Getting paid to play games sounds great in theory. In practice, it usually leads to frustration. We tested 12 so-called play-to-earn apps for 90 days and found that most pay cents per hour. A few do work, but only in specific scenarios. Below is the honest breakdown, plus smarter ways to stack earnings.
Let's reset expectations early. You are not going to make serious money playing casual mobile games.
Most gaming apps pay between $0.50 and $2 per hour. That is fine for killing time, but it is not a real side income. The problem is not gaming itself, but how little value most apps assign to your attention.
A small group of gaming apps does pay for specific actions like testing new games, reaching milestones, or limited-time events. When combined with other methods, they can realistically add $20 to $50 per month.
This guide ranks gaming apps by what actually matters: real earnings, time required, and legitimacy. We'll also show you why your attention has real value and how to capture more of it with better methods.
Use Games as a Bonus, Not the Main Play
While gaming apps pay little on their own, VISU lets you earn from real-world activity in parallel. Stack location rewards in the background while you play.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
The Truth About "Play to Earn" Apps
Here's how most gaming apps actually work:
They show you ads. Lots of them. Between levels, after deaths, before rewards. The game is just a vehicle for ad impressions.
They pay you a tiny cut. The app makes $5-$20 per 1,000 ad views. You get $0.10-$0.50 of that.
They make withdrawal hard. High minimums ($20-$100), slow processing, endless "verification" hoops designed to make you give up.
Many never pay at all. Scam apps collect ad revenue then ban accounts before payout. Check reviews before downloading anything.
The business model is simple: your attention is worth money to advertisers. Gaming apps capture that attention cheaply by promising you "rewards."
That said, a few legitimate apps exist. They just won't make you rich. For a broader view of what actually works, see our complete guide to apps that pay real money.
5 Gaming Apps That Actually Pay (Ranked)
Ranked by legitimacy and realistic earnings, not advertised payouts.
1. Mistplay — Best Overall (Android Only)
Mistplay is the most legitimate gaming rewards app. You earn points for playing games, with bonuses for reaching milestones.
How it works: Download games through Mistplay, earn points for playtime.
Realistic earnings: $5-$15/month
Minimum payout: $5 (gift cards)
Time to earn: 10-20 hours for $5
Effective hourly: $0.25-$0.50/hour
Verdict: Legitimate but low pay. Only worth it if you'd play mobile games anyway.
2. Swagbucks Live — Best Trivia
Live trivia games where you can win real cash. Not passive gaming, but actual skill-based competition. Part of the larger Swagbucks platform. See our full Swagbucks review for details on their other earning methods.
How it works: Answer trivia questions live, split prize pool with winners.
Realistic earnings: $5-$20/month (if you're good at trivia)
Minimum payout: Part of Swagbucks ($3 gift cards, $25 PayPal)
Time to earn: 15-30 min per game
Effective hourly: $2-$10/hour (highly variable)
Verdict: Fun if you like trivia. Actual skill matters. Not reliable income.
3. Blackout Bingo — Best Skill Game
Competitive bingo with real cash prizes. You deposit money to play, so there's risk involved.
How it works: Play bingo against others, fastest completion wins.
Realistic earnings: Highly variable (can lose money)
Minimum payout: $10
Risk level: Medium (requires deposit to play cash games)
Effective hourly: -$5 to +$10/hour depending on skill
Verdict: Only for competitive players willing to risk money. Not passive income.
4. Coin Pop — Best Android Passive
Similar to Mistplay. Earn coins for downloading and playing games.
How it works: Download games, earn coins for playtime.
Realistic earnings: $3-$10/month
Minimum payout: $0.50 (PayPal)
Time to earn: 15-25 hours for $5
Effective hourly: $0.20-$0.35/hour
Verdict: Low minimum payout is nice. Still pays terribly per hour.
5. InboxDollars Games — Best Combined Platform
InboxDollars has a games section alongside surveys and offers. Games alone pay little, but they stack with other activities on the platform. See our InboxDollars review for the full breakdown.
How it works: Play games to earn scratch cards and small cash.
Realistic earnings: $2-$8/month (games only)
Minimum payout: $30 (high, major downside)
Time to earn: 20+ hours for minimal return
Effective hourly: $0.10-$0.30/hour
Verdict: Only use games as bonus while doing surveys. Don't rely on games alone.
Realistic Gaming App Earnings (90-Day Test)
We used these apps consistently for 90 days. Here's the honest result:
| App | Hours Played | 90-Day Earnings | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mistplay | 45 | $18.50 | $0.41 |
| Swagbucks Live | 12 | $14.25 | $1.19 |
| Coin Pop | 30 | $8.00 | $0.27 |
| InboxDollars | 20 | $5.50 | $0.28 |
| TOTAL | 107 hrs | $46.25 | $0.43 avg |
107 hours of gaming for $46. That's $0.43/hour average.
