At a Glance
- Yes, you can legitimately earn free PayPal money through survey sites, cashback apps, and reward platforms, but “free PayPal cash codes” and “money generators” are scams.
- The fastest payouts come from apps like Qmee, AttaPoll, and 1Q, which transfer money instantly or same-day, though earnings are modest at typically $2-5 per hour.
- Higher-paying options like User Interviews pay $50-200 per hour but take 5-10 business days and have very low acceptance rates, while mid-tier apps like Branded Surveys and Survey Junkie pay within 24-48 hours.
You’re here for fast, legit ways to add money to your PayPal account. No fake codes. No generators. No scams.
We tested and reviewed the apps below with one focus: how quickly the money actually shows up.
Use the table to compare payout speeds, then see our notes and pro tips for maximizing earnings. In general, apps near the top pay the fastest. Those further down may take longer, but often have higher earning potential.
| App/Platform | Realistic Payout Time | Key Insights |
| Instant Payouts (Same Day) | ||
| — Qmee | Same day | Survey site with low hourly pay but instant PayPal transfers. |
| — AttaPoll | Same day | Mobile survey app with a $2.75 minimum. Payouts can be instant. |
| — 1Q | Same day | Pays $0.25 instantly for each question. Volume is very low, so earnings are limited. |
| — Shopkick | Same day | Earn for scans and small in-store tasks. Rewards are modest, but PayPal withdrawals are fast. |
| Fast Payouts (24–48 Hours) | ||
| — FreeCash | 24–48 hours | Offers and mini-tasks with decent earning potential. |
| — Branded Surveys | 24–48 hours | $5 minimum to cash out. Reliable surveys and steady earnings. You may need to verify your ID to cash out. |
| — Survey Junkie | 24–48 hours | Popular survey site with consistent opportunities. PayPal transfers usually clear within two days. |
| — Mistplay | 24–48 hours | Android gaming rewards app. Earn points by installing and playing selected games, then withdraw to PayPal. |
| — Upside | 24–48 hours | Gas and grocery cashback. $15 minimum payout, usually reached after a couple of fill-ups. |
| — Swagbucks | 24–48 hours | Large reward site with many ways to earn. |
| Standard Payouts (5–10 Business Days) | ||
| — User Interviews | 5–10 business days | Research studies that pay $50–$200 per hour. Highly selective but strong rewards when approved. |
| — UserTesting | 5–10 business days | Website and app testing. Pay is good, but acceptance into tests can be difficult. |
| — Respondent | 5–10 business days | Focus groups and interviews with high rates. Payments can be slow or inconsistent. |
| — Prolific | 5–10 business days* | Academic survey platform. Limited openings, but excellent pay when available. |
| Worth It, But Slow | ||
| — Rakuten | Quarterly (90 days) | Trusted cashback portal with strong rates. Payouts are reliable but only issued once per quarter. |
PayPal cash is just one of the many free money opportunities. You can now get free stocks, gift cards, crypto and cash as well. See the complete list of strategies in: How to Get Free Money.
Instant Payouts: Get Paid Today
#1. Qmee: Instant PayPal Cash-Outs With Low Earnings
Qmee is a survey app that advertises no minimum withdrawal and instant PayPal transfers. In our testing, earnings were very low. We made $1.69 for 46 minutes of work, or about $2.20 per hour, and that included a $1 bonus. Without the bonus, total earnings would have been under $1.
The main advantage is speed. You can cash out even a few cents and have the money in your PayPal account right away. Some users report smooth withdrawals, while others run into errors as we did. It is low risk and low effort, and you may be able to make a few quick dollars today.
In our view it is not worth using long term, as higher paying survey sites offer a better return on your time.
Payment methods: PayPal, gift cards, or donations
Minimum withdrawal amount: None
How long it takes to get paid: Instantly, if the transfer goes through
Read our full Qmee review.
#2. AttaPoll: Quick Surveys With Fast PayPal Cash-Outs
AttaPoll is a mobile survey app available on both iOS and Android. It is beginner-friendly and pays out to PayPal quickly once you reach the low minimum of about $2.75 to $4.50, depending on your region.
