23 Apps That Pay You To Play Games – The Best Pay To Play Apps!
Video games are one of the greatest ways to escape the real world and to have some fun during your free time.
It's also possible to make money by gaming if you know the right apps to use. And in this post, I'm going to break down some of the best games apps that pay to see if they’re actually worth your time.
Hopefully you’ll find a few apps that have interesting genres of mobile games that you can play to pass some time and earn cash and free gift cards.
The Best Apps That Pay You To Play Games
I've tested out dozens of these get paid to play games over the years while trying different side hustles. Here are some of my favorites:
Table of Contents
1. Freecash
Freecash is a popular rewards website that lets you make money in so many ways, including paid to play offers, online surveys, shopping online, and installing apps.
Some of the gaming offers are particularly high-paying. In fact, you can often earn $10 to $100+ by discovering new games and reaching certain levels in them.
As for rewards, you have plenty of options. PayPal money, dozens of gift cards, crypto, and even video game skins are on the table. And Freecash constantly adds new offers so there's always something new to try.
2. Cash Giraffe
If you have an Android device, one of the most effective way to play games for money is to use Cash Giraffe.
This free app is one of my personal favorites at the moment and lets you earn PayPal cash and gift cards for trying different games.
My favorite thing about Cash Giraffe is that you only need $0.20 to cash out. So, you can download a few games, make money in one hour, and likely cash out your earnings.
This is pretty uncommon for the world of get paid to play games. And Cash Giraffe adds new games pretty often to keep things interesting.
Download Cash Giraffe or read my Cash Giraffe review for all the details!
3. Bingo Cash
Do you enjoy playing Bingo and have an iPhone? If the answer is yes, then Bingo Cash is a must-try app.
This cash gaming app lets you compete in Bingo games against players from around the world. The game hosts tournaments, and players with the highest scores and the most Bingo calls during a game win.
What's nice about Bingo Cash is that prize pools can range from $20 to $50 or even more. So, this is one of the more lucrative apps that pays you for playing games out there.
However, you have to pay small entry fees to compete in tournaments, so keep this in mind. This is the same format apps like Bubble Cash and Solitaire Clash use as well. But if you like some competition and feel confident in your Bingo skills, then this iPhone game for money could be worth trying.
Just note that cash games aren't available in the following states: AZ, IN, IA, LA, ME, SC, MT, WA.
4. Rewarded Play
Rewarded Play is an Android-only app that's available in Canada and the United States.
It lets you earn free gift cards for playing games. And the best part is it has some of the best games selection out of any of these apps.
Strategy, action, puzzle, card, word games, and many more genres are available. As you play games, you earn points which are redeemable for free gift cards at retailers like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.
You can redeem rewards once you earn just $5. Overall, it's another excellent gaming rewards app you can use to get free gift cards in your spare time.
Start earning with Rewarded Play!
5. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is an incredibly popular website that lets you watch videos, take surveys, test websites, and play online games to earn free gift cards and free PayPal cash.
It's also a very popular way to earn money playing games, with plenty of download offers you can complete to earn about $5 to $20+ at a time.
The site also has a nice $5 sign up bonus, and many gift card rewards start at just $5. And Swagbucks consistently adds new gaming offers and sponsored deals you can complete for cash.
I've cashed out with this site numerous times over the years, so I know it's legit and that it pays members on time.
6. Solitaire Cash
We've all played Solitaire games on our computers in the past to pass the time. But did you know you can also get paid to play games of Solitaire on your phone?
That's right: with the Solitaire Cash app, you can earn money by competing in games of Solitaire against other players.
Players face off against one another in tournaments and have matching decks, so it's a game of speed and accuracy. The players with the highest scores at the end of the match then earn a share of the prize pool.
Games can pay anywhere from a few dollars to $55 or even more. And I like that Solitaire Cube pays you with cash and not sweepstake entries or gift cards.
However, I'd only download this app if you want to deposit money to compete. That's because it's super hard to earn with this app unless you compete in the cash tournaments.
Start making money with Solitaire Cash!
Note that cash games aren't available in AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, and SD.
7. Kashkick
Another easy way to get paid to play games is to use Kashkick, a popular gpt website in the United States.
With Kashkick, you can earn PayPal cash for completing surveys. But the platform also has a gaming rewards section that pays you for downloading and playing new mobile games, just like Drop and Mistplay.
Surveys are the main way to earn money with Kashkick. But what I like about the gaming section is that some of the offers pay out $5 to $10+ when you complete them.
This makes it one of the higher-paying apps that pays you to play games on the list. Although it might take a few days of gaming to actually complete an offer.
You can cash out with PayPal once you earn at least $10. But if you want a gaming and survey site hybrid, Kashkick is worth checking out.
Start earning rewards with Kashkick!
8. Mistplay
Mistplay is one of the most popular app to play games for money, and this Android app is definitely taking over this category.
The concept behind Mistplay is simple: earn points for playing games and leveling up your Mistplay account and redeem points for a variety of free gift cards.
There's a decent mix of games, including genres like strategy, card games, simulation games, survival games, and puzzles. Gift card reward variety is also decent and includes Amazon, Best Buy, prepaid Visa cards, and free Google Play credit.
