In today's digital age, earning free gift cards through mobile apps has become an increasingly popular way to save money on everyday purchases. Whether you're looking to reduce your shopping expenses or earn rewards during your downtime, these apps offer legitimate opportunities to accumulate gift cards from major retailers. As explored in our comprehensive guide to earning free gift cards, these platforms have become a reliable source of extra value for savvy consumers.
We've evaluated the top gift card earning apps based on their reward rates, minimum payout thresholds, gift card variety, and user experience. Each platform has been assessed for its earning potential, with some offering rewards as quickly as $5-$10 in gift cards per week with regular use. Our analysis focuses particularly on apps that provide the best return on time investment and offer gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
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Summary Table
| Item Name | Price Range | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | $5-$100 gift cards | Survey & Video Watchers | Visit Site |
| Ibotta | $20-$150 cashback | Grocery Shoppers | Visit Site |
| Fetch Rewards | $3-$50 gift cards | Receipt Scanners | Visit Site |
| InboxDollars | $10-$100 rewards | Survey Takers | Visit Site |
| MyPoints | $5-$50 gift cards | Online Shoppers | Visit Site |
| Rakuten | $5-$200 cashback | Online Shopping | Visit Site |
| Shopkick | $2-$25 gift cards | In-Store Shoppers | Visit Site |
| Capital One Shopping | $5-$100 rewards | Price Comparison | Visit Site |
| Rewarded Play | $2-$30 gift cards | Mobile Gamers | Visit Site |
| Survey Junkie | $5-$50 rewards | Survey Enthusiasts | Visit Site |
| Branded Surveys | $5-$25 gift cards | Opinion Sharing | Visit Site |
11 Best Free Gift Card Apps That Pay (2025)
Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.
1. Swagbucks
Leading rewards site that pays users for everyday online activities including surveys, watching videos, and shopping. Members typically earn $1-5 daily through varied tasks, with earnings redeemable for gift cards from Amazon, Target, Walmart and others. Read our detailed Swagbucks review for earning strategies.
Key features:
- $5-10 sign-up bonus for new members
- Gift cards starting at $1 (100 SB points)
- Daily goals earn bonus points (200-400 SB)
2. Ibotta
Cash back app focused on grocery and retail shopping, with over 150 participating stores. Users earn by uploading receipts, linking loyalty accounts, and shopping through the app. Most offers pay $0.25-2.00 per item, with occasional bonuses of $5-10.
Notable perks:
- $10 welcome bonus after first receipt
- Cash out starting at $20
- Stack rewards with store coupons
3. Fetch Rewards
Simple receipt-scanning app that rewards points for any grocery, convenience store, or restaurant purchase. Earn 25-5000 points per receipt ($0.02-$5.00 value), with bonus points for specific brands and special promotions. Points are redeemable for gift cards from major retailers starting at 3,000 points ($3).
What you get:
- 2,000-4,000 points ($2-$4) sign-up bonus
- Any receipt accepted (no specific stores required)
- Gift cards from 300+ retailers and restaurants
4. InboxDollars
InboxDollars rewards users with cash and gift cards for everyday online activities like surveys, watching videos, and reading emails. Most surveys pay between $0.50 to $5, while video watching typically earns $0.02-$0.15 per clip.
Key features:
- $5 welcome bonus for new members
- Cash out starting at $15
- Direct PayPal payments or gift card options
5. MyPoints
MyPoints offers multiple ways to earn points, including online shopping cashback (up to 40%), surveys ($0.50-$3 each), and watching videos. Points can be redeemed for gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
The platform stands out for its shopping portal, which connects to over 2,000 retailers and typically awards 1-5 points per dollar spent. Visit MyPoints to claim the $10 welcome bonus with your first purchase.
6. Rakuten
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is primarily a cashback shopping platform partnering with over 3,500 stores. Users earn 1-40% cashback on purchases, with quarterly payouts via check or PayPal once you reach $5 in earnings. Learn more about maximizing your earnings.
Notable perks:
- $10 welcome bonus after first $25 purchase
- Double cashback events (up to 40% at select stores)
- Browser extension for automatic cashback alerts
7. Shopkick
Shopkick rewards users for everyday shopping activities, both in-store and online. Earn "kicks" (points) by walking into partner stores, scanning product barcodes, uploading receipts, and making purchases at retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.
Key features:
- No minimum payout threshold for most gift cards
- Earn 250-500 kicks ($1-$2) for store visits
- Additional 100-1000 kicks for product scans
8. Capital One Shopping
This free browser extension automatically applies coupons and tracks price drops while you shop online. Once you accumulate $5 worth of rewards points, you can redeem them for gift cards at major retailers.
The extension monitors prices across multiple sites and alerts you when better deals are available. Users typically save an average of $17 per order through automated coupon applications. Learn more about maximizing gift card rewards.
9. Rewarded Play
Android-exclusive app that lets users earn gift cards by playing casual mobile games. Points accumulate based on gameplay time and achievement milestones, with most users earning their first gift card within 1-2 weeks of regular play.
Notable perks:
- $5 minimum cashout for Amazon gift cards
- Multiple game options to prevent boredom
- Daily bonus points for consistent play
10. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie rewards users for sharing opinions through online surveys, with points redeemable for PayPal cash or gift cards from major retailers. Most surveys take 5-20 minutes and pay between 50-200 points ($0.50-$2.00), with a low minimum payout threshold of $5.
Key features:
- Sign-up bonus: 25 points
- Average survey payout: $0.50-$2.00
- Minimum withdrawal: $5 (500 points)
- Gift card options include Amazon, Target, and Walmart
11. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys offers a straightforward platform where users complete market research surveys in exchange for points. The platform features a tiered rewards system - Bronze, Silver, and Gold - where higher levels earn bonus points on completed surveys.
Points are worth approximately 1 cent each, with most surveys paying between 50-500 points ($0.50-$5.00). Users can cash out through PayPal or choose gift cards from popular retailers once reaching the $10 minimum threshold. Learn more about legitimate survey sites and gift card opportunities.
Notable perks:
- Minimum payout: $10 (1,000 points)
- Daily polls: 5-10 points each
- Bonus points through tiered loyalty system
Final Words
These 11 legitimate free gift card apps offer convenient ways to earn rewards while shopping, taking surveys, or watching videos. Start with apps like Swagbucks or Fetch Rewards that match your daily habits, and gradually explore others to maximize your gift card earnings potential.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Free Gift Card Apps
What are the most popular free gift card apps available in the US?
The most popular free gift card apps include Swagbucks, Ibotta, and Fetch Rewards. Swagbucks offers gift cards for completing surveys and watching videos, Ibotta provides cashback rewards from over 150 retailers, and Fetch Rewards lets users earn points by scanning grocery receipts.
How can I earn gift cards through these apps?
Users can earn gift cards through various activities including taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, scanning receipts, and playing games. Some apps like Shopkick also reward users for visiting stores and scanning product barcodes, while cashback apps like Rakuten and Ibotta reward everyday purchases.
Which retailers offer gift cards through these apps?
Popular retailers offering gift cards through these apps include Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Starbucks. Many apps partner with over 150 retailers and restaurants, providing a wide variety of gift card options for users to choose from.
Are there any apps specifically for earning gift cards through surveys?
Yes, several apps focus primarily on surveys, including Survey Junkie, Branded Surveys, and Prime Opinion. These platforms specifically reward users with gift cards for sharing their opinions through surveys.
