Swagbucks vs. InboxDollars vs. MyPoints — I Tried All Three. Here’s What Actually Pays in 2025
If you’ve spent any time looking for real ways to earn small rewards online, you’ve definitely seen the same three names pop up over and over: Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints. They’ve been around forever, they’re always trending in search results, and reviews about them are all over the place. So instead of guessing, I signed up for all three and used them for a few days to see what’s actually worth your time.
This isn’t a hype list. It’s just what I noticed from real use — the good, the annoying, and what actually pays the fastest.
1. Swagbucks – The Most “Do a Little of Everything” App
Swagbucks has been around since what feels like the beginning of the internet, and honestly, it shows — in both good and bad ways.
What I liked
- There are tons of ways to earn: surveys, shopping, watching videos, scanning receipts, and even random daily bonuses.
- Points come in steadily if you stick to the easier tasks.
- The dashboard feels familiar if you’ve used rewards apps before.
What’s not great
- Surveys can screen you out halfway through, which is frustrating.
- Some tasks pay tiny amounts unless you pick the higher-value offers.
- The video section feels outdated.
My real result
On the first day, I earned a couple of dollars’ worth of points without trying too hard. It wasn’t “big money,” but it was consistent. Swagbucks works best if you’re okay doing a mix of things rather than relying on one earning method.
2. InboxDollars – Good For Quick Tasks, Not Great for Surveys
InboxDollars feels like the more straightforward, no-nonsense version of Swagbucks. Everything is in dollars instead of points, which honestly makes it easier to see what your time is worth.
What I liked
- Rewards show up in cash, not points.
- The welcome bonus gives you a little head start.
- The tasks feel quicker and less cluttered.
What’s not great
- Surveys here can screen out even more aggressively than Swagbucks.
- Some tasks look good until you realize how long they take.
- Videos pay very little (but that’s true for most apps).
My real result
InboxDollars is good if you want something simple to check a couple of times a day. I made small progress, but it didn’t feel as flexible as Swagbucks. It’s more of a “log in, do a few tasks, and leave” type of app.
3. MyPoints – Best for People Who Shop Online Often
MyPoints and Swagbucks are actually related companies, so they feel similar… but MyPoints leans heavily toward shopping rewards. If you spend a lot online, this one makes more sense than the other two.
What I liked
- Shopping rewards add up fast if you buy things regularly.
- Daily polls and quick tasks are easy wins.
- It has a cleaner layout than I expected.
What’s not great
- If you don’t shop online much, the earning speed drops.
- Some offers require too many steps.
- The points system takes a minute to get used to.
My real result
The earning was slow for me at first because I wasn’t shopping for anything. But once I tested a couple of shopping tasks, the rewards jumped quickly. It’s definitely the best app for “earn while you shop,” but not ideal if you’re only here for surveys.
Which App Actually Pays Best?
It depends on what you’re willing to do.
| If you prefer… | Go with… |
|---|---|
| Lots of different tasks | Swagbucks |
| Simple cash earnings | InboxDollars |
| Shopping-based rewards | MyPoints |
None of these are “get rich” apps. They’re more like small daily bonuses you can earn while you’re waiting in line, watching TV, or bored on the couch.
Most people end up using two of them at the same time — usually Swagbucks plus either InboxDollars or MyPoints — because they each have different strengths.
My Final Take
If I had to pick only one, I’d choose Swagbucks because it’s the most flexible.
If I wanted the simplest interface, I’d go with InboxDollars.
If I shop a lot online, MyPoints would definitely be the best value.
All three are legit, all three pay, and all three have their own quirks. But compared to the dozens of “rewards apps” floating around, these are some of the only ones that still make sense in 2025.