Gone are the days when you’d have to go to reality shows to play game apps to pay real money. This option is now available at your fingertips.
Whether you want to make some extra bucks for your daily Starbucks fix or simply want to convince yourself that you’re actually being productive when playing games, it’s best to look for games that pay real money.
Yes, you heard that right! 👍
You can play games to win money – and that too from the comfort of your couch. Let’s take a look at some of these games and how you can win money playing them.
Games that can win real money
Well, you’ve got plenty of options here 🙌
All platforms have different reward models, and you can pick whichever suits you best.
Firstly, we have points. Basically, you play games or fill out surveys, and the website gives you points. You can redeem these points for money or gift cards. Be ready to do some math here.
Secondly, some websites directly give you money. You link your account to the website and get paid for watching videos, playing games, or filling out surveys.
Finally, you can win gift cards and cash back rewards from some websites. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, winning gift cards comes in handy if you shop from Amazon a lot.
Now that we’ve got you all pumped for it, let’s dive right into the list of games that pay real money to players 📢📢
1. InboxDollars
Doesn’t the name say it all? 💰💰
InboxDollars is exactly how it sounds. You do some everyday tasks on the website and earn money in return. It’s as simple as that.
Here’s how it works:
- Brands pay InboxDollars for consumer input.
- The website recruits players/members like you.
- You do some online activities like playing games and filling out surveys.
- You get actual DOLLARS in return. No, there are no points. InboxDollars doesn’t want you to do any extra math.
InboxDollars says that they have paid up to $80 million to their members till now.
They partner with multiple famous companies like the good old Target and Walmart. Oh, and Netflix is their partner too. If binge-watching series is your second nature, you’ll make a handsome sum from the website.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Let’s get to the good part now. InboxDollars gives you money to do the following:
- Playing Games: Your childhood dreams have come true. You can play games like Candy Jam and Monkey Bubble to make money on the website. InboxDollars also partners with GSN casino, which means you can play hundreds of GSN games. Every dollar you spend on GSN games gives you 18% cashback on InboxDollars.
- Read Emails: Got a knack for reading? InboxDollars will pay you to read emails – your high school English teacher could never! 📧
- Paid Surveys: Want to take a break from playing games online? Do a survey or two 💬💬. You can earn anywhere from $0.50 to $5 for taking a survey that can be 3 to 25 minutes long. Some surveys even pay up to $20. Good Luck!
- Watch Videos: Can’t find anything fun to watch on Netflix? No worries. You can watch short snippets of video content from brands to make a few extra bucks on InboxDollars.
Best For
InboxDollars is best for people who want to earn money without doing much effort. If you’ve got some time to kill and prefer being a couch potato, this game is for you.
Earning Potential
That depends on how many games you play. The more you play, the more cashback you get. You can make around $50 to $100 a month, especially if you manage to do a longer survey every once in a while.
Available
Web
2. SwagBucks
SwagBucks works a bit differently from InboxDollars. Instead of getting money, you get gift cards.
Want to get something that has been sitting in your Amazon cart for eons? SwagBucks has got you covered. You simply need to watch videos, answer surveys, and search the web to win gift cards from PayPal, Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Along with coupons and gift cards, SwagBucks also gives you cash back offers. Here’s how to get your hands on these goodies:
- Watch Videos: It’s as simple as it sounds. You watch some brand’s sponsored content. They get a view; you get a gift card – it’s a win-win.
- Answer Surveys: You can also win gift cards in return for filling out surveys. Some surveys pay just under a dollar, but others may give you $3 or $5.
- Discover Deals: SwagBucks doesn’t only give you gift cards but also shows you where to use them for maximum gains. Are you one of those people who never know when there’s a coupon or cash back offering going on? Lucky for you, SwagBucks knows, and it’s happy to share.
Best For
SwagBucks is best for people who want to get cashback and gift cards. If you’d rather win gift cards for your favorite ecommerce stores rather than actual cash, you should opt for this platform.
Earning Potential
100 Swagbucks are equal to $1. If you try to earn at least $1 every day, you should have around $30 a month. Some people earn more than this, depending on how much they use the platform.
Available
iOS and Android
3. Mistplay
Mistplay is actually an Android app that lets you earn money for playing games. Want to hear the best part? The app builds a personalized game library just for your particular taste.
