In today’s fast-paced digital world, making extra cash through apps is becoming increasingly popular. With a variety of free apps that pay real money instantly, you can earn money in your spare time without much hassle. Whether you’re looking to make money through completing surveys, playing games, or selling items, there are a number of apps available that offer genuine opportunities to make real money without any upfront costs.
This article will explore some of the best free apps that pay real money instantly, so you can start earning right away.
Key Takeaway
- Swagbucks and InboxDollars allow you to earn money through surveys, shopping, and more.
- Mistplay and RewardedPlay reward you for playing games.
- Honey and Drop offer cash-back for online shopping.
- Foap lets you earn money by selling your photos.
- Payouts are often processed instantly via PayPal or gift cards, making these apps great for quick cash.
Why Choose Apps That Pay Real Money Instantly?
Before diving into the list of apps, let’s explore why choosing apps that pay instantly is a great way to earn money. The appeal lies in the simplicity and convenience:
- Immediate Access to Earnings: Most apps that pay instantly allow you to access your money as soon as you reach a payout threshold. This can be ideal when you need quick cash for emergencies or everyday expenses.
- No Investment Required: Unlike other online money-making opportunities, these apps typically don’t require you to invest any money upfront. All you need is your smartphone, and you can begin earning right away.
- Variety of Earning Methods: From completing surveys to playing games, watching videos, and more, there’s a wide range of ways you can earn money, making it easier to find an app that matches your interests.
- Low Barriers to Entry: Many of these apps are beginner-friendly, meaning you don’t need special skills or experience to get started.
Best Free Apps That Pay Real Money Instantly
Here’s a breakdown of the top apps that pay real money instantly. They range from survey-taking platforms to cash-back apps and even game apps where you can win real money.
1. Swagbucks
What It Offers: Swagbucks is one of the most popular apps for earning free money. It allows you to earn Swagbucks (SB), which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
How It Works:
- You can earn Swagbucks by completing surveys, shopping online, watching videos, playing games, and more.
- The app offers a variety of ways to earn, and most activities take just a few minutes.
- The more you participate, the more Swagbucks you earn. Once you reach 300 SB, you can redeem them for a $3 gift card or PayPal cash.
Payouts: Swagbucks offers PayPal payments, which are processed instantly once the payment is approved. Gift cards may take a little longer but are still fairly quick.
2. InboxDollars
What It Offers: InboxDollars is an app that allows you to earn money by taking surveys, reading emails, watching videos, and playing games.
How It Works:
- You can start earning money immediately by signing up and completing your profile.
- InboxDollars pays you in cash rather than points or gift cards, which is a plus for those who prefer direct payouts.
- You earn money for everyday activities like reading emails, shopping online, and completing surveys.
Payouts: Once you’ve accumulated $30 in your InboxDollars account, you can request a payout via PayPal or choose to receive a check. While the payout may take a few business days, InboxDollars is one of the few apps that provides cash instead of gift cards.
3. Mistplay
What It Offers: Mistplay is an app designed for gamers, allowing users to earn real money by playing mobile games.
How It Works:
- You’ll need to download games through the Mistplay app, and then play them to earn points.
- The more you play, the more points you collect. These points can be exchanged for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Visa, and others.
- Mistplay offers a wide range of games, from casual ones to more intense role-playing games.
Payouts: Once you reach the required point threshold, you can redeem them for gift cards. While gift cards may not always be instant, Mistplay ensures quick processing once the redemption is requested.
4. MyPoints
What It Offers: MyPoints is another platform similar to Swagbucks that rewards you for taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online.
How It Works:
- You earn points for completing simple tasks, and these points can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards.
- MyPoints partners with major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, allowing you to earn points by shopping at those stores.
Payouts: Once you reach 480 points, you can redeem them for a $3 PayPal payment or gift cards. The app processes payouts quickly, and PayPal payments are often delivered within 24-48 hours.
5. Locket
What It Offers: Locket is an innovative app that lets you earn money by simply using your phone’s lock screen.
How It Works:
- Instead of the usual lock screen, Locket displays ads and offers you cash for viewing them.
- You can swipe through different offers, and you’ll earn points each time you interact with an ad.
- The app also provides the option to earn money for referring friends and completing certain tasks.
Payouts: Once you reach the required threshold, you can cash out via PayPal. The payout is usually processed within 24 hours, making Locket one of the quickest apps for cashing out.
6. PayPal Honey
What It Offers: PayPal Honey is primarily a cash-back app that allows you to earn money back while shopping online.
How It Works:
- When you shop at partner stores, Honey offers you cash back as a percentage of your purchase.
- Simply install the Honey extension on your browser, and it will alert you about discounts and promotions, ensuring that you get the best deals available.
- The app is free to use and available on both desktop and mobile.
Payouts: Once you’ve accumulated at least $10 in your Honey account, you can transfer your earnings to your PayPal account instantly.
7. Drop
What It Offers: Drop is a rewards app that offers cash back and points for everyday purchases made at various retailers.
How It Works:
- You link your credit or debit card to the app, and you’ll earn points for qualifying purchases made at partner stores.
- These points can be redeemed for gift cards to popular stores like Amazon, Starbucks, and Target.
Payouts: Drop offers quick cash-out options through gift cards, and once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them instantly for a gift card or PayPal payment.
8. Foap
What It Offers: Foap is a photography app that lets you earn money by selling your photos.
