Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Sagar Kumar Sahu
Friends tell me one thing, who doesn’t want to get free products, right? It could be any physical products or digital products like free gift cards, we start feeling happy when we get a chance to get our favourite products for free.
For example, just imagine a scene where you are shopping online from big names like Amazon, Google Play and Xbox without spending a single penny from your pocket. You also know how popular these Gift Cards are becoming. Now almost every big brand is bringing its own kind of gift card. Moreover, with the increasing demand for gift cards, customers are now looking for ways to get free gift cards.
You should also think logically about whether it is possible to buy gift cards from every store every time. No right? Who knows which gift card may come in handy at what time, and you can’t buy from every store. This is where the use of free gift cards comes into play.
In this guide, we will show you simple tricks to get free gift cards from top-notch brands like Google, Amazon Apple, Doordash, Xbox, Steam and many more. So, you will know the trick and method to get the following gift cards for free:
- Free Google Play Gift Cards
- Apple Gift Cards
- Amazon Gift Cards
- Xbox Gift Cards
- Steam Gift Cards
- DoorDash Gift Cards
- PlayStation Gift Cards
- Myntra Gift cards
- PlayStation Gift Cards (PSN COdes)
- Shein Gift Cards
So why wait? Let’s get started and learn the secret ways that will give you free gift cards directly or indirectly.
| Method Numbers | Ways | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cashbacks Apps | Fetch Rewards, Coupons.com, BeFrugal, MyPoints |
| 2 | Browser Extensions | PayPal Honey browser extension, Rakuten Cash Back, The Camelizer browser extension, CouponCabin Sidekick, Capital One |
| 3 | Loyalty Programs | Swagbucks, MyPoints, InboxDollars, instaGC, FeaturePoints |
| 4 | Paid Surveys | Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, InboxDollars, Qmee |
| 5 | Product Reviews | Influenster, SampleSource, SheSpeaks |
| 6 | Beta Testing | Betabound, Testbirds, uTest, EA Playtesting, Centercode, Tester Work |
| 7 | Referrals and Affiliates | Swagbucks, Ibotta, Rakuten (formerly Ebates), Fetch Rewards, Shopkick, Pawns, Wealthfront, TaskRabbit, EarnKaro, CueLinks, and Zingoy, Checkout51 |
| 8 | Grocery Apps | ReceiptPal, Coupons.com, TopCashback, Dosh |
| 9 | Bill Payment Rewards | FreeCharge, CRED, CashKaro, YONO SBI, HDFC PayZapp |
| 11 | Recycling Programs | Apple Recycling Program, RecycleBank, Levi’s Recycling Program, Macy’s Recyclable Gift Card Program, Amazon Trade-In |
| 12 | Social Media and Contests | Instagram Giveaways, Twitter Contests, Facebook Groups, Online Contests, Telegram Channels |
| 13 | Walk and earn apps | Sweatcoin, Winwalk, CashWalk, Optimity, Runtopia, Evidation, StepBet |
| 14 | Earn free gift cards by playing games | Swagbucks, Mistplay, Cashyy, Golden Farmery, Fitplay, AdLottery, Lucky Day App |
| 15 | Watch Videos/Ads and earn free gift cards | Earning through Videos or Ads, GrabPoints, Chequity, Grindabuck, instaGC, Video Rewards for iOS |
| 16 | Read News Apps and Educational Platforms | Chegg, Khan Academy, Coursera, QuizUp, Sololearn, BuzzBreak Current, InboxDollars, Slidejoy, S’more |
| 17 | Holiday Bonuses and Birthday Bonuses | Holidays, Birthday Rewards |
| 18 | Some unique methods to earn free gift cards | Monetize Your Lock Screen, Blood Donation |
1. Cashbacks Apps to get free gift cards
Cashback apps are mobile or websites that give you back a portion of your money when you purchase anything from their website. Their earning model is very simple.
When you shop using their apps, they earn a commission from the store where you shopped, and they share a portion of that commission with you in the form of ‘cashback’. By offering good discounts they also start building their customer base. You can then use this cashback to make future purchases, even some apps also offer to buy free gift cards.
Here are some examples of how to get cashback and then buy your favourite gift card for free using the cashback.
