Games That Pay Real Money: Pros, Cons and User Reviews

Game Apps That Pay Real Money: Truth, Not Hype

Pay-to-play apps have mixed reviews. Payouts can be small and a long time coming, but some users grind away anyway.

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Edited by other Updated May 13, 2026 Play games, get paid. Lots of mobile apps make this promise. How can these apps pay you to play games? In lots of cases, you're making them 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, 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 (4.1 stars or higher) in both Google Play and the App Store. Some apps, such as Mistplay, let you earn "units" 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? » MORE:

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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 "Total scam," to others rating the app five stars. One Android InboxDollars user says: "This app is actually pretty cool I made $103 in 10 days, so there's always tons of offers and games and other cool added earners like surveys, search web, win it, arcade and more to earn money!"

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: 6 cash-back apps that won’t dominate your day » MORE:

Pros and cons of game apps, according to Reddit users

We used AI to sift through Reddit forums for a pulse check on how users feel about pay-to-play apps. 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. We used AI to sift through Reddit forums for a pulse check on how users feel about pay-to-play apps apps 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.

Pros

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.

Cons

Low overall earning potential (most users report $10-25 per month per app) is a turn off.

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?

Game apps that pay money can seem too good to be true. Sometimes they are. Some 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 » MORE:

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Explore more on About the authors CFP® Hal M. Bundrick is a former NerdWallet personal finance writer. He is a certified financial planner and former financial consultant and senior investment specialist for Wall Street firms. Hal advised families, business owners, nonprofits and trusts, and managed group employee retirement plans. Published in Tindall Tommy Tindall is a lead writer and content strategist covering how to make money — and how to keep it. He’s recorded and written about his experience testing popular gig jobs like driving for Uber, delivering with DoorDash and full-service shopping for Instacart. He loves making an extra buck, but laments the hours of awkward silence he endured as an Uber driver (never again). Cool kids might call him a content creator because he makes YouTube videos for the NerdWallet channel and app, but he himself is no longer very cool. Ask him about budgeting apps — he's tried most of them, but still prefers a good ole Google sheet to track spending. Then be sure to smash that “like” and “subscribe” button. Before NerdWallet, Tommy held decidedly more boring jobs at Fannie Mae and Booz Allen Hamilton. Today, he feels super privileged to write for you, the consumer. Published in Which game apps pay money? What do users say about pay-to-play apps? What else should I know before I play? 6 of the Best Cash-Back Apps Rover vs. Wag: Which App Is Better for Making Money? 12 Places to Sell Stuff Online Get Your Free Credit Score By NerdWallet How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 By Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling 50/30/20 Budget Calculator By Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola