Review: Sweatcoin

I initially downloaded 'Sweatcoin', sceptically may I add, a week or so ago, having seen a friend post about it on Snapchat. The app boasts the ability to pay you as you get fit as it hands out its individual cryptocurrency, 'sweatcoins,' for every step you take, which can in turn be exchanged for various goods on the sweatcoin market.

The reason I was sceptical was simple; so many other apps and sites like this that I'd come across previously were scams, with so many sites offering you money for surveys, playing mobile games, or any other microtasks. The idea of being paid money just to walk around was beyond absurd to me; this couldn't possibly be legitimate. I installed the app nonetheless, and was pleased with the smooth, futuristic aesthetic of the app. It initially asks for your name, and for your GPS to be active, and then after that you're on your own, free to walk as much or little as you want.

One thing I didn't realise when installing the app was that because it runs on GPS, any steps you take must be made outside, as the complicated algorithm of the app discards any steps it may think are cheats, for example, shaking your phone. (And trust me, I tried it.) You don't need to have data on in order for the app to count your steps, just your GPS, however many have complained that this drains their battery rather fast, but I haven't experienced that yet.

There are currently a couple of issues with the algorithm; sometimes you may walk around 1000 steps but only get accredited for 800. However, for now, I'm putting that down to the app being in its first few phases of life, as it definitely has a lot it could expand on.

It works on a system of around 1000 (verified) steps being worth 1 sweatcoin, and with all rewards in the store starting at a price of 5 sweatcoins, it will only take 5000 verified steps to get the minimum prizes!Personally, I'm not currently a massive fan of the marketplace; it runs on a daily cycle, so you should get new prizes every day, however the scope and worth of the prizes are currently low. Until you have access to the 'influencer marketplace', which can be accessed after you have invited 30 friends to the app, there are only three/four prizes available to you daily, most of which are subscriptions to fitness apps, or money off health products.

However again, due to the newer nature of the app, I can say with confidence that the marketplace will grow as the company makes new connections with other companies, and as more people get involved.

There is also a feature in which you can add friends, see their daily progress, and exchange sweatcoins. This means a group of friends could potentially group together to cash out one of the 'family marketplace' items, which currently include an iPhone X, and £1000 PayPal cash, each priced at 20,000 sweatcoins.

The only real complaint I have found in regards to the app has been the status levels given to users. You initially start your experience with the 'mover' status, which allows you to generate five sweatcoins a day. If you find yourself regularly walking more than this per day, you can opt to pay a monthly subscription (paid in sweatcoins, of course) to become any other status. There are currently also Shaker (10 coins a day), Quaker (15 coins a day), and Breaker (20 coins a day). If you do regularly find yourself being limited by the 5 coin a day regulation, as many users have complained, I would suggest using your sweatcoins to purchase a monthly subscription to another status level; you'll get your money back in half a day!

Though only in its initial stages, the app clearly has so much room to grow, and so many more sweatcoins to pay out. The company has expressed an interest in making sweatcoins a real cryptocurrency, meaning you could soon exchange them for real currencies as you wish.

Overall, though the gain can be slow, especially if you don't walk around a lot outdoors, I have so far massively enjoyed what can only be described as the refreshment that this app brings. The payouts for your rewards are fast, and it's a really easy way to just passively earn money as you go; you're essentially being paid for something you do every day!

If you're interested, you can download the free app here!