Are you tired of mindlessly swiping through social media feeds during your free time? Why not put your gaming skills to good use and earn some cash while having fun? That’s right, there are apps out there that will pay you to play games!
While most of the money-making opportunities for gamers are found on consoles or PC, there are many options for mobile gamers too. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best game apps that pay you to play and see if they’re worth your time.
Whether you prefer puzzle games, action-packed adventures, or classic card games, there’s something for everyone. So, get ready to discover some new apps and start earning some extra cash or gift cards in your spare time.
Let’s dive into the world of gaming and money-making!
Table of Contents
The Best Apps That Pay You To Play Games
1. Mistplay
With over 5 million downloads and a 4.4-star rating in the Google Play Store, Mistplay is a popular loyalty program for gamers. The app rewards you for trying out new games, tracking your playtime, rank, and achievements. The more you play, the more points you earn, which can be redeemed for gift cards to Amazon, Best Buy, Prepaid Visa, and Google Play.
2. Swagbucks
If you’re looking for more ways to make money with your phone, Swagbucks is a great option. In addition to playing games, you can earn rewards for watching videos, answering surveys, and searching the web. With over $840 million paid out to members, Swagbucks is a popular GPT site that offers a $5 welcome bonus just for signing up.
3. Rewarded Play
Another great app to try is Rewarded Play. This Mistplay alternative boasts an impressive selection of games, including Solitaire Cash, Words with Friends, and Wheel of Fortune. As you play, you earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards to major retailers like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.
4. Gamehag
If you’re a PC gamer, Gamehag is an app that you shouldn’t miss. It rewards you for playing popular desktop games like Warframe, Magic: The Gathering Arena, and Guild Wars 2, among others. What’s more, you can redeem your rewards for free Steam games, gift cards, prepaid visa cards, Counter Strike skins, and even premium titles like Call of Duty and The Witcher. With Gamehag, you can have fun while saving money on games.
5. Buff
Buff is a newer app that lets you earn passive income by playing games. You can download Buff’s client for Windows or mobile app and start earning Buff coins when you play any of Buff’s partner games like CS GO, League of Legends, and PUBG. You can exchange your Buff coins for gift cards, Steam games, and in-game rewards. Although Buff pays users slowly and some rewards may be out of stock, it’s still one of the best apps for PC gamers.
6. Kashkick
Kashkick is a GPT (get-paid-to) site that pays you to complete surveys and download new mobile games. Its gaming rewards section offers high-paying offers that range from $5 to $10+. Although surveys are still the main source of income, the gaming section is a great way to earn extra cash. You can cash out your rewards with PayPal once you reach $10. With Kashkick, you get paid for gaming and completing surveys.
7. JustPlay
JustPlay is another popular Android app that lets you play games for money. You can cash out via PayPal every three hours, and there’s no minimum cash out requirement. What makes JustPlay unique is the fact that you can get free PayPal cash quickly. The game variety is similar to other pay-to-play games, but as you play more games, you may earn less over time. If you’re looking to try other apps, you can also check out Cash Giraffe and Money Well.
8. Drop
Drop is an exciting app that rewards you for shopping through the app for sponsored offers. But that’s not all, you can also get paid to play games. Once you sign up for Drop, you can download sponsored games from a variety of genres. Each game rewards you with Drop points when you reach a certain level, and some games pay between $10 and $20 worth of points for leveling up. With Drop, you also have access to plenty of free gift cards, making it a great way to stack up rewards while shopping and playing.
9. InboxDollars
If you’re a fan of Swagbucks, you’ll love InboxDollars. This app lets you earn cash and gift cards by completing surveys, watching ads, shopping online, scanning barcodes, and playing games. Although the games on InboxDollars don’t pay that much per hour, it’s still a fun way to earn cash in your spare time. With the variety of ways to earn, you won’t get bored quickly. Plus, new members get a $5 instant sign-up bonus.
10. Bananatic
Bananatic is an app that pays you to play games and provide feedback to game developers. You can complete tasks and earn bananas that you can redeem for cash, gift cards, and other rewards. It may not make you rich, but it’s a great side hustle that can earn you around $10 a month. You only need 2,500 bananas to withdraw a $5 Visa prepaid card. Bananatic has a variety of payment options and is a legit way to earn money while playing games.
11. Ready Games
Ready Games is an exciting app that offers a competitive platform for gamers to play and win money. With new games dropping every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you can compete against other players to reach the highest score and get a chance to split the prize pool of $1000. Winners cash out every Wednesday, and the app has already distributed over $140,000 in prize money. Ready Games adds a competitive twist to mobile gaming, making it a fun way to earn money.
12. Flash Rewards
Flash Rewards is a new app from Vesey Studios that pays you with coins for every minute you spend playing a new game. Although coins pay out more slowly over time, you can earn rewards by trying out a few new mobile games. You can cash out through free gift cards starting at $5 to retailers like Nike, Amazon, Prepaid Visa cards, and Nintendo. If you’ve maxed out your earnings on Mistplay and want to try another app, Flash Rewards is a great option.
13. PlaytestCloud Games
If you enjoy quality assurance work and want to get paid for playing mobile games, PlaytestCloud is the perfect gig for you. Similar to UserTesting for websites, PlaytestCloud pays you to test out new games in development and provide feedback. In exchange, you’ll receive PayPal cash for your time. Test sessions typically last around 15 minutes and pay around $9, but pay can increase depending on the length and complexity of the test. While this is a job that requires you to provide feedback, it’s also a great opportunity to try out new games and earn a solid wage for your time.