You can quickly find a game you like, play it, and win money 💰💰
Every week, Mistplay holds new contests. You can enter these contests to win separate prizes. At the end of the month, there’s an ‘’epic’’ grand prize for the winner.
Remember how we mentioned the points reward system earlier? Mistplay uses that – except that the points are called Units.
So, you win Units for playing games. As you become an avid player, you unlock achievements and get badges. With every achievement, you go up to a higher level.
The higher your level, the more Units you earn from the games 💹.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Winning Units from Mistplay is pretty simple. If you can button a shirt, you can do this too. Here’s how:
- Discover Games: First of all, you explore the selection of games offered by Mistplay. You’ll find all genres and gameplay styles.
- Collect Units: Play the games to earn Units. The longer you play, the more Units you earn.
- Redeem: When you’ve got a ton of Units, you can redeem them to win cool rewards.
Best For
You should use Mistplay if you don’t want to waste time playing games and would love to earn some money on the same. It’s best for people who want to play multiple games rather than just one.
Earning Potential
You can earn around $50 per month if you are a consistent player. Mistplay also launched contests every now and then. You can get $5 gift cards if you win.
Available
Android
4. Blackout Bingo
Blackout Bingo is available on the Samsung Galaxy store and has a whopping 5 million players. The other platforms we’ve mentioned so far definitely win you something – rewards, points, money, or gift cards.
With Blackout Bingo, it’s a little different. You earn cash prizes where available. In other cases, you get real-world rewards.
The fun part about Bingo is that you have to master it. It’s not like traditional Bingo, where you can just get lucky. Nah!
In this version, all players see the same cards and balls. You have to use strategy, concentration, and speed to master Bingo. Got what it takes?
How Do You Earn 💲?
Blackout Bingo is much more fun than the regular old Bingo because you can actually travel in the game from Hawaii to Paris or New York 🗽. Did Covid-19 ruin your vacation plans? Blackout Bingo is here to your rescue.
It has simple gameplay. If you win the game, you earn real-world rewards or cash prizes. If you lose, you start all over again. Some cool features of this game are:
- Up to Four Cards: If you like a challenge, add up to four cards in Blackout Bingo to make the game fun and challenging.
- Beautiful Graphics: Although it’s not as high-end as many other mainstream games, Blackout Bingo has stunning graphics and effects.
- Short Games: It barely takes two minutes to finish a game. So, you can play whenever you’ve got any free time. Waiting for your coffee maker to make the elixir of life? Play a game in the meanwhile.
Best For
Blackout Bingo is best for people who like playing Bingo or already have experience playing it. Don’t expect to find high-end functionality, though. If you are more of a graphics person, this game is for you.
Earning Potential
The amount you earn is based on how often you win. The more you win, the more cash you earn.
Available
iOS
5. Pool Payday
Interested in some socially distanced pool in return for money?
Welcome to Pool Payday! It’s fun, quick, and for profit.
You simply choose from a ton of pool games, play your favorite one, win cash prizes, and redeem them through Apple Play or PayPal.
Even if you don’t do anything the first few times, there’s no need to worry. You can practice your ball positioning, trick shots, and a lot more. The game has two modes:
- Real-Time: In this version, you and the opponent take turns taking shots. Whoever scores more points gets the cash prize.
- Offline: In the offline version, you don’t have to wait your turn. You just go around the table and score as much as you can. The opponent will do the same. The highest score wins.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Of all the games that pay real money, this is probably the only one where you can use some of your real-world skills and knowledge. If you’re a pro at pool, you’ll take home some good money.
Here’s how you make money; you play the offline or real-time version of the pool, you score the highest, and earn cash prizes.
The game has a few cool features:
- Unlimited Play: There’s no restriction of lives or energy. You can play as much as you want.
- Extra Score: You get extra scores for ball positioning and speed.
- Online Tournaments: If you’re super confident, bring your A-game to online pool tournaments and win good money.
- Play 1v1: Why play alone when you can have fun with friends while earning money?👯 Tell your buddies to download the app too and make money for your next hangout together 👥.
Best For
Pool Payday is best for people who love to play pool and want to earn money while they do it. You can play alone or with your buddies – it’s up to you. While some other games have a limit on how many times you can play them in a day, Pool Payday has no such limit.
