If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, improve your fitness, or simply stay active, you know how rewarding it feels when your efforts are recognized. You set targets, get motivated for a few days, and then life takes over. But what if your phone could reward you for every step you take? That idea isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s the foundation of Sweatcoin, the health and fitness app that’s taken the world by storm.
It’s no surprise that many founders are now exploring how to build a Sweatcoin-like platform of their own. If you’re curious about what goes into creating a similar app, we’ve outlined exactly that on our Sweatcoin Clone Development page.
Launched in 2016, Sweatcoin operates on a clever move to earn business model. It literally converts your steps into a digital currency called Sweatcoins. You can then redeem these for discounts, products, or even crypto. With over 190 million users worldwide and partnerships with brands like Adidas and Amazon, Sweatcoin is one of the most popular fitness apps today.
The Sweatcoin business model has inspired a wave of startups aiming to gamify physical activity through simple tech and strong incentive structures. But what’s really happening under the hood? How does Sweatcoin make money? And is this model something other entrepreneurs should look to replicate? We explored the data, business strategy, and growth playbook behind Sweatcoin to break it all down.
What is the Business Model of Sweatcoin? #
At its core, the business model of Sweatcoin is built around rewarding people to walk more by offering real-world incentives. It taps into behavioral psychology with small, consistent nudges that motivate users to be more active. The model creates value for users, brands, insurers, and health systems alike. It’s a textbook example of how a move-to-earn business model can drive both public health impact and platform profitability.
1. Value Proposition
Sweatcoin’s pitch is simple. Walk, earn, and get rewarded. Users download the pedometer app, and keep it running in the background, and every 1,000 outdoor steps earns them a Sweatcoin. These can be exchanged for rewards in the app’s marketplace, ranging from fitness gear to gadgets to crypto options.
It goes beyond perks. Independent studies have shown that Sweatcoin users increase their daily step count by around 20 percent on average. That sustained engagement benefits users and corporate wellness partners alike.
2. Monetisation Strategies and Revenue Streams
The Sweatcoin business model integrates multiple revenue streams in a seamless way.
- Marketplace advertising and commissions: Over 600 partner brands list products and services on the Sweatcoin marketplace. Every time a user claims an offer, Sweatcoin earns a commission. This structure resembles affiliate marketing, as explained by Business of Apps.
- Premium subscription: Users can opt for a paid plan that offers double earning rates, exclusive offers, and an ad-free experience. Subscriptions start at $4.99 per month.
- B2B partnerships and data: Sweatcoin collaborates with insurers, employers, and government bodies, offering anonymized step-count data and running wellness programs. For example, the UK National Health Service (NHS) has used Sweatcoin to encourage walking.
- Crypto integrations: In 2022, Sweatcoin launched SWEAT, its own cryptocurrency, allowing users to convert their steps into crypto and creating a new revenue stream through transaction fees.
3. User Engagement and Retention
Many apps in the health space struggle to keep users active. Sweatcoin addresses this with gamification features like daily streaks, leaderboards, seasonal challenges, and “boost” modes that temporarily increase earnings. Users see real-time progress, turning walking into a rewarding game. This creates lasting engagement.
4. User Acquisition Strategies
Sweatcoin’s early growth thrived through viral mechanics. Screenshots of leaderboards, invite-only boosts, and social sharing helped the app reach millions quickly. More recently, their crypto launch attracted massive attention, with 150,000 users signing up for SWEAT wallets within the first 24 hours.
5. Target Market
Sweatcoin appeals to busy urban dwellers, and office-goers aged 22 to 50 who live in Tier 1 and 2 cities and want simple ways to stay active. It’s ideal for people who want to incorporate healthy habits into their routine while managing their daily responsibilities.
6. Competitive Positioning
The move to earn business model includes several players. Competitors like STEPN also offer rewards for physical activity. Sweatcoin’s lower barrier to entry with its free signup gives it an advantage. With over 190 million users globally, Sweatcoin has built a significant lead.
SWOT Analysis #
Like every successful platform, Sweatcoin’s growth is supported by its strengths and opportunities, while also keeping an eye on evolving industry dynamics. Here’s a quick look at how it stacks up:
Strengths #
- Generated steady revenue growth from $5 million in 2018 to $32.7 million in 2024.
- Over 190 million registered users globally, ranking as the number one health and fitness app in 58 countries.
- Independent research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows a 19.5% average increase in daily step count among users, with the highest impact seen in previously inactive individuals.
- Collaborates with more than 600 partner brands, who provided over $70 million worth of goods and services in Q1 2022.
- Multiple revenue streams through marketplace commissions, premium subscriptions, wellness partnerships, and advertising.
- Dual-token system allows users to spend Sweatcoins in-app and trade SWEAT cryptocurrency on exchanges.
- The diversity in Sweatcoin’s revenue model has helped it weather market shifts and scale globally.
Weaknesses #
- Users frequently report low reward values and limited options to redeem coins.
- Technical concerns include battery drain from constant GPS tracking and step verification issues.
- The app tracks only outdoor steps, limiting its use for those who prefer indoor exercise or live in less walkable areas.
- The SWEAT token has seen fluctuations, with its current market cap around $17 million, down significantly from its early peak.
Opportunities #
- The Move to Earn fitness app market is expected to grow from $550 million to $1.7 billion by 2030, with some projections as high as $5.4 billion by 2033.
- The broader fitness app market is projected to grow from $2.1 billion in 2024 to $10.28 billion by 2033, with rising demand for AI-powered and personalized fitness apps.
- Corporate wellness programs present strong growth potential, with NHS partnerships already achieving 85% retention rates and an average weight loss of 1.1 kg per participant.
- Over 11 million users have adopted the Sweat Wallet, and more than 50 billion SWEAT tokens have been minted, creating room to expand in the Web3 space.
