Americans spend an average of 7 hours per week playing mobile games. That is over 360 hours per year tapping, swiping, and strategizing on games that generate billions in revenue for developers while paying you exactly nothing. But a growing category of gaming apps is changing that equation. In 2026, several legit apps pay you real money or gift cards for playing games on your cell phone. The earnings are not going to replace your salary, but turning dead gaming time into actual dollars makes a lot more sense than racking up imaginary high scores.
For the highest return on your screen time, the smartest gamers pair gaming reward apps with content-viewing platforms like I am Beezy, which pays $5 to $15 per day for watching videos and interacting with content. Between gaming rewards and Beezy earnings, you can turn your daily phone entertainment into $200 or more per month. Here are the gaming apps that actually pay and what you should realistically expect from each one.
How Gaming Apps Pay You Real Money
The revenue-sharing model
Gaming reward apps work by partnering with game developers who pay to acquire new players. When you install and play a partner game through the reward app, the developer pays the reward app a commission, and the reward app shares a percentage of that commission with you. This is why most gaming apps require you to hit specific milestones (reach level 10, play for 30 minutes, etc.) before you earn your reward. The developer is paying for engaged players, not quick downloaders.
Skill-based vs. reward-based gaming apps
There are two categories of money-making gaming apps. Reward-based apps (like Mistplay and Cashyy) pay you for playing third-party games and hitting milestones. Skill-based apps (like Skillz and Solitaire Cash) let you compete against other players for real cash prizes in tournament-style matches. Reward-based apps are lower risk with guaranteed earnings. Skill-based apps offer higher payouts but involve gambling your entry fee against other players.
7 Legit Apps That Pay You to Play Games
1. Mistplay — the king of game rewards (Android only)
Mistplay is the most popular game reward app with over 30 million downloads. Install partner games, play them, and earn "units" that convert to gift cards from Amazon, Visa, PlayStation, and more. The earning rate is roughly $0.50 to $2.00 per hour of gameplay. That is not amazing, but it is money you would not earn playing games for free. Monthly earnings average $15 to $50 for regular players who try multiple games.
2. Cashyy — Android alternative with variety
Cashyy operates like Mistplay but with a different game catalog. You earn coins for downloading and playing partner games, then redeem coins for PayPal cash or gift cards. The earning rate is similar to Mistplay ($0.50 to $1.50 per hour), and running both apps simultaneously on the same phone gives you access to more games and higher total earnings. Monthly totals of $10 to $40 are typical.
3. Solitaire Cash — real cash tournaments
Solitaire Cash lets you play classic solitaire in head-to-head tournaments for real money. Entry fees range from $1 to $10, and winners take the pot. Skilled players report earning $50 to $200 per month, but unskilled players can lose money. This app is for people who are genuinely good at solitaire and comfortable risking entry fees.
| Gaming App | Type | Monthly Earnings | Risk Level | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mistplay | Reward-based | $15 - $50 | Zero risk | Android |
| Cashyy | Reward-based | $10 - $40 | Zero risk | Android |
| Solitaire Cash | Skill-based | $50 - $200 (variable) | Medium | iOS and Android |
| Bubble Cash | Skill-based | $30 - $150 (variable) | Medium | iOS and Android |
| Bingo Cash | Skill-based | $20 - $100 (variable) | Medium | iOS and Android |
| JustPlay | Reward-based | $5 - $20 | Zero risk | Android |
| AppStation | Reward-based | $10 - $30 | Zero risk | Android |
4. Bubble Cash and Bingo Cash — casual tournament games
Both developed by Papaya Gaming, these apps turn classic casual games into real-money competitions. Bubble Cash is a bubble shooter tournament, and Bingo Cash is a speed bingo game. Both offer free practice rounds and paid tournaments. Skilled players who practice in free mode before entering cash games report better results. Monthly earnings range widely from $20 to $150 depending on skill level and how aggressively you compete.
5. JustPlay — ultra-simple Android earner
JustPlay is bare-bones simple: download games, play them, earn points, cash out via PayPal. The earning rate is lower than Mistplay ($5 to $20 per month), but the app is lightweight and does not require as much engagement per game. It works well as a supplementary app alongside Mistplay and Cashyy for maximum variety.
6. AppStation — reward and play
AppStation pays you for playing games with a coin system redeemable for PayPal cash or gift cards. Earning rates are similar to other reward-based apps, averaging $10 to $30 per month. The app regularly features bonus offers for specific games that temporarily boost your per-hour earning rate.
Why Smart Gamers Use I am Beezy Alongside Gaming Apps
Gaming apps have a hard earnings ceiling
Even stacking 3 to 4 gaming reward apps, your total monthly earnings top out at about $40 to $80. Skill-based games can pay more, but they involve real financial risk. I am Beezy removes the ceiling by paying $5 to $15 per day for content viewing — a completely different earning mechanism that does not conflict with gaming apps. Use Beezy during your morning commute, gaming apps during downtime, and your combined earnings hit $200 to $350 per month with zero financial risk.
Switching between gaming and Beezy throughout the day
The ideal daily schedule looks like this: morning commute = 15 minutes of Beezy viewing ($3 to $5). Lunch break = 20 minutes of gaming reward apps (earning milestone points). Evening couch time = 15 minutes of Beezy + 30 minutes of gaming. This natural rotation keeps things interesting and maximizes earnings from both sources. Sign up for Beezy for free and add it to your gaming rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Paid to Play Games
Are game reward apps a scam?
The apps listed in this article are all legitimate and have paid millions to users. However, the app stores are full of fake "play and earn" games that show inflated earnings and never pay out. Red flags include: promised earnings over $100 per day, requiring you to watch a certain number of ads before cashing out, and minimum payouts of $100 or more. Stick with established apps like Mistplay, Cashyy, and the Papaya Gaming titles.
Can I make a living from playing mobile games?
No. Game reward apps pay $15 to $80 per month total, and even skill-based tournaments have inconsistent payouts. These apps are supplementary income sources, not careers. For more substantial phone-based earnings, content-viewing apps like I am Beezy ($150 to $300/month) are significantly more reliable and better-paying.
Do I need an Android phone?
Most reward-based gaming apps (Mistplay, Cashyy, JustPlay, AppStation) are Android-only. iPhone users have access to skill-based games like Solitaire Cash, Bubble Cash, and Bingo Cash. If you have both an Android phone and an iPhone, use the Android for reward apps and the iPhone for skill games to maximize your options.
Will gaming apps slow down my phone?
Individual gaming apps have minimal performance impact on phones from 2022 or later. Running multiple games simultaneously can slow down older phones and drain the battery. Close background games you are not actively playing, and keep your phone's storage at least 20% free for optimal performance.
Conclusion
Getting paid to play games on your cell phone is real in 2026, but expectations matter. Reward-based apps like Mistplay and Cashyy deliver $15 to $50 per month with zero risk. Skill-based tournament apps can pay more but involve financial risk. The winning strategy is stacking 2 to 3 gaming reward apps with I am Beezy for consistent daily earnings. That combination transforms your daily screen time into a reliable $200 to $350 monthly income stream. Join I am Beezy for free today and start earning from every minute you spend on your phone — whether you are gaming, watching videos, or just scrolling.
