I tested Buff to see if it is worth running while you play games. It is legit, but the rewards are low and there is no cash. Below is what I found, who it suits, and which sites I recommend instead.
Legit bonus for gamers, but low rewards and no cash
Earn points while you play supported games, for in-game items and gift cards. No cash rewards.
On this page
The short answer
Buff is legit. It is a loyalty program that rewards you with points for playing supported video games while the software runs in the background. You earn more when you win.
But the rewards are low, and there are no cash rewards: only in-game items and gift cards, while supplies last. Based on my testing, it takes a couple of months to earn around $10 to $15 in rewards. It is a nice bonus if you play its games anyway, not a way to earn extra cash.
- A lot of popular games are supported
- You can earn passively while you play
- You earn more when you win, so it rewards getting better
- Points do not go down the longer you play one game
- Low rewards
- Doesn’t offer any cash rewards
- Gift cards only while supplies last
- Desktop software only on Windows
- Can lower your FPS while you play
My experience with Buff
I installed Buff, earned points and looked at all the ways to earn and the rewards. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- July 2023Review first published Jul 7, 2023
- Latest retest
- Checked: games, earning options, rewards
- Rewards over time
- Around $10 to $15In a couple of months, based on my testing
- Supported games
- More than 1,500Only three mobile games when I tested
- Earning Buff points while playing supported games
- The Buff Wheel and the weekly challenges
- The Watch Ads option. There were no ads to watch when I tested.
- The reward options and the premium memberships
- Signing up in the software
- Redeeming a reward. The Amazon and Steam gift cards were not available when I tested, and my review does not show a redemption.
- The premium membership
My Buff test on video
I made a video that gives you an inside look and shows exactly how you can earn from Buff.
Screenshots from my test
Buff at a glance
| What it is | Loyalty program that rewards gamers for playing supported video games. Buff is paid by game developers for gaming data. |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free. Optional premium membership. |
| Ways to earn | Playing supported games, the Buff Wheel, challenges, watching ads |
| Supported games | More than 1,500, including Valorant, Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone and Dota 2 |
| Rewards | In-game items, Amazon and Steam gift cards, sometimes other gaming gift cards, or a donation to charity. No cash. |
| Reward example | A $10 Steam gift card costs 2,200 Buff points for free members, 1,600 for premium members |
| Availability of rewards | Only while supplies last. Restocked without notice. |
| Devices | Windows software, plus an app for Android and iOS |
| Where you can join | Not listed, but more or less worldwide |
| Sign-up | In the software or app, with Google, Discord or your own login |
| Support | FAQ, contact form and a Discord channel |
Is Buff legit and safe?
Yes, Buff is legit. You really earn rewards for playing while the software runs. But that does not automatically make it a good fit for you. Here is what you should know.
- No cash rewards
You can only redeem in-game items, gift cards or charity donations. If you prefer cash, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
- Rewards run out
Gift cards are only there while supplies last, and Buff restocks them without notice. The Amazon and Steam gift cards were not available when I tested.
- The software tracks your gaming
Buff monitors your gaming activity and sells the data to game developers and studios. That is how it pays you.
- Lower FPS
If you let the software run in the background, your frames per second can go down in the game you play.
- Paid spins and premium cost money
You can pay $1.99 to skip the 3-hour wait on the Buff Wheel. It is not worth it, in my opinion, because you might just lose money. Think carefully before you pay for premium too, because it costs a significant amount.
My takeIn my opinion, Buff is not for everyone. If you play its supported games regularly anyway, it can be a good way to earn bonus rewards. But if you are mainly looking for a way to earn extra cash, it is not for you. It takes a lot of time to earn a decent amount, and there are no cash rewards.
Buff is a small bonus for gamers. If you want to earn extra cash, the top sites in your country pay more.
See the best alternativesHow you earn on Buff
There are 4 ways to earn Buff points. Playing supported games is the main one. Tap one to read more.
Playing supported gamesMain earner
Install the software and play any of the more than 1,500 supported games while Buff runs in the background. The desktop software only works on Windows.
Buff does not say exactly how many points you earn, but you earn more from winning than from losing. The points do not go down the longer you play, so you can stick to one game you are good at. For more ways to earn this way, see the best ways to earn money by playing games online.
The Buff WheelUp to 1,000 points
Spin the wheel every three hours to win a random number of Buff points. You can pay $1.99 to skip the waiting time, but in my opinion it is not worth it.
ChallengesWeekly
The Challenges section shows the challenges for the week. Most involve playing supported games. Finish one before the deadline and claim your reward. Free members get few challenges; premium unlocks more.
Watching adsVery little
When ads are available, click Watch Ads in the Challenges section and watch the full ad. When I tested Buff, there were no ads to watch, so you will earn very little from this.
How much can you make?
You will not earn a lot from Buff. Based on my testing, it takes a couple of months to earn around $10 to $15 worth of rewards.
That is still a nice bonus, because you only play the games you want. A premium membership earns more points and unlocks more challenges, but it costs a significant amount, so think carefully before you pay for it.
On mobile, there are fewer games. When I tested Buff, the only supported mobile games were Clash of Clans, Clash Royale and Brawl Stars.
Rewards you can redeem
| Reward | Notes |
|---|---|
| In-game items | For Valorant, Fortnite and a few other games |
| Steam gift card | A $10 card costs 2,200 points for free members, 1,600 for premium members. While supplies last. |
| Amazon gift card | While supplies last |
| Other gaming gift cards | Sometimes, for example Riot Games |
| Charity donation | Donate your points to charities Buff supports |
The points you need depend on the reward and your membership level. Some rewards are only for premium members. For more ways to get Steam credit, see how to get free Steam wallet codes.
Buff alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halos.gg | Rewards for playing games, no deposit needed | $1 PayPal | 4.2 / 5 |
| Snakzy | Android game app that pays more than most similar apps | Depends on your location and currency | 4.1 / 5 |
| GemsLoot | Featured games pay the most | $3 PayPal; $0.50 crypto | 3.8 / 5 |
| Freecash | Offers and games, next to surveys | $5 | 4.2 / 5 |
Looking for a way to earn extra cash? See the top survey and GPT sites in your country.
How I scored Buff
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Buff scores 50 out of 100. If you want to earn extra cash, I recommend these sites before Buff.
See the best alternativesBuff FAQ
Is Buff a scam?
No. Buff is a legit loyalty program that rewards you for playing supported games. But the rewards are low, and there is no cash.
How does Buff make money?
The software monitors your gaming activity. Buff sells that data to game developers and studios, who use it to design and improve games.
How much can you earn on Buff?
Not a lot. Based on my testing, it takes a couple of months to earn around $10 to $15 worth of rewards.
Does Buff pay cash?
No. You can redeem in-game items, Amazon and Steam gift cards, sometimes other gaming gift cards, or donate to charity.
Does Buff work on Mac or mobile?
The desktop software only works on Windows. There is an app for Android and iOS, but it supports far fewer games.
Does Buff slow down my games?
It can. With the software running in the background, your FPS can go down.
Who can join Buff?
Buff does not say, but it is available more or less worldwide. You sign up in the software or app with Google, Discord or your own login.
How do I contact Buff?
Check the FAQ first. Then use the contact form, or join Buff’s Discord channel.
Who tested Buff for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Buff, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.