InboxDollars provides a variety of daily earning opportunities, especially if you're based in the U.S. Upon signing up, you receive a $5 bonus, which helps you get off to a quick and easy start.
If you're searching for simple, fast ways to earn some extra cash online without spending anything, completing online surveys and small tasks is one of the best methods available.
There are many platforms offering such opportunities, and one of the more prominent ones is InboxDollars.
But is InboxDollars a legitimate platform to earn extra income, or is it just another scam?
Having used the site extensively over several years, I can share my experiences in this comprehensive review. Here, you'll get a clear understanding of what InboxDollars offers and what you can expect, helping you decide if it's worth your time.
What Is InboxDollars and What Does It Offer?
InboxDollars is a popular Get-Paid-To (GPT) platform that launched in 2000, originally created by entrepreneur Darren Cotter. With over two decades of operation, its longevity alone adds credibility—an important factor when considering platforms that pay users online.
The site is now owned by Prodege, the same company behind Swagbucks, one of the most well-known GPT sites on the web. Having such an established company at the helm means InboxDollars is backed by solid resources and ongoing development, which benefits its members.
According to the platform, InboxDollars has paid out more than $80 million to users. I’ve personally received payments from them as well, so I can confidently say the platform is legitimate and does pay its users.
That said, just because InboxDollars is legit doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for everyone. Let’s break down what the platform offers and how you can earn money with it to help you decide if it aligns with your goals.
How to Earn Money with Paid Surveys on InboxDollars
One way to earn money on InboxDollars is by completing paid surveys. Personally, I find paid surveys to be a great way to make some extra income while sharing your opinion.
On InboxDollars, the selection of surveys isn’t enormous, but there are still a fair number available. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t qualify for every survey you come across. It may take some time and patience to find the ones you can actually complete and get paid for.
A nice feature of InboxDollars is that it lets you know the estimated time to complete each survey and the reward you'll earn upfront. This transparency allows you to plan your time and efforts effectively.
While paid surveys are a viable earning method on the platform, it’s best to combine them with other earning opportunities on InboxDollars to maximize your income potential.
Get Paid to Play Games with InboxDollars
InboxDollars offers a wide variety of games you can play to earn rewards. From card games and word puzzles to strategy and sports games, there's a decent selection to choose from, and you get paid while playing—making it a fun way to pass the time.
That said, don’t expect to earn significant amounts just by playing games. This isn't unique to InboxDollars—most Get-Paid-To (GPT) platforms offer relatively low payouts for gaming. Still, if you're going to play anyway, it’s a nice bonus to get rewarded for your time.
Just be mindful of how much time you spend. If your primary goal is to earn, games might not be the most efficient option. It typically takes a lot of gameplay to reach the payout threshold, so it’s best viewed as a light, entertaining way to earn a little on the side.
InboxDollars also partners with GSN Games, a platform that features casino-style games. When you play through InboxDollars, you’ll earn 18% cashback on every dollar you spend on GSN Games. So if you're already spending money on online games, this partnership can help you stretch your entertainment budget a bit further.
Earn Cash by Reading Emails on InboxDollars
One unique feature of InboxDollars is the opportunity to earn by simply reading emails. The concept is pretty much in the name, right?
While this isn’t a way to make a significant amount of money, it offers a simple and effortless way to earn a little extra cash. The amount you can earn from reading these emails depends on when you signed up for InboxDollars. If you registered before April 19, 2018, you’ll still earn cash rewards for reading these emails. For those who joined after this date, you'll accumulate Scratch & Win progress instead of cash rewards for each confirmed email you read.
Here’s how it works: You’ll receive promotional emails from InboxDollars’ partners. These can include various types of offers that change from time to time. To earn, you don’t have to take up the offer itself—just click the link in the email to confirm that you've read it, and you’ll receive your reward.
The number of emails you receive depends on how active you are on the platform. You can get up to 3 emails per day, but if you’re not active, you may not receive any at all.
While this is a relatively low-effort earning option, it’s more effective if you’re already using other methods on InboxDollars. If you are, though, it's definitely worth taking a moment to check and earn a little extra from the emails you receive.
How to Use InboxDollars WinIts for Free Rewards
InboxDollars once regularly shared promo codes on its social media accounts, giving users the chance to earn free cash. However, they have since shifted to offering "Winits."
