9 Best Apps and Sites to Sign up and Get Free Money

Earning free money online is no longer a myth. We've found 9 apps and sites that allow you to sign up and get free money, and why they made out list.

Key Takeaways

  • Earn money online without financial commitments via sign-up bonus apps.
  • Sign-up bonus apps offer immediate rewards like cash, gift cards, and discounts.
  • Use secure and trusted apps like Swagbucks, Rakuten, and InboxDollars.
  • Sign-up bonuses provide a low-risk way to explore new services and save money.

One of the things we love most about making money online is that you can do so without financial commitments. 

You'll have to carry out an activity, like playing online games, watching videos, and more, to earn free money, but you don't need initial capital to start. 

Most of these opportunities, however, have been corrupted by scammers trying to steal your data and financial information, so it can be hard to find a good one.

But don't fret. Our tutorial series can help you avoid scams and find the real deal. We already have a detailed tutorial on earning through answering surveys—you can check it out. 

For this one, you'll learn about the nine best apps and sites to sign up and get free money. 

Best Sign-up Bonus Apps (At a Glance)

Here are the best sign-up bonus apps for 2023:

  1. Swagbucks: Top Choice 
  2. Rakuten: Runner Up 
  3. InboxDollars: Also Great
  4. Ibotta: Great Choice for Shoppers 
  5. Acorns: Best Option in the Investment Space 
  6. BeFrugal: Best Cashback Site
  7. Cash App: Best Sign-up Bonus App With Referral Options
  8. Mistplay: Best GPT Earning Site
  9. Opinion Inn: Highest Paying Sign-up Bonus App

An Overview of Sign-up Bonus Apps

Here are a few things to know before earning with sign-up bonus apps.  

What Is a Sign-up Bonus App?

These apps operate on a Cost Per Action (CPA) model to pay users sign-up bonuses or incentives when they join and create an account.

The bonuses can come in various forms, such as cash rewards, free gift cards, discounts, or other exclusive perks.

Sign-up bonus apps typically partner with retailers, service providers, or other companies to offer these incentives to attract new users and encourage them to engage with their platform. 

Why Are Sign-up Bonus Apps Important?

Sign-up bonuses provide instant gratification—you earn immediately for action. 

This immediate benefit can be appealing and helpful in settling basic needs, like purchasing your favorite candy online. 

It can also help you save money. For example, a sign-up bonus app may offer discounts or exclusive deals on products or services you regularly purchase, like signing up for a credit card service. 

With these bonuses, you can lower your expenses and potentially get more value for your money.

There's also the opportunity to test a service at zero or low cost before committing. For example, some sign-up bonus apps pay you cashback to sign up and purchase a new product; you can get $5 cash back for buying goods worth at least $5. 

You can maximize this to evaluate the service or product and make informed decisions about whether to continue using it in the future.

What's more, some sign-up bonus apps, particularly those in personal finance or investment, provide opportunities to grow your money.

For example, you may receive free PayPal cash bonuses for investing or saving through the app, potentially leading to increased financial stability or growth.

Do I Need a Sign-up Bonus App?

Using one isn't compulsory, but here are a few considerations to help you determine if you need it: 

  • The Desire for Immediate Rewards: If receiving instant rewards sounds nice, a sign-up bonus app can be appealing. There are lots of tangible benefits right from the start.
  • Interest in Exploring New Apps or Services: Are you open to trying out new apps or services? A sign-up bonus app can be a great way to discover and explore different platforms. They often partner with various retailers, service providers, or financial institutions.
  • Cost-Saving Opportunities: Some apps might align with your spending habits and offer savings on products or services you regularly use. That's why if you're looking to reduce expenses and potentially get more value, sign-up bonus apps might suffice. 
  • Financial Goals and Investment Opportunities: Sign-up bonus apps in the personal finance or investment may provide financial tools, incentives, or rewards. These offerings can come in handy if you need to support your financial goals.

The Best Sign-up Bonus Apps at a Glance

Here’s a TL;DR section in case you can’t go through the entire review: 

What Is the Best Sign-up Bonus App to Earn Money?

The best sign-up bonus app to earn free cash online in 2023 is Swagbucks. 

It provides a generous welcome bonus, multiple earning opportunities, including surveys and cashback, Swag Codes for extra points, and a referral program for additional rewards. 

