15 Legit Apps That Pay You to Sign Up (Instant Bonuses)

These are sign-up bonuses you can start earning right away. Some apps credit your bonus within minutes, while others pay out once you reach a small balance or wait for your next payout cycle.

I verify each offer every month to confirm it’s still active and paying.

Best Instant Sign-Up Bonuses That Pay Today

App / Site	Bonus	How to Cash Out Same Day
MoneyLion	$5 instantly	Bonus added right away, withdraw to bank account
Cash App	$5 instantly	Send $5 to a friend, receive your bonus instantly, and withdraw the funds right away.
Survey Junkie	$5 after 5 surveys	Hit $5 minimum and cash out to PayPal or bank the same day
Freecash	$5+	Earn from offers/surveys, withdraw via PayPal, crypto, or gift cards
Venmo	$5 instantly	Send $5 to a friend → bonus credited → withdraw instantly

#1. MoneyLion: Get a $5 Instant Bonus and a $50 Direct Deposit Bonus

What you get:	$5 added to your MoneyLion Rewards balance.
When:	Instantly.
Instant withdrawals:	Available.
Payment options:	Withdraw the funds to your linked bank account.

When I tested MoneyLion’s RoarMoney account, I received $5 instantly with no deposit required.

It was one of the fastest and easiest bonuses I’ve come across — the money showed up right away and I was able to cash it out without any issues. While it’s not the largest bonus available, the speed and simplicity make it a solid option if you’re looking for quick, low-effort cash.

You can earn another $50 by setting up direct deposit.

There’s a $1 monthly fee, but you can cancel anytime and keep your bonus. I had no issues withdrawing the $5 straight to my bank.

If you’re asked to enter a promo code, enter thewaystowealth.

Full details are available on our MoneyLion referral bonus page.

Sign up for MoneyLion.

#2. Cash App: Get a $5 Sign-Up Bonus

What you get:	New users a $5 bonus in your Cash App account when you send a $5 payment to someone who already has the app with referral code: BWSPWFR
When:	The bonus is credited instantly once you send a $5 payment.
Instant withdrawals:	Available
Payment options:	Bank account transfer

Cash App is offering a $5 bonus when you sign up using the referral code BWSPWFR (code is automatically applied using this link).

After downloading the app and completing the registration, you must enter this referral code within 14 days to qualify.

To earn the bonus, simply link a debit card or bank account and send a $5 payment to someone who already uses Cash App. Once that payment is processed, the $5 bonus is credited directly to your account.

With your bonus available, you can instantly transfer the funds to your bank or use them within the app.

For full details, visit our Cash App referral code page. To explore additional ways to earn free money on Cash App, check out our guide on earning free money on Cash App.

Visit Cash App.

#3. Survey Junkie: $5 After Your First Five Surveys

What you get:	$5 in points.
When:	Instantly.
Instant withdrawals:	Available.
Payment options:	PayPal deposit, gift cards or bank transfer.

Survey Junkie is one of the few survey sites where a same-day $5 cash-out is realistic. In my testing of Survey Junkie, I averaged about $3.75 per hour.

With the sign-up and profile bonuses, about 1.5 to 2 hours of focused work is often enough to reach the $5 cash-out minimum on Day 1 (though results depend on survey availability and qualifications).

Completing the QuickStart checklist and the first five profile or “medley” surveys gives you an initial balance boost, and installing the optional “Surf-to-Earn” extension or app can add a small bonus while unlocking more survey opportunities.

Some users report needing to verify their ID before a first withdrawal, so be aware of that step.

Sign up for Survey Junkie.

#4. Freecash: $5 Sign-Up Bonus + Day-One Payout Potential

What you get:	Bonus is added right away. To cash out, you’ll need $20 in total earnings (bonus + $15 more). After the first payout, the minimum drops to just $5.
When:	Yes. PayPal and crypto usually process instantly once the threshold is met.
Instant withdrawals:	Available.
Payment options:	Redeem instantly via PayPal, crypto (BTC, ETH, LTC), or gift cards.

Freecash gives you a $5 bonus at sign-up, but you’ll need to earn an additional $15 to request your first withdrawal. That first $20 hurdle is reachable on Day 1 if you pick the right offers — when I tested Freecash, I completed a $20 donation offer to the American Cancer Society that paid $27 back, plus a few smaller tasks, which put me over the line.

