I checked out Strava to see if you can earn from this fitness app. It is a legit and useful app for runners and cyclists, but earning is rare and never guaranteed. Below is what I found, and which sites I would pick first if you want to earn.
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 checked Strava himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
A legit fitness app, but not a way to earn
Some challenges give gift cards for fitness stores, but they are rare and there is no guarantee you win. No cash rewards.
On this page
The short answer
Strava is a legit fitness app where you can sometimes win prizes by completing challenges. It is mainly a tool to track your fitness activities, and it is especially useful for runners and cyclists.
But challenges with real prizes are few and far between, and there is no guarantee you will win, because you compete with other members. The prizes are gift cards, mostly for fitness stores, never cash. If your goal is to earn, you will be disappointed.
- Some challenges offer significant prizes
- Available globally
- The app is user-friendly, on Android and iOS
- A web version to review your data on a computer
- Limited earning opportunities
- There is no guarantee you can earn
- No cash rewards, only gift cards
- Most gift cards are for fitness stores
My experience with Strava
I checked out Strava to see what it offers and how you can earn from it. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- March 2022Review first published Mar 29, 2022
- Latest retest
- Checked: challenges, rewards
- Challenges with prizes
- Quite rareWhat I noticed while testing
- Rewards
- Gift cards, mostly for fitness storesNo cash
- The challenges and their details
- The reward options of sponsored challenges
- The app, the web version and the sign-up
- The Support and FAQ sections
- Winning a challenge. My review does not show a prize from Strava.
- The premium subscription. It unlocks more fitness features, but it does not change your chances to earn.
Strava at a glance
| What it is | A fitness app to track your activities, mainly for runners and cyclists |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Challenges only. Some give tangible prizes, others only virtual badges. |
| Rewards | Gift cards from the sponsor of a challenge, mostly for fitness stores. No cash. |
| Prize delivery | Within a couple of business days |
| Tracking | Your phone, or a fitness device such as a fitness watch connected through Bluetooth |
| Premium subscription | Optional. It unlocks more features, but it does not change your chances to earn. |
| Apps | Android and iOS. A web version lets you review your data on a computer. |
| Where you can join | Globally. Whether you can use a prize depends on the sponsor. |
| Sign-up | Google, Apple or Facebook account, or your own login details |
| Support | Support and FAQ sections in the app and on the website, and a request form |
Is Strava legit and safe?
Yes, Strava is a legit fitness app. But it is not a good way to earn. Here is what you should know.
- Challenges with prizes are rare
Based on my testing, challenges with tangible rewards are quite rare, so you will not always get a chance to earn something.
- There is no guarantee you win
In the challenges with the biggest prizes, there is only one winner: the person in 1st place on the leaderboard. You compete with other members, so you may put in the work and win nothing.
- No cash, only gift cards
The prizes are gift cards, and most of them are for fitness stores. If you were expecting to earn cash, you will be disappointed.
- The prize must work in your country
The prize depends on the sponsor. If the sponsor does not cater to your country, winning is relatively useless. The prizes I saw could be claimed from various countries.
My takeIf your goal of using this app is to earn, then you will be disappointed. In my opinion, Strava is mainly a tool to help you track your progress with fitness activities, and it is especially useful for runners and cyclists. If you are just looking for a fitness app, it is a good one. If you want to earn extra cash, there are much better options.
Strava rarely pays, and never in cash. These sites let you earn regularly.
See the best alternativesHow you earn on Strava
There is only one way to earn: challenges.
ChallengesGift cards, if you win
You find the challenges when you log in to the website or the app. Not all of them offer tangible rewards. Some only give you a virtual badge in your account’s trophy case. Others offer gift cards, for example for a fitness store.
Before you press “Join”, click the challenge to read its details. You see the possible reward and what you need to do. For example, one challenge asked you to run a total of 100 kilometers in one month.
Strava tracks your progress through your phone, which also works as a pedometer and records the distance you cycle. You can also connect a fitness device, like a fitness watch, through Bluetooth.
In some challenges, there is only one winner: the person in 1st place on the leaderboard. From what I observed, these offer the biggest prizes. They are usually sponsored by a fitness brand and named after the sponsor, so they are easy to spot.
How much can you make?
The prizes can be significant. One challenge I saw offered £3,000 to spend in the online store of Le Col. But based on my testing, these challenges are quite rare, and most of them do not offer guaranteed earnings.
That is why I would say the earning potential of Strava is quite low, even though its rewards are quite high. The real value of Strava is its features for athletes like runners and cyclists. If you are mainly looking for a way to earn, it is not the right app, in my opinion.
What you can win
| Reward | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gift cards | From the sponsor of a challenge, mostly for fitness stores. You receive the prize within a couple of business days. |
| Virtual badges | They appear in your trophy case. They have no money value. |
| Cash | Not offered |
The reward system is relatively straightforward, but you can only receive gift cards. If you prefer to earn cash, see the top sites that pay via direct bank transfer.
Strava alternatives I have reviewed
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawns | Earn from your unused internet, plus surveys | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Freecash | Offers, games and surveys that pay more than most | $5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Sweatcoin | Coins for walking, free and easy | No fixed threshold | 3.5 / 5 |
| COIN | Tokens for moving around with your phone | Depends on the reward | 3.4 / 5 |
See also the best passive income apps, or the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Strava
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Strava scores 48 out of 100 as a way to earn. If you want to earn, I recommend these sites instead.
See the best alternativesStrava FAQ
Is Strava legit?
Yes. Strava is a legit fitness app, and some challenges offer real prizes. But they are rare and there is no guarantee you win, so it is not a good way to earn.
Can you earn money with Strava?
Not cash. You can win gift cards, mostly for fitness stores, by completing sponsored challenges. Other challenges only give virtual badges.
How fast do you receive a prize?
Within a couple of business days after you win.
Does the premium subscription help you earn more?
No. It unlocks more features, but it does not change your chances of earning.
Can I use Strava on a desktop?
You can review your data on the web version. To track a run or ride, you need the app on Android or iOS.
Who can join Strava?
Anyone. Strava is available globally. Whether you can use a prize depends on the sponsor of the challenge.
How do I contact Strava support?
Check the Support or FAQ section in the app or on the website. If your question is not answered, submit a request through the Support page.
Who checked Strava 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 Strava, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.