I’ve been playing mobile games on Swagbucks for over two years now, and I’ve earned over £400 in PayPal cash and free gift cards. Not bad for tapping my phone while watching Task Master, right?

But sadly, not all Swagbucks games are worth your time. Some pay £5 for 20 hours of work. Others pay £50+ for the same effort. I’ve played through dozens of them so you don’t have to waste your time on the rubbish ones.

This guide breaks down the best paying Swagbucks games in the UK, exactly how much you can earn, how long each takes, and whether they’re actually worth it compared to other side hustles.

What is Swagbucks?

Swagbucks is a rewards platform where you can earn SB points (which convert to real money or gift cards) by doing everyday things like online shopping, complete surveys, watching videos, and playing mobile games.

You can cash out your SB points as PayPal cash or choose from free gift cards at popular stores like Amazon, Tesco, Argos, and Old Navy. The minimum threshold to cash out is 500 SB (£5).

The Swagbucks app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play, and the site’s expansive rewards marketplace includes options for travel purchases, Home Depot vouchers, American Airlines gift cards, and even Shop Disney credit.

The best bit? You can earn SB bonus points just for using the browser extension while shopping at your favourite online stores. I’ve snagged some top stores Kohl’s coupons and popular coupons through cashback shopping deals.

How Do Swagbucks Games Work?

When you download the Swagbucks app, you’ll see game offers under the “Discover” section. Each mobile game has different milestones you need to hit to earn rewards.

For example:

• Reach level 50 in 14 days = 500 SB
• Reach level 100 in 21 days = 2,000 SB
• Reach level 250 in 30 days = 11,500 SB

The key is you must download the game through the Swagbucks app within the first 30 days of registration (some offers require you to start within the first 7-14 days of registration). If you already have the game installed, delete it first, then download through Swagbucks. Otherwise it won’t track.

You’ll also need to allow the game to track your activity and share data with Swagbucks. Without this, you won’t get your rewards.

Once you hit each milestone, you’ll see the SB points appear in the Swag Ups section of your account usually within a few days. Sometimes it’s instant, sometimes it takes up to a week. If it doesn’t track after 7 days, contact customer support with screenshots.

Best Paying Swagbucks Games UK

I’ve ranked these based on actual earnings vs time invested. I’m not interested in how “fun” they are – we’re here to make money, not play games for entertainment. Although some are SO annoying with invasive adverts.

Animals & Coins

Total Payout: £115
Time to Complete: 26-30 hours
Difficulty: Medium
My Verdict: Worth it

This is one of my favourites. I wrote a full guide on how to reach level 250 on Animals & Coins quickly, so check that out for detailed tips.

The game itself is simple – you build bridges between islands by holding down a button and releasing at the right time. Once you get three “perfect” bridges, it goes into auto-mode, which means you can have it running while doing housework or watching TV.

Milestones:

• Level 50 (7 days): £5
• Level 100 (14 days): £15
• Level 150 (21 days): £35
• Level 250 (30 days): £115 total

Time Breakdown: It took me about 26 hours and 48 minutes over 13 days. Sounds like a lot, but most of that was passive – I had it in auto-mode while doing other stuff.

Earnings Per Hour: £4.29

The Catch: The game is absolutely riddled with ads. You’ll watch hundreds of ads to get energy. The Jackpot Sammy minigame is rigged to make you spend gems or real money. Don’t fall for it.

Top Tip: Never claim your free energy or gold rewards until you’re ready to use them. If you log off with loads of gold, other players will steal it.

Coin Master

Total Payout: £25-50 (varies by offer)
Time to Complete: 15-25 hours
Difficulty: Easy
My Verdict: Worth it if the payout is £40+

I’ve written a detailed guide on how to level up fast in Coin Master, which includes all my tips for maxing out your village levels quickly.

Milestones: These change regularly, but typical offers are:

• Village 10 (7 days): £10
• Village 15 (14 days): £20
• Village 25 (21 days): £50

Time Breakdown: Took me about 18 hours over 12 days. A lot of that was waiting for spins to regenerate though.

Earnings Per Hour: £2.50-£2.78 (depending on offer)

The Catch: Progress slows down massively after village 15. You’ll need to be smart with your spins and make good use of the raid and attack features.

Top Tip: Join the Coin Master trading groups on Facebook to swap cards. Completing card sets gives you huge spin bonuses which speeds everything up.

Coin Master is dead simple. You spin a slot machine, earn coins, build villages, and attack other players. It’s basically a slot machine with extra steps.

Monopoly Go

Total Payout: £30-70 (varies by offer)
Time to Complete: 20-35 hours
Difficulty: Medium
My Verdict: Worth it if you can get the higher payout offers

Monopoly Go is a simplified version of Monopoly where you roll dice, collect properties, and complete sets. The higher the payout offer, the better.

