Are There Any Apps That Actually Pay Money? Yes—But Here’s the Truth

In a world where nearly every app claims to pay you real money, it’s easy to feel skeptical. The truth is, yes, there are apps that pay. But are they worth your time? That depends on your situation.

If you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just want to monetize your downtime, these apps can definitely help you squeeze a few dollars out of your day. But let’s be real: when averaged per hour, most of these apps are not a substitute for a real job. That said, many users—especially those grinding during overnight shifts or tough financial times—have found that they can put food on the table using these apps.

Here are some of the best-paying, most legit apps out there, along with brutally honest insights into how they work, what you can realistically expect, and some tips to avoid wasting time.

✅ Best App Overall: Qmee

If you’re only going to try one, make it Qmee. It’s a survey app that pays in real money—no points, no weird conversion rates. Just cold hard PayPal or Venmo cash.

How It Works:

• Take surveys, earn money.

• Surveys range from $0.20 to $1.50, usually lasting 3 to 20 minutes.

• Daily trivia question = 3 cents (hey, every bit counts).

• Zero payout threshold. You can cash out even with just $0.01.

Real Experience:

• Average: $50/month doing 1-2 surveys a day.

• Best month: $150, but that required grinding hard.

• Some people have made $8–$20/day during desperate times.

• Tip: Don’t lie on surveys. They use algorithms to detect inconsistent answers and will ban your account.

Downsides:

• You’ll get disqualified from many surveys (~50%).

• It’s not you—it’s just how survey targeting works.

🎮 Mistplay – Play Games, Earn Gift Cards

This one is for Android users only. Mistplay lets you earn points by playing games installed through their app. It’s legit, but slow.

How It Works:

• Download and play games to earn points.

• Points can be redeemed for Amazon, Google Play, Visa, and other gift cards.

• The longer you play, the more you earn.

Real Experience:

• Works best for casual gaming sessions (“sitting on the toilet” games).

• You’ll need patience—it takes hours of gameplay to redeem a $5 card.

• Pro tip: Try Atlas Earth via Mistplay to earn double rewards.

💵 Swagbucks – Surveys, Games, Videos

Swagbucks is one of the biggest names in the game. It’s like Qmee + Mistplay combined.

How It Works:

• Earn “SB” points by doing surveys, watching ads, playing games, and shopping.

• Redeem SB for PayPal or gift cards.

• Tons of tasks available.

Real Experience:

• Survey disqualifications are very common.

• Still worth trying, but less consistent than Qmee.

• Passive tasks (like video watching) pay very little, but can add up over time.

🌍 Atlas Earth – Own Virtual Land, Watch Ads

This one’s a mix of fun and grind. It’s a GPS-based virtual land game where you watch ads to earn “Atlas Bucks” and buy virtual plots.

How It Works:

• Watch 1 ad every 20 minutes for 2 Atlas Bucks.

• 100 Bucks = 1 plot of virtual land.

• Earn micro-income per plot every second.

• Use multipliers (by watching more ads) to boost income.

Real Experience:

• With 60 plots, I earn ~$0.30/day if I keep my multiplier active.

• Cashed out $25+ to PayPal so far.

• Battery-intensive and ad-heavy.

• Great for multitasking (i.e., while working or relaxing).

• Tip: Download Atlas Earth through Mistplay for extra rewards.

🛒 Shopkick – Earn by Scanning in Stores

A great app for people who are out and about.

How It Works:

• Earn “kicks” (points) by:

  • Scanning barcodes in stores.

  • Buying and uploading receipts.

  • Watching ads and browsing in-app.

• Redeem for gift cards.

Real Experience:

• My brother uses it to pay for Hulu and small subscriptions.

• Used to be more rewarding, but still works.

• Great if you already shop often.

💡 Bonus Mentions

🧠 Prolific

• Academic-style surveys.

• Much higher pay per minute.

• Less disqualification, more consistent.

• Waitlist exists – worth getting on.

☁️ CloudResearch Connect

• Also known as “Connect.”

• Quality surveys, less screening out.

• Regulars report $600+/month with low effort.

So… Are These Apps Worth It?

Let’s break it down:

Final Thoughts

These apps do pay real money—but don’t expect to get rich. Think of them as digital side hustles for when you’re:

• Between jobs

• Working a night shift

• Killing time

• Strapped for cash

They won’t replace your income, but they can put food on the table. If you’re strategic, consistent, and manage your expectations, you’ll find them to be a surprisingly helpful lifeline.

If you’re serious, start with Qmee, Mistplay, and Atlas Earth. Then join waitlists for Prolific and CloudResearch to scale things up later.