The old saying goes, “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” Perhaps—I haven’t checked every diner on the planet to verify that claim—but that doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally get something for nothing. Indeed, if you just turn on your smartphone and open up your app store, you’ll find a swarm of apps that give you money just for signing up.
In many cases, you’ll even get your money instantly.
Of course, you don’t want to download an app just for the instant sign-up bonus. Why go through the hassle? So ideally, you want to find great apps that fill some sort of need you already have that also pay out instant sign-up bonuses.
So today, I’m going to introduce you to several apps that give you money for signing up—and that you’ll want to keep after you’ve collected your bonus. Some of them help you save money. Others let you play games, watch videos, or complete other easy tasks for rewards. And still others invest your money and help it grow. For each app, I’ll explain the advantages of using it, and outline exactly how to get your sign-up bonus.
If you’re ready to get money instantly (or, at the worst, quickly) and enjoy other financial benefits, consider downloading one or more of the apps below—and then you can take yourself out for a free lunch.
Do Apps Give You a Sign-Up Bonus for Opening an Account?
Yes. Some apps do provide free money or other sign-up bonuses—but how exactly you qualify for it might differ from app to app.
In some cases, you might only need to literally sign up for the account. But in other cases, there might be other requirements, such as funding an account, receiving your first direct deposit in an account, hitting a minimum cash-out amount, or making a first purchase.
Below, I’ll cover the best apps that give you money for signing up. First, I’ll highlight apps that give free money instantly, but then I’ll also provide some examples of apps that require more involved actions—typically for bigger sign-up bonuses.
Instant Sign-Up Bonuses—Our Top Picks
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Get up to $85 in bonuses.
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Earn $18-$36,000 in free stock.
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Earn more than $30 in free cash.
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Best Apps That Give You Money for Signing Up (Instant Sign-Up Bonus)
First, I’ll start with apps that provide immediate gratification, in the form of immediate bonuses. (Note: Some of the below apps have both an immediate sign-up bonus, as well as additional bonuses that require more actions.)
1. Plynk ($85 Combined Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: Earn $10 for signing up; Plynk will also double your deposit up to $75
Plynk™ is an app designed to help you start investing and learn along the way, and they’re currently offering a $10 account signup and $75 net deposit bonus ($85 combined).
The Plynk app helps investors put their money into an investment portfolio. You can invest with as little as $1, and trade stocks, fund, and crypto commission-free**—all in one app.
The platform uses straightforward, easy-to-understand language to explain investing concepts. No jargon. No complex charts and tables. Just simple-language tips and how-tos.
Navigate investment ideas with tools to help you explore and choose. With Plynk Explore, just answer a few questions, and the app will display stock, ETF, and mutual fund investments that mesh with your investment comfort zone.
To assist with building your financial literacy, Plynk offers complete lessons and courses on financial education, including tips, educational content and how-tos.
The Plynk app enables you to make use of a powerful investing technique called dollar-cost averaging through participating in recurring investments. By continuing to buy a fixed dollar amount of investments over time, whether the market is up or down, you can build a disciplined investing habit and lower the stress that can come from market movements.
One of Plynk’s most interesting features involves, of all things, gift cards. Specifically, you can redeem unused gift cards for money that you can use to buy stocks in your favorite companies.
→ How to get your combined bonuses with Plynk
If this sounds interesting to you, consider opening an account with Plynk. To make it more worth your while, they have a few special offers.
Simply open an account and link your bank account to get a $10 signup bonus. Plynk is also offering a special bonus promotion through October 19, 2023. If you make a deposit, Plynk will double it up to $75. Customers must have a minimum of $25 in net deposits during the promotional period to receive a match. That means you may be eligible for up to $85 in signup bonuses from Plynk by taking qualifying actions.
- Start investing for as little as $1.
- Answer just a few questions, and find suitable investments for your needs.
- Invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and crypto commission-free**.
- Plynk™ lets you redeem unused gift cards for money that you can use to invest in your favorite companies.
- Signup bonus: Plynk offers two signup bonuses worth up to $85 combined: (1) Plynk will match up to $75 in net deposits made to your account through Oct. 19, 2023, subject to certain terms; (2) Plynk will pay a $10 sign-up bonus for downloading the Plynk app, opening an account and linking a bank account as a new customer (or existing customer who hasn't previously linked a bank account).
- Designed for beginning investors
- Redeem unused gift cards to invest
- Helpful educational resources
- Some features may require a fee in the future
Related: 7 Best Wealth + Net Worth Tracker Apps [View All Your Assets]
2. Webull ($18-$36,000 in Free Stock)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux), web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: $18-$36,000 in free stock
Webull is a wallet-friendly brokerage account that offers commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options. Many options have $0 contract fees. And Webull has no deposit minimums. On top of that, it offers fractional shares, which allows investors to start buying for as little as $1. So beginners working with small dollar amounts can still easily diversify across numerous investments.