With daily goals, a user-friendly mobile app, and desktop accessibility, Swagbucks offers one of the best experiences for those seeking to earn rewards through their online activities.

What Is the Highest Paying Sign-up Bonus App?

Opinion Inn is one of the highest-paying sign-up bonus apps due to its impressive $10 sign-up bonus. 

You can withdraw your earnings through PayPal, Amazon gift cards, and other payment methods. 

Besides sign-up bonuses, other features help you earn free money instantly, like answering surveys that pay up to $2 for each.

Features to Look For in Sign-up Bonus Apps

When evaluating sign-up bonus apps, here are some key features to look for:

1. Sign-up Bonus Variety

Consider the sign-up bonuses offered by the app. Look for diversity in rewards such as cash, free gift cards, discounts, or exclusive perks.

2. Bonus Eligibility Criteria

Understand the requirements to qualify for the sign-up bonus. Check if there are any spending thresholds, specific tasks, or time limits involved.

You can choose an app with achievable criteria to claim your rewards faster.

3. Ongoing Rewards and Loyalty Programs

Look for apps that provide ongoing incentives for continued engagement and loyalty, such as earning points, unlocking higher tiers, or accessing exclusive perks.

4. Partner Network

Assess the app's partnerships with retailers, service providers, or financial institutions. A robust partner network means more opportunities to earn rewards or access exclusive offers. 

5. Security and Privacy Measures

Consider the app's security and privacy practices. Ensure the app takes appropriate measures to protect your personal information and financial details.

Look for apps that use encryption, have a clear privacy policy, and prioritize user data protection.

Best Sign-up Bonus App: Our Top 3 Options [Ranked & Reviewed]

Here's a review of our top three sign-up bonus apps to earn real money in 2023. 

1. Swagbucks: Top Choice

Swagbucks is a rewards program that offers you the chance to earn points, called Swag Bucks, which you can redeem for cash or gift cards. 

On signing up, you can get a free $5 for purchases on Swagbucks' merchant stores, providing a head start on earning rewards. 

There's also a $10 Swag Up Bonus, which you can claim by making purchases worth $25 on the platform. 

Key Features of Swagbucks 

  • Multiple Earning Opportunities: Swagbucks provides several ways to earn points, including surveys, videos, games, shopping, and cashback on purchases made through affiliated retailers.
  • Redemption Options: You can redeem your earned Swag Bucks for cash through PayPal or choose gift cards from popular retailers.
  • Referral Program: Swagbucks offers a referral program where you can invite friends and family to join, earning additional points for successful referrals.
  • Daily Goals and Bonuses: Swagbucks sets daily goals that offer bonus points when you achieve these goals.
  • Mobile App and Desktop Accessibility: It has a user-friendly mobile app for iOS and Android devices and desktop accessibility. This ensures a seamless experience across multiple platforms.

Pros of Swagbucks

  • Wide Range of Rewards: In addition to cash and gift cards, Swagbucks offers various other valuable items such as electronics, home goods, and even charitable donations. This way, you can choose rewards that align with your preferences and needs.
  • Active Community and Support: Swagbucks has a large and active user community that creates opportunities to connect, share tips and strategies, and participate in discussions. The community aspect can enhance your overall experience.
  • Engaging and Fun Activities: Beyond surveys, you can earn money by watching entertaining videos, playing games, and participating in online polls. 

Cons of Swagbucks 

  • Time and Effort Required: Earning a significant amount of Swag Bucks can take much time and energy. You may need to complete multiple surveys, watch numerous videos, or engage in various activities to accumulate enough points for desired rewards. 
  • Eligibility and Disqualification: Taking surveys is one way to improve your reward and quickly reach the withdrawal threshold. However, surveys have several demographic requirements that might disqualify you from earning.
  • Limited Availability: Swagbucks isn't available in all locations of the world.

Swagbucks Income

Swagbucks typically offers a sign-up bonus of $5 to new users and a $10 Swag Up bonus for purchases on the platform. 

You can also get 10% of your referral earnings. 

Our Take: Should You Choose Swagbucks?

With its diverse earning opportunities, generous sign-up bonus, and flexible redemption options, choosing Swagbucks might not be a terrible idea.

2. Rakuten: Runner Up 

Rakuten is one of the best free apps that offer cashback and the opportunity to earn money while shopping online. 

