Looking for free gift card apps? It’s true, there are legit apps out there that pay you in free gift cards, reward points, and even free money online in 2021!
When you officially make that leap into adulthood, it comes with a long list of responsibilities — financial ones included. That’s life, and we all learn to cope and keep moving forward. But every so often, there’s a small hiccup and — be it emotional, physical or otherwise — we run into a wall.
Expenses like car repairs force you to spend rent money or utility money. You know you’re going to be short, so you’re pulling crazy overtime to make up the difference. Or, maybe you have to give up some recreational activities to make way for more responsible ones.
These things happen, and when they do, it’s nice to have a little cash or free gift cards handy to lighten the stress load. You could always flip some of your stuff, true, but no one likes doing that. You could also ask your family for money, but that’s no good, either. And taking out a cash advance is an even worse strategy.
Why not try out one of these free gift card apps? That’s right: There are apps that give you free stuff that can net you some extra funds for whatever, whenever you want.
Here are our top apps that pay you free gift cards or legit cash.
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23 Apps That Give You Free Gift Cards
These apps can score you free gift cards, no seriously. You can get:
Don’t believe me? Just watch.
1. Nielsen App
Nielsen offers an app and desktop service that allows you to register and earn rewards just for browsing the Internet. Yes, it’s a legitimate opportunity, but you should be mindful of what that means.
Once you’ve installed the application, the company will be collecting information about your usage habits, activities and the websites you visit. You don’t have to do anything else, and the service works automatically in the background.
If that’s worth it to you, you can earn $50 to $100 passively throughout a year’s time.
This company will pay you $50 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month. You don’t have to do anything other than initially registering your computer or phone.
2. Branded Surveys
Branded Research is straightforward. When you first log in, it will ask personal questions, so it can build an accurate profile of your preferences. You’ll then begin receiving exclusive surveys, which can pay anywhere from a few cents up to $75. You’ll even earn $2 right away just for signing up.
If you check in daily and complete the surveys they offer, you’ll have earned a nice chunk of cash before you know it.
Branded Surveys is quickly becoming one of the top survey sites. At up to $5-10 a pop for some surveys and a free 100 points for signing up, it pays to check in daily to see which ones are available to you.
4. Lucktastic
Have you ever heard of games that pay real money? Lucktastic allows users to play with 100% free scratch cards to win loads of free money. Just pick your theme, swipe digital scratch-offs, and test your luck to earn real money daily.
This gaming app is a free and fun way to win real cash and prizes and earn rewards. Even if you just login daily to collect the daily bonus, you can save up for an Amazon gift card in a few days.
If you love the feeling of buying lotto tickets or scratch-offs and dreaming about the money you stand to win — then you would seriously enjoy playing Lucktastic.
I was hesitant at first but this gaming app has over 9,249+ positive reviews in App Store. It’s legit.
Lucktastic offers the same daily scratch-off cards that you find at your local convenience store — but here you can play for free and win real money.
5. Ibotta
Ibotta is a mobile app — available for both iOS and Android — that helps you save money by scanning your grocery receipts. It also works with other apps and services on your device, such as Uber. For example, every time you use Uber and order a ride, you can earn $1 back through Ibotta. You can then transfer the funds to your authorized PayPal account for personal use.
You won’t make hundreds of dollars overnight, but you certainly can earn that much eventually, if you continue to use the app regularly. It’s great for building up emergency funds!
Ibotta pays you cash back for shopping at over 500,000 retailers, which you have to do every month. So why not get paid for it? Get started saving today.
6. InboxDollars
Do you ever spend a few minutes on your lunch break or at home watching videos online? This app or service is right up your alley. It’s available on mobile and desktop and requires you to watch “fun” videos and then take surveys about them.
If you invest just five to 10 minutes per day, you can earn up to $50 extra per month. That’s not bad, especially if you stick with it, because you can continue to earn more. You’ll get a $5 bonus just for signing up, which is quick and free.
