Play games, get paid. Lots of mobile apps make this promise.
Sounds good, right? Especially in this expensive economy.
Do these apps really pay you to play games, though? In many cases, you’re making the app developers money when you complete surveys, watch videos, see ads and play games. Apps may also be harvesting your data as you use them.
Payouts generally come once you earn a minimum amount, like $5. Even that can take quite a while, according to some app reviews.
Which game apps pay money?
Solitaire Cube, Scrambly, Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Cash Giraffe, KashKick and JustPlay are just a few of many apps that advertise game play for pay. Although reviews are mixed, the aforementioned apps all have good ratings (4.0 stars or higher) in both Google Play and the App Store.
Some apps, such as Mistplay, let you earn points redeemable for gift cards while playing various games, including slots, cards and battles.
Some games, like Solitaire Cube, for example, let you play against other users.
Cash-out minimums can be a pain, but JustPlay usually doesn’t require one, which Reddit posters like.
» MORE:Are these survey apps for money worth it?
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What do users say about pay-to-play apps?
Pure game apps can be a grind
An App Store reviewer of Swagbucks says, “I used this app on and off for years but … the surveys were always garbage and always say they’ll only take a few minutes but take ages and rarely reward what they say because they’ll disqualify you after you spend 20+ minutes answering questions and then grant you pennies (if anything) for your time.”
Another Swagbucks App Store reviewer says it is “chock full of gimmicks and ways to earn enough points to get gift cards. They run the gamut from ridiculously easy to almost impossible, but overall it’s worth it.”
InboxDollars reviews range from more than one Google Play user saying the app is a scam, to others rating the app five stars.
One Android InboxDollars user says: “This app is legit. I’ve been using it for 3+ weeks and have cashed out a gift card that I did receive. I have found some games I enjoy playing and get paid to play them.”
Pros and cons of game apps
We used AI to sift through Reddit threads for a pulse check on how users feel about pay-to-playapps.Here are the pros and cons that rose to the top of our analysis.People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Game apps are appealing because of the low barrier to entry. All you need is a phone and a data connection; no special skills required.
Apps like JustPlay and Scrambly get lots of love for letting you cash out with no or low minimums ($1 for Scrambly).
Your downtime — work breaks, ads on TV and general boredom spells — can be fun game time, which may actually earn you a few bucks.
The potential for “coffee money” is real, especially with apps like Mistplay, JustPlay and Swagbucks that get frequent mentions.
Low overall earning potential (most users report $10-25 per month per app) is a turnoff.
An extremely low hourly wage (between $0.10 and $0.80).
If your phone’s app tracking software flakes out, you can lose hours of progress with no compensation.
Users say apps have a habit of paying more at first to build trust, then reducing earnings as you log more time.
Does privacy matter to you? Because you’ll most likely be granting apps broad permissions to track and sell your data.
The general consensus on Reddit was, if you have the time, energy and interest and want to earn extra money, you can consider one of these apps. But, if you think you’ll be too impatient, there are better ways to make fast cash.
What else should I know before I play?
There are less intense pay-for-play alternatives
Fetch is an example of an app that uses game-play to enhance the focus on brand loyalty and rewards. Apps like it are more about getting a few bucks back than grinding away for a little pay, says Jed Strong, a spokesman for adjoe, a company that helps app developers integrate gaming functionality into the rewards experience.
“Our users are spending minutes per day — fitting it into a bus ride to work or a school pickup line,” he says. “A casual user playing a few sessions a week might earn the equivalent of a few dollars every week.”
Upside, Ibotta and Rakuten are other popular apps that offer a little something for a little of your time.
» MORE:7 cash-back apps that won’t dominate your day
Be on guard as you game
Game apps that pay money can seem too good to be true. Sometimes they are.
Unscrupulous providers can postpone payoffs by preventing you from reaching your payout target. Some high-profile game apps have shut down with little notice, leaving users wondering about their prizes.
Do your research and read reviews. Protect yourself and don’t provide personal information beyond what the apps require to monitor your playing activity.
Look for payments issued by email, such as gift cards, or PayPal, so that you can safeguard your financial information.
Most importantly: Make sure monetary payouts are legal where you live. Read the app’s fine print and look up your state laws online.
» MORE:How to make money online and offline
Writer Lisa Mulka contributed to this article.
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