If you’ve got a ton of free time on your hands, you know what to play now.
Earning Potential
Typically, you won’t earn much from Pool Payday. But if you win a tournament, you can win anywhere from $100 to $1,000 from the game.
Available
iOS
6. Solitaire Cube
Solitaire Cube is an online game that is just like regular Solitaire. The only difference is that you play against another player.
All you have to do is download the game and get started. There’s no need to set up cards or do any of that stuff.
Once you log on, the game instantly connects you to other players on the app who are playing at the same time as you. You need to make a row of ascending cards as you would in regular Solitaire.
But here’s the thing; you only have five minutes.
If you finish the game before the timer ends, you win bonus points!
How Do You Earn 💲?
Let’s talk money now 💰💰. You can win cash prizes in the game if they are available.
There are many in-game tournaments that you can take part in to win cash prizes. Here are some cool features of the game:
- Fast Animations: The game has quick animations as smooth controls. You’ll have a fun time arranging the cards.
- No Ads: Ads are the bane of game players’ existence. We’ve all been there. But this game is an ad-free zone.
- Head to Head Gameplay: You can play the Head to Head version where you’re against another person.
- Multiplayer Tournament: Want to make it a bit more competitive? Play the multiplayer mode where you’re up against a couple of other players 👥.
Do note that you won’t get any cash prizes if you live in the following states: AZ, AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, MT, SC, SD, and TN. But that’s nothing to worry about.
Even if you don’t live in a state where cash prizes are enabled, you can still play the game to win virtual money.
Best For
Solitaire Cube is best for people who want to play Solitaire against one or more players. It’s one of those fun games that will keep your mind busy.
Earning Potential
You can earn anywhere from $50 to $100 based on the number of games you win. However, do note that cash prizes are not available for all games.
Plus, if you live in certain states, you’re out of luck since cash prizes are not available in all states.
Available
iOS
7. Lucktastic
Lucktastic is one of the best games that pay real money, claiming itself to be a ‘’free way to win real cash and prizes’’. Well, they are not exaggerating 👀.
You really can win prizes and cash when playing the game.
Basically, you just need to swipe digital scratch cards to win money. Most cads take up to 30 seconds to scratch, while others may take up to 20 minutes. To join the app, you need to be:
- A US citizen
- Over the age of 13
- Have an iOS or Android device
Lucktastic scratch cards can be a bit tricky to understand at first. But let us explain.
You can play one scratch card daily. Every card has six boxes that you need to scratch. You must match three symbols if you want to win a prize.
Now, every card is different.
You can either win tokens or cash 💁.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Winning with Lucktastic is pretty simple. The game lets you play one scratch card game a day. You just need to match the boxes. If you get them right, you win prizes.
Other than that, you can also participate in challenges and win tokens or cash. If you play a scratch game for four days in a row, you earn a daily reward bonus. On the fifth day, you earn a mystery reward.
It can be a contest entry or tokens.
Lucktastic also sponsors some ads. If you try these ads, you earn tokens or real money through the app. Some sponsored apps give cash payouts, while others may give you gift cards.
It’s a fun cocktail of prizes.
Best For
Lucktastic is just as it sounds – it’s best for people who want to depend on their luck to win cash or tokens. But do note that you won’t be able to play this game unlimitedly since it has a limit on the number of times you can play.
Earning Potential
You can earn cash prizes of anywhere from $2 to $100. When you test sponsored apps, you may win tokens or gift cards that you can use to buy things online.
Available
Android
8. Long Game
Long Game works a bit differently from other games we’ve mentioned earlier. Banks are involved. Don’t worry, though – you don’t have to learn about interest or account types.
Basically, Long Game partners with leading banks to give you prizes.
You play games online every day and win coins. It’s as simple as that.
Just play mini-games on the app daily and collect your coins. The more you save, the more you win. But to do that, you need to sign up with one of Long Game’s partner banks.
When you sign up with a bank, Long Game gets paid. Then, they pay you further.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Long Game is not like your everyday gaming platform that lets you earn money through retail sponsors. It actually partners with banks instead.
You sign up for Long Game, choose a bank you like, make an account, play minigames on Long Game, and win cash.
