the bold dev

When it comes to side hustles, I’m a big believer in testing things out. I’ve spent the last few years trying different apps that promise to help you earn a little extra cash each month. Some have stuck around in my rotation, while others… not so much. My goal in sharing these experiences is simple: to help you figure out which apps are actually worth your time and which ones you can skip.

Over time, I’ve found a handful of apps that I still enjoy using, like dScout, Fetch, and Benjamin. I’ve also tried others that didn’t work for me, like QMEE, Swagbucks, or WeWard.

Most recently, I parted ways with Brandclub.

I first discovered Brandclub through TikTok. A creator was doing a “Make $10 a Day” challenge, and she consistently mentioned Brandclub as one of her go-to apps. I figured it was worth a try. While I don’t remember when I first opened the account, I know the first time I cashed out was on July 1, 2024. I stuck with the app for well over a year before ultimately deciding it wasn’t worth the hassle.

Here’s why I closed my account:

Account Syncing (and Rewards That Stayed Locked)

The major draw of Brandclub is that you can connect accounts from popular retailers to earn rewards when you shop. Their roster of retailers includes Costco, PetSmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Sephora, Walmart, Albertson’s, and more.

On paper, this sounds great. The variety of retailers is impressive, so it sounds like a typical user would have plenty of opportunities to earn rewards. Unfortunately, the issues outweighed the rewards.

• Slow syncing: Every time I tried to sync, it felt like forever. I once timed it and lost track after five minutes. I know my attention span isn’t the best, but I feel like this is a little excessive.
• Locked rewards: One of the most frustrating parts was that so many of my rewards ended under the ‘locked’ category. This meant that the amount I earned from the purchase was not cash-out eligible until I met other criteria. Most commonly, rewards would unlock after you bought another item from the same brand. However, even when I bought multiple products from the same brand, I’d often find both rewards locked, leaving me with very little to actually cash out.

Unlike other apps, Brandclub doesn’t let you upload receipts as a backup. If the sync failed or misread something, you were simply out of luck. I learned this the hard way after I contacted their customer service. They informed me that some transactions didn’t qualify because I needed more ‘regular activity’. I never found out what they considered ‘regular activity.’

Surveys (and Other “Extras”)

Brandclub does offer other ways to earn. Among them are referrals, purchases through the app itself, and surveys.

• Referrals: Since I don’t have a built-in audience for referrals, this feature was never useful for me.
• In-app shopping: I’m not a fan of buying directly through apps. To be fair, that’s not exclusive to Brandclub. It’s a headache across the board.
• Surveys: This was the biggest disappointment. The surveys usually paid $0.35 to $0.50, and you’re limited to three every 24 hours. Fair enough, that part I can understand. But every survey was exactly the same. The questions were repetitive, poorly designed, and sometimes misleading. For example:
  • “Do you follow this brand on social media?” but there was no option to answer “No.”

They also implemented time restrictions on the surveys. It forced you to sit on questions longer than necessary, which made the process drag. It felt like busywork more than anything else.

The Hidden Cost

The minimum amount to cash out on the platform is $10. When I first started, that seemed do-able, easy even. But over time, getting to $10 felt like a monumental task. To make matters worse, every time you cash out, Brandclub charges a $1.50 fee. Considering the small amounts you’re earning, this eats into your total quickly.

Final Thoughts

When I added everything up, I made $72.68 in a year using Brandclub. Sure, it’s better than nothing. But when I compared it to the time, frustration, and hidden fees, it simply wasn’t worth it.

I’d rather put my energy into apps that actually feel rewarding, like Fetch or dScout, or focus on side hustles that have more long-term potential.

For me, Brandclub was an experiment that didn’t pan out. And that’s okay. Sometimes you must try things to figure out what’s really worth your time.

If you’re on the same journey of exploring side hustle apps, this is my advice:

Don’t be afraid to test things out, but also don’t be afraid to walk away when something isn’t working.

Your time is valuable. There are plenty of ways to earn extra cash, and not every app will be the right fit.

If you’ve been considering Brandclub, I hope this saves you some time and frustration.