Make sure you have an active PayPal account. Most money-making apps issue payments via PayPal. How to Choose The Best Money Making App For You. Not every app on here is ideal for everyone. There are certain considerations to look at when evaluating apps for making money. This is the methodology that we used to create this list. 20 Best Money-Making Apps 1. This mobile app, which has issued $1 billion to its users since it was rolled out in 1999, is a discounter's dream.

• What Game Apps Really Pay You
• App Games To Win Money
• What Game Apps Actually Pay You Money

Here at Your Money Geek, we love finding new ways to make money. If you're looking for a fun way to make a little extra cash without having to leave the comfort of your sofa — you're in luck!

This is a comprehensive list of the best game apps that will have you winning real money in no time! Whether you're looking for scratch-off games, virtual casinos, or just fun, addictive games where you can win money, you won't want to miss out on these 19 game apps to win real money.

1. With over 15 million users, Swagbucks is one of the top apps for getting cash and gift cards. In fact, the app has already paid out over $500 million in gift cards and prizes, meaning there’s a real opportunity to make money through this app. The app tracks your activity and awards you “Swagbucks” (hence the name) for all of your activities.
2. FeaturePoints is so far the best app in this niche where you play games for real money. This company is in business since 2012 and had made payout in thousands of dollars. In this app, you have several tasks that you can do to earn free PayPal money. This includes the following.

Table of Contents

• 1 18 of the Best Game Apps to Win Real Money
• 2 Additional Game Apps to Win Real Money

18 of the Best Game Apps to Win Real Money

Lucktastic

Lucktastic is a virtual scratch-off ticket you can play every day. All you have to do is download the app and start scratching! And yes, you can win real money with Lucktastic.

Your daily scratch-off tickets can even lead you to win huge cash prizes like $5,000, $10,000, or even more money! If your scratch-off tickets win you between $1 and $100, you can redeem them with a Dwolla account.

One of the best things about this game app is that even if you don't win a cash prize, you can still earn points every time you play. The more points you collect can help you redeem them for gift cards to Amazon, Restaurant.com, and more popular sites.

Mistplay

Mistplay is an Android-specific app that provides users the opportunity to play games in exchange for monetary rewards. All you have to do is play games and rack up points to redeem in-app for gift cards.

Who could say no to a gift card from Amazon, Google Play, Playstation, Xbox, or GameStop?

If you've read some of our other articles, then you know that we love Mistplay here at Your Money Geek. It's one of the best game apps that will have you receiving compensation from the minute you start playing. You can even play with friends and unlock new achievements and earn points faster.

Mistplay supports user communications and offers a chat feature, encouraging connections among participants. The app is also free to join, so don't worry about being caught with user fees to play the games.

While Mistplay is only available on android, they have plans to launch an Apple iOS app soon. Download the app and start playing those awesome games for free money!

Wizard of Oz Slots

If you are a fan of slot machines, you won't want to miss out on this Vegas-style game app! Wizard of Oz Slots will take you to the Emerald City with your favorite Wizard of Oz characters.

This game is a no-brainer! You will relive the classic movie and play along with Dorothy while winning huge payouts with real money. This game has all the thrills of real slot machines, with free spins, mega wilds, and all the fun of playing at a casino from the comfort of your own home.

Follow the yellow brick road to collect millions of free credits every day by spinning to get bonus credits!

• Wizard of Oz Slots (IOS)
• Wizard of Oz Slots (Android)

Game of Thrones Slot Casino

Winter is coming, and now is the time to prove yourself fit for the Iron Throne. Join the Seven Kingdoms in an all-new adventure: Game of Thrones Slots Casino. Yes, you heard that, right! But don't worry, you won't be gambling with your life.

Test your skills in one of the most immersive sloth machine games to come out of the Seven Kingdoms. Relive the most memorable moments of Game of Thrones with the virtual casino's classic sights, sounds, and beautiful art.

Who could say no to winning real money with this gaming app?

My Konami Slots

If you're looking for a top-ranked casino game that promises real money payouts and features your favorite slot machines, then you're going to want to download My Konami Slots.

You will have the thrill of winning right in the palm of your hand. My Konami is a free social casino game that features free spins, big bonuses, progressive jackpots, and the ability to work up to VIP status in-game.

This game app is currently only available on iOS.

