I love using free gift card apps and finding new ones because I hate paying full price when I don’t have to, especially on items I don’t really need.
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I’ve always been a bit of a frugal person and love trying out new ways to save (this blog stands as a testament to that) but I wouldn’t call myself a master at saving.
I don’t normally put in the effort and go to thrifty extremes to save as much money as possible.
Instead, I just turn to easy ways to spend less or get more out of my money—like getting free gift cards on mobile apps.
Here’s what makes them so great:
They offer one of the best ways to shop for what I want without all the guilt of spending more than I should. Plus it appeals to my greener side too—no paper!
It’s surprising how many apps out there give out free gift cards. And it’s just as surprising to learn how few people actually know about it. Which lead me to create this list of the best free gift card reward apps.
If you’re looking for an app that will suit your pocket and your lifestyle, then scroll on.
I’ve divided the apps into several categories so you can find what you’re looking for to start earning gift cards straight away.
Don’t have time to try out all the apps I’ve listed below? Then simply have a look at my top 4 picks for the best gift card apps and try those few out instead.
4 Best Apps for Free Gift Cards
Quickly find the app that best fits your needs and lifestyle:
For the best money > time spent ratio: Ebates
For the simplest gift card system: Ibotta
For the best assortment of gift cards: instaGC
For the easiest way to earn gift cards: Swagbucks
My absolute favorite app for free gift cards is Swagbucks. It’s super simple to use, offers a good points rewards system, and is still one of the most legitimate ways to earn free gift cards.
How do you earn free gift cards?
It’s never been easier to get free gift cards than now thanks to the many apps and websites out there that offer them.
Do keep in mind that while the gift cards are technically “free” you do have to exchange something for them.
Most of the time it is access to your personal information, whether it is shopping habits, location history, browsing history, or other similar information. Research companies use this data to better refine their algorithms to get consumers to buy more. They are willing to pay in exchange for this information.
Apps and websites will normally have you perform a task or complete surveys.
By far the easiest way to earn free gift cards is to join a program that pays you a percentage back on your purchases. You don’t have to do anything differently and you get paid. It’s a win-win-win.
15 Free Gift Card Apps to Install Today
I’ve broken down my recommended apps into three different categories.
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Apps That Pay You to Do Various Tasks
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most well-known get paid to (GPT) apps on the web.
Probably because it’s so incredibly easy to use and offers gift cards for Amazon. I also have a great list of ways to earn Amazon gift cards if you’re looking specifically for those.
With this app, you get paid to do a variety of simple tasks that won’t take longer than a couple of minutes a day.
They’ll have you do things like watching videos, answering polls, taking surveys, and playing games.
When you complete a task, you earn SB points and one SB point comes down to about $0.01. So 300 points will equate to $3.
2. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another popular app that lets you earn by completing different tasks.
You can earn cash back and gift cards for activities like searching the web, watching videos, shopping online, and answering surveys.
I really like this free gift card app because you can earn cashback by doing things that you might want to do anyway, such as downloading an app or shopping online.
If you’re really keen on that idea, then check out my article on super easy ways to earn money with your phone.
3. MyPoints
Swagbucks and MyPoints are owned by different companies, but they differ in tasks as well as the values you can redeem for gift cards.
You can shop on MyPoints.com and find various promos, coupon codes, and deals at thousands of stores. Earn points while you shop and exchange these points for gift cards or PayPal credits.
MyPoints.com also gives you rewards for answering surveys, watching videos, and other small tasks.
It makes sense to join both Swagbucks and MyPoints to maximize your rewards.
4. instaGC
instaGC works pretty much just like the other apps listed above. You have to complete different tasks like watching videos, completing surveys, and surfing the web.
They have a huge selection of gift cards too, with over 350 options to choose from.
5. CheckPoints
When you sign up for CheckPoints, you’re shown a variety of tasks, such as watching videos, taking quizzes, signing up for mailing lists, shopping, and many more.
Completing each task earns you a certain number of points that you can exchange for gift cards from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and other major stores and retailers.