Winits function similarly to promo codes. You can find these codes on InboxDollars' social media pages, and to use them, simply enter the exact code in the member area. When you do, you unlock the possibility of winning a prize, which could be cash credit or progress toward a scratch-off card.
These Winits are posted sporadically throughout the week, and they come with a time limit for redemption. To take full advantage of this feature, it's important to check InboxDollars' social media regularly to ensure you don’t miss out on these opportunities.
Earn Extra Cash by Watching Videos on InboxDollars
Another way to earn on InboxDollars is by watching videos. Personally, I’m not overly enthusiastic about this option because the rewards tend to be quite low, and it can quickly feel like a waste of time.
While there are some entertaining videos available, making it enjoyable to use this feature now and then, the payouts don’t really justify spending a lot of time on it.
If you’re interested in watching the videos anyway, then it’s a nice bonus to earn a little while doing so. However, if your primary goal is to earn money, I’d recommend focusing on other methods available on InboxDollars, as they tend to offer a better return on your time.
Save and Earn with InboxDollars Coupons & Cashback
InboxDollars offers a variety of printable coupons that can help you save money while shopping, and also earn cashback. By using these coupons in physical stores, you not only get discounts, but you also receive rewards in your InboxDollars account.
For each coupon you redeem, you’ll earn $0.10, and you can even earn $0.01 just for printing a coupon. However, there’s a limit of 100 coupons per day that you can earn rewards for printing.
Additionally, InboxDollars offers cashback on online purchases from hundreds of merchants like Walmart, Target, Old Navy, and more. While this isn’t exactly "earning" in the traditional sense, it’s a great way to get money back on everyday purchases. If you find the right offers, it’s almost as good as earning cash.
Overall, this is a valuable option to explore, especially if you’re already planning to shop.
Join Free Contests on InboxDollars and Win Cash
InboxDollars also offers free contests that allow you to earn without having to be on the website itself. These contests are typically posted on their social media channels.
For example, you might come across a contest where you need to write a caption for an image, which is a common type of contest they run. If you win, the usual reward is $5.
While the chances of winning aren't particularly high, given the number of participants, it can still be worth entering occasionally for a shot at the prize.
Earn Rewards with InboxDollars by Scanning Receipts
InboxDollars offers a feature similar to Nielsen Homescan, called ScanSense, which allows you to earn by scanning items while you shop. This option is available through the InboxDollars app, and you’ll receive notifications on your phone when there are opportunities to scan items in your local area.
To get started, simply check the app for a list of participating stores nearby. For each item you scan in the store, you’ll earn $0.05. However, be aware that not all items in the store are eligible for scanning, so it’s important to plan ahead to avoid wasting time hunting for the right products.
Additionally, you can also earn money by scanning and uploading receipts from your grocery shopping or restaurant visits. Just make sure the receipts are from one of InboxDollars’ 1,100 partner stores or restaurants to qualify for payment.
While it may not be a huge money-maker, it’s a fun and easy way to earn a bit extra if you're already out shopping.
Win Real Money with InboxDollars Scratch & Win Feature
InboxDollars offers a fun "Scratch & Win" feature, where every time you earn, you move closer to a potential cash prize. As you engage with various activities on the site, a progress bar fills up, showing your progress toward the next milestone.
There are three milestones to hit, and you can choose to scratch when you reach any of them: $, $$, or . The longer you wait to scratch, the bigger the potential prize. For example, if you scratch at the $ milestone, you could win $10, but if you wait until you reach , the prize could be as high as $100.
Keep in mind, this is purely based on chance—there’s no guarantee you’ll win. The scratch game works by having you match three of the same amounts to win that prize. While you may not win every time, it’s a nice bonus since you don’t need to do anything extra other than participate in the other earning activities.
The progress bar fills up at random intervals based on the activities you complete, and the amount of effort needed to reach each milestone can vary. So, while it’s not predictable, it adds an extra layer of excitement to your overall experience.
What Happened to InboxDollars Gold Membership?
InboxDollars previously offered a Gold Membership tier. When you first signed up, you started as a regular member, and after receiving your first payout, you would automatically be upgraded to a Gold Member.
Although this membership level has since been discontinued, it’s worth mentioning because many users still ask about it.
The main benefit of Gold Membership was faster payment processing. Now, instead of having a separate tier, InboxDollars has improved the payout system for all users—making payments quicker and more accessible without requiring an upgrade.
