Learn how to play games for money through platforms that reward you for your skills and time.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to apps and websites where your gaming hobby can translate into real cash.
Best Apps to Play Games for Money
KashKick
Kashkick is a notable platform where gamers can earn money while enjoying their favorite games.
With over 50 game genres available, it caters to casual and serious gamers.
Players can earn real money by completing game-related tasks, participating in challenges, and competing in tournaments.
For instance, you can earn up to $185 in rewards, and top players can win significant amounts in tournaments.
The platform has a straightforward reward system where you accumulate points, with 1,000 points equaling $1.
Kashkick updates its game selection regularly, adding new titles to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
We have tested the KashKick and earned $35.25, as shown in the image below.
KashKick Summary
- Minimum withdrawal threshold of $10
- Earn 25% of all your referral’s earnings
- Get paid to play games
- Earn $0.1 – $2 per survey
- Many offers that pay $10+ per action
- $35.62 for 5 hours of testing
Scrambly
Scrambly is a mobile platform that rewards you for exploring and playing games and apps.
You can earn coins by completing game milestones within game apps, which you can then redeem for cash via PayPal, Visa, or gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon.
The platform offers you a 500-coin welcome bonus, instant payouts starting from $1, and claims an average daily earning of $17+.
For each game, you can see the earnings potential. Each 1,000 coins is $1.
Once you select the game you want to play, you will need to download the app. The scramble board shows which milestones earn you points.
For example, in Rise of Kingdoms, you can earn 10 coins simply by starting the game. You will then earn 20 coins for completing the tutorial, and so on.
Plus, you can see the total potential earnings for that particular game. Again, in this instance, we have Rise of Kingdoms with a maximum potential of 460,230 coins, which equals $460.23.
With over 150 apps and games available, Scrambly boasts a community of 2+ million active members and emphasizes quick, easy rewards without requiring you to engage in extended play sessions.
MistPlay
MistPlay is an Android-only app that allows users to earn up to $550 worth of gift cards yearly. The company has paid out over $100 million (as of Jan 1, 2024) to its users.
The platform offers multiple ways to earn money:
- Collecting in-game badges
- Achieve milestones
- Playing boosted games
- Doing bonus tasks
Once you install the Mistplay app, you will receive a 200-unit bonus. Approximately 1,800 units equals $5.
You can exchange your units on the platform for various gift cards from top retailers, such as Amazon and Google Play Store or virtual Visa gift cards starting from just $0.50.
There are different categories of games available, including slots, word games, puzzle games, and strategy games.
You earn units by playing each game. Each game has a certain daily time limit for how long you can play and earn units.
For example, with Merge Gardens, you can play up to 2 hours per day.
Overall, you’ll find Mistplay offers a selection of high-quality games, a user-friendly interface, and a reliable reward system.
The extensive game library and consistent reward payouts ensure a superior and engaging gaming experience if you want to earn rewards.
Mistplay Summary
- Redeem rewards from as little as $0.50
- Gift cards are processed within 48 hours
- Multiple ways you can earn money
- Get 100 points by inviting your friends
Pawns.app
Pawns.app is a platform that allows you to earn money by playing mobile games. You can choose from a catalog of games, complete in-game tasks, and receive cash rewards. The app partners with developers who need new players to test their games on different devices.
Your earnings vary based on playing time, with estimates ranging from $43 per month for 4 hours of daily activity. Pawns.app offers downloads for both iOS and Android devices, boasting over 4 million downloads and a 4.6-star rating from 150,000+ reviews
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular online rewards platform you can join to earn money. The platform offers cash rewards to members who complete various simple online tasks. Members can play games for money, and new users will get a $5 bonus by signing up. Apart from playing games, members can do other tasks to earn money.
| Earning Opportunity | Earning Potential |
|---|---|
| Shopping Online | Up to 10% cashback |
| Referring Friends | 10% of all your referees’ earnings |
| Printing Coupons | $0.01 per coupon, up to $0.50 per day |
| Answering Surveys | $0.50 to $2.50 per survey on average |
| Watching Videos | $0.02 for every 30 videos |
On average, Swagbucks rewards gamers with $2 to $3 in free PayPal cash per hour for playing games. You can withdraw your earnings starting from just $1 ($15 for the first time).
