10+ Best Sign Up Bonus Apps (Ultimate List!)
It goes without saying that everyone loves some nice, free money. And if you're in a tight financial spot or want some “fun money” to treat yourself, a bit of extra cash can really help out.
Over the years, I've experimented with plenty of reward apps and websites that pay sign up bonuses for trying them out.
And, after testing dozens of them, I've found some of the most reliable sign up bonus apps and platforms you can use to make some quick money.
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The Best Sign Up Bonus Apps
1. Discover Cashback Debit Card
Want a super simple way to earn passive income whenever you shop? Then you need to check out the Discover Cashback Debit card.
This no-fee card lets you earn up to a whopping $360 per year in cash back. And we love it because it doesn't impact your credit score at all since it's a debit card.
This card has tons of other perks too. For starters, you can get paid up to two days early. And Discover also has a network of 60,000+ fee-free ATMs you can use too.
Start earning cash back with Discover!
2. Freecash
Freecash is a new rewards website that I've been testing out over the last few months. And like the name suggests, it's a great way to snag some free money.
The site is free to sign up for. Once you're a member, you can make money by playing games, watching ads, shopping online, downloading apps, and much more.
New members also get an instant entry into a $250 cash sweepstake, so you'll earn something off of the bat. And if you get lucky, it could be a pretty nice payday.
But you can complete 100+ tasks to earn everyday. You then cash out to PayPal at just $5 or with over a dozen gift card rewards.
Start earning with Freecash today!
3. EarnIn
EarnIn isn't the same as a sign up bonus app. But it's our favorite cash advance app that helps you access your hard-earned money way sooner.
With EarnIn, members can borrow up to $100 per day – for a total of $750 – within a pay period. And you don't pay any interest, mandatory fees, or go through a credit check.
Instead, EarnIn connects to your bank account and analyzes your income to determine how much you can borrow. It then asks for optional tips after granting advances.
If you need to pay rent or other bills, EarnIn can be a super useful app to have. And you can also try out similar apps like Cleo or Super if you want more borrowing options.
Try out EarnIn today or read our EarnIn app review to learn more.
4. Current
One of the best sign up bonus apps out there right now is Current, a fee-free financial technology platform that's growing rapidly in popularity.
With Current, you can earn 4% APY on up to $6,000 of your savings. This makes it an excellent place to store some extra cash or an emergency fund. Plus, Current helps its members build their credit and even get paid up to two days early.
And right now, new Current customers also get a $50 sign up bonus when they open an account and use the code WELCOME50.
You don't pay any account fees or subscription fees either. And Current makes it easy to spend and save your money while managing your entire account right from your smartphone.
Learn more about Current or read our review of Current for more details.
5. MobileXpression
MobileXpression is a neat passive income earning app that lets you make money for sharing your data.
Once you download this free app, you earn weekly credits as you share data about how you browse the web and the ads you see. After one week, you get a free $5 Amazon gift card. And you can keep cashing in credits as you earn them every week!
This is a great way to get paid to do nothing except use your phone like normal. And I like that MobileXpression anonymizes data to keep everything private and secure.
Start earning with MobileXpression or read our post – is MobileXpression legit? – to learn more.
6. Scrambly
Scrambly is a new U.S. rewards website that has tons of exciting bonuses and real money earning offers.
For example, with Scrambly, you can get paid to play real money games in your spare time. And some of these gaming offers payout $5 to $75+ upon completion.
Scrambly also has offers that pay you to download apps, shop online, or sign up for various subscriptions. And its team adds new offers every single week.
I also like Scrambly since you can cash out with only $1 via PayPal. Gift card rewards to Amazon, Google Play, Apple, Walmart, and Spotify are also available.
Start earning with Scrambly or read our Scrambly review to learn more.
7. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is one of the leading survey sites in the United States. And it also has a $5 sign up bonus for new members, so it deserves a spot on this list!
I've used InboxDollars in the past, and the site offers numerous ways to earn.
For example, you can make money with cash games, shopping offers, installing apps, and more.
You need $15 to cash out, and rewards include PayPal money and dozens of gift cards. Between the sign up bonus and variety of ways to earn, reaching this cash out requirement shouldn't take too long for most users.
8. Nielsen Panel
Nielsen Panel is another data collection app that's similar to MobileXpression. And it lets you earn $60+ per year in free money just for sharing data about the ads you see and how you browse the web.
You can download the panel on your phone to begin earning credits, which are redeemable for cash prizes or gift cards. You also also download the panel on your desktop to earn entries into weekly and monthly cash sweepstakes.
