Want to make some extra cash online and are stuck choosing between Branded Surveys and Swagbucks. Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.
Let me break down everything you need to know about these two platforms. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which one fits your style.
The Quick Answer (If You’re in a Hurry)
Here’s the deal: Swagbucks gives you more ways to earn money, but Branded Surveys pays better for surveys specifically.
If you just want to take surveys and cash out fast, go with Branded Surveys. If you like variety and don’t mind smaller payouts, Swagbucks is your friend.
But hold on, there’s way more to consider. Let’s dig deeper.
What Is Branded Surveys?
Branded Surveys is pretty straightforward. You sign up, fill out your profile, and start taking surveys. That’s basically it.
The company has been around since 2012 (they used to be called MintVine). They work with big brands that want to know what regular people think about their products.
You answer questions. They pay you. Simple as that.
What Is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is the Swiss Army knife of rewards sites. Sure, you can take surveys there. But you can also watch videos, play games, shop online, and search the web to earn money.
They launched way back in 2008, which makes them one of the oldest players in the game. Over 20 million people use Swagbucks, which tells you something right there.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Let’s get real about the money. This is what you actually care about, right?
Branded Surveys Pay Rates
Most surveys on Branded Surveys pay between 50 to 500 points. Each point equals one cent, so you’re looking at $0.50 to $5.00 per survey.
The average survey takes about 10-20 minutes. If you do the math, you’re earning roughly $3-5 per hour. Not gonna make you rich, but it’s decent beer money.
Here’s something cool: Branded Surveys has a loyalty program. The more surveys you complete, the higher your status climbs. You can earn up to 5% bonus on all your points at the highest level.
Swagbucks Pay Rates
Swagbucks surveys typically pay 40 to 200 SB (Swagbucks points). One SB equals one cent, so that’s $0.40 to $2.00 per survey.
The surveys take about the same amount of time as Branded Surveys. But the pay is usually lower.
Where Swagbucks shines is all the other stuff. You can earn $25 shopping through their portal. You can make $10 watching videos (while you’re binge-watching Netflix anyway). You can even earn money just by using their search engine instead of Google.
Sign-Up Bonuses: Who Gives You More?
Both platforms want your attention, so they offer sign-up bonuses.
Branded Surveys gives you 100 points just for signing up and completing your profile. That’s an instant $1.00 in your pocket.
Swagbucks is more generous here. They often run promotions where you get $10 just for signing up. Sometimes you need to earn your first $5 to unlock that bonus, but it’s still a better deal.
Winner: Swagbucks
The Survey Experience: Which One Is Better?
Let’s talk about what it’s actually like using these platforms.
Taking Surveys on Branded Surveys
The interface is clean and easy to use. You see available surveys right on your dashboard. Each one shows you how many points you’ll earn and how long it’ll take.
You won’t get disqualified as often on Branded Surveys. That’s huge. Nothing is more annoying than spending 10 minutes on a survey only to get kicked out with no payment.
The surveys themselves are pretty standard. They ask about your shopping habits, TV watching, opinions on products—you know the drill.
Taking Surveys on Swagbucks
Swagbucks has way more surveys available. But here’s the catch: you’ll get disqualified more often. A lot more often.
It’s frustrating. You start a survey, answer five minutes of questions, and then boom—”Sorry, you don’t qualify.” At least they give you a tiny consolation prize (like 1 SB), but still.
The variety is nice though. You’ll find surveys about everything from healthcare to video games.
Cash Out Options: How Do You Get Your Money?
This is where things get interesting.
Branded Surveys Redemption
You can cash out at just 500 points ($5). That’s pretty low, which means you get your money faster.
Your options include:
- PayPal cash
- Gift cards (Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and more)
- Direct bank transfer in some countries
PayPal transfers usually hit your account within 1-2 business days. Gift cards are even faster—sometimes within hours.
Swagbucks Redemption
Swagbucks also has a $5 minimum for most gift cards. But here’s a pro tip: Amazon gift cards sometimes go on sale for just 440 SB instead of 500 SB. That means you’re getting $5 for $4.40 worth of points.
Your redemption options include:
- PayPal cash (starts at $25, which is higher than Branded Surveys)
- Tons of gift cards (they have way more options than Branded Surveys)
- Visa prepaid cards
- Charity donations
The gift cards usually arrive within a day. PayPal transfers take about 1-3 business days.
