Swagbucks is primarily a survey-taking website and app, paying members in their own currency of SwagBucks (SB) for completing surveys they qualify for. In this Swagbucks review, you’ll find that surveys on Swagbucks take different forms, from polls to question and answer and product testing. We recommend giving Swagbucks a try because it’s not only a survey-taking website and app but has many other money-making and saving activities that are enjoyable and have the potential to make real money.
That said, you should note that making any significant amount of money on Swagbucks alone is a challenge since most surveys have a low pay rate yet may take a while to complete. If you want an easier, simpler way to make a couple of extra bucks, you could try Fetch Rewards instead, or other money-making apps like apps that pay you to play games.
Many people are looking for ways to make ends meet. If you find yourself in that situation, you’ve probably considered making money online by answering surveys on apps like Swagbucks. If you’re unfamiliar with this platform, of if you’ve heard about it but want to learn more, you’ve come to the right place. In this Swagbucks review, we’ll cover what Swagbucks is, its features, its pros and cons, and everything else you need to know to decide if it’s for you.
What Is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a cash back and survey-taking website and app that pays it’s users to answer surveys and complete other activites on behalf of other businesses. Swagbucks was launched in 2008 and is based in Segundo, Southern California. As part of the market research company Prodege, it boasts being the internet’s largest and most popular rewards program. The Prodege Group has other popular survey, shopping, and cash back websites and apps like MyPoints and ShopAtHome.
Swagbucks has been featured in the media reviewing side hustles and cash back apps, including Business Insider, c/net, and Yahoo Finance. Reviews frequently refer to Swagbucks as ‘reliable' and ‘easy'. It’s primarily a survey answering site but not in the traditional sense of question and answer. Consumers can also interact with brands by watching videos, playing games, and shopping. Members can earn gift cards and cash for completing these surveys and other activities. The Swagbucks points are called SB and you need 100 SB points for a $1 cash equivalent.
Swagbucks is accessible online, through a web browser or browser extension, and as a smartphone app, and has over 20 million users. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 at the Google Play Store and 4.4 at the Apple Store.
Related: You may also be interested in Shopkicks, the innovative cash back app that pays you just for entering a store.
Features Of Swagbucks
There are numerous ways Swagbucks members can earn SB points beginning with surveys. Other opportunities include everyday activities like surfing the web, online shopping, and streaming videos. There are also tasks involving quizzes and in-store shopping. Here we list and review all those options, starting with the ways to earn points.
#1 Shop Online For Cash Back
Swagbucks is a partner to over 1,500 retailers in 7,000 stores that offer members cash back on their purchases. Participating stores include Amazon, Starbucks, and Macy's. You will earn SB points for each dollar spent with a cash back rebate of up to 12% of the purchase value.
There is also a sizeable 1,000 SwagBucks signup bonus (equivalent to $10) when you make your first purchase with a featured retailer. You will also get access to special offers and exclusive coupons.
Related: You may also be interested in Rakuten, one of the most popular loyalty rewards programs in the world.
#2 Cash Back On Gift Cards
Up to 15% cash back is available for members purchasing gift cards from big names like CVS and Home Depot. When you cash out, you can claim a percentage back if you are redeeming for gift cards. This means that you can order a $25 Amazon gift card, for example, for only $22 worth of SwagBucks. The amount of discount will vary.
#3 Magic Receipts—Scan Receipts For Cash Back
With many grocery and supermarket stores and chains participating, once you are a member, you can earn cash back by adding items to your digital shopping list and then scanning your receipt. This works similarly to other receipt-scanning cash back apps like Fetch Rewards. Eligible items are everyday staples like bread and milk. Retailer chains include Target and Kroger.
Swagbucks refers to this program as Magic Receipts and the offers available can be seen on the tab on the website or app. Offers apply to specific brand goods and generic household items, so there is plenty of choice.
#4 Playing Games
Swagbucks has a large library of games that members can play for free. You might be lucky and earn random points while you do so. By downloading games and making in-app purchases, you can also earn rewards. Available games can be found under the Discover tab,
#5 Browser Extension
As soon as you download the extension, called the Swag Button, from the Play Store, you earn SB points. The extension will automatically notify you when it finds coupons, promotional codes, and cash back deals as you surf the web. You don't even need to visit the Swagbucks website, just shop as you normally would. By downloading the Swag Button, you will automatically receive a bonus of 25 SB.
#6 Completing Surveys
Swagbucks offers a range of paid surveys on subjects that include:
- Holiday ideas
- Online shopping habits
- Personal Finance
- Food preferences
Members must qualify for surveys. This means they complete a pre-survey questionnaire and if they fit the required demographic of the retailer, then they can continue to the full survey. If a member doesn’t qualify they will still earn a small amount of SB points (up to five SB a day). The amount of SB points earned varies with each survey but typically, you can expect to receive between 100 to 300 points for each completed survey. Surveys that commonly become available include:
- Feedback on adverts
- Recognizing brands
- Product appeal
- Feedback on services
There are also SB available for completing Profile Polls. These are short poll-like questionnaires about you and your lifestyle. You will earn two SB for every ten questions answered. As you complete these profile polls, you will improve your chances of qualifying for the larger surveys.