Overall, this is a super simple way to make money just for sharing your data. And it's great to stack with sign up bonus apps so you keep earning every week!
Try out Nielsen Panel or read our guide – is Nielsen Panel legit? – to learn more.
9. Stash
If you live in the United States and are looking for a new and exciting way to invest, you can check out Stash.
This investing app lets you invest in thousands of stocks and ETFs with no add-on commission fees¹. And right now, new members also get a $5 bonus when they open an account and fund it with at least $5.
This is an easy way to snag some money while beginning to put your money to work. And Stash also has regular Stash parties you can tune into for the chance to win free stocks.
The app also supports fractional shares, which is quite beginner-friendly. And it only costs $3 per month to have an account, and your first month is free.
10. Fundrise
Fundrise is a real estate investing platform that lets you invest in income-generating real estate starting with only $10.
If you want to make your money work for you by investing in real estate, it's a very popular option. And its low investing requirement means that just about anyone can get started.
It's also one of the best sign up bonus apps since right now, it offers a $10 sign up bonus when you open a new account and invest at least $10.
This is an instant 100% return on your money, and once you're invested, Fundrise pays out shareholders with quarterly dividends from the income properties generate.
Historically, it's returned about 8-9% per year for investors. And you only pay 1% in annual management fees, which is a bit low for the real estate investing space.
Overall, Fundrise is a very popular way to start investing for income. And it often has some type of free money sign up bonus going on if you look for current promotions.
Start investing with Fundrise today!
Disclaimer: This is an endorsement in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links. All opinions are my own.
11. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is a paid survey website where you share your opinion to earn rewards like free PayPal cash or gift cards.
It's one of my favorite survey sites, and it has over 3 million members and has been in business for years.
Typically, surveys pay between $0.50 to $2 or $3. And you can cash out at just $5, which is a fairly low minimum in the world of GPT sites.
And, Branded Surveys also offers a $1 free money sign up bonus for creating a free account. You get $0.50 for creating an account and another $0.50 for answering your first small survey.
You can also earn an additional $0.50 for every friend you refer to the site. And since the cash out minimum is just $5, you can redeem your first reward fairly quickly.
You won't get rich using any paid survey site. But for a nice, easy instant sign up bonus, then Branded Surveys is worth using.
12. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular beermoney site that lets you earn by answering surveys, watching videos, playing games, shopping online, and downloading apps.
I used to use this site a lot and it’s actually decent. The rewards aren’t going to break the bank, but it’s one of the more enjoyable survey sites to use.
Swagbucks also has a $10 sign up bonus when you spend at least $25 on an eligible online purchase under your “SwagUp” page. You get your bonus within 32 days of completing the purchase.
There's usually a $5 sign up bonus as well depending on the promotional period, so there's lots of ways to earn.
You can create a free Swagbucks account if you're ready to get started. And our post on the best Swagbucks hacks also has a lot of tricks for how you can maximize your earnings.
13. Rakuten
Rakuten is a popular cash-back shopping extension that pays you for shopping at thousands of different retailers. It's also my favorite shopping extension, and I've earned over $1,200 in cash back from using it over the years.
To use Rakuten, all you do is create a free account and then search its website for retailers where you can earn cash back for shopping.
As I mentioned, Rakuten works with thousands of partners, including the likes of Best Buy, Macy's, Target, and Walmart. And right now, Rakuten is paying you $30 for signing up and spending at least $30 on a qualifying offer. This is an excellent sign up bonus, and you're basically getting paid to shop!
As for how you get paid, Rakuten sends out quarterly payments via PayPal cash or check if you have at least $5 in your account.
Overall, it's an excellent platform to help you save more money. And you can get a quick $30 if you take advantage of the current sign up bonus.
14. Acorns
Acorns is a popular app that helps you build a regular investing habit. And it has a new $20 sign up bonus, so it's the perfect time to try the app.
With Acorns, you can round-up your daily purchases and invest the money in portfolios of ETFs and bonds that match your goals.
For example, if you spend $10.25 on lunch, Acorns can round that purchase up to $11, investing the extra $0.75 for you automatically.
The app also has other features, like cash-back shopping offers to help you earn free money. And it's a popular app in the United States for helping people to invest more regularly.
Overall, Acorns is a great way to earn money on autopilot with your investments. And I love that the app has numerous portfolios to match your goals.
15. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a free rewards app that allows you to earn points by scanning receipts after you shop at a popular grocery store.
