I've been using different sites and apps to earn extra cash and Amazon gift codes since probably 2007 — when my oldest was just a baby. This was also when I first began to seriously look for ways to make money from home.
Of course, it didn't take long for me to realize that these rewards sites were in no way going to replace my income, but I still found them to be a bit addictive.
I got in the habit of logging in to a few of them every day to earn redeemable points or cash.
How do you earn with these sites?
The sites/apps listed below offer multiple ways to earn a little money or rewards (gift codes to popular retailers, merchandise, etc.).
Once your account is created, you can log in as often as you want and do simple little tasks like searching the web, filling out surveys, watching videos, playing games, doing short tasks, printing out coupons, doing offers, shopping, referring your friends, and all kinds of other things.
Everything you do earns you points or cash. All of these sites will have a threshold you have to meet before you can redeem for your earnings or whatever gift cards you want.
Once you've earned enough money or gotten enough points, then you can cash out.
I like to let these small amounts build up, and then cash out around Christmas to help me buy gifts. You'd be surprised how fast it will add up if you use them daily!
Which reward sites are most popular?
There are many sites like these, but the following five are some of the best. They are popular, have many members, and have great track records when it comes to payments.
1 – Swagbucks – Read Swagbucks Review
This is one of the most well-known rewards sites and still one of my favorites. They pay in virtual “Swagbucks” (SB), which you can redeem for Amazon gift cards, PayPal cash, and other rewards.
- 500 SB = $5 Amazon gift card
- 2,500 SB = $25 PayPal cash
Swagbucks used to have slower payout times, sometimes taking up to a few weeks. However, they have since improved processing times, and many redemptions—especially PayPal and popular gift cards—are now sent much faster.
They’ve been around since 2008, making them one of the longest-running rewards sites.
Join Swagbucks free here to see the current $10 signup bonus. Bonus terms can change.
2 – Fetch – Read Fetch Review
Fetch is one of the easiest rewards apps to use because you can earn points just by snapping pictures of your receipts. You can also earn extra points through special offers, online shopping, and games inside the app.
- 6,500 Fetch points = $5 Amazon gift card
Once you have enough points, you can redeem them directly through the Fetch app for Amazon gift cards and other rewards. Amazon is one of the reward options I use most often.
Fetch is especially easy to work into your routine because you can upload receipts from many of the purchases you are already making anyway.
3 – InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a well-established site that rewards users with cash for various online activities, including taking surveys, watching videos, reading emails, and shopping online.
Unlike some rewards sites that use a points system, InboxDollars pays in actual dollars! This makes it a lot easier to understand how much you made.
- Payment Options: Cash payments via check or PayPal, with a minimum payout threshold of $30. Note it can take a long time to reach the $30 minimum (one major downside).
- Sign-Up Bonus: New users receive a $5 bonus when joining.
InboxDollars has been operating since 2000 and has paid out over $60 million in cash rewards to its members. They are known for sending payments as they are supposed to, but again, the high cash out threshold is problematic.
4 – Sproutful
Sproutful is a rewards site where you can earn points by taking surveys and playing games from your phone or computer.
For surveys, you can see the estimated time and payout before you start, which makes it easier to decide which ones are worth doing.
- Minimum Payout Threshold: $5.
- Payment Options: PayPal, Venmo, prepaid Visa cards, and a large selection of gift cards.
- Ways to Earn: Paid surveys and games.
Sproutful says most rewards are delivered within a few hours after redemption. Like the other sites on this list, it's not going to replace a job, but it can be an easy one to check when you have a little spare time and want to build up some extra cash or gift cards.
5 – KashKick – Read KashKick Review
KashKick is a rewards site that pays real cash for playing games, taking surveys, shopping, and completing online offers.
You can see how much an opportunity pays and what it requires before you start. Game offers can pay more than short surveys, but check the required milestones and deadlines carefully before accepting one.
- Minimum Payout Threshold: $10.
- Payment Options: PayPal and Venmo.
- Ways to Earn: Games, surveys, shopping, and online offers.
KashKick says payments are generally processed within one to three business days. You can create your free KashKick account here or read my KashKick review first.
A Few Other Perks!
Most of these sites now have mobile apps, so you can tinker around with them even when you're not at home.
A great time to do this would be when you're in “wait” mode — waiting at the doctor's office, or waiting in line somewhere.
Rewards sites also have referral programs and allow you to share on social media when you've earned points or redeemed for something.
This is a very effective way to get a few of your friends signed up under you, and you'll reach your cash out thresholds much faster this way because you'll always earn when your referrals do.
Final Thoughts
The small amounts add up with these sites. Definitely don't look at this as a “job” because if you were to calculate it per hour, you for sure won't be paid even minimum wage.
I would also not recommend spending all day on these sites, like you would with a real job.
Just logging on here and there once a day for maybe 10-15 minutes at a time will equal progress and extra money earned.
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.