If you’re bored, scrolling your phone, or just want a way to make a little extra cash without doing anything wild, Swagbucks is actually worth checking out. It’s not going to replace your job or anything, but it can be a simple way to earn some side money doing stuff you already do online.
Here’s what you can get paid for:
• Taking short surveys about random stuff like shopping or snacks
• Watching ads and short videos (yep, really)
• Searching the web using their search bar
• Playing games or trying out apps
• Clicking through cashback offers when you shop online
If you’re looking for something totally passive, or just wanna feel productive while chilling on the couch, this might be your thing.
Just to be straight up with you, most people make around $2 to $5 a day on Swagbucks. That’s the average. Can you make more? Yeah, totally. I’ll show you how to level up later in this post. But it’s not consistent, and it takes some effort and patience.
Before I get into the details, you can sign up using the link below. Yes, it’s my referral link. Yes, I get points if you join. Yes, I will 100% use those points on snacks or maybe something dumb on Amazon. You’re welcome.
✌🏻 Sign Up Here
What Is Swagbucks and How Does It Work?
Swagbucks is a site that pays you for doing small online tasks. Think surveys, ads, apps, that kind of thing. It’s super simple, and honestly, kind of a low-effort way to turn boredom into a bit of money.
Here’s how it works:
You do a task → You earn SB points → You trade those SB for PayPal cash or gift cards
Everything you do on Swagbucks earns you SB points. Once you’ve got enough, you can cash them out for stuff like:
• PayPal (real money, straight to your account)
• Amazon gift cards
• Apple, Zalando, and a bunch of other stores
No minimum skills, no weird downloads (unless you want to), and no pressure. You just pick what you want to do and earn at your own pace.
You can see some of the payout options and prices in the screenshot attached below. Yep, all real.
Setting Up Your Swagbucks Account
Getting started with Swagbucks is honestly super simple. You don’t need to fill out pages of forms or give them your life story. Just a quick sign-up and you’re good to go.
Here’s what you do:
• Go to the Swagbucks website
• Enter your email and create a password
• Confirm your email address
• That’s it. You’re in
Once you’re signed up, you’ll land on the Swagbucks dashboard. It might look a little cluttered at first, but don’t worry. It’s way simpler than it seems. You’ll get the hang of it fast.
You might even get a survey offer right away. Don’t skip it. Those first surveys usually pay a few SB just for joining. It’s an easy way to start building up points without doing much at all.
Swagbucks might also ask a few questions about your age, location, or interests. That just helps them send you better surveys later on. The more accurate your profile is, the fewer “Sorry, you don’t qualify” messages you’ll get.
And nope, you don’t have to download anything unless you want to. Their mobile app and browser extension are optional, not required.
The Main Ways to Earn (Surveys, Tasks, Searches & More)
Once you’re in, there are a bunch of ways to earn SB points on Swagbucks. Some are passive, others take a little effort. You don’t have to do everything. Just pick what fits your mood or how much brain power you’ve got left.
Here are the main ones:
• Surveys
This is probably the most common way to earn. Swagbucks will send you surveys based on your profile. Some are short and sweet. Others are longer but pay more. Pro tip: even if you don’t qualify, you often get 1 SB just for trying.
• Watch videos
You can let videos play in the background and rack up SB while doing something else. It’s not a ton of points, but it adds up if you’re chilling anyway.
• Search the web
Use their search bar instead of Google and earn random SB as you go. You won’t earn every single time, but it’s free points for stuff you were already searching for.
• Play games or try apps
Sometimes Swagbucks will offer SB for downloading and playing a mobile game or trying out a new app. Some pay more than others, especially if you complete certain levels or actions.
• Daily poll and checklist
There’s a daily poll that takes literally one second. Plus a daily checklist you can complete for bonus points. Super easy wins.
• Shopping & cashback
If you shop online, Swagbucks has cashback offers through tons of stores. Just click through their link before you buy something and get a % back in SB.
• Use the mobile app
Swagbucks has a mobile app that makes it easier to access everything on your phone. You can do surveys, watch videos, and check your SB balance without opening a browser.
And finally, there’s one more easy way to earn without doing any actual work.
• Invite your friends and family
Swagbucks gives you a referral link (like the one I added at the top of this post). If someone signs up through your link, you get 10% of whatever they earn for life. Yes, for real. So if your cousin grinds out 5000 SB in a month, you get 500 just for sending them the link. Not bad for 30 seconds of effort.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
Alright, let’s be real here. Swagbucks isn’t a magic money machine. You’re not going to pay rent with it. But if you play it smart, it can give you some extra cash every week.
Like I said earlier, most people make around $2 to $5 a day doing surveys, watching videos, and small tasks. That’s the average. But if you go after the high-paying stuff like app downloads or game offers, you can actually push that number higher.