Overall, Mistplay is a worthwhile app if you already play games on your phone. Just be prepared for a bit of grinding if you want frequent rewards.
Download Mistplay and make money for playing mobile games!
9. Pool Payday
If you're a fan of pool, one of the highest paying apps that lets you earn money playing games is Pool Payday.
This real money game lets you play in tournaments against other players to earn cash. And with prize pools often paying anywhere from $5 to $65 or more, it's quite a lucrative app.
You have to pay entry fees to compete in tournaments. You lose the buy-in if you don't place well in tournaments. So, if you want to make money online without paying anything, it's not the best app to use.
But if you enjoy competitive games and want to get paid to play games with some cash on the line, it could be the perfect app to try. Just note that cash games aren't available in these states: AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, and SD.
10. Bubble Cash
Bubble Cash is a competitive iOS app lets you enter bubble popping arcade tournament games for games. And tournament winners can walk away with real cash prizes of $5 to $50 or even more.
This is a great phone side hustle if you enjoy this classic arcade game. And it's also possible to make $50 fast or even more if you're quite skilled.
Just note that tournament games have small buy-in fees, but you can also just play non-paid games for fun and to practice. Also note that cash games aren’t available in these states: AZ, IN, IA, LA, ME, SC, MT, and WA.
11. Money Well
Another leading Android paid to play app is Money Well.
This free app is similar to Cash Giraffe and pays you to install apps and then complete in-game missions. I've tested out Money Well and use it occasionally, and my favorite part about the app is that you can cash out via PayPal at just $0.50.
Free gift cards are also available to companies like Amazon, Best Buy, Sephora, Starbucks, and Uber Eats. And Money Well adds new games quite often to ensure there's always something new to try.
Get started with Money Well or read my Money Well review!
12. Lucky Match
Lucky Match is a free and fun puzzle money game involves matching three tiles of a kind to earn points.
It's your classic Match 3 game. And as you complete challenging levels, you slowly earn points and can cash out to PayPal after you earn $7.
Lucky Match gives away thousands of dollars to its players every day and month. And while you need to complete a couple dozen levels to cash out, it's the perfect game to try if you want to complete challenging puzzles while passing the time.
13. Big Buck Hunter
Feeling competitive and have an iPhone or Samsung? Then Big Buck Hunter is for you.
This game lets you play against other players in this arcade-style classic to win real money. And it's a highly skill-based game where accuracy and speed matter.
This is an exciting way to potentially win real money. And prize pools can pay anywhere from a few dollars to $55 or more. Plus, you get paid to your bank account or via PayPal, so it's real cash.
You have to pay small entry fees to compete, so this app isn't for everyone. But it's a leading competitive app you can consider. Also note that cash games aren't available in these states: AR, CT, DE, LA and SD.
14. Buff
Buff is a newer player in the world of apps that pay you to play games, and it's also one of best options for potentially earning passive income.
Apps like Buff let you play leading PC games and mobile games to passively earn rewards. You basically make money on autopilot as you play your favorite games.
You start by downloading Buff's client for Windows or mobile app. From there, you earn Buff coins when you play any of Buff's partner games.
Buff has a decent list of partner games, including:
You can exchange Buff coins for rewards like gift cards, Steam games, and a variety of in-game rewards for different games.
15. Cashyy
Cashyy is another leading Android game, and it's actually in the same family of apps as Cash Giraffe and Money Well.
I've also used Cashyy in the past, and my favorite part about it is that it lets you cash out with PayPal money after earning just $0.20!
The app also lets you redeem various gift cards after earning a few dollars, including ones to Amazon, Best Buy, Starbucks, and Walmart. You also have several games to choose from across genres like action, adventure, puzzle, strategy, and word games.
Try out Cashyy or read my Cashyy review to learn more!
16. Earnweb
Earnweb is a new rewards website that lets you earn prizes by playing popular PC games, answering surveys, earning cash back from shopping online, and more.
It's also owned by the same company that owns Gamehag, another popular rewards website that's gaming focused.
I like Earnweb since it lets you play a wide variety of games to earn coins, including many leading PC titles. And it has a variety of exciting prizes you can redeem, including:
- Free Steam games
- Free gift cards
- Crypto vouchers
- Prepaid visa cards
- PayPal cash
Earnweb keeps on adding new offers and rewards as well to keep things fresh. And you can also cash out some rewards starting at just $1 worth of coins, so it doesn't take long to get paid.
17. Drop
Drop is a popular reward app that pays you for shopping through the app for sponsored offers. In a nutshell, Drop is a mix between websites like Rakuten and reward apps like Pogo.
Shopping is definitely the main way to make money online with the Drop app. However, Drop has recently added a way to get paid to play games that gives Mistplay a run for its money.
Once you create a Drop account, you can download sponsored games from a wide variety of genres. Each game pays you Drop points for reaching a certain level, and there are games that pay between $10 and $20 worth of points for leveling up.
18. JustPlay
Another popular Android gaming app that you can use is JustPlay.
This app is very similar to apps like Rewarded Play and Mistplay. And it lets you cash out via PayPal every three hours, so there's no minimum cash out requirement.