When we signed up, we earned a 50-cent bonus plus 10 cents for completing the profile survey. That meant starting with $0.60 already in the account, leaving only about $2 more to cash out.
Surveys typically pay under $2 each.
The app is focused on surveys only. Despite app store descriptions mentioning games, we did not see any games or tasks available. Earnings are modest, but if you want a quick PayPal transfer today, it can get you there.
Minimum withdrawal amount: $2.75–$4.50 (varies by region)
How long it takes to get paid: Often instant once you request a payout
#3. 1Q App: Get Paid Instantly to PayPal for 1-Question Surveys
1Q is a simple app with a simple premise: instead of taking full-length market research surveys, get paid 25 cents to answer a single multiple-choice question — which usually takes just seconds to complete.
The app has good reviews from users, but there are a few things you need to know going in:
- The availability of questions is limited.
- To get the most questions possible, you need to allow push notifications and location tracking.
- Questions expire after a certain period of time or when the response limit is reached, so you have to act quickly.
The good news is there’s no minimum payout threshold, so the limited number of questions doesn’t prevent you from cashing out.
In fact, there’s no cashing out at all: you get paid instantly via PayPal deposit as soon as you complete a question.
Payment methods: PayPal.
Minimum withdrawal amount: None.
How long it takes to get paid: Instantly.
#4. Shopkick: Get Free PayPal Cash for In-Store Tasks
Shopkick is a free app that combines rewards, market research and mystery shopping. The primary way to earn points (which can be redeemed for PayPal cash) is by visiting select retail stores (like supermarkets) and completing various tasks, such as taking photos of product displays, scanning barcodes and verifying pricing information.
You can also earn points by purchasing designated items, scanning receipts, watching video ads and more.
Payment methods: PayPal cash deposit or gift cards.
Minimum withdrawal amount: $2.
How long it takes to get paid: Instantly.
Learn more in our Shopkick review.
Fast Payouts: 24–48 Hours
#5. Freecash: Offers, Games, and Fast PayPal Cashouts
Freecash is a “get paid to” site with surveys, offer walls, and game downloads.
The site can feel overwhelming at first, but it occasionally features “money maker” offers that pay out more than you spend.
For example, during our test we donated $20 to the American Cancer Society and earned $25 back, which allowed us to cash out quickly. Between that, a small task, and the $5 sign-up bonus, we withdrew $31.35 in our first week.
Most earnings come from completing offers or installing and playing games, which can take time. Tasks vary by region, and survey payouts are usually low. The real value is in select offers and higher-paying games, but these often require strategy. Many users turn to Reddit communities to find which games are realistic to complete before investing time.
Payment methods: PayPal, crypto, bank transfer, and gift cards
Minimum withdrawal amount: $5 for PayPal and bank transfer; no minimum for crypto
How long it takes to get paid: Typically 24–48 hours for PayPal; crypto is nearly instant
Learn more in our Freecash review.
#6. Branded Surveys: Quick Surveys That Pay $5+ to PayPal
If you’re looking for ways to get free PayPal cash fast, taking paid surveys through Branded Surveys is one of our top choices.
When we ranked the best paid survey websites, Branded Surveys was one of the top options. It’s a trusted survey site that allows you to exchange points for PayPal cash starting at just $5, making it possible to sign up, start earning and cash-out on the same day.
And since most of the surveys on the site are quick and easy, it’s a great option for people who only have a few minutes at a time.You can learn more about how the site works in our Branded Surveys review.
Branded Surveys tips:
- When viewing the list of available surveys, you can see both the payout and the estimated time required to complete the survey. The ones with the highest payouts may not be the best options. A survey that pays 100 points and takes five minutes is a better deal than one that pays 500 points but takes 45 minutes.
- Check the site for new surveys on a regular basis. Branded Surveys has a ton of members, and each survey has a maximum number of participants. Acting quickly means you’re more likely to have access to the highest-paying surveys.
Payment methods: Branded Surveys pays via PayPal deposit, gift cards or direct transfer to your bank account. Your PayPal account must be fully verified to cash out from Branded Surveys to your PayPal balance.
