If you’re looking for ways to make money online, you’ve probably stumbled upon InboxDollars. The site has been around for ages, and it pays users to take surveys, play games and shop online.

But is it worth your while compared to other options like KashKick?

If you’re looking for InboxDollars reviews, look no further. In this guide, learn how InboxDollars works, what users are saying and the best alternatives if you want to maximize your time online.

Curious about one of the top InboxDollar alternatives, KashKick? Sign up today.

What is InboxDollars?

InboxDollars is a rewards platform that pays users to complete online tasks including taking surveys, playing games, shopping online, reading emails and buying groceries.

These activities can be completed in a browser or through the InboxDollars iOS and Android apps.

It’s free to sign up, and new members get a $5 bonus.

Is InboxDollars legit?

Yes, InboxDollars is a legit way to make money. It’s owned by Prodege, which also owns Swagbucks, MyPoints and ySense, to name a few.

InboxDollars has been operating since 2000, meaning it’s one of the longest-running brands in this space.

Here’s a quick breakdown of InboxDollars’ ratings:

• 3.9 stars with more than 47,500 reviews on Trustpilot
• 4.5 stars with 224,000 ratings in the App Store
• 4.0 stars with 163,000 reviews on Google Play

But even though a platform is legit, it’s important to dig deeper to understand if it’s worth your time.

How does InboxDollars work?

After creating a free account, InboxDollars users can earn money by:

• Taking surveys.
• Playing games.
• Shopping online.
• Reading emails.
• Scanning receipts (through the Magic Receipts feature).
• Referring friends.

Behind the scenes, InboxDollars works like KashKick in that brands pay InboxDollars for consumer input and insights.

As you complete tasks, you’ll earn money (dollars, not points). Once you reach the minimum payout threshold of $15, you can cash out your earnings for gift cards or via PayPal. After your first payout, the cashout minimum drops to $10.

Payout processing takes about 3 days—and up to 10 business days depending on holidays, demand and more.

Keep in mind InboxDollars is only available in the U.S. If you’re outside the country, its sister sites InboxPounds (UK) and DailyRewards (Canada) work in a similar way.

Pros and Cons of InboxDollars

Before diving into user reviews, let’s break down some of the pros and cons of InboxDollars.

Pros:

• Legitimate payouts: Users receive real cash through PayPal or gift cards.
• Variety of earning options: With InboxDollars, you aren’t stuck with just surveys or just games. You’ll find several ways to earn cash.
• $5 sign-up bonus: Everyone gets a $5 bonus when they sign up. Just note you’ll need to earn another $10 to cash out the first time.
• Transparent earnings: As you complete tasks, you’ll earn dollars—not points—which makes it easier to track your progress toward cashing out.
• Decent referral program: When you refer friends, you can earn $3 once they earn $3 or more plus 10% of their earnings (excluding certain bonuses). 

Cons:

• Low earning rate: Don’t expect to get rich. (There are other higher paying apps out there.) 
• Higher payout minimum: A $15 minimum for your first cashout isn’t the worst, but there are other apps out there that only require you to collect $5 or $10.
• Survey disqualifications: Some users report frequent survey disqualifications, but it’s worth noting this is a risk with every survey site. Some brands only want to survey specific demographics (think: parents, pet owners, renters, Floridians, etc.).

How much can you make on InboxDollars per day?

How much you make on InboxDollars depends on how much time you spend using the site and how many surveys you qualify for. Most casual members earn around $15 to $50 a month, while more active users who focus on surveys and game offers can push higher.

The site does share that surveys typically pay $0.50 to $5 and can range from 3 to 25 minutes to complete. Top-earning members can make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a year, according to InboxDollars.

The key with any of these sites is to set realistic expectations and remember: They’re a straightforward way to earn a little extra money from your phone.

InboxDollars Reviews and Complaints

Here’s a look at what real users have said about InboxDollars, straight from Reddit and other review sources. These reviews have been lightly edited for grammar and spelling.

What users like

From Google Play: 

“InboxDollars is the truth. I was very skeptical at first and even deleted it a few times. But once I stuck it out and spent time engaging and exploring the app and games, I hit my stride. InboxDollars opens up possibilities for money making the more you interact with it. … Just be patient and find what games/quizzes you like best and the app will respond to you over time with better selections.”

From Google Play: 

“They always pay! I’ve gotten several checks over the years. Yes, it takes time to get there, but what do you want for great offers that require no skills?”

What users don’t like

From Google Play:

“It isn’t worth the time. This is my second time trying it, and 99% of the surveys disqualify you after you have answered most of the questions. InboxDollars gets paid lots compared to what they pay us.”

From Apple App Store: 

“I cashed out $30 once about four years ago. I have since tried to complete surveys so I can get another check, and it’s like you never qualify—but they ask you tons of questions before they tell you you don’t qualify. … Don’t waste your time.”

