Billions of people play games regularly. Some are casual gamers, while others do it with religious zeal and enthusiasm. Only a few take it to the next level and transform their fun pastime into actual cash.
We aren’t talking about professional gamers here. Although it can be profitable to win cash tournaments, you can use mobile games much more casually and still earn rewards from them.
Don’t believe it? We’ll explain how you can earn cash rewards by playing games and recommend a few legit game apps to start with.
Can You Really Make Money Playing Games On Your Phone?
Yes, you can earn and win money playing games. It’s easier than it sounds and, usually, only involves downloading a free app. There are at least two types of mobile games we need to differentiate.
- Apps that pay you to play games
These mobile apps usually have some in-game currency that you need to earn. After reaching a certain threshold, you will be able to exchange it for real-world rewards, such as free gift cards or cash.
- Games that ask to deposit money
With these game apps, you’ll need to spend money to earn money, as they use paid tournaments with cash prizes. They are closer to gambling apps, but usually, you only spend a few cents or nothing at all.
Everything that promises easy money online carries some risk, and online games are no exception. Mobile gamers should stay away from platforms that don’t pay gift cards or cash rewards as promised.
It’s especially true when you’re planning to spend your own money. If the app doesn’t pay, no amount of skill will help you win real money. Once you know what apps pay, the rest depends on your skill for certain games.
Top 6 Apps That Pay You to Play Games
The below list contains apps that pay money to play games. We have focused on mobile games that have the best real cash prizes. Note that you might need to pay your own money to participate in some of the tournaments.
Pawns.app
The best get-paid-to-play apps are those with multiple different games. You are less likely to get bored and earn more extra cash when more options exist. That’s exactly what Pawns.app offers for owners of Android and Apple devices.
How it works
The games tab in the earnings section of the Pawns app houses a large collection of different games. Choose one to your liking and complete the reward condition to receive rewards.
Payment methods
As long as you play the games and complete the tasks, you will receive points. They can be exchanged for various gift cards, PayPal top-ups, bank transfers, and bitcoins. The minimum payout threshold is $5.
Pros
- No need to spend any of your own money
- Low payout threshold
- Fun games you can play casually
Cons
- Might cause excessive gaming
Bubble Cash
Bubble Cash is a classic shooting game where you can compete with other players to shoot, you guessed it, bubbles. It’s available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
How it works
You can download this bubble shooter game for free, but you’ll have to pay real money to compete with other players. If you are one of the top three players in cash tournaments, you win real money prizes. Most of them are up to $30.
Payment methods
Cash games have an entry fee from $3 to $5, which you can deposit with PayPal or Apple Pay. Once you win enough real money games to acquire in-game currency (gems) worth at least $5, you can get paid.
Unfortunately, there are some transfer fees, starting from $1, and it can take up to 14 business days for the money to arrive. So, it’s not worth cashing out each time you win a few dollars.
Pros
- A fun way to compete
- Well-rated on the Apple app store
- No ads
Cons
- Highly competitive
- Transfer time and fees are disappointing
Cash Giraffe
Cash Giraffe offers a huge selection of old and new games that pay real money for playing. Every player will find at least a few games to play. The sole limitation is that it’s an Android-only app.
How it works
You download a free app from the Google Play Store, select a game, and play it for prizes. It’s one of the best apps that pay you to play games of various genres – arcade, strategy, adventure, and much more.
Cash Giraffe tracks the time you spend on new games. The more you play, the more you earn. The best part is that this Android app doesn’t require you to start watching ads or making in-app purchases.
Payment methods
You can cash out your rewards from Cash Giraffe via PayPal cash transfers or a wide selection of free gift cards. Almost any amount (from $0.20) can be paid out once per day. However, you’ll want to save money for more valuable gift cards as they greatly reduce the cost of transfer fees.
Pros
- Wide selection of new games
- Fast payout time
- No need to deposit money
Cons
- Other game apps have better rewards
Bingo Cash
If you are into bingo and card games, Bingo Cash will be one of those mobile games you can’t stop playing. Available from the Apple App Store and for Samsung devices.
How it works
Bingo Cash requires a mix of card game and bingo skills, with the possibility to compete with others for money. You deposit money and can take part in cash tournaments or special challenges that pay actual cash.
Payment methods
You can pay in and cash out via PayPal and Apple Pay, so the app is definitely secure. Tournament costs start from $1, with prizes up to $30 and a standard withdrawal amount of $5.
However, it’s not recommended to spend any real cash until you are sure of your skills. Luckily, there is an excellent free mode that won’t require any buy-ins.