For comparison, location rewards typically pay $5-$15/hour effective rate. Survey apps pay $5-$15/hour. Even walking apps beat gaming apps.
Gaming apps are entertainment that occasionally pays. They're not income.
Gaming Apps to AVOID (Scams & Time Wasters)
These apps promise big payouts and deliver nothing:
Lucky Day: Lottery-style app, almost impossible to cash out.
Big Time Cash: Requires watching hundreds of ads, pays almost nothing.
Cash Giraffe: High minimum ($50+), most never reach it.
Money Well: Extremely low payouts, sketchy withdrawal process.
Any app promising $100+/day: 100% scam. No legitimate gaming app pays anywhere close to this.
Red flags to watch for: unrealistic earnings claims, thousands of 1-star reviews about not getting paid, no clear company information, requiring personal financial data beyond payment info.
Better Alternatives to Gaming Apps
If you have time to play games, you have time to earn real money. Here's what pays better:
| Method | Effective $/Hour | Effort Level | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location rewards | $5-$15 | Low | Store visit apps |
| Surveys (Prolific) | $8-$15 | Medium | Survey apps |
| Receipt scanning | $10-$20 | Very low | Receipt apps |
| Walking apps | $2-$5 | Passive | Walking apps |
| Gaming apps | $0.25-$0.50 | High | This article |
Gaming apps pay 10-30x less than alternatives. The only reason to use them is if you genuinely enjoy the games and consider earnings a bonus. All of these are no-risk money making apps that don't require any investment to start.
When Gaming Apps Actually Make Sense
Despite the low pay, gaming apps aren't totally useless. They make sense in specific situations.
You'd play mobile games anyway. If you're already gaming on your phone, might as well get something for it. The earnings are a bonus, not the goal.
You're killing time with no other option. Waiting room with nothing else to do? No wifi for surveys? Games work as a fallback.
You enjoy the specific games. Entertainment value counts for something. If Mistplay introduces you to games you love, that has value beyond the $0.40/hour.
You're a kid or teen with limited options. Under 18 with no job? Gaming apps are better than nothing for building small savings.
Just don't expect meaningful income. Set your goal at $10-$20/month and be pleasantly surprised if you hit it.
How to Stack Gaming Apps (If You Must)
If you're committed to gaming apps, here's how to maximize returns.
Use Mistplay as primary. Best points-to-time ratio of any gaming app we tested.
Add Swagbucks Live for daily trivia. Cap it at 15 min/day. Fun, potentially higher paying, but time-limited.
Run Coin Pop for variety. Different game selection than Mistplay, so you get fresh options.
Never spend money on in-app purchases. This destroys any profit instantly. The games are designed to tempt you. Resist.
Cash out at minimum threshold. Don't let points sit. Apps can change terms or shut down.
Expected earnings with this stack: $15-$30/month for 15-20 hours of gameplay. Is that worth it? Only you can decide.
Ready for Better Phone Income?
Location rewards pay more per hour than gaming apps. VISU pays you for places you already visit. Stack it with gaming if you want, or replace gaming entirely.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
FAQ: Gaming Apps That Pay Real Money
Can you really make money playing games on your phone?
Technically yes, but realistically it's $0.25-$0.50/hour. Most gaming apps pay through ad revenue sharing, which means pennies for hours of play. Expect $10-$20/month maximum, not hundreds.
What's the highest paying game app?
Mistplay pays the most consistently at around $5-$15/month for regular use. Swagbucks Live can pay more per hour ($2-$10) but requires trivia skill and isn't guaranteed. No legitimate app pays more than $1/hour average.
Are gaming apps that pay real money legit?
Some are legit (Mistplay, Swagbucks, Coin Pop). Many are scams. Red flags include promises of $100+/day, no company information, and thousands of complaints about not getting paid. Stick to well-reviewed apps with clear payout history.
Why do gaming apps pay so little?
Because their business model is ad revenue. They make $5-$20 per 1,000 ad views and give you a tiny cut (1-5%). Your attention is the product. The "reward" is just incentive to watch more ads.
What pays better than gaming apps?
Almost everything. Location-based apps pay $5-$15/hour. Survey apps pay $5-$15/hour. Even walking apps beat gaming apps. Gaming should be entertainment, not income strategy.
Should I use gaming apps at all?
Only if you'd play mobile games anyway. Consider the earnings a small bonus, not the goal. If you're specifically trying to earn money, your time is better spent on higher-paying methods like location rewards or surveys.