Newer investors can also learn trading skills through the courses in Webull’s education center, and even practice their skills via Webull’s paper trading service.
And Webull is available across just about every platform, allowing you to research, trade, and track your stocks on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop.
Why choose Webull to trade stocks?
Webull provides investors with several useful features and tools, including:
- Customizable screeners for both stocks and ETFs
- Preset lists—including Top Gainers, Top Losers, Most Active, and Best-Performing Industries—investors can use to identify opportunities
- Voice commands: Simply speak to buy, sell, or look up information about a ticker
- “Big Button Mode”: Populates giant buttons on your screen that allow you to quickly make trades with just a push
- Charting tools
- Free real-time stock quotes and stock alerts
Webull also offers extended trading hours (pre- and after-market trading) and 24/7 online help. And you can get more than just brokerage accounts—you can also sign up for tax-advantaged retirements such as traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
On top of all that, Webull frequently runs promotions that typically involve earning free stock.
→ How to get Webull’s free stock sign-up bonus
Currently, Webull is offering new users between six and 12 free shares of stock worth between $3 and $3,000—so, the bonus is worth between $36 to $36,000.
To claim this potential bounty, you will first need to sign up through this link, open your account and make a deposit of any dollar amount. If you do, you will receive between six and 12 shares of stock from Webull.
Read more in our Webull review, or sign up at Webull today.
- Webull is a low-cost trading and investing app that allows you to invest in stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto, and participate in initial public offerings (IPOs).
- Commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Trading features include charting tools, technical indicators, customizable screeners, real-time stock alerts, and group orders.
- Let Webull manage your money for you with Webull Smart Advisor, which combines Webull's in-house investment expertise and artificial intelligence to build, manage, and rebalance an ETF portfolio for you.
- New users also get one free month of Nasdaq TotalView's Level 2 Quotes service. (That subscription costs $2.99/mo. thereafter.)
- Sign up for Webull Cash Management to earn a 5.0% APY without fees or minimums.
- Special offer: Open an account and deposit any amount to receive between 6 and 12 free fractional shares, collectively worth between $18-$36,000.*
- Good selection of available investments
- Fractional shares
- Powerful technical analysis tools
- Offers robo-advisory services
- Accessible to beginning and intermediate users
- Voice commands
- Offers highly competitive APY through Webull Cash Management
- Does not support mutual funds
Related: 7 Best Stock Portfolio Management Software Tools + Apps
3. Upromise ($5.29 Sign-Up Bonus, $25 Linking Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: $30.29 ($5.29 for signing up, and $25 for linking a 529 plan)
Upromise makes it easier to save for your child’s future higher education expenses, and has helped families save more than $1 billion for college to date.
After you create a Upromise account, you link it to either your 529 plan, or a checking or savings account. You can also apply for a no-monthly-fee Upromise Mastercard that earns you cash rewards when you shop, eat at restaurants, and more, and the service will automatically deposit both your cash rewards and any monthly contributions into your 529 plan or linked bank account. You’ll also earn more in cash-back rewards with the Upromise Mastercard than you will with any other linked debit or credit card.
Also, every month, Upromise gives five families a $529 college scholarship. Every dollar of earned rewards gets you an entry.
→ How to get your free money on Upromise
As soon as you sign up to Upromise and verify your email, you’re awarded $5.29. To receive an additional $25, you must:
- Link a 529 plan account within 30 days.
- Keep the account active through the first cash-back rewards redemption cycle.
- Make sure your cash-back rewards account balance meets the minimum transfer amount to be able to transfer rewards into the linked account.
- When you link Upromise to a 529 plan or bank account, you can earn cash-back rewards that are automatically deposited back into your account.
- Earn 1.529% in cash-back rewards with the Upromise Mastercard, or 1.25% cash back with any other linked card.
- Earn a 2.5% bonus on your bill if you use a linked credit or debit card at more than 10,000 eligible restaurants, and earn a 5% bonus if you use the Upromise Mastercard.
- The Upromise Mastercard is a no-monthly-fee credit card that allows you to earn $100 in bonus cash-back rewards after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days.
- Special offer: Earn $5.29 upon signing up for Upromise, then earn another $25 when you link a 529 plan.
Related: 11 Best Free Investing Apps [Invest for Free]
4. InboxDollars ($5 Sign-Up Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: $5
InboxDollars helps users make extra money from doing simple tasks. Like with other money-making apps, brands pay InboxDollars for consumer opinions—which is where you come in. You can earn free cash by participating in several activities, including taking surveys and reading emails.
