How to Get Free PayPal Money: 8 Legit Apps & Sites
Earning free money through PayPal might sound too good, but it’s absolutely possible. The catch? You’ll have to put in some effort, but don’t worry—it’s usually not back-breaking labor. The great news is that various legitimate ways exist to get free PayPal money without breaking a sweat. Trustpilot ratings are included where available.
How to Get Free PayPal Money
1. Swagbucks
Earning free money through PayPal is entirely within reach, and Swagbucks is one of the platforms that make it happen. You’ll need to engage in some activities, but it’s nothing that will interrupt your daily life. The best part? You can do most of these tasks while binge-watching your favorite shows.
Signing up for Swagbucks is a breeze. Just use your email and a password, and you’re all set. Once you’re in, you can start accumulating Swagbucks points, or SB, by doing various activities. Surveys and daily polls are a quick way to get started. Share your opinion on multiple topics, and you’ll earn SB quickly.
If gaming is your thing, Swagbucks has you covered. Play some games on the platform and earn points while having fun. But wait, there’s more! Swagbucks also has a mobile app. Download it, and you can earn SB even when you’re on the move.
The Swagbutton browser extension is another cool feature. Install it, and you’ll get points for shopping online. It’s like having a little helper that rewards you for spending money. Cashback is another way to earn. Upload your shopping receipts, and you’ll get SB in return. You can also use coupon codes for discounts and more SB.
Once you’ve racked up enough SB, you can trade them in for PayPal cash. Head to the rewards tab, search for “PayPal,” and pick your reward. Make sure your PayPal account details match your Swagbucks account. After you’ve redeemed your points, it takes about 7-21 business days for the money to show up in your PayPal account. Swagbucks has earned a solid 3.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with users praising its wide variety of ways to earn rewards.
I’ve been using Swagbucks for years. Below is an image that shows my lifetime earnings.
Get PayPal money when you sign up for Swagbucks today
2. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is a platform where you can earn a little extra cash that goes straight into your PayPal account. The process starts with creating an account on SurveyJunkie.com, where you’ll receive a 25-point welcome bonus. To make the most of the platform, you’ll need to complete your profile by answering questions about your demographics and interests.
Your account dashboard is your new best friend. It shows you available surveys, the points they offer, and how long they’ll take to complete. The more tailored a survey is to your profile, the better your chances of qualifying. And those points? They can add up faster than you might think.
If you’re looking to go big, keep an eye out for focus groups or product tests. These are the golden opportunities in the survey world, offering higher point values. Think of it as finding a hidden treasure in your backyard.
Consistency is your ally here. The more surveys you take, the more you’ll earn. Consider it a daily ritual, like brushing your teeth or checking your emails, and you’ll see your points grow over time.
When it comes to cashing out, the process is straightforward. Once you’ve accumulated at least $5 in your account, equivalent to 500 points, you can redeem those points for PayPal cash. And just like that, you’ve got some extra money in your pocket.
Sign up for Survey Junkie here and cash out at just $5.
3. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another platform where you can earn some extra cash to transfer to your PayPal account. The journey starts with a simple sign-up process, and guess what? You get a $5 cash bonus just for confirming your email address.
Once you’re in, the world is your oyster—or at least, your playground for earning money. You can print coupons, search the web, play games, watch videos, take short surveys, and even answer trivia polls. The pay varies, but most tasks will net you between $0.25 and $5.00. Occasionally, you might stumble upon a task that pays up to $50.00. Not too shabby, right?
The key to maximizing your earnings is to keep at it. The more tasks you complete, the more your earnings will grow. It’s like filling a piggy bank; every cent counts. You’re ready to cash out once you reach the minimum payout threshold.
Cashing out is a straightforward process. Head to the Request Payment page on InboxDollars, hit that REQUEST PAYMENT button, and choose PayPal as your payment method. Select the amount you want to redeem, and voila! Your earnings will be sent to the email address linked to your InboxDollars account.
InboxDollars holds a 4.0 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, showing that many users find it a reliable way to earn a little extra cash online.
Get PayPal Money With InboxDollars
4. Rakuten
Rakuten is a fantastic platform for anyone who loves shopping and wouldn’t mind getting some cash back in the process. After signing up for a Rakuten account, you can choose PayPal as your preferred payment method. Ensure your PayPal email address is correctly entered and verified in your Rakuten account settings.
Adding a mailing address to your Rakuten account is a must. It’s not just for show; it’s required for accurate and timely payments, including those sweet PayPal deposits. Once that’s sorted, you’re all set to start shopping through Rakuten and earning cash back on your purchases.
The magic number here is $5.00. You must accumulate at least that much in approved cash back before the next payment period. It’s not a high bar to clear, especially if you’re an avid shopper.
Every three months, according to Rakuten’s payment schedule, your accumulated cash back gets transferred to your PayPal account. It’s like a mini payday for doing what you’d be doing anyway, shopping. Rakuten scores an impressive 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot, thanks to its easy-to-use cashback system and consistent payouts.
