Free money? Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Every year businesses (and the government) give away thousands of dollars in free money and free PayPal money as a way of promoting their websites or products.
It’s true and I’ve put together a list of my favorites that will give you more than $3,700 in free cash right now. Some of them only require filling out a form or downloading a free money app. Some of them take a bit more effort, but you can easily knock out all of these in a weekend to get free money online.
How to Get Free Money
Is free money really free? I know you’re probably skeptical but there are a ton of ways to get free money. Here are some ideas for you…
1. Get Free Money from the Government
If you are in need of assistance then you can look to get free money from the federal government. Here’s how with these legitimate sites to find unclaimed money:
Unclaimed.org
Your first stop should be checking out Unclaimed.org for finding unclaimed money that you may be owed. This site is endorsed by the NAUPA and would typically include old security deposits that you’ve paid in the past and those sorts of things. This would be a great way to get free money sent by mail that is owed to you.
MissingMoney.com
This is a similar site to unclaimed.org and is also endorsed by the NAUPA. MissingMoney.com featured collective records from all states of all resident’s unclaimed property. You don’t even have to sign up to get free money all you do is a free search to see if you’re owed any unclaimed money.
Child Care and Development Fund
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan serves as the application for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds by providing a description of, and assurance about, the grantee’s child care program and all services available to eligible families that need free cash and funds as aid.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. If you legitimately need money today for free then it is worth checking out.
Federal Pell Grant for Education
Federal Pell Grants are usually awarded to undergraduates that need payment assistance. The amount depends on financial need and the cost of attendance at the college. You can learn more at the Federal Student Aid website.
2. Get $10 from Fundrise
Fundrise is a great way to dip your toes into real estate investing without needing tons of cash upfront. For as little as $10, you can start building a real estate portfolio, and new users even get a $10 bonus to kick things off.
Whether you’re new to investing or looking to diversify, Fundrise offers an easy and flexible way to grow your money while investing in properties nationwide.
- Earn passive income with real estate investing starting at just $10
- Easy-to-use app for seamless access to crowd-funded real estate deals
- Perfect for those who want their money to work for them
3. Get a $20 Investment Bonus
Investing just $100 a month might not seem like much, but over time, it can grow into something substantial. With a 9% average annual return, that small monthly contribution could turn into $184,447 in 30 years—all without the stress of stock picking or market timing.
Acorns makes investing effortless by rounding up your everyday purchases and automatically investing the spare change. Whether you’re starting with just a few dollars or consistently contributing, this app helps you build wealth passively. New users can also get a $20 bonus just for signing up and setting up a recurring investment of only $5 per month—making it one of the easiest ways to start growing your money.
If you’ve ever thought about investing but weren’t sure where to start, Acorns makes it simple. Set it, forget it, and watch your money grow.
- Effortless investing: Acorns rounds up your spare change and invests it automatically—no extra work required
- Big potential growth: Investing $100 a month could grow to over $180,000 in 30 years with a 9% return
- Free money: Sign up, fund your account with $5, and set up recurring investments to get a $20 bonus
4. Get $50 from This Free Banking App
You can get a free $50 bonus just for signing up with this banking app, and it only takes a couple of minutes. To get the bonus, open a new account using code WELCOME50, then set up a direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days. As soon as your deposit hits, you’ll see an extra $50 in your account within 10 business days—completely free money.
Plus, you’ll also unlock other perks like getting paid two days early, earning up to 4% APY on savings, and enjoying no monthly or overdraft fees. Don’t miss out on this easy cash—sign up today and claim your free $50 bonus before it’s gone!
- Revolutionary mobile banking app that's reshaping the future of banking
- Access your paycheck early—up to $750 before payday
- Claim your $50 bonus today by setting up direct deposit ($200+) with code WELCOME50
5. Get $30 for Saving for College
Saving for college can feel overwhelming, especially for larger families, but Upromise makes it easier by helping you earn cash-back rewards that go directly into a 529 college savings plan. Right now, new members can claim a $30 bonus just for signing up and linking a 529 account.
The money you save can be used for tuition, books, and other college expenses, giving you a head start on future education costs. Upromise rewards you for everyday activities like shopping at participating retailers and answering survey questions, allowing you to grow your savings effortlessly.
Join today, claim your $30 bonus, and start building a brighter future for your family—one reward at a time.
- Upromise is a free service that helps families save for college by offering cash back rewards for everyday activities
- You can earn rewards by shopping, dining, paying, and more
- Rewards are automatically deposited into a linked account, such as a 529, checking, or savings account
6. Earn Free Cash with Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie makes it easy to earn extra cash by sharing your opinion. With over 20 million members, this platform connects you with market research companies that pay for your insights. You can earn by taking surveys, shopping online, and watching videos, then cash out for PayPal funds or gift cards.