You can also earn cash-back rewards for online shopping, buying groceries, even spending on games. InboxDollars is partnered with GSN Casino, and users earn 18% cash back with InboxDollars for every dollar they spend on GSN games.
Better still: There’s no complex points system. Your earnings show up as real cash. Simple as that.
This passive income app isn’t a substitute for a full-time job, but it’s a great way to earn some extra money with only a little additional work on your part. And to entice new customers, InboxDollars is currently offering a $5 bonus to get started.
→ How to get the InboxDollars sign-up bonus
InboxDollars gives you $5 free cash just for activating your account. After you sign up, watch for your first PaidEmail in your inbox (which might take a couple of minutes). Confirm that you received the email, and that’s it!
Just note that the minimum cash-out amount is $15, so you’ll have to complete a few surveys or other small tasks to earn enough to cash out your bonus.
- InboxDollars allows you to earn cash by taking surveys or reading emails, and earn cash-back rewards for online shopping and even spending on games.
- Minimum cash-out: $15.
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your state or province, whichever is greater, to participate.
- Special offer: Sign up now and get a $5 bonus.
- Pays you for easy tasks
- Offers gift cards from numerous merchants
- Offers cash back
- No confusing points system
- Not a lucrative side hustle
Related: 9 Best Stocks for Beginners With Little Money
5. MyPoints ($5 Sign-Up Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: $5
With MyPoints, you participate in activities such as playing games/puzzles/trivia, taking surveys, watching ads, even shopping for groceries, to earn points. In some cases, you’ll also earn points for trying out trial services from the likes of Disney+, HelloFresh, and AT&T.
Depending on the activity, you can earn points toward gift cards from the likes of Target, Starbucks, and Sephora; coupon codes; cash; or cash back on purchases.
And MyPoints features a very low minimum withdrawal of just $3.
→ How to get your MyPoints sign-up bonus
You can receive a free $5 Amazon or Visa gift card by signing up today. Simply sign up with MyPoints, then wait for the confirmation email, and follow the directions therein.
- MyPoints lets you get paid for completing various tasks like surveys, but also for playing games, trivia, puzzles, bingo, and more.
- You can redeem your points earned within the app toward gift cards at stores including Target, Starbucks, Apple, Sephora, eBay, and more.
- Minimum cash-out: $3 (500 points).
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 13 years old to participate. Teens age 13 to 17 must have parental consent.
- Special offer: Earn a $5 Amazon or Visa gift card when you sign up for MyPoints*.
- Pays you for easy tasks
- Offers gift cards from numerous merchants
- Offers cash back
- Teens can participate (ages 13+)
- Not a lucrative side hustle
Related: The 13 Best Investment Apps for Beginners
6. Branded Surveys ($1 Sign-Up Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: $1
Branded Surveys has paid out more than $36 million to more than 3 million users.
The surveys made available to you will depend on your interests and profile information, as well as what research partners currently need. Each survey earns points; you can cash out once you’ve accumulated at least 500 points. Depending on survey length, users make anywhere from 50 cents to $5 per survey.
You can use your points toward gift cards from more than 100 brands, receive PayPal cash or have cash sent to your bank account, or even make a charitable donation. Once points are approved, earnings are processed in one to two business days.
→ How to get your free money on Branded Surveys
To receive your instant sign-up bonus, simply sign up and agree to the company’s Terms of Service. You’ll get a 50-point bonus (worth 50 cents) right away. After you spend about five minutes filling out your extended profile, you get another 50 points.
- Branded Surveys, which boasts more than 3 million users, pays you to take surveys to share your thoughts on future products and services.
- You earn points for completing each survey and can redeem them toward cash (paid via direct deposit or PayPal), gift cards at more than 100 merchants including Amazon and Apple, or even donations to your favorite charity.
- Earn anywhere from 50 cents to $5 per completed survey (longer ones tend to pay more).
- Minimum cash-out: $5 (500 points).
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 13 years old to participate. Teens age 13 to 17 must have parental consent.
- Special offer: Get 100 free points (worth $1) for signing up.
- Pays you for easy tasks
- Offers gift cards from numerous merchants
- Offers cash back
- Teens can participate (ages 13+)
- Not a lucrative side hustle
Related: 50+ Best Money-Making Apps That Pay You Real Money
“Additional Action” Bonuses—Our Top Picks
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Open a Fidelity Youth™ Account for your teen, and Fidelity will drop $50 into their account. Get $100 for yourself when you open a new Fidelity account and fund with $50¹.
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Get 15 free stocks when you fund your account.
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Get a $10 bonus when you spend $25.