5. Ibotta
Ibotta is a treasure trove for anyone looking to make extra cash while shopping. After signing up for an account on their website or mobile app, you can browse various cashback offers from retailers and brands. Adding these offers to your list is as simple as tapping the blue plus sign next to each one.
Once you’ve selected your offers, you’re all set to go shopping online or in a physical store. Make sure your shopping list matches the offers you’ve picked out on Ibotta. After you’ve made your purchases, head to the “Redeem” section on the Ibotta app’s home screen. From there, you’ll upload a photo of your receipt and scan the barcodes of the products you’ve bought for some offers.
The best part? Your cashback gets added to your Ibotta earnings within a day. It’s like having a mini-rewards program right in your pocket. Once you’ve accumulated $20, you can transfer that money to your PayPal account.
Transferring your earnings is straightforward. Just visit the “Account” section in the Ibotta app and select the “Withdraw Cash” option. Choose PayPal, link your accounts, and enter the amount you want to transfer. Your cash should appear in your PayPal account within minutes.
Ibotta maintains a 3.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, with most users appreciating the cashback opportunities on everyday purchases.
Ready to try? [Sign up for Ibotta here] and cash out to PayPal once you hit $20.
6. Shopkick
Earning “kicks” on Shopkick is an engaging experience that can lead to some extra PayPal money. One of the simplest methods to accumulate these points is by entering affiliated stores with the Shopkick app activated on your mobile device. You get points just for showing up!
Are you planning to go shopping? Make it worthwhile by scanning the barcodes of select items in the store to collect more kicks. Think of it as a treasure hunt where the treasure is virtual points. For those who prefer digital shopping carts over physical ones, Shopkick offers points for purchases made at various online retailers.
There’s even more to explore! Watching brief video advertisements within the app can also add to your point total. To really get the most out of your Shopkick experience, link your debit or credit card to the app. This way, you’ll earn points for purchases at stores that partner with Shopkick.
Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to earning kicks. When you invite your friends to use Shopkick and they start accumulating points, you’ll receive a kick bonus. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. When you’re ready to cash in, go to the app’s Kicks Center and select the PayPal option to convert your kicks into PayPal funds.
Get PayPal Money With Shopkick
7. Nielsen App
Earning free PayPal money with the Nielsen App is straightforward. After signing up for the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel, you only have to install their app on your mobile devices. The beauty of this app is that it works silently in the background, gathering data on how you use your devices.
You might be wondering about privacy, but rest assured, the data collected is entirely anonymous and used for research purposes. As a member of this panel, you can earn up to $50 a year through your daily phone activities. The app rewards you with points for keeping it installed, and these points can add up over time.
If you’re looking for more ways to boost your earnings, Nielsen offers occasional surveys that you can participate in. These surveys are another avenue to accumulate points, which can be redeemed for gift cards or cashed out via PayPal. It’s a nice little extra for those who enjoy sharing their opinions.
Here’s another exciting part: Nielsen also conducts monthly sweepstakes, giving away a total of $10,000. The top earners can take home up to $500, making it an exciting opportunity to increase their earnings. By staying active in the panel for an entire year, you can rack up a decent amount of points, making it a worthwhile endeavor for some easy PayPal cash.
8. Branded Surveys
Earning some extra cash with Branded Surveys is a pretty straightforward process. After signing up and filling out some demographic questions, you’ll be matched with surveys looking for someone like you. These surveys come from various brands and companies that value your opinion for their market research.
For every survey you complete, you’ll earn points. It’s like a rewards program for your thoughts! You’re eligible to cash out once you’ve accumulated at least 500 points, equivalent to $5. You can then exchange these points for cash via PayPal, and the money will show up in your account within one to three business days.
But the fun doesn’t stop at surveys. Branded Surveys offers daily polls that you can participate in to earn extra points. Think of it as a quick pit stop on your journey to more rewards. If you’re the competitive type, you’ll enjoy the leaderboard contests. These are daily, weekly, and monthly competitions that give you a chance to win bonus points.
The Branded Elite Program is another way to amp up your earnings. You can climb the ranks and earn even more by consistently completing surveys and providing honest responses. And don’t forget about the power of friendship! You can invite your pals to join Branded Surveys with their referral program. When they sign up and complete surveys, you’ll earn points, too.
Branded Surveys has a strong 4.0 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, reflecting positive feedback from thousands of survey takers.
Make PayPal Money With Branded Surveys
Conclusion
You’re already doing everyday activities like shopping, playing games online, or browsing the web. Why not make those moments a bit more rewarding? With just a little effort, you can turn these daily habits into opportunities to earn extra cash in your PayPal account. These apps won’t replace a whole paycheck, but are great for extra pocket money. It’s like getting paid for living your life!
Last Updated: October 2025
Jason Butler is the owner of My Money Chronicles, a website where he discusses personal finance, side hustles, travel, and more. Jason is from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah State University with his BA in Marketing. Jason has been featured in Forbes, Discover, and Investopedia.