If you do most of your household's shopping, it's a must-have reward app. And my favorite part about Fetch Rewards is that you earn points as long as you buy any product from its partners, not just sponsored ones.
In contrast, other apps like Fetch Rewards like Ibotta or Checkout 51 only offer rewards at participating stores, which can be limited depending on where you live.
Plus, this sign up bonus app pays you 2,000 to 3,000 points when you create an account. This is only $2 to $3 worth of points, but the minimum cash-out amount is $3, which is easy to reach with the sign up bonus and a few receipt scans.
You can redeem your points for dozens of free gift cards to companies like Amazon, Best Buy, Starbucks, and more. And Fetch Rewards is always adding new rewards and partners to help you save even more.
It won't save thousands of dollars a year. But for some easy, free gift cards, I definitely like using Fetch Rewards.
16. Ibotta
Like Fetch Rewards, another one of the top sign up bonus apps you can use to save on everyday essentials is Ibotta.
This leading rebate app pays you with cash back for buying sponsored products and then uploading a receipt. And right now, it's paying new members a $10 bonus if they sign up and spend $30 on an online shopping offer.
Ibotta has had other sign up bonuses in the past ranging from $5 to $20, and the app has thousands of cash back offers you can take advantage of.
Apps like Ibotta won't make you thousands of dollars per year. But I manage to make about $5 to $20 most months with this app without much effort.
17. Upside
Upside (formerly GetUpside) is a free rewards app available on Android and iOS that pays you with cash back for refilling at select gas stations across the United States.
I actually swear by this app as of late because it’s actually helped me earn a ton of cash back at more than just the gas station.
Upside also offers rewards at various supermarkets and drugstores. And when it comes to filling up gas though, you can save around $0.25 per gallon. And that’s without referrals!
Referrals stack on Upside, so you can save on dollars per gallon if you have enough people in your circle to use the app.
As for its standard free money sign up bonus, Upside pays you an extra $0.15/gallon on top of the current cashback amount that’s offered at your station.
18. Drop
Drop is a free app that rewards users for shopping at their favorite store and for buying from partnered brands. It's also one of my favorite cash back apps that I've used over the years to earn free gift cards occasionally.
The app also lets you make money from answering surveys and playing mobile games. However, shopping offers are the main way to earn points.
And in the world of apps that give you free money for signing up, Drop is quite popular. That's because you can usually earn $5 to $15 if you sign up with a Drop referral code when you create your account.
Drop has a sign up bonus of $5 if you sign up through a referral link. You can use our unique link and start earning today.
Ultimately, Drop is one of my favorite sign up bonus apps on the list because I have been using it for years and I know it pays out. And if you do a lot of shopping online, it's definitely worth having on your smartphone.
My post on the best referral bonus apps that pay also has more ideas for how you can get free cash easily.
Extra Reading – How To Get $500 By Tomorrow.
Tips For Maximizing These Bonuses
Now that I've covered some of the most popular apps that give you free money, here are a few tips in mind to help you maximize your rewards:
- Read Terms & Conditions: It's critical to read terms and conditions for any sign up bonus app so you ensure you know exactly how to get your free money. Some companies and apps can void a bonus if you don't follow steps, so read instructions carefully.
- Have Realistic Expectations: Free money is awesome, but none of these instant sign up bonuses are going to pay you thousands of dollars. Score some freebies, but know that this isn't a long-term side hustle idea.
- Reinvest Earnings: Once you get some extra cash, don't be afraid to reinvest it to keep earning. For example, you can start out with a company like Fundrise and begin earning passive income as you gradually contribute more to your portfolio.
Extra Reading – The Best $25 Sign Up Bonuses With Instant Withdrawal.
Final Thoughts
I hope my list of the best sign up bonus apps and websites helps you score some easy, free money without much effort.
I've loved these sorts of bonuses ever since I tried out phone farming back in college. And even today, I love dabbling with various reward apps and sites to get free money and gift cards.
But at the end of the day, every platform is different, and not every product or service is right for every consumer.
Even if you complete a few sign up bonuses, the extra cash is always nice to have. And you might find that one of the apps or services that you try helps you earn for months and years to come.
For even more ideas, you can read our post on the best $100 sign up bonuses!
Looking for even more fast money-making ideas? Checkout:
Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Holdings and performance are hypothetical. Nothing in this material should be construed as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security. All investments are subject to risk and may lose value. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, investment, or legal advice.
*Offer is subject to T&Cs
1 Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee.