Just know this. Those offers usually take more time. Some ask you to reach level 20 in a mobile game or sign up for something with a credit card. So while they pay more, they’re not always quick or consistent.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you might earn depending on how much effort you put in.
| Activity Type | Time Required | Avg Daily Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surveys | 30 to 60 minutes | $1 to $3 | Can be hit or miss. Some disqualify |
| Watching videos | Passive | $0.25 to $1 | Best for background earning |
| Search bar | Passive | $0.10 to $0.50 | Random but effortless |
| Daily polls and checklist | 1 to 2 minutes | $0.10 to $0.30 | Easy daily habit |
| App or game offers | 1 to 3 hours | $5 to $20 plus | Not consistent but big payouts |
| Referrals (friends) | Once shared | Varies | 10 percent of whatever they earn |
So yeah, it really depends on how much time you’re willing to give and what kind of offers you go after. If you’re just doing casual stuff every day, expect $2 to $5. If you chase down the high-paying offers and don’t mind a little grind, you could hit $10 or even $20 in a day. But again, that’s not something you can do every single day.
Tips to Earn More Without Wasting Time
If you’re just clicking around randomly on Swagbucks, you’re going to waste time. Not everything on there is worth it. Some tasks pay pennies for ten minutes of your life. Not worth it.
So here’s what I’ve learned about squeezing the most SB out of your time without losing your mind:
• Skip the super long surveys unless they pay well
If a survey says “25 minutes” and only pays 50 SB, nope. That’s not worth it. Look for shorter surveys with higher payouts per minute. You’ll start to get a feel for what’s good and what’s a waste.
• Check the “Discover” tab for high-paying offers
These are usually the tasks that pay the most. Some are game downloads, others are trial signups. Just read the fine print so you know what you have to do to actually get the SB. And don’t forget to cancel any trials if you’re not planning to keep them.
• Use the app if you’re out and about
You can knock out surveys while waiting in line or on the bus. The mobile app is actually decent and saves time when you’re away from your laptop.
• Let videos run in the background
They don’t pay a lot, but they’re super low-effort. Set them up while you’re cooking or cleaning and forget about it.
• Check daily goals and bonuses
Swagbucks gives you small bonuses if you hit your daily SB goal. Even if it’s just a few points, it stacks up fast over time.
• Set a time limit
I usually do this in 30-minute chunks max. That way I don’t burn out trying to earn 3 bucks. If it feels like a grind, take a break and come back later.
The key is to treat it like a chill side activity, not a job. The moment it starts feeling like work, you’re doing too much.
How and When You Get Paid
Let’s be real. This is the part that actually matters. Getting your money.
When you’ve earned enough SB, you can trade them in for PayPal cash or gift cards. And yes, PayPal works. I’ve done it myself, no problems at all. Just make sure the email you use on PayPal matches the one on your Swagbucks account. That’s important. If they don’t match, it won’t go through.
To see exactly what you can redeem, do this:
• Click your profile picture
• Go to “Redeem Your SB”
• You’ll see all the rewards available in your country
Here’s what the PayPal EUR options look like right now:
| PayPal Amount | SB Required |
|---|---|
| €5.00 | 580 SB |
| €10.00 | 1,130 SB |
| €25.00 | 2,780 SB |
| €50.00 | 5,530 SB |
| €100.00 | 11,030 SB |
Swagbucks doesn’t take a cut. What you redeem is what you get. After the money hits your PayPal, you can either leave it there or move it to your bank. If you use PayPal’s instant transfer, they might charge a small fee. But the regular one is free and works just fine.
How fast you get paid can vary. Some people get their PayPal payout almost instantly, especially if they’ve been active for a while. Others might wait a couple days. If it’s your first time cashing out or you’re redeeming a bigger amount, it might take a little longer. But either way, the system works.
And if you don’t want PayPal, you’ve got plenty of other choices. Gift cards for Amazon, Apple, Zalando, and more. It just depends what’s available in your country.
To keep it simple, always check the “Redeem” section inside your account. That page has the most up-to-date info and options.
Final Thoughts
Alright, so we’ve reached the end of this article.
If you’re looking for a little extra income that might actually add up by the end of the month, Swagbucks can totally help with that. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s real. And if you’re already spending time online doing simple stuff like watching videos or answering surveys, you might as well get paid for it.
The key is to treat it like a side hustle, not a full-time job. Do it when you’re bored, waiting in line, or just want to be a little productive without doing anything too serious.
And if you end up making thirty, fifty, or even a hundred bucks a month, that’s groceries, snacks, or a couple bills handled. Not bad for something this low-effort.
Hope this helped you on your side hustle journey. Good luck and go earn some SB.
