Swagbucks Review – The Definitive Australian Guide

Updated 12 August 2023

We reveal how much you can earn from working for the Swagbucks platform, who they’re looking for and what’s involved.

Our review covers the following:

• What is Swagbucks, and is it Legitimate?
• Earning and Redeeming Rewards
• Must-Know Facts
• Pros and Cons
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What is Swagbucks, and is it Legitimate?

• Swagbucks is a popular and widely used online survey rewards platform. It’s owned by Prodege LLC, a Californian-based market research firm founded in 2007. The company specialises in surveys, online tasks and helping to unite consumers with businesses looking for insights. It also owns ySense, which we review here.
• Despite not being as well known as local-themed survey sites, thousands of Australians sign up to Swagbucks every year, and its members participate in online surveys on various topics and receive ‘Swagbucks’ for the time and effort invested.
• Swagbucks is heavily gamified – almost everything you do earns a Swagbuck. While there are some arguably unnecessary promotions around cachback, as well as negative reviews online about the Swagbucks platform, this is typical of any survey site and our users rarely report any issues with the platform. We have listed these in our Pros and Cons section below.

How Do I Sign Up?

Signing up for Swagbucks is a straightforward process:

1. Visit the Swagbucks website and click on the “Sign Up Now” button.
2. You’ll be prompted to provide some basic information, such as your name, email address, and date of birth.
3. Next, you’ll fill out a more detailed profile survey. This survey collects demographic information that Swagbucks uses to match you with relevant surveys. It’s important to provide accurate and complete information here to increase your chances of qualifying for surveys.
4. You must verify your email address once you’ve completed the profile survey. Click on the verification link sent to your email, and you’re all set to start taking surveys and earning Swagbucks.
5. You’ll earn 5 Swagbucks for signing up, which we value at 5 cents (1 Swagbuck being worth 1 cent).

MoneyHub Head of Research Christopher Walsh walks through Swagbucks’ sign-up process in the video below:

Earning and Redeeming Rewards

Each survey on Swagbucks has an associated point value, which can vary depending on the survey’s length and complexity. After completing a survey, Swagbucks are added to your account. When accessing Swagbucks’ platform, our research team noted that you’ll earn around 5 Swagbucks for every (estimated) minute of survey time, which converts to an earning rate of $3/hour. We noted offers such as 5 min surveys earning 25 Swagbucks, 10 min surveys earning 50 Swagbucks, and similar.

Know This: Some survey sites can be sluggish or even elusive when crediting Swagbucks to your account. Our research suggests Swagbucks is a no-nonsense operator who credits your Swagbucks promptly and accurately. If you have any comments on this matter (or anything else to do with the platform), please contact our research team.

What Can I Earn?

• Once you’ve accumulated enough Swagbucks, you can redeem them for various rewards. The rewards catalogue is extensive, as outlined on their website.
• Swagbucks includes various options, such as Amazon vouchers (1,500 Swagbucks = $15), Caltex petrol vouchers (3,900 Swagbucks = $50) and David Jones vouchers (various denominations, where 1000 Swagbucks = $10). You can also enter sweepstakes using your Swagbucks; we suggest being cautious here as it’s gambling.
• If you want cash, 2,500 Swagbucks can be redeemed for a $25 PayPal transfer.
• Keep in mind that each reward option requires a different minimum point threshold, as outlined below (where 1,500 Swagbucks buys an Amazon Australia voucher).
• In general, 100 Swagbucks = $1, and each survey will take around 10-30 minutes to complete, roughly earning 5 Swagbucks for every minute (based on Swagbucks’ estimates).
• Swagbucks claims that over $900 million has been paid out to customers over its lifetime; this applies worldwide, and why we can’t verify this amount, we believe Swagbucks is a popular website in Australia and worldwide.

Must-Know Facts

Before signing up, be aware of the following:

1. Your demographic profile determines your survey eligibility. Therefore, updating your profile regularly can help you qualify for more surveys. However, if you’re over a certain age and single, it’s realistic you’ll be less ‘in demand’ for surveys than someone with young children aged between 25 and 45. This is because Swagbucks, like any survey company, is paid to do research for brands that mass consumers buy. If you’re not spending regularly, you’ll be less relevant to Swagbucks (and arguably many other survey sites). 
2. Swagbucks is committed to data privacy and security. They follow strict procedures to ensure that your personal information is secure and used appropriately for research purposes. While every question you answer is recorded, the integrity of Swagbucks’s business relies on privacy, and your details are carefully guarded. 
3. Swagbucks’ rewards system is straightforward – and there is a lot of choice in how you redeem. However, it may take time to accumulate enough Swagbucks for substantial rewards – how many surveys you do will depend on how much you earn. 

