When times are tough, it’s nice to know there are ways you can make some extra cash. More specifically, there are free apps you can download to earn money or gift cards in just a few minutes’ time.
To help you out in times of need, we’ve put together this list of 15 free applications you can take advantage of. They’ll put some extra money—or gift cards—in your wallet without demanding a whole lot from your schedule.
Free Apps Giving Away Money or Gift Cards
Here are 15 free apps you can download to start making money and/or earning gift cards today.
READ MORE: 35 Frugal Living Tips to Live Comfortably On One Income
InboxDollars
As one of the more popular cash-earning apps, InboxDollars offers multiple opportunities to make a few extra bucks. Participating in surveys will earn you rewards, along with playing games and shopping online.
You can also watch videos and gain exclusive access to free coupons to use at stores you already shop at. Once you reach $30 in rewards, you can cash out for a gift card or a check.
TaskRabbit
Have you ever looked at your to-do list and just wanted to hand it off to someone to take care of? Well, TaskRabbit allows you to do just that, for a small fee. After posting details about the task you need completed, you’ll receive a handful of “Taskers” who are available, along with their rates and reviews. Select your temporary personal assistant to complete your task and your lengthy to-do list will soon disappear.
Lucktastic
Maybe it’s the child in us all, but there’s something exciting about scratching off a lottery ticket to find out what lies beneath that shiny finish. Lucktastic takes this process to a whole new level with a free app that allows you to scratch card games every day. There are scratch cards for every season and holiday, along with rewards like cash prizes, gift cards, trips, merchandise, and more. No purchase necessary.
Swagbucks
As a popular cash-back earning site, Swagbucks works similar to InboxDollars. You can play games and watch videos to earn cash back, or simply keep your receipts after every trip and earn rewards via special offers. Gift cards are redeemable for a number of well-known retailers, or you can choose to deposit your rewards to a PayPal account as well.
Mobee
You’ve heard of secret shoppers, but have you ever had the opportunity to be one? Mobee is a free app available for download that lets you give your favorite businesses feedback in exchange for rewards. Once you sign up, the process is as simple as choosing the location you’ll be visiting and answering a few questions when you’re there. As you progress through the app, you’ll unlock achievements and levels, all the while earning cash back redeemable for gift cards.
AppTrailers
If taking surveys and saving your grocery receipts sounds like too much work, you can also check out AppTrailers. This free app focuses on watching videos about new apps on the market, celebrity news, and instructional topics. You can also play trivia to earn even more points. Rewards are redeemable at popular stores and you can also request a pre-paid debit card with your rewards amount.
Ibotta
If cash-back is the name of your shopping game, choose Ibotta to download today. This app allows you to earn cash back for the purchases you already make from a variety of retailers you know and love. Ibotta gives you the opportunity to cash out via PayPal or by choosing from their assortment of gift cards.
Field Agent
Can you imagine getting paid to try out new products? Field Agent allows people just like you to rate your experience with items new to the market, as well as give feedback on stores in your area. It’s free to download and sign up, and you don’t have to have any experience beyond sharing your thoughts so brands can make better marketing decisions in the future. Opportunities on Field Agent are called “jobs” and typically pay anywhere from $3 to $20, depending on the task.
Rakuten
Ready to earn up to 40% cash back? Rakuten offers shoppers some of the best rates when it comes to earning cash back for shopping and food delivery. After downloading the app, simply link the credit card you’ll be using to make your purchases and watch the cash back pile up. Gift cards, along with PayPal and a check, are ways you can redeem your points.
Foap
Photographers will love this free app. If you’re someone who takes a lot of great photos, Foap is the jackpot. Simply upload the photos you already take and earn 50% of the commission Foap charges for use of your photos. You can upload as many photos as you want and it’s easy to cash out via PayPal. Now that’s passive income.
Google Opinion Rewards
Like most companies, Google wants to know what you’re thinking about their marketing programs. Google Opinion Rewards is a great app to share those thoughts via surveys that can earn you Google Play credits. Surveys don’t require much in terms of experience and though they only come about once a week on average, you could earn quite a sum after a few months.
Survey Junkie
Giving our opinion can be an easy way to earn extra money. This is especially true for Survey Junkie, which rewards members with points for sharing their feedback. Well-known brands pay big bucks to research marketing tactics and improve their reach. With Survey Junkie, you can add your voice to the mix and still earn cash while doing it. Rewards can be redeemed for eGiftcards, to PayPal, or even via a direct bank transfer.
Paribus
Whenever we shop online, we’re almost always looking for the best price. With Paribus, you don’t have to scour the internet for hours at a time to figure out if the item you’re going to purchase is listed at the best price possible. Paribus tracks the receipts coming into your inbox and alerts you about potential savings. All you have to do is shop online and take advantage of those savings when they pop up.
Turo
It’s no secret that having a car is practically a mainstay of modern life. But oftentimes our vehicles aren’t on the road 24/7. Rather than letting it sit, you can easily download the Turo app, which allows you to “share” your vehicle with others who want to rent it for one or more days. Cars available on the app include everything from a moving truck to an expensive exotic, and even if you choose to list your own vehicle, you can be sure the $750,000 liability insurance will cover any incidents that might occur.
Mistplay
A lot of people use their phone to play games while they’re on the bus, in the air, or even just on break. Mistplay is a great app to download if you want to earn money for playing games in your downtime. Each game you play earns you points, which can be redeemed for gift cards from your favorite stores. The more games you play, the more points you earn, along with badges and weekly bonuses for daily streaks.
How to Make the Most of These Money-Making Apps
While it may be overwhelming to download all 15 of these apps at once, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. Here’s how you can make the most of your time while earning maximum rewards:
- Narrow down the list above to apps you think you’d actually use. A list of 5-7 apps is much more manageable than the total 15 we’ve listed.
- Diversify your choices. Earning cash from playing games and answering surveys adds a bit of variety. Too many apps of the same kind can feel redundant and make you want to use them less.
- Plan out real ways to earn money with each app. For those apps that allow you to earn points by shopping, make a list of stores that will bring you rewards. Set aside certain times to play games.
- Home in on those apps that make you the most money for your time. These are the ones you should be focusing most of your efforts on. Don’t be afraid to weed your list down further to maximize your efforts.
It pays to work smarter, not harder. That applies to free money-making apps as well.
Earn Money in Your Free Time
Believe it or not, there are ways to make extra cash via free downloaded apps. While some may require you to make purchases to earn rewards, oftentimes you’ll be shopping at those stores anyways. We hope you’ve found this article useful in regards to what apps you can download for free today to earn extra money. After all, who couldn’t use a bit of extra cash these days?