17 Free Gift Card Apps for Earning Rewards

If you have a few minutes to spare, you could be earning rewards thanks to free gift card apps. Here you’ll find the best apps for earning gift cards to your favorite stores, websites, and restaurants.

You’ll find apps for taking surveys, completing small tasks, getting cashback from the purchases you’re already making, as well as some passive income apps.

Free Gift Card Apps

Here are the best apps to earn gift cards.

1. Swagbucks ($10 bonus)

Swagbucks is one of our favorite sites/apps for making extra money in your spare time. While Swagbucks is known as one of the best sites for online surveys, that’s just one of the options. There are several different ways you can earn.

In addition to surveys, you can earn rewards by playing games, watching videos, installing apps, using the Swagbucks search engine, and taking advantage of special offers.

The tasks you complete will reward you with points called Swagbucks or SB. Generally, 100 SB equals one dollar in cash or gift cards. However, some specials and discounts allow you to get some gift cards at better exchange rates. For example, you might get a 12% discount on your points if you redeem a $25 Amazon gift card.

Swagbucks offers plenty of options when it comes to redeeming your SB. They have a massive selection of gift cards, or you can redeem your points for PayPal cash. You can also redeem rewards points for gift cards of different sizes, starting at as little as $3. With such a low minimum redemption, earning your first gift card with Swagbucks won’t take long.

Currently, Swagbucks offers a $10 bonus for new users, so it’s definitely worth a shot. With so many different ways to earn money or gift cards in your spare time, Swagbucks is an easy choice, and it’s our top-ranked gift card app.

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2. InboxDollars ($5 bonus)

InboxDollars is similar to Swagbucks because you can earn in several ways. For example, you can take surveys, read emails, watch videos, play games, or complete special offers.

One of the most significant differences between InboxDollars and Swagbucks is that InboxDollars does not use a point system. Instead, each task you complete will pay you a certain amount in dollars and cents. You’ll build up your balance, and then you can withdraw your earnings in cash or your choice of gift cards.

Because InboxDollars uses a monetary amount instead of points, there’s no confusion over how much you’re earning. However, there are also no discounts when withdrawing, so you might miss out on some good deals that you would get with Swagbucks.

Overall, InboxDollars is one of the leading options for earning money or gift cards in your spare time. Many of the offers are different than what you’ll find at Swagbucks, so it’s a good idea to use both apps if you want to maximize your earnings.

Currently, InboxDollars offers a $5 bonus for new users.

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3. MyPoints ($10 bonus)

MyPoints is another app that’s similar to Swagbucks and InboxDollars. The same parent company owns all three. You’ll find different offers and opportunities with each app, although there’s some overlap.

Like Swagbucks and InboxDollars, MyPoints also gives you several ways to earn points. Most of the emphasis is on cashback for online shopping, but you can also take surveys, play games, participate in sweepstakes, and more.

The downside to MyPoints, in my opinion, is that the point system is not as straightforward. The redemption values vary depending on the reward you’re after, and the points to dollars conversion isn’t a nice round number like you get with Swagbucks. As a result, it’s not as clear how much your points are worth.

Currently, MyPoints offers a substantial $10 bonus for new users. The signup bonus makes it easier to earn your first gift card.

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4. Branded Surveys

While Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints are good apps if you want to take surveys, they also offer several other ways to earn. Branded Surveys is different because they focus specifically on surveys. You won’t find many different ways to earn points here, but if surveys are what you’re after, you’ll love Branded Surveys.

After you create a free account, you can log in and see the available surveys. For each paid survey, you’ll see an estimated amount of time needed to complete it and the number of points you’ll earn. Branded Surveys uses a points system where 100 points equal $1, so it’s easy to understand precisely how much you’re making.

The payment rates will vary from one survey to the next, but you’ll generally earn between $0.50 and $5 for most surveys. The minimum redemption is 500 points or $5. You can choose from more than 100 different gift cards or choose to be paid in cash.

Currently, Branded Surveys offers a $1 (100 points) sign-up bonus for new users.

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5. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the most popular survey sites/apps. Like Branded Surveys, Survey Junkie focuses exclusively on surveys rather than offering many different ways to earn points or rewards.

The specific surveys available will vary from one app to the next. Most of the time, the limited availability of surveys will impact the amount you can earn. To maximize your earnings, you can use several different apps offering surveys. This way, you’ll have more surveys available and less likely to run out of options.

Survey Junkie works on a points system with 100 points equal to $1. Each available survey will list the estimated time needed for the survey and the number of points you’ll earn for completing it. You can prioritize the highest-paying options.

When you’ve accumulated at least 500 points, you can redeem your points for a gift card or cash.

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6. Rakuten Insight

Rakuten Insight is one of the newer sites/apps on this list. You may be familiar with Rakuten, one of the most popular cashback programs (formerly Ebates) for saving money on everyday purchases. Insight is a new program offered by Rakuten, and you can earn free gift cards or cash by taking surveys.

Since Rakuten Insight only offers surveys to make money, it’s similar to Branded Surveys and Survey Junkie. You won’t find all of the different small tasks and other options available at Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints, but Rakuten Insight is an excellent option if you’re looking for surveys.

The minimum redemption is just $5, so earning your first gift card won’t take long. Currently, Rakuten Insight allows you to redeem points for free Amazon gift cards or PayPal cash. Hopefully, additional rewards options are added in the future, but Amazon gift cards are always popular.

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7. Earnably

Earnably allows you to earn rewards by taking surveys, watching videos, and completing other small tasks. You’ll see an offer wall with the different opportunities available when you log in.

