Comparing Fitness Apps That Offer Step-Based Rewards
The government is reviewing a pilot scheme where people received fitness trackers and earned discounts at supermarkets. Exercise apps like Paace, Sweatcoin, and BetterPoints reward steps with freebies such as coffee discounts, Amazon vouchers, and gym memberships. Paace offers immediate rewards like £1 iced lattes after 100 points (8,000 steps/day), with 98,000+ downloads. Sweatcoin uses a digital currency for discounts on fitness gear and subscriptions, requiring 12,000 steps/day. BetterPoints rewards active commuting and recycling with Amazon vouchers but only works in specific areas. Experts warn that these apps collect health and location data, which could be used for targeted ads or sold to third parties. Users should manage permissions to limit data sharing.