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Best Apps That Give You Money for Signing Up (With Additional Action Required)
Now, I’ll move on to apps where you might be required to, say, fund an account, spend a little money, or execute some other small action before earning a bonus.
1. Robinhood ($5-$200 Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Sign-up bonus: $5-$200 toward fractional shares
Robinhood is a pioneer of commission-free trading, jumping into the investing public’s consciousness in 2013 when they rolled out commission-free trading. They remain a standout option for cost-minded investors thanks to their continued $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options, as well as for its fractional trading, which allows people to invest with as little as $1.
If you want to keep your banking and investing close together, you can also add a Robinhood spending account. This FDIC-insured account includes a Robinhood Cash Card issued by Sutton Bank—however, if you don’t want this physical debit card, you do have the option of having a virtual debit card only. The Cash Card is compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, and also provides you with access to fee-free withdrawals from more than 90,000 ATMs. The card allows you to round up purchases and invest the money into your brokerage or crypto account.
→ How to earn free Money to put toward stock on Robinhood
While several other media outlets refer to Robinhood’s offer as a “a free stock,” that’s a little oversimplified. The bonus is a randomly selected cash amount of between $5 and $200 that can be put toward fractional shares of one of 20 U.S. stocks. Here’s how to get your bonus:
- Sign up here to start the account opening process.
- Link your bank account.
- Fund your account with at least $10.
- Robinhood is an investing app that became famous for offering commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency.
- The platform has added a new innovation in the retirement space: the only individual retirement accounts (IRAs) with a 1% match. Robinhood will match 1% of any IRA transfers or 401(k) rollovers, as well as any annual contributions*, made to your Robinhood Retirement account—and it will upgrade that match to 3% if you subscribe to Robinhood Gold.
- Robinhood Gold also includes Level II market data provided by Nasdaq, higher interest rates on uninvested brokerage cash, lower margin trading rates, and bigger Instant Deposits.
- Special offer: Sign up for Robinhood, link a bank account, and fund your account with at least $10, and receive a randomly selected cash amount between $5 and $200 to put toward fractional shares.
- Good selection of available investments in brokerage accounts
- 1% match on rollovers, IRA transfers, and contributions to IRAs and Roth IRAs (3% with Robinhood Gold)
- Automated portfolio builder in IRAs and Roth IRAs
- Intuitive interface
- Extensive educational library
- Lackluster investment selection in IRAs and Roth IRAs
- No mutual funds in brokerage or IRAs
- No robo-advisor functionality
Related: How to Get Free Stocks for Signing Up: 15 Apps w/Free Shares
2. Moomoo ($45-$30,000 in Free Stock + 1 Free Share of TSLA or GOOG)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Desktop app (Windows, Mac), web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Promotion: 15 free stocks, each valued between $3-$2,000, plus a share of Tesla (TSLA) or Alphabet (GOOG)
Moomoo is a commission-free trading platform for stocks, ETFs, and options. While Moomoo is best for advanced traders, offering powerful tools to empower your trading insights and strategies, it takes a different approach from other similarly targeted platforms, favoring simple interfaces and high ease of use. The desktop platform is highly customizable, while the mobile app is straightforward, allowing you to search for stocks and trade with minimal hassle.
Still, Moomoo has more than enough under the hood for advanced traders to get the job done. Its charting system, for instance, includes 62 technical analysis indicators and 22 drawing tools. You can set up alerts based on changes in price, bids, turnover ratio, and more. Free Level 2 market data helps you get a greater understanding of a stock’s value, determine how liquid a stock truly really is, and better time your trades. You can even enjoy 24/7 financial news handpicked by Moomoo’s editorial team.
→ How to get your free shares on Moomoo
You can receive up to 15 free shares (collectively worth anywhere between $45 and $30,000) and an extra share of Tesla (TSLA) or Alphabet (GOOG) from Moomoo. Here’s how:
- If you open a new brokerage account with Moomoo and fund it with $100, you’ll earn five free stocks valued between $3 and $2,000 each.
- If you make a net deposit of $1,000 or more in the promotion period, you’ll get a total of 15 free stocks valued between $3 and $2,000 each.
- If you make a net deposit of $5,000 or more in the promotion period, you’ll get a total of 15 free stocks valued between $3 and $2,000 each, as well as one free share of either TSLA or GOOG.
Enjoy these free bonus shares by opening an account with Moomoo through our link and making a qualifying deposit.
- Moomoo is an all-in-one investment app geared toward stock, ETF, and options traders who want to work with real-time market data at the ready.
- The service offers free Level 2 market data, offering more insight into the trading activity below the NBBO surface shown on many financial data sites.
- Use the service's powerful stock charting software capabilities to find trading opportunities.
