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In the digital age, even the oldest and healthiest act—walking—is turning into an opportunity to earn money. “Move-to-earn” apps have won over millions of users in Europe and Italy, combining business with pleasure: promoting an active lifestyle while offering real rewards. In this landscape, three names stand out for their popularity and number of downloads: WeWard, Sweatcoin, and Macadam. Although they share the same basic goal of counting steps and converting them into rewards, they operate with very different philosophies and reward models. The choice between these platforms isn’t straightforward and depends heavily on each user’s habits, goals, and preferences.
This article offers a detailed comparison of WeWard, Sweatcoin, and Macadam, analyzing their respective earning mechanisms, the types of rewards offered, and their distinctive features. The goal is to provide a clear guide to navigate the Italian market and choose the app that best fits your profile, whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a discount hunter, or simply someone looking for extra motivation to take a walk. We will explore how these apps fit into Mediterranean culture, enhancing the tradition of walking through digital innovation.
Move-to-earn apps represent a new frontier in digital fitness that incentivizes physical activity through tangible rewards. They function like advanced pedometers: using smartphone sensors like GPS and the accelerometer, they track the user’s movements, primarily steps, and convert them into an in-app virtual currency. This currency can then be accumulated and exchanged for real rewards, ranging from discount vouchers and products to charitable donations and, in some cases, cash via bank transfer. The underlying idea is simple yet powerful: to turn a daily, healthy action like walking into a source of small earnings, thereby motivating even the most sedentary people to move more.
WeWard stands out for its approach that combines earning with elements of gamification and local discovery. Born in France in 2019 and quickly spreading in Italy, the app rewards users with “Wards,” its internal currency, for reaching predefined step thresholds. For example, you earn your first Wards at 1,500 steps, increasing to a maximum of 25 Wards for 20,000 daily steps. A key aspect is the need to validate your steps every day before midnight, or they will be lost. In addition to steps, WeWard encourages urban exploration through a map that highlights points of interest, partner stores, and monuments to visit for extra Wards. This feature perfectly aligns with the Mediterranean culture of the “passeggiata” (a leisurely walk), turning a stroll downtown into a digital treasure hunt. The rewards are varied and tangible: you can convert accumulated Wards into bank transfers (e.g., 3,000 Wards for €15), gift cards for major chains, or donations to charities. For a more in-depth analysis, you can check out our complete review of WeWard.
Sweatcoin is one of the pioneers in the move-to-earn sector and stands out for its strong connection to the world of cryptocurrencies. The app converts every 1,000 steps into approximately 0.95 “Sweatcoins,” its virtual currency. These Sweatcoins can be spent in a vast internal marketplace to purchase products, services, or participate in auctions. However, the real innovative element is the introduction of the SWEAT cryptocurrency. The first steps of the day also generate SWEAT tokens, a real cryptocurrency based on the NEAR blockchain, which is credited to a separate app called Sweat Wallet. This dual system offers two earning paths: a more traditional one tied to discounts and products, and a more modern one for those interested in entering the crypto world. SWEAT can be staked to earn interest or traded on external exchanges, providing a way to convert physical activity into real monetary value. For those who want to learn more about how Sweatcoin works, our detailed review provides all the answers.
Macadam is the newest of the three, but it has quickly gained ground thanks to an intuitive interface and an extremely straightforward reward system. The app rewards users with “Coins” for their steps, which must be validated daily, just like on WeWard. Its main strength is the simplicity of converting rewards: the most popular option among users is a direct bank transfer, which can be obtained by accumulating a certain number of Coins (e.g., 30,000 Coins for €15). This pragmatic approach makes it particularly attractive to those who aren’t interested in discount vouchers or cryptocurrencies but prefer a direct financial return. Macadam also includes game-like elements, such as challenges and small mini-games, and the ability to earn extra Coins by watching short video ads, a transparent model that supports the app’s economy. If you’re wondering whether this new app lives up to its promises, you can read our article to find out if Macadam really works.
To choose the most suitable app, it’s helpful to compare their main features side-by-side. Although there is no absolute winner, the differences can guide your decision based on individual priorities.
Earning and Conversion System
WeWard and Macadam are based on a similar system: you accumulate points (Wards or Coins) that can be converted directly into euros via bank transfer upon reaching specific thresholds. This is the preferred option for those seeking clear and tangible monetary earnings. Sweatcoin, on the other hand, while offering a rich marketplace of products and discounts, gears its model toward the SWEAT cryptocurrency, a more volatile but potentially more lucrative option for users experienced in technology and decentralized finance.
Types of Rewards
The variety of rewards is a decisive factor. WeWard offers a balance between cash, shopping vouchers (Decathlon, Nintendo), and donations. Macadam focuses heavily on cash conversion, making it the most direct option. Sweatcoin stands out for its extensive marketplace of physical products, digital services, and auctions, in addition to the ability to invest in cryptocurrency. The choice, therefore, depends on whether you prefer the flexibility of cash, the opportunity to get specific products, or the thrill of a Web3 investment. For a general overview of how to turn points into rewards, our complete guide to app rewards can be very helpful.