Swagbucks Summary
- 18 ways to earn money and e-gift cards
- $5 sign up bonus
- Up to 10% cashback when shopping online
- $1 minimum e-gift card withdrawal
- Watch videos and play games for $
- Legit platform – paid $500 mil to users
MyFreeApp
MyFreeApp is a website where you can play games and complete tasks to earn money.
The platform has over 80,000 players and provides rewards of up to $120 per game. You can redeem rewards via PayPal or gift cards starting at $1. Reaching your first reward usually takes less than an hour.
Enter code DOL_BREAK at sign-up: Complete first task within 24h, earn $5, then get $5 bonus when withdrawing your earnings = $10 total!
Bananatic
Bananatic is one of the most popular apps you can download to play games for money. The app rewards users for completing various in-game quests and missions with Bananas, a virtual currency.
Each quest or mission will reward you with $1.80 to $5 worth of Bananas. Thus, this makes Bananatic a great app to earn money in your free time by playing games.
You can withdraw your earnings on the app via PayPal or exchange them for gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon.
Bananatic Summary
- Offers fun ways to earn rewards
- Provides a very easy registration process
- Has a mobile app you can use
- Has an active forum with good support
AppNana
AppNana is an app testing platform that will pay you to test mobile apps. You can earn money by testing games and sharing your feedback on them. Your feedback can help the game and other mobile app developers improve their apps.
On average, you can expect to earn around $1 every 10 minutes just by testing an app and answering a survey about your experience.
In addition, the platform also offers many withdrawal options, including:
- Bitcoin
- Gift cards
- Google Play credits
- Xbox points
AppNana Summary
- Sign up bonus
- Generous referral program
- Redeem rewards from $1
- Available worldwide
JustPlay
JustPlay is a loyalty rewards app (only for Android) for Gimica Games enthusiasts that lets you earn points by playing your favorite games. You can redeem your loyalty points for real-world rewards every 3 hours through partners like Amazon, PayPal, and Walmart.
What sets JustPlay apart is its charitable aspect – you can choose to donate your earnings to renowned charities, with Gimica matching your donations. The app offers a variety of casual games, promising a fun experience while you earn rewards.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars is one of the most popular platforms you can join to play games for money. Although the platform primarily focuses on paid online surveys, it offers many other money-making opportunities.
You can make money on InboxDollars by:
- Playing classic games like Sudoku and Solitaire
- Testing new mobile games
- Downloading free coupons
- Referring friends to the platform
- Watching videos
In addition, new users to the platform also get a $5 sign-up bonus. With InboxDollars, you will also have an opportunity to participate in cash tournaments.
Apps to Play Games for Money FAQ
What games give real money?
There are many games that you can play to earn money. You might enjoy some games more than others depending on your preferences. Thus, it can be a good idea to try out multiple games to see which one you enjoy using the most.
In addition, you can also use many of these apps at the same time.
Here are some of the best platforms that you can play for money:
- Scrambly
- Swagbucks
- KashKick
- Mistplay
Do any game apps actually pay money?
Many real money-earning games will pay you to play them. These game apps may pay you for different reasons. Some apps will pay you to increase the traffic they receive, whereas others may pay you to play games and share your feedback about them.
Are cash games legit?
There are many legit cash games online that you can play to earn money. However, there are also several scam websites that you may encounter occasionally.
Here are a few tips that you can take note of to avoid getting scammed:
- Never share your personal information such as your bank account details
- Avoid websites that require you to pay to start earning money
What are the best apps to play games for money without any upfront costs?
The top apps that allow you to play games for money without any upfront fees include KashKick, Scrambly, Mistplay, Pawns.app, Swagbucks, MyFreeApp, Bananatic, AppNana, JustPlay, and InboxDollars. These platforms let you earn cash or gift cards by playing games, completing in-game tasks, or testing new apps. They are free to download and offer various ways to earn, making them accessible options for anyone looking to make extra money in their spare time.
How much can you earn using these gaming apps, and which ones offer the highest payouts?
Earnings vary by app and the time you invest. In our tests:
- KashKick: We earned $35.62 for about 5 hours of gameplay.
- Scrambly: We observed average daily earnings of $17+ with dedicated play, with cash-outs starting at $1.
- Mistplay: It’s possible to earn up to $550 worth of gift cards annually, averaging about $10 to $50 per month.
