I tested Downtime Dollars, the US survey app that used to be called Dabbl. It is legit and pays in gift cards from $5, but the rewards are fairly low and there is no cash option. Below is what I found, and which apps I would pick first.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He tested Downtime Dollars himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Legit, but it does not stand out
Receipts, surveys and offers for points. Gift cards from $5 (5,000 points). US only, and no cash rewards.
On this page
The short answer
Downtime Dollars is a legit app, but it does not pay that well. You earn points for uploading receipts, answering surveys and completing offers, and you redeem them for gift cards from $5.
You only get gift cards, no cash, and the app is only available in the US. So I would only use it if you really want another survey app to join.
- Low threshold: gift cards from $5
- The app is user-friendly
- Easy ways to earn
- Live chat with support during office hours
- Fairly low rewards
- No cash rewards, only gift cards
- Only available in the US
- The referral program pays $0.25 per referral, for up to 20 referrals
My experience with Downtime Dollars
I installed Downtime Dollars, signed up with my mobile number and tried the ways to earn in the app. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- August 2021Review first published Aug 31, 2021, when the app was still called Dabbl
- Latest retest
- Checked: ways to earn, rewards, support
- Devices
- MobileThe app works on Android and iOS
- Payout
- Not shownMy review does not show a redeemed gift card
- Signing up with my mobile number
- Watching videos, which paid around 50 to 70 points each
- The paid offers, which all asked me to download an app or sign up for a website
- The surveys and the gift card rewards in the app
- The FAQ and the support options
- A gift card redemption. My review does not show one.
- Uploading receipts. The app gives little information about it, so I explain what is usual for this kind of task.
Screenshots from my test
These screenshots are from my own test of the app, from when it was still called Dabbl. They do not show a redeemed reward.
Screenshots from Downtime Dollars
Downtime Dollars at a glance
| What it is | Survey and rewards app that pays you in gift cards. It used to be called Dabbl. |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Uploading receipts, paid surveys, paid offers, referrals |
| Point value | 5,000 points = $5 |
| Minimum cashout | A $5 gift card (5,000 points). A $10 gift card is also possible. |
| Payout methods | Gift cards only, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Lowe’s. No cash. |
| Apps | Android and iOS. Mobile only. |
| Sign-up | Your mobile number, which gets a confirmation code |
| Who can join | US residents aged 18 and over |
| Support | FAQ in the app and on the website, live chat on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm EST, email info@downtimedollars.com |
Is Downtime Dollars legit and safe?
Yes, Downtime Dollars is legit. You really can earn gift cards with it. But legit does not mean it is worth your time. Here is what you should know.
- Fairly low rewards
Videos paid around 50 to 70 points each when I tested, and paid offers usually 100 to 200 points. Surveys pay more, 300 to 500 points depending on the length. With 5,000 points for a $5 gift card, it still takes some time to cash out.
- Gift cards only
You cannot cash out to PayPal or your bank. If you want cash, this app is not for you.
- US only
Downtime Dollars is only available in the US, and you need to be at least 18. There are many survey sites in the US that offer better opportunities.
- You need to give your mobile number
You cannot sign up without it. The app sends a confirmation code to the number you enter.
- Surveys can screen you out
Each survey starts with qualifying questions. If you do not qualify, you get nothing and move on to the next survey, so be patient.
My takeDowntime Dollars, in my opinion, isn’t a bad survey app. But it also doesn’t stand out either. So, there’s little reason to use this app. Its main drawback is that it doesn’t pay that well. So, even though it has a low payout threshold, it will still take some time before you can withdraw your earnings.
Downtime Dollars pays fairly little, and only in gift cards. These sites in your country pay more, and most of them pay cash.
See the best sites in your countryHow you earn on Downtime Dollars
There are 4 ways to earn. Paid surveys pay the most per task. Tap one to read more.
Uploading receiptsMore items, more points
You submit a photo of a receipt. Make sure the photo is not blurry and that every item on it is readable. The app reviews it, and if everything is in order, you earn points. The more items on the receipt, the more points you earn.
The app gives little information about this. With other apps, you can usually only submit receipts within a week of the purchase date, so I would keep to that.
Paid surveys300 to 500 points
Downtime Dollars does not have its own surveys. It works with other survey providers. Each survey starts with qualifying questions. If you do not qualify, you move on to the next survey. If you do, you answer the survey and get the reward shown in the survey offer.
It can take some patience to find surveys you qualify for. For more survey apps, see the best paid survey apps.
Paid offers100 to 200 points
Short tasks for a reward. When I tested the app, every offer asked me to download an app or sign up for a website. They were not as common as the other ways to earn.
Read the instructions carefully before you start. If you miss one step, the offer does not count and you get no reward.
Referral program$0.25 per referral
Share your invite link. When someone joins through it and completes one paid offer, you get $0.25. You can have a maximum of 20 referrals, so you can earn at most $5 this way.
How much can you make?
Not a lot. It depends on how active you are, but the app does not pay that well.
When I tested it, videos paid around 50 to 70 points each, which is around $0.05 to $0.07. Surveys paid 300 to 500 points depending on the length, and paid offers usually 100 to 200 points. So even with a $5 threshold, it takes some time to reach it. That is why I would say its earning potential is quite low.
Payout method and minimum
| Method | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gift cards | $5 (5,000 points) | Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Lowe’s and more. A $10 gift card is also possible. |
Your points go straight to your Downtime Dollars balance, and you exchange them for gift cards. There is no cash option.
If you prefer cash, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
Downtime Dollars alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| Survey Junkie | Easy-to-use survey site in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Branded Surveys | Surveys in the US, UK and Canada, paid via PayPal, bank transfer or gift cards | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Fetch Rewards | Receipt scanning with a low threshold. Gift cards and Visa rewards | $10 first time, then $3 | 3.3 / 5 |
See also the best paid survey apps, or the top survey and GPT sites in your country. Most of them pay cash, and you will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Downtime Dollars
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Downtime Dollars scores 50 out of 100. These sites and apps have better earning potential, and most of them pay cash.
See the best sites in your countryDowntime Dollars FAQ
Is Downtime Dollars legit?
Yes. You really can earn gift cards with it. But it does not pay that well, so there is little reason to use it unless you want one more survey app.
Is Downtime Dollars the same as Dabbl?
Yes. Downtime Dollars used to be called Dabbl. The app has changed quite a bit since the rebranding.
What is the minimum payout?
A $5 gift card, which is 5,000 points.
Does Downtime Dollars pay cash?
No. You can only redeem gift cards, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Lowe’s.
Who can join Downtime Dollars?
Only US residents who are at least 18. You need a mobile number to sign up.
Can I use Downtime Dollars on a desktop?
No. It is a mobile app for Android and iOS.
How do I contact Downtime Dollars?
Check the FAQ in the app or on the website, use the live chat on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm EST, or email info@downtimedollars.com.
Who tested Downtime Dollars for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Downtime Dollars, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Really good
Thanks.