This change is definitely a positive move, and I’ll cover more details about the current payout options in the next section.
How Do You Get Paid?
InboxDollars offers several ways to earn, but the big question is: Does it actually pay, and how soon can you expect to get paid?
The first payout threshold is $15, meaning you need to earn at least that much before you can request a payout. This used to be $30, but InboxDollars has lowered it, making it much quicker to reach that payout point.
Once you hit the threshold, you can choose to get paid via PayPal, a prepaid Visa card, or InboxDollars e-gift cards. After your first payout, the threshold drops even further to $10, making it even easier for long-term members to cash out.
This update is a great improvement, as it streamlines the payment process for users. Personally, I prefer GPT sites that offer PayPal payouts due to their convenience, so I was happy to see InboxDollars implement this option. However, the other methods—gift cards and prepaid Visa cards—are also excellent choices for receiving rewards in cash.
All gift cards are delivered electronically, and to receive PayPal payments, your PayPal account must be verified.
And just to clear up any doubts, InboxDollars does indeed pay. Once you request a payout, it typically takes 3-5 days for the payment to be processed, depending on your chosen method.
One common complaint used to be that it took a while to reach the $30 threshold, but with the lowered payout threshold and various ways to earn, reaching your first payout is now much faster. Plus, as already mentioned, they’ve listened to feedback and made continuous improvements to make the platform more user-friendly.
If you want even faster payouts, there are other survey and GPT sites that offer payments when you reach as little as $1, but InboxDollars' $15 threshold isn’t too far out of reach, especially with the $5 joining bonus they offer, giving you a solid head start.
Can You Use It on Mobile?
If you're not always at your computer, it’s good to know that InboxDollars has mobile versions that allow you to earn from anywhere.
The InboxDollars app is available for both iOS and Android devices. With the app, you can access surveys, offers, cash searches, and other earning opportunities—all from your phone.
For Android users, the app requires at least version 4.0, and for Apple users, it needs to be version 7.0 or higher.
Who Can Join InboxDollars?
InboxDollars is primarily for individuals residing in the United States who are at least 18 years old. Although it used to be available in other countries, it now only accepts members from the US.
It’s important to note that using a VPN to hide your location is not allowed—InboxDollars will detect this and block your account.
Another key rule to be aware of is that InboxDollars strictly prohibits duplicate accounts. You can only create one account per person. If they detect multiple accounts, they will terminate all of them, and you will lose any earnings.
Additionally, only one account is allowed per address, household, or computer. Violating this rule will result in the termination of all associated accounts.
Can You Get Support?
InboxDollars offers several ways to assist you with any issues you may encounter on the site. They provide 24/7 LiveChat support, available on both desktop and mobile versions, which is a great feature in my opinion.
However, before reaching out to support, it’s a good idea to check the support section of the website. You’ll find answers to many common questions there, which can save both you and InboxDollars time.
If your issue is payment-related, it will typically be directed to the accounting department, and you can usually expect a response within 24 hours.
Just be mindful that support can be revoked if you engage in any form of abuse, such as using inappropriate language, harassing the support staff, or opening multiple support tickets at once. So, it’s always best to approach support politely and professionally.
Final Verdict
InboxDollars is certainly not a scam—it's a legitimate platform that has been paying its members for years.
That being said, it may not be the best fit for everyone. Let’s wrap up this review by highlighting the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you.
- Great $5 sign-up bonus
- Free to join
- Multiple ways to earn
- Cash payouts available
- User-friendly mobile app
- Higher payout threshold for the first cashout
However, it’s important to approach the platform with realistic expectations. While it’s a legitimate way to earn, it’s not going to make you rich or replace a full-time income. If you’re looking for substantial earnings, this probably won’t be the right site for you.
That said, InboxDollars does work, and it does pay—making it a solid choice for those looking to make some extra cash in their spare time.
How to Sign Up for InboxDollars
Signing up for InboxDollars is quick and easy. Simply click the button below, and you’ll be directed to the sign-up page. All you need to do is enter your email address, create a password, and confirm your email. Once that’s done, you’ll receive your $5 joining bonus.
Remember, InboxDollars is currently only available to those living in the United States.
If you have any personal experiences with InboxDollars, feel free to share them in the comments below. It would be great to have more InboxDollars reviews from other users!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.