Survey Sites vs Gaming Apps: Which Pays More?

Looking to earn extra cash online? Two popular options are survey sites and gaming apps. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Survey Sites: Pay you for your opinions, typically earning $0.50–$3.00 per survey. They’re consistent but time-intensive, with monthly earnings around $30–$100 for a few hours a week.
Gaming Apps: Offer rewards for playing games, with earnings varying widely. Some users make up to $550/year (e.g., Mistplay), but payouts depend on skill and game type.

Quick Comparison

Factor	Survey Sites	Gaming Apps
Earnings	$0.50–$3.00/survey	Varies, up to $550/year
Time Required	Structured blocks	Flexible sessions
Payment Speed	Reliable (PayPal, gift cards)	Less dependable
Best For	Consistent small payouts	Casual, unpredictable income

Bottom line: Choose survey sites for steady, reliable earnings or gaming apps for fun, flexible opportunities with variable payouts.

Best Paid Survey Sites That Actually Pay In 2025

Survey Sites: Basic Features and Earnings

Survey sites offer a way to earn some extra cash by sharing your opinions on various products and services. These platforms connect businesses and researchers with everyday consumers who are willing to complete surveys or perform additional tasks.

How to Earn on Survey Sites

Once you create a profile on a survey site, you'll start receiving survey invitations tailored to your demographics. For instance, Swagbucks has paid out over $632 million in rewards to its users . To increase your chances of earning:

Fill out your profile completely for better survey matches.
Respond to survey invites quickly.
Answer questions honestly to avoid being disqualified.
Take advantage of extra earning opportunities like product testing or watching videos.

These small steps can help you get the most out of your time on these platforms.

Payment Rates and Time Required

The amount you earn per survey depends on factors like the survey's complexity and length. Most surveys pay between $0.25 and $5.00, but specialized studies can offer more . Here's a breakdown of what you might expect:

Platform	Average Pay Per Survey	Time Required	Potential Monthly Earnings
Survey Junkie	$0.25 - $1	15-20 minutes	Up to $40 (with about three surveys per day)
Swagbucks	$1 - $5	Varies	Around $365 - $1,825 annually
Branded Surveys	$1 - $3	10-30 minutes	Depends on survey availability

"You won't get rich taking surveys and it's not meant to take the place of a full-time job but it can supplement your income and give you a little extra flexibility in your budget." - Survey Junkie

Survey Sites: Benefits and Drawbacks

Like any income opportunity, survey sites come with their pros and cons.

Benefits:

Work on your own schedule, anytime.
No special skills required.
Get paid in cash (via PayPal) or gift cards.
Accessible from almost any device.
Easy to track your rewards.

Drawbacks:

Earnings are limited compared to regular jobs.
You might get disqualified from many surveys.
Screening questions can be time-consuming.
Surveys aren’t always available.
Minimum payout thresholds can delay your cashout.

One real-world example from 2023 highlights Swagbucks user Andy, who managed to earn $200 to $250 per month by sticking to a routine of completing surveys and redeeming vouchers . While this is higher than average, it shows what’s possible with a consistent and focused approach.

Next, we’ll dive into gaming apps and see how their earning potential measures up to survey sites.

Gaming Apps: Money-Making Features

Gaming apps have become a popular way to earn money while playing mobile games. In fact, in-game ad revenue is expected to hit $145 billion globally by 2027 . Let’s take a closer look at how different gaming apps generate income for their users.

How to Make Money Playing Games

Here’s a breakdown of some popular gaming apps and how they reward players:

Platform	How You Earn	Payout Options
Mistplay	Earn units from playtime and achievements	Gift cards (Amazon, Visa, Google Play)
Solitaire Cash	Win tournaments (up to $83 per win)	PayPal cash
Bingo Cash	Compete for prizes	Quick payouts (within 2 days)
Money Rawr	Collect coins through gameplay	Gift cards and PayPal

To boost your earnings, focus on games with higher multipliers or special offers. For example, Mistplay users can reportedly earn up to $550 a year by playing just 15 minutes daily .