- Bananatic: We earned $1.80 to $5 per completed quest.
While these apps won’t replace full-time income, they can provide a decent side income.
Is it safe and legitimate to earn money through these apps?
Yes, these apps are generally safe and legitimate. For instance, Swagbucks has paid out over $500 million to its members and uses secure payment methods like PayPal and gift cards. Mistplay has paid over $100 million as of January 2024. InboxDollars offers a $5 sign-up bonus and has been operating for years. We recommend downloading apps from official app stores, reading reviews, and ensuring they have secure payment options to protect your information.
Do you need to invest any money upfront to start earning on these apps?
No, you don’t need to invest any money upfront. All the listed apps are free to download and start using. In our experience, KashKick, Scrambly, and Mistplay allow you to earn by playing games without any initial fees. Some apps may offer in-app purchases or premium features, but participation in these is optional. Always ensure you’re comfortable with any purchases and understand they are not required to earn rewards.
What types of games can you play on these apps to earn money?
These apps offer a wide variety of games:
- KashKick: Over 50 game genres, including casual and serious games.
- Scrambly: A selection of over 150 apps and games, including popular titles with specific milestones.
- Mistplay: Various mobile games across genres like strategy, adventure, and puzzle.
- Swagbucks and InboxDollars: Classic games like Sudoku and Solitaire, as well as new mobile games.
- Bananatic: Games that require completing in-game quests and missions.
- AppNana: Testing a variety of mobile apps and games.
How do these apps pay you, and what are the minimum payout thresholds?
Payment methods and thresholds vary:
- KashKick: PayPal cash, minimum withdrawal of $10.
- Scrambly: PayPal, Visa, or gift cards starting at $1.
- Mistplay: Gift cards to retailers like Amazon and Google Play starting from $0.50.
- Swagbucks: PayPal cash and gift cards, withdrawals starting from $1 (or $15 for the first time).
- MyFreeApp: PayPal or gift cards, rewards redeemable starting at $1.
- AppNana: Various options including Bitcoin, gift cards, starting from $1.
- JustPlay: Rewards can be redeemed every 3 hours through Amazon, PayPal, and Walmart.
- InboxDollars: Cash payouts with a minimum threshold of $15, but new users get a $5 bonus.
Can you really earn significant income with these apps, and how much time does it take?
While these apps are a good way to earn extra cash, they are unlikely to provide significant income. In our experience:
- KashKick: We earned $35.62 for about 5 hours of testing.
- Scrambly: We observed average daily earnings of $17+ with dedicated play.
- Mistplay: You can earn up to $550 in gift cards annually, which averages about $10 to $50 per month.
- Bananatic: We earned around $1.80 to $5 per quest, depending on the game.
The earnings depend on the time invested and the tasks completed. These apps are best viewed as a way to earn extra pocket money rather than a substantial income source.
Are there any tips to maximize earnings on these gaming apps?
Yes, to maximize earnings:
- Complete High-Paying Tasks: Focus on games or tasks that offer higher rewards.
- Consistency: Log in daily to take advantage of bonuses and streak rewards.
- Referral Programs: Use referral codes to earn bonuses; for example, MyFreeApp offers a $5 bonus after earning your first $15 with a promo code.
- Participate in Tournaments: Apps like KashKick and Bananatic offer higher rewards for participating in tournaments.
- Multi-App Strategy: Use multiple apps to diversify your earning opportunities.
Do these apps have any geographical restrictions or device limitations?
Some apps may have geographical or device restrictions:
- Mistplay: Available only on Android devices.
- JustPlay: Also Android-only.
- AppNana: Available worldwide.
- Swagbucks and InboxDollars: Primarily available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and some other countries.
Always check the app’s availability in your region and compatibility with your device before downloading.
What should you consider before starting to use these apps to earn money?
Before starting:
- Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that earnings are modest and reflect the time and effort invested.
- Read Terms and Conditions: Be aware of how your data is used and any requirements for payouts.
- Secure Payment Methods: Ensure the app offers secure payment options that you are comfortable using.
- Time Management: Balance your time so that gaming doesn’t interfere with other responsibilities.
- App Reviews: Read reviews and, in our tests, we found it helpful to gauge the app’s reliability and user experience.