If you’ve been researching ways to make money from home, chances are you’ve come across Juice Plus — a company that sells fruit-and-vegetable capsules using a multi-level marketing (MLM) model.
And because it’s MLM, one question always pops up:
🧐 “Is Juice Plus a pyramid scheme?”
As someone who has been in online marketing since 2017 and has earned over $100,000 through affiliate programs, I’ve seen every type of business model out there — from legitimate affiliate programs to questionable money games.
So in this review, I’ll break down:
- What Juice Plus actually is
- Why people accuse it of being a pyramid scheme
- How the compensation plan works
- Whether you can realistically make money with it
- And whether YOU should join in 2025
This review is fully unbiased — I’m not a rep, I don’t earn from promoting Juice Plus, and I’m not here to bash it for clicks.
Let’s get into it.
What Is Juice Plus?
Juice Plus is a health and wellness company founded in 1970 under the name NSA (National Safety Associates).
Today, they sell:
- fruit/vegetable capsules
- shakes
- chewables
- bars
- supplements for immunity, heart health, skin, etc.
Their marketing message is simple: “Get the nutrition of 30 fruits and vegetables in capsule form.”
The business opportunity is built on network marketing — meaning you earn commissions not only from your sales, but also from recruiting other sellers.
This is where the controversy begins.
Is Juice Plus a Pyramid Scheme? (Short Answer)
Here is the clear distinction:
❌ A pyramid scheme = illegal. People earn ONLY by recruiting.
✔️ An MLM = legal. People earn mainly by selling products, and optionally by recruiting.
So is Juice Plus illegal?
No — Juice Plus is NOT a pyramid scheme.
It’s a legal MLM company.
BUT…
It does have characteristics that often make people confused or skeptical:
- Recruiting is strongly emphasized
- Earnings are tied to building a team
- Very few people earn full-time income
- Many distributors lose money on monthly autoships
So while Juice Plus is not illegal, it is a typical MLM with all the usual risks.
Why People Think Juice Plus Is a Pyramid Scheme
Here are the biggest reasons why Juice Plus gets that reputation:
❌ Heavy Focus on Recruitment
Even though Juice Plus sells products, most distributors quickly realize:
The money is in the downline, not in product sales.
To earn meaningful income, you don’t just sell capsules — you recruit others who also sell capsules.
That structure resembles pyramid shape, though legally allowed.
❌ Expensive Autoship Requirements
To stay “active” and qualify for commissions, many MLMs require monthly product purchases.
In Juice Plus, this is often through autoship subscriptions.
This leads many reps to spend $100–$300/month just to remain eligible, even if they’re not selling enough.
❌ Earnings Are Very Low for Most People
According to MLM income statistics (industry-wide):
- Over 99% of reps earn LESS than they spend
- Many quit within 12 months
- Only a tiny fraction earn a full-time income
This isn’t unique to Juice Plus — it’s true for most MLM companies.
❌ Overpriced Products Compared to Alternatives
Juice Plus capsules aren’t cheap, and many similar supplements can be found online for half the cost.
This makes selling difficult unless buyers are emotionally attached to the brand.
❌ Social Media Misleading Claims
Many Juice Plus reps promote:
- miracle weight loss stories
- unrealistic income expectations
- “you can earn from your phone” posts
- photos of luxury lifestyles
These give MLMs a bad name and blur the line between marketing and misleading claims.
How the Juice Plus Compensation Plan Works
Let me break this down in simple terms.
You make money in two ways:
1. Retail Profit
You buy at wholesale, sell at retail, keep the difference.
2. Commissions from Your Downline
If you build a team, you earn a percentage of:
- their sales
- their team’s sales
- rank bonuses
- performance bonuses
⚠️ This is the classic MLM structure — legal but often misunderstood.
Can You Actually Make Money With Juice Plus? (My Honest Opinion)
I’ve been in online marketing since 2017. I’ve made six figures strictly from affiliate marketing, not MLMs.
Here is my honest take:
YES — you can make money with Juice Plus.
BUT — only if you:
- are extroverted
- love networking
- are comfortable recruiting
- have sales experience
- don’t mind monthly costs
- are OK with low margins at first
If you’re not that type of person, the business becomes a money drain very fast.
Most people lose money because:
- they can’t sell to friends/family
- they hate recruiting
- they quit after 3 months
- they don’t have the audience
- the product is too expensive for their market
MLMs reward social sellers, not digital marketers.
My Experience When I Tested MLM Structures
I never joined Juice Plus personally, but I DID experiment with similar MLM structures before I switched full-time to affiliate marketing in 2017.
Every time, I ran into the same problems:
- recruiting pressure
- overpriced products
- tiny commissions
- autoship costs
- team leaders pushing volume
- zero real digital marketing training
That’s when I realized:
Affiliate marketing is simply a better model for 99% of people.
No recruiting. No autoships. No overpriced products.
And it’s the reason I’ve stayed with affiliate programs ever since.
Juice Plus Pros and Cons
✔️ Pros
- Legal (not a pyramid scheme)
- Long-standing company (50+ years)
- Products have loyal customers
- Low-cost entry
- Possible to earn commissions if you’re dedicated
❌ Cons
- Recruitment-focused
- Low income for most distributors
- Expensive products
- Autoship pressure
- Not ideal for beginners
- Harder to succeed without aggressive social selling
- MLM stigma
Is Juice Plus Worth Joining in 2025?
👍 If you enjoy:
- selling
- recruiting
- team building
- networking
- representing a brand publicly
…then Juice Plus might work for you.
👎 But if you want:
- passive income
- no recruiting
- no inventory
- no awkward DMs
- no pressure
- 100% online business
- complete independence
…then affiliate marketing is simply a better, safer, easier option.
A Safer Alternative for Beginners (My Recommendation)
After years of trying different business models, the most sustainable by far has been:
👉 Affiliate marketing + SEO
➡️ No monthly autoships.
➡️ No recruiting.
➡️ No carrying products.
➡️ No “copy and paste” social spam.
Since 2017, I’ve used Wealthy Affiliate to learn and grow my website business. It’s beginner-friendly, transparent, and teaches actual digital skills — not hype.
If you’d rather build a real online business instead of recruiting people, Wealthy Affiliate is a far better start.
👉 If you are interested, read my personal review of Wealthy Affiliate.
Final Verdict
Juice Plus is not a pyramid scheme. It’s a legal MLM with real products.
However:
- Success requires recruitment
- Most people earn very little
- Autoship costs add up
- Marketing methods can feel pushy
- The structure is outdated compared to modern online business models
My rating: A legitimate company — but not the best business model for beginners.
For 99% of people reading this, affiliate marketing is a better long-term choice.
FAQs
Is Juice Plus a pyramid scheme?
No. It’s a legal MLM with real products, but recruitment plays a big role.
Is Juice Plus a scam?
The company is legitimate. The business model is what many people struggle with.
Can you make money with Juice Plus?
Yes, but it’s difficult. Most earn very little.
Is Juice Plus worth joining in 2025?
Only if you enjoy selling, recruiting, and networking.
What’s a better alternative?
Affiliate marketing — specifically learning SEO and content marketing — is easier, cheaper, and more scalable.