Tom NathanielIn the past, I talked about more than 61+ ways to get free gift cards, and while I did talk about the many apps that do offer gift cards, I included other options as well.
Since a lot of you probably only use your phones and don’t really use a desktop/laptop version of a rewards website, I figured I would create a simple guide, showcasing the best apps to earn gift cards. All of the websites/apps I’m about to mention are designed for phones only, so you can be certain you can sign up if you’re using a mobile device.
Like my survey guide, I will go into detail as to how the app works, the minimum payout as well as how many gift cards they offer.
So, if you don’t mind doing a little work to earn a gift card or two, here are a ton of apps that can help you earn gift cards from many major retailers. Almost all of these apps will work both on Android and the iPhone.
Best Apps to Earn Gift Cards (Android and iPhone)
Freecash
Freecash is an awesome way to earn gift cards, as well as in-game currencies, such as Robux, simply for answering survey questions as well as offers. They work with a lot of third-party providers found on other sites, but I did find that their payouts seem to be much higher than the industry average. If you want cryptocurrency, withdrawals start at $0.50, however, if cryptocurrency isn’t your thing, then gift cards and PayPal starts at $5. The great thing is that if you use this site as your #1, you can work your way up the leaderboard, which allow you to potentially win some hefty prizes.
How many gift card options? 15+
Minimum payout: $.50 (cryptocurrency at $0.50 and gift cards/PayPal at $5)
Sign up for Freecash >>Swagbucks
You will see Swagbucks mentioned quite a bit here, but honestly, it’s my favorite way to earn gift cards. As one of the easiest ways to earn, you can earn what’s known as “Swagbucks” for completing surveys, watching videos, playing games, searching the web and so much more. Every task you complete will earn you a set amount of points, usually ranging anywhere from 5 to more than 3,000, with each point worth $0.01. I use Swagbucks all of the time and can easily earn $200+ a month only investing a few minutes of my time every day.
How many gift card options? 100+
Minimum payout: $3 (depends on the gift card you choose, however)
Sign up for Swagbucks >>Survey Junkie
I like Survey Junkie because they only focus on surveys. There are no other ways to make money, but let’s face it — most of your money relies on the surveys anyway. To use Survey Junkie, it’s extremely simple. Sign up for an account, fill out your profile and start taking the surveys that show up on your dashboard. Before you take a survey, you can see how many points you can earn as well as how long it will take to complete. Survey Junkie doesn’t offer gift card options, per se, but I wanted to include it here since you can technically get cash, which is almost good as a gift card, right? You can read my in-depth review to see how the program works.
How many gift card options? 1 (just cash)
Minimum payout: $10
Sign up for Survey Junkie >>QuickThoughts
QuickThoughts is quite the hit in the survey community as they offer some of the highest paying surveys, sometimes as much as $3 each. To use QuickThoughts successfully, you should let the app track your phone location as the surveys will relate to the places you have visited. This isn’t mandatory, however, as the app will send you other survey opportunities as well. Check out how they work in my detailed QuickThoughts review. This is one of the best apps to earn Amazon gift cards fast.
How many gift card options? 2 (Amazon or iTunes)
Minimum payout: $10
Sign up for QuickThoughts >>InboxDollars
InboxDollars works a lot like your GPT sites, but the key difference here is that they offer cash only, not a silly points system. I contemplated listing it here as you can only redeem your cash for a Visa cash card or check, but nonetheless, I guess you could consider the Visa cash card as being a gift card. InboxDollars will reward you to watch videos, download apps, search the website, shop, answer surveys and so much more. They even reward you to open emails. Be sure to follow the link below for a $5 sign-up bonus!
How many gift card options? 4+
Minimum payout: $30
Sign up for InboxDollars >>instaGC
As the name implies, instaGC offers a TON of gift cards, most of which are issued instantly upon redemption. I wrote about this platform in-depth in the past, but in short, it’s a nice platform to earn points while completing offers, downloading new apps, taking surveys and much more. They don’t have a lot of unique offers, but they have partnered with many “offerwalls,” giving you a ton of options to keep you busy for some time.
