Getting paid to answer simple surveys sounds unrealistic – but with the popularity of online survey sites on the rise, it’s a possibility for a growing number of people.
Companies rely heavily on user feedback when creating their products, meaning they’re willing to pay a pretty penny to receive it. This has prompted the rise of survey sites, with one unique name standing out from the crowd: Swagbucks.
Join us for a deep dive into the positives and negatives of Swagbucks, answering the all-important question, can you really make money with online surveys?
How Do Online Surveys Make You Money?
Companies selling anything crave user feedback and data. It helps them to improve their products and services while giving them the information they need to nudge in front of their competition. One of the most popular methods of data collection these companies use is online surveys.
Most companies understand that people aren’t going to complete their surveys without an incentive. That’s why they are keen to set aside a portion of their budget to reward them for doing so.
These rewards tend to be in the form of:
- Cash
- Gift cards
- Reward points
- Coupons
- Free products
With compensation covered, companies must then work out how to land their surveys in front of the correct demographic. After all, feedback from people with no interest in ever using their product offers little use.
That’s where online survey sites like Swagbucks come in.
What is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a site that offers you points for completing short tasks, such as surveys, watching videos, and playing games. These points, known as ‘SB’, can then be exchanged in return for cash, gift cards, or a range of other rewards.
So far, the site claims to have paid out almost $475 million in cash rewards to its users around the globe.
The site is owned by Californian-based company, Prodege, which specializes in online marketing, research, and polling. Swagbucks is one of a handful of market research sites run by Prodege.
What tasks does Swagbucks offer?
The premise of Swagbucks is simple, you sign up, log in, and it will supply you with market research tasks. All of these tasks can be completed directly on your phone, via the app or webpage.
While it is branded as an online survey site, Swagbucks isn’t limited to this format, offering you a variety of ways to earn.
These are:
- Surveys: Swagbucks will offer you a range of surveys to complete, some small, some large. The number of points you receive for completing surveys depends on the expected length of time it should take you.
- Playing games: One of the more entertaining methods of earning on Swagbucks is to test out games. At first, you’ll earn points for downloading the game, with more points to be earned depending on how much you play. For example, the Monopoly Go! promotion paid out more in rewards depending on how much you achieved in the game.
- Polls: Sometimes, Swagbucks allows you to earn money by placing a vote on a certain topic. Granted, it won’t earn you a lot, but it requires very little effort and time.
- Downloading apps: This may not be the way forward for those who don’t enjoy cluttered phone screens. However, it’s an easy way to boost your SB, as all you have to do is scan the QR code and download the suggested app.
Compared to a lot of online survey sites, Swagbucks isn’t short of variety, making the experience a little less mundane.
However, most of the apps and games require you to create an account before you can access your SB points. This will mean that your email address will be spread far and wide, depending on how many tasks you take on.
How Does Swagbucks Work?
Getting started on Swagbucks is straightforward. Working your way around its features is less so. With so many things to see and click on, it can be a little overwhelming in the beginning.
Here are some of the main features to check out.
Signing up for Swagbucks
The sign-up process on Swagbucks is completely free and simple to do, providing it is available in the country you reside in. Swagbucks themselves are pretty vague about the platform’s availability, stating:
“Swagbucks is live in most countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Available in some countries in Africa and always looking to continue expanding.”
In some countries, people as young as 13 can sign up, unlike many platforms which require users to be 18 or over.
The incentives start straight away, with new members being rewarded with $5 worth of SB just for signing up. Signing up only requires you to enter your email, location, and password. Most people will breeze through the process.
Completing tasks
Upon opening your Swagbucks account, the first thing you are likely to notice is an array of surveys ready for you to take on. These will usually take you between 10-30 minutes, paying between 2-125 SB ($0.02-$1.25).
The surveys have a time estimation next to them, which will let you know how long they’re expected to take. This will stop you from entering a long, mundane survey for less money than it is worth.
Below the surveys, you’ll notice various other forms of generating money, such as the aforementioned videos, games, and app downloads.
Shopping with Swagbucks
As well as allowing you to make money with tasks, Swagbucks also allows you to make money when you shop online. This is in the form of cashback, which will be rewarded to you when you shop with one of the platform’s partner brands.
Some of the brands included are:
- Amazon
- eBay
- Walmart
- Expedia
- Staples
- Best Buy
The range of brands part of this cashback scheme is broad, so it’s well worth checking out.