Extra Features and User Experience
The user experience goes beyond simple step counting. WeWard enriches the experience with an interactive map that promotes local exploration. Macadam offers games and challenges to increase daily earnings. Sweatcoin, with its dual-app system (Sweatcoin and Sweat Wallet), requires more complex interaction but opens the door to the world of cryptocurrencies and staking. All three apps require you to validate your steps daily, an action that quickly becomes a habit but can be a small disadvantage for those who forget to do it.
The choice of the ideal app depends entirely on the type of user you are and what you’re looking for in a move-to-earn experience. There is no single answer, but different profiles will find more satisfaction in one platform over another.
For the Urban and Social Explorer: WeWard
If you love walking around your city, discovering new places, and sharing your progress with friends, WeWard is the perfect choice. Its interactive map encourages you to visit points of interest and partner stores, turning every outing into a small adventure. The leaderboards and social challenges add a competitive element that is well-suited for those seeking extra motivation through community interaction.
For the Tech-Savvy Investor: Sweatcoin
If you’re fascinated by the world of cryptocurrencies or want to start exploring it without an initial investment, Sweatcoin is the most suitable option. The ability to earn SWEAT tokens, manage them through a dedicated wallet, stake them, and potentially watch their value grow over time is a one-of-a-kind incentive. It’s the app for those who see beyond the immediate reward and think of movement as a long-term investment.
For Those Seeking Maximum Simplicity: Macadam
If your sole objective is to convert your steps into cash as simply and directly as possible, then Macadam is the answer. Its clean interface and reward mechanism focused on bank transfers eliminate all complexity. It’s the perfect app for those who don’t want to waste time browsing marketplaces or managing crypto wallets but want a direct monetary reward for their physical activity.
These applications represent a perfect bridge between tradition and innovation, a concept particularly relevant in the Italian and Mediterranean cultural context. The “passeggiata” (leisurely walk) is a deeply rooted social ritual, a time for meeting, recreation, and well-being. Move-to-earn apps simply take this established habit and enrich it with a layer of digital interaction and an economic incentive. Instead of replacing tradition, they enhance it, encouraging people to move more, explore their neighborhoods, and ultimately, experience their cities more actively. This fusion of a timeless, healthy activity like walking with smartphone technology shows how innovation can serve to strengthen, not erode, good cultural habits.
At the end of this comparison, it’s clear that WeWard, Sweatcoin, and Macadam, while sharing the commendable mission of encouraging movement, cater to users with different needs and aspirations. The choice is not between a “better” and a “worse” app, but between the one that best aligns with your personal goals. WeWard stands out as the ideal platform for those seeking a fun and social experience that rewards local exploration with tangible rewards like cash and gift cards. Sweatcoin, on the other hand, is the go-to for tech enthusiasts and anyone curious about the potential of cryptocurrencies, offering a gateway to the world of Web3. Finally, Macadam emerges as the most pragmatic solution, perfect for those who want a simple and direct system to turn their steps into cash with no frills. Regardless of the final choice, adopting one of these apps is a small but significant step toward a more active and mindful lifestyle.
The actual earnings vary based on personal use and goals. WeWard is often perceived as the most direct, as it converts points (Wards) into euros transferable to a bank account. Sweatcoin generates a cryptocurrency (SWEAT), whose value can fluctuate, making earnings less predictable. Macadam offers a system similar to WeWard, with the ability to convert points into cash, but real earnings depend on activity and participation in additional challenges. In summary, for those looking for a tangible and direct financial return, WeWard might be the most straightforward choice.
Yes, but in different ways. WeWard allows you to convert accumulated points, called Wards, directly into euros via bank transfer once a certain threshold is reached. Macadam also allows you to request a cash payment upon reaching a specific number of points. Sweatcoin, on the other hand, generates a digital currency, ‘sweatcoins,’ which can be used for offers or traded as a cryptocurrency, a less direct process for obtaining euros.
All three apps are designed to be intuitive. WeWard and Macadam require a daily action from the user: opening the app and ‘validating’ the steps to convert them into points. This creates a habit and constant interaction. Sweatcoin works more automatically, converting steps in the background without the need for daily validation. The choice therefore depends on personal preference: active interaction (WeWard, Macadam) or a more passive approach (Sweatcoin).
By using the phone’s pedometer and GPS, all walking apps have some impact on the battery. However, they are optimized to minimize consumption. Users generally do not report excessive drain that would compromise daily smartphone use. As for data, consumption is mainly limited to updating data and displaying any maps or offers, thus being modest.
Yes, the basic features of all three applications are completely free. You can download them, start walking, and accumulate points at no cost. They offer optional in-app purchases or ‘Premium’ versions that may include benefits like accelerated earnings or access to exclusive rewards, but they are not necessary to use the app and earn.