Legit Apps for Quick Cash!

I know what you're thinking, "I've seen this before, and it's been a lie." I know! I've been there too. You see these ads about not having to pay money and "earning $500 in 2 hours!" But when you go into the game, you never see the cash you "earn" or you're forced to earn cash through achievements unless you want to invest real money. Well, let me assure you, these apps are legit!

In this post, I'm going to discuss the apps that I personally use and have actually made some extra spending money with. Most of these apps I have been using for quite a while and can testify that they consistently help you earn in the long run. However, I'll also admit that there are a few I've recently discovered and spent the last week testing and checking. It's possible that there are more out there that I haven't found or checked yet, or that I'm currently investigating. I plan to create another list in the future if I find any others that are also legitimate. Towards the end of today's post, I'll also provide some quick tips on how to identify fake money-earning apps.

However, there is a downside to these apps. Not all of them are what I call "all-system compatible." This means that some apps are only available for Android, while others are exclusively for iOS. Since I own both an iPhone and an Android device, I'll make sure to note the specific system requirements for each app.

1. Google Opinion Rewards

When you download this app on your phone, it will appear as just "rewards." Let me tell you, it has been a great app for me over the last couple of years! Unfortunately, it does not come pre-installed on Android devices, but you can find it in both the Google Play Store and the App Store for iOS devices. All you need to do is provide your location and sign in with a Google Account. Make sure to keep your notifications on because surveys can pop up at any time, and you only have 24 hours to complete them.

Depending on how often you go places or search for something using Google, you can earn anywhere from a couple of cents to several dollars per month through Google Rewards. Personally, I use this program to cover the cost of my music subscriptions. As time went on, I started using it exclusively for Google Music (now YouTube Music), allowing me to cover the cost without relying on my paychecks. By simply taking surveys, I easily earn around $10 per month, eliminating the need to pay out of pocket for my music. There was even one month where I made $15, and I not only covered my music expenses but also used some of it for a top-up in one of my games. I was determined to secure the top spot in Game of Sultans that week, and the extra boost helped me in my quest!

2. InBox Dollars

Despite some of the issues I've encountered with InBox Dollars, I still consider it a legitimate way to earn money. On my Android device, I can access offers for games and other activities, but I've had difficulties getting it to track on my iPhone. However, you can also use their website on a laptop or desktop to participate in surveys or read paid emails. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of their surveys because I don't get approved for many of them. Due to the game tracking issues, I tend to stick with the paid emails, which are stored within the InBox Dollars platform itself and not in your actual email inbox. However, you can receive email notifications for unread messages. Most of the time, I simply click on the paid emails when utilizing the platform.

It's important to note that you'll need a State ID or Passport ID because occasionally they may ask you to verify your identity, and your profile must reflect your legal name. I attempted to use my Department of Defense ID, but it was consistently rejected as an invalid ID, despite it being a federal ID that I use for flying purposes. For those of you who don't know, a Department of Defense ID is a Military ID. Additionally, if you share a cell phone with someone, keep in mind that each phone number can only be associated with one account. If you try to use the same phone number for another account, it will default to the oldest account linked to that number and prevent you from using it to verify your identity for a different account.

You can choose to have the money sent to your PayPal account, but the email addresses and names on both accounts must match. Cashing out can be a bit challenging as well. You can cash out to PayPal starting at $30, but be sure to do it before reaching $50, as it may take a few extra days to receive the money. They don't allow you to cash out with every penny you've earned; instead, they offer specified increments for withdrawal. After your first cash out, the required amount to cash out decreases slightly.

One positive aspect of InBox Dollars is that you can earn with your friends and family! I've shared my referral links with my mother and two friends, and whenever they earn, I earn a small percentage as well (approximately 25%). It's a great way to benefit from sharing the platform.

As you can see from my experience, despite occasional complications, InBox Dollars is a legitimate platform. I've successfully cashed out once with PayPal and even obtained two different $100 gift cards for American Airlines. Over a six-month period, I've truly earned around $300.