Threats #
- Faces strong competition from platforms like STEPN, Fitmint, Strava, and Nike Training Club.
- Retention remains an industry-wide challenge, with health and fitness apps averaging only a 27% 30-day retention rate.
- Evolving cryptocurrency regulations, including the EU’s MiCA framework, could impact future crypto integrations.
- Current technical infrastructure depends heavily on GPS tracking and background processing, which affects app performance and battery life as the platform scales.
Sweatcoin Revenue and Usage Statistics #
The numbers highlight strong growth and user loyalty.
- Sweatcoin boasts over 140 million registered users as of 2024, with 140 million joining in the first few years.
- Users have collectively logged more than 40 trillion verified steps.
- Over $200 million worth of products and services have been listed in the app’s marketplace.
- Revenue estimates for 2024 stand at approximately $32.7 million, driven by marketplace commissions, subscriptions, and B2B partnerships.
- Independent studies show that Sweatcoin users increase their weekly step count by an average of 4,800 steps, maintained over six months.
- Corporate wellness pilots using Sweatcoin have reported up to a 28 percent reduction in sick-day claims among employees.
These statistics reflect how Sweatcoin has evolved from a simple pedometer app to a large-scale health and fitness platform.
How Does Sweatcoin Make Money? #
Sweatcoin’s revenue model is structured to generate value at every level.
The marketplace forms the foundation. Partner brands pay a commission every time a user claims an offer. Its engaged, health-conscious user base gives brands an ideal channel for promotions. Sweatcoin’s revenue model is a multi-pronged approach designed to generate value for users and partners at scale.
The premium subscription enhances the experience for users who want to earn more and access exclusive offers. This creates steady, recurring revenue.
B2B partnerships add significant value. By providing anonymized health data and supporting wellness campaigns, Sweatcoin contributes to public health initiatives and generates revenue at the same time.
The introduction of the SWEAT cryptocurrency adds another dimension. Users can convert Sweatcoins into SWEAT tokens, and transaction fees create new revenue opportunities. This reflects the innovation within the move to earn platform model, blending health incentives with blockchain technology.
The Sweatcoin business model generates revenue by creating value for users, partners, and health organizations alike.
Why the Sweatcoin Business Model Works #
Several factors contribute to the success of the business model of Sweatcoin.
- Rewards are immediate and visible. Users see their earnings grow in real-time, which encourages consistent engagement.
- Accessibility drives growth. Sweatcoin is free to join, attracting users who might hesitate with other platforms.
- Partnerships with trusted brands like the NHS and major fitness companies build credibility and user trust.
- Multiple revenue streams, including advertising, subscriptions, data partnerships, and crypto, create resilience and scalability.
For entrepreneurs building a move to earn platform or a health-focused app, these principles provide a valuable blueprint. Sweatcoin demonstrates how simple technology, behavioral psychology, and a well-structured revenue model work together effectively.
The Bigger Picture: What Founders Can Learn #
Anyone considering building a health and fitness app or exploring a move to earn business model can gain insights from Sweatcoin.
- Gamification adds lasting appeal. Turning daily activity into engaging challenges keeps users coming back.
- Monetizing both users and partners provides stability and scale.
- Anonymized health data offers significant value when handled responsibly.
- Introducing tokens can attract attention and revenue with careful planning.
Sweatcoin shows how combining technology with the right incentives benefits users, partners, and public health efforts. With growing global interest in wellness and preventative health, exploring similar models holds great potential. As the move-to-earn business model continues to gain traction, Sweatcoin remains a proven blueprint for blending fitness and financial rewards.
For those looking to tap into this space with their own move to earn platform, building a Sweatcoin-inspired app is a practical place to start. You can explore the key features, technology stack, and monetization options we recommend for such apps on our Sweatcoin Clone page.
Outlook for Move To Earn Apps in 2025 #
As of 2025, move to earn platforms continue to gain meaningful traction in the health-tech space. The growing adoption of fitness apps, along with rising interest in gamified health tracking, indicates that people are still looking for simple, achievable ways to stay active.
Wearable technology is becoming more affordable and precise, opening up new possibilities for move-to-earn apps to track cycling, home workouts, and even swimming. Platforms like Sweatcoin are already exploring how token-based reward systems can support long-term user engagement. According to a recent analysis, this type of crypto-integration is expected to become a core part of future fitness app experiences.
For entrepreneurs, 2025 presents a great opportunity to explore move-to-earn concepts that integrate cross-activity tracking, step-based wellness programs, and personalized fitness rewards. With user demand continuing to rise, now is a practical time to consider building in this space. Future move to earn apps may take reference from Sweatcoin’s revenue model to tap into multiple monetization streams without depending solely on crypto.
Build Your Own Sweatcoin-Like Platform with EnactSoft #
The Sweatcoin business model is a practical example of how understanding human motivation can create both user engagement and reliable revenue. It blends technology, simple behavior habits, and real-world incentives to create value for individuals, brands, and health-focused businesses. For anyone looking to build in the health-tech space, understanding the Sweatcoin business model offers a clear foundation for success.
As for founders and product teams thinking about building a move-to-earn platform, developing a pedometer app, or launching the next popular fitness app, the key is clear. Lasting success comes from building thoughtfully, owning the technology, and keeping user value at the core.
At EnactSoft, we help businesses create their own fully custom Sweatcoin-like platforms. You own every line of code, every feature, and every future update. Whether you want to build a simple step-count rewards app or a large-scale move-to-earn platform with crypto integration, our team can help you launch, scale, and grow with complete control.
Move to earn is here to stay. Sweatcoin proved that. If you are ready to build your own version with the flexibility and ownership your business needs, EnactSoft is ready to help.