Comparison Table: Branded Surveys vs Swagbucks
| Feature | Branded Surveys | Swagbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Survey Pay | $0.50 – $5.00 | $0.40 – $2.00 |
| Cash Out Minimum | $5 (all options) | $5 (gift cards), $25 (PayPal) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $1 | Up to $10 |
| Earning Options | Mainly surveys | Surveys, videos, shopping, games, searches |
| Disqualification Rate | Lower | Higher |
| Loyalty Bonuses | Yes (up to 5%) | Yes (daily goals, bonuses) |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Survey-focused earners | People who want variety |
Extra Ways to Earn Money
Branded Surveys Extras
Branded Surveys keeps it simple. You’ve got:
- Daily polls (quick 1-point surveys that take 10 seconds)
- Referral program (earn 50 points per friend, plus 10% of what they earn forever)
- The loyalty program I mentioned earlier
That’s about it. They focus on surveys and do them well.
Swagbucks Extras
This is where Swagbucks really stands out. You’ve got:
- Shopping portal: Earn 1-10% cash back at thousands of stores
- Watching videos: Make a few cents per video (great for passive earning)
- Playing games: Download mobile games and earn rewards for reaching certain levels
- Swagbucks Search: Use it instead of Google and randomly win SB
- Daily polls and surveys: Quick little tasks for small rewards
- Swagbucks Live: A trivia game show where you can win real money
- Referral program: Earn 10% of what your referrals make forever
If you’re already shopping online or watching videos anyway, Swagbucks makes more sense.
Mobile Apps: Can You Earn on the Go?
Both platforms have mobile apps, which is great for making money during your commute or while waiting in line.
Branded Surveys has a solid app. It’s clean, fast, and you can do everything you’d do on the website. The surveys work smoothly on mobile.
Swagbucks has multiple apps actually. There’s the main Swagbucks app, plus separate apps for watching videos and shopping. Some people find this annoying, but others like having specialized apps.
Both apps work on iPhone and Android.
User Reviews: What Are People Saying?
Let’s see what real users think.
Branded Surveys Reviews
Most people like Branded Surveys. The main compliments are:
- Lower disqualification rates
- Fast payments
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Decent pay for surveys
The complaints usually mention:
- Not enough surveys are available sometimes
- Limited earning options besides surveys
- Can take a while to reach higher loyalty tiers
Trustpilot rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Swagbucks Reviews
Swagbucks has been around longer, so there are way more reviews. People praise:
- Lots of ways to earn
- Good shopping cash back
- Fun variety of tasks
- Tons of gift card options
Common complaints include:
- High disqualification rate on surveys
- Low survey payouts
- Can take forever to reach the $25 PayPal minimum
- Customer service can be slow
Trustpilot rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Payment Proof: Do They Actually Pay?
Yes, both sites actually pay. I know there are tons of scam sites out there, but these aren’t them.
Branded Surveys has paid out millions of dollars since 2012. You’ll find countless payment proofs on Reddit and YouTube.
Swagbucks has paid out over $650 million to its members. That’s not a typo. They’re legit.
Both companies are based in the US and follow all the rules. You’re safe using either one.
Which Countries Can Join?
This matters if you’re reading from outside the US.
Branded Surveys accepts members from:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
That’s it. If you live anywhere else, you’re out of luck.
Swagbucks is available in:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia
- Germany
- Spain
- France
- Portugal
Swagbucks clearly wins if you’re international.
Tax Stuff You Should Know
Here’s something most articles don’t mention: taxes.
If you’re in the US and earn over $600 in a year from either platform, you’ll get a 1099 form. That means you need to report it as income on your taxes.
If you earn less than $600, you’re technically still supposed to report it, but you won’t get a form.
Gift cards are still considered taxable income, by the way. Just wanted you to know.
Time Investment: How Much Effort Is Required?
Let’s be honest about the time commitment.
With Branded Surveys, you can realistically make $50-100 per month if you spend 30-60 minutes a day taking surveys. Some people make more, some make less. It depends on your demographics and how many surveys you qualify for.
With Swagbucks, you can potentially make more—maybe $100-200 per month—but you need to use all their features. Just doing surveys won’t cut it. You need to shop through their portal, watch videos, and do the daily tasks.
Neither one is a full-time income. Think of them as a side hustle for extra spending money.
