Microsoft Rewards Vs PlayStation Stars

I’ve always loved finding little ways to get extra perks from the things I already do—especially when it comes to gaming.

Both Microsoft and PlayStation figured that out long ago, and that’s how Microsoft Rewards and PlayStation Stars came to life. They’re loyalty programs meant to reward you for your time, money, and engagement.

But the big question is: which one is actually better? Which gives you more value for your effort?

Let’s break them down, look at how each program works, what you really get from them, and which one might be worth your time.

What Is Microsoft Rewards?

Microsoft Rewards is more than just a gaming loyalty program—it’s an ecosystem-wide system that ties into everything you do across Microsoft products. You earn points by:

Searching the web with Bing
Completing quizzes and daily challenges
Buying games or content from the Microsoft Store
Playing games via Xbox Game Pass Quests

Once you’ve earned points, you can redeem them for things like gift cards, sweepstake entries, or even charity donations.

You don’t have to own an Xbox to participate, but being an Xbox player definitely gives you more opportunities to earn.

What Is PlayStation Stars?

PlayStation Stars is Sony’s loyalty program designed specifically for PlayStation players. You earn points by:

Buying games from the PlayStation Store
Completing special campaigns (like playing a particular game or achieving specific trophies)
Earning trophies in certain titles
Subscribing to PlayStation Plus

Those points can then be redeemed for PSN wallet funds, digital collectibles, or even full games (depending on availability).

PlayStation Stars is built into the PlayStation App and your PS5 or PS4 console, so it’s all integrated into your existing gaming experience.

How You Earn Points: Microsoft Rewards vs PlayStation Stars

Here’s where the programs differ the most—how easy it is to earn points.

Feature	Microsoft Rewards	PlayStation Stars
Daily Tasks	Yes – Bing searches, quizzes, and polls	Occasionally – limited-time campaigns
Purchases	Yes – earn points for buying from the Microsoft Store	Yes – earn points for buying from the PS Store
Gaming Activity	Yes – Game Pass Quests and achievements	Yes – trophies and challenges
Non-gaming Activities	Yes – Microsoft Edge use, surveys	No – PlayStation Stars is purely gaming-focused
Ease of Earning	Very high – multiple daily ways	Moderate – mostly tied to spending or campaigns

If you’re active online or use Microsoft products daily, you can rack up a surprising number of points without even realizing it.

PlayStation Stars, on the other hand, leans heavily on your purchases and trophy hunting, which can take more time (and money).

Rewards You Can Redeem

This is where things get interesting.

Microsoft Rewards offers:

Gift cards for Xbox, Microsoft Store, or even brands like Amazon
Sweepstake entries
Charity donations
Game Pass subscriptions

You can actually use your points to renew Game Pass, which feels like a win-win if you’re already playing regularly.

PlayStation Stars offers:

PSN wallet funds
Digital collectibles
Full games (from a rotating list)
Exclusive campaigns or challenges

While PlayStation Stars’ digital collectibles look nice and nostalgic, they don’t hold real-world value. The PSN wallet funds and free games are the most practical rewards.

Ease of Use and Experience

Microsoft Rewards has been around longer, and it shows. Everything runs smoothly, whether you’re using your PC browser or Xbox console. The interface is simple, and you get little dopamine hits for completing daily tasks or streaks.

PlayStation Stars, meanwhile, is still catching up in terms of design and stability. It’s built into the PlayStation App, which sometimes makes it feel buried or secondary.

You have to open the app, find the campaign, and manually claim your points. It’s not hard—but it’s not quite as seamless as it could be.

Value for Gamers

If your main focus is gaming rewards, both systems can be worth using—but for different reasons.

Microsoft Rewards tends to reward activity and consistency. Even if you don’t buy many games, you can still earn plenty through daily searches and Game Pass quests. It’s accessible to casual and hardcore gamers alike.

PlayStation Stars, on the other hand, rewards loyal PlayStation users who frequently buy digital games and complete challenges. If you mainly buy physical copies or don’t play often, your progress will feel slower.

The Real-World Value: How Much Are Points Worth?

To give some perspective:

In Microsoft Rewards, 5,000 points is roughly worth £3–£4 ($5) in gift cards.
In PlayStation Stars, 1,250 points usually equals $5 in PSN credit, but you earn them less frequently.

In other words, Microsoft gives you more opportunities to earn smaller amounts often, while PlayStation gives you fewer, bigger rewards tied to specific achievements or purchases.

Which Program Is Better for You?

It depends on how you game and what ecosystem you’re most invested in:

Choose Microsoft Rewards if you:

Use Bing or Microsoft Edge
Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass
Enjoy completing daily or weekly quests
Want real-world rewards like gift cards and Game Pass renewals

Choose PlayStation Stars if you:

Primarily play on PlayStation
Buy your games digitally
Like the idea of earning for your trophies and playtime
Don’t mind smaller, periodic rewards tied to campaigns

Both programs are free and easy to join, so there’s no reason not to use them. But if we’re talking overall value and accessibility, Microsoft Rewards wins by a decent margin. You can earn without spending money, and your points stretch further.

Quick Pros and Cons Summary

	Microsoft Rewards	PlayStation Stars
Pros	Easy to earn daily points, wide range of rewards, real cash value, great integration with Xbox	Fun campaigns, rewards trophy hunters, redeemable for PSN funds or games
Cons	Tasks can feel repetitive, mostly tied to Microsoft ecosystem	Slower to earn, fewer reward options, app can be clunky
Best For	Everyday users and Xbox gamers	Dedicated PlayStation fans

FAQs

Do I need to pay to join either program?

No, both Microsoft Rewards and PlayStation Stars are completely free to join.

Can I lose my points?

Yes. Microsoft Rewards points expire if you’re inactive for 18 months. PlayStation Stars points may also expire after a certain period, depending on Sony’s terms.

Can I use both programs?

Absolutely. If you own both consoles, there’s no reason not to. You can earn from both ecosystems simultaneously.

Can I redeem PlayStation Stars points for physical rewards?

Not currently. Rewards are limited to digital items, PSN wallet funds, or games.

Is Microsoft Rewards available worldwide?

It’s available in most regions, though not all countries have the same reward catalog.

Final Thoughts

Both Microsoft Rewards and PlayStation Stars are great in their own right. They’re ways for gaming companies to say “thank you” for your loyalty—but they do it very differently.

Microsoft has built a more universal and flexible system that rewards consistent engagement, while PlayStation Stars is still finding its rhythm, focusing more on gaming milestones and purchases.

If you’re already deep in one ecosystem, it makes sense to take advantage of whichever fits your console habits. But if I had to pick one that gives you more real value for your time, I’d say Microsoft Rewards takes the lead—for now.

So, what do you think? Would you rather earn points for everything you do online, or only for the games you truly love playing?