One of the benefits of Rakuten is its attractive sign-up bonus, which provides new users with a generous cashback offer or gift card after registration. 

With its extensive network of partner retailers and user-friendly interface, you can maximize your savings and earnings.

Key Features of Rakuten 

  • Cashback on Online Shopping: Shopping through Rakuten's platform opportune you to save a percentage of your purchase amount back as cashback.
  • Wide Selection of Partner Retailers: Rakuten has a vast network of partner retailers, including popular brands in fashion, electronics, home goods, travel, and more. You can find your favorite stores and earn cashback on your favorite products and services.
  • Generous Sign-up Bonus: After signing up on Rakuten, you can enjoy a $10 welcome bonus after making purchases worth $25 on the platform.
  • Browser Extension for Easy Access: Rakuten offers a browser extension that makes it convenient to access cashback offers while shopping online.
  • Additional Deals and Discounts: In addition to cashback, Rakuten provides users with access to exclusive deals, discounts, and promo codes offered by their partner retailers. This way, you can save even more money on your purchases.

Pros of Rakuten

  • Trusted and Established Platform: Rakuten is a well-established and reputable cashback and rewards platform. With a history dating back to 1997, it has gained the trust of millions of people worldwide. 
  • Multiple Payout Options: You can choose to receive your earnings in the form of gift cards from various retailers or through cash. 
  • Seamless Integration with Mobile Apps: Rakuten provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, making it easy to earn cashback and access deals while on the go.

Cons of Rakuten 

  • Limited Cashback Opportunities: While Rakuten has a broad network of partner retailers, not all purchases may be eligible for cashback. Some retailers may exclude certain products, categories, or promotional items from cashback offers.
  • Cashback Processing Time: You don't receive your Rakuten cashback earnings immediately. It takes a three-month processing period for confirmation.
  • Minimum Payout Threshold: To withdraw your earnings, you must have a balance of at least $5.01. 

Rakuten Income

With all the offers on Rakuten, you can comfortably make $10 to $30 in your first month. 

Our Take: Should You Choose Rakuten?

Joining Rakuten is a wise choice if you're looking to save money while shopping online. 

The platform provides a convenient way to earn cash back on purchases and enjoy extra deals, making it a valuable option for maximizing savings.

3. InboxDollars: Also Great

With earning opportunities by taking surveys, watching videos, and playing games, InboxDollars makes one of the best sign-up bonus apps.

Its bonus can provide a head start on earning rewards and is a beneficial incentive for those looking to make money online in their spare time.

Key Features of InboxDollars

  • Multiple Earning Opportunities: There are various ways to earn money on the platform, including taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, and even shopping online.
  • Cash Rewards: InboxDollars offers cash rewards instead of just points or gift cards. You can accumulate your earnings and withdraw them as cash.
  • Referral Program: It has a referral program that allows you to earn additional money by referring friends and family to join the platform.
  • Sweepstakes and Contests: InboxDollars frequently runs sweepstakes and contests, which means you can win even more money and prizes.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The site has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for newbies to navigate and find available earning opportunities.

Pros of InboxDollars

  • Trustworthy Platform: InboxDollars has a solid track record of paying users on time and maintaining high trust among its customer base.
  • Variety of Redemption Options: It offers several redemption options beyond just cash. You can redeem your earnings for gift cards from popular retailers, prepaid Visa cards, or even donate to charitable organizations.
  • Daily Offers: On InboxDollars, you enjoy exclusive daily deals, offers, and discounts from its partner brands.

Cons of InboxDollars 

  • Time Investment: Compensation for activities is relatively low compared to the time you'll need to invest. 
  • Processing Time: Payment processing time can take a few weeks or more. This delay in accessing funds may not be ideal if you need quick cash.
  • Limited Availability: Some earning opportunities, like surveys or offers, may have restrictions based on geographic location.

InboxDollars Income

You can make an extra $60 using InboxDollars. 

Our Take: Should You Choose Inbox Dollars?

InboxDollars offers all the top perks of a sign-up bonus site. 

You can choose it if you aim to earn more than sign-up bonuses. 

Notable Mentions: Other Sign-up Bonus Apps to Check Out

Here are other sign-up bonus apps and sites you might find helpful. 

4. Ibotta: Great Choice for Shoppers 

Ibotta is a rewards app to earn money on your everyday purchases. 