How many gift card options? 100+
Minimum payout: $1
Sign up for instaGC >>MyPoints
MyPoints mobile lets you earn points when you complete a variety of tasks, including taking surveys, watching videos, and even shopping online. It’s pretty much the same as the other websites I already mentioned here. Founded in 1996, the company has paid out more than $300 million dollars, making them quite the powerhouse in this space. Earn enough points and you can then cash out for a variety of gift card options.
How many gift card options? 75+
Minimum payout: $3
Sign up for MyPoints >>YouGov
YouGov is probably one of my favorite options on this list for a myriad of reasons. For one, I qualify for every survey they send to my email, making it a lot less stressful than most survey sites that often disqualify you. Not only that, but I actually enjoy the YouGov surveys as they often revolve around current events and trends. I rarely find myself bored. I will warn you that the surveys are far and few in between, but I earn about $50 every four to six months. You can get paid cash, but gift cards options are available as well.
How many gift card options? 10+
Minimum payout: $15
Sign up for YouGov >>Ipsos i-Say
The Ipsos i-Say app is a community dedicated to “giving you a voice.” The app offers instant survey notifications, exclusive mobile surveys and everything else the desktop version has to offer. i-Say is powered by Ipsos, one of the world’s leading global market research companies. You can read more about this company via this review.
How many gift card options? 15+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for i-Say >>Ibotta
Ibotta is a pinch different than most of the apps I mention here as it has nothing to do with taking surveys. Instead, you will upload receipts and/or link your account from various retailers to get compensated whenever you purchase a product found on the app. As I write this, the company works with more than 300+ retailers and continues to grow. Basically, whenever you make a purchase and upload your receipt and/or link your account, Ibotta will reward you with cash, in which you can then cash out for a variety of gift cards or PayPal if you so choose.
How many gift card options? 15+
Minimum payout: $20
Sign up for Ibotta >>Panel App
According to the company, the Panel App has paid out more than $2 million in cash and prizes to date. And, to use the app, you will earn points by completing surveys that are based on your whereabouts when you have your phone, referred to as “location-based surveys.” In exchange for your time, the company will reward you with points, in which you can then cash out for a variety of gift cards, including big-name retailers such as Amazon, Google Play and more. Sweepstakes are available as well.
How many gift card options? 5+
Minimum payout: $1
Sign up for Panel App >>AppNana
Search for “free gift cards” on the Google Play store and this is one of the first apps you will see pop up in the results. AppNana, said to be the most popular reward app, rewards you to download apps, watch videos and more. Earning what’s known as “Nanas,” you can cash out for a variety of gift cards.
How many gift card options? 4 (Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and Xbox)
Minimum payout: $1
Sign up for AppNana >>AppRedeem
AppRedeem will reward you to discover new apps, watch videos and even play games, giving you “Perk Points” for your time. As I write this, the app has more than 500,000 downloads with a 4.1/5 star rating.
How many gift card options? 25+
Minimum payout: $0.25
Sign up for AppRedeem >>AppTrailers
The AppTrailers app will reward you to watch video trailers, most of which consist of app previews, movies and more. For every video you watch in its entirety, the app will reward you with points, in which you can then redeem for a few gift card options.
How many gift card options? 5+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for AppTrailers >>Cash for Apps
A simple app name, but it gets the point across. The Cash for Apps wants you to test out new apps and reward you in doing so with points. This app works just like the many “get paid to download apps,” wherein you may be asked to just download an app or reach a certain milestone before you see your payout. The app has more than 10 million downloads with a 4.4/5 star rating.
How many gift card options? 15+
Minimum payout: $1
Sign up for Cash for Apps >>CheckPoints
The CheckPoints app will reward you whenever you’re out and about shopping as you normally would. In fact, you don’t even need to buy anything as the company will reward you to scan barcodes on popular products and even answer surveys in regards to your shopping habits. Aside from earning points, you can also take part in the bonus games, such as the Jungle Lotto scratcher, where you can win up to 150,000 points instantly. There’s quite a bit to do and makes for another great option if you find yourself out and out.
