10 apps like Swagbucks that actually pay out

If you’re looking for the best apps similar to Swagbucks, where you can earn money online, you’re in the right place. You can earn cash or gift cards by doing diverse tasks, such as completing surveys, online shopping, and even playing new mobile games. Over time, you can discover unique features and even increase your earnings.

All platforms mentioned in this article are legitimate and widely used. However, you should always check the terms and conditions before signing up.

Key takeaways

Here is the short summary of what you have learned in this article:

• There are several apps like Swagbucks that can help you earn additional income and improve your personal finances.

• Some apps are more similar to Swagbucks, as they offer diverse tasks: InboxDollars, JumpTask, MyPoints…
• Other apps are more focused on a single task type: Survey Junkie on surveys, Rakuten on shopping cashback, and Mistplay on playing games.
• There are also passive income options, such as Honeygain.
• No matter which app(s) you choose, do deep research on how they work, their pros and cons, and realistic earnings.

TL;DR: comparing Swagbucks alternatives

While Swagbucks is a popular option for earning extra money online when you have some spare time, users often look for alternatives. According to this Swagbucks review from Business Insider, there are several reasons why Swagbucks isn’t a great fit for everyone.  

One of the reasons listed in the article is that Swagbucks sometimes disqualifies users from completing the survey, even when they are in the middle of doing it. Other users complain of low hourly rates, high cash-out thresholds, and too much active time required to earn any notable amount of money.

That’s why we have listed the best alternatives to Swagbucks, starting with direct functional twins (surveys, multi-reward apps). Then, we went through some cashback and gaming options, and closed with passive and low-effort options that offer benefits that Swagbucks doesn’t.

App	Best for
InboxDollars	Earning bonuses even before completing any tasks.
JumpTask	Diversity of tasks, which means there is a task for everyone.
Survey Junkie	Many great survey opportunities, perfect for users primarily interested in doing surveys.
MyPoints	Users who look for a platform with a long-standing reputation and a good loyalty program.
Rakuten	Cashback offers, promo codes, and coupons for restaurants and online stores.
Ibotta	Cashback offers for grocery shopping.
Mistplay	Earning gift cards for playing mobile games.
Honeygain	Passive income, as it allows users to earn extra cash by sharing their unused Internet bandwidth.
Pawns.app	Combining passive income from bandwidth sharing and income from completing optional surveys.
Fetch Rewards	Earning gift cards with almost no active effort, just doing regular shopping.

1. InboxDollars

InboxDollars is pretty similar to Swagbucks. It allows you to earn money by taking online surveys, watching videos, playing games, and earning cashback through online shopping. What makes InboxDollars so notable is the fact that it offers a signup bonus of $5. It may not seem like much, but it can be a nice boost to your earnings. 

As you set up your profile and sign up for newsletters, you can earn even more bonuses, up to $30. Then, you can start earning money by answering surveys and watching videos. However, InboxDollars has a relatively high cash-out threshold, especially for first-time withdrawals – $15. All subsequent withdrawals have a cash-out threshold of $10. 

2. JumpTask

If you’re looking for a platform where you can try multiple earning methods, take a look at JumpTask. Here, you can train AI, complete micro-tasks, complete branded surveys, and even engage with brands on social media. There is something for everyone, no matter what your skills or interests are.

When compared to Swagbucks, JumpTask is much more flexible, as it offers a broader range of task types and it’s not limited to taking surveys alone. The cashouts on Jumptask are also quicker than on Swagbucks, which is another significant advantage.

Of course, JumpTask also has its limitations. Task availability varies by region and time of the day, which means some tasks won’t be available to you, or you’ll miss them if you aren’t online at the right time.

3. Survey Junkie

If doing online surveys is your favorite way to earn some extra cash, this is a great choice for you. Survey junkie focuses on surveys, which means you can find all types of surveys, including the highest paying surveys (such as market research surveys) or some simpler survey tasks, such as lifestyle surveys. 

This platform is easy to use, and it has clear payout options and reliable payouts. Payout methods include PayPal money, direct bank transfers, and gift cards. Minimum payout threshold is $5, which is lower than with Swagbucks. 

Still, what makes this platform so unique is also its biggest disadvantage. A sole focus on surveys might be too limiting for many users who want to do more diverse tasks. 

4. MyPoints

MyPoints is a rewards site that allows you to earn points by shopping online, taking surveys, watching videos, reading emails, and playing games. You can redeem your earned points for real cash or gift cards. This is a platform with a long-standing reputation, and it’s point based loyalty system has proven to be lucrative for many users. 