There are also sections for daily surveys, videos, and apps you can install. Overall, the number of opportunities at Earnably are far more limited than what you’ll find at Swagbucks, InboxDollars, or MyPoints. However, Earnably is still worth using if you want to maximize your earning potential.

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8. MobileXpression

MobileXpression is one of my favorite passive income apps. You don’t need to take surveys or complete tasks to earn rewards. Instead, all you need to do is create an account and keep the app active on your mobile device.

As a marketing research company, MobileXpressions collects mobile browsing activity through the app. You’ll need to be comfortable sharing your browsing activity with MobileXpression, but no personal or private information is collected or stored.

You’ll earn points each week that MobileXpression is active on your device. Then, all you need to do is occasionally open the app to claim your points and redeem a reward for those points. Your points can be used for various egift cards, including a free Google Play gift card. You can earn about $50 in free gift cards per year from MobileXpression. While that’s not a massive amount of money, remember it’s completely passive and essentially free money.

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9. Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel

You may be familiar with the Nielsen name. They’re well known for their TV ratings used for market research to indicate what shows and events people watch.

Nielsen also collects internet browsing data to see which websites users visit, and they’re willing to compensate you for sharing your data. The Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel is similar to MobileXpression in that it’s completely passive. One of the differences is that you can use Nielsen on desktops or laptops instead of just mobile devices.

Using Nielsen, you can earn about $50 per year in gift cards. Again, it’s not a huge amount, but it requires no time or effort.

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10. Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards is a free program that allows you to earn rewards for some of the things you already do. You’ll need to create a Microsoft Rewards account, but once you’re logged in, you can earn by searching with Bing in the Microsoft Edge browser, shopping at the Microsoft Store, or playing games on Xbox.

Once you’ve earned some points, you can redeem them for your choice of gift cards. Alternatively, you can donate your rewards to charity.

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11. Mistplay

Mistplay is a popular Android app (sorry iPhone users) that allows you to earn rewards by playing games on your mobile device. With more than 100 different games to choose from, Mistplay is one of the most fun ways to earn rewards.

The offers vary from one to the next, but you may get certain points once you reach a specific level in a game. After you’ve earned some points, you can redeem them for your choice of gift cards or Google Play credits.

As you might imagine, you’re not going to get rich by playing games on Mistplay. However, it can be a great option if you’re interested in earning some rewards by doing fun activities in your spare time. For example, you can play games while on the bus, watching TV, or whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

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12. Ibotta

Ibotta is a popular cash back app that helps you to save money at grocery stores, other retail stores, and even shopping online. Before shopping, you can check Ibotta to see what offers are available. You’ll claim the offers that interest you and then use your phone to photograph your receipt after you’ve made the purchase. The cashback is then added to your account.

In addition, Ibotta also allows you to earn cashback for shopping online through the app.

One of the reasons why Ibotta is so popular is because the amount of money you can save is significant. For example, some offers may allow you to save $5 or $10 for a single purchase that you needed to make anyway.

The cashback you earn can be redeemed for PayPal cash rewards or your choice of gift cards.

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13. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is a cashback app specifically for grocery shopping. The downside is that you aren’t likely to earn as much as you can earn with Ibotta, but the upside is that Fetch Rewards is very simple.

There’s no need to browse the app and claim the offers you want. Instead, all you need to do is use your phone to scan your receipt after shopping. Fetch Rewards will automatically find the offers on the receipt and award you the appropriate number of points.

Fetch Rewards takes almost no time, and you can also use it in addition to Ibotta and other cashback apps.

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14. TopCashback

TopCashback is one of the highest-paying cashback apps. They partner with thousands of websites and retail stores so you can earn cashback on many of the purchases you need to make anyway.

Most of the offers through TopCashback are for shopping online, but there are also some offers for shopping locally in-store. While there are several similar cashback apps and programs, the amount you can earn with TopCashback is often better than the offers of other sites/apps.

The cashback you’ve earned can be redeemed for cash or your choice of gift cards.

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15. Upside

Upside is another cash back app, but it’s much different than the others mentioned. One of the best ways to earn cashback through Upside is by purchasing gas. With gas prices as high as they are, I think we’re all happy to save money on gas.

Many cashback apps don’t help you to save on gas purchases, so Upside stands out. If you have a long commute to work or typically spend a lot of money on gas, you’re sure to appreciate the money you can save through Upside.

Upside offers a few different redemption options. For example, you can get your earnings as cash through PayPal or bank transfer or choose from a selection of digital gift cards.

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16. Drop

Drop is a cashback app that offers a few different ways to earn rewards. You can shop at many of your favorite websites through the app, and you’ll earn cashback based on your purchases.

Additionally, you can link your credit cards or debit cards to Drop and automatically earn cash back for purchases at some of your favorite stores and restaurants. You’ll automatically earn cash back whenever you purchase at a participating store using your linked credit card or debit card.

With more than 500 brands and stores participating, you can earn cashback for many of your purchases by using Drop. And once you’ve earned rewards, you can redeem them for your choice of gift cards.

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17. Freecash

Freecash isn’t as well-known as most other apps on this list, but it offers plenty of ways to earn cash and rewards. You can take surveys or find offers on the offer wall.

Once you’ve earned some points, you can redeem them for your choice of gift cards.

Although the user interface is very busy and can feel overwhelming, Freecash is worth using if you’re interested in earning free gift cards.

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Final Thoughts on Free Gift Card Apps

Earning free gift cards in your spare time is an excellent way to save money or to allow yourself to splurge on something you wouldn’t buy otherwise. Thankfully, many free gift card apps allow you to earn differently, and we’ve covered the best options here.

You certainly don’t need to use all these apps, but start by picking out a few that appeal to you and give them a shot. Once you’ve earned a gift card or egift card to your favorite store or website, you’ll probably be hooked.