I've been earning money online for years now, and if there's one question I get asked constantly, it's this: "Should I use Swagbucks or InboxDollars?"
Both platforms have helped me make decent side income from home, but after using them extensively, I've got some strong opinions about which one actually puts more money in your pocket. Let me share what I've learned from my real experience with both.
The interesting thing is, these two aren't really competitors in the traditional sense. They're actually owned by the same parent company, Prodege. It's like having two siblings competing for your attention, each with their own personality and strengths.
But here's what really matters to you: which one will help you earn more money for the time you invest? I'm going to break down everything I've discovered about both platforms, including some surprises that might change how you think about online earning opportunities.
Why I Started Using Reward Apps in the First Place
Before diving into the comparison, let me tell you why I got into this whole world of reward apps. I was looking for side hustles that pay cash because, frankly, I needed extra money without committing to a second job.
The beauty of platforms like Swagbucks and InboxDollars is that you can earn money during your downtime. Whether you're waiting for dinner to cook or have a few minutes between meetings, these apps turn those moments into earning opportunities.
I've also written about how to make money fast through various methods, and reward apps definitely have their place in a diversified income strategy.
My Swagbucks Experience: The Clear Winner
After using both platforms extensively, Swagbucks comes out ahead for me, and here's why.
The $10 Sign-Up Bonus Makes a Difference
Right off the bat, Swagbucks offers a $10 sign-up bonus compared to InboxDollars' $5. That might not sound like much, but when you're starting out, every dollar counts.
More importantly, Swagbucks has a ridiculously low payout threshold of just $1 (or 100 SB points). This means you're not waiting weeks to see your first real money.
Multiple Ways to Earn That Actually Work
I love that Swagbucks gives you so many different ways to earn. Here's what I've found most profitable:
Surveys are the bread and butter. I typically earn between $1-5 per survey, depending on length. The key is being honest in your profile because they match you with relevant surveys.
Shopping cashback has been a game-changer for me. Every time I shop online anyway, I go through Swagbucks first. I've earned hundreds of dollars just from purchases I was already making.
Games can be fun, though they're not huge money-makers. I've earned points just for reaching certain levels, which is nice when you want to relax.
Magic Receipts for grocery shopping is brilliant. I upload receipts from my regular grocery trips and earn points for buying specific products.
The Referral Program That Keeps Giving
Here's something I really appreciate: when you refer friends to Swagbucks, you earn 10% of their earnings for life. I've built up a nice passive income stream just from friends and family I've introduced to the platform.
This reminds me of strategies I discuss in my article about growing your savings through smart financial habits - sometimes the best money-making opportunities come from sharing what works.
InboxDollars: Simple But Limited
Don't get me wrong - InboxDollars isn't bad. I still use it regularly because more earning opportunities mean more money. But it has some significant drawbacks.
The High Minimum Payout Hurts
InboxDollars requires you to earn $15 for your first cashout, then $5 for subsequent ones. While this isn't terrible, it means waiting longer to see results compared to Swagbucks' $1 minimum.
Fewer Earning Opportunities
InboxDollars focuses heavily on surveys and paid emails. While surveys can pay well, having fewer ways to earn means less flexibility in how you make money.
The paid emails feature is unique, though. You literally get paid small amounts just for opening and reading promotional emails. It's not life-changing money, but it adds up.
What I Like About InboxDollars
The platform shows your earnings in actual dollars rather than points, which I find less confusing. There's something satisfying about seeing "$25.43" in your account rather than trying to convert points to dollars.
They also partner with major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy for gift card redemptions, which is convenient.
The Real Numbers: How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Let me be honest about earnings expectations. Neither platform will replace your day job, but they can provide meaningful supplemental income.
From my experience, I typically earn:
- Swagbucks: $50-100 per month with casual use
- InboxDollars: $30-60 per month with similar effort
The difference comes down to Swagbucks having more high-paying opportunities and that lower cashout threshold keeping me motivated.
If you're serious about maximizing your online earning potential, I'd recommend reading Make Money Online - The Sunday Times bestseller by Holly Tucker. It provides excellent strategies for building multiple income streams, which is exactly what using both platforms accomplishes.
Other Platforms Worth Considering
While we're talking about earning money online, let me mention a few other platforms I use regularly:
Survey Junkie focuses exclusively on surveys but tends to pay better per survey than both Swagbucks and InboxDollars.
KashKick offers similar opportunities with a $10 minimum payout, which sits nicely between the other platforms.
I actually use all of these together because diversifying your earning sources is smart. It's similar to the approach I discuss in my guide about smart ways to live for less while growing your savings.
My Strategy for Maximizing Earnings
Here's exactly how I approach using both platforms:
Morning routine: I check both apps for new surveys and complete 1-2 high-paying ones while drinking my coffee.
Shopping: Always go through Swagbucks for online purchases. I've made this automatic by bookmarking their shopping portal.
Evening wind-down: I'll play a game on Swagbucks or clear out paid emails from InboxDollars while watching TV.
Grocery trips: Upload receipts to both platforms' magic receipts features.
This routine takes maybe 30-45 minutes total per day but consistently earns me $100+ monthly across both platforms.
The Productivity Connection
Using reward apps efficiently requires good time management skills. I found Productivity Power Pack: 4 Books in 1 incredibly helpful for optimizing my daily routines to include earning activities without feeling overwhelmed.
The key is treating these apps like micro-tasks that fit into existing downtime rather than dedicated work sessions.
Common Mistakes I See People Make
Mistake 1: Expecting to get rich quick. These platforms require consistency and patience.
Mistake 2: Only using one platform. Why limit yourself when you can use multiple apps simultaneously?
Mistake 3: Not reading survey qualifications carefully. This leads to disqualification and wasted time.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the shopping features. Cashback on purchases you're already making is free money.
Mistake 5: Not referring friends and family. The passive income from referrals adds up significantly over time.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
If I had to pick just one (though I don't recommend limiting yourself), I'd choose Swagbucks. The combination of more earning opportunities, lower payout threshold, and better overall earning potential makes it the winner.
But honestly? Use both. There's no reason to artificially limit your earning potential when both platforms are free to join.
Think of it like this: if someone offered you two different part-time jobs that didn't conflict with each other, would you turn one down? That's essentially what you're doing if you only use one platform.
Getting Started the Right Way
If you're ready to start earning, here's my recommended approach:
- Sign up for Swagbucks first and claim that $10 bonus
- Complete your profile thoroughly to get better survey matches
- Add InboxDollars as your second platform
- Set up daily check-in reminders on your phone
- Start with surveys to understand how each platform works
- Gradually add other earning methods like shopping and games
Remember, this is about building sustainable side income, not getting rich overnight. For more comprehensive money-making strategies, 10 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Money by Hilary Osborne offers excellent foundational advice.
The Bottom Line
Between Swagbucks and InboxDollars, Swagbucks wins on earning potential, payout flexibility, and variety of opportunities. But using both platforms together maximizes your earning potential.
These apps have genuinely helped me build extra income that I've used for everything from cutting my grocery bill to funding small investments. They're not life-changing individually, but as part of a broader strategy for financial improvement, they're incredibly valuable.
The best part? You can start earning today with minimal effort. While these platforms won't replace your day job, they can definitely help you reach your financial goals faster.
Are you ready to turn your spare time into extra money? Both platforms are waiting for you to get started.
Looking for more ways to make money from home? Check out my comprehensive guide on UK apps that pay you real money or learn about getting paid for your opinions through market research.