Upon signing up, you can take advantage of Ibotta's sign-up bonus, which often includes a welcome bonus.

Why Is Ibotta a Great Option?

  • Instant Savings: Ibotta's sign-up bonus provides you with immediate savings. You can redeem it after completing qualifying activities.
  • Variety of Redemption Options: There are several options to redeem your bonus. You can withdraw cash via PayPal or Venmo or take gift cards. 
  • Additional Earning Opportunities: Ibotta provides numerous opportunities to earn cashback on purchases.

Drawbacks to Ibotta 

  • Limited Store Availability: Ibotta's cashback offers are primarily available for select partner stores and brands. This limited availability may not cover your favorite stores or products.
  • Manual Submission of Receipts: To earn cashback with Ibotta, you'll manually submit your receipts and scan product barcodes in the app, which can be time-consuming.
  • Redemption Restrictions: Your first redemption from Ibotta has to be through PayPal. This can be a challenge if you don't have a PayPal account. 

Ibotta Income

With minimal effort, you can earn between $10 and $20 using Ibotta.

5. Acorns: Best Option in the Investment Space 

Several investments and saving apps offer sign-up bonuses, but Acorns appears on my list because of its extra offerings. 

Its user-friendly interface, automatic savings features, and diversified portfolio options are the top features that make it better than others. 

Why Is Acorns a Great Option?

  • Boosted Initial Investment: Acorns' sign-up bonus provides you with an initial investment amount. This bonus can serve as a valuable starting point if you're looking to invest.
  • Encourages Regular Investing: You get a bonus when you meet certain investment milestones or make regular contributions. This feature helps you to develop a consistent investing habit.
  • Simplified Investment Experience: With its user-friendly interface and automated investing features, Acorns makes investing accessible and straightforward.

Drawbacks to Acorns 

  • Fees: Acorns charges a monthly subscription of at least $3 for its services. This can reduce your overall returns, especially if you have small investment amounts.
  • Limited Investment Options: Acorns offers pre-built portfolios based on risk tolerance, but you have limited control over specific customization options. You may find this uncomfortable if you’re a more experienced investor.
  • Potential for Minimal Returns: The investment returns with Acorns may not be substantial, particularly for conservative or low-risk portfolios.

Acorns Income

From sign-up bonuses, you can earn between $5 and $10.

6. BeFrugal: Best Cashback Site

BeFrugal is a cashback and coupon platform for over 5,000 online stores. 

With its extensive network, it offers competitive cashback rates to help maximize your savings on online purchases as you enjoy the benefits of a sign-up bonus as an extra incentive. 

Why Is BeFrugal a Great Option?

  • Instant Earning Boost: BeFrugal's sign-up bonus helps you quickly rack up savings on online purchases.
  • Diverse Range of Partner Stores: BeFrugal boasts an extensive network of partner stores, covering several categories such as retail, travel, dining, and more. This range of partners offers ample opportunities to earn on your everyday spending.
  • Transparent Cashback System: The platform displays the cashback rates for each store, allowing users to make informed decisions and choose the best cashback options available.

Drawbacks to BeFrugal 

  • Payout ThresholdWithdrawals through bank transfers require a minimum balance of $25, which can take some time to accumulate.
  • Limited International Availability: BeFrugal's cashback offers and partner stores focus on the United States. You may have limited opportunities if you’re outside the US.
  • Inconsistencies with Cashback Tracking: It’s also worth mentioning that you may face challenges with the tracking system. Some purchases may not track properly, resulting in missed or delayed cashback earnings.

BeFrugal Income

BeFrugal offers up to a $10 sign-up bonus.

7. Cash App: Best Sign-up Bonus App With Referral Options

With the popularity of payment apps, Cash App stands out as a peer-to-peer money transfer app that offers a sign-up bonus to new users. 

It also has one of the best referral programs that provide you additional incentives to invite friends.

Why Is Cash App a Great Option?

  • Lucrative Referral Program: You can earn up to $15 for inviting friends to join the platform.
  • Easy-to-Use and Share: Cash App's user-friendly interface makes it simple to share referral links and invite friends to join. The app offers multiple sharing options, including social media platforms, email, and messaging.
  • Flexible Redemption Options: You can redeem your referral rewards earned through Cash App for personal transfers, making purchases with the Cash Card, or even cashing them directly to your bank account.