How many gift card options? 25+
Minimum payout: $1
Sign up for Checkpoints >>Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is similar to that of Ibotta and the many other receipt apps I talk about in this guide, essentially rewarding you to shop as you normally do. To use, Fetch Rewards simply asks you to scan your grocery receipts whenever you shop and watch the rewards come in. You can submit grocery receipts from almost any type of store.
How many gift card options? 50+
Minimum payout: $3
Sign up for Fetch Rewards >>Giftloop
Giftloop offers a variety of ways to earn, from allowing them to take over your lockscreen to completing offers and surveys via its offer wall. Most of your money, however, will be made when you allow it to take over your lockscreen, which essentially pays you to open your phone as you normally would. Instead of your normal lockscreen, the app will show you an app, which you can either browse the content you see on your lockscreen or open it as you would. You don’t have to interact with it to earn as it’s 100% optional.
How many gift card options? 10+
Minimum payout: $1
Sign up for Giftloop >>Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards offers very quick surveys based on your geo-location. I have used this app for more than a few years and find it very easy to earn about $5 a month, but how much you earn really depends on how often you’re outside the house. Google Opinion Rewards only offers Google Play credits, but if you use the Google Play store to buy apps, movies, etc, then it could be one to consider. It’s very easy to use and surveys always take less than 60 seconds to complete.
How many gift card options? 1 (Google Play credits)
Minimum payout: N/A
Sign up for Google Opinion Rewards >>Lucktastic
I didn’t really want to put this app here, but I will do so anyway as you may be interested in it. I did write about them in the past, but I found them to not really be worth your time. Basically, Lucktastic is a lottery-like game, where you have to scratch off lottery scratchers every day to earn tokens and sometimes cash. And, once you earn enough tokens, you can then cash out for a variety of rewards, including gift cards and even products/services. Aside from the scratch-offs, Lucktastic offers daily contests, sometimes up to $1,000. The company has paid out more than $3 million to date with more than one million winners taking a piece of the pie.
How many gift card options? 25+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Lucktastic >>Microsoft Bing Search
Yes, the internet’s top three search engine will reward you to search as you normally would and will even reward you to answer trivia questions and check out news stories. There’s a lot to do. For every search and task you complete, Microsoft will reward you with points, which you can then cash out later for a variety of gift card options. You are limited as to how many tasks you can do in a day, but I have used it in the past and found it pretty easy to earn $5 to $10+ a month.
How many gift card options? 15+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Microsoft Bing Search >>Mistplay
Mistplay will reward you simply for playing games. Similar to that of the Appbounty app I reviewed in the past, you can earn points for downloading games, playing them and even reaching certain milestones. To use, download a game that shows up on your mixlist, play it to earn “units,” and once you earn enough, you can redeem them for free gift cards.
How many gift card options? 5+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Mistplay >>Mobee
Mobee allows you to find missions nearby and complete them for a set number of points, similar to that of a secret shopping job. This can range from taking a picture of a display to asking an employee a question. For every completed job, you can earn points that you can cash out for a variety of rewards, including gift cards. You can also unlock achievements along the way as you complete missions.
How many gift card options? 20+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Mobee >>PocketFlip
PocketFlip is yet another app that offers you a variety of options to earn reards, from downloading an app to taking a survey. To use, download the app, complete any of the tasks on your dashboard and collection “coins” as you complete them. Aside from completing rewards, the company also offers special gamer rewards and even giveaways to their active users.
How many gift card options? 5+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for PocketFlip >>Poll Pay
Poll Pay sends out simple polls and surveys, rewarding you with cash for every one you complete. The app only focuses on surveys, making for a great option if you’re looking for a survey app option.