Fetch Rewards:
You can easily use Fetch Rewards to earn points by scanning receipts from almost any store. You can then use these points to redeem gift cards. Although this app is mostly used for saving on groceries, you can use it for any shopping. I have personally used the app, and my entire family found it quite interesting because you earn something just by scanning things.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very simple and easy to use. | Takes time to collect enough points for redemption. |
| A wide range of stores are accepted. | Sometimes people forget to scan and find it tedious |
Reviews: We have read different reviews about this app. Most people have given positive reviews and have also praised it for its ease of use. However, some users desire faster points accumulation.
User Ratings:
- Apple – 4.8
- Google Play – 4.6.
Coupons.com:
Coupn.com manages grocery coupons and offers cashbacks linked to store loyalty programs. You just need to select a coupon and get discounts or cashbacks automatically applied by linking your store loyalty card or submitting a photo of your receipt. We genuinely found many good cashback options while using the website
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Automatic discount application. | Technical errors reported by users. |
| Paper receipt submission if no loyalty program. | Some find customer support lacking. |
Reviews: We read reviews and comments about this app on various platforms. And people have given a mixed response, with some facing technical issues while others are enjoying the cashback and good discount options..
User Ratings:
- Apple – 4.7
- Google Play – 4.1
BeFrugal:
It offers up to 40% cash back at over 5,000 stores. You just need to shop using the app or browser extension, earn cash back, and then get automatic coupons. You can use the coupons, and cashbacks to buy free gift cards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High cashback percentage | You need a browser extension. |
| Coupon feature |
Reviews: Many people have provided positive comments due to their easy cashback earning options.
User Ratings:
- Apple – Not Available
- Google Play – 4.1
MyPoints:
You will get a good option to earn points for shopping at partner retailers. Inside the app you can do simple tasks like shopping, answering surveys, and many more things to earn points. You just keep collecting the points, and redeem the points for cash or use them to get free gift cards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple earning methods. | Need to remember to use the app for purchases. |
| Provides coupon codes. |
Reviews: Most of the users are enjoying the app only because of the many ways of earning provided in it. But at the same time, some people complain that it is not giving enough points to complete the tasks.
User Ratings:
- Apple – 4.4,
- Google Play – 4.3
2. Browser Extensions
Browser Extensions are add-ons for your web browser. They run in the background when you shop online. They find and apply coupon codes, track your spending, and give cashback rewards.
Sometimes these rewards can also be free gift cards. Even if they don’t give direct gift cards, you can use your saved amount to buy the gift card you want. This is like an indirect way to get free gift cards.
Here are some examples of the browser extensions that will help you directly or indirectly to get free gift cards
PayPal Honey browser extension:
Using the PayPal Honey browser extension you can find coupon codes, compare prices on Amazon, and get cashback offers through PayPal Rewards. It automatically searches coupon codes at checkout on online stores and offers good cashback if the offer is eligible for that cashback.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and easy to use. | Limited coupon offers. |
| Saves money and time. | Cashback is offered in gift cards. |
| Supported on multiple browsers. |
Reviews: It has a 4.3 overall rating, with ease of use rated 4.5, cost rated 4.5, and coupon offers rated.
Rakuten Cash Back:
Rakuten is also an extension that helps you save money and earn rewards while shopping online. It automatically activates cashback and applies coupons. You can then the cashback for PayPal cash or buy gift cards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cash via PayPal or check. | Referral only after $25 purchase. |
| High cashback percentages. | |
| New in-store cashback option. | |
| Easy to install and use. | |
| 2500 different cashback stores. |
- Reviews: 4.4 overall rating
The Camelizer browser extension:
The Camelizer is a browser extension that helps you track price history on Amazon to find real discounts. When browsing products on Amazon, The Camelizer provides price history charts inside your browser. And using this extension you can decide if the current price is good based on historical data. Indirectly, you can use the discounted or saved money to buy the gift cards you want.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use and install. | Some users reported issues with updates affecting the extension’s functionality. |
| Provides valuable price tracking information. | Limited to price tracking, no cashback or coupon features. |
| Helps save money by informing you of price drops. |
Reviews: Many online shopping users are finding the price tracking feature quite useful. But on the other hand, some have faced issues with updates.