Freecash regularly features best-in-class finance offers. The platform also has a large catalog of games and surveys, though surveys can have a high disqualification rate. Some offers may take a bit longer to be confirmed or credited.

The big advantage is that after your first $20 withdrawal, the minimum drops to $5, making it much easier to cash out small amounts quickly. Freecash also runs daily and monthly leaderboards where top users win bonus prizes.

Sign up for Freecash.

#5 Venmo: Get a $5 Sign-Up Bonus

What you get:	Earn a $5 bonus credited to your Venmo account when you sign up using a referral link.
When:	The bonus is added once you sign up, verify your account, link your bank account or debit card, and send a $5 payment to someone who already uses Venmo.
Instant withdrawals:	Once the bonus is credited, you can use it directly for payments or transfer it instantly to your linked bank account.
Payment options:	Bank account transfer

Download the Venmo app from this link.

After verifying your account and linking your payment method, send a $5 payment to a friend or family member who already has Venmo. Once that transaction is processed, the $5 bonus is automatically added to your Venmo balance.

Download Venmo.

#6. InboxDollars: Get a $5 Bonus Just for Signing Up

What you get:	$5 cash added to your account balance.
When:	Instantly upon confirming your email address.
Instant withdrawals:	Available to withdraw after reaching $15 in total earnings.
Payment options:	PayPal, gift card, or prepaid Visa card.

InboxDollars is an easy-to-use rewards site that offers a straightforward $5 bonus for new members. The bonus is automatically added to your account after signing up and confirming your email address.

To withdraw your money, you’ll need to earn at least $10 on the platform (initial $5 bonus+$10 in earnings). Tips for earning money quickly on InboxDollars include:

• Completing offers from legitimate companies.
• Earning cash back through online shopping.
• Uploading copies of your shopping receipts.
• Taking short surveys.
• Referring friends (you’ll get $3 per referral who earns $30 in their first 60 days, plus 4% of their lifetime earnings).

Read our InboxDollars review or sign up for InboxDollars.

#7. Branded Surveys: Get a 100-Point Signup Bonus Instantly

What you get:	$1 bonus upon signup.
When:	After confirming your email address.
Instant withdrawals:	Available once the minimum withdrawal amount of $5 is reached.
Payment options:	PayPal, bank account and gift cards.

Branded Surveys is one of the best online survey sites. By completing surveys, you can earn points that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. See our Branded Surveys review for more details.

When you sign up, you immediately receive a 100-point bonus, which is equivalent to $1. This can be a quick and easy way to earn a bit of money today, especially since the bonus can be withdrawn instantly via PayPal once you hit the low minimum to cash out, which is just $5.

Beyond the signup bonus, you’ll earn points for each survey you complete. The number of points you earn per survey varies, but most surveys take around 15 minutes to complete and offer between 50 and 500 points.

Download Branded Surveys.

#8. Robinhood: Free Share of Stock (Valued Up to $200)

What you get:	Free stock valued between $5 and $200
When:	Immediately upon linking a bank account
Instant withdrawals:	Can sell after 2 days; withdraw after 30 days.
Payment options:	Bank transfer

Robinhood gives new U.S. customers a free fractional share of stock simply for opening an account and linking a bank account. No deposit or trade is required.

You’re guaranteed stock from a list of 26 large U.S. companies (examples include Apple, Amazon and Microsoft), with 98% of users receiving a value between $5 and $10. A small percentage of users get $20 or more, and in rare cases up to $200.

Here’s how it works:

• Once your account is approved and your bank is linked, Robinhood credits the stock within about a week.
• You can sell the stock after three trading days.
• However, the cash value can’t be withdrawn for 30 days after you claim it.

That means your first “cash in hand” date will be about a month out, though you’ll see the stock in your account right away. Keep in mind that the value may fluctuate during the holding period — if the stock drops, your payout could be slightly less than the initial award.

This is one of the fastest brokerage bonuses to qualify for since there’s no funding requirement. Most competing offers (like Webull or Moomoo) require deposits of $100 or more. Still, it’s important to note: this promo is limited to one account per new customer, U.S. only, and the value will be reported as income on a Form 1099-MISC.

See full details of Robinhood’s free stock promo.

Visit Robinhood.