- Special offer: Get up to 15 free stocks plus 1 exclusive share of either TSLA or GOOG stock when you sign up through Young and the Invested, for opening a new account and funding it with certain minimums.*
- Free Level 2 market data
- Free powerful stock charting software
- Free paper trading
- Low margin rates
- Fewer features than peers
- No robo-advisor functionality
Related: 11 Best Stock Trading Apps [Free + Paid]
3. Acorns ($20 Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Bonus: $20
Acorns is an investing app geared toward minors, young adults and millennials by offering “Round-Ups”: The app rounds up purchases made on linked debit and credit cards to the nearest dollar, investing the difference on your behalf.
For example, if you purchase a coffee for $2.60 on a linked credit card, Acorns automatically rounds this charge up to $3.00 and puts the 40-cent difference aside. Once those Round-Ups reach at least $5, they can be transferred to your Acorns account to be invested.
Users have seen an average of $30/month invested this way and makes the service one of the best investments for young adults who are looking to get started with saving and investing.
The investing app allows minors to have custodial accounts managed by their parent or legal guardian through their product Acorns Early available under the Acorns Personal Plus plan ($5/month).
Making regular contributions over long periods of time can go a long way toward building lifelong wealth. Using an investing app like Acorns could also be the best way to invest $1,000 for a child‘s future and save money.
Acorns has the following subscription options:
- Acorns Personal ($3 per month): Includes an Acorns Invest investment account, as well as Acorns Later for tax-advantaged investment options such as Roth IRAs. Also includes Acorns Checking, a bank account that has no account fees, lets you withdraw fee-free from more than 55,000 ATMs nationwide, and Smart Deposit, which allows you to automatically invest a bit of each paycheck into your Acorns accounts.
- Acorns Personal Plus ($5 per month): Everything in Acorns Personal (Acorns Invest, Later, and Checking), plus Premium Education, which are live onboarding sessions covering account setup, Round-Ups, setting up recurring investments, and more; Emergency Fund; and a 25% bonus on Acorns Earn rewards (up to $200 per month).
- Acorns Premium ($9 per month): Everything in Personal Plus, plus Acorns Early, which allows you to open a custodial investment account for your child so you can begin investing for them while they’re a minor; custom portfolios that allow you to hold individual stocks; live Q&As with financial experts; a 50% match on Acorns Earn rewards (up to $200 per month); $10,000 in life insurance; even the ability to set up a will for free.
Learn more in our Acorns review.
→ How to get Acorns’ free stock sign-up bonus
To receive your free money from Acorns, you’ll need to open an account and make a minimum $5 recurring investment. After your first successful recurring investment, you’ll receive $20 within 10 days of the following month.
- In under 5 minutes, Acorns allows you to get investment accounts for you and your family, plus retirement, checking, ways to earn more money, and grow your knowledge.
- Famous for investing spare change automatically through Round-ups, this all-in-one financial app helps younger generations start investing earlier.
- Invest in expert-built portfolios made up of diversified ETFs.
- New Premium tier includes perks such as live Q&As with financial experts, a 50% match on Acorns Earn rewards (up to $200/mo.), $10,000 in life insurance, and the ability to pick individual stocks for their portfolios.
- Special offer: Get $20 to start*.
- Robo-advisor with affordable fees (on larger portfolios)
- Fixed fee model
- Round-ups
- FDIC/SIPC insurance
- High fixed fees for small balances
- Limited investment selections
- Must subscribe to Premium for any self-directed investing options
Related: Best Custodial Accounts: How to Start Investing for Kids
4. Swagbucks ($10 Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Bonus: $10
Making money online through Swagbucks is simple. Swagbucks lets users earn Swagbucks points (SBs) by completing simple tasks—that includes taking surveys, yes, but also shopping online, playing video games, or even just doing web searches.
Users can redeem SBs for gift cards from popular retailers, such as Apple, Amazon, and Target; the website awards roughly 7,000 gift cards every day. However, if you just want cash, you can redeem points that way, too, and receive the money in a PayPal account. You’ll need your own bank account if you want to transfer this money for you to use.
Users also earn SB points for every dollar spent shopping online through the service and get access to exclusive coupons and deals, even for prescriptions. You can also get cash back for groceries and other essentials at popular stores like Costco, Target, Kroger, and more, when you take a picture of the receipt. Swagbucks even offers opportunities to get cash back for dining.
→ How to get your Swagbucks bonus cash
To get your $10 sign-up bonus from Swagbucks, do the following:
- Activate the Bonus in the Swag Ups section of your account.
- Spend a minimum of $25 on a single purchase at a store featured in Swagbucks.com/Shop within 30 days.