Play My Konami Slots (iOS Only)

Willy Wonka Slots

If you've been waiting for a golden ticket, you're in luck! The Willy Wonk Slots gaming app is an addictive casino-style game that features all the thrills of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

You can spin to win amazing prizes and build your very own Sweet Candy Crops garden in an exciting mini-game. To earn more credits, spin the wheel to win the best seeds to plant and grow. These mini-games make Willy Wonka Slots even sweeter.

Join Charlie as he tours the most eccentric and unusual candy factory of all, Willy Wonka's Slots.

DoubleDown Casino Slots

DoubleDown Casino Slots isn't just about playing the slots; it also features Video Poker, Blackjack, and Roulette. This game app features over 100 authentic digital slot machines, classic Las Vegas hits, and all the gameplay you've been waiting for.

Enjoy all of the occasion action for free and right from the comfort of your own home. DoubleDown is one of the world's biggest and most addictive social game apps. You'll be raking in real cash in no time!

Zynga Poker

If you have played any time playing games online, you'll recognize the classic gaming site Zynga. Well, did you know you can play on your Android phone?

What are you waiting for? Join one of the world's most popular online poker games. There are more tables, tournaments, and jackpots than ever before. Whether you prefer classics like Texas Holdem or Blackjack, you'll find a competitive tournament that is right for you!

Play Zynga Poker (Android Only)

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is another favorite here at Your Money Geek. The app is a cash-based rewards club that pays you for easy online activities. To earn points, you can take surveys, watch videos, play games, and so much more.

One of the best features of the app is that it's easy-to-use. If you aren't a member yet, join today and get a $5 bonus. InboxDollars pays by check or with prepaid Visa cards.

MyPoints

MyPoints is an app not dissimilar from Inbox Dollars. You can earn gift cards by answering surveys, playing games, watching videos, and many other online activities you probably already do, like shopping online.

Yes, MyPoints will pay you to shop online! There are over 2,000 top retailers like Walmart, eBay, and Amazon that you can earn gift cards from just by shopping! Cash-out on your points whenever you want to and redeem them for gift cards or transfer the balance to your PayPal account.

1. $5 Sign-up Bonus: Complete five surveys.
2. $10 Task Bonus: Make your first purchase of $20 or more and receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Additional Game Apps to Win Real Money

Verasity Gamestore

The attention-focused tech company Verasity has launched a new GameStore that rewards its users for playing games. For every minute of gaming, players will receive digital tokens that are exchangeable to Amazon vouchers and many other rewards. There are already thousands of games available from more than 550 game publishers, ensuring a wide variety of genres.

The platform is part of the Verasity TV online portal, which hosts a Watch & Earn program and several B2B tools. Publishers use Verasity's rewarding-technology to improve aspects such as engagement and monetization.

With the Verasity GameStore, you can play as a single-player, try a PVP game, or even create your own tournaments to challenge your friends worldwide right from your living room. Now is a perfect time to try something new and check out Verasity from home's comfort and safety.

PCHGames

You've probably heard of Publishers Clearing House, but did you know that they have an app that features fun games that could win you up to $2,500? Some of the games will even earn you tokens to enter into prize drawings that could win you up to $1 million!

Aside from getting lucky with a top prize, you can also redeem your points for fun giveaways such as gift cards and merchandise. PCHGames is one you won't want to miss out on.

WorldWinner

WorldWinner is a skill-based gaming website that allows you to compete against other people for real money. Every day over $500,000 is won by users, so what are you waiting for?

You can play in heads-up matches against other people or participate in large tournaments for cash prizes. You can play arcade-style games, card games, sports games, strategy games, and word games. There's something for everyone, including popular games like Bejeweled 2, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Tetris, Spades, and Scrabble.

This website isn't free, as it requires a deposit of $5, 10, or 20 to begin playing for real money.

GameSville

GameSville is a free web-based gaming website on the internet. You get awarded GV rewards for playing and winning games, getting high scores, and slots.

From there, you can get your GV rewards into cash and other fabulous prizes. Additionally, Gamesville offers pure cash competitions for those who do not want to earn the GV rewards.

Brain Battle

Brain Battle has already given away tens of thousands of dollars to lucky players. They do this by sharing back a portion of the advertising revenue with one lucky winner. There are no in-app purchases and no paying to win.

All you need to do is download this free app and play any games to collect tickets. You need to get at least one ticket to be entered into the cash prize drawings. The more tickets you have, the higher your chance of winning the grand prize. The money is paid out through a Paypal money transfer.