3. JustPlay

I absolutely love this app! It is hands down the most legitimate app I've come across for playing games and earning money. When I say it's genuinely free and that you can earn money quickly, I truly mean it. Unfortunately, JustPlay is only available for Android devices. Let's dive into how fast you can earn money with this app.

Once you download the app, you'll be presented with multiple games that you can start playing immediately to earn coins. In most of these games, you earn coins for completing each level or by merging blocks if you play the 2048 Merge games. I know what you're thinking: "You said it would earn money, not coins!" Yes, and I assure you it's not a scam. The coins have a monetary value that is updated every 3 hours. I promise, every three hours you can cash out! The amount you earn depends on how much you play. Money can only be sent to your PayPal account, and you need a minimum of $2 to cash out, but trust me, that's super easy to reach.

There's also a section I like to call the "big-ticket games," although they refer to it as the offer wall. I understand that hearing those words can be frustrating because usually, it means a roundabout way to reach your end goal. However, this offer wall is a bit of a Catch 22. You need to have a new account to earn coins for the games, but once you figure that out, you can earn a significant number of coins with these offers. You'll need to reach specific milestones for each one, but when you do, you can earn anywhere from a couple of thousand to a hundred thousand coins.

Fun fact: you can accumulate your earnings as well. I usually have a running coin balance and a cash balance. When I first started using JustPlay, I didn't cash out on the first day; I accumulated earnings for a couple of days. My first payout from JustPlay was right around Christmas of 2021, and since then, I've accumulated about $200. Part of that is because I started a new job in November and didn't have much time to play. However, in the last week alone, I've earned $14. The big-ticket games (offer wall) may take some time, especially if you don't make in-app purchases, as those games often include them. The best part about accumulation is that once you have the ability to cash out, you can do so at any time. However, if you're still playing games that provide coins, your cash balance will update every three hours. Unlike InboxDollars, where you can choose how much you want to cash out, JustPlay will give you everything you have available.

Despite the time and effort required, JustPlay is definitely worth it! I've been in a store just a couple of dollars short of what I needed, and I noticed that my cash-out countdown timer was nearing completion. You know those ads where people say, "Hold on, let me play a game real quick and I'll pay the bill"? They typically show a game that doesn't actually pay you like that, right? Well, with JustPlay, I've actually done it. I just needed a couple of bucks, played a few games, earned four dollars, and transferred it over to my PayPal. It was truly quick and simple!

4. Curious Cat App

Now, let's talk about an app specifically for iOS users: Curious Cat. This is a survey app that I really enjoy. Similar to JustPlay, it operates on a points-to-cash system; but unlike JustPlay, you can see the points equivalent as you earn them. Keep in mind that this is primarily a survey app. You earn points for completing your profile and participating in surveys. You only need 100 points to cash out, which is typically around $1.10. Like JustPlay, you can choose to leave your points in the app and cash out whenever you reach 100 points. And yes, this app also offers only PayPal cash outs, and it will give you everything you have available.

When you open the app and sign up, you'll see various icons with different pictures. If you spot one with a cat face, it guarantees points and usually involves updating your profile information or providing feedback on the app itself. Another icon you'll come across is a rainbow, which represents high success rate surveys that you're likely to complete. I can count on one hand the number of times I've encountered unsuccessful rainbow surveys, and that was usually because they had reached the maximum number of participants needed. Additionally, there's a rocket, a turtle, a banana, and a bitten apple, each representing different survey characteristics. For example, a rocket might indicate a quick survey, while a turtle suggests a longer one. The banana and bitten apple could signify surveys that may be a bit boring but offer decent points, or surveys with a low success rate due to specific demographic requirements.

Of course, like with any surveys, it can be frustrating to go through the qualification questions. However, even if you don't qualify, Curious Cat is usually generous and rewards you with at least two or three points for trying, which is more than what most survey sites offer. Unfortunately, my ADHD tends to hinder me, so I can only attempt one or two surveys before my brain goes on its own little adventure. Despite (and because of) that, I've managed to earn around $20 since last November. When I force myself to focus, I can earn a few bucks from this app.

