There are dozens of companies that will help you earn more money by downloading their apps. You can use the apps to get a free gift card, and in many cases, you can get PayPal cash as well.
You won’t get rich using these apps – they’re not meant as a replacement for job income. However, you could use them to bring in a bit of extra cash each month.
Some people use these apps to earn gift cards to have money for Christmas gifts or other gift giving needs. Others use the money to pay for an annual vacation. How you use your free gift cards is up to you.
We’ll tell you a bit about each app and how you can earn more money or free gift cards with each one.
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These Apps Will Help You Earn Free Gift Cards
Each app mentioned here works a bit differently, but all of them pay out in free gift cards. Some limit the gift card choices to two or three stores, others have dozens of retailers to choose from.
All of the apps are free to install and earn money with. Read on and see which apps might be best for you to use and earn with.
1. Swagbucks
You may have heard of Swagbucks. The popular money-earning app has paid out over 286 million dollars to members to-date.
Swagbucks will pay you in SB points for completing a variety of activities, including:
- Playing online games
- Completing surveys
- Watching videos
- Searching the Web
- Shopping online
Just to name a few. One of the nice things about the Swagbucks app is that it allows you to earn points even if you only have a few minutes to spare. There are many activities and tasks you can do that take just a few minutes to complete.
This means you can earn SB points while waiting for an appointment or watching TV. You can use the points you earn to get free gift cards to stores such as Starbucks, Amazon, Walmart, Target and many more.
Bonus: Swagbucks will pay you points for referring friends to join as well. This could be a great passive way to earn more gift cards.
The Swagbucks app is available in Android and in Apple iOS.
2. Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars works kind of like Swagbucks. When you download their free app, you get access to be able to earn points. You can earn points by doing tasks such as:
- Taking advantage of online offers
- Watching videos
- Completing surveys
- Shopping online
And more. Inbox Dollars will pay you for referring friends and family members that sign up too. And they often have sign-up bonuses and other cash-earning tasks you can complete.
With the money you earn you can choose to get a gift card from one of your favorite retail stores. Or you can request a check too. There is a $30 minimum earnings threshold you have to meet before you can get your free gift card.
The free Inbox Dollars app is available for Apple and for Android.
3. Harris Panel
While we’re here, we might as well talk about the Harris Panel app. Harris Poll Online’s Harris Panel app will give you surveys to complete.
Some surveys are longer and some are shorter. For each survey you complete you’ll earn rewards points. You can use those points to purchase gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks or iTunes.
Bonus: Sometimes you won’t qualify for a survey you’re asked to participate in. If that’s ever the case, Harris Poll Online will give you a free entry into their sweepstakes contest.
The Harris Panel app is available in both Android and Apple
4. Ibotta
Ibotta helps provide a money-saving/money-earning alternative to using coupons. Personally, I’ve used Ibotta for over 7 months now and am earning cash for gift cards every single month.
Here’s how it works. After you install the Ibotta app, you can search for cash back deals before you shop. Ibotta is connected with over 280 stores, so there’s plenty to choose from.
You can find cash back offers from Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreen’s, CVS and many more. Here are some of the other stores Ibotta works at:
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
- Safeway
- Lunds
- Albertson’s
- Whole Foods Market
- Publix
Look for cash back offers on the items you want to buy, and add them to your Ibotta account.
After you’re done shopping all you have to do is scan your receipt. Ibotta finds the purchases that coordinate with your offers and credits your Ibotta account for the cash.
You can use the money in your account to get gift cards to stores such as Walmart and Starbucks. Or, you can get PayPal or Venmo cash.
Note that in some cases you may have to scan the barcode on the item you purchased in order to get your cash back.
Bonus: You can make it easier to earn cash back by linking your store’s loyalty card with your Ibotta account.
The Ibotta app is available for both Android and Apple iOS.
5. Shopkick
Shopkick lets you earn free gift cards simply for shopping. First, you need to download the free Shopkick app. The Shopkick app helps you earn rewards points called Kicks in a number of different ways.
You can earn kicks for completing tasks such as:
- Making purchases (it’s easy when you use your linked debit or credit card)
- Watching in-app videos
- Walking into certain stores (yes, you just need to walk in)
- Making online purchases
- Scanning barcodes on specific items when you’re in a store
There are other ways to earn too. For instance, you can earn Kicks by viewing certain online products. And you can earn Kicks by submitting a receipt from something you bought.
You can use your Kicks points to get free gift cards from retailers such as Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and Amazon. Other eligible stores include Barnes & Noble, Sephora, eBay and the Cheesecake Factory.
In fact, there are dozens of stores you can choose to get gift cards from with your Kicks.