Brain Battle is available in the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store.

Long Game

While Long Game can be a fun way to pass the time, it can also help you achieve your financial goals. To get started, you need to verify your identity and link your bank account to the app.

Next up, you need to set a savings goal, such as saving for a car down payment. Then decide on how much you want to be added to your account each payday. Every time you add money to your account, you'll earn coins to play games for cash prizes.

All the money you're putting into your in-app savings account belongs to you. The account is FDIC-insured for an added layer of protection and peace of mind.

Swagbucks Live

Do you love the thrill of a good game show? Check out the free Swagbucks Live app for the chance to test your knowledge on a live trivia game show.

You can earn cash just for playing, and a grand prize if you answer all questions correctly!

In true game show format, you'll be presented with a series of trivia questions and multiple-choice answers for each one. You get only 10 seconds to select your answer. Be sure to select before the 10 seconds run out, or you'll be out of the running for the grand prize.

Even if you don't make it to the top, you can earn Swagbucks digital currency for answering questions correctly. You can use it to get a second chance to win the grand prize or redeem for cash or gift cards.

Bananatic

If you would like to be one of the first to play a new game and provide your feedback, check out Bananatic. Game developers use this app for testing their new games and getting reviews and suggestions on improvements.

It's also a fun community of gamers who can meet each other through the app, discuss the games, bugs, game development, and so on. Even better?

You get rewarded in the game's virtual currency to play games, advance levels, and write reviews. Once you've gained enough virtual currency, you can redeem your winnings for digital content, premium games, and even gift cards.

Gaming App Wrap Up

Now that you have an entire list of options to choose from go ahead and explore which ones are best for you. What will you try first? Maybe you'll be lucky and win one of those big-ticket cash prizes. If you love gaming, you should monetize it!

Whether you decide to get paid to play on Mistplay or decide to test your luck with scratch-offs on Lucktastic, there are endless opportunities for you!

Do you have an idea for a free mobile application but you doubt whether it's worth investing? How do free apps make money?

Your doubts are quite clear: the development of a top-notch mobile app requires a lot of time (typically, several months) and, more importantly, money. Before kicking off the development process, you should clearly understand how you’ll recoup your investments and how to make money with apps in 2020.

We’ve decided to help you get your idea off the ground and show how exactly you can make money on free apps.

Free Apps Grossing Big Bucks

According to Sensotower, the App Store and Google Play users spent a total of $39.7 billion on mobile apps and games during the first half of 2019. This is a huge market you don’t want to miss out on

If you think that it’s the paid apps that bring the lion’s share of this huge revenue, you’re wrong. In fact, if you check the list of the top grossing mobile applications (including games) in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, you’ll notice they’re all free.

The vast majority of users on all continents prefer free mobile applications. In fact, the number of free app downloads is constantly rising. Statistics provided by Sensotower show that in the first half of 2019, free mobile apps downloads in Google Play increased by 16,4 percent and made up $41,9 billion. Whilst the App Store lost 1,4 percent in downloads. However, the overall tendency remains positive.

Developing a free mobile app is definitely the right business strategy.

Before shedding light on how to make money with apps, we’d like to draw your attention to another matter: correct app presentation. Remember that users must be able to quickly find your app and understand what it’s designed for.

Incite User Interest Through Accurate App Packaging

As of the second quarter of 2019, there were 2.46 million apps (of all types) in the Google Play Store and 1.96 million in the Apple App Store. The competition is really strong!

How many users will find your free mobile app? How many of them will download it? No matter how good your app is and what monetization methods you use, you may still fail to attract customers without a clear app packaging.

Potential users of your app should be able to quickly find it through search in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. To make your mobile app visible and easy to find, you should provide it with an attention-grabbing name, an informative description, and screenshots

Want to get the first ranks on mobile app stores? Check these effective pre-launch marketing strategies.

Here are tips that will help you create a top-class app description:

Choose a Clear and Catchy App Name

Your mobile app should have a snappy name that reflects its major functions. Though many applications have names that convey nothing about their functionality, your app is likely to attract a lot more users if it has a name that hints at what it does. It’s particularly useful to include keywords in the app name.