Minimum withdrawal amount: 500 points, which is roughly $5 in value.
How long it takes to get paid: Branded Surveys is one of the few sites that offers instant points redemption, making it one of the best options when you need to make money fast.
#7. Survey Junkie: Large Inventory of Surveys with $5 Minimum Cashout
Survey Junkie is a long-running survey panel backed by a major market research company. Unlike many sites that mostly aggregate third-party surveys, Survey Junkie includes exclusive studies and occasional product trials and focus groups for active users.
In our testing, we earned an average of $3.75 per hour. Qualification rates were fair and improved after completing the profile surveys. Time estimates can run a bit short, so plan for surveys to take slightly longer than listed. Earnings are modest, but the flow of available studies is strong.
You can opt in to Surf to Earn via app or browser extension for extra points. It requires sharing browsing data, so only install it if you are comfortable with the tradeoff. The upside is access to additional surveys and small passive earnings.
Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer via Dwolla, and gift cards
Minimum withdrawal amount: 500 points ($5)
How long it takes to get paid: Typically within a few hours, up to 24–48 hours. ID verification may be required.
Read our full findings in the Survey Junkie review.
#8. Mistplay App: Play Games on Android
Mistplay is an Android-only app that allows you to earn rewards by playing games and providing feedback to developers. It’s a standalone get paid to play games app focusing solely on gaming without any cash-back shopping or survey aspects.
The app is often used by game developers to gather feedback on games they’re working on.
You earn points, referred to as Units, for playing the games and sharing valuable feedback. However, not all games require feedback. Often, it’s as simple as logging time playing the game.
The more experience a user has playing an individual game, as well as with the app overall, the more they earn.
The games available are dependent upon the user’s location. Some of the more popular options on the platform include Raid, Words With Friends 2 and Yahtzee.
Mistplay tips:
- Play games you enjoy. Since the payout isn’t extremely high, it’s best to choose games that you genuinely enjoy playing. This way, you’re having fun while earning a bit of extra cash.
- Level up. With some games, as you gain more experience you earn more points. Stick with a few games you like and try to level up as much as possible.
- Check for new games. Mistplay frequently adds new games to their platform. Regularly check for new games that might offer higher earning potential.
Payment methods: The points earned can be cashed out for PayPal money when you’ve accumulated $5 in value.
How long it takes to get paid: Once you’ve requested a cash-out, it takes up to 48 hours for the payment to be processed.
#9. Use the Upside App to Earn Free PayPal Money When You Get Gas
Upside is a free cash-back app that offers a unique feature: in addition to getting cash-back at restaurants, grocery stores and online merchants, you can also earn as much as 25 cents per gallon when you fill up your tank.
Unfortunately, this is not a passive earning option. You have to open Upside and activate each offer to earn rewards, and you have to repeat that step for every purchase.
But it may be worth the effort, depending on how much you drive, as earning $2.50 to $5 per fill-up is not out of the question.
Payment methods: PayPal cash deposit, bank deposit or gift cards.
Minimum withdrawal amount: None, but there’s a $1 fee for small cash-outs.
How long it takes to get paid: About 48 hours.
Learn more in our Upside app review.
#10. Swagbucks: Earn Free PayPal Money With Simple Offers & Surveys
Swagbucks is a popular rewards and cash-back site that offers a number of ways to earn free PayPal money, including answering surveys and getting rebates through its cash-back shopping portal.
In fact, there are over 20 different ways to earn points on the site. And to date, the company has paid out over $740 million in rewards to its members. The points you earn are redeemable for a PayPal deposit or gift cards, and you can get a $10 sign-up bonus when you join using this link.
Out of all the earning methods available on Swagbucks, our favorite (and the best use of your time) is the site’s so-called “money makers,” which are offers where you spend a little bit of money up-front but get paid more in rewards than you spent.
You can earn big with these offers, but there’s often a 30 to 60 day waiting period for points to hit your account.
Swagbucks tips:
- Check out our list of the best Swagbucks hacks to learn what’s worth your time on the platform.