The Shopkick app is available in both Android and Apple iOS.
6. GrabPoints
GrabPoints is a free mobile app that will pay you for completing various activites. It’s free to download the app, and you can earn points by:
- completing surveys
- entering promo codes
- watching videos
- referring friends
And more. With the points you earn you can get free gift cards to retailers such as Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Netflix and more. You can also choose to get PayPal cash with your GrabPoints points.
7. Honey/HoneyGold
Using the Honey app is a nearly painless way to earn free gift cards. Once you install the free Honey app on your PC, smart phone or other device, you just shop like normal.
Then, when you’re ready to check out, Honey automatically searches for any discount coupon codes. The valid codes are applied to your purchase immediately and you save immediate cash.
But here’s the really cool part. Honey has an additional program called HoneyGold. Here’s how it works: When Honey makes a commission off of your sale at a particular store, they split the profits with you.
As your commission points add up you can use those points to get free gift cards. Some of the stores you can get gift cards to include Walmart, Target, Amazon, Groupon and more.
The Honey app is a part of the Google extension library.
8. PanelApp
The Panel App allows you to earn rewards points for free gift cards in a number of ways. You can earn points by:
- Completing surveys
- Referring friends who join
- Submitting winner selfies
- Participating in app events
- Allowing your location to be tracked
You can choose one or all of the ways listed here to earn points. With the points you earn you can get free gift cards to popular retailers.
Some of the retailers they offer gift cards to include Amazon, Walmart, Dominos Pizza, Old Navy and more. Bonus: PanelApp has monthly sweepstakes contests you can participate in too.
The PanelApp app is available in both Android and Apple iOS.
9. Qmee
The Qmee app will pay you to search, to shop and to share your opinion. Note that you don’t have to buy anything to earn points with Qmee.
When you have the Qmee app installed it will automatically show you recommended products. And you’ll get points just for viewing them, even if you never buy.
You get rewards cash for completing surveys as well. And you get rewards when searching on Qmee’s favorite sites.
Qmee usually pays out in cash, however they occasionally offer to pay you in free gift cards. If you’re eligible to trade your rewards in for a gift card you’ll get an email from Qmee stating so.
The gift card code they send you can only be issued/used once, so be sure to keep it in a safe place after you receive it.
The Qmee app is available as a browser extention.
10. i-Say
i-Say (also known as Ipsos i-Say) will pay you in rewards points when you share your opinion. When you download the app you get to work with i-Say’s other members to make your voice heard.
The company is over 3 million members strong to-date. You’ll be voicing your opinion on advertising, entertainment, global brands and more.
For each survey you complete you’ll get rewards points. You can use those points to get prizes and/or gift cards to your favorite retailers.
Some of the retailers i-Say has gift cards to include Amazon, Walmart, iTunes, Starbucks and Target. Bonus: you can also use your points to get a PayPal gift card or to enter i-Say sweepstakes.
The i-Say app is available in both Android and Apple iOS.
11. Mobee
Mobee is a secret shopper app that will pay you for completing assigned missions. For example, you might be asked to answer a question about a store display.
Or, you may be asked to make a small purchase (Mobee will reimburse you for purchases made). The app will show you available missions in your area. You can complete as many missions as you wish to.
Mobee will also give you rewards points for making certain mission achievements and inviting friends who join. You’ll earn 300 points for each friend you refer who joins Mobee.
Note that referred members have to have their first mission approved and validated before you’ll get your referral points.
With the reward points you earn you can gift cards to popular retailers. Some gift card retailer options include Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy and Starbucks.
You can choose to get prizes with your Mobee points too.
The Mobee app is available in Android and in Apple.
12. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog will pay you points for completing a number of activities. You can get paid for submitting receipts, for taking surveys and more.
Your receipts are used to help market research companies better serve the public. Eligible receipts include those to grocery stores, pharmacies, supercenters and more.
You can use the points you earn to get gift cards to Amazon. PayPal cash is another option for member points redemption.
Receipt Hog is available in Android and Apple iOS.
13. Google Opinion Rewards
The Google Opinion Rewards app will pay you for helping Google improve their products and services. You can earn points for taking short surveys.
Additionally, you can earn for sharing your TV and Internet usage information with Google. This helps the company improve their products and services. You can use the rewards points you earn to get gift cards to major retailers. Or, you can get Google play credits with your points as well.
The Google Opinion Rewards app is available for Android and for Apple iOS.
14. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
You might remember the Nielsen company. Back in the 70’s and 80’s they’d monitor certain eligible families regarding their TV usage.
Today Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel works to get more information on what TV viewers like via their mobile app. The first step to earning great rewards is to register with the company online. When you register, you share information about your household and the devices they use.