User Ratings: Mozilla – 3.8/5, CNET – 5/5.
CouponCabin Sidekick:
CouponCabin Sidekick is a free browser extension that is made to save money for users while shopping online. Whenever you visit any online shopping website, it gives you real-time alerts for available coupons or cash-back opportunities. You can then use the cashbacks to buy whatever gift cards you wish.
You will get a reminder whenever a good offer opportunity is available so that you do not miss out on any cashback options. I installed the extension and logged in to check and then I visited different websites to check the authenticity, I was surprised that it actually worked for me.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy and simple to use. | Long wait times to get your cash back. |
| Low cashout minimum of $10. | No referral program. |
| Many cashout options to choose from. | |
| Large digital coupon directory. |
User Ratings: I personally didn’t find any major issues. However many users face issues with redeeming their cash back rewards. On Mozilla, it has 141 reviews with mixed feedback. Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the goalposts being moved for them to redeem their cashback via gift card or the store of their choice.
Capital One
Capital One Shopping is a browser extension and mobile app. It will assist you in finding genuine coupon codes for online purchases. It is completely free to use and also helps you to get free gift cards by saving a percentage on each purchase.
One good thing that I found is you do not need a broader Capital One account to use this tool. It comes in two forms: a browser extension available for Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, and a mobile app. It has partnered with over 100,000 different retailers like Amazon, Target, and Nike
Automatic application of coupons and reward credits you receive, which can be indirectly exchanged for free gift cards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free to use. | Limited gift card options. |
| Easy to add and remove. | Tracks online activity and transaction history. |
| Saves money with minimal effort. | The “Best price” feature isn’t always accurate. |
| Large digital coupon directory. | |
| Safe and secure. | |
| Available on desktop and mobile. |
Reviews And ratings: The user ratings for Capital One Shopping are quite impressive. On the Chrome Web Store, it has a rating of 4.8, while on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, it holds ratings of 4.4 and 4.8, respectively. It also scored 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot.
3. Loyalty Programs to get free gift cards
Loyalty programs are the type of schemes which are run by retailers or service providers to offer rewards to their regular customers. These things encourage them to keep shopping and using their service.
I noticed that these programs generally come in the form of a membership where customers can sign up and are then given a card or a mobile app to track their purchases.
How They Work:
- Earn Points: Each time you shop or use the service, you earn points. You need to spend more time to earn more points.
- Tier System: Some programs come with tier systems where the more you spend, the higher tier you will get, and then earn more points.
- Special Offers: Members also get special offers and discounts, and get early access to sales.
- Birthday or Anniversary Rewards: Some programs give you extra points or special offers on your birthday or the anniversary of joining the program.
How to Use Loyalty Programs to Get Free Gift Cards:
- Accumulate Points:
- Shop as usual and make sure to provide your loyalty program information each time.
- Keep an eye on double or triple-point days to earn more points.
- Check Your Points Balance:
- Keep checking your dashboard regularly to know how many points you have.
- Some programs also give you a mobile app to check your points easily.
- Redeem Points for Gift Cards:
- Once you have earned enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards.
- Check the program’s terms to see how many points you need to earn a gift card.
- Participate in Special Offers:
- Take advantage of special offers to earn extra points.
- Some programs have special days where you can earn more points or get better rewards.
- Refer Friends:
- Almost all these programs will give you and your friends extra points if you refer them to the program.
- Use the Program’s Credit Card:
- Some loyalty programs have associated credit cards that give you extra points for every dollar you spend.
Here are some examples of Loyalty programs that will help you to get free gift cards:
Swagbucks:
Swagbucks is a popular online rewards platform that doesn’t need any introduction. You must have come across this app name if you are looking for online earning. It pays users for completing various online tasks such as taking surveys, watching videos, shopping, and more. Users can redeem points for gift cards or free cash via PayPal.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of tasks | Takes time to accumulate points |
| Multiple redemption options | Some low-paying tasks |
User Ratings:
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 |
| SiteJabber | 4/5 |
| Play Store | 4/5 |
User Reviews: The majority of users are already happy with this because it offers a variety of tasks with a very simple redemption process, although some also mention the fact that it takes time to accumulate a significant number of points.