Right now, you can grab a free $5 bonus just for getting started. Sign up, complete five surveys, and the bonus is yours. On top of that, you can earn even more by referring friends and collecting 10% of their lifetime earnings with no limits. This is one of the easiest ways to turn spare time into money, so get started today and claim your free $5 bonus instantly.
- Share your opinion to help brands deliver better products and services
- Fast payouts, legit, and our favorite survey site
- Has paid out more than $25 million to its members
7. Get Free Money with the #1 Money Saving App
Finding hidden money is one of the best ways to make free money. There are several money saving apps like Rocket Money that can help you lower your bills automatically and find hidden ways to save money.
Rocket Money helps 3.4+ million members save hundreds. Get the app and start saving today. Save more, spend less, and take back control of your financial life.
Rocket Money can help with saving money by canceling your unwanted subscriptions and lowering your bills. You can use it to cancel your unwanted subscriptions and get better rates on your bill. Their fee is only 40% of your savings.
- Lower your internet, phone, and cable bills automatically
- Trusted by over 5 million users to cut monthly expenses
- Contacts providers to find discounts and hidden savings
- Saves users an average of $300 per year
8. Get Paid to Get in Shape
Want a way to walk for money? There are a few apps that allow you to get paid for walking. I thought to myself, these apps that pay you to exercise must be a scam, right? I decided to download the apps that reward you for walking to see if you can actually make money by walking or working out. Yes, you heard that right.
If walking is something you enjoy every day, then there are apps that will pay you to walk:
Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin is an app that pays you to walk. They will pay you in cryptocurrency. Once you sign up for the app, you will be able to earn 5 Sweatcoins per day for 5,000 steps. But if you choose a higher membership level that is charged monthly in Sweatcoins, you can increase the number of Sweatcoins you can earn per month. You can use your Sweatcoins earned to buy goods and services from brands in the app’s marketplace.
HealthyWage
HealthyWage will pay you to lose weight. Simply sign up with the app and make a bet on how much weight you want to lose, how long you will take to lose that weight, and how much you would like to bet. Then HealthyWage Prize Calculator will determine the amount of your winnings based on your own weight loss goals. If you lose weight, you will get paid to reach your weight loss goal. You can redeem your coins for PayPal cash, or merchandise like Apple devices, sports gear, etc.
HealthyWage is a program for people who want to start dieting in a way that is fun, competitive, and potentially rewarding. As a member, you and your friends, family, and coworkers can bet against yourselves and potentially walk away with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in your pocket.
9. Get Free Money Playing Games
Playing games on your smartphone is a fun way to make money in your spare time. You will not make a stable income with game apps to win real money, but if you enjoy playing games on your smartphone, this can be a nice way to earn real cash.
You can earn real money by playing games online via several game apps and sites:
Mistplay
Mistplay is an app that pays you to play games online on your Android device. You earn points that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, iTunes, Nintendo, and Visa prepaid gift cards. You can earn anywhere from 20 to 200 points per game, depending on the amount of time spent playing and other factors. One thousand five hundred points are equivalent to around $5.
Blackout Bingo
This app lets you play bingo for money — make $100 today. Over 5 million players agree Bingo Cash is the fresh, social competitive twist to the classic game where you can win real-world rewards and cash prizes (where available).
- Play head-to-head games against real people for real cash
- Earn up to $83 per win—small wins add up fast!
- Play for free or deposit $5 to multiply your earnings
- Perfect for gamers who enjoy fast-paced challenges
10. Get Free Money by Downloading an App
Do you have a laptop, tablet or mobile device? If so, follow me on a quick trip to some free money.
By downloading a free app to your mobile device, you can improve the products and services you use online today. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel combines your unique internet usage and uses it for market research.
By using the internet as you do every day, they invite you to make a difference – and you can make a quick $60 per year just for installing this app that anonymously collects information from your favorite web-surfing device.
You don’t really have to do anything other than initially register your computer or phone. If you are at all interested, you can get more information here.
- This company will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device
- They also give away $10,000 each month
- Legit passive income opportunity
11. Earn Free Money for Things You Already Do
Swagbucks is one of the easiest ways to earn extra cash online. With millions of users, it rewards you for things you already do, like taking surveys, shopping online, watching videos, and even playing games. Every activity earns points, which you can redeem for PayPal cash or gift cards to popular retailers.