According to MyPoints user reviews, surveys pay well, the gift cards are good, and users have an overall great experience. Many users have been using MyPoints for more than 10 years, which is a clear indicator that this platform is reliable. 

However, we can’t help but notice that MyPoints, even though it has diverse tasks, is too similar to more flexible platforms, such as JumpTask.

5. Rakuten

Most people know Rakuten as the company behind the Viber messaging app. Yet, those who know good ways to earn money online also know that Rakuten has great cashback programs. During special promotions, users can get up to 20% cashback, which is pretty high when compared to other cashback providers. 

You can also stack cashback offers with coupons and promo codes. This way, you can save money and basically earn free cash by shopping at various online and physical stores and even in restaurants. Some of the brands and stores you can get cashback from are major retailers such as Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, and many more. 

Outside of cashback, coupons, and promo codes, Rakuten doesn’t offer other earning opportunities. This can be limiting for users who want to diversify their income streams. 

6. Ibotta

For those who want to earn cash rewards while grocery shopping, Ibotta is a great option. You simply use the Ibotta app (or its free website) to add cashback offers to your list, and then you go shopping. After you’re done shopping, you claim your rewards by scanning receipts or linking your store loyalty account. 

Once your earnings reach $20, you can withdraw them to your PayPal, bank account, or credit card. Ibotta is a great platform for users who want to get a few dollars back on their daily grocery purchases. 

Yet, just like with other specialized platforms, Ibotta lacks the diversity of earning methods that Swagbucks or JumpTask have. As such, it might be unsuitable for users who want to earn money through various tasks. 

7. Mistplay

Do you want to earn more money while doing fun activities online, such as playing games? It is possible with Mistplay, a platform that offers gift cards to users who play free games through the Mistplay app. If you’re already spending time playing games on your phone, why not make some money while doing it?

Keep in mind that you earn points only by playing selected games that are available on the Mistplay app. You can’t just play any random game and expect to earn points and rewards, but you can choose from over 400 games. Once you have stacked enough points, you can exchange them for gift cards to Amazon, Google Play, Walmart, and many other brands. 

Yet, not everything is so perfect. The biggest downside of Mistplay is that it’s pretty niche and not very interesting if you aren’t a gamer, or if you want to earn extra money the more traditional way. Plus, it’s only available for Android users at the moment. 

8. Honeygain

Honeygain is a data-sharing app that monetizes unused internet bandwidth for passive income. While Swagbucks and other options on this list require you to do something, complete tasks, take surveys, and buy at certain stores, Honeygain requires almost no effort. It’s truly the only option to earn free money.

The basic premise is simple: you share your unused internet bandwidth, and in return, you make money online. All you need to do is download the Honeygain app to your device (Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux), set up your account, and turn the bandwidth sharing on.

Your earnings will depend on how much internet you share. The more you share, the more you earn. You can increase your earnings by using the Honeygain app on more devices at once. However, before doing this, make sure to check your ISP’s data caps and other terms of service. Another way to increase earnings is to turn on the advanced features, such as content sharing.  

Most Honeygain users earn $5-$20 per month, but keep in mind that earnings may vary and are not guaranteed. They will depend on your device, location, and internet connection.

9. Pawns.app

If you are looking for a hybrid between passive income via bandwidth sharing and survey-based income, you should check out apps like Pawns.app. With Pawns.app, you can plan and structure your income just the way you like it. Share your internet bandwidth when you don’t feel like doing any work, or complete surveys for some quick cash. There is even an option to play free games if you want a more exciting way to earn money. 

Internet bandwidth sharing is becoming an increasingly popular stream of passive income, which is why we have included two such apps on our list. Keep in mind, though, that Pawns.app payout rates and survey availability may vary depending on your location. If some surveys or games aren’t available for your country, you won’t be able to access them. 

10. Fetch Rewards

Looking for low-effort ways to earn free gift cards when you shop online or in-store? Check out Fetch Rewards, a platform that needs you to do only one thing – scan your receipts. By doing so, you earn points that you can redeem for gift cards. 

This makes Fetch Rewards unique in comparison to some similar apps. It requires almost no active effort, and you can fit it around your existing shopping habits. Just do your shopping as you would usually, then scan your receipts, and your job is done. 

One major disadvantage of this platform is that you can use it only to get gift cards. You can’t withdraw your earnings to PayPal cash, a bank account, or any other option. Also, the points-to-dollar ratio is modest, which means you’ll need approximately 1000 points to get $1.