#9. Swagbucks: Get a $10 Bonus After Spending $25

What you get:	1,000 SB (equivalent to $10) after making a qualifying $25+ purchase through Swagbucks.
When:	Complete the $25 purchase within 30 days of registration. You’ll get the bonus around 30 to 90 days after purchase.
Instant withdrawals:	Available to withdraw after transaction is validated
Payment options:	PayPal, gift card, or prepaid Visa card.

Sign up for Swagbucks and head to the Swag Ups section of your account to activate the $10 bonus offer.

Then, shop at a participating store via Swagbucks.com/Shop and spend at least $25 in one transaction.

You’ll earn your regular SB for that purchase, plus an additional 1,000 SB bonus (worth $10) once the transaction is validated. The purchase must generate at least 25 SB (roughly 1% back on a $25 spend) to qualify for the bonus.

If you’re planning to shop at popular retailers like Walmart or Home Depot (just two examples among the thousands of stores available on Swagbucks Shop), this is an easy way to get $10 back on something you were going to buy anyway.

Plus, it’s a great introduction to Swagbucks, one of the largest rewards sites. You can earn money on Swagbucks in lots of different ways, from playing games to taking advantage of special offers.

Read our Swagbucks review or sign up for Swagbucks.

#10. Coinbase: Get $30 in Bitcoin

What you get:	$30 in Bitcoin after your first $20+ crypto purchase
When:	Referral bonus posts within 48 hours of your qualifying purchase.
Instant withdrawals:	Available after identity verification
Payment options:	Keep as crypto or convert to cash and withdraw to your bank.

Coinbase is the largest U.S. crypto exchange and one of the easiest platforms for beginners. Their new-user promotion gives you $30 in Bitcoin when you sign up through a referral link, verify your identity, and make a crypto purchase of at least $20 using a bank transfer or debit/credit card.

Once credited, you can sell both your purchased crypto and the bonus, then withdraw the cash to your bank account.

View full details of the Coinbase Sign-Up Bonus.

Visit Coinbase.

#11. Acorns: $20 When You Make a $5 Recurring Investment

What you get:	$20 bonus ($30 for active military personnel).
When:	30 days after setting up a $5 minimum recurring investment.
Instant withdrawals:	Available after 30 days
Payment options:	A bonus is added to your investment account, can withdraw to linked bank account.

Acorns is a popular micro-investing app that makes it easy to start investing with spare change round-ups and recurring investments.

Acorns is currently running a promotion that offers a bonus of $20 to $30. Here are the details on how to claim it.

1. Sign up for Acorns through our promotional link. Active-duty military members should visit this link.
2. Open an Acorns Portfolio account and link a funding source.
3. Set up a recurring investment of at least $5 within 14 days of opening your account.
4. Maintain the investment for 30 days.
5. Keep your paid subscription active until the bonus is received.

Active-duty military members are eligible for an increased bonus of $30 (requires verification through ID.me).

Acorns offers three subscription plans:

• Acorns Bronze: $3/month (basic brokerage account)
• Acorns Silver: $6/month (adds IRA access)
• Acorns Gold: $12/month (full suite of family saving and investing tools)

While the monthly fee is a bit high for small accounts, Acorns can be a great tool for building long-term wealth through features like roundups and recurring investments. The app invests your money in a diversified portfolio of ETFs, based on your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Sign up for Acorns and claim your $20 bonus.

#12. Rakuten: Get a $50 Bonus for Spending $50

What you get:	$50 cash added to your account.
When:	After making a qualifying purchase of $50 or more within 90 days of signing up.
Instant withdrawals:	Payments are made quarterly.
Payment options:	PayPal deposit or paper check.

Rakuten is one of the most established and reliable cash back shopping portals available (see our Rakuten Review). Their current promotion offers new members a generous $50 bonus when they spend $50 within 90 days of signing up.

The platform lets you earn cash back on your regular online shopping. You can:

• Start shopping through Rakuten’s website or app
• Install their browser extension for automatic notifications
• Earn additional cash back through limited-time bonus offers up to 20%

What makes Rakuten particularly attractive is its referral program. After signing up, you can:

• Immediately start referring friends and family
• Earn additional bonuses for each referral who makes a qualifying purchase
• Even refer people living at the same address

For example, you could:

1. Sign up to earn your $50 bonus
2. Refer your spouse or roommate
3. They earn $50, and you get another $50 referral bonus
4. Total potential earnings of $150 for your household

The only minor drawback is that Rakuten pays quarterly rather than instantly, but the higher bonus amount and reliable platform make it well worth the wait.