Drawbacks to Cash App 

  • Limited Availability: Cash App is primarily available in the United States and the United Kingdom. You may not have access to it if you’re outside these regions.
  • Customer Support Limitations: In one word: its customer support is terrible. If you have any issues while using the app, be ready to query support multiple times. 
  • Transaction Fees: While Cash App provides free peer-to-peer transfers, there are fees for some transactions, such as sending money internationally or using the Cash App Card at ATMs.

Cash App Income

You earn $5 for every $5 spent on transfers within the app. 

8. Mistplay: Best GPT Earning Site

Mistplay is a Get Paid To (GPT) earning site focusing on mobile gaming. 

With a wide selection of games and various ways to earn rewards, Mistplay stands out as the best GPT earning site for individuals who enjoy gaming and want to get money while at it.

Why Is Mistplay a Great Option?

  • Instant Earning Boost: Mistplay's sign-up bonus provides an instant earning boost upon joining the platform.
  • Extensive Game Selection: There are several games to choose from, catering to different interests and preferences. 
  • Flexibility in Reward Redemption: Mistplay offers multiple options for reward redemption, including gift cards for popular retailers and online platforms.

Drawbacks to Mistplay 

  • Limited Earning Potential: The earning potential on Mistplay can be limited, particularly for users who don’t spend a significant amount of time playing games or engaging with the platform.
  • Eligibility Requirements: Some games have eligibility requirements, such as reaching levels to earn rewards. These requirements can limit the number of games available for earning and may require additional time to unlock rewards.
  • Device and Platform Limitations: The app is primarily available on Android devices, which may exclude users with iOS or other non-compatible devices from accessing the platform.

Mistplay Income

You can earn a maximum of $50 on Mistplay.

9. Opinion Inn: Highest Paying Sign-up Bonus App

Opinion Inn stands out for its highly lucrative sign-up bonus.

You get a generous sign-up bonus starting at $10, setting it apart as one of the highest-paying sign-up bonus apps available. 

Why Is Opinion Inn a Great Option?

  • Generous Sign-up Bonus: Opinion Inn has one of the highest-paying sign-up bonuses among survey apps. This bonus allows you to start earning and quickly accumulate rewards.
  • High-paying Surveys: Opinion Inn offers high-paying surveys with competitive compensation compared to other survey platforms. This means you can get more money
  •  for your time.
  • Multiple Redemption Options: Several redemption options are available at Opinion Inn, including cash payments via PayPal and gift cards.

Drawbacks to Opinion Inn 

  • Limited Survey Availability: Opinion Inn may have limited survey opportunities depending on your demographic profile, location, and other factors. This means that you may not receive surveys frequently.
  • Payment Threshold: You’ll need a balance of at least $25 to qualify for withdrawals. This is higher than similar platforms and might take more time and input. 
  • Processing Time for Payments: Payments can take longer to arrive in your account. It may take several weeks or even months.

Opinion Inn Income

After registering on Opinion Inn, you’ll automatically receive a $10 bonus.

You can also make up to $50 monthly by answering surveys on the platform. 

Other Options Relevant to Sign-up Bonus Apps

Here are some similar ways to make money you might find interesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might find these frequently asked questions helpful. 

What Apps Pay You up to $50 for Signing Up?

Only a few apps can offer this much for sign-ups, and they're mostly finance or investing apps.

Fundrise is an example in this category. This real estate investing app offers you a $50 sign-up bonus when you register and deposit a minimum of $10.

Can I Get Rich From Sign-up Bonuses?

While sign-up bonuses can boost your earnings, you'll likely get rich solely from sign-up bonuses.

Sign-up bonuses are one-time rewards and may have limitations or requirements for earning and cashing out.

You can use them to fund your basic needs but don't depend on them as a source of income or wealth.

Wrapping Up

Sign-up bonus apps offer you cash and other prizes for registering or inviting others to sign up. These apps are in several niches, like personal finance, consumer goods, and real estate.

Some of the best ones we've used recently are Swagbucks, Rakuten, and InboxDollars. They combine several bonus offers and prizes with a secure and easy-to-navigate platform. 

You could earn $5 to $30 using these apps with minimal input and less financial commitment. 

Was this article helpful? If it was, please share it with your friends, so they can join you and make some free cash. 

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