Pros and Cons: The Complete Picture
Branded Surveys Pros
- Better pay per survey
- Lower disqualification rate
- Low $5 cash-out minimum for all options
- Loyalty program rewards consistency
- Clean, simple interface
- Fast payments
Branded Surveys Cons
- Fewer surveys available
- Limited to only three countries
- No passive earning options
- Fewer gift card choices
- Can’t make as much total money as Swagbucks
Swagbucks Pros
- Tons of ways to earn money
- Great for passive earning (videos, search)
- Massive selection of gift cards
- Available in more countries
- Shopping cash back is excellent
- Can earn more total money
- Bigger sign-up bonus
Swagbucks Cons
- Lower survey payouts
- Higher disqualification rate
- $25 minimum for PayPal (vs $5 at Branded Surveys)
- Can feel overwhelming with so many options
- Quality of surveys varies a lot
- Customer service isn’t great
My Personal Recommendation
Here’s what I’d do if I were you:
Use both.
I’m serious. There’s no rule saying you can only pick one. Sign up for both platforms and see which one you like better.
Start with Swagbucks to grab that bigger sign-up bonus. Use their shopping portal when you buy stuff online anyway. Watch some videos while you’re cooking dinner.
Then use Branded Surveys when you specifically want to sit down and knock out some surveys. You’ll make more per survey there.
This way, you’re maximizing your earning potential. When Branded Surveys runs out of surveys for you, switch to Swagbucks. When you’re tired of Swagbucks surveys, do some Branded Surveys instead.
But If You Can Only Pick One…
Choose Branded Surveys if:
- You only want to do surveys
- You hate getting disqualified
- You want to cash out faster
- You prefer simplicity over variety
- You’re in the US, Canada, or UK
Choose Swagbucks if:
- You want multiple ways to earn
- You shop online regularly
- You don’t mind watching videos for pennies
- You want more gift card options
- You’re patient enough to reach $25 for PayPal
- You live outside the US/Canada/UK
Tips to Make More Money
Let me share some insider tricks to boost your earnings on both platforms.
For Branded Surveys:
- Fill out your profile completely (you’ll qualify for more surveys)
- Check back multiple times a day (new surveys pop up constantly)
- Focus on reaching higher loyalty tiers
- Always complete the daily poll
- Refer friends (that 10% bonus adds up)
For Swagbucks:
- Set daily goals and hit them for bonus rewards
- Always shop through their portal before buying anything
- Download the browser extension so you never miss cash back
- Play Swagbucks Live every day (it’s actually fun)
- Stack deals (use Swagbucks with coupon codes for double savings)
- Watch videos while doing other stuff (true passive income)
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: “I keep getting disqualified from surveys!”
Solution: This happens more on Swagbucks. The trick is to be consistent with your answers. If you said you’re 35 years old in one survey, don’t say you’re 45 in another. Also, fill out your profile completely so they can better match you with surveys.
Problem: “I’m not seeing any surveys!”
Solution: Check at different times of day. Surveys often appear in the morning and evening. Also, make sure your profile is 100% complete on both sites.
Problem: “My payment hasn’t arrived!”
Solution: Branded Surveys usually pays within 1-2 days. Swagbucks can take up to 5 days during busy periods. If it’s been longer, contact customer support.
The Bottom Line
Both Branded Surveys and Swagbucks are legitimate ways to make extra money online. You won’t get rich, but you can definitely earn enough for some free groceries, gas money, or that thing you’ve been wanting to buy.
Branded Surveys is better if you’re a purist who just wants to take surveys and get paid well for your time.
Swagbucks is better if you want variety and don’t mind working a bit harder to earn the same amount.
Honestly? Sign up for both. Spend a week trying them out. See which one feels better to you. Then focus on that one, or keep using both.
The best survey site is the one you’ll actually use consistently. So pick whichever one doesn’t make you want to throw your phone across the room.
Now stop reading and go sign up already. That extra cash won’t earn itself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really make money with these sites?
Yes, but we’re talking side money, not a full income. Expect $50-200 per month depending on how much time you put in.
Which one pays faster?
Branded Surveys pays faster. Most redemptions arrive within 1-2 days, and the minimum is just $5 for everything, including PayPal.
Are these sites safe?
Completely safe. Both have been around for over a decade and have paid out millions to users. Your personal info is protected.
Can I use these sites on my phone?
Yep! Both have mobile apps that work great. You can earn money anywhere.
How old do I need to be?
You need to be at least 13 for Swagbucks and 16 for Branded Surveys (18 in some countries). Always check the terms for your location.
Do I need to pay anything to join?
Nope! Both sites are 100% free to join. If any site asks you to pay to take surveys, it’s a scam.
Ready to start earning? Pick your platform and get going. Your future self will thank you for that extra cash!
