Bottom line: The apps that actually pay on your phone are game and offer apps like Testerup, Freecash and Bigcash. Start with one, finish an offer, and see how fast it pays before you add more.
Most “make money on your phone” lists are padded with apps that pay pennies or vanished years ago. This one isn’t long, and that’s on purpose.
Below is what each one pays, how you get paid, and the catch.
Personally, I’d start with Testerup, then Freecash and Bigcash. All are good and worth a free sign up to check which apps pay best. It’s easy to choose an offer and run it for a few days for extra cash.
The apps worth a free sign up
| App | Best for | How you get paid | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Testerup | Bigger game goals | PayPal | Try Testerup |
 Freecash | Lots of ways to earn | PayPal, Venmo, gift cards or crypto | Try Freecash |
 Bigcash | Short offers | Cash or gift cards | Try Bigcash |
 Branded | Games and apps | Points you cash out | Try Branded |
 Mistplay | Gift cards for gaming | Gift cards | Try Mistplay |
 Upside | Cash back on gas and food | Bank account or gift card | Try Upside |
1.Testerup
Best for: getting paid for game goals
- What it is
- An app that pays you to play mobile games and reach goals in them.
- What you do
- Pick a game offer, install it and play until you hit the goal.
- How much it pays
- $10 welcome bonus when you sign up. Testerup says one goal can pay over $200. Payouts go to PayPal.
- The catch
- The bigger rewards take real playing time. 18 or older only.
Worth it? Yes if you already play mobile games. It’s where I’d start.
2.Freecash
Best for: the most ways to earn in one app
- What it is
- A rewards site and app that pays for games, app offers, surveys and cashback.
- What you do
- Pick from games, apps, surveys or shopping, finish it and collect.
- How much it pays
- Withdraw to PayPal, Venmo, more than 100 gift cards or crypto. Freecash says PayPal and Venmo usually process the same day, and Freecash says it has paid out over $400 million since 2020.
- The catch
- Some payouts get held a bit longer while Freecash runs security checks.
Worth it? Yes if you want options and fast PayPal or Venmo cash outs.
3.Bigcash
Best for: short offers you can finish fast
- What it is
- An app that pays coins for finishing tasks from brands.
- What you do
- Pick a task, finish it and collect coins.
- How much it pays
- 250 coins = $1. Most offers take 5 to 10 minutes, and Bigcash says the top offer pays up to $170. Cash out for money or a gift card.
- The catch
- Small offers mean small coins, so you stack a few.
Worth it? Yes if you’ve got ten minutes here and there.
4.Branded
Best for: games and apps with points
- What it is
- The games version of Branded: an app that pays points for trying games and apps.
- What you do
- Pick a game or app offer and reach the goal it sets.
- How much it pays
- Points you cash out once you have enough. Check the offer for what each one pays before you start.
- The catch
- Each offer sets its own goal, so read it before you start.
Worth it? Yes if you like Testerup and want more game offers to pick from.
5.Mistplay
Best for: gamers who’d play anyway
- What it is
- A free app on Android and iPhone that gives you points for playing mobile games.
- What you do
- Install games from its list and play.
- How much it pays
- Points you swap for gift cards like Amazon.com, Visa and Walmart.
- The catch
- Gift cards, not cash. Games and gift cards vary by region.
Worth it? Only if you already game. It’s a perk, not an income.
6.Upside
Best for: cash back on gas, groceries and dining
- What it is
- A free app that pays cash back where you already spend.
- What you do
- Claim an offer in the app, then pay with your credit or debit card like normal.
- How much it pays
- Cash back on gas, groceries and dining. Use code MMGCASH when you sign up for a $5 bonus. Cash out to your bank account or a gift card.
- The catch
- You only earn at places with an offer near you.
Worth it? Yes if you buy gas or eat out. It earns on money you were spending anyway.
I’ve been using Upside for years.
Free sites that help you find more
These aren’t apps you earn inside. They’re free sites that point you to bonuses and money you can claim.
7.ReferralWallet
Best for: finding sign-up bonuses that are live
- What it is
- A free site that shows sign-up bonuses as packs you open.
- What you do
- Open a pack, see which bonuses you pulled and claim the ones you want.
- How much it pays
- ReferralWallet doesn’t pay you. The app or partner behind each bonus does.
- The catch
- You still have to do what each bonus asks.
Worth it? Yes if you want a quick way to spot live bonuses.
I just learned about so many apps that are giving sign-up bonuses that actually pay out through it. Each one that I tried, I got paid out. Of course, ReferralWallet doesn’t pay me, but the partner does.
8.SavingLoop
Best for: keeping up with what’s paying
- What it is
- A free site and email list about apps and offers that pay.
- What you do
- Check the site or join the email list.
- How much it pays
- It doesn’t pay you itself. It points you to offers that do.
- The catch
- It’s a guide, so the money comes from the offers you pick.
Worth it? Yes if you want to hear what’s working without digging.
I’ve signed up for the email list, and I know what’s working and what’s not.
9.FileYourClaim
Best for: money you may already be owed
- What it is
- A free site that lists open class action settlements.
- What you do
- Find a settlement you qualify for and file a claim before the deadline.
- How much it pays
- Depends on the settlement. Each one sets its own payout.
- The catch
- You wait for the settlement to pay out, and that can take a while.
Worth it? Yes. Checking takes a few minutes.
How to pick where to start
Got a few minutes a day? Start with Bigcash and stack short offers.
Play games anyway? Testerup first, then Branded or Mistplay for more games.
Hate tasks? Put Upside on your phone and let your normal spending earn.
And don’t sign up for all nine on day one. Pick one, finish an offer, see it pay, then add the next.
FAQ
What app pays you real money on your phone?
Which app should I start with?
I’d start with Testerup, then Freecash and Bigcash. All three are free, so try one offer on each and see which pays best for you.
Are these apps free?
Yes. Every app here is free to join.
Do these apps work outside the US?
Some do. Offers and rewards vary by region on Testerup and Mistplay, so check what shows up where you live.
Next step
Want the full breakdown on each app? Here are all our app reviews, starting with whether Testerup is legit.
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