MyPoints:
MyPoints is another online rewards platform where you can earn points by shopping online, taking surveys, watching videos, and more. The points you earn by spending your free time can be redeemed for gift cards, travel miles, or cash via PayPal.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of tasks | Some find the site outdated |
| Multiple redemption options | Some low-paying tasks |
User Ratings:
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| SiteJabber | 4.4/5 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 |
User Reviews: Many people are earning by using this app and they have said good things about the app. However, a few find the site interface to be outdated.
InboxDollars:
InboxDollars is a similar kind of platform where you can earn money by taking surveys, watching videos, and completing various online tasks. You can then easily withdraw the earnings through PayPal or use the earned points to buy a gift card of your own.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earn extra cash | Takes time to earn significant amounts |
| Easy to use |
User Ratings:
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| Well Kept Wallet | 4.5/5 |
| DollarSprout | 4/5 |
| SiteJabber | 3.75/5 |
User Reviews: Users generally find InboxDollars to be a decent platform for earning extra cash with a simple user interface but it takes time to collect a substantial amount.
instaGC:
instaGC also gives multiple options to earn points. It includes completing surveys, watching videos, and shopping online. The points can be redeemed for free gift cards or cash.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low cash-out threshold | Low ratings on some review sites |
| Instant withdrawals | Some users mention gift card issues |
User Ratings:
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| MyMillennialGuide | 3.5/5 |
| SiteJabber | 2.5/5 |
User Reviews and Ratings: My sister is using InstaGS and she is earning around 30-40 $ per month by spending 1 hour daily which seems very less but is good for a 12th class student. Similarly many users consider instaGC to be a good platform to earn small rewards. But like every other platform, some have had problems with gift card redemptions.
FeaturePoints:
FeaturePoint is a mobile app with the same concept as the previous one. You can earn rewards by completing various tasks and activities like surveys, downloading apps, etc. And you can easily redeem points for rewards and gift cards.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to get started | Points can expire |
| Low withdrawal threshold | Relatively low pay per activity |
User Ratings:
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| Well Kept Wallet | Not specified |
| App Store | 4.3/5 |
| SiteJabber | 5/5 |
User Reviews and Ratings: Users appreciate the simple use and low cash-out threshold, but some users have suggested better pay-per-activity.
4. Free Gift Cards by Using Paid Surveys
You can participate in surveys conducted by popular brands and in return get paid for completing survey-related tasks. Actually, paid surveys are questionnaires provided by market research companies. They collect data on consumer preferences and trends.
How to Earn Free Gift Cards:
- Sign up on platforms offering paid surveys.
- Complete surveys and earn points or cash.
- Redeem points for gift cards.
Here are some examples of paid surveys that get you free gift cards:
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is an online community and people instantly understand this app because the name itself has the word “Survey”. In this app, you can share your opinions by joining various surveys and get paid for them. It’s a bridge between you and brands that are looking for user feedback to improve their products or services. They offer payment through PayPal or get free gift cards once you collect enough points by taking surveys
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good user interface | Low earning potential overall |
| Low redemption minimums | No earning options other than surveys |
| Multiple rewards options for U.S. users | Points expire after 12 months of inactivity |
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.2 |
| App Store | 4.5 |
| Money Crashers | 3/5 |
Swagbucks
We have also included Swagbucks under this category because it also gives you rewards for doing simple tasks online. It’s quite easy to use and offers different ways to earn, like taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online.
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.3 |
| App Store | 4.4 |
| DollarSprout | 4.5 |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No minimum withdrawal amount | Low pay for easy tasks |
| Many redemption options | Accounts closed after six months of inactivity |
User Reviews: Users have commented that they liked Swagbucks because gives a variety of tasks with a quick redemption process. Whereas some mentioned that it takes time to gather redeemable points.
Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is a platform that pays you for sharing your opinions through surveys. It started as Mintvine in 2012 and took the name Branded Surveys in 2017. This platform links with market research firms and businesses to pay real customers like you for their thoughts. They don’t do their own market research but use their users to do surveys for their partner companies
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of tasks | Surveys fill up quickly. |
| Multiple ways to earn points. | Payouts are small |
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| SiteJabber | 4.2 |
| App Store | 4.3 |
| Trustpilot | 4.21 |
User Reviews: Many people are earning by using this app and they have said good things about the app. However, a few find the site interface to be outdated. Also, you have to consider the fact that like many survey sites, patience is key as sometimes surveys might fill up quickly or you might get disqualified if a survey has garnered enough participants.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars also pays users for taking surveys, watching videos, and other online tasks. It’s a good platform for earning some extra cash by taking simple surveys online. You can cash out your earnings through PayPal.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earn extra cash | Takes time to earn significant amounts |
| Easy to use |
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Well Kept Wallet | 4.5 |
| DollarSprout | 4 |
| SiteJabber | 3.75 |
User Reviews:
Users find it a decent platform for earning extra cash with a simple user interface, but it takes a while to earn a substantial amount.
Qmee
Qmee is a mobile application and browser extension that helps users earn money by participating in surveys, shopping, completing offers, and referring friends. The platform is known for having no minimum payout threshold and instant payout
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No minimum payout amount. | Low payout amounts, especially compared to other similar apps. |
| A variety of ways to earn money through the app. | |
| Lots of surveys are on offer, so you will always get options to make money. |
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| No minimum payout amount. | 3.8 |
| A variety of ways to earn money through the app. | 3.7 |
User Reviews: The rating on SiteJabber is 2.05 stars out of 5, from 64 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied. We found a common complaint that is related to customer service issues and problems with survey providers
5. Product Reviews
Product reviews mean you have to simply provide feedback on products you have used. And companies always value honest and genuine feedback to improve their products. And they give out free gift cards or other rewards in exchange for product reviews.
How to Earn Free Gift Cards:
- Sign up on review platforms or engage with brands offering review opportunities.
- Write detailed, honest reviews.
- Earn gift cards or products as rewards.
Examples of brands that pay you rewards or gift cards for product reviews
Influenster:
Influenster is a community of product reviewers, with 6.5 million members. After joining the platform, you will be asked to link your social media and blog accounts to your profile. Influenster sends out boxes of free products (VoxBoxes) to promote them on your channels. They also send gift cards for using and reviewing them and in this way, you get a free way to use gift cards.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free Products including gift cards | No Guarantee of Products |
| Large Community | Requires Patience |
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| SiteJabber | 2.68/5 |
| OnlineEarningMentor | 70/100 |
User Reviews:
Users are happy with using this platform and say it is an interesting way to get free products but need patience. This app is also great for finding honest reviews on various products
SampleSource
SampleSource is a platform that allows users to try new products before they buy them. They offer free sample products in diverse categories from pet treats to food to personal care items. They also host contests where you get a chance to win free $500 Amazon gift cards.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free products | Limited sample availability |
User ratings:
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5.
- Sitejabber: 4.36/5.
User reviews: People say it is great for trying new products for free but has limited sample availability. It is a good way to participate in contests and get free Amazon gift cards.
SheSpeaks
SheSpeaks is an online community where women connect and share reviews, offers, coupons, deals, and articles on various topics like beauty, fashion, food, parenting, and more. But the good thing is that SheSpeaks gives you a chance to win gift cards from through giveaways, contests, and events.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Product reviews options | Rare reward opportunities |
User ratings:
- Expert Score: 3.9/10
User reviews: Many users say it is a good platform for reading and writing product reviews. But it is also true that rewards are rare and not guaranteed.
Two more product review apps to get free gift cards:
Get Reviewed is a platform for those who wish to get paid for writing reviews. If you have a self-hosted website with strong domain authority, you can get paid cash for sponsored reviews and blog posts.
Gartner Peer Insights is a platform where you can complete a 10-minute review on a software product and earn a $20 Visa Prepaid Gift Card. You can earn a maximum of 10 gift cards per calendar year.
6. Beta Testing
Beta Testing means companies test the products before they are released to the public. During this testing phase, the product is shared with a select group of individuals, often from the public, to identify any bugs, issues, or areas for improvement before it’s released to a broader audience. Companies often incentivize beta testers to encourage thorough testing and feedback. One common incentive is gift cards.
How to Earn Free Gift Cards:
- Sign up on beta testing platforms or with companies offering beta testing opportunities.
- Test products, report bugs, and provide feedback.
- Earn gift cards, or cash, or keep the products you test.