How many gift card options? 5+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Poll Pay >>Qmee
Yet another survey app, Qmee offers cash whenever you complete one of their surveys. They also offer money-saving coupons and offers from top brands as well. While most people choose the cash payout option, they do have gift card options as well.
How many gift card options? 3+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Qmee >>Quiz Rewards
The very popular Quiz Rewards app may be one to consider if you’re a fan of trivia. In short, this free quiz game will reward you with loyalty points the longer you play and win. Usually, you need to answer 12 trivia questions as fast as you can to win. And, unlike most quiz games that only air a certain time of the day, you can play this app at any time.
How many gift card options? 5+
Minimum payout: $10
Sign up for Quiz Rewards >>Receipt Hog
There are quite a few apps that allow you to simply scan your receipt and get paid in doing so. As one of the many options that reward you for gift cards in exchange for your receipts, Receipt Hog makes it extremely easy to earn. All you need to is take a picture of your receipt, and then, depending on what you upload, you can earn coins, in which you can eventually cash out for a variety of gift cards. You can also earn the chance at bonus coins via the “Hog Slots” and/or answering in-app surveys. Check out my review to see how it works in detail.
How many gift card options? 2 (Amazon or Visa)
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Receipt Hog >>Receipt Pal
Like the Ibotta app mentioned prior, Receipt Pal focuses on the same concept: scanning receipts. And, the great thing about these apps is that you can upload your receipts to more than one app if you so choose. With Receipt Pal, you can upload any receipt, as well as connect your Amazon account, to earn points, in which you can eventually cash out for a variety of gift cards.
How many gift card options? 10+
Minimum payout: $3
Sign up for Receipt Pal >>Rewarded Play
The Rewarded Play app will reward you to play games on your phone, helping you earn free gift cards as you continue to do so. According to the app, you can earn gift cards playing Wheel of Fortune, Yahtzee, Solitaire and many more. Yet another app option to consider if you love playing games and want to get rewarded in doing so.
How many gift card options? 20+
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for Rewarded Play >>Shopkick
If you want a break from surveys or you’re not even interested in doing them, then Shopkick may be an app to consider. Rewarded with what’s known as “Kicks,” the app will reward you whenever you enter a store, scan barcodes on products, make a purchase with a linked card or even upload a receipt like the Ibotta app mentioned above. There are a lot of things you can do without making a purchase and is a great app to consider if yourself out and out quite a bit. You can use the bonus code NICE645299 if you need one.
How many gift card options? 20+
Minimum payout: $2
Sign up for Shopkick >>SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey surveys are said to be quick and easy, all taking less than five minutes. To maximize this app, SurveyMonkey does ask that you enable both your notifications and turn on your location permissions to ensure that you receive as many survey opportunities as possible. These short surveys pay up to $0.35 in credits.
How many gift card options? 1 (just Amazon)
Minimum payout: $5
Sign up for SurveyMonkey >>Toluna
Toluna, a massive community with millions of members, lets you voice your opinion via their unique survey invites. Like many of the research companies I talk about, your input via these surveys can help offer brands valuable insight. You can use your points for cash, but Toluna offers a variety of gift card options as well.
How many gift card options? 25+
Minimum payout: $10
Sign up for Toluna >>
Final Thoughts
Whew! That’s quite a list.
As you can see, there
are so many ways to earn gift cards straight from your smartphone. And, while you won’t get rich, it’s not that hard to earn $10, $50 or even $200 a month. It really depends on how often you log in.
All of the apps I listed are found on the Google Play store and have at least 50,000+ downloads. Using this criteria, it helps weed out a lot of scams often found in the app space, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will all pay well. This is really up to you to decide as your money-making goals may be different than mine.
As always, if you want to vent about an app I mentioned or I’m even missing one you enjoy, then please leave your comments below as I would love to hear from you!
In the meantime, start downloading some of these apps to see how many gift cards you can get in your free time.
Want $5 free?Try out Swagbucks, the most popular reward program I make the most money with. Simply answer survey questions and get paid! Join Now to Get $5! |
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