5. Mistplay

Next on the list is Mistplay, an app that I discovered through Marcie's review and found to be legitimate. However, compared to JustPlay, Mistplay operates on a slightly more complicated system as it pays you based on the duration of your playtime. Like JustPlay, it is available only for Android devices and also uses credits as its currency. Upon signing up, you receive 200 credits. While it may take some time to accumulate credits, the app offers a wider range of options for redemption. In addition to cashing out to PayPal, you can trade your points for various gift cards, including Google Play Points, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and several popular food delivery apps. If you're into gaming, Mistplay also offers gift cards for gaming consoles, GameStop, and Spotify. Similar to InboxDollars, these gift cards come with actual dollar amounts to choose from.

One downside of Mistplay, apart from its limited availability on Android, is that in order to earn points, you must access the games through the Mistplay app itself. Unlike JustPlay, where opening the app tracks your progress automatically, Mistplay requires you to launch the games from within their app, enabling them to monitor your playtime.

6. Habit Gift

At first, I was a bit skeptical about Habit Gift, but upon downloading and signing up, I immediately received $0.10 that I could cash out, plus an additional $1. It took me just three days to accumulate 80k coins and 2,200 tickets, which I promptly cashed out for $5. The best part? The money was in my PayPal account within seconds! The only drawback is that you can only cash out once a day, but it's still worth it.

If you prefer to earn tickets for a lower cash out amount, you can play games for just a few minutes each day and accumulate tickets quickly. Coins are also easy to earn. Every time you engage in a healthy activity, such as drinking water, resting your eyes, eating a meal, standing for a minute, or even using the bathroom, you can check into the app and earn coins. There's even an icon that allows you to earn coins per second based on your Health Value. Overall, it's a straightforward app to earn from. However, it's worth mentioning that some reviews have reported bugs where users were unable to cash out. Personally, the only issue I have encountered is that the app itself while running in the background will crash. I have never had an issue cashing out, though.

Unfortunately, Habit Gift is available only for Android devices. Nevertheless, it's an incredibly user-friendly app, and I wholeheartedly support it!

7. Cash Giraffe

Cash Giraffe is another fantastic app that Marcie introduced me to. It's exclusively available for Android devices, but it's definitely worth it. Cash Giraffe operates similarly to Mistplay, where you play games and earn coins based on the length of time you play. By using an affiliate link, you can immediately receive coins equivalent to $0.50, and both you and the person whose link you use will earn 25% of each other's earnings.

Within just one hour of signing up and downloading the first two games it recommended, my earnings went from $0.50 to $2.50! When cashing out, the processing time may vary depending on the number of payout requests and the amount you're requesting. If you choose PayPal as your cash out method, keep an eye on your account, as PayPal may require you to accept the payment from Cash Giraffe.

When I cashed out for the first time with Cash Giraffe, the money was deposited into my account within twelve hours. It's worth noting that I am unsure if Cash Giraffe is an American-based app or a European one, as there is a currency conversion involved. Instead of receiving $2.50, I received a deposit of 2.33 Euros. Although there was a slight deduction due to the conversion, it was only a few cents, so I can't really complain. Overall, the process was relatively quick and hassle-free.

Aside from PayPal, Cash Giraffe offers various other options for redeeming your earnings. You can choose from a selection of "Special Offers," such as a coupon for 60% off MyHeritageDNA, which costs 4,000 coins. Additionally, there are gift card options available for Amazon, Google Play Store, PlayStation or Xbox stores, and even Walmart!

In my opinion, Cash Giraffe allows you to quickly accumulate coins based on your gameplay frequency, offers convenient cash out options (although it may take up to a few days), and provides the opportunity to earn money by referring friends and family using your referral links. Overall, it's a legitimate and rewarding app!