Usually, the purchase credits within 32 days, and the bonus is rewarded a couple of days after that. The bonus comes in the form of 1,000 SB, which is $10 in value.
- Get paid to answer surveys, watch videos, and shop online with Swagbucks.
- Earn "SB," which you can redeem for PayPal cash, prepaid MasterCards, or gift cards at dozens of retailers, including Amazon, Target, Dunkin', and GameStop.
- Minimum cash-out: $3 (300 SB)
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 13 years old to participate.
- Special offer: New users receive a $10 bonus when you spend at least $25.*
- Pays you for easy tasks
- Offers gift cards from numerous merchants
- Offers cash back
- Teens can participate (ages 13+)
- Not a lucrative side hustle
Related: 11 Best Alternative Investments [Options to Consider]
5. Fidelity Youth™ Account ($50 Bonus for Teens / $100 Bonus for Parents)
- Available: Sign up here
- Price: No account fees, no account minimum, no trading commissions*
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Promotion: Teens get $501 on Fidelity® when they download the Fidelity Youth™ app and activate their Youth Account; parents get $100 when they fund a new account
Is your teen interested in jumpstarting their financial future? Do you want them to build smart money habits along the way?
Of course you do! Learning early about saving, spending and investing can pay off big when you start on the right foot. And one tool that can help your teen get that jump is the Fidelity Youth™ Account—an account owned by teens 13 to 17 that’s designed to help them start their money journey. They can start investing by buying most U.S. stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and Fidelity mutual funds for as little as $1!⁴
Your teen will also get a free debit card with no subscription fees, no account fees³, no minimum balances, and no domestic ATM fees⁵. And they can use this free debit card for teens to manage their cash and spend it whenever they need.
And as for building smart money habits? You and your teen can access your account through the Fidelity Youth™ app, which has a dedicated Learn tab packed with materials developed specifically to help teens develop good financial habits. Not only will Fidelity’s interactive lessons, videos, articles, tools, and calculators accelerate their learning—but for every level they complete, reward dollars will be deposited into their account to use however they want.
We’ll note that Fidelity Youth™ Account isn’t a prepaid card nor a banking app, but it’s still strongly worth considering.
Controls parents want and need
A parent or guardian must have or open a brokerage account with Fidelity® to open a Fidelity Youth™ Account. For new Fidelity® customers, opening an account is easy, and there are no minimums and no account fees.
Parents and guardians have plenty of tools they can use to monitor their teen’s activity: They have online account access, can follow monthly statements and trade confirmations, and can view debit card transactions made in the account.
To make it even easier, you can set up alerts to notify you of trades, transactions, and cash management activity, keeping you firmly in the loop on actions your teen takes across the Fidelity Youth™ Account’s suite of products.
If your teen has an interest in learning about investing and taking their first steps toward building their financial journey, you should consider downloading the Fidelity Youth™ app and opening a Fidelity Youth™ Account. The account comes custom-built for their needs, which will help them become financially independent and start investing for their future.
Read more in our Fidelity Youth™ Account review.
→ How to earn the Fidelity cash bonus
Open a Fidelity Youth™ Account for your teen, and Fidelity will drop $50 into their account. Get $100 for yourself when you open a new Fidelity account and fund with $50¹.
- Your teen will get a $50 reward once they download the Fidelity Youth app and activate their Youth Account.
- The app is free²—plus, no monthly fees or account minimums to open.³
- They can invest in stocks for as little as $1 with fractional shares.⁴
- Your teen can learn to save and spend smarter with their own debit card with no domestic ATM fees.⁵
- Teens can link their account to mobile payment apps like Venmo and PayPal.⁶
- Parents can set up alerts and monitor their teen's account activity online, and through statements, trade confirmations and debit card transactions.
- The Fidelity Youth app will have a dedicated Youth Learn tab to help jumpstart your teen's financial learning and build better money habits.
- No monthly account fees
- Signup offer available to new users
- Comprehensive financial suite for teens
- Parent must be a Fidelity account holder
- Account balance doesn't accumulate interest
- No chore or allowance system
Related: Best Investments for Teenagers [How to Start Investing Young]
6. Groundfloor ($50 Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Bonus: $50
Groundfloor accounts allow accredited and non-accredited investors alike to participate in real estate investment loans.
Groundfloor says more than 200,000 users have invested over $1 billion on its platform to date. It has seemingly returned the favor: Groundfloor says it has delivered more than 10% average annual returns since the service got off the ground.
On this platform, you invest in Groundfloor Notes—short-term investments backed by loans made out to real estate investors. Groundfloor Notes typically mature in 30 days, 90 days, or 12 months, and interest rates on Notes vary based on several factors, including bond rates, investor demand, and level of risk in the loan.
