DietBet is an app that lets you earn money for losing weight. This may seem a little too good to be true, but I’m here to tell you, it’s legit.

How do I know? Because I’ve used it, and I’ve won real cash.

Will you strike it rich? Probably not.

But the average DietBet user wins around $50 to $60, which is typically 1.5-3x their initial bet.

Best for Making Consistent Progress


DietBet

4.3

$10-$175

Make money by hitting your weight loss goals with this well-rated app.

Pros:
  • Low upfront costs.
  • User-friendly design.
  • Research-backed approach.
  • Quick and easy payouts.
Cons:
  • You can lose money if you don’t lose the weight.
  • Prize may not be motivating enough.
  • Short-term focus.
  • Focuses on weight alone (rather than overall health).

Even better, those who are successful on DietBet also lose an average of 9 pounds.

So, you can lose weight AND make some extra cash? Sign me up.

In this real review, I’ll cover:

  • The concept behind DietBet and how it works
  • Types of DietBet games
  • How much you can realistically make
  • A few pros and cons
  • Some DietBet alternatives to consider

Ready? Let’s do it!

What is DietBet?

Introduced in 2013, DietBet is a social game that helps people lose weight by combining:

  • A supportive community
  • Micro-goals
  • The chance to win cash

Backed by research from Wharton and Brown Medical School, the concept behind DietBet has proven to be a successful one.

In fact, since its launch, the weight-loss gamification app has helped over 1 million people lose 19 million pounds and win over $100 million.

Is DietBet Legit?

The answer to this is yes, and that’s based on personal experience.

When I tried DietBet a few years ago, I joined a Kickstarter game and had a goal of losing 6.4 pounds. I ended up losing 8:

Of the 384 players that started that game, 264 of us won, and we all split the pot of $13,440 (minus DietBet’s fees).

My total payout was a whopping $38.18, so basically I made just over $8. But I also lost weight, so in my book, that’s a win-win.

Aside from my own experience, there are tons of testimonials on the DietBet website and across the web of people who have successfully won money while reaching their weight loss goals.

How Does DietBet Work?

There are three steps to the DietBet process:

  1. Join a game
  2. Lose the weight (the hard part!)
  3. Win money

First, you choose from several available “games” and join by placing your initial bet. Some games offer opening bets as low as just $10.

Once you’ve signed up and made your bet, follow the instructions to weigh-in and submit your starting weight.

Then, if you’re successful in losing the specified amount of weight (typically a % of your current weight) within the allotted timeframe, you will be paid out a portion of the total pot.

Your profit in any game depends on the size of the pot and how many other winners there are at the end.

Games with large pots and a lower win rate can have very high payouts, while payouts will be less for games with small pots and many winners.

Some games also feature additional prizes, such as:

  • an Instant Pot
  • Apple Watch
  • cash bonuses
  • the ability to multiply your winnings

The Two Types of DietBet Games

There are two main types of games on DietBet:

  1. Kickstarter
  2. Transformer

Kickstarter Games

Kickstarter games are shorter term, typically lasting 4 weeks.

Because the time is condensed, the minimum amount of weight you need to lose in order to win is smaller: 4% of your body weight.

You pay one bet to join — $35 on average — and you’re good to go.

Transformer Games

With Transformer games, there’s more of a commitment, both in terms of time and the amount you need to lose.

Basically, you need to lose 10% of your body weight over the course of 6 months.

For Transformer games, you have the option to pay $35 monthly or $175 upfront, which makes the 6th month free.

Both types of games offer a 14-day money back guarantee.

Create Your Own Game

There’s also the option to create your own game, which is great if you want to challenge your friends, family members, or colleagues to a friendly weight-loss battle.

You can make the game private or leave it open to allow others to join. You choose the minimum bet amount—$35, $50, $75, or set a custom amount.

Currently, DietBet is offering a promo where they’ll cover your bet if you get 5 others to join your game.

How to Make Money Losing Weight with DietBet

Step 1: Join a Game

Browse the list of games that are either open or will be opening soon, and select the one you’d like to participate in.

You can see more details about each game when you click “Play game.”

This will tell you:

  • the dates that the game runs through
  • the minimum you’ll need to lose
  • the amount you’ll need to wager
  • who is hosting the game
  • how many other players have signed up
  • what the pot is currently at
  • whether there are any bonuses or additional prizes to be won

New games start several times a month. There are also interim goals and prizes each month to help you stay on track.

Step 2: Weigh-In

Two days before your game begins, you’ll be prompted to submit your official starting weight.


The weigh-in process involves submitting 2 photos:

  1. One of you standing on a scale in lightweight clothing (no shoes, hats, belts, watches, coats, or outerwear).
  2. One of the scale’s readout with your weigh-in word written on a piece of paper.