#7 Using Swag Codes
These are unique reward-earning codes that can be found through the browser extension or the Swagbucks social media pages. These special coupons include deals at a wide range of partners, even at pharmacies. By using the extension, you will be notified when codes are available and they will be automatically applied at the checkout. Codes are released daily and most of them are valued at two or three SB.
#8 Swagstakes
Regular Swagbucks Sweepstakes competitions are available. Enter for a chance to win electronics or SB points.
#9 Refer A Friend
For each person you refer to Swagbucks, you will earn $3 and then 10% of their earnings for life.
#10 Daily Poll
Every day Swagbucks runs a poll asking a relevant and interesting question. Answer to earn SB points and find out what others think.
#11 Cash Back For Dining
Look for participating restaurants in your local area and receive cash back on your meal.
#12 Swagbucks Live
Swagbucks runs points-earning games every day. You can play these alone or with friends. There are many activities to choose from and they contribute to a daily goal of SB points to earn.
#13 Daily Trivia Challenge
This bonus game is available for play when Live games are not available. There are ten random questions, all taken from previous Live games. You can earn between 1 and 10 SB points, depending on the number of correct answers you have.
#14 Play Swago
Swago is Swagbucks' version of Bingo. You have a board that is full of activities and goals for you to complete. Once you have achieved one of the blocks, it is then highlighted. By playing the Swago board, you increase your opportunity to earn SB points.
#15 Discover Offers
Swagbucks offers exclusive deals like free samples and special services. You can earn gift cards when you accept these offers. In addition, you can earn SB when you give feedback on sample products.
#16 Searching The Web
By using the Swagbucks search engine (which is similar to a normal search engine and powered by Yahoo), you will get paid for doing what you normally would do online. If you don't want to use the Swagbucks search engine, you can search through swagbucks.com or search.swagbucks.com.
#17 The Swagbucks Blog
The Swagbucks Blog is called The Daily Swag. It has categories for Deals and Contests as well as Lifestyle articles. Its social media pages are more active than the blog.
Cashing Out On Swagbucks
With so many different ways to earn SB points at Swagbucks, it is up to each member as to how much effort they put in and how much they might earn. There is no limit to earnings. 100 SB equals $1 and can be redeemed as gift cards and cash through PayPal. Gift cards are available to order from a wide range of retailers and brands. These include Amazon and Apple. You
Pros Of Swagbucks
- There is a good range of participating retailers and brands where members can earn SB points.
- The cash back rates can be good – up to 15%, with an additional 1,000 SB for the first shopping trip at the stores linked to the Swagbucks website.
- The website is clear and can be customized with easy access to favorite stores.
- New members can earn 1,000 SB points (equivalent to $10) when they spend at least $25 at a participating retailer.
- There are many different and engaging ways of earning and saving money.
- Members can send a text message to invite others to join Swagbucks and download Swagbucks Live. You will then earn $3 and 10% of their earnings for life.
Cons Of Swagbucks
- The amount you can earn from surveys is vague. In one part of the website, stated potential earnings are 100-300 SB points, and in another, they’re 40 to 200 SB points.
- Profitability is generally low. Swagbucks states that some members who complete many surveys can earn around $100 or more a month. That means earning 10,000 SB points. That is a lot of time and surveys to complete.
- The Magic Receipts process is long-winded. You have to select the store and then check the receipt against all the offers you initially chose.
Pricing
Swagbucks is free for members to sign up for and use. It makes its money from the referral commissions to partner stores. It also sells the results of surveys as market research material.
In Summary
Swagbucks is one of the better survey sites out there. Although there is still a high rate of survey disqualification, which is always annoying to users, it has a range of other ways to earn money. These include scanning receipts, activating offers, and playing games. You can also save money by using the different search options. With so many ways to earn and save cash, there is something for everyone in Swagbucks. It might not make you rich, but if you put a bit of time in, you should earn a reasonable amount.
However, when it comes to receipts, there are other better options in the market. Fetch Rewards is one example of a better receipt-scanning app compared to Swagbucks. However, it doesn’t offer alternative sources of extra income as Swagbucks does.
Swagbucks Review FAQs
Is Swagbucks worth it?
Yes, Swagbucks is worth it. The Swagbucks website describes members earning ‘a little extra cash for things you are doing already.’ As there is a good range of ways to earn money, you should be able to find something to do every day. According to Swagbucks, you can earn up to a couple of thousand dollars a year.
What is the downside of Swagbucks?
Most reviews cite the problem of completing enough surveys to earn any real money as the big drawback with Swagbucks. It could be argued, however, that if you are active on the site and participate in the other programs, you will earn more money.
How long does it take to earn $100 on Swagbucks?
According to Swagbucks themselves, you can earn a few dollars a day by completing activities on the website or through the app. This should easily add up to $100 per month. Other member reviews and comments about Swagbucks tend to agree that this is achievable.
Is Swagbucks legit?
Yes, Swagbucks is legit. It is part of the Prodege Group, which is well known for its range of market research and cash back companies. The company has been in business for 18 years and has a Better Business Bureau rating of B.