I saw an ad for a game, and it seemed legit! But how can I tell if an app is legitimate without wasting my time?

Let's quickly discuss how to spot fake apps, although some are harder to identify than others. I must admit that I've fallen for a few myself.

Let's start with the biggest red flag of all: an ad that shows you making a ton of money. I've never downloaded a "fun way to make quick cash for free without paying money" or "quit my job and earn $1000 by playing 2-3 hours a day" game that actually paid out as the ad suggested. If an ad depicts depositing hundreds or thousands of dollars at a time, it's highly likely (almost guaranteed) to be a fake app. However, if an ad shows earning around $100-150 in a week, there's a possibility it could be legit. Keep reading to learn about other red flags that may indicate whether the app you're considering is legitimate or not.

Another common red flag is when an app initially rewards you with a substantial amount of money, but then abruptly slows down, making it challenging or almost impossible to reach the minimum payout threshold. However, it's important to note that not all apps follow this pattern. For instance, Lucky Money has been an exception in my experience. I have been using Lucky Money for the last 7 days and I am very close to reaching the payout threshold. While I believe this app to be legitimate, I am still in the process of testing it thoroughly, and I will provide updates in my next list including my previous experience with it.

When it comes to spotting fake apps, there's another common type of misleading advertisement where someone miraculously earns a large sum of money with just a few taps. You may have seen ads where someone pays for dinner, pauses for a moment, plays a quick game, and suddenly has a couple of hundred dollars to pay their bill. Most of these ads are typically fake. However, there is an exception to this rule that I mentioned earlier: JustPlay. Although it's rare, depending on how close you are to reaching your goal and the time until the next cash-out exchange (which occurs every three hours), you can achieve what is shown in those ads. Nonetheless, it's important to remember that these exceptions are few and far between, and the majority of similar ads are likely promoting fake apps.

Lately, I've noticed ads that involve asking ChatGPT for suggestions on games where you can earn money for free. Let me assure you, 100%, that those are fake apps. How do I know? Well, sometimes I use ChatGPT to ensure my sentences flow correctly or to check my grammar. So, I did the smart thing and asked ChatGPT the exact same question posed in the ad, and ChatGPT responded, "As an AI language model, I cannot provide a definitive answer." In fact, ChatGPT even warns you to be cautious of apps claiming you can earn money and advises being wary of apps that ask for your personal or financial information. It's always important to exercise caution when it comes to sharing personal information anyways, but it's good to know that ChatGPT will remind you to be cautious as well and does not actually promote these apps.

Now, I want to bring up another red flag that isn't necessarily a complete indication of a fake app, as there are legitimate apps that fall into this category. When an app claims "no top-up" or "no paying into," most of the time, it's not entirely accurate. One example is the "Skillz" group of games available only through the Samsung Galaxy Shop. While you can earn money through these games, doing so for free takes a considerable amount of time—I speak from experience. You earn tickets by playing, and certain achievements may give you a dollar here and there, but you cannot withdraw any funds that you haven't won or put into Skillz itself. However, the advantage of Skillz is that you can use the same login across all the games they offer (such as bowling, solitaire, bingo, chess, etc.), and your ticket and cash balances will carry over. So, while these games are legitimate, they do misrepresent themselves in their ads.

Always exercise extreme caution when playing these games and trying to earn money. There was one app that I tested once to see if it was legit; I provided my CashApp information, and afterward, there were attempts to withdraw up to $200 at a time from a company I had never heard of. Thankfully, I had my card locked, so even when I did have that much in my account, the transactions never went through. These are the reasons why it's crucial to be super careful and mindful of the red flags.

I hope today's post has been an enlightening one! It's my goal that by now you know which ads will be fake games and which ones you can actually count on. Remember to stay vigilant and consider the red flags I've mentioned when evaluating these apps. I promise to be back soon with another list, as I am still testing out a few apps that hopefully are just as legit as the ones I've shared today!