They also host a Sweepstakes where you can win gas money, shopping sprees, and many more.
Apps That Pay You to Do Specific Tasks
6. iPoll
This survey app is unique in the sense that it uses your location to provide location-specific polls and surveys.
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You can earn gift cards for Amazon, iTunes, and PayPal, as well as entries into the quarterly draw.
7. Toluna
Earn gift cards by voicing your opinion with Toluna.
All you have to do is answer a few simple surveys about various subjects and earn points for your answers (there’s no right or wrong answer of course).
You can then use these points for gift cards at popular places like Banana Republic and Groupon.
8. Poll Pay
Poll Pay is a paid survey app where you can get free gift cards from Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, and many more.
It’s simple to sign up and you can even get additional rewards for inviting your friends to sign up, too.
9. AppNana
AppNana allows you to get rewards (i.e., earn Nanas) when you download free apps and games from Nana Offers.
In case you get any funny ideas, note that you need to actually open the free apps after installing them, or else you won’t get the rewards.
Other ways you can earn Nanas include watching videos, playing games, and inviting friends to sign up. You even earn 400 points just for opening AppNana.
Your Nanas can be exchanged for free gift cards, such as Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Xbox, and many more.
Alternatively, you can exchange your Nanas for paid apps and games.
10. Rewarded Play
As its name implies, Rewarded Play is a free gift card app that lets you play free games in exchange for gift cards to over 20 retailers, including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.
The free games are a mix of classic ones, such as Solitaire, Yahtzee, and Mahjongg, as well as more modern ones, such as Words with Friends and various slot machine games.
Unfortunately for iPhone users, this app is only available for Android users.
Apps That Pay You Back for Your Purchases
11. Mobee
Ever heard of mystery shopping?
Well, with this free gift card app, you don’t necessarily have to buy anything to earn. You’ll have to apply for “missions” where you evaluate the shops and restaurants close to you.
According to the app, each trip will only take a couple of minutes and you’ll have to answer 10 questions or less to complete the mission.
You’ll earn points with every mission which you can then spend on gift cards for popular places like Dunkin’ Donuts and Walmart.
12. Drop
If you want to get rewarded for shopping then Drop is your best friend.
While using this app, you’ll get to peruse their exclusive deals with various stores like Target.
If you see a deal you like, then you can head to the store to make a purchase and earn Drop Points.
You can then use those points to redeem gift cards when you have built up enough points.
13. Ibotta
Ibotta is great because it lets you earn gift cards for something you’re already doing: buying groceries.
By scanning your receipts, you earn cash back for buying everyday products like bread or toothpaste.
Sometimes you have to buy specific brands and other times you just have to buy the type of product.
14. Ebates
Ebates is a really awesome free gift card app to use because they’re supported by thousands of online stores and you can earn up to 40% back.
You can shop through their site, but they offer additional discounts for mobile users via their gift card reward app.
You can redeem your gift cards at major retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, and Home Depot.
Or, you can get a big fat check if you prefer cash!
15. Receipt Hog
Just like the other shopping apps in this category, Receipt Hog makes it simple to earn reward coins and redeem these coins for gift cards.
All you have to do is take a photo of your receipt from any store, gas station, restaurant, or coffee shop and upload the image.
You can also earn bonus coins when you get free spins on the Hog Slots. You also get entered in monthly sweepstakes with a chance to win huge coin prizes.
Once you’ve reached enough coins, you can exchange the coins for Amazon gift cards or PayPal cash redemption.
Final Thoughts on Free Gift Card Apps
The great thing about gift card reward apps is that they’re pretty much instant in terms of gratification.
They’re conveniently right there on your phone and you can usually redeem them whenever you want.
That said, there are a few other options out there to get free items for those who are a little bit more patient, like getting free samples by mail.
It’s not exactly gift cards and it’s not as instantaneous, but come on, getting free stuff you want is just as fantastic!
Have you tried any of these apps? Did you indeed get free gift cards when you used these apps? Did I miss any apps that actually pay? Let us know in the comments!