Want to hear awesome news?
You can also win crypto!! Yes, you read that right.
Best For
Long Game is best for people who may be looking for a bank and won’t mind winning some extra money or crypto on the side.
You can also find a perfect savings account for yourself while winning money through quick gameplay.
Earning Potential
You can earn anywhere from $50 to $100 from Long Game. The game has a unique model where the more you save, the more you earn. You can use the Savings account to increase your earnings.
Available
iOS and Android
9. 21 Blitz
21 Blitz is a card game that you can play to win cash prizes. The developers describe it as a mix of Solitaire and 21. If you’ve got a knack of playing 21, you’ll love this game ♣️.
You play against other players who’re also in it to win it.
Here’s how to play:
- You have to make 21s or stacks of five cards to score points.
- Every game has a full deck of cards 🃏.
- You have to finish the deck before the timer runs out. If you do it before time runs out, you get a bonus.
- Look for Streak and Combos bonus to make your strategy super-perfect.
How Do You Earn 💲?
21 Blitz is a fun game that you can play to challenge your brain while earning some extra bucks on the side. Here’s how you can earn money from the game ♣️.
- Head to Head: If you just want to play with one other player, this is the best mode for you. In this game, you and the other player have one deck of cards in total. Whoever finishes first wins the game.
- Multiplier: You can also play in multiplayer mode or participate in tournaments to win prizes, like cash money.
- Challenge Players: You can also challenge other people who play Skillz games. Besides winning virtual prizes, you also get cash money.
While the game is pretty exciting, there’s a tiny bummer. Prize tournaments are not available in some states.
But even if you live in these states, you can still play the game to have some fun when you’re bored.
Best For
The game is best for people who love to play cards and don’t mind giving their brains a little nudge when they have free time. Not a huge fan of mindless scrolling? Would you rather play a game that requires some degree of thinking? Well, this is the right game for you.
Earning Potential
You can earn around $50 from the game. Since cash prizes are not always available, you can’t expect to earn more than that.
Available
iOS
10. Drop
Drop is a rewards program that you can use to earn rewards and cash back on pretty much everything you buy online or in stores. From your morning coffee to the cute outfit you’ve got planned for Valentine’s Day, Drop has cashback rewards for it all 🤑.
Here’s what you need to do:
- You have to link your Drop account to your credit or debit card.
- After that, you simply need to shop and earn points. You can also earn points for taking surveys and playing games.
- When you have enough rewards, redeem your points and get gift cards for your favorite brands.
Even if you’re not a huge fan of shopping, you can still earn some good money from Drop. The app has a ton of surveys you can take to earn rewards.
Plus, there are some fun and exciting games for you to play.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Let us ‘’drop’’ (pun intended) some information about earning money from the app. When you take surveys, earn cashback, or play games, you get gift cards for the following brands 🏬:
- Fashion: Drop knows what’s up when it comes to fashion 🛍️. You get gift cards for Adidas, Nike, Lululemon, Aerie, and all those popular brands you see on TikTok or Instagram.
- Travel: Covid seems to be taking a backseat here. It’s time to travel ✈️. With reward cards for Four Seasons, American Airlines, and Expedia, Drop makes sure you’ve got your travel expenses covered.
- Beauty: Want to get your hands on a new moisturizer? It’s getting sunny out. Why not invest in a new sunscreen? Drop also gives you gift cards for Sephora and Glossier.
- Shopping: Get gift cards for all top ecommerce platforms, including Amazon and BestBuy. Plus, you get gift cards for Target, Walmart, and Costco – pretty much everywhere you can shop.
- Entertainment: With Drop, you can get gift cards for Fanxchange and Stubhub too.
- Food: Late night cravings 🍔? Drop is here to the rescue. Win gift cards for Whole Foods, Uber Eats, Dunkin’ Donuts, ShakeShack, and more.
Best For
Drop is best for everyone. After all, we need to buy coffee, or a new pair of sneakers, or just get some tacos at midnight.
Earning Potential
The more you shop or play, the more you earn. You can get $5 to $10 gift cards at your favorite stores.
Available
iOS and Android
11. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys pays you for doing surveys online. You need to sign up on the website, answer some questions about yourself so that the website can show you relevant surveys, do the surveys, earn points, and redeem your points for cash through PayPal or gift cards.