For example, let’s look at LINE, one of the most popular non-gaming Android apps on the Google Play Store. As you can see, the full title contains an explanation of what this app does (i.e. it offers free calls and messages):

Here’s another example: Hulu for iOS. The full name of this app is “Hulu: Watch TV Shows & Stream the Latest Movies.” With this title, any user can easily see what Hulu is for, namely for watching TV shows and movies:

In general, the name of your app shouldn’t be too long – 100 characters at most. Think carefully about the name, as it’s the first thing people see and pay attention to when they’re considering whether your application is worth downloading.

Come up With an Informative App Description

The next step is to provide your app with a meaningful and informative description.

The first several sentences (up to the “Read More” or “More” buttons) of an app description should give general information and illustrate the app’s main idea. This part mustn’t be long – up to 225 characters. Few people read further, so make sure to tailor this part of the app description to perfection.

Let’s have a look at a great example of a brief yet informative description for Scrummer, a handy planning poker app for Scrum development teams that’s available in the Apple App Store:

Learn more about Scrummer’s endearing features and its lively interface.

In the main body of the description, you should mention what problems your mobile app helps to solve as well as go over its most important functions. Take a look at the description of Google Drive (in the Google Play Store). As you can see, it effectively explains to users what they can do with the help of Google Drive:

Make Eye-Catching App Screenshots

An app’s name and description are important, but users want to know how your app will look on their mobile devices. That’s why you should include several screenshots – and make sure you pick the best.

We recommend that you add some text to your screenshots, describing some functions of your application. Take a look at a screenshot for the LINE app on Google Play:

As you can see, this screenshot shows that the app can work on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.

Here are screenshots for the Uber app for iOS:

Note that Uber uses verbs in their screenshot descriptions, which is the correct approach. Verbs are the parts of speech used to describe actions.

People are more likely to act (i.e. to download your free mobile app) if they see verbs.

How to make money with free apps?

Now that you know how to package a five-star app, we can move on to explaining the strategies you can leverage to make money on free apps.

Strategy #1: In-App Purchases

In-app purchases is an extremely popular strategy used by thousands of apps in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. In-app purchases allow users to buy something right in the app.

There are three major types of in-app purchases:

• Consumable. Consumables are products that a user can use only once: for example, virtual money or health points. Such in-app purchases are usually used in mobile games.
• Non-consumable. Non-consumables are features that users buy for permanent use: for example, additional functions or ad blocking (this is how free apps make money without ads).
• Subscriptions. Your mobile application may offer subscriptions that unlock some content or functions for a certain period of time. Subscriptions can be either non-renewing or automatically renewing.

Are you considering to implement in-app purchases in your app? We have a great guide on how to build a mobile payment app like Starbucks.

Strategy #2: In-App Ads

Ads are a driving force of the global market. They’re literally everywhere, and mobile apps aren’t an exception. In-app ads are actually tools of affiliate marketing. With in-app ads, you advertise your affiliates’ products (apps, games, etc.) inside your app and get paid if your users interact with those ads.

There are several types of campaigns used in affiliate marketing, so let’s mention the most popular:

• Cost per click (CPC). This model means that you get paid for each click on ads displayed in your mobile application. Typically, a single click is nearly worthless, so revenue is calculated on a cost per mille basis (mille is Latin for thousand).

• Cost per view (CPV). These campaigns are usually applied to video ads. The more times users of your app watch video ads, the higher payout you get.

• Cost per install (CPI). With this model, you get paid whenever a user of your app installs an advertised application.

If you wish to monetize your application through ads, there are many networks to work with, such as AdMob and Flurry. Most ad networks support apps on iOS and Android, as well as on some other mobile platforms. Also, don’t forget to check what kinds of campaigns they offer, since you need to understand what exactly you’ll be paid for.

There are several ways to display ads in your mobile app:

• Banners. Banner ads usually appear at the top or at the bottom of a screen and have some text and graphics. Banners are considered to be relatively unobtrusive, as users are able to keep using your mobile app even if a banner is active. However, banners have low click-through rates (CTR) and heavily depend on brand recognition (users are far more likely to click if a banner advertises some well-known brand).

• Native. Most people don’t like ads and try to block them completely. How can you reach out to the users of your mobile application, then? Use native ads that don’t really look like ads. Native ads are seamlessly integrated into mobile applications, making them subtle but quite efficient.

• Videos. According to an article by Invesp, the CTR of video ads is 1.84%, so they’re quite effective. Typically, video ads appear automatically when users interact with apps.