What Redditors are saying about InboxDollars

From Reddit:

“I’ve been using them for months and have cashed out $200+ without issue. I’ve had to contact customer service a few times due to games not properly tracking, and they always responded within a day and have been very friendly and helpful. I’ve never been denied, and they always credit me after I provide proof.”

From Reddit: 

“I’ve made $40 in a month, but I’m also unemployed, and so far have logged an ungodly amount of time playing Toon Blast and getting screened out of surveys. It says 2-3 days on average to cash out through PayPal, but it’s more like 8-10.”

Best Alternatives to InboxDollars for Making Money Online

It’s up to you to decide if InboxDollars is the right rewards site for you, but it’s always worth considering other options.

1. KashKick

KashKick is a rewards app that stands out from the pack for a few reasons. Like InboxDollars, you can earn money playing games, taking surveys, exploring deals and shopping online, but KashKick also:

• Has a lower payout minimum at just $10.
• Offers more ways to cashout, including PayPal, Venmo, gift cards and charity donations.
• Rewards you 25% of your referral’s earnings from games and deals.

Take it from real KashKick reviews: “My favorite thing about KashKick is definitely, definitely the amount of money you get for just playing a game,” says stay-at-home mom Christina. “You just play the game, get through the levels, and they give you a good amount of money. Compared to other apps, KashKick has it all.”

Sign up for free and see how much you can earn.

2. Swagbucks

Like InboxDollars and KashKick, Swagbucks rewards users for playing games, shopping online and in-store, and taking surveys. 

The biggest difference is you earn points called SB, which can be more difficult to track.

Like InboxDollars, you can get a bonus when you sign up, but you’ll need to spend at least $25 in a featured store within 30 days. It can also take up to 10 business days for payouts to process.

Learn more in our guide, is Swagbucks legit?

3. Branded Surveys

If you’re just looking for a website to take surveys on, Branded Surveys is a solid option. Here, you’ll earn points (500 points = $5 USD), which is what you’ll need to cash out for a gift card, PayPal or bank transfer.

Just keep in mind that with fewer ways to earn, that typically means less money.

4. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is another paid survey site, so if you’re looking to play games or claim deals, you’ll want to head back to KashKick, InboxDollars or Swagbucks.

On this site, you’ll earn points when you complete surveys. Once you earn 500 points (that’s $5), you can request a payout for a gift card or through PayPal or a bank transfer.

The two biggest differentiators with Survey Junkie are that you do get rewarded a few points even if you get disqualified from surveys, and there’s a chance to earn more when you agree to share your internet habits through the Surf to Earn program.

Read our full Survey Junkie review to learn more.

5. Vybs

Vybs is a rewards platform for mobile gamers—so no surveys here, if you like those! Heads up that it also doesn’t have an iOS app. 

The premise seems simple enough: The more you play, the more points you can earn. The cashout minimum depends on the reward. Keep in mind there may be a transfer fee of up to 2%.

You also won’t have the option to cash out for cash—just gift cards.

6. HeyCash

HeyCash is one of the newer options in this space, having just launched in 2024. Like InboxDollars and KashKick, HeyCash rewards users for taking surveys, playing games and completing offers.

Estimated earnings, according to the site, are: 50 cents to $120 per game, 50 cents to $6 per 2- to 10-minute survey, and $1 to $75 per offer.

The nice thing about HeyCash is there’s no minimum to withdraw your earnings, which you can do through PayPal, a bank transfer or as a gift card. The withdrawals are instant, according to the site.

7. Scrambly

With Scrambly, you can earn coins when you play games and use apps. (No surveys here.) Once you earn 1,000 coins, you can exchange them for a $1 gift card or cash, paid out in a matter of minutes, according to the site.

Like InboxDollars, Scrambly offers a welcome bonus—500 coins (or 50 cents).

8. Freecash

Like InboxDollars, Freecash rewards users (in coins) for playing games, taking surveys and testing apps. Here, 1,000 points equals $1. The minimum to cash out depends on where you live, ranging from $5 to $20. Bank transfers can take 3-5 business days to process.

You can learn more about Freecash (and its alternatives).

9. Pinecone Research

Over on Pinecone Research, you’ll collect points when you take surveys and play games. You can also win sweepstake entries when you take quizzes.

The minimum to cash out is $10, but you’ll only find gift cards—no options to collect cash. 

10. Toluna

Toluna is a global market research company, and its Influencers program rewards users for taking surveys (so no games or deals). You’ll earn points, which you can then redeem for cash through PayPal or gift cards. Note that it can take up to 3 weeks to process your payout.

Currently, 3,000 points equals $1, and you can get 500 points when you complete your profile.

Choose the Best InboxDollars Alternative for Better Earnings 

InboxDollars is a legitimate way to earn some extra money online, but as users report, pay can be low and you may encounter technical difficulties. 

If you want to maximize your earnings, you’ll find more ways to earn on KashKick. Plus, you won’t need to earn as much to cash out, you can get paid faster and you can earn more rewards when you recruit your friends.

Create a free KashKick account and see how much you can earn.InboxDollars FAQs