How Do You Earn 💲?
Branded Surveys works like pretty much any other website that lets you win money for doing surveys. Here’s how to make some money on the side:
- Create a Profile: First, you need to create a profile on the website. You will be required to answer a few questions about yourself. The website will use this data to make sure it’s showing you the surveys that you’re fit for.
- Do Surveys: After that, you need to share your honest opinion by doing the surveys. Since they will be based on your interests, you shouldn’t have a problem doing them.
- Collect Rewards: Depending on how long or complex the survey was, you’ll get rewards. Collect these rewards and redeem them later.
You can cash out your money through PayPal or get gift cards from your favorite stores. It’s up to you.
Best For
Branded Surveys is best for people who want to win money for doing surveys. If you already take surveys on other websites, you’ll have a good time doing them on Branded Surveys too.
Earning Potential
One survey can give you anywhere from $0.5 to $1. In a month, you can earn up to $100 if you take surveys consistently.
Available
Web
How to Choose the Best Games that Pay Real Money?
Now that you know about 11 best games that pay real money, you might be wondering; how do I pick the best one? Should I play all of them? Should I start with one? It can be confusing.
If you’ve taken surveys in the past or played similar games on your phone, you’d know the earning potential these games have. But if you’re a newbie, you might want to choose a game based on the highest earnings.
Let us blow your bubble. Ooopsies.
You can’t earn thousands of dollars from these games. Most of them will give you anywhere from $50 to $100 a month. Some may just give your gift cards that you can use for your online shopping sprees.
Having said that, there are some things to look for when choosing the best games to win money online 🕹️.
1. Platform
Is it available on the website or does it have an app? Is the app available for both Android and iOS? You want to make sure the game is available on the platform that’s easily accessible to you.
Most people play games on their phones so it’s understandable why you want to play on an app.
But there are some things you need to consider before deciding.
How often can I use it? Do I have time for this game? What do my friends play? Will they be able to join me in the multiplayer mode?
If the game is available on a platform that’s accessible to you, it’s good for you.
2. Level of difficulty
You don’t want to spend hours on a game that is too difficult, especially if it pays less than other games. After all, you play games in your free time.
You certainly don’t want a difficult game to ruin your leisure time, do you?
You want to find a balance between your skill level and how much it pays per hour. You can’t keep changing games every time they get too difficult for you.
3. Survey types
Some of the apps or platforms mentioned in our list also let you earn money for doing surveys. When choosing such a website, make sure you’re comfortable doing surveys.
You can also compare survey types with payout rates in order to find out which one is for you. But don’t expect all surveys to pay $10 or $50.
It’s very rare to come across a survey that pays this much. In most cases, you’ll have to make peace with less than a dollar per survey.
4. User interface
If the graphics matter for you, make sure the game has amazing graphics. You don’t want to play a game with poor graphic quality or really bad visuals just because you couldn’t be bothered to find a better one.
The interface is also important. Is it easy to navigate? Are the controls straightforward and uncomplicated?
Keep in mind that you need things to be fun. A game with poor interface will only frustrate you.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions players like you have asked about the best games that pay real money.
How much money can you make from these games?
That depends on how much time you spend playing the game. You also have to keep in mind that payout rates are not fixed. They change depending on your luck and how often you play.
Are games that pay real money legit?
Many of these games are legit and actually let you cash out money. But you must know that they won’t make you millionaires overnight.
How does cashback work?
Some games give you cashback on certain purchases. Basically, you get a certain percentage of your spending back. That’s what cashback means. Suppose you spend $10 on a phone cover you bought online. If a website offers you 10% cashback on your purchase, it means you’ll get $1 back.
Summary
Playing games is one of the best ways to kill time. But if you get the right kind of game, it can also make you some cash on the side.
That’s why we compiled this list of games that pay real money for your convenience. You don’t have to go looking all around anymore. Just pick one from our list and start playing!
All of these games that pay real money have a low difficulty level, which means you can get started even if you’re not an avid player. Apart from cash prizes, some games also give you gift cards that you can use to buy things from your favorite stores. Pick one or more of the games from this list and have a good time while making some money for your Netflix subscription or late night cravings.
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