20 real money earning games worth your time in 2025

Gaming that pays off? We’re here for it. Whether you’re a teen looking to earn some spending money or a parent hoping to show your child the value of a dollar, real money earning games can be a fun place to start. The key is finding games that are safe, legit, and actually worth your time.

Here’s a list of 20 games (and apps) that pay you real money in 2025. After the list, we’ll walk through how these games work, whether they’re safe, and how to steer clear of scams.

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20 real money earning games to try

1. Swagbucks Live — A live trivia game where you answer questions in real time against other players. Earn Swagbucks points with every correct answer, and trade them in for PayPal cash or gift cards. Miss one question? You’re out — so speed and accuracy matter.

2. Mistplay — An Android-exclusive app that rewards you with points for testing and playing new mobile games. The longer you play, the more you earn. Cash out through gift cards to places like Amazon, Google Play, or even prepaid Visa cards.

3. InboxDollars — This site and app offer payouts for playing games, completing surveys, and watching ads. Once you reach a $15 minimum, you can cash out via check or gift cards. It’s not fast money, but it’s steady if you keep at it.

4. Skillz Games (Solitaire Cube, 21 Blitz) — A platform for competitive, skill-based gaming. You can face off against other players in cash tournaments, with winners taking real money prizes. Some games have entry fees, so budget carefully.

5. MyPoints — Earn points (called “MyPoints”) for everyday online activities like watching videos, shopping, and gaming. Redeem them for gift cards to retailers like Target, Walmart, or Amazon.

6. Cash Giraffe — Available on Android, this app rewards you for trying out new mobile games. The more time you log, the more coins you collect, which you can redeem for gift cards.

7. Blackout Bingo — A modern spin on bingo where you compete head-to-head in quick rounds. It’s skill-based, not luck-based, which means players who strategize well have a better shot at winning cash prizes.

8. Toluna Influencers — Primarily known for surveys, but also includes community games and challenges. Earn points you can trade for gift cards or PayPal cash.

9. Second Life — A long-running virtual world where you create an avatar, build, and sell digital goods or services. The in-game currency, Linden dollars, can be exchanged for real-world money, making it a creative option for entrepreneurial players.

10. Wealth Words — A puzzle-based platform with daily crossword and word challenges. Enter free tournaments or pay small entry fees for the chance to win cash prizes.

11. Brain Battle — Simple math- and arcade-based games that give you tickets for every round. Those tickets go into frequent cash prize draws.

12. Play and Win — Offers hourly trivia competitions. Answer questions quickly and accurately to climb leaderboards and win real cash.

13. Big Time Cash — A mobile app full of casual mini-games. You collect tickets as you play, which go into weekly drawings for cash prizes.

14. Gamehag — Complete quests, write reviews, and play games to earn “Soul Gems.” You can swap gems for digital rewards like in-game skins, Steam keys, or retailer gift cards.

15. Player Auctions — A peer-to-peer marketplace where gamers buy and sell virtual items, accounts, or in-game currencies. If you’re good at farming rare items or leveling up accounts, you can turn that effort into real income.

16. EazeGames — Compete in skill-based duels or tournaments featuring classics like chess or bubble shooter. You can wager real money and win cash depending on your performance.

17. JustPlay — Tracks your time across different partner games and rewards you with points. You can cash out for PayPal deposits or gift cards, sometimes within 24 hours.

18. Boodle — Earn coins for playing games, answering polls, and exploring new apps. You can redeem coins for gift cards at major retailers like Amazon or Starbucks.

19. Idle-Empire — A platform where you earn points for gaming, watching ads, or completing offers. You can redeem points for cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum) or traditional gift cards.

20. Coin Pop — Another Android app that pays you to try out new games. The more time you spend, the more coins you stack up, which can be exchanged for PayPal credits or gift cards.

What are real money earning games?

These are apps or platforms that reward you with cash equivalents like PayPal credits, digital gift cards, or even cryptocurrency. They typically fall into three categories:

• Skill-based games: Win by excelling in puzzles, trivia, or card games.

• Ad-supported or survey games: Earn small amounts by watching ads or completing offers.

• Cash tournaments: Compete in higher-stakes games with pooled entry fees and prize payouts.

Are these games safe?

No game is 100% risk-free, but some are safer than others. Before downloading, check reviews in the App Store or Google Play. Watch out for:

• Consistent complaints about delayed payouts or locked accounts.

• Apps that demand heavy in-app purchases before you can unlock rewards.

• Weak or unclear privacy policies.

🚨 Heads up for parents, teens, and kids: Many apps require users to be 13 years or older and/or a parent’s help with setup or cashing out. Always loop in a parent or guardian before signing up.

Avoiding scams from money-earning games

Real rewards? Yes. Real risks? Sometimes. Here’s how to stay safe:

1. Avoid pay-to-play traps. Don’t spend more than you’re willing to lose.

2. Check payout minimums. Some apps make it tough to cash out until you hit a high threshold.

3. Track your time vs. reward. If you’re grinding for hours to earn $1, it may not be worth it.

4. Read privacy policies. Make sure your (or your child’s) data isn’t being misused.

5. Use parental controls. For kids and teens, these controls keep gaming and spending safe.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.