There’s also the platform’s Magic Receipts feature, which allows you to scan physical receipts to earn cashback when shopping in physical stores.
Daily tasks
In order to retain your custom, Swagbucks offers daily tasks with rewards increasing with each day you return. These aren’t lucrative, but make the platform feel as though you are playing a game rather than taking part in market research.
Internet searches
One of Swagbucks’ more understated features is its internet browser. If you can train your brain to start using Swagbucks as your default browser, you can earn around 1-3 SB per search.
Referrals
Lastly, Swagbucks has a referral scheme which will earn you a little bit more cash in the moment and on a longer-term basis. This is because you’ll also earn 10% of your referral’s SB earnings for as long as they remain on the platform.
Yet again, this isn’t lucrative, with the referral bonus being the equivalent of $3, but it’s a little extra cash in your pocket.
This takes us toward the all-important question… how much money can you actually make on Swagbucks?
How Much Can You Make on Swagbucks?
While there is no daily limit on how much you can make by using Swagbucks, you shouldn’t go into it expecting to get rich. The average Swagbucks user makes between $2 to $5 a day using the platform. This equates to around $1275 per year, providing you log in every day.
The higher-paying tasks can pay up to $300 but will take considerably more time to complete than others. Let’s break down the average prices for each task.
| Task | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Surveys | 10 SB | $0.10 | 250 SB | $2.50 |
| Games | 100 SB | $1.00 | 30,000 SB | $300 |
| Apps | 150 SB | $1.50 | 7000 SB | $70 |
| Polls | 1 SB | $0.01 | N/A |
As you can see, downloading and playing games is the most lucrative of the options, due to the time and effort it takes. You won’t generate much SB by just downloading and playing one level, as you’ll be expected to reach certain milestones within the game.
Surveys, while probably the most mundane option, are best if you want to make a bit of cash without exerting much effort. Almost all of them can be completed within 30 minutes and won’t require you to exit the Swagbucks page.
How does Swagbucks pay its users?
Turning your SB points into rewards is very straightforward and can be done in a variety of ways:
- PayPal credit: If you want to turn your points into straight cash, you can withdraw them via PayPal. However, you’ll have to put the work in, as Swagbucks’ minimum threshold for PayPal withdrawals is 2500 SB, the equivalent to $25.
- Gift cards: With a minimum threshold of 300 SB ($3.00), gift cards are a very popular method of redeeming rewards. If you choose this route, you will have to choose a single store in which you’d like to spend your earnings.
- Amazon gift cards: While this is similar to the option above, you can cash out Amazon gift cards for as little as 100 SB ($1.00). It’s the quickest way to see the fruits of your labor, but of course, won’t save you a great deal on a purchase.
- Coupons: As you may have guessed, Swagbucks is very gift card oriented. The platform allows you to save up to 13% on more expensive $25 gift cards should you wish to do so.
These methods of payment aren’t as versatile as Swagbucks would lead you to believe, as they are very gift card centric. While it’s great to receive discounts for certain brands, it does feel as though Swagbucks and its partners are the real winners with every transaction.
Is Swagbucks Popular?
Swagbucks’ popularity is difficult to question, as it has cemented itself as one of the leading online survey sites in the world. With over $475 million being paid out across its 40 million users, the demand is evident.
These numbers have been helped by Swagbucks’ partnerships with major brands such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as its ease of use.
It is particularly popular among students, thanks to its free and simple signup process. It’s also regarded as a risk-free side hustle for anyone looking to boost their bank account each month.
The Trustpilot reviews for Swagbucks are largely positive, receiving a four-star rating from 37,287 reviews.
Is Swagbucks Legit?
Understandably, you would question the legitimacy of a site that claims to pay you real money for completing low-effort tasks. However, there is little to worry about with Swagbucks.
The platform has been in business since 2008, with its parent company Prodege receiving an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB are a non-profit organization that specializes in advancing marketplace trust.
What information does Swagbucks ask for?
When signing up to Swagbucks, you will be required to hand over some information, including the area in which you live. According to the platform’s FAQ page, this information is required to supply you with relevant surveys and tasks.
This information is also required to ensure the platform complies with local laws in your area.
It is important to understand that the information you give when answering surveys will be passed on to the company that has requested it.