Typical Milestones:

• Net Worth £500M (7 days): £10
• Net Worth £2B (14 days): £25
• Net Worth £10B (21 days): £70

Time Breakdown: Around 25 hours for the top milestone if you’re efficient.

Earnings Per Hour: £2.80

The Catch: The game heavily pushes you to spend real money on dice packs. Don’t do it. You can finish without spending a penny if you’re patient.

Top Tip: Save your dice multipliers for events and tournaments. You can earn way more resources during events than during normal gameplay.

Klondike Adventures

Total Payout: £40-80 (varies)
Time to Complete: 30-40 hours
Difficulty: Hard
My Verdict: Worth it if you have the time

Klondike is a farming/building game set in Alaska. You complete quests, build structures, and explore new areas. It’s more involved than the other games but pays well.

Typical Milestones:

• Complete Chapter 2 (14 days): £15
• Complete Chapter 4 (30 days): £80

Time Breakdown: This one’s slower. Expect 35-40 hours of active gameplay.

Earnings Per Hour: £2-£2.29

The Catch: Energy regenerates slowly. You’ll need to log in multiple times a day to keep progressing. It’s not as passive as Animals & Coins.

Top Tip: Don’t waste energy on side quests. Focus only on main story quests that advance you to the next chapter.

Board Kings

Total Payout: £15-30
Time to Complete: 15-20 hours
Difficulty: Easy
My Verdict: Decent for a quick win

Similar to Coin Master but with a board game theme. Roll dice, build landmarks, steal from other players.

Typical Milestones:

• Board 8 (7 days): £8
• Board 12 (14 days): £15
• Board 18 (21 days): £30

Time Breakdown: About 18 hours to reach board 18.

Earnings Per Hour: £1.67

The Catch: Other players can destroy your landmarks which sets you back. There’s nothing you can do to prevent this unless you finish a board completely.

Top Tip: Complete each board fully before moving to the next. This protects your landmarks from being destroyed.

Bingo Blitz

Total Payout: £10-20
Time to Complete: 10-15 hours
Difficulty: Easy
My Verdict: Easy money but lower payout

Simple bingo game. You play bingo rounds and collect items.

Typical Milestones:

• Reach Level 40 (7 days): £5
• Reach Level 80 (14 days): £20

Time Breakdown: Around 12-14 hours of gameplay.

Earnings Per Hour: £1.43-£1.67

The Catch: Gets repetitive fast. It’s just bingo over and over.

Top Tip: Play during power-up events to level up faster.

Solitaire Grand Harvest

Total Payout: £8-15
Time to Complete: 8-12 hours
Difficulty: Very Easy
My Verdict: Good for beginners

Basic solitaire game with farm-themed bonuses.

Typical Milestones:

• Reach Level 50 (7 days): £15

Time Breakdown: About 10 hours.

Earnings Per Hour: £1.50

The Catch: Very low payout compared to time invested.

Top Tip: Only do this one if other higher-paying offers aren’t available.

Games That Aren’t Worth Your Time

I’ve played plenty of games that looked promising but ended up being a waste of time. Here are the ones to avoid:

Merge Dragons – 30+ hours for £10. Awful rate.

Cooking Fever – Requires actual skill and precise timing. Too stressful for the £8 payout.

Fishdom – Gets impossibly hard around level 100. You’ll need to spend money to progress.

Candy Crush – Same as Fishdom. Pay-to-win after level 200.

Township – Takes 60+ hours for £20. Not worth it.

Rise of Kingdoms – Requires near-constant attention for 40+ hours. Exhausting.

My rule: if a game pays less than £1.50 per hour, skip it. Your time is worth more than that.

Tips for Maximising Your Earnings

After earning over £400 from Swagbucks games, here’s what actually works:

1. Stack Multiple Games

Don’t just play one game at a time. Run 2-3 games simultaneously, especially if they have energy systems. While you’re waiting for energy to regenerate in Animals & Coins, play Coin Master or Monopoly Go.

2. Check Offers Daily

Game offers change constantly. Sometimes Animals & Coins pays £115, sometimes it pays £80. Always check the current payout before starting. If it’s lower than usual, wait a few days – it’ll likely go back up.

3. Never Spend Your Own Money

These games are designed to make you spend real money. Don’t. You can complete every single one without paying a penny. If you’re tempted to buy an energy pack to reach a milestone, STOP. Just wait and play more strategically.

4. Use Social Media Groups

Join the Facebook trading groups for games like Coin Master and Animals & Coins. You can trade cards and items with other players which speeds up your progress massively.

5. Read My Specific Game Guides

I’ve written detailed guides for the highest-paying games:

• Animals & Coins level 250 guide
• Coin Master levelling guide

6. Cash Out via PayPal

You can get gift cards from the site’s expansive rewards marketplace, but I always choose PayPal payments. It’s real money you can spend anywhere. Amazon gift cards are nice, but cash is better.