Betabound
Betabound is a legitimate platform where you can become a beta tester for new technological products before they are released to the market. You can earn non-cash rewards like e-vouchers which you can use at major retailers in exchange for your opinions on the products you test.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free to join the beta testing platform | Exclusive tests can be highly competitive |
| Options to enjoy new technology for free | Slow payouts |
| Options to attain expert status | |
| Helpful customer service |
User Reviews: A user on Trustpilot expressed dissatisfaction because he spent six years on the platform with a good and genuine profile, still he was never selected for anything. There are mixed reactions regarding the incentives, as some claim to receive around $15-$20 worth of incentives per test, while others claim to get around $100 worth of incentives for a single test.
Testbirds
Testbirds is a platform where you can earn money by testing websites and mobile apps. You are paid for completing tests and finding bugs. Sometimes, you can even earn up to $100 per hour by completing short surveys and playing games while they are being tested.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earn money and use it to get free gift card | Time-consuming |
| Find bugs | Not always worth it |
User Reviews: Users are providing positive reviews about the TestApp. And many have commented that they found it quite simple and interesting.
uTest
uTest is a platform for software testing where you can earn money by testing software, hardware, or apps on various devices. It offers various tasks and projects to test and by testing them you can earn up to $50 and sometimes even the earnings can reach upto $1000. So everything depends on the project only. But at the end of the day, your goal is to get free gift cards and you can achieve this using the money you earn.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earn Money | Requires patience and skills |
| Various tasks | |
| Learn new skills |
User Reviews: Many users find uTest to be a great site for making money by completing various tasks and trying out new apps, software and more. But people also complain that they are giving so much of time to earn a little. But as I said, it will vary depending on the project you get.
EA Playtesting
You can sign up for EA Playtesting to get notified about upcoming playtests. By participating, you get to play some cool EA games before they are released for the general public and be rewarded for your time. In some cases, participants can choose between a $50 Amazon gift card or an Origin code for a new game of their choice.
Centercode
Centercode is a platform that sees gift cards as an easy and very popular way to show appreciation to the tester team without the hassle of organizing physical gifts. They suggest choosing gift cards from widely popular companies like Amazon, Best Buy, or Target as incentives for beta testers.
Tester Work
Tester Work is a community of beta testers that have been around since 2013. The platform offers beta testing jobs where testers are compensated for their time and service in the form of cash, gift cards, or products at a free or reduced price.
7. Referrals and Affiliates
Today you can observe that most money-earning apps provide referral and earn programs. Using these apps you can earn gift cards or other rewards by simply referring these apps to new users. Here are five apps that provide gift cards through their Referral and Affiliate programs:
Swagbucks:
I have already mentioned Swagbucks on this blog. The platform allows you to earn points, known as SB. Along with taking surveys, watching videos etc., you can earn good SB by referring your friends.
When you refer a friend to Swagbucks, and they earn SB points, you earn 10% of what they earn for the lifetime of their account. Rewards can be redeemed as gift cards from various retailers.
Ibotta:
Ibotta is a free cashback rewards and payments app that gives you real cash for everyday purchases when you shop and pay through the app. Along with the thousands of ways to save money, you can also take the benefits of referring your friends and earn money.
With its referral program, you can earn a referral bonus when someone signs up with your referral code and redeem a rebate within 7 days. The earnings can be cashed out as gift cards.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates):
Rakuten, formerly called Ebates, gives money back when you shop through the app at the stores or shopping websites they work with. They work with many stores both offline and online. You will get good cashback on whatever you spend while shopping on these apps.
Whatever cashback money is earned, you can use this money to transfer through PayPal or cheque. You can also choose to get a gift card instead of money. When a friend signs up using your referral link and makes a qualifying purchase, you both get a reward. The rewards can be redeemed as gift cards.
Fetch Rewards:
As I already mentioned about the app before, let me tell you again that, Fetch Rewards is a free mobile savings and gift card-earning app that allows you to earn rewards on groceries simply by scanning grocery receipts. You earn points on every receipt you scan.
They also offer this referral and reward option where you can earn points by referring friends to Fetch Rewards. When your friend signs up with your referral code and scans their first receipt, you both earn points, which can be redeemed for gift cards.