Groundfloor users can choose their own investments or let the experts choose for them. Investors must have a $1,000 minimum to start, and they can invest in $1,000 increments.
→ How to earn Groundfloor’s $50 bonus
- Use this referral link to open a new Groundfloor account and answer a few questions.
- Connect to a bank account.
- Fund your account with at least $1,000.
- Groundfloor is a crowdsourced real estate investing platform which offers high-yield, short-term real estate debt investments.
- Offers collateralized, secured real estate debt with 1-month, 3-month, and 12-month terms.
- Has delivered consistent 10%+ returns over past eight years with repayments received in 6-9 months on average.
- Offers after-tax and IRA investment options.
- Special offer: When you fund your account with at least $1,000, you will receive a $50 credit to invest on Groundfloor*.
Related: 19 Best Investment Apps and Platforms [Free + Paid]
7. SoFi Invest ($5-$1,000 in Free Stock, $10-$100 in Free Bitcoin)
- Available: Desktop sign-up here | iOS sign-up here | Android sign-up here
- Platforms: Desktop, web, mobile (iOS, Android)
- Sign Up Bonus Promotion 1: $5-$1,000 in free stock
- Sign Up Bonus Promotion 2: $10-$100 in free Bitcoin
SoFi is a multi-faceted financial company that offers everything from credit cards and insurance to student loans and mortgages … and they also allow you to trade and invest through its SoFi Invest app.
With SoFi Invest, you can invest as actively or as passively as you’d like.
The Active SoFi Invest Brokerage Account has no required minimum balance, charges no commissions on stock, ETF, and options trades, and its options trading is free of contract fees, too. SoFi does offer 24/7 cryptocurrency trading, too, but it charges a 1.25% markup on transactions.
The interface is still very much geared toward younger, less experienced investors—everything is focused on simplicity and ease of use, rather than an expanse of sophisticated tools. SoFi also offers budget-friendly features such as fractional shares, which allow you to invest for as little as $1. And SoFi even provides a social element, such as bringing SoFi members together at exclusive events.
Want to put your portfolio on autopilot? SoFi’s robo-advisory services will create a portfolio for you free of charge (that can be designed to address one or several goals) and auto-rebalance it for you as necessary over time.
And one thing that sets SoFi apart is your ability to handle many financial tasks within the very same app. SoFi’s app allows you to tackle anything from banking and investing to student loans, insurance, and mortgages.
→ How to earn free stock from SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest allows you to win a randomly selected dollar amount worth of free stock: $5, $10, $25, $100, or $1,000. To qualify:
- Open a new brokerage account with SoFi.
- Fund your account with $10 or more within 30 days of the account opening.
Your bonus should post to your account in 10 business days.
→ How to earn free Bitcoin from SoFi Invest
You can earn between $10 and $100 worth of Bitcoin when you sign up and make your first cryptocurrency trade. Here’s how:
- Open a new account with SoFi.
- Buy a minimum of $50 worth of any cryptocurrency within seven days.
The following trade sizes earn the corresponding Bitcoin bonuses:
- $50-$99.99 earns $10 worth of Bitcoin.
- $100-$499.99 earns $15 worth of Bitcoin.
- $500-$4,999.99 earns $50 worth of Bitcoin.
- $5,000 or more earns $100 worth of Bitcoin.
- SoFi Invest allows you to trade or invest in stocks, ETFs, and options with no commissions and no account minimums. You can also invest in cryptocurrency and participate in some initial public offerings (IPOs).
- Invest for as little as $1 with fractional shares.
- Free robo-advisory services, including goal planning and auto-rebalancing.
- Special offer 1: Fund a new account with at least $10 within 30 days of opening an account, and receive $5, $10, $25, $100, or $1,000 worth of stock. (Prize level awarded at random.)
- Special offer 2: You can receive up to $100 in Bitcoin when you make you first cryptocurrency trade with SoFi.*
- Good selection of available investments
- No options contract fees
- DIY and automated investing options
- Fractional shares
- No mutual funds
- Limited trading tools
- No tax-loss harvesting
- No socially responsible robo-advisor functionality
- Higher-than-average cryptocurrency trading fees
Related: 20 Best Investing Research & Stock Analysis Websites
8. Cash App ($5 Bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Desktop, web, mobile (iOS, Android)
- Bonus: $5
Cash App markets itself as a smarter way to manage your money. Whether you’re looking to send, spend, bank, or buy stocks or bitcoin, Cash App has several useful features that allow you to handle, save, and invest your money.
Sending and receiving payments is free with Cash App, so you can rest assured knowing that your money is always accounted for when you transfer funds to friends and family.