- For a deep dive into how the site works, check out our Swagbucks review.
- Earn bonus points for hitting weekly and monthly activity goals. In the app, you’ll see a meter showing your progress towards your daily goal as well as your seven, 14, 21 and 31-day targets. You can earn hundreds of extra points per month through consistent usage.
Payment methods: Swagbucks allows you to redeem your points in a few different ways. You can choose to receive a PayPal deposit, select a gift card from dozens of major retailers, or use your points to enter “Swagstakes,” which are sweepstakes for items like computers, video game consoles and gift cards.
Minimum withdrawal amount: Swagbucks has no minimum withdrawal amount, although most gift cards start at $3 (300 points). PayPal deposits are usually available in the amounts of $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 and $250.
Also, it’s important to note that Swagbucks will only deposit funds into a PayPal account with the same email address as your Swagbucks account.
How long it takes to get paid: You’ll have to verify your account, which can take anywhere from one to 10 days. Once you’re verified, it usually takes about two days to receive your rewards.
Standard Payouts: 5–10 Business Days
#11. User Interviews: One to One Focus Groups, with High Pay But Low Acceptance
User Interviews matches you to one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and unmoderated tasks. It pays far more than survey sites, but selection is competitive and timing is less predictable. Treat it as something to check daily rather than a quick-cash app.
To give you an example of its potential, in our testing we completed 8 studies in two weeks and earned $360. That was $74 per hour for session time, or $55 per hour including 1 hour and 40 minutes spent applying to 100 studies. Expect good pay when you qualify, but also expect a lot of screeners.
The site is best for patient users who can monitor listings, apply fast, and take daytime sessions. Great “background” option if you want high-paying opportunities when they align with your profile.
Payment methods: Depends on test, but PayPal is an option
Minimum withdrawal amount: None
Time to get paid: Usually a few days, up to 10 days
Read more in our full User Interviews review.
#12. UserTesting: Get $10+ via PayPal for Reviewing Websites
With UserTesting.com, you’ll provide feedback to developers about new websites and applications. The company is 100% legit, with well-known clients like Walmart and Adobe.
In fact, a recent case example highlighted on the company’s website shows how users helped Adobe fine-tune its latest Creative Cloud tutorials.
The pay is typically $10 per 20 minutes of testing, and the work is fairly straightforward. You’ll typically watch a short video, visit a website or app, complete a set of simple tasks, and record your feedback via video or audio.
PayPal payments are sent one week after project completion.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to get accepted into tests. While researching for our review, we completed 46 screener questionnaires and got accepted for zero testing opportunities.
Read our UserTesting review to learn more about the platform.
#13. Respondent: High-Paying Studies With Low Acceptance Rates
Respondent is another research site that works much the same way as User Interviews, but with a few key differences.
Studies are called “projects,” and they lean a little more toward focus groups and professional topics.
That said, there are general population opportunities too — we’ve seen projects for parents, homeowners, and even people who recently shopped for everyday items.
During our test, we applied to 24 projects and were accepted into just one. That one still paid $57 for under an hour of typing answers in a group chat.
Like User Interviews, the challenge is the low acceptance rate.
You’ll want to check in regularly and apply consistently. It may take time before you land something, but the upside is that even a single project can make the effort worthwhile.
Payment methods: PayPal only
Minimum withdrawal amount: None
Time to get paid: Commonly about five business days
Read more in our full Respondent review.
#14. Prolific: Academic Surveys With Strong Pay but Limited Access
Prolific is widely regarded as one of the top-paying survey platforms, largely because it specializes in academic research. Studies are created by universities and researchers, which typically leads to clearer surveys and stronger hourly rates compared to commercial sites.
The catch is access. Prolific is often wait-listed, and even once you’re in, opportunities can be limited because slots fill quickly or surveys are highly targeted. Personally, I’ve been on the waitlist for months and haven’t had the chance to test the platform myself.
That said, if you read through communities where people share side-income ideas, Prolific comes up again and again as one of the few survey sites worth the time. When you do get accepted and take a survey, payments reportedly go straight to PayPal, often within minutes of completing a study.
