Our test: We created a fresh Swagbucks account and used it daily for 30 days across surveys, videos, and cashback. Total earned: $67.40. Here’s exactly how we did it.
Swagbucks is the most recognisable name in the online rewards space. With over 20 million members worldwide and more than $1 billion paid out since 2008, it has earned its reputation. But is it still the best option in 2025, or have newer platforms overtaken it?
We ran a rigorous 30-day test to find out.
Swagbucks at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sign-Up Bonus | $10 (after first $25 purchase via cashback) |
| Minimum Payout | $3 (300 SB) |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Amazon, Visa, 1500+ gift cards |
| Countries | 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 + more |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android |
| Our Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6/5 |
How Swagbucks Works
Swagbucks uses a points currency called SB. You earn SB by completing various activities on the platform, then redeem them for cash via PayPal or gift cards. The conversion rate is simple: 100 SB = $1.
What sets Swagbucks apart from pure survey platforms is the sheer variety of earning methods available:
Surveys (Our Rating: 3.5/5)
Swagbucks sources surveys from multiple third-party providers, which means quality and payout rates vary significantly. During our test, surveys paid between 40 SB and 300 SB (40 cents to $3), with most taking 5–20 minutes. The screen-out rate was frustratingly high — we were disqualified from approximately 40% of surveys we attempted.
That said, Swagbucks compensates partial screen-outs with 1–2 SB, which is a small but appreciated gesture that most competitors do not offer.
SwagButton Cashback (Our Rating: 4.8/5)
The SwagButton browser extension automatically finds cashback opportunities when you shop online. During our 30-day test, we earned 312 SB (~$3.12) from regular online purchases we would have made anyway. This is genuinely passive income and one of Swagbucks’ strongest features.
Swagbucks Watch (Our Rating: 2.5/5)
Watching videos earns 2–3 SB per video playlist, which works out to approximately $0.03–$0.05 per hour. This is extremely low and only worth doing passively in the background while doing other tasks.
Daily Poll and SWAG Codes (Our Rating: 4/5)
Answering the daily poll earns 1 SB per day. More valuably, Swagbucks regularly releases SWAG codes — promotional codes worth 5–50 SB each — via their social media channels. Following @Swagbucks on Twitter/X and joining the Swagbucks subreddit lets you catch these codes and add meaningful bonus earnings.
Our 30-Day Earnings Breakdown
| Activity | Time Spent | Earned | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surveys | ~8 hrs | $31.20 | ~$3.90/hr |
| Cashback Shopping | Passive | $3.12 | Passive |
| Videos (background) | ~5 hrs | $0.80 | ~$0.16/hr |
| Daily Polls + Codes | ~30 min | $2.28 | ~$4.56/hr |
| Bonus offers | ~2 hrs | $30.00 | ~$15/hr |
| Total | ~15.5 hrs | $67.40 | ~$4.35/hr |
Swagbucks Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple earning methods — not dependent on surveys alone
- Lowest minimum payout in the industry ($3)
- Huge gift card selection — over 1,500 options
- Well-established and trustworthy — 15+ years in operation
- Available in multiple countries including US, UK, and AU
- Strong mobile app for iOS and Android
Cons
- High survey screen-out rate (~40% in our test)
- Low hourly rate for videos and some surveys
- $10 welcome bonus requires a $25 purchase — not as easy as it sounds
- Survey quality inconsistent due to third-party providers
Is Swagbucks Legit?
Absolutely. Swagbucks is owned by Prodege LLC, a legitimate market research company. It has an A rating on the Better Business Bureau, 4.3 stars on Trustpilot from over 35,000 reviews, and has paid out over $1 billion to members. There is no question about its legitimacy.
Who Should Use Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is best for users who want to earn beyond just surveys. If you regularly shop online, the cashback element alone makes it worth having. For pure survey earnings, platforms like Prolific or Survey Junkie offer better hourly rates. But for total earnings across multiple activities, Swagbucks is hard to beat.
Final Verdict
Swagbucks remains one of the best all-around rewards platforms in 2025. The survey component alone would not justify it, but when combined with cashback, codes, and daily bonuses, it delivers consistent supplementary income. We recommend it as part of a multi-platform survey stack rather than a standalone earner.
We've personally tested 40+ survey platforms across the US, UK, and Australia so you don't have to. Our goal is to help you find the highest-paying, most legitimate opportunities.