InboxDollars offers a variety of ways to earn money online. You can take surveys, play games, surf the web, watch videos and more to earn points towards gift cards.
7. Swagbucks
Earn a special currency called Swagbucks for completing offers, answering surveys and logging online activity. You can redeem the currency for gift cards or cash rewards once you’ve accumulated enough. This is one of the best apps that pays you through PayPal.
Swagbucks offers a variety of ways to earn money online. You can take surveys, play games, surf the web, watch videos and more to earn points towards gift cards or cash.
8. Swagbucks Live
Earn money for answering questions on your phone during a live trivia show. This is a great (and fun) iPhone or Android app that pays you money for your smarts.
Swagbucks LIVE is the live trivia game show where you test your knowledge daily to win huge cash prizes. It's free. Download the app to play and win!
9. Survey Junkie
Complete surveys for market research and earn money. They actually ranked as one of
Taking online surveys with Survey Junkie to make extra money is a no-brainer. You definitely won’t get rich or make hundreds of dollars per day with surveys alone, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way.
Survey Junkie is a free survey app for your phone that pays you to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and try new products. And, I really mean free all around – free to join and they don’t charge anything to be a member (they will actually pay you in cash via PayPal). You can read our full Survey Junkie review to learn more.
Earn up to $3 per survey with one of the highest-paying survey sites on the web.
10. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is one of the world’s leading market research communities – rewarding you for your opinion. Branded Surveys asks for information about you so that they can match you with fitting surveys. At up to $5-10 a pop for some surveys and a free 100 points for signing up, it pays to check in daily to see which ones are available to you.
Branded Surveys is quickly becoming one of the top survey sites. At up to $5-10 a pop for some surveys and a free 100 points for signing up, it pays to check in daily to see which ones are available to you.
11. Dosh
The Dosh app is the free cash back app that finds you money for shopping, dining out, and booking hotels and travel activities with more than 100,000 merchants and brands nationwide. This company not only allows you to get cash back on everyday purchases, but no receipt scanning is required.
Dosh is the easiest cash back app to use because you can just set it and forget it. Just link a debit or credit card and you can start earning cash back today.
12. MyPoints
MyPoints has it all — whether you want to shop at all your favorite retailers from the convenience of your phone or take surveys on the go, the MyPoints app has you covered.
Find a fancy hotel or shop for a new pair of kicks at your favorite retailer. Shopping not your bag? Like to share your opinion? Who doesn’t? Share feedback on a variety of topics including movies, TV shows, shopping experiences and even new products and services. Reward yourself with great experiences as well as free gift cards with MyPoints.
MyPoints pays you when you shop online at your favorite stores and delivers the rewards through free gift cards.
13. GetUpside
GetUpside is one of the best cash back apps for gas that provides users with a variety of helpful information. First, it gives you 25 cents back on every gas station receipt you submit. It also shows you the best gas station deals and the cheapest gas. This free cash back app for gas is saving users an average of $124 in a year. There is no minimum for cash outs, but a $1 fee will be made on withdrawals under $15.
Are you always looking for cheap gas in your neighborhood — but end up going to the same place every time? You can find gas stations and other participating businesses near you that offer cash back with GetUpside.
14. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a mobile rewards app that pays you for shopping (from any store). This is an easy and of the best money making apps to earn gift cards the easy way, and can add up to a large wad of free gift cards with time. And there is a low threshold to cash out, unlike other cash back apps.
Earn free rewards just by scanning your grocery receipts. Scan every grocery receipt after you shop and Fetch Rewards finds you savings.
15. Drop
The Drop app tracks your purchases when you link up your credit card and debit cards to the free app. Then, it automatically adds Drop points to your account when you spend at certain merchants you’ve picked from their list. It’s simple. When you reach a certain threshold, you can redeem Drop points for gift cards to popular retailers.
You can use drop to get cash back on shopping, play games, take polls and more to earn free gift cards.