Shopkick:
Shopkick is a rewards app that started in 2009. It has given more than $85 million in rewards till now. You can earn gift cards for big shops by doing easy tasks. Many people like the app on the App Store and Google Play, with ratings of 4.7 and 4.4.
But, some people don’t like it because of low money, not good customer help, and not many ways to earn. Still, they reply to people’s reviews. This app lets people earn rewards by telling new people about the app.
By joining referral or affiliate programs, you can collect points or credits. When you refer friends to Shopkick, and they earn their first ‘kicks’, you also earn ‘kicks’ which can be redeemed for gift cards. You can change these points for gift cards to save money on what you buy next.
Pawns
Pawns is a website where you can earn money by doing online surveys and sharing your internet. If you tell/share someone to join, you get $1 when they take out their earnings. The person you invite gets a $1 bonus too. Also, you get 10% of what your referred friend earns for life each time they cash out. You only need $5 to withdraw. You can get the money to your bank account via PayPal, or BTC, or you can choose to get different free gift cards.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront is a robo-advisor platform that aims to optimize investment returns for users. They have a referral program where if you refer someone, you get $5,000 managed for free per referral. Though it may not directly earn you gift cards, the savings and earnings from the managed funds can be used over time, which you can choose to spend on gift cards.
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a handy platform that connects individuals with local freelancers to help with tasks and errands. They have a referral program where both you and the person you refer get $20 when they complete a task. While it doesn’t provide gift cards directly, you can use the savings to purchase gift cards.
EarnKaro, CueLinks, and Zingoy:
These are affiliate marketing apps with good referral offers. By sharing product links with your friends, you earn a commission when your referred friends buy something from those links. Over time, the commission will slowly add up and you can then choose to spend the amount to receive a gift card. This is not a direct way, but you can get free gift cards through an indirect way.
Checkout51
Checkout51 is another cashback app focused on groceries. You can earn cash back on your grocery purchases and by referring others to the app. The cashback can be redeemed for gift cards for free and this makes it a simple way to earn free gift cards while saving on essential purchases.
8. Grocery Apps
Nowadays many grocery apps have also started giving e-gift cards as rewards in either a direct or indirect way. They either allow you to earn points or give cashback when you purchase everyday items using their apps. You can use these points or cashback to get free gift cards. There are also many apps that directly give gift cards as rewards. Here are some grocery apps that will help you to get gift cards for free.
ReceiptPal
ReceiptPal is a simple app that rewards you for taking pictures of your receipts after shopping. It’s an easy way to get some cash back from your regular shopping. You just snap a picture of your receipts and earn points. These points can be exchanged for gift cards from popular retailers. It’s a direct way to make some extra money from something you do anyway.
User Ratings:
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| Well Kept Wallet | 4.2 |
| DollarBreak | 4.4 |
| paypant.com | 4.6 |
| JustUseApp | 4.5 |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Limited payout |
| Great customer service | Some limitations |
User Reviews:
- Users love the ease of use and the customer service provided by ReceiptPal.
- The limited payout is a common concern among users but it’s a legitimate way to earn extra cash online.
Coupons.com
Coupons.com is a digital coupons, coupon codes, and cashback app that lets you save money on a variety of items. By using the app, you can access printable grocery coupons, online coupon codes, and cashback offers. The app allows you to link your store loyalty cards for automatic savings and submit receipts to earn cashback, which can be redeemed for gift cards.
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| App Store | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store | 4.5/5 |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide variety of coupons | Some offers may not be available everywhere |
| Easy to use | May require multiple steps to redeem cashback |
| Link loyalty cards for automatic savings | Sends lots of emails |
| Cashback offers |
User Reviews:
- “I love the variety of coupons available and the cashback feature.”
- “Sometimes it takes a bit to understand how to redeem the offers, but once you get the hang of it, it’s great.”
TopCashback
TopCashback is a rewarding app using which you earn cashback rewards by shopping online. It’s easy to use and features over 7,000 retailers. The app provides attractive cashback rates on your purchases and even offers a “Highest Cashback Guarantee” which will match the offer if you find a better cash-back deal on another site.
User Ratings:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4.1/5 |
| Trustpilot | 4.4/5 |
| Better Business Bureau | 1.18/5 |
| SiteJabber |