After you’ve installed the app you’ll earn points just for using the Internet as you normally do. You can use the points you earn to get gift cards to popular retailers such as Amazon.
The Nielsen Mobile app is available in Android and in Apple
15. MyPoints
MyPoints works similarly to Swagbucks and gives you rewards points for completing daily activities. Some of the activities you can earn points for include:
- Shopping online
- Taking advantage of local deals (i.e. Groupon and LivingSocial)
- Sharing your opinion via surveys
- Watching videos
And more. You can use the points you earn to get free gift cards to over 70 different retailers or restaurants. Or you can use your points to get PayPal cash or add travel points to your United MileagePlus account.
The MyPoints app is available in Android and in Apple iOS.
16. Slidejoy
Slidejoy will pay you simply for having advertisements show on your phone’s lock screen. Here’s how it works. When you pick up your phone, you’ll see an add on the lock screen. The ad appears automatically.
If you swipe left, you’ll get more information on the product or service featured in the ad. If you swipe up you’ll be shown another ad. When you swipe right you’ll be taken to your home screen page. You get paid the same amount of money whether or not you choose to view an ad.
With the rewards points you earn from using Slidejoy you can get PayPal money. Or, if you’d rather, you can choose from one of several retailer gift cards. As a third option, you can convert your Slidejoy points into cash to be donated to a charitable cause.
The Slidejoy app is only available in Android as of this writing.
17. Fronto
Fronto is an app that works similarly to Slidejoy. It shows you advertisements on your lock screen. However, it also shows you trending articles, flash deals, coupons and more.
If you want to learn more about what you see, just swipe left. Not interested? Swipe right and earn points simply for unlocking your screen.
As you earn points, you can get a free Amazon gift cards with your points. If you’d like, you can get Paypal cash instead. A third option lets you purchase hot deal coupons with your points.
One cool thing about the Fronto app is that it keeps track of the lock screen pages you engage with. This allows the app to, over time, tailor what you see on your lock screen.
Over time, you’ll begin seeing more ads and articles that are tailored to your specific interests.
The Fronto app is available only on Android at this time.
18. AppKarma
AppKarma will help you earn points for free gift cards just for playing with and trying out various apps. They’ll reward you points when you:
- Install apps
- Visit the apps again and play on them/use them
- Refer others to AppKarma
- Reach certain achievement milestones as noted on AppKarma
You can earn achievement points for actions such as installing a certain number of apps. You can also earn achievement points for checking in a certain number of time or other actions.
AppKarma lets you trade in the points you earn for PayPal cash or for gift cards for several popular retailers. Amazon and Starbucks are some of the popular retailers you can get gift cards from with AppKarma.
AppKarma is available in Android and in Apple iOS.
19. The Panel Station
The Panel Station app will reward you with points for taking surveys. You can earn between 100-5000 points for each survey you complete.
Surveys typically take 12 to 15 minutes, according to the Panel Station website. And you can use the points you earn to get gift cards to Amazon or PayPal. You can also use them to get gift cards to a few other stores. Note that The Panel Station doesn’t generally offer a lot of surveys for members.
The website says members will typically get two surveys per week. Bonus: The Panel Station members can enter monthly and quarterly sweepstakes drawings as well.
The Panel Station app is available in both Apple and Android.
20. Bing
The Bing app will reward you for searching the Web when you are signed into your Microsoft account.
Since you’re probably searching the Web on a daily basis anyway, you might as well get rewarded to do so. As you use the Bing app to search, you’ll start earning points.
You can use the points you accumulate to get gift cards to popular retailers. Or, you can use your points to enter sweepstakes and win great prizes.
The Bing app is available in both Android and Apple iOS.
21. QuickThoughts
The QuickThoughts app will help you earn free gift cards by sharing your opinion. The goal of the QuickThoughts team is to pair you with surveys that improve the goods and services you already use.
You can get surveys by clicking on the “Find me a survey” button in the app. QuickThoughts will also occasionally send you notifications when they have a specific opportunity for you.
Note: You can complete a maximum of five surveys per day with QuickThoughts. You’ll earn points for each survey you complete. The number of points you earn for each survey depends on the length and difficulty of the survey.
You can trade in points you’ve earned for free gift cards to Amazon and other retailers.
The QuickThoughts app is available in both Apple and Android.
22. FreeMyApps
FreeMyApps, like AppKarma, will pay you points for downloading and using apps on your smart phone. There are other ways you can earn points with FreeMyApps too, such as:
- Referring friends who join
- Entering contests
- Completing offers
As you accumulate points, you’ll be able to use them to get free gift cards. Some of the retailers they offer gift cards to include Amazon, Visa and iTunes.