Pros and Cons of Swagbucks
Pros
- Tasks are straightforward
You’re unlikely to run into too many problems when completing a Swagbucks task, as the platform offers straightforward instructions. The surveys are written in plain English and the questions are always relevant to the topic at hand. - Tasks don’t require much effort
They certainly won’t stimulate the minds of anyone looking for a challenge, but they will make you a bit of cash for little effort. Swagbucks tasks are notoriously easy and energy efficient. - Variety of tasks
Completing survey after survey can get pretty mundane, especially if you’re not being paid a lot for it. With so much variety in the tasks available on Swagbucks, including games, you’re unlikely to give up due to boredom. - Free signup
With Swagbucks, you don’t have to pay to join, nor do you have to pay a subscription fee to keep completing tasks. There is no limit to the number of tasks you can complete per day. Essentially, any cent you make after signing up will feel like you’re in profit. - Pays via PayPal
While the minimum withdrawal amount may take you some time to reach, being able to withdraw cash directly into your PayPal account is a bonus. Unless you’re converting currencies, you shouldn’t be charged a fee for your withdrawal. - Flexibility and number of available tasks
Swagbucks tasks can be completed at all hours of the day, making them flexible around your schedule. With so many different tasks and surveys on the site, you’re also unlikely to ever run out.
Cons
- You won’t get rich quick
It’s either a testament to the legitimacy of the platform, or a disappointment to new users, but Swagbucks won’t make you a living. It is purely a side income source, with very low hourly rates. - Not all surveys are available
For most surveys on Swagbucks, you’ll be required to take part in a pre-survey screener, which determines whether you’re the right person for the job. Be prepared for rejection, as you won’t be granted access to all surveys. While you’ll be compensated very slightly if you’re not accepted, the constant rejection is incredibly frustrating. - Need to share information
While Swagbucks is legitimate, sharing your information over the internet can still make you feel vulnerable. The platform will require your full name and location as well as a handful of other details. - Handing out your email address
A lot of the tasks on Swagbucks will require you to sign up to apps and games using your email address. This can result in a bombardment of emails sent to your account if you’re not careful. - Minimum withdrawal thresholds
After completing a task, you won’t be able to redeem your rewards instantly, as you’ll have to meet minimum withdrawal thresholds. These are relatively low for gift cards, but if you want to withdraw to a PayPal account, you’ll need to generate $25 worth of rewards.
While it may be an easy way of making pocket money each month, there are plenty of flaws that may put you off Swagbucks. Here are a handful of alternatives that may feel better suited to you.
Alternatives to Swagbucks
Survey Junkie
With over 20 million users, Survey Junkie is one of Swagbucks’ main competitors. It offers two different income sources, answering surveys or an extension that monitors your online activity.
While this may seem intrusive, it pays better than answering surveys while requiring less effort on your end.
Opinion Outpost
Opinion Outpost is less well-known than Swagbucks, with 2 million users worldwide. However, it still boasts an impressive list of partners, including Apple, Uber, and of course, PayPal.
The selection of tasks on Opinion Outpost isn’t as varied as Swagbucks, with users able to answer surveys, watch ads, and test products.
The platform pays out around $460,000 per month to its ever-growing community of users.
Toluna
Toluna is a hugely popular market research site, with over 20 million users completing tasks similar to those found on Swagbucks.
Much like Swagbucks, Toluna has its own digital currency, with users able to cash out for PayPal credit. Toluna may suit those looking to make smaller amounts, with their minimum withdrawal threshold for PayPal sitting at $10.
This lower threshold is one of the very few differences to be found between Toluna and Swagbucks.
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FAQs
Can I make a living from survey sites?
You won’t be able to make a sustainable income from survey sites. While there is very rarely a monetary daily limit on these sites, the hourly rates are simply too low to live off. That being said, they are a good way of earning a little extra cash each month.
Are online survey sites legit?
While there will undoubtedly be illegitimate survey sites on the internet, the most popular options, such as Swagbucks and Toluna, are perfectly safe. It is recommended that you do an adequate level of research before signing up and giving your information to any of these sites.
You must also be comfortable knowing that the answers you give to the survey questions will be passed on and potentially sold. Always ensure you read the privacy notice made available by the site of your choice before proceeding to give information.
Who can sign up for survey sites?
Online survey sites are largely open to anyone, as they aim to retrieve the largest pool of data possible. Most sites will have a minimum age requirement, although this is generally quite young.
These sites will ask general questions about you and your lifestyle, not to disqualify you, but instead to tailor surveys to your interests.