16. Shopkick
Shopkick is a money making app that rewards you with free gift cards for the shopping you already do. You can get points for just walking in the door of some stores (including Walmart, Target, TJMaxx and more), for completing various offers or buying popular products. You can also earn rewards for referring friends or family. It’s a great money-making app to earn money the easy way and it’s totally free.
Download the Shopkick app and start earning points, or "kicks", for shipping in-store or online or just by watching videos!
Other Apps That’ll Earn You Money
Check out these other money-making apps that are worth a look.
17. Rakuten Cash Back — iOS, Android and desktop
Earn cash back for items you’re going to buy anyway. It mostly works for online shopping and allows you to earn money you can transfer directly to a linked PayPal account.
18. Paribus — iOS and desktop
Get refunds for items you’ve recently purchased that reduced in price or value. This is one of the best apps to make money fast.
Paribus compensates us when you sign up for Paribus using the links we provided.
19. PanelPlace — iOS, Android and desktop
Take a variety of user surveys, polls and questionnaires and earn cash.
20. Mistplay — Android only
Earn rewards by trying out new apps and playing mobile games. After completing various offers, you’ll earn points you can redeem for a Visa gift card or other gift cards.
21. Solitaire Cube — iOS only
Solitaire Cube is an addicting game where you can play Solitaire on your phone for gift cards or cash. It’s available on the Apple Store only, sorry Android users.
22. Blackout Bingo — iOS
You can earn real money with this skill-based bingo app and compete for cash prizes. This is a really addicting game that has over 13K+ positive reviews in the App Store. It’s legit.
23. Game of Throne Casino Slots — Android only
If you are a fan of Game of Thrones than this slot game is a must. Gorgeous graphics with music taken right from the show including the theme song. Each slot features different music from the show.
Bonus: Join Sites that Give You Free Money to Invest in Stocks (up to $1,000)
There are several companies that offer free stocks online through their services and apps. You can then choose to hold for the long-term or sell for a quick profit. Some companies may even pay dividends.
If you are looking for ways to earn free money, you can try to see how you can get free stocks from the best investment apps:
Robinhood
Robinhood offers you a chance of earning a free stock valued between $2.50 and $200 by playing their pick-a-card game of chance. There are no minimum balance requirements to open an account and it’s completely free (must submit the application to claim free stock). We are an affiliate partner of Robinhood and may receive compensation when you click on their links.
Webull
Currently, Webull offers the opportunity to get a free stock worth between $8 and $1,600 if you open your account and deposit at least $100. You can trade EFTs, stocks and options for free through Webull app or their site.
M1 Finance
M1 Finance offers the opportunity to get a free stock worth $10 when you sign up for an account. After creating an account for free and depositing money, you set your stock and index selections and have M1 Finance automate your investments on your behalf.
Acorns
Acorns is a financial app available via iOS and Android phones. This app rounds up your purchases on linked credit cards to the nearest dollar and invests that amount for your future. You will get $5 when you sign up for a new account with Acorns. Acorns also allows you to earn cash back on your everyday purchases at select stores. You can set up your cash back earnings as recurring investments.
Public
Public is another investment app that will give you a $10 free sign-up bonus for creating a new account.
Enjoy The Best Free Gift Cards Apps
There you have it. If you’ve finished the list, you’ve just made at least $50 fast through these apps that pay you in free gift cards.
We wish you the best of luck on your money-making journey! Just remember, with most of these free gift card apps, consistency is key, so be diligent about completing your daily check-in and continue to use the apps to get free gift cards. These are honestly probably the highest paying apps if you want to earn more lucrative amounts of cash or gift cards. While there are no free gift card app hacks, these are the best app substitute to earn gift cards on iOS and Android phones.
It’s always better to use these opportunities as additional cash for smaller purchases, rather than to rely on them for a steady income.
Do you know of any free gift card apps that we may have missed?
