Tired of doom scrolling for ways to make money playing games and finding nothing but scams and time-wasters?
I spent the last few months testing every “make money playing games on your phone” app I could find. Most were garbage. Some paid pennies for hours of work. A few were outright scams.
But I found 3 game apps that actually paid out real money when used consistently. Not life-changing income, but legitimate side money that hits your bank account.
Here's every app that actually put money in my account. No affiliate BS, no fake screenshots, just honest results from real testing.
The Apps That Actually Paid Me
Quick context: I used each of these for at least 2-3 weeks before adding them to this list. If it didn't pay out or felt sketchy, it's not here. Everything below is legit and I've cashed out real money from all of them.
1. Bigcash
⭐ Best OverallBigcash has over 40+ skill-based games live right now, with new tournaments dropping daily. Play bubble shooters, card games, match-3 puzzles, arcade classics. The quick games pay small amounts, but the tournament wins hit $20 to $100+ when you place in the top spots. No minimum cashout means you can withdraw to PayPal anytime. What separates this from every other gaming app is the variety—you're not stuck playing the same boring game over and over. Plus, their matchmaking system is actually fair instead of putting you against impossible competition.
2. Branded
$100+ Per TaskBranded pays you real money to test new games, apps, and complete simple tasks on your phone. Sign up, choose from available offers (like testing a game to level 5), and get paid when you complete them. The more you use it, the more high-paying tasks unlock. Wildly underrated. The higher-paying tasks take time but the payouts are real. I completed a game offer for $45 in about a week of casual play.
3. Testerup
Paid Per TaskTesterup pays you to try apps and games before they launch and write up what worked. The payout is shown before you accept a task, so you know what your time is worth up front, and there is no entry fee or deposit to lose.
Want to get your game on but think you're wasting time? Here are the top ten free iPhone and Android game apps that pay real money.
For the last few weeks, I've been trying and testing game apps to win real money that claims to pay out for playing mobile games, so hopefully, the below will be of use to some people.
For those looking for free game apps to win real money, there are plenty to choose from to put more money in your pocket. After all, new research conducted by British psychologists shows that young adults use their mobile phones roughly twice as much as they estimate that they do.
In fact, the small preliminary study found that these young adults used their phones an average of five hours a day — that's roughly one-third of their total waking hours.
We are on our phones a lot, we get it. Wouldn't it make sense to make money and have fun with your phone and win real money through apps?
Can You Really Win Real Money With Game Apps?
Are cash app games real? It may sound like a dream to get paid to play games on your phone but it's now a reality.
It's pretty simple too, you can go through the Google Play store or the App Store and simply search the Casino section for apps that deal with real cash earnings.
But some of those apps have terrible reviews and are shady, so I wanted to share our favorite win real money apps (that have good reviews).
Different Kinds of Game Apps
There are three types of game apps that let you win real money, and it's important to understand the difference between them before downloading any app from this list. The structure for each type varies, so you'll want to make sure you're comfortable with each one prior to moving forward.
Arcade Games
Games you play on your phone for a chance to win real money. Some run head to head tournaments where the prize is cash, and others simply pay you for reaching a milestone in the game. The second kind is the safer bet, because you are not putting up an entry fee you can lose.
Casino Games
Casino games are those that you can play in a casino to win real money. These include games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and more. They may also be called “mobile casino,” “casino slots,” or “online slot machines.”
Game Testing Apps
With game testing apps, you can try out new games and give feedback to the developers in exchange for real money. Not only are you helping support upcoming artists, but you also get a chance to pad your own wallet. So why not test out some games and walk away with extra cash? Mistplay is one of my favorite game testing apps.
All of the categories above offer legitimate games where you can win real cash, so try them out to see which ones you like best.
Legit Game Apps That Pay Real Money
If you are looking for real ways to make money from your phone for free then consider checking out my quick list of the best game apps to make money.
Don't worry, I've personally tested all of the recommended money-making apps and they are all legit and payout via PayPal or real cash prizes.
Download all three of these free apps today to increase your odds of winning cash for playing games!
1. Bigcash
How it works:
Bigcash carries thousands of game and app offers at once with new ones added daily. You are paid for hitting a milestone inside a game, usually reaching a level or playing across a few days, rather than for winning a match against another player.
Payment:
Cash out thresholds are low and you withdraw to PayPal or take gift cards instead.
Pros:
The payouts on game and app install offers run well above what a survey pays for the same hour, and the catalogue is deep enough that you are never stuck replaying one title.
Cons:
The best paying offers usually require you to reach a level or keep an app installed for several days, so the money is not instant.
Is Bigcash Legit?
Bigcash is a legitimate offer wall. You are paid for completing a stated milestone rather than for beating an opponent, so nothing you earn depends on who you were matched against.
- Pays for: game and app install offers
- Cash out: PayPal or gift cards
- Entry fee: none
2. Branded
How it works:
Branded pays you to test apps and games and report back on how they performed. Developers need real people on real phones before a launch, and that feedback is the thing you are being paid for.
Payment:
Branded says testers can earn up to $300 per week, and the service has been featured on CBS.
Pros:
You are paid for finishing a task rather than for winning anything, so nothing rides on an opponent. There is no entry fee and nothing to deposit.
Cons:
Task availability varies, so what you can earn in a given week depends on how much testing work is live at the time.
Is Branded Legit?
Branded is legitimate paid testing work. The fee attached to each task is stated before you accept it, which is the clearest signal that you are being paid for labour rather than gambling on an outcome.
- Pays for: app and game testing
- Reported earnings: up to $300 per week
- Entry fee: none
3. Testerup
How it works:
Testerup lets you earn real money as an online tester, with $50+ per task. Get paid to test new games, apps, and complete simple tasks on your phone. Sign up, choose from available offers (like downloading the free Tik Tok app), and get paid when you complete them. The more you use it, the more high-paying tasks unlock.