Pros and Cons

Swagbucks is a popular survey site across Australia, but before signing up it’s important to understand its limitations alongside its benefits:

Pros:

• Global trust: The platform is operated by a globally recognised and reputable market research firm which has operated since 2007 and has 10+ years of experience in Australia.  
• Continuous opportunities: There are a wide variety of surveys on different topics, with numerous surveys appearing daily. 
• Clear and straightforward Swagbucks system: There are no tricks or complexity; every time you complete a survey, your Swagbucks are promptly credited. 
• Variety of reward options: PayPal transfers, Amazon vouchers and more, all transparently outlined on the website.

Cons:

• You need to be ‘transactional’ to be surveyed: The number and type of surveys can be limited based on demographic profile; the more you spend and behave like a typical consumer, the more you’ll be invited to surveys.
• The rewards can take some time to earn: The minimum reward is around $15 (an Amazon voucher), which requires 1,500 Swagbucks. If a survey pays 200 Swagbucks, you’d need to complete ten surveys to earn enough to generate the reward.
• Swagbucks offers sweepstakes: We see this as a fast way to throw away your balance, given the odds of winning are 1/100 and the upfront entry costs are 50-100 Swagbucks. We would like to see Swagbucks eliminate this ‘rewards’ option given the low value it offers users.

User Testimonials

Over 90% of Swagbucks’ online feedback is positive, but 10% negative feedback is notable. However, while the vast majority of Swagbucks’ members have no issues completing surveys and cashing out rewards, some common themes and issues are mentioned by a minority of users. These are:

1. Login Issues: Numerous users report difficulty logging in, with some never receiving reset emails. Others were locked out as they neared reward thresholds.
2. Survey Issues: Many users feel misled. They start surveys, answer several questions, only to be told they don’t qualify or are accused of dishonesty.
3. Payment Delays: Some users have been waiting days to get paid via options like PayPal.
4. Communication & Customer Service: Customer service is frequently described as unhelpful, with some mentioning only receiving automated responses. One user was even asked to provide a passport for verification.
5. Privacy Concerns: Concerns about data misuse are common. Some believe their personal information was sold or misused, leading to scam calls. Others were hesitant to provide additional personal data like passports.
6. Spam Emails: One user suggests creating a separate email for Swagbucks due to the high email volume.
7. General Sentiment: A recurring sentiment is disappointment, with many stating that the platform used to be better. Several users feel their time has been wasted; some even call the platform a scam.
8. Technical Issues: Reports of the site not functioning as expected, such as being locked out after earning a certain number of Swagbucks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I take surveys?

The number of surveys you can take depends on your demographic profile and the current research needs of Swagbucks. It’s a good idea to check the platform regularly for new survey opportunities and promptly respond to email invitations. 

How long does it take to redeem rewards? 

The processing time for rewards can vary. Generally, e-gift cards and PayPal rewards can take a few days to a week to process.

What happens if I don’t qualify for a survey?

If you start a survey but don’t qualify to complete it, you’ll usually receive a small number of Swagbucks to compensate you for your time. Always provide accurate and consistent responses to improve your chances of qualifying for future surveys – survey sites actively use fraud prevention and look for inconsistencies to ensure their data has integrity, so always be truthful. 

What types of surveys can I expect on Swagbucks?

Swagbucks offers a wide variety of surveys spanning various subjects. These can range from product and brand opinions to advertising effectiveness, political polling, and more. The types of surveys you receive will largely depend on your demographic profile.

How long does each survey typically take to complete?

This can vary widely; between 10 to 20 minutes is the average. Longer and more complex surveys typically offer more Swagbucks.

How many Swagbucks do I earn per survey?

The number of Swagbucks you earn per survey depends on the survey’s length and complexity. While specific Swagbucks allocations may vary, each survey’s point value is clearly stated upfront, so you’ll know how many Swagbucks you’ll earn before you start. Each point roughly equates to A$0.01 (or 1 cent), so if a survey states you’ll earn 50 Swagbucks, that’s worth around 50 cents.

Can I participate in surveys on mobile devices?

Yes – Swagbucks is accessible on multiple devices, including smartphones and tablets. This means you can take surveys at your convenience, whether at home or on the go.

I signed up and haven’t received any survey invitations. What’s going on?

The number of survey invitations you receive can depend on various factors, including your demographic profile and the current needs of Swagbucks’ clients. If you’re not receiving many survey invites, consider updating your profile to ensure it’s accurate and complete.

How long do my Swagbucks stay valid?

Swagbucks are valid for two years, so you’ll need to redeem them before they expire. The help centre has more information and answers to common queries.

Conclusion

• Swagbucks is a legitimate survey site that allows you to earn rewards for sharing your opinions and insights.
• There are a lot of survey to choose from, and the site is aggressive with getting your attention. While the income is $15 or $50 here and there, it can be a productive and rewarding way to utilise your spare time.
• As with any survey site, it has pros and cons, and success requires understanding how the system works.
• Swagbucks won’t be for everyone, but we see it as one of the best available, given its track record in Australia and wide array of rewards on offer.