There are many ways to make money in your spare time. One convenient and fun option is using apps that pay you to play games. You can earn points or real cash prizes by playing your favorite games and trying new ones.
This side hustle doesn’t require extensive amounts of time or special skills. Some platforms even give you other ways to make money with short tasks.
Here is how to get paid to play games in your free time.
What Are the Best Apps To Play Games for Money?
There are many websites and apps that pay you to play games online. You won’t get rich with mobile games, but you can make extra money doing something you love.
1. Swagbucks
Many people consider Swagbucks one of the best survey sites. In addition to online surveys, it is a terrific platform for completing paid tasks. You can earn money through games you play on your phone or computer.
Each activity earns rewards points, known as SBs. Potential payouts depend on the offer terms since you must reach a certain level or achieve specific tasks within a time limit.
Games can earn between $0.50 (50 SBs) and $45 (4,500 SBs). Several games with higher payouts may require in-app purchases and can take more time to play.
You can also make money by:
- Answering surveys
- Shopping online
- Watching videos
- Using their search engine
- Testing new products
- Completing various online tasks
- Referring friends
- Playing online games
Point redemptions start at $1 for Amazon gift cards (140 SBs). Most gift card and PayPal redemptions require a balance of $5 (500 SBs). In some cases you can even claim earnings as free Roblox gift card codes to use on the gaming platform.
Additionally, new users can earn a signup bonus of $10 when they complete qualifying activities.
Trustpilot score: 4.3 out of 5
Read our Swagbucks review to learn more.
2. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another leading get-paid-to (GPT) site and is an easy way to make real money playing games. There are many free options, such as card games, word games, and strategy games.
Other games require in-app purchases and earn cash rewards, like GSN games.
Members can even earn Scratch & Win instant win tickets by completing multiple activities. These tickets can win bonus cash and other rewards.
Like other apps that pay you money, you earn cash in various ways on the platform. This makes it one of the best microtask sites to use for small gigs.
Some of the more popular ways to earn include:
- Downloading coupons
- Shopping at your favorite stores
- Watching videos
- Reading sponsored emails sent by InboxDollars
- Taking paid surveys
The side gig app lets you redeem your points for retail gift cards, Visa gift cards, or PayPal cash with a $30 minimum threshold.
This redemption minimum is higher than most platforms, but it’s reduced to $15 for your first redemption. Plus, you get an instant $5 bonus when you open an account.
If you don’t want cash, you can redeem points for free Google Play codes or Amazon gift cards.
Read our InboxDollars review to learn more.
Trustpilot score: 4.2 out of 5
3. Toluna
Toluna works with reputable companies to learn your opinion about the products and services you buy as well as your shopping habits. In addition to offering surveys for money, the platform has a Games Center.
Within the Toluna Games Center, there are daily online games and options that show up for a limited amount of time.
Playing some of these games will help you earn points that can be redeemed for free gift cards to different retailers of your choice.
You can earn the most points by answering online surveys. Opening an account will help you earn 500 points. You’ll receive 15 points if you do not qualify for a survey.
It’s also possible to earn rewards when buying apps or magazine subscriptions.
One downside of this survey app is that it has a higher redemption amount. It takes 30,000 points to equal a $10 gift card.
You can also redeem points for cash that is paid out via PayPal. The minimum amount of cash you can redeem is $30, which is equal to 90,000 points.
Trustpilot score: 3.9 out of 5
4. Mistplay
Mistplay lets Android users earn money playing games. Users can browse the available games and earn points by unlocking achievements and levels. You also earn rewards based on how long you play each day.
This site can offer more opportunities to play money-earning games than other platforms because it specializes in rewards games. The selection includes adventure, arcade, casino, and puzzle games.
Most games pay between 20 and 500 points. In-app purchases can earn extra points. There are no additional ways to earn points.
The cashout minimum is 1,500 points ($5) for retail and restaurant gift cards.
Trustpilot score: 3.9 out of 5
5. KashKick
KaskKick helps you get paid to play games and try out new apps. You can also take surveys and register for product offers.
Users can view the latest offers by logging into the app. Your earning potential varies depending on the opportunity and may require a purchase.
The minimum redemption is $10 for PayPal rewards. This rewards app doesn’t currently offer withdrawals by bank transfer or gift card.
Trustpilot score: 3.4 out of 5
6. MyPoints
Consider MyPoints when you don’t mind making in-game purchases. The rewards site partners with WorldWinner to award four points per dollar spent.
Most offerings are for arcade games such as Bejeweled, Super Plinko, and Wheel of Fortune. There are also a handful of casino games and free games that you can download from Google Play or the iOS App Store.
The free games let you receive points after accomplishing in-game achievements. You can earn 3,000 to 55,000 points depending on the gaming offer.
Other point-earning opportunities include:
- Completing online surveys
- Redeeming in-store coupons
- Shopping online
Gift card rewards start at 480 points for a $3 face value, and PayPal Cash redemptions start at 1,590 points for a $10 value.
Trustpilot score: 4.4 out of 5
7. Solitaire Cash
Race against the clock on Solitaire Cash as you try to move your cards from the lower to the upper board.
You can compete in head-on and multiplayer tournaments where each competitor has the same puzzle. The highest score wins cash prizes.
This game follows the Klondike Solitaire rules. You can play unlimited free practice rounds before paying cash for online tournaments.
Entry fees start at around $1. Cash-linked games are prohibited in a handful of states. Those are Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, South Carolina, and the state of Washington.
The redemption minimum is $5, and your winnings deposit back to your original funding method. Additionally, a $1 fee applies to each withdrawal.
Read our Solitaire Cash review to learn more.
Trustpilot score: N/A
8. Bingo Cash
Bingo Cash offers free practice rounds to play the popular game online. Paid tournaments are available in most states. You will need to wager real money to earn cash rewards with entry fees starting at $1.