How It Works:
- You can upload your photos and sell them to businesses, marketers, and agencies who need quality images for their campaigns.
- Foap allows you to set your own prices for each photo, and you earn a commission every time someone purchases your image.
Payouts: Once you’ve earned $5 from photo sales, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal.
9. RewardedPlay
What It Offers: RewardedPlay is a mobile gaming app that lets you earn rewards for playing games.
How It Works:
- You can play free games on your smartphone and earn points for each activity you do.
- The app features various types of games, including trivia, puzzle, and action games.
Payouts: Once you collect enough points, you can redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards. The payout process is typically instant once your request is processed.
10. FeaturePoints
What It Offers: FeaturePoints allows users to earn money by completing surveys, testing apps, and shopping online.
How It Works:
- You can earn points for downloading and trying out apps, taking surveys, and completing tasks.
- Each activity earns you a specific number of points, and you can redeem those points for PayPal cash or gift cards.
Payouts: FeaturePoints provides quick payouts to PayPal accounts, usually within 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
- Many apps offer opportunities to earn money instantly with minimal effort.
- Apps like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints provide various ways to earn, from taking surveys to shopping online.
- For those who enjoy gaming, apps like Mistplay and RewardedPlay allow you to earn money by playing games.
- Cash-back apps like Honey and Drop reward you for making purchases at partner stores.
- Photography enthusiasts can sell their photos through Foap to earn money.
FAQs
1. What are the best free apps that pay real money instantly?
The best apps for earning real money instantly include Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Mistplay, RewardedPlay, Foap, Honey, and Drop. These apps allow you to earn through surveys, tasks, shopping, gaming, and more, with quick payment methods.
2. How do Swagbucks and InboxDollars pay me?
Both Swagbucks and InboxDollars pay via PayPal or gift cards. You can choose how to receive your earnings once you’ve reached the minimum payout threshold.
3. Can I really earn money by playing games on Mistplay and RewardedPlay?
Yes, Mistplay and RewardedPlay reward users with points for playing games, which can then be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
4. Are the payments on these apps really instant?
Payments are usually processed quickly, but some apps may require you to meet a minimum earning threshold before withdrawing. Once the threshold is reached, the payout can be completed within hours or days, depending on the app.
5. How do I earn money on Honey and Drop?
Honey and Drop reward you with cash-back for shopping at partnered stores. Honey provides instant coupon savings, while Drop lets you accumulate points that can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards.
6. Can I sell my photos and earn money on Foap?
Yes, Foap allows you to upload and sell your photos to earn real money. You’ll receive payment when your photos are sold to companies or individuals who want to use them.
7. Do I need to pay anything to use these apps?
No, all the apps mentioned are free to download and use. You earn money by completing tasks or engaging with the app’s features.
8. Is there a limit to how much I can earn?
While there is no fixed upper limit, each app may have its own earning structure, and how much you can earn depends on the number of tasks, surveys, or games you complete.
9. Are these apps available globally?
Most of these apps are available in many countries, but some may have specific country restrictions or limitations. Always check the app’s availability in your region before signing up.
10. Do I need to have a PayPal account to get paid?
Most apps use PayPal for instant payouts, so having a PayPal account is recommended. However, some apps also offer other payment methods like gift cards or direct bank transfers.
11. How long does it take to start earning money with these apps?
You can start earning money right away by completing tasks, surveys, or games. However, you may need to reach a certain threshold before withdrawing your earnings.
12. Are these apps reliable and safe?
Yes, these apps are reputable and safe to use. They have positive user reviews and secure payment systems. Be sure to download them from trusted sources like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
13. Can I use these apps alongside my regular job or studies?
Yes, these apps are flexible and can be used in your spare time. Whether you’re working or studying, you can use them to earn extra money whenever you have a free moment.
14. Do these apps require a lot of data or high phone storage?
Most of these apps are lightweight and don’t consume much data or storage. However, apps like Mistplay and RewardedPlay may require some space for games.
15. What types of surveys or tasks are offered on Swagbucks and InboxDollars?
Both platforms offer a variety of surveys, product trials, watching videos, completing offers, and more. You can select tasks based on your preferences.
16. Can I get paid in cash, or only gift cards?
Both options are available on many apps. For example, Swagbucks and InboxDollars allow payouts via PayPal (cash) or gift cards, while others like Drop and Foap provide gift card options.
17. How do I maximize my earnings on these apps?
Maximize earnings by consistently engaging with the apps, completing surveys, playing games, or shopping through affiliated retailers. Be sure to check for new tasks or promotions regularly.
18. Are there age restrictions for using these apps?
Some apps, like Swagbucks and InboxDollars, require users to be at least 18 years old. However, apps like Mistplay and RewardedPlay may allow younger users to participate with parental consent.
19. Can I use these apps on both Android and iOS?
Yes, most of these apps are available on both Android and iOS platforms. You can download them from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
20. Do I have to refer friends to earn more money?
While some apps, like Swagbucks, offer referral bonuses for inviting friends, you can still earn money without referrals. It’s an option to boost your earnings but not a requirement.

Conclusion
There are plenty of free apps that pay real money instantly, offering you numerous ways to earn extra cash with minimal effort. Whether you enjoy gaming, shopping, completing surveys, or even selling your photos, there’s an app for you. While you might not become a millionaire using these apps, they’re an easy and convenient way to make some extra money in your spare time. Start exploring these apps today and enjoy the benefits of getting paid quickly and effortlessly!