Pros
- One of the best-rated game apps
- Fully functioning free version
- Well-designed app
Cons
- High skill in card games and bingo needed to earn money
- Winnings take a long time to arrive
Pool Payday
Out of all the apps that pay money for playing games, Pool Payday is the most laid back. Casual games of pool are always fun on your Apple or Android device.
How it works
The app is completely free, and you can play games without competing for money. However, this app is famous for the possibility of earning free gift cards and extra money. It’s not just different games with the same players.
You can also compete for real money in various cash tournament types. Hitting the white ball with a stick is more difficult than it looks, but it’s even more fun.
Payment methods
You’ll need a PayPal account to make the initial deposit, but winning rewards you with $50 or more for one contest. Since Pool Payday is one of the Skillz games, you will also be rewarded with their store points.
You can exchange these points to earn free gift cards, cash prizes, merchandise, or other bonuses. The withdrawal process is long and quite confusing, with some prizes being in bonus cash not eligible for a payout. All other funds will also be charged a $1.50 transfer fee.
Pros
- Made by well-known game developers
- Easy to find partners for new games
- One of the most fun gaming apps
Cons
- Complicated payout system
- No guarantee you’ll earn extra money
Solitaire Cash
Solitaire Cash isn’t one of those classic solitaire games. Instead, it’s with a fun twist that allows you to play Solitaire games against others for real money. Works on all major platforms, but to participate, you’ll need to pay real money via PayPal or Apple Pay.
How it works
It’s one of the game apps you’ll find best when you have lots of free time, as you’ll need to play free games to practice.
Keep note, it’s much easier to play games without competition and money at stake. Be prepared and focused. It’s the only way to earn some extra cash with Solitaire Cash.
Payment methods
Cash payouts are possible only when you reach $15 in real money games, which means that accumulated bonus points don’t count. Still, they can help you to get into games and improve your skills.
Performing certain actions, such as watching ads, can boost your points. It helps you to stay afloat and play games constantly, which is the only way to improve. Payouts are available in PayPal, Gift cards, or straight into your bank account.
Pros
- A fun twist on classic solitaire games
- Convenient user interface
- Well-known app developers
Cons
- Gets difficult to find a new game you’ll win
- Only on the Apple App Store
Alternatives to Earning Money Through Gaming Apps
While you can earn money playing games and have a lot of fun doing it, it’s hardly the most profitable online side gig. Many money-making apps require less of your attention and give more rewards or cash payouts. Here are some options that are better than game apps.
Online Surveys
Companies and organizations value your opinion. It helps them release better products or improve their services in other ways. One of the best methods to understand consumer opinion is online surveys, and they are willing to pay real money for your answers.
Pawns.app partners with various organizations to provide you with paid surveys you can complete on your phone. Don’t waste time waiting in a line or during a commercial. Fill out a survey and earn cash for it.
Payouts are delivered in gift cards, bitcoin, PayPal cash, or bank transfers. Earnings will depend on your location and activity, but you can expect around $7 per month for two surveys daily.
Microtasking
Lots of small tasks are monotonous and boring, yet still must be done urgently. Sometimes, company employees don’t have the time to meet deadlines, so the work is outsourced to micro-task platforms.
Using sites like Clickworker or Microworkers can help you get hired for these tasks. Paying real cash as gift cards or bank transfers, it’s a good side gig for extra income from your home.
Tasks include data entry, answering emails, and doing PowerPoint presentations. Depending on your skills, you can earn from $5 per hour completing such tasks. It isn’t as fun as playing games, but it’s a source of side money.
Internet Sharing
There are only a few passive income methods that actually work, but internet sharing for money is definitely high on the list. You simply install an iOS or Android app, connect the device to the internet, and start sharing your connection.
Other people will use it to improve research, ensure privacy, or bypass internet restrictions. Pawns.app platform handles all the security, and your device does all the work. No need to worry about anything for you.
Each gigabyte you share earns you $0.2, which allows you to earn up to $10 per month just by sharing one unique IP address. All that’s left is to cash out the rewards in gift cards, Bitcoin, Paypal, or cash payouts.
Cashback
Shopping online and making money is possible thanks to cashback apps. Companies pay money to cashback platforms to bring new customers, and they share part of the profits with you. This way, cashback platforms return a portion of what you spend back to you.
The only caveat is that you must shop at their partner’s stores or purchase goods that are promoted by the cashback platform. It isn’t difficult with a good cashback platform, like Rakuten or Ibotta.
Your savings entirely depend on how much you spend on the platform. An average active user can easily get around 5% of their spending returned and receive other real-world rewards.
Conclusion
Our list isn’t conclusive. New mobile games come out almost every day, and you will find new apps that pay real money we didn’t mention. Let this article be a guide in answering the question of whether game apps pay real money. The answer is YES.