14. Trivia Apps That Pay
For trivia fans, there are a number of apps that offer the chance to win money while putting your knowledge to the test. Swagbucks Live is a live trivia game show run by the popular survey website Swagbucks. Dabbl offers the chance to answer surveys, play trivia games, and watch ads in exchange for gift cards. And Givling even offers the possibility of paying off your student loan debt by playing trivia games. While the prize pool may not be huge, these apps are a fun and potentially lucrative way to put your trivia skills to the test.
15. Coin Pop
Coin Pop is a free app available for Android devices that rewards you for downloading and playing sponsored mobile games. Like its counterpart Mistplay, you’ll level up in-game and earn coins that can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Play Station Store, and Google Play. With over 150,000 reviews, Coin Pop is one of the largest gaming rewards apps available. While it may not make you rich, it’s a fun way to earn something extra while indulging in your gaming hobby.
16. Appstation
With over 5 million users, Appstation is a popular option to make money by trying various mobile apps. Earn coins by leveling up and redeem them for gift cards to popular stores like Amazon, Walmart, and even free PayPal cash. If you’re a serious mobile gamer, Appstation is the ideal app for you.
17. App Flame
Download sponsored games on App Flame and earn coins for every minute you play. With a variety of genres to choose from, this app is a great alternative to Mistplay. Just keep in mind that games pay fewer coins the longer you play, so it’s important to try new games.
18. Skillz Games
Skillz is a gaming platform with a range of games you can download and play for real cash prizes. Some of the most popular games on the platform include Blackout Bingo, Pool Payday, and Solitaire Cube. While you have to pay to play Skillz games, they offer a competitive platform for gamers looking to test their skills. However, if you prefer not to pay for games, apps like Mistplay and Gamehag may be a better fit.
19. AppNana
Similar to other apps like Mistplay, Coin Pop, and Appstation, AppNana rewards you with Nanas for trying sponsored apps. Use these points to redeem gift cards or even get paid apps for free! Although it may take a while to accumulate points, it’s worth it if you enjoy playing games.
20. Cashyy
Cashyy is a free game app that rewards you for completing missions and participating in other simple tasks. You can redeem your coins for popular gift cards like Amazon and Google Play or cash via PayPal. The games on Cashyy fall into various categories, so you’re sure to find something you enjoy. The app is available in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
21. Lucktastic
Lucktastic is a mobile-only app that offers a variety of games for you to play and win rewards. This app offers daily scratch cards that you can complete in just 30 seconds. Plus, you can participate in other activities to earn bonus points. The app offers three different payment options, including digital gift cards, paper checks, and Visa gift cards. You can even earn a daily reward bonus just for playing one scratch card a day. The best part? It’s completely free! Just note that Lucktastic is only available in the United States.
22. Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin is a unique app that pays you to stay active. It tracks your physical movements and pays you in “sweatcoins” that you can redeem for gift cards, fitness gear, sportswear, cash via PayPal, and more. Whether you’re walking, running, or playing tennis, Sweatcoin rewards you for staying active. The app is available worldwide and is free on both iOS and Android devices.
23. Boodle
Boodle is a free app that rewards you for trying out new apps and games. You can earn Boodle coins by playing popular mobile games, answering questions, completing special offers, discovering deals, referring friends, and taking daily polls. You can redeem your coins for gift cards from stores like Nike. Boodle is only available to Android users.
24. iRazoo
iRazoo is a get-paid-to site that allows you to earn points by completing various tasks such as answering surveys, watching videos, playing games, and completing offers. The points you earn can be redeemed for cash via PayPal or gift cards. The app updates its tasks daily, and you can even get paid to refer friends. The games available on iRazoo include Solitaire, Bridge, Crossword, and Mahjongg Dimensions.
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FAQs
How Do These Apps Make Money?
It’s pretty simple, actually. They earn a commission from game developers for each user that downloads their games through the app. The more users they churn through, the more money they make. It’s a win-win situation for the app and the game developers.
However, this business model also means that the app companies don’t necessarily care about putting out quality games. As long as you download and test out the game, they get a commission. So, don’t be surprised if the games you try out aren’t the best of the best.
Are Games You Play For Cash Safe?
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while playing for cash online:
- Do your research: The first step in ensuring your safety is to research the site you plan to use. Look for reviews and feedback from other users to determine the site’s reputation. Be wary of any site that has a history of scamming or ripping off its users.
- Stick with reputable sites: Stick with well-known and reputable gaming sites to reduce the risk of being scammed. Do not be tempted by flashy ads or tempting bonuses from lesser-known sites.
- Read the fine print: Be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of any site you plan to use. Check for hidden fees, withdrawal limits, or other red flags.
- Use secure payment methods: Only use secure payment methods when making deposits or withdrawals. Avoid using your credit card directly on the site and instead use secure payment options such as PayPal or other e-wallets.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online gaming scams.
Conclusion
While not a pure side hustle, these gaming apps offer a unique opportunity to earn free gift cards while enjoying your favorite mobile games.
Of course, it’s important to be realistic about what these apps can offer. They’re not going to make you a millionaire overnight, and there are certainly more lucrative side hustles out there. But if you’re already a mobile gamer, why not earn some rewards while you play?
That being said, it’s important to set realistic expectations. These apps won’t dramatically change your finances, but they can provide a nice little boost to your monthly earnings. And remember: if an app promises to make you rich quick, it’s probably too good to be true.
So if you’re looking to level up your earnings, give these gaming apps a try. Who knows? You might just earn enough for that new game you’ve had your eye on.