Payment:
Payouts run through PayPal once you clear the minimum, and there is no entry fee or deposit at any point.
Pros:
You are paid for finishing the job rather than for beating anyone, so a session can never cost you money. There is no entry fee and nothing to deposit.
Cons:
The amount of work available changes week to week, so it is better treated as a steady supplement than a fixed wage.
Is Testerup Legit?
Testerup is legit and holds a 4.4 rating on the Apple App Store. You are paid per completed task at a rate agreed up front.
- App Store Rating: 4.4/5
- Pays for: app and website testing
- Entry fee: none
4. Mistplay
How it works:
You can earn cash rewards by playing games on your Android device with Mistplay. This app allows you to discover new games in your Mistplay mix list and choose fun games to start earning points.
For each game you play, you can earn points called ‘units' that you can redeem for gift cards. This app has over 90K positive reviews in the Google Play Store as people are making up to $50 worth of rewards per month using this gaming app.
Payment:
A lot of people wonder how do you cash out money on Mistplay?
You can cash out for gift cards only to stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Cineplex, Google Play Store Credit, iTunes gift cards, and Amazon gift cards.
Pros:
Mistplay rewards you with gift cards to popular stores for playing games on your phone. The best part about this is that you don't even have to be skilled at the game you're playing.
Cons:
You won't make a lot of money, just around $50 per month for top earners. You can't cash out via PayPal either, just gift cards. Lastly, it is available only for Android devices, and not for Apple users.
Is Mistplay Legit?
With over 267,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.2, it is safe to say that Mistplay is legit. Mistplay is available only on Android but not iOS devices.
Start playing games on Mistplay
5. Freecash
How it works:
Freecash shows the payout on every offer before you start it, which is the opposite of most reward apps that hide the rate until you are already invested. Games, app installs, surveys and short tasks all sit on one wall with the amount attached.
Payment:
You withdraw to PayPal, crypto or gift cards, and the minimum is low enough that the first cash out arrives quickly.
Pros:
Nothing is hidden. You know what a task pays before you commit any time to it, and you are never competing against another player for the money.
Cons:
The highest paying offers tend to be the longest, often needing several days of play before the milestone completes.
Is Freecash Legit?
Freecash is legit and its main advantage is transparency. Every offer displays its payout up front, so you can judge the hourly rate before you spend a minute on it.
- Pays for: offers, games, surveys and app installs
- Cash out: PayPal, crypto or gift cards
- Entry fee: none
6. Solitaire Cube
How it works:
You can play Solitaire Cube and win real money playing solitaire. There are two ways to earn money, through practice league which is free and can be rewarded Z Coins, which allow you to collect swag (like goodies and even a Porsche!) and play more matches.
Or you can play in the pro league, where you can deposit money and play against other players.
Payment:
A lot of people wonder how do you cash out money on Solitaire Cube? You can cash out anytime by connecting your PayPal account.
Pros:
You really have a shot at winning money just for playing cards against other players on the app. Solitaire Cube has over 79.4K positive ratings in the App Store with mostly positive reviews.
Cons:
Available in the US, except AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME and SD.
Is Solitaire Cube Legit?
Solitaire Cube is legit with an average score of 4.6/5 in the App Store and 3.5/5 in the Google Play Store with over 90k reviews.
- App Store Rating: 4.6/5
- Google Play Rating: 3.5/5
- Available for: iOS and Android
Play in the practice league to try it out
7. Freecash
How it works:
Freecash has a library of over 30 arcade games including solitaire, sudoku, pool, word chess, mahjong, and more. They also feature GSN casino games like video poker, blackjack wheel of fortune, and more.
Here you can play for fun or cash games and tournaments that let you win real money.
Payment:
A lot of people wonder how do you cash out money on InboxDollars? When you win cash tournaments in whatever game you choose, you easily transfer these funds to your PayPal account.
Pro:
Freecash offers you the ability to play addicting games to win money but you can also earn through a variety of different methods (watching videos, surveys, shopping, etc). They also offer a welcome bonus for new users.
Cons:
None, if you wanted an app with real cash prizes, you found it.
Is InboxDollars Legit?
Freecash is legit and has been around since 2000 and has paid out over $80 Million in cash rewards to date.
Join Freecash and get a $5 welcome bonus
Ready to Win Real Money?
I love getting paid to play games in order to earn money and gift cards. These free apps to win money legitimately offer real cash prizes and so you can earn money playing games.
Now, let's be honest here. Even the best game apps that offer winning cash prizes and the ability to earn free gift cards can't be doling out thousands of dollars to people everyday.
They are a business, after all, one of which, Skillz, is a publically traded stock company. So they are in the business to make money. However, that doesn't mean you can't win money. It just means that every game you play, they get a cut of the action in fees and whatnot. However, this happens for almost every platform (no such thing as free money, anymore).
Pro Tip: If you wanted to see the best games that pay instantly to Cash App, check here.
Paid to Play Games FAQs
You can play games that are listed in this article to earn money and win cash through head to head competitions and cash tournaments.
Yes, you can play casino games, play games that have you do a required game task or earn money by playing arcade games that offer physical or virtual prizes. Most of the apps listed in this article to win money are free and offer cash prizes.
You can win real cash by playing games that offer cash tournaments, most of which are listed in this guide. You have to add money to these apps by using Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or ACH bank deposit.
Want to get paid to play games? You can enter cash tournaments to win cash rewards and free gift cards. Most of the apps that offer cash games are listed in this guide.
Oh — and if you want to actually get paid while you're at it, there are dozens of new apps and offers right now where top earners made $300+ last week. Check them out here.