You can also grab American Eagle Outfitters gift cards, American Airlines gift card vouchers, or shop at favourite brands through the cashback shopping portal for bonus value.

7. Use the Browser Extension

Install the Swagbucks browser extension and activate it when shopping online. You’ll earn extra SB on purchases from favourite online stores. I’ve earned hundreds of extra pounds just from normal online shopping.

8. Complete Daily Surveys Too

While playing games, don’t forget you can also complete surveys and answer surveys on Swagbucks. The online surveys pay anywhere from 50-500 SB depending on length. It’s a nice way to top up your earnings.

Online paid surveys aren’t my favourite (they can be tedious), but they’re a feasible option when you’re waiting for game energy to regenerate.

9. Watch for Swag Codes

Swagbucks occasionally releases swag codes on social media that give you free SB points. Follow them on Twitter/X and check daily.

10. Check the Financial Incentives

Some games offer better financial incentives during promotional periods. The bonus value can jump from £50 to £80 for the same game during a promotion.

Is It Worth It vs Other Side Hustles?

Right, let’s be honest here. Swagbucks games aren’t going to make you rich. But compared to other side hustles, how do they stack up?

My Swagbucks Earnings:

• Average: £2-£4 per hour
• Best case: £4.29 per hour (Animals & Coins)
• Worst case: £1.50 per hour (Solitaire)

Other Side Hustles for Comparison:

Online Surveys: £2-£5 per hour
Similar to Swagbucks games but requires more active attention.

Vinted/eBay Selling: £10-£20 per hour (once you factor in photography, listing, packaging)
Better hourly rate but requires stuff to sell and more effort.

Freelance Writing: £15-£50 per hour
Much better pay but requires skills and finding clients.

Dog Walking: £10-£15 per hour
Better pay but requires leaving the house and physical effort.

The advantage of Swagbucks games is they’re mostly passive. I can have Animals & Coins running in auto-mode while I’m cooking dinner, watching TV, or doing housework. It’s a little bit of cash for basically zero active effort.

If I had to actively play for 4 hours straight, I’d never bother. But tapping my phone every few minutes while doing other stuff? That’s easy money.

FAQ

How long does it take to earn £100 on Swagbucks?

If you complete Animals & Coins (£115), you can hit £100 in about 2-3 weeks. If you’re doing multiple games simultaneously, you could earn £100 in a month quite easily.

Can you actually cash out on Swagbucks UK?

Yes. I’ve cashed out over £400 with zero issues. PayPal cash arrives within 1-2 days. Gift cards are usually instant.

Do Swagbucks games track on iPhone?

Yes, they work on both iPhone (App Store) and Android (Google Play). Just make sure you download through the Swagbucks app and allow tracking permissions.

How much can you realistically earn from Swagbucks games per month?

If you play smart and stack multiple high-paying games, you can earn £150-£300 per month. But it requires significant time investment (20-40 hours).

Are there any games that give you real money instantly?

No. All Swagbucks games require you to hit milestones first. The fastest payout is usually the first milestone at 7 days.

Can I play Swagbucks games on multiple devices?

No. The game will only track on one device. If you switch devices mid-game, it won’t track properly and you’ll lose your progress towards the SB reward.

What happens if my game doesn’t track?

Contact Swagbucks customer support within 30 days. Provide screenshots showing your progress and the offer details. They usually credit your account manually.

Can I use a VPN while playing Swagbucks games?

No. Using a VPN will get your account banned. Swagbucks is strict about this.

How many games can I play at once?

You can play as many as you want simultaneously. I usually run 2-3 at a time.

Are Swagbucks games suitable for kids?

Most are rated for ages 12+, but check individual game ratings. You also need to be 13+ to have a Swagbucks account according to their terms of use.

My Final Verdict

Swagbucks games are a nice way to make extra cash if you’re realistic about expectations. You’re not going to quit your job from playing mobile games. But earning £100-£200 per month for tapping your phone while watching Netflix? That’s decent passive income.

My favourites are still Animals & Coins and Coin Master because they pay well AND can run mostly passively. If you’re going to try Swagbucks games, start with one of those. I really love all the ‘coin’ style games, they are similar and just easy to mindlessy play while doing something else – watch TV or while on the school run!

Just remember – never spend your own money on in-app purchases. That defeats the whole point. And read the terms of use before starting so you don’t waste time on a game that won’t track.

The data privacy is solid (check the privacy policy if you’re concerned), and marketing email messages can be turned off in settings. All trademarks are property of their respective owners, and useful articles about specific games are available in their help section.

If you’ve got a few hours to spare each week and fancy making a little extra money, give Swagbucks games a go. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s better than scrolling through social media for free.

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Related Posts:

• Animals & Coins Complete Guide
• Coin Master Levelling Tips
• Best UK Cashback Apps
• Top UK Side Hustles