The weigh-in word acts as a time stamp for when the photo was taken.

Your weigh-in submission will then be reviewed and approved by a DietBet Referee.

All this is in the name of fair play and no cheating.

Step 3: Play!

Once the game has officially kicked off, it’s time to start losing weight.

Remember – you have a specific amount to lose in a certain amount of time. For Kickstarter games, you’ll need to drop at least 4% of your starting weight within 4 weeks.

For Transformer games, the process is slower and steadier, with certain milestones set along the way.

For example:

  • Round 1 – 3%
  • Round 2 – 6% cumulative
  • Round 3 – 8% cumulative
  • Round 4 – 9% cumulative
  • Round 5 – 10% cumulative
  • Round 6 – Maintain 10% cumulative

Hit these milestones and you’ll split that round’s pot.

If you miss them, you can still catch up.

Half the prizes are spread across the first five rounds while the other half is dispersed equally among everyone who crosses the 10% finish line at the end.

Step 4: Weigh-Out

At the end of the game, you’ll have 48 hours to officially weigh out.

For Kickstarter games, as long as you’ve hit your goal, you’re good to go.

For Transformer games, as long as you’ve lost at least 6% by the end of Round 5, you’re eligible to compete for the Grand Prize.

Step 5: Win!

Within 24 hours of the final weigh-out, the results are official and the pot (less DietBet’s fee) is divided among the winners.

You can apply your winnings to your next DietBet or cash out via PayPal.

How Does DietBet Pay?

If you win money through DietBet, you can either:

  • roll your winnings into another game
  • cash it out to your PayPal account.

Personally, I kind of like the idea of rolling the cash over, especially if you’ve got weight loss goals that are higher than the minimum of 4-10%.

You can basically keep playing until you reach your final goal without having to continuously invest money (assuming you keep winning, of course).

Tips for Making Money with DietBet

Here are few more tips for maximizing your earnings with DietBet.

Don’t Start Too Soon

Your starting weight will determine how much you’ll need to lose in order to win your bet and earn money, so don’t start dieting too early.

I’m not saying you should gorge yourself the night before weigh-in, but feel free to enjoy a hearty meal so you’ll have a good starting point. 🙂

Be Realistic

Only you know how well you’ll do with DietBet. If you’re someone who struggles with discipline or gets anxiety when pressured by a deadline, maybe just start small and see how you do.

Join a Kickstarter and if you’re successful, then maybe you’ll be ready to commit to something more long-term.

Be Strategic

Remember – your payout will depend on the total number of winners, so keep this in mind when deciding which games to play.

Statistically, someone who bets $100 is more likely to stay in the game than someone who bets $10. So you may find you’re better off making several smaller wagers rather than one or two larger ones.

Be Disciplined

Once you’ve committed to a game, keep your eyes on the prize and try to stay on track.

I recommend weighing in on your own every week or so, just to measure your progress and make sure you’re on the right path.

You don’t want to wait until a few days before the final weigh-in to find out you’re not going to make your goal.

Join Multiple Games

Users are allowed to join more than one game, so if you’ve got the cash to bet, then joining a few different games at the same time can really help accelerate your earnings. Just be careful not to overdo it. If you’re overwhelmed, you could risk losing everything.

Plan Ahead

Unless you’re already on a strict diet, chances are part of your strategy for winning at DietBet will be to eat healthier.

You can increase your odds of success by planning ahead.

Stocking your fridge and pantry with better choices and meal-prepping can help prevent the last-minute urge to order takeout or grab an unhealthy snack.

Lean on the Community

One of the best features of DietBet is the community.

If you’re struggling or need some encouragement, reach out to other users.

Each game has its own internal community where players can post comments, ask questions, and get some much-needed support. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of this!

Consider Becoming a DietBet Member

DietBet also offers the option of a paid membership, which unlocks:

  • additional accountability tools
  • more game types
  • bonus challenges
  • extra prize giveaways
  • progress tracking tools

At time of publishing, DietBet membership is $50 per year. If you’re looking for extra accountability and a system to track your weight loss progress, it could be worth it.

How Much Can You Earn with DietBet?

Your potential profits from DietBet ultimately depends on total amount pledged and how many fellow players also achieved the goal.

Games with large totals and a lower win rate can have significant payouts while payouts will be lower for games with small totals and many winners.

In Kickstarter games, winners earn back an average of 1.5-2x their pledge.

Meanwhile, the average Transformer winner takes home $325 when they win all 6 rounds — almost doubling their money.

Important Note: When DietBet calculates winnings, it includes your bet amount. So, if you placed a $20 bet, and the payout was $30, they count that as winning $30 when technically, you’ve really only won $10.