The fact you can get free PayPal cash so quickly is what makes JustPlay rather unique. And game variety is similar to other pay to play games out there.
Apps like JustPlay earn less over time as you play all the games in your library. But you can always try similar apps like Cash Giraffe, Cash Cow, and Money Well to keep on earning.
19. InboxDollars
If you like Swagbucks, another easy way to make money online is to use InboxDollars.
InboxDollars lets you earn cash and gift cards by completing surveys, watching ads, shopping online, scanning barcodes, and playing games. And you can redeem your first prize after earning about $10 to $15.
Most of the games are card or cash puzzle games, and honestly, games don't pay you that much per hour. But this is still a fun way to game for cash in your spare time.
The variety of ways to earn also means you won't get bored immediately. Plus, there's a $5 instant sign up bonus for new members.
Get $5 from InboxDollars or read my post: is InboxDollars legit?
20. PlaytestCloud Games
There are several companies that pay you to test websites. And out of all these companies, PlaytestCloud is one that focuses on mobile games.
Similar to website testing jobs such as UserTesting, PlaytestCloud pays you to test apps in development and to provide feedback. In exchange for giving feedback about functionality, features, and your overall enjoyment, you get paid PayPal cash for playing games.
Generally, tests pay around $9 for a 15 minute session. However, pay can increase depending on test length and other complicated tasks since game developers are free to ask testers to go in-depth with their reviews.
Again, this is really a quality assurance job, so you need to give feedback and suggestions to do your job correctly. However, if you like trying new game apps and want to earn a solid wage for your time, PlaytestCloud is worth signing up for.
Extra Reading – The Best Websites Like UserTesting To Make Money.
21. Trivia Apps That Pay
If you’re a trivia fanatic and aren't interested in playing mobile games, you can always consider trying trivia apps that pay money in your spare time.
There are a number of trivia apps you can try, including:
- Swagbucks Live – A live trivia game show run by Swagbucks, a massive paid survey website.
- Dabbl – Lets you answer surveys, play trivia games, and watch ads to earn free gift cards.
- Givling – Potentially pay off your student loan debt just by playing trivia games.
Trivia apps are fairly competitive. You normally compete against several thousand players, and if you make it through every trivia round, you split a prize pool with remaining players.
This means that winning a trivia round won't pay hundreds of dollars. However, this is potentially free money and also fun so you really can't complain.
22. AppStation
AppStation is another popular option to make money by trying different mobile apps.
The premise is identical to other game apps that pay: install sponsored games, level up, and earn coins. You then redeem coins for free gift cards to stores like Amazon, Groupon, Walmart, Google Play credit, and even free PayPal cash.
AppStation has 100,000 reviews (most of them being 5 stars) and over 5 million users making money for playing games. Check out our AppStation review to learn more!
23. Skillz Games
One final category of paid to play apps are apps in the Skillz ecosystem.
Skillz is a gaming platform that has a variety of games you can download and play for real cash prizes.
Some of the most popular Skillz games include:
- Blackout Bingo
- Bingo Cash
- Pool Payday
- Bubble Cube 2
- 21 Blitz
Personally, I don't prefer apps like Mistplay that don't require paying for games. But if you want a more competitive platform, you can consider looking into Skillz.
Extra Reading – The Best Apps That Pay You Money Instantly.
Are Apps That Pay You For Playing Games Legit?
Here’s the simple truth: the earning potential for apps that pay you to play games is extremely low and this will never change.
Don't expect these apps to cover any sort of expenses in your daily life. Rather, use pay to play apps to make a quick $10 to $25 every once in a while.
If you enjoy mobile gaming, apps that pay you to play games are basically a passive side hustle since you'd be spending time gaming on your phone anyway. Otherwise, steer clear of them or try alternatives like passive income apps if you want to make money with your phone.
Extra Reading – The Best Ways To Make $5,000 Fast.
Alternatives To Getting Paid To Play Games
If you want some alternatives to make money, you have plenty of options. That's because there are plenty of money-making apps, gig jobs, and methods you can earn money with your phone:
- Branded Surveys: One of the highest-paying survey sites with a fast $5 cash out minimum.
- Uber Eats: Make money on your own schedule by delivering with Uber Eats.
- Prime Opinion: Another popular survey site with fast payouts.
- Toluna Influencers: Make money by sharing your opinion and playing games.
- Scrambly: A versatile platform that pays you to complete surveys, shop online, and play games.
Between the gaming apps in this post and these ideas, you should be able to start a new side hustle today to begin boosting your income.
Final Thoughts
I hope my list of the best apps that pay you to play games helps you turn your next mobile gaming session into a fun side hustle.
I've been playing games for years. And I love the fact that technology is making it easier for people to earn money from their passions.
Now, if you're just interested in making extra money each month, there are way better alternatives out there…turn to the gig economy or other ways to make money quickly that have more potential.
Looking for other ways to make money? Checkout:
- How To Make Money On Steam – 10+ Best Ways.
- The Best Apps That Pay Instantly To Cash App.
- The Best Jobs You Can Do From Your Phone.