• Interstitial. These ads take a whole screen and typically appear when users launch or close an application. However, interstitial ads may also look like pop-ups appearing from time to time.

• Rich media. If you’re wondering what type of in-app ads is the most efficient, here’s the answer: rich media ads that, according to the previously mentioned eMarketer article, show a CTR of 0.44%. Rich media ads use multiple methods to reach out to users, including audio, video, text, and more.

In-app ads allow you to make money off free apps, but this monetization strategy works well only for applications with big audiences. If your app is a startup, don’t expect it to bring big bucks this way.

Strategy #3: Freemium

To benefit from the freemium monetization strategy, you need a second, paid version of your application. If users like a free version, they’re likely to opt for a paid one that has some extra functions.

With a freemium model, users are typically offered to upgrade an app to a paid version, and if they agree, they’re directed to an app store.

For example, have a look at MX Player, a popular video player available on Google Play. This mobile app has a free version, but it contains ads:

What Game Apps Really Pay You

Users are offered a paid version of this app, called MX Player Pro. It’s the same in terms of functionality, but comes without advertising:

This monetization option is quite efficient, but you shouldn’t provide too many functions in your free app; otherwise, few users will shell out for the paid one.

Strategy #4: Sponsorship

Finding a sponsor is a really lucrative monetization model. Usually, it works this way: you create a mobile app that gains quite a lot of users, after which you contact a sponsor company and offer to update the design of your app to match the sponsor’s brand.

There are two types of sponsorship deals: you can either split the revenue with your sponsor or receive a monthly sponsorship fee.

The main difficulty of sponsorship is finding a sponsor. Needless to say, your mobile app should be good enough to be interesting to potential funders.

Strategy #5: Email Marketing

Email marketing has always been and still is a powerful money-making strategy. You can leverage this method and ask the users of your mobile app to provide their emails and, later, send them messages.

Adding a Facebook login option to your free app is a great way to subtly collect user emails. However, give users a chance to cancel email notifications, as this will make your app more credible and people will know they won’t be receiving loads of spam.

Tips for Choosing the Best App Monetization Methods

As you can see, there are many ways you can make money from free apps. You can pick one or opt for several strategies at once. However, there are several handy tips that will help you monetize your free app in the most effective way possible.

Consider the Business Goals of Your Free App

Any application has a business goal, which means it helps its users solve their problems. Therefore, you should select a monetization strategy based on your app’s business purpose.

For example, let’s say you wish to create a cool audio player with lots of sound adjustments. Can in-app purchases be an effective profit generating method? Probably not. Instead, you can opt for ads or offer an ad-free version with a subscription.

Or imagine that you launch an educational app. It can offer in-app purchases, such as access to additional functions or paid tips. Needless to say, such apps can contain ads as well.

Define Your Target Audience

You should clearly realize who you’re creating a mobile app for. Draw a user portrait and decide what functionality users need, how much time they’re likely to spend using your app, and so on. A clear picture of your target users allows you to create an app tailored to their needs.

Though your free app may boast large download numbers, the truth is that only a small part of your users (you may call them the money-spending core) will actually bring you profit by clicking on ads or making in-app purchases. The majority of users won’t spend a cent in your app. You may not like it, but that’s how it is in reality. Therefore, set a goal of attracting as many users as possible and do your best to succeed.

Research Your Competitors

If you’re thinking of launching a mobile application, you should carry out a competitor analysis. Explore the app stores you’re going to offer your free app in and search for similar apps. Next, find out what your competitors offer, what kind of designs they have and, more importantly, what monetization methods they use.

This information will help you learn from your competitors’ experiences and see what mistakes they’ve made so you can make your free app better and more helpful to customers. In the end, a better app means higher profits for you as its creator.

Don't Overuse App Monetization Methods

You shouldn’t make your free app inconvenient for users. If it’s full of ads or in-app purchases, your audience may stop using your app and install a similar one. App creators should always remember that their apps bring profits only as long as people use them.

App Games To Win Money

Your users should feel comfortable when using your app, so be prudent and make all ads and offers in your app as subtle as possible.

Now that you know how free apps make money, you can give your idea a go and turn it into a real-life application.

What Game Apps Actually Pay You Money

Can’t handle the development process? Reach RubyGarage and our experts will help you build a successful and competitive mobile application.