How Does DietBet Make Money?

DietBet keeps a portion of the total amount pledged for each game to cover expenses. The current fee to play is 10-25% of the total, depending on the amount of each player’s pledge.

The platform also offers a “No Lose Guarantee,” which ensures that if you win your DietBet, you won’t lose money.

In the event that your game has an unusually high percentage of winners, DietBet will forfeit their cut in order to ensure that nobody loses money.

So, the worst-case scenario is that you’ll end up losing weight for free, which is still a big win.

Pretty cool.

DietBet Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Low Point of Entry: Every DietBet requires some amount of upfront investment, but some games have a very low minimum, so you can jump in and play with as little as $10.
  • User-Friendly: DietBet is simple and easy to understand. Even the weigh-in process is pretty straightforward.
  • Scientifically Proven: The DietBet concept is based on behavioral change research from the University of Pennsylvania, Brown Medical Center, and the Mayo Clinic. 
  • Lose Weight: Obviously a big plus for DietBet is that it helps people stay motivated and reach their weight loss goals.
  • Have Fun: By gamifying the weight loss experience, users can challenge themselves and have a little friendly competition while they’re at it.
  • Quick and Easy Payouts: Payouts are quick and seamless, and you have the option to roll the money into a new bet or cash it out.
  • Money-Back Guarantee: With a 14-day money-back guarantee, it’s a pretty foolproof way to reach your weight loss goals without risking too much.

Cons

  • Risk: You could lose your investment if you don’t reach your weight loss goals.
  • Could Promote Unhealthy Habits: Some people might adopt unhealthy habits in an attempt to win their games.
  • Prize May Not Be Motivating Enough: DietBet’s “bets” and prizes are relatively small, which may not give you a strong enough motivation to stick with your diet plan.
  • Focus on Weight Alone: The focus of DietBet is solely on the number on the scale, which is really only a piece of the healthy lifestyle puzzle.
  • Psychological Pressure: The pressure to win can be stressful for some—especially since there’s a deadline and there’s money on the line.
  • Fees: DietBet does charge a pretty significant fee (10-25% of the total pot).
  • Short-Term Focus: DietBet focuses on shorter-term weight loss goals rather than long-term, sustainable results.
  • Earnings Limits: Obviously, there’s only so much weight a person can lose, and the closer you are to your actual healthy goal weight, the harder it will be to shed extra pounds. If you’re already at a healthy weight, you may not be able to make much using DietBet.

Is DietBet Worth It?

If you’ve got some extra pounds you’d like to get rid of — and could use a little additional motivation — DietBet is absolutely worth a try.

Even if it’s just to kickstart a more long-term health strategy, the platform can be a great launching point with the opportunity to earn a little cash while you’re at it.

Best for Making Consistent Progress


DietBet

4.3

$10-$175

Make money by hitting your weight loss goals with this well-rated app.

Pros:
  • Low upfront costs.
  • User-friendly design.
  • Research-backed approach.
  • Quick and easy payouts.
Cons:
  • You can lose money if you don’t lose the weight.
  • Prize may not be motivating enough.
  • Short-term focus.
  • Focuses on weight alone (rather than overall health).

DietBet Alternatives

There are several other apps and services that reward users to live healthier lifestyles.

HealthyWage

HealthyWage is probably the most similar DietBet alternative.

healthywage app

You set your weight loss goal, timeline, and wager, and the site calculates your prize.

The average prize is higher than DietBet — around $1300 — but you have to pay more upfront as well. HealthWage requires your goal to be at least 10% of your starting weight.

Side Hustle Nation Approved


HealthyWage

4.1

Bet on yourself to hit your weight loss goal, and win an average of $1300 when you achieve it.

Pros:
  • Get paid to build healthy habits
  • Set your own goals and timeline
Cons:
  • You’ll lose money if you don’t hit your goal
  • Prize may not be motivating enough

There’s also not as big a focus on the community element here — you’re more on your own with the risk of losing your investment as the primary motivator.

Potential strategy: If you’re in a DietBet Transformer game, you may be able to “double-dip” by making a HealthyWage wager with the same timeline.

Check out our full HealthyWage review to learn more.

Cashwalk

Cashwalk pays you to track your steps, with power users earning $5 every 6-8 weeks, or around $30 a year. (Available in the US only.)

cashwalk app review

Check out our full Cashwalk review to learn more.

StepBet

StepBet is a fitness game that motivates users to be more active.

Players “bet” on themselves to meet their personalized step goals during every week of the game and win money if they do.

The cash prize, accountability, and community support help you build a more active lifestyle.

Serious About Making Extra Money?

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