Each round lasts two minutes, and you try to daub each called square as quickly as possible to earn the most points. You can earn more by getting multiple bingos and using powerups.
Free practice rounds earn virtual tickets you can redeem for merchandise after playing for a long time. A $1.50 redemption fee applies to withdrawals smaller than $10.
Bingo Cash is prohibited in the same States as Solitaire Cash.
Read our Bingo Cash review to learn more.
Trustpilot score: N/A
9. Cashyy
Cashyy is exclusively for Android users. It’s an app that pays users to play games for a specific number of minutes to accrue points.
You can earn free PayPal money since you won’t need to spend money to complete offers. It’s possible to cash out through the digital wallet when your balance reaches $5.
Unfortunately, there are no additional ways to make money on your phone with this app.
Trustpilot score: N/A
10. 21 Blitz
Casino games like 21 Blitz let you win cash prizes when you live in an eligible state. This phone game combines Blackjack and Solitaire. You try to make your piles equal 21 points or contain five cards.
It’s possible to play free practice rounds, but cash tournaments require an upfront buy-in from a linked payment account. The winner receives the cash prize pool plus additional in-game rewards.
Whether or not you play free or cash rounds, you earn Skillz tickets that can be redeemed for real-world merchandise. However, it can take a long time to accumulate tickets.
Entry fees start at roughly $1, and the cash prizes are around half the buy-in cost. For example, if you pay $1 to participate, you can win approximately $0.40.
It’s best to withdraw when your rewards balance is at least $10. A $1.50 withdrawal fee applies on cash-outs below this amount.
Trustpilot score: N/A
11. InboxPays
InboxPays lets you earn cash playing games in your free time. Payouts vary by the difficulty of the offer.
After completing a game, you can spin a wheel to win extra rewards.
Other ways to make money online include:
- Taking surveys
- Reading sponsored emails
- Printing off coupons to use at the store
- Referring friends
The payout threshold is $50 by PayPal. Gift card rewards are not available.
Trustpilot score: 1.3 out of 5
12. PointClub
PointClub offers various ways to earn cash or free gift cards, including making money online with games. Your gameplay lets you enter instant win contests with a potential $1,000 top prize.
Surveys are the primary way to earn money with this platform. You can also participate in quizzes and polls.
The redemption minimum is $25 for PayPal and gift cards. New users can earn a $5 bonus when joining. Your first redemption is a paper check, but you can choose your withdrawal method for subsequent requests.
Trustpilot score: 1.3 out of 5
13. PCHgames
Did you know that Publisher’s Clearinghouse (the same company that gives those big awards checks) has a gaming site? They do, and it’s known as PCHgames.
You can play online games to win real money by earning tokens that are redeemable for cash, gift card, and merchandise sweepstakes. Being a frequent player lets you earn bonus tokens.
Your tokens never expire with PCHgames, so you don’t have to worry about taking a break. You might keep your tokens to enter more exciting giveaways or those reserved for VIP members.
If you don’t like entering sweepstakes without guaranteed prizes, PCH offers instant win games and scratch-offs that can require less time. Keep in mind that victory isn’t guaranteed.
The platform also offers tournament-style games. These games are free to enter, and the best players can win cash rewards.
Other ways to earn tokens and win money include:
- Taking quizzes
- Answering surveys
- Play slots
- Enter sweepstakes
This platform is best for entertainment purchases because no game offers guaranteed payments.
Trustpilot score: N/A
FAQs
Do you want to learn more about playing games that pay real money? Here are some common questions readers ask.
How Much Can You Get Paid to Play Games?
Playing games online for money is a great way to monetize your downtime, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.
Most offers earn between $1 and $10. Keep in mind that it can take several minutes or days to earn that amount. Make sure you read the requirements to qualify for the full payment.
For example, you may earn some points by downloading the game. However, you may not earn the rest until you reach a specific level within a certain number of days.
Do Any Games Pay Real Money?
Money-making apps like Swagbucks provide rewards points for completing various tasks, such as playing for several minutes or reaching a certain level. You can convert these rewards into gift cards or PayPal deposits.
In addition, casino games like 21 Blitz, Bingo Cash, or Solitaire Cash can earn extra cash if you win.
However, you must wager real money, and consistently winning is challenging for most players. These games won’t pay real money if you only play the free practice rounds for fun.
Are Pay For Cash Games Legit?
Many cash-paying games are legit, but you must usually make in-app purchases or reach advanced levels to earn the reward. This can be time-consuming, and the reward may not be worth the effort or expense.
The best game apps typically provide several quick ways to earn money, including surveys, app downloads, or product offers.
These additional income streams can help you reach the redemption threshold sooner because these tasks can pay more than a mobile game.
How Can I Get Paid To Play Games?
It’s possible to make money by playing games on your computer, phone, or console. Most opportunities are for phone and tablet games.
Is It Worth It To Play Online Games for Cash?
This side gig can be worth it when you use a platform with a wide variety of games since most platforms limit how much you can earn per day. As a result, you may need to play several games to max out your earnings.
Tournament-based games with cash entry fees can be worthwhile if you win consistently. Otherwise, you will likely lose money and are better off sticking to the free practice rounds.
No matter which platform you choose, read the offer terms before installing the game and starting to play so that you understand how to make money.
This initial research step helps you estimate how long you will need to play and if add-on purchases are necessary.
Bottom Line
There are several apps that pay you to play games and complete other online tasks. You might be able to play several minutes at a time and earn cash or gift card rewards.
However, be aware of ongoing costs and the time commitment to find the highest-paying offers.
While you won’t become rich, this can be a fun way to add some spending money to your budget.
What is one unique thing you do to make money on the side?
Related