Does Sweatcoin Really Pay You to Walk? The Truth Revealed

In this article, we’ll break down how the Sweatcoin app works, what features it offers, how the company actually makes money, and how you can test its legitimacy for yourself.

Sweatcoin is a mobile app that rewards users for being physically active. Whether you’re walking, running, or even cycling, the app tracks your movement and converts it into Sweatcoins—digital currency you can use to redeem products in the app’s marketplace.

As one of the most popular fitness reward apps, Sweatcoin encourages users to stay active by offering real incentives. The platform promotes a healthier lifestyle by turning your daily steps into valuable rewards like fitness gear and wellness products.

Does Sweatcoin Really Pay You to Walk? Here’s the Truth

The idea of an app that pays you to walk might sound too good to be true—or even like a scam. But once you download Sweatcoin and test it yourself, you’ll see it operates on a real business model that makes the platform sustainable for its developers. And yes, it does pay—but not quite the way you might expect.

Sweatcoin doesn’t pay in actual cash, at least not directly. Instead, it rewards you with its own virtual currency, also called Sweatcoin. For every 1,000 steps you take, you earn 1 Sweatcoin, and the more distance you log, the more coins you collect.

Once you’ve gathered enough Sweatcoins, you can redeem them for various rewards, including gift cards, discounts, and charitable donations. However, there’s a 5% fee each time you make a redemption.

One key thing to keep in mind: Sweatcoin doesn’t allow you to cash out your coins via PayPal or convert them into prepaid Visa or Mastercard cards. Your rewards can only be used toward purchases or redeemed through the app’s available offers.

What Can You Actually Buy with Sweatcoins?

Let’s say you’ve stayed consistent for a month—walking or running daily—and managed to earn 75 Sweatcoins, the equivalent of 75,000 steps. What can you really get with those coins?

The Sweatcoin marketplace does offer a few items, but the selection is fairly limited. You’ll typically find products like wireless earbuds, sunglasses, massage tools, and other fitness-related accessories.

You can use your Sweatcoins to cover the product cost, but there’s a catch: you’ll still need to pay for shipping out of pocket. Shipping fees usually range from £8 to £16 (about $10 to $20), depending on your location.

If you live in Latin America or outside major shipping zones, delivery costs might be even higher—sometimes more than the item itself. And yes, these charges must be paid with real money via debit or credit card.

So while Sweatcoin gives the impression of free rewards, keep in mind that nothing comes completely free—you’ll likely still spend some of your own money.

Can You Withdraw Sweatcoins as Real Money?

If you're wondering how to withdraw Sweatcoin earnings to PayPal or a bank account, the short answer is: you can't. Sweatcoin doesn’t support direct cash withdrawals. The only way to “use” your coins is by spending them on in-app offers and products available in the Sweatcoin marketplace.

In essence, your earnings exist only within the app's ecosystem and can't be converted into physical cash.

How Much Is a Sweatcoin Worth?

There’s no official exchange rate for Sweatcoin, but you can estimate its value based on product pricing. For example, if a pair of wireless headphones costs $25 in the market and 75 Sweatcoins in the app, that would roughly translate to $0.33 per coin. Still, this is just an approximation—since Sweatcoins can’t be exchanged for real money, their value is relative and non-transferable.

Free vs. Premium: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Sweatcoin offers both a free plan and a Premium subscription. The Premium version costs €4.99 per month or €24.99 per year and gives you a 2x earning boost—meaning you earn two Sweatcoins per 1,000 steps instead of one. It also unlocks access to lower-cost rewards starting at just 5 Sweatcoins.

However, given the limited selection in the app’s store, the Premium version only makes sense if you plan to shop regularly through the app. Otherwise, the upgrade may not be worth the price.

Sweatcoin Reviews: What Users Really Think

With millions of downloads worldwide, Sweatcoin has received a wide range of user reviews—some praising its concept, others pointing out technical issues. After reading this article, you should now have a clearer understanding of how the app works and what to expect.

User Complaints After Reward Changes

It’s important to note that the February 2025 update to the Sweatcoin app triggered a wave of complaints from long-time users. According to recent posts on Reddit, this update reportedly reduced reward payouts by up to 81%, while keeping paid subscriptions fully active:

“Sweatcoin’s own 2025 update slashed payouts by 81% while keeping subscriptions active.”
“I'm not getting any rewards for my steps.”

Several users also reported issues with step tracking, saying the app completely stopped registering their movement, resulting in no rewards at all.

If you’re currently using Sweatcoin—or considering upgrading to the Premium plan—it may be worth reviewing others’ experiences and reading feedback about the latest updates. You can find one of the detailed Reddit threads here:
🔗 Reddit - Sweatcoin Slashed Payouts in 2025

⚠️ These complaints reflect real concerns about the app’s reward system and tracking reliability, as of July 2025.

Negative Feedback from Users

Many users have expressed frustration over the app's performance, especially when it comes to tracking steps accurately. One common complaint focuses on the 2x Boost feature:

"This app is a waste. Every time I activate the 2x Boost for 20 minutes, it fails to count my steps properly, and I never get the bonus. Even normal steps take too long to register. I was considering upgrading to Premium, but I won’t waste my money now. Try other step apps—they actually track in real time."

These kinds of reviews highlight some reliability issues with step tracking and may deter users interested in consistent performance.

Positive Feedback from Supportive Users

Still, not all reviews are critical. Many users enjoy the app as a motivational tool for staying active:

"It's fun to use, even with the free version. I like donating steps to good causes and seeing giveaways pop up now and then. Watching your steps add up is rewarding in itself. Sometimes the Boost feature misses steps when I'm walking my dog—probably due to brief pauses. I'd love to see integration with devices like Fitbit. Giving it four stars for now."

For users focused more on health and daily motivation than material rewards, Sweatcoin can be a fun and engaging fitness companion.

Final Thoughts on the Sweatcoin App

Apps that promise to pay you for walking—or for any simple task—often rely on making a profit through their users. As the saying goes, if something is free, then you are likely the product.

With Sweatcoin, the goal isn’t to pay users in cash but to encourage them to spend coins within the app’s marketplace, where the company likely earns a commission on each transaction.

Hopefully, this review has given you a clear and honest look at how Sweatcoin really works. If you found the information helpful, feel free to share it with others who might be curious about apps that pay you to walk.