Life happens. Maybe there's a bill due, you want extra breathing room, or you're just tired of leaving money on the table. I've spent years running personal finance sites and testing these apps myself. Everything on this list is legit.
Start with the top three. Those are the fastest free wins. Then work your way down.
Start Here: 3 Free Bonuses You Can Grab Right Now
Sign up for all three below. Takes about 2 minutes each and you'll have up to $15 in free cash before doing anything else.
Claim $10 Free Just for Signing Up
The biggest welcome bonus on this list. Search the web, take surveys, watch videos, or shop online and earn points that cash out to PayPal or gift cards.
Get $5 the Second You Sign Up
Pays in real dollars, not confusing points. Complete surveys, watch videos, and play games. The $5 bonus lands in your account immediately after joining.
Get Paid Up to $50 Per Survey via PayPal
The highest-rated survey app on Trustpilot. Clean interface, fast PayPal payouts, and individual surveys that actually pay well for your time.
More Ways to Hit $400
Try Apps and Games and Get Paid Real Cash
200+ live offers. Pick something fun, complete it, earn cash. Top earners made $300+ last week. 3 million members. Get 100 free points just for joining.
Get 100 Free Points →Play Solitaire Tournaments and Win Real Money
Real cash tournaments against real players. Practice free, enter paid games when ready. Pays out to PayPal or Venmo.
Download Solitaire Cash →Get Paid Up to $50 Per Task to Test Apps
Companies pay real users to test apps before launch. Pick what interests you, finish at your own pace, get paid. Some tasks pay $50+.
Join Testerup Free →Earn Gift Cards Just by Playing Games You Already Play
Download games from Mistplay's library, play them, level up, earn more. 35,000+ Google Play reviews. Android only.
Download Mistplay →Earn $60/Year Passively After a 2-Minute Signup
Install their app, do nothing, collect $60 a year. Every app on your phone already collects data. Might as well get paid for it. Plus a $10K monthly giveaway.
Sign Up for Nielsen →Make Real Money This Week Delivering on Your Schedule
Car or bike plus a free hour equals real cash. Work whenever you want. Fast Pay means you don't wait. First check possible this week.
18 or older with a valid driver's license
Car or bicycle
iPhone or Android
Start Earning Passive Real Estate Income with Just $10
I use this myself. Fundrise invests your money in real estate and pays you returns. Long-term play, not a quick win. Start with as little as $10.
Get Started with Fundrise →We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.
Complete Quick Offers and Cash Out to PayPal Fast
Simple offers, real cash, no confusing points. Complete tasks from your phone and withdraw to PayPal when ready. Free to join.
Claim My $15 Bonus →⚡ Your $400 Game Plan
Grab the three free bonuses first. Then stack the rest. 10 minutes to set up all of these.
One more thing: I keep a running list of all the best ways to make money from your phone – apps I've actually used and recommend. Check out the full list here.