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 really maximize your time online.
Key Takeaways
- InboxDollars is a legitimate rewards platform that pays real cash for surveys, games, shopping and other online tasks.
- The biggest drawbacks are modest pay and a higher payout threshold, especially for first-time cashouts, which can make it feel slow to earn meaningful rewards.
- If you want faster payouts and higher earning potential, alternatives like KashKick may be a better fit for maximizing your time.
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 other money-making apps including Swagbucks, MyPoints and ySense.
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:
- 4 stars with more than 47,500 reviews on Trustpilot
- 4.5 stars with 221,000 ratings in the App Store
- 4.1 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
- Referring friends
Behind the scenes, InboxDollars works similarly to 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.
The average processing time for gift cards and PayPal can take up to 10 days.
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 money — without leaving your house.
- $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, more lucrative side hustles 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.
- Slower processing times: Once you cash out, it can take up to 10 days to get your gift card or PayPal cash. Again, this isn’t the worst, but there are apps out there that’ll process your payments faster.
- 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.).
- ID verification wariness: Some users are unhappy they have to upload a government-issued ID and selfie to verify their identity.
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 as well as how many surveys you qualify for.
The site does share that surveys typically pay $0.50 to $5 and can range from 3 to 25 minutes to complete. One page says top-earning members can make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a year.
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 Trustpilot:
“I love InboxDollars. It’s very easy and helpful when in need, and I can earn with this since I’m a stay-at-home mom.”
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 Google Play:
“I’m done. This whole process is terrible. The majority of the surveys I take end up crashing before I finish them. I’m not getting proper credit for games I am playing, and one game completely disappeared from my arcade, right around the time I achieved a high-paying goal. Customer service was less than helpful.”
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:
“InboxDollars may seem legitimate at first, but the way they operate feels like a scam. They credit the small amounts you earn—just a few cents to a couple of dollars—but when it comes to larger rewards ($20 or more), they simply skip them. I’m currently owed hundreds of dollars that were never credited.”
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.”
From Reddit:
“I’ve been with InboxDollars for years, and I’ve cashed out several times. I used to do most of my money with surveys, but game offers are the best way to go now. Two tips since you’re new: DO NOT ever accumulate large amounts of money in your account; try to cash out as soon as you can. Two, ALWAYS take screenshots of game offers, their requirements, and any evidence that you completed the goals. Sometimes InboxDollars won’t track a certain goal completed for a game, so you have to have evidence for when you’re submitting a ticket.”
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 and exploring deals, but KashKick also:
- Has a lower payout minimum at just $10.
- Pays out in just one to three business days.
- Offers more ways to earn—without spending a dime. (Other apps can be sneaky and require you to make in-game purchases.)
- Rewards you 25% of your referral’s earnings from games and deals.
Take it from a real KashKick reviewer: “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.”
Eric, who earned $500 in less than a year, said: “It’s been a Godsend for me. I recommend it to anybody. It’s not one of those fake games, and I can show you.”
👉 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. You’ll also notice Swagbucks has a higher cashout minimum than both of the other platforms at $25 for PayPal (or you can do $15 for a gift card).
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.
3. Branded Surveys
If you’re just looking for a website to take surveys on, Branded Surveys is an option. (But with fewer ways to earn, that typically means less money.)
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.
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.
You can 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 app says you need to collect $20 worth of points to cash out, though some users say it’s $25.
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 $20 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 FAQs also say the withdrawals are instant (though there’s a whole Reddit thread warning of payout issues).
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.
To make your first withdrawal, you’ll need to verify your ID (like InboxDollars), and bank transfers can take three to five business days to process, according to the site.
You can learn more about Freecash (and alternatives) here.
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. 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, KashKick could provide a more rewarding experience. Plus, you won’t need to earn as much to cash out, and you can get paid faster and get more rewards when you recruit your friends.
InboxDollars FAQs
Does InboxDollars really pay?
Yes—InboxDollars really pays, though some users report issues with receiving payments. Earnings are generally modest and can be collected via PayPal or gift cards.
What is the minimum withdrawal on InboxDollars?
You’ll need $15 to withdraw your earnings the first time, then the minimum lowers to $10.
How long does it take to get paid on InboxDollars?
Payouts can take up to 10 business days to process, a bit longer than the one to three days it takes to receive your payment through KashKick.