View the full details of Rakuten’s $30 bonus.

Visit Rakuten.

#13. Ibotta: Get a $5 Bonus

What you get:	Receive a $5 bonus credited to your Ibotta account when you sign up using your referral code and complete your first qualifying offer.
When:	The bonus is added once your first transaction is verified—typically within 24 to 48 hours after you scan your receipt or link your loyalty card.
Instant withdrawals:	Available once your total balance reaches $20.
Payment options:	Withdraw funds via PayPal, direct bank transfer, or redeem them for various gift cards.

Download the Ibotta app and complete the registration process. During sign-up, enter your referral code to activate the $5 bonus offer. Then, activate a qualifying offer before shopping, make your purchase, and verify it by scanning your receipt (or linking your store loyalty card). Once the transaction is confirmed, the $5 bonus is credited to your Ibotta balance.

For more details on maximizing your savings with Ibotta, check out our Ibotta Review and learn more about How Ibotta Works.

Download Ibotta.

#14. Stash: Get $30 When You Deposit $5

What you get:	$30 cash or stock reward
When:	Deposit $5 into your Stash Banking account or Stash Personal portfolio.
Instant withdrawals:	Available to withdraw after maintaining the deposit and reward for 90 days.
Payment options:	Funds can be withdrawn to an external bank account.

Stash is currently offering $30 when you open a new account and deposit $5.

You’ll need to keep both your $5 deposit and the $30 reward invested for at least 90 days to qualify.

That means you’ll pay three months of Stash’s $3 subscription fee, or $9 total. Assuming no change in the stock price (if you received a stock reward), your net profit comes out to roughly $21 pre-tax.

View other Stash promos currently available.

Download Stash Invest.

#15. moomoo: Earn Up to $1,000 in NVDA Stock

What you get:	Get $20 in NVDA stock for depositing $100. Deposit more to unlock up to $1,000 in total NVDA stock rewards.
When:	After registering and making a qualifying deposit. Stock bonuses unlock after maintaining the required balance for 60 days.
Instant withdrawals:	NVDA stock rewards are credited within 5 trading days after the 60-day holding period. After that, you can sell or withdraw funds.
Payment options:	Withdrawals can be made to a linked bank account.

moomoo is a commission-free brokerage that offers one of the most generous free stock bonuses. 

• Deposit $100 → Get $20 in NVDA stock
• Deposit $2,000 → Get $50 in NVDA stock
• Deposit $10,000 → Get $300 in NVDA stock
• Deposit $50,000 → Get $1,000 in NVDA stock

To qualify, you must deposit via ACH, wire, or instant transfer (ACATs are not eligible), and maintain the required balance for 60 days. After that, your NVDA shares are fully unlocked and available to trade.

Important: This bonus is limited to one per customer.

For a comprehensive breakdown of this offer, see our write-up on the moomoo free stock promotion.

Sign up for moomoo.

Sign-Up Bonus FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Apps That Pay You to Sign Up

Playing the sign-up bonus game can be a solid, low-risk side hustle. While the potential isn’t outstanding, the time-to-dollar ratio is high. Ways to earn money from sign bonuses include:

• Free Money Offers. Earn small cash bonuses for signing up or completing simple tasks. Also, see Free PayPal Money.
• Free Stock. Receive free shares when you open and fund an account with a small deposit.
• Free Gift Cards. Get gift cards after signing up and meeting basic purchase requirements.
• Cash Brokerage Bonuses. Earn tiered bonuses by depositing specific amounts into new accounts.
• Crypto Sign-Up Offers. Receive cryptocurrency for completing basic account setup and small trades.
• Banks with Instant Sign-Up Bonuses. Earn cash bonuses by depositing a qualifying amount without long wait times.
• Best Bank Promotions Without Direct Deposit. Qualify for bonuses by maintaining high balances or completing required transactions.

But it should go without saying that you’ll never pay your rent with these types of deals. At the same time, I think they’re valuable because they can help you build your money-making muscle. 

It can be hard to make progress on your financial goals when you’re struggling just to make ends meet, and it can feel like there aren’t any good options for improving your situation.

But the reality is that today, there are more ways to make and save money than at any time in history. You just have to know how to leverage them. And sometimes, getting started is the hardest part.

That’s where offers like these come in: they’re small wins that can take some budget stress off of your shoulders or boost your spirits with a little extra spending money, which can in turn help you focus on the next step in your financial journey.