Finally, invite your friends to join Swagbucks. You’ll earn referral SB when they sign up using your link and start earning. Plus, you get 10% of their earnings for life! Sharing your Swagbucks success on social media is an easy way to get referrals.
Is Swagbucks Worth It?

If you’re looking for a way to earn extra money in your spare time, I think it is worth at least giving it a try. While it’s not a way to get rich quick or replace a full-time income, Swagbucks can be a great source of pocket money.
- Realistically, most Swagbucks members earn around $100-$200 per month, depending on how much time and effort they put in. That might not sound like a lot, but it can add up over time.
- If you’ve got a few minutes while waiting in line or watching TV, why not earn a bit of extra cash at the same time? It’s not going to make you a millionaire, but it’s a simple way to make money from activities you’re probably already doing online.
- Swagbucks is worth it for anyone who wants to boost their budget without a major time commitment. Just keep your expectations realistic and enjoy the extra spending money!
Swagbucks Alternatives
There is a big market and many options to consider to make money online in a similar way than with Swagbucks. Here are some of them for you to have a broader picture.
Swagbucks vs Survey Junkie
One popular alternative is Survey Junkie, which focuses primarily on paid surveys. While it may not have as many earning opportunities as Swagbucks, Survey Junkie tends to have higher-paying surveys available.
Swagbucks vs KashKick
Another site worth checking out is KashKick. Like Swagbucks, KashKick offers multiple ways to earn, including surveys, offers, and games. However, KashKick is a newer site and may have fewer opportunities compared to the more established Swagbucks.
Swagbucks vs InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another well-known rewards site that pays you for activities like taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online. One unique aspect of InboxDollars is that they also pay you to read sponsored emails.
Swagbucks has the advantage of being a long-standing, reputable site with a wide range of ways to earn. However, some competitors may offer higher payouts for certain activities or have lower minimum cash-out amounts.
A good approach is to sign up for multiple legitimate money-making apps and websites to maximize your earnings.

Is Swagbucks Legit? Let’s Wrap It Up
I can confidently say that Swagbucks is a legitimate way to earn money online. With a long history, millions paid out to members, and countless positive reviews, it’s clear that Swagbucks is the real deal.
Throughout this Swagbucks review, I’ve covered the numerous ways you can earn. While you won’t get rich using Swagbucks, it’s a great way to earn free gift cards or extra cash in your spare time.
One of the standout features of Swagbucks is the low payout threshold. With as little as 300 SB ($3), you can start redeeming for rewards. This makes it easy to earn free money and see the fruits of your labor quickly.
If you’re looking for a legitimate and easy way to earn free gift cards or a bit of extra cash, Swagbucks is definitely worth checking out. With so many earning opportunities and a user-friendly platform, it’s a great option for anyone wanting to make money online.