Note: FreeMyApps has a pretty large selection of gift cards to choose from compare to some similar apps. This might be a good reason to choose this app over other similar apps.
As of this writing, the FreeMyApps app is available only in Android.
23. AppNana
AppNana works like other apps that pay you for downloading apps. You can earn points for downloading and using apps, such as game playing apps.
AppNana partners with retailers so you can get paid apps and games for free. With the points you earn you can get gift cards.
The selection of gift cards you can get through AppNana is smaller than what other similar apps offer. However, the store choices are good. You can get gift cards to Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and Xbox.
Bonus: AppNana has a referral program as well and will pay you in points for referring new members.
The AppNana app is currently available in both Android and Apple iOS.
24. PocketFlip
PocketFlip is an app that will reward you for completing simple tasks. For instance, you might be asked to take a quick photo of something or to complete a short survey.
You’ll earn virtual coins for each simple task you complete. Bonus: on some occasions PocketFlip will give you cash back for purchases when you shop through the app.
You can use the coins you earn to get gift cards to retailers such as Amazon or iTunes.
The PocketFlip app is available on Android and on Apple as of this writing.
25. FeaturePoints
FeaturePoints app members have earned over 5 million dollars in rewards so far. Feature Points lets you earn points for trying apps. Every time you download and use the app you can earn points.
One cool thing about FeaturePoints is that they will pay you points for referring friends. Additionally, you’ll earn points when your friends earn points too. They generally pay you half the points your friends earn when you refer them to sign up.
Note that your friends have to use your referral code when they sign up. So, give them your specific code if you want to get referral credit and points.
Bonus: people who sign up with your referral code get bonus points for using a referral code too. You can use the points you earn to get gift cards to retailers such as Amazon and Google Play.
If you’d rather, you can take PayPal cash instead.
The FeaturePoints app is available in both Android and Apple.
26. Adme
Adme is another lock screen rewards system. When you install the Adme app, you’ll get trending news, deals and coupons on your phone’s lock screen.
Note that Adme doesn’t pay you every time you unlock your phone. You’ll only earn points for random unlocks. You can also earn points for completing surveys, completing offers and referring new members.
As with other apps, you’re not going to earn a living with Adme. However, the app site says members earn an average of $10 a month with the app. You can get gift cards to retailers such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon and more with the points you earn.
The Adme app is currently available only in Android at this time.
27. Perk
Perk has paid out over 57 million dollars in rewards to-date to members who install the Perk app. The Perk app will pay you for completing simple tasks, such as playing trivia and watching videos.
They’ll also pay you for watching live TV and streaming shows when you watch through the Perk app.
Bonus: you can earn perk points for exploring cities and towns too. You can use the points you earn to get gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks or a number of other retailers.
Or, if you’d rather, you can use your points to get PayPal cash. A third option would be to donate to your choice of a number of different charitable organizations.
The Perk app is available in both Android and Apple.
28. App Trailers
With the App Trailers app you can earn points by watching videos and trailers. The trailers might be advertising hot new apps, coming soon movies, promotions and more.
You’ll earn points if you refer new members too.
You can use the points you earn to get gift cards to a variety of retailers. Some of the retailers include Amazon, iTunes, Sephora, Starbucks, Google Play and Foot Locker.
If you like watching videos and trailers, this app could be a good way for you to earn gift cards.
The App Trailers app is currently available in both Apple iOS and Android.
29. Receipt Pal
The Receipt Pal app will pay you for submitting photos of your receipts. You can scan receipts of purchases where you were involved in the purchase. Receipts from other peoples’ purchases aren’t eligible.
The receipts can be from any merchant such as convenience stores, grocery stores, electronic stores and more. For each receipt you scan you’ll be awarded points.
Note that you have to submit receipts that you got within a week or by the third day of the purchase. Also, the receipts have to be complete. Partial receipts won’t be accepted.
You can use the points you earn to get gift cards to your favorite retailers or to enter sweepstakes.
The Receipt Pal app is available in Android and in Apple iOS.
30. Viggle
The Viggle app pays you to watch TV. Just use the app to access streaming sites such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. You’ll earn one point for every minute you watch, plus bonus points.
Viggle is connected to the Perk app, so your points will be eligible to get gift cards via Perk.
The Viggle app is available in Apple iOS and in Android.
Summary
While using these apps individually won’t make you wealthy, you can definitely earn a lot of gift cards by using several of them.
Earn your free gift cards to contribute to your grocery budget, pay for holiday expenses or fund a vacation.
Have you ever used any of these gift card apps to earn money? If so, which ones? How easy was it to earn points. Which apps did you like best? Tell us in the comments section.