Right now, new users can claim a $10 sign-up bonus just for joining and completing a few simple tasks. On top of that, you can boost your earnings by referring friends and getting a percentage of their lifetime rewards. If you’re looking for an effortless way to make extra money in your spare time, Swagbucks is the perfect place to start.
- Earn points by taking surveys, playing games, and shopping online
- Redeem rewards like PayPal cash or gift cards to top brands
- Join millions who’ve earned over $800 million with Swagbucks and get a $10 welcome bonus
12. Earn Passive Income with a High-Yield Savings Account
Yes, I wouldn’t think of savings accounts as a good source of passive income but your cash should be getting something in return instead of just sitting in a checking account.
Online banks can offer over 20X more in interest — and consumers are missing out. The best high yield savings accounts offer a higher interest rate and there is absolutely no risk to your money (you’ll actually earn 1% or more on your cash).
If you need to save money for short-term financial goals like travel or a home, then a high-yield savings account can pay off. With some analysts saying there is a looming U.S. recession coming this year, risk-averse individuals may benefit from stashing cash in a savings account.
Don’t know which bank accounts to start with? Check out the following high-yield savings accounts that offer bonuses for new customers.
|
Our Pick
|
|
|
|
Rating:
5.0
|
Rating:
4.7
|
Rating:
4.5
|
|
|
|
- Earn up to 4.86% APY with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
- Get your money up to 2 days early
- FDIC Insured
- Earn up to 4.10% APY on balances of $5,000 or more (no monthly fees)
- 24/7 online access to your account and funds
- FDIC Insured
- Earn up to a $325 bonus and up to 3.80% APY on your money (no monthly fees)
- Get your paycheck up to two days early
- FDIC insurance up to $2 million
13. Earn Credit Card Signup Bonuses
One of the best ways to make some serious extra cash is to take advantage of credit card signup bonuses.
My favorite card with the best credit card rewards is the Discover it® credit card which has no fees at all. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
You can also get a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, so if you have any credit card debt with high-interest rates, it’s worth switching over so you save on interest. Then you can find ways to pay off the credit card debt while saving on interest.
Also, this card is beneficial if you wanted to claim a $100 bonus after you make any purchase with your new card in your first 3 months. You will receive the $100 back in the form of a statement credit.
Click here to apply and get a $100 bonus!
Earn Free Cash and Free Money FAQs
Free money is a benefit that has no costs. Here, it will mostly be sites that will not be asking for anything directly in return for the money.
Here are common questions people ask about how to get absolutely free money:
Finding free money is simple if you know where to look. If you wanted to get some free money right now you can earn money with online surveys, bank bonuses, use game apps to win real money, claim free stock promotions, and signing up for credit card bonuses. Or you can use the ideas below.
There are so many apps that give you free cash and free stuff. They are called ‘money-making apps‘ and you should start with InboxDollars, Drop, Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Slidejoy, AppTrailers, and Rakuten.
Getting free PayPal money isn’t any different than earning regular free money. The ideas and apps are the same and I’ve researched the different ways in this article on how to earn free PayPal money.
You can find unclaimed funds, find unclaimed pension funds, apply for educational and government grants, get assistance with childcare expenses, get help with utility bills, and accept healthcare credits.
Beware of Free Money Scams
You’re likely ready to earn free money and get started soon. However, don’t assume that all free money opportunities you receive are from legitimate companies or even people. Some free money offers online are scams.
Spurious agents may happen to pick up your phone number and call you to offer a free vacation or even free money. Therefore, be vigilant about anything you find that someone claims to be free.
A detailed guide on the subject elaborates on the several steps consumers can take to protect themselves against such scam collection calls claiming to offer anything for “free”.
You should start by asking questions. For example, ask the caller about the company he or she represents, or ask for a number to call them “right back.” Legitimate companies would readily provide this information. Even asking seemingly trivial questions like “what’s my full name,” can help keep the fraudulent callers away.
With that being said, good luck earning free money and staying vigilant. Next, you can take a peek at our latest article on the best app bonuses.
- 1. Get Free Money from the Government
- 2. Get $10 from Fundrise
- 3. Get a $20 Investment Bonus
- 4. Get $50 from This Free Banking App
- 5. Get $30 for Saving for College
- 6. Earn Free Cash with Survey Junkie
- 7. Get Free Money with the #1 Money Saving App
- 8. Get Paid to Get in Shape
- 9. Get Free Money Playing Games
- 10. Get Free Money by Downloading an App
- 11. Earn Free Money for Things You Already Do
- 12. Earn Passive Income with a High-Yield Savings Account
- 13. Earn Credit Card Signup Bonuses