Similar to Venmo, Cash App lets you instantly send money to anyone for free. You can even send stocks or Bitcoin. Your balance updates immediately, so you always know your transaction was successful. If you don’t have any funds in your account, the money is drawn from a linked card or financial account.
The recipient doesn’t need to have a Cash App account. You can use an email or phone number to transfer money. However, they will need to create an account within 14 days or the money is returned to you.
Optionally, you can deposit your paychecks, tax returns, and more into the app. Direct deposits are available as soon as they are received, which may be up to two days faster than banks.
→ How to get your Cash App bonus
You and a friend can both get $5 bonuses when one of you uses the other’s Cash App referral code to sign up for Cash App. Here’s how to do it:
- Download Cash App. You’ll need to register with your phone number.
- Link a debit card.
- Go to Settings, then Invite Code, and enter your referral code from a friend.
- Within 14 days, send at least $5 (lump sum or multiple payments) to anyone.
- Cash App is a money management app that allows you to send, spend, save and invest money
- You can transfer money for free to friends and family with a Cash App account
- Cash App allows you to invest in stocks commission-free
- Offers free payment transfers between friends and family
- Allows stock investment
- Can trade or purchase with Bitcoin
- Offers free tax software
- Requires verification to send more than $250 in a 7-day period or receive more than $1,000 in a 30-day period
Sign-Up Bonuses: FAQs
Which apps offer sign-up bonuses that allow you to get money instantly?
There are several apps where you earn money instantly, including the following:
While some of these apps pay money instantly, the instant sign-up bonus might be lower than the minimum withdrawal amount. Fortunately, many apps where you get money instantly provide enough to cash out right away, and usually, those that don’t only require slightly more effort to reach the minimum withdrawal amount.
What types of sign-up bonuses are available for the apps covered in this list?
The sign-up bonuses on this list let you earn cash, gift cards, crypto, or stocks. Some give you multiple options.
Are there apps that pay you to shop online?
Yes. Upromise, InboxDollars, MyPoints, and Swagbucks all pay you to shop online.
Do you need a bank account to get sign-up bonuses?
It depends on the app. Some apps let users take their sign-up bonus in the form of free gift cards or free money sent to a PayPal account. For these apps, you don’t need a bank account to get sign-up bonuses as you aren’t getting paid through direct deposit.
However, some apps require you to deposit money or make a minimum purchase. In this situation, you usually need an account to earn free cash.
Are there free sign-up bonus apps?
Yes. Several of the apps on this list provide a sign-up bonus where you get money instantly. Some of the other apps require a few more steps.
How do you convert points in some apps to cash?
When you sign up and get points from an app, always check the conversion rate between points and monetary rewards as this can vary. Frequently, a point equals 1 cent, but this isn’t always the case.
Terms and Conditions for Fidelity Youth™ Account
The Fidelity Youth™ Account can only be opened by a parent/guardian. Account eligibility limited to teens aged 13-17.
* $0.00 commission applies to online U.S. equity trades and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a Fidelity retail account only for Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC retail clients. Sell orders are subject to an activity assessment fee (from $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal). Other exclusions and conditions may apply. See Fidelity.com/commissions for details. Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Institutional® are subject to different commission schedules.
¹ Limited Time Offer. Terms Apply. Before opening a Fidelity Youth™ Account, you should carefully read the account agreement and ensure that you fully understand your responsibilities to monitor and supervise your teen’s activity in the account.
² The Fidelity Youth™ app is free to download. Fees associated with your account positions or transacting in your account apply.
³ Zero account minimums and zero account fees apply to retail brokerage accounts only. Expenses charged by investments (e.g., funds, managed accounts, and certain HSAs) and commissions, interest charges, or other expenses for transactions may still apply. See Fidelity.com/commissions for further details.
⁴ Fractional share quantities can be entered out to 3 decimal places (.001) as long as the value of the order is at least $0.01. Dollar-based trades can be entered out to 2 decimal places (e.g. $250.00).
⁵ Your Youth Account will automatically be reimbursed for all ATM fees charged by other institutions while using the Fidelity® Debit Card at any ATM displaying the Visa®, Plus®, or Star® logos. The reimbursement will be credited to the account the same day the ATM fee is debited. Please note, for foreign transactions, there may be a 1% fee included in the amount charged to your account. The Fidelity® Debit Card is issued by PNC Bank, N.A., and the debit card program is administered by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company. These entities are not affiliated with each other, and Fidelity is not affiliated with PNC Bank or BNY Mellon. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association, and is used by PNC Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
⁶ Venmo is a service of PayPal, Inc. Fidelity Investments and PayPal are independent entities and are not legally affiliated. Use a Venmo or PayPal account may be subject to their terms and conditions, including age requirements.
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917
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