Expected Earnings and Time Needed

Your earnings will depend on how much time you invest and your skill level. Tournament-based games like Solitaire Cash and Bingo Cash offer higher payouts, with some players winning up to $83 per game .

"You won't get rich here, but I've probably made $150 on it since installing roughly 7 months ago."
– Ed Blount, Mistplay reviewer

Gaming Apps: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Play games and earn money on your own schedule
Flexible payout options (PayPal, gift cards)
No extra equipment required
Skill-based rewards for dedicated players

Cons:

Earnings may drop over time
Drains your device's battery quickly
Requires significant time for relatively small payouts
Some apps may ask for an upfront investment
Geographic restrictions for cash prizes

Skillz, for instance, hosts over 4 million daily tournaments with 27 million active players, awarding over $100 million in prizes every month . However, earning substantial rewards often requires a high level of skill and consistent effort.

Survey Sites vs Gaming Apps: Head-to-Head

Money-Making Potential

Survey sites offer steady earnings, typically ranging from $0.50 to $3.00 per survey . With about 3–5 hours of effort weekly, users can bring in $30 to $100 per month .

Gaming apps, on the other hand, generally provide lower daily earnings. However, platforms like WriteAppReviews stand out, offering up to $50 per hour for app testing and reviews .

Platform Type	Average Rate	Monthly Potential	Time Investment
Survey Sites	$0.50–$3.00/survey	$30–$100	3–5 hours/week
Gaming Apps	Minimal daily	Varies significantly	Flexible hours
App Review Platforms	Up to $50/hour	Depends on availability	As needed

These differences highlight the varying levels of effort and potential rewards across these platforms.

Platform Requirements

Survey sites demand consistent focus and honest answers. They’re ideal for multitasking during activities like commuting or watching TV .

Gaming apps, while less structured, often require basic tech skills and may involve spending on in-app purchases .

The level of user commitment and technical knowledge needed can significantly influence which option suits an individual better.

Payment Speed and Reliability

Payment reliability and speed are key factors when choosing a platform. Survey sites generally process payments quickly - examples include Opinion Outpost (around 15 minutes) and Survey Junkie (3–4 days) .

Gaming apps, however, can be less dependable. Users frequently report delayed or missing payments, and some apps have even shut down unexpectedly .

"The biggest risk is the unknown of how that data is going to be used. You really are putting yourself at the mercy of those sites and saying, 'OK, I'm going to trust you to be a good steward of the information I give you.'"

Key Payment Tips:

Verify that payouts comply with local laws.
Look for platforms offering PayPal or gift card options.
Check reviews to gauge a platform’s reliability before committing time .

Making Your Choice

Key Points to Keep in Mind

Survey sites provide consistent earnings ranging from $0.50 to $3.00 per survey, while gaming apps offer more casual use but with lower and less predictable payouts.

Here’s a quick comparison of how they differ:

Factor	Survey Sites	Gaming Apps
Time	Structured blocks	Flexible sessions
Earnings	Consistent	Variable
Payments	Dependable	Less reliable
Effort	Focused tasks	Casual gaming

Choosing Based on Your Needs

Your ideal platform depends on your schedule and what you’re looking to get out of it. Here’s how they stack up:

Go for survey sites if you:
- Have set free time to dedicate
- Can focus on completing specific tasks
- Want dependable, small payouts
- Prefer payments via PayPal
Opt for gaming apps if you:
- Have an unpredictable schedule
- Enjoy playing games casually
- Don’t rely on the income
- Are okay with receiving gift cards as rewards

Which Platform Stands Out?

If earning extra cash is your priority, survey sites are generally the better option. They’re more dependable for steady, supplemental income. Gaming apps, on the other hand, are better suited for entertainment but usually fall short in terms of payout potential.

"Make sure, though, that whichever app or site you choose is one that's going to deliver earnings that justify the time investment. What that looks like will vary from person to person, but there's no shortage of options to consider." - FinanceBuzz