In short, Prolific is tough to break into, but if you’re patient and manage to get through the waitlist, it’s considered one of the best options for surveys that actually pay decently.
Worth It, But Slow: Long-Term Options
#15. Rakuten: Shop Online and Get Free PayPal Cash Back
With Rakuten, you can get up to 20% cash-back at over 2,500 stores. The site is known for having some of the highest cash-back online shopping rates, but note that it only pays out four times per year.
You don’t have to worry about points with Rakuten. Just use the company’s website, browser extension or mobile app when shopping online.
Sounds great, but is it legit?
Rakuten may have a funny name, but it’s a huge Japanese company with a long-standing reputation. It’s a must-use service for frequent online shoppers, as it consistently offers some of the best cash-back rates you’ll find and has a hassle-free cash-back tracking and payout system.
In fact, one of The Ways To Wealth’s editors is a loyal Rakuten user and has racked up more than $700 in cash back in a little over three years:
Rakuten tips:
- Make sure to install Rakuten’s browser extension: it will alert you any time you visit a site with a cash-back offer, and it will show you whether that offer has been activated.
- You can stack Rakuten with online discount codes.
Payment methods: PayPal deposit or paper check.
Minimum withdrawal amount: You’ll need to have earned at least $5 in cash-back to receive your free PayPal money from Rakuten. Otherwise, your balance will carry over into the next period.
How long it takes to get paid: Rakuten pays every three months. So while it has some of the better cash-back rates online, it’s not a way to earn quick money and will require a little bit of patience.
Sign up for Rakuten and learn more in our Rakuten review
Free PayPal Money FAQ
Yes, you can get free PayPal money for signing up through a friend’s referral link. Also, there are many other websites that pay you for signing up. Often, you can cash out those sign-up bonuses to your PayPal balance. In other cases, you may be able to opt for a free PayPal gift card, even if a direct transfer option isn’t available.
While Sweatcoin does offer PayPal gift cards, you can only qualify for them through referrals — not by actually using the app yourself. You can learn more about Sweatcoin and similar apps in our roundup of apps that pay you to walk.
No. There are no legit PayPal cash codes or generators. Sites that promise these are scams. But you can earn free PayPal money legally through apps and rewards programs — and the best ones are listed in this article.
eBay switched to a managed payments system and stopped allowing sellers to receive payments via PayPal. Sellers are now required to link a checking account. And while PayPal accounts do have a routing and checking number, they are not compatible with the new system. So while eBay is still a great way to generate some extra money quickly, it’s not a good option if you need to replenish your PayPal balance in a flash.
There are too many to list, but avoiding them only takes a little bit of common sense.
In a nutshell, if a website asks you to pay a fee to join, it’s a scam. If the reward seems too good for the time or effort involved, it’s a scam.
And while all online survey sites ask you for personal demographic details, they should never ask you for specific, sensitive information like your Social Security number.
All of the options we covered in this article are well-known, fully-vetted companies that have a good reputation for paying their members as promised.
There’s no such thing as free PayPal cash codes. You can get PayPal gift cards, which add money to your PayPal balance, by leveraging the options on this list. But any site that advertises “free PayPal cash codes” should be avoided.
There is no such thing as a “PayPal money generator” or a “PayPal money adder.” These are scams designed to fleece you out of your money — including whatever funds you have in your PayPal account balance.
Never pay for something that promises to grow your PayPal balance. In addition to losing your money, there’s a high probability you’ll be suspended for invalid PayPal activity. And once you’re suspended, you’ll never be able to use the platform again.
Yes, there are a number. Check out our article on money making apps, which includes various options on how to get free money on PayPal. You may also be interested in this list of game apps that pay via PayPal.
Free PayPal Money: It’s Real, But It Won’t Make You Rich
Short-term, these ideas are fun and a great way to start seeing some extra money in your PayPal account each month.
And what’s better than free money?
But long-term, there are better strategies for ramping up your income than completing offers and doing paid surveys.
If you’re interested, check out our list of the best side hustle ideas.
For more free money opportunities, check out our posts on:
