Apps Like Sweatcoin — 8 Best Walking and Exercise Reward Apps in 2026
Apps Like Sweatcoin — 8 Best Walking and Exercise Reward Apps in 2026
Sweatcoin made "earn money by walking" mainstream. But at roughly $0.05 per 1,000 steps, it takes 20 million steps to earn $1 — that's about 10,000 miles of walking.
If you're already getting your steps in, why not use a more rewarding alternative? These 8 apps pay you to walk, exercise, and stay active — with honest earning data and no inflated promises.
1. Zarfo — Best for Earning Between Walks
Earning method: Play games (spin wheel, scratch cards, raffles) Payout: Instant, no minimum Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Zarfo isn't a walking app — it's a rewards platform. But here's why it's on this list: walking apps pay $0.01–$0.05 per 1,000 steps. Zarfo pays $2–$5 per hour of casual gameplay. That's 100–500x more per time invested.
If you're walking for health anyway (you should be!), walk with your phone collecting a few pennies in Sweatcoin, then spend 15 minutes on Zarfo earning more than you'd make all day from steps.
Real earning comparison:
- 10,000 steps on Sweatcoin: ~$0.05
- 15 minutes on Zarfo: ~$0.50–$1.50
Best for: People who want meaningful rewards, not penny-per-mile walking credits
2. Sweatcoin — The Original Walking App
Earning method: Steps tracked via phone sensors Payout: Products, services, PayPal (premium plans) Minimum payout: Varies by offer ($5–$50) Platform: iOS, Android
Sweatcoin converts your outdoor steps into "Sweatcoins" at a rate of roughly 0.95 Sweatcoins per 1,000 steps. You can spend Sweatcoins on products, services, and experiences in the Sweatcoin marketplace.
Earning data:
- Free plan: 0.95 Sweatcoins per 1,000 steps (max 5/day)
- Premium plan ($4.99/month): 2x earning rate, unlimited daily steps
- 1 Sweatcoin ≈ $0.05 in marketplace value
Real earnings: ~$0.05/day for a 10,000-step walker on the free plan
Pros:
- Completely passive — just walk
- Motivates physical activity
- Marketplace has real products (not just gift cards)
- Premium plan doubles earnings
Cons:
- Extremely low earning rate ($0.05/10,000 steps)
- Free plan caps at 5 Sweatcoins/day
- Indoor steps don't count (GPS verification required)
- Premium plan ($4.99/month) costs more than most free users earn
- Marketplace products are often overpriced
3. Evidation (formerly Achievement) — Best for Health Data Tracking
Earning method: Syncs with health apps (Apple Health, Fitbit, etc.) Payout: PayPal or gift cards Minimum payout: $10 (10,000 points) Platform: iOS, Android
Evidation rewards you for healthy activities — not just steps. It tracks walking, running, cycling, sleep, and more through integration with your health data apps.
Earning data:
- 10 points per day for meeting step goals
- 20–80 points per health activity challenge
- Bonus points for surveys and food logging
- 10,000 points = $10
Real earnings: ~$10 every 2–3 months for an active user
Pros:
- Tracks multiple health activities (not just walking)
- Syncs with Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin, etc.
- PayPal payouts (not just marketplace credit)
- Low effort required
Cons:
- Low earning rate (~$3–$5/month for active users)
- Takes weeks to reach $10 cashout
- Limited bonus challenges at times
- Points can expire if inactive
4. StepBet — Best for Motivated Walkers Who Bet on Themselves
Earning method: Bet on your step goals; win money from players who miss theirs Payout: PayPal Minimum payout: $10 Platform: iOS, Android
StepBet gamifies walking with fitness challenges. You bet money on yourself (typically $40) and commit to hitting step goals for 6 weeks. If you hit your goals, you win a share of the pot from players who didn't.
Earning data:
- Average winning pot: $40 bet + $5–$15 profit
- Players who complete all weeks: ~95% (most people win)
- Average net profit per completed game: $5–$15
Real earnings: ~$5–$15 per 6-week game (for consistent walkers)
Pros:
- Strong motivation to hit step goals
- Most players win their bet back plus profit
- PayPal payouts at $10 minimum
- Social accountability through group games
Cons:
- Requires upfront bet ($40 typical)
- You lose your bet if you miss goals
- Not passive — requires commitment to daily step targets
- Small net profit relative to bet size
5. Walgreens Balance Rewards — Best for Pharmacy Customers
Earning method: Step tracking + health activities + purchases Payout: Walgreens store credit Minimum payout: $1 (1,000 points) Platform: iOS, Android
Walgreens rewards you with points for walking (1 point per 100 steps, max 300/week), plus bonus points for health milestones and purchases.
Earning data:
- 1 point per 100 steps walked (max 300 points/week)
- 20 points per mile run/bike
- Bonus points for blood pressure checks, weight logging, etc.
- 1,000 points = $1 Walgreens credit
Real earnings: ~$0.30/week or ~$12/year in Walgreens credit
Pros:
- Low effort if you already walk and shop at Walgreens
- Points stack with purchase rewards
- Easy app experience
- No premium subscription needed
Cons:
- Walgreens credit only (no PayPal or gift cards)
- Extremely low earning rate
- Limited value unless you regularly shop at Walgreens
- Step earning is capped at 300 points/week
6. PK Rewards — Best for Runners and Fitness Enthusiasts
Earning method: Steps converted to PK coins Payout: Products, discounts, and sweepstakes entries Minimum payout: Varies by product Platform: iOS, Android
PK Rewards tracks your exercise intensity (not just steps) and rewards you with coins based on effort level. Running earns more than walking.
Earning data:
- Walking: ~5–10 PK coins per 1,000 steps
- Running: ~20–40 PK coins per mile
- Coin value: varies by product in marketplace (roughly $0.001–$0.005 each)
Real earnings: $2–$5/month for an active runner
Pros:
- Rewards exercise intensity, not just steps
- Running earns significantly more than walking
- Social community and challenges
Cons:
- Coin value is low and inconsistent
- Marketplace products change frequently
- Limited payout options (no PayPal or direct cash)
- Newer app with smaller user base
7. Lympo — Best for Fitness Challenges
Earning method: Complete fitness challenges to earn LYM tokens Payout: Cryptocurrency (LYM tokens) Minimum payout: None Platform: iOS, Android
Lympo pays you in cryptocurrency for completing walking and running challenges. The token value fluctuates, so your earnings vary with market prices.
Earning data:
- Walking challenges: 5–20 LYM per challenge
- Running challenges: 20–50 LYM per challenge
- LYM token value: fluctuates (roughly $0.001–$0.01)
- Additional tokens for referral signups
Real earnings: $0.50–$3/month (depending on token price and activity level)
Pros:
- Cryptocurrency payouts are fast
- Challenge-based motivation
- No limit on earning potential
Cons:
- Cryptocurrency payouts are volatile
- Low fiat value per token
- Small user community
- Requires crypto wallet setup
8. Charity Miles — Best for Donating Steps to Charity
Earning method: Corporate sponsors donate per mile you walk/run/bike Payout: Donation to your chosen charity Minimum payout: None Platform: iOS, Android
Charity Miles doesn't pay you — it pays your chosen charity. Corporate sponsors donate 25¢ per mile you run and 10¢ per mile you walk to a charity you select.
Earning data:
- Walking: 10¢/mile donated to charity
- Running: 25¢/mile donated to charity
- Biking: 10¢/mile donated to charity
- Max: $25/charity/sponsor/month
Real impact: ~$3–$8/month donated to charity for a 10,000-step/day walker
Pros:
- 100% of earnings go to charity
- Motivating for people driven by charitable giving
- Simple, clean app
- No complex points or conversion math
Cons:
- You don't earn anything personally
- Corporate sponsors can change or limit donations
- Limited to 30+ partnered charities
- Maximum $25/month per charity/sponsor
Quick Comparison: Walking and Exercise Reward Apps
| App | Pay Per 10K Steps | Payout Method | Min. Payout | Best For | |-----|-------------------|---------------|-------------|----------| | Zarfo | N/A (games) | Instant PayPal | $0 | Highest earnings | | Sweatcoin | ~$0.05 | Marketplace | Varies | Passive walking | | Evidation | ~$0.03 | PayPal | $10 | Health tracking | | StepBet | Profit on bet | PayPal | $10 | Competitive walkers | | Walgreens | ~$0.03 | Store credit | $1 | Walgreens shoppers | | PK Rewards | ~$0.05 | Marketplace | Varies | Runners | | Lympo | ~$0.02 | Crypto | None | Crypto users | | Charity Miles | $0 (charity) | Charity donation | None | Philanthropic walkers |
The Smart Walking Stack
For maximum earnings:
- Walk with Sweatcoin in your pocket — passive $0.05/10K steps (set and forget)
- Sync Evidation for bonus health challenge points — extra $3–$5/month
- Spend 15 minutes on Zarfo after your walk — earn $0.50–$1.50 for the same time it took to earn $0.05 in Sweatcoin
The uncomfortable truth about walking apps: they pay pennies for miles of walking. They're great motivation tools, but terrible income generators. Use them to track steps and stay motivated, but don't expect meaningful earnings from steps alone.
For real rewards, supplement with Zarfo after your walk — you'll earn in 15 minutes what it takes a week of walking to make on any step app.
Walking is its own reward. For extra earnings that actually add up, create a free Zarfo account and play your first game in under 60 seconds.