I mod r/EarnExtraIncome (100K+ members) and have been testing money-making apps since 2016. I get asked constantly which sign-up bonuses are actually worth it — so here’s the honest list of what’s paid out for me personally. No fluff, no expired offers, no apps I haven’t used myself.
Quick note: most of these take under 5 minutes to sign up. Stack a few and you’re looking at $100+ in free money just for trying apps you’d probably use anyway.
Sign up bonuses change every week
Get the ones still paying out in one short email every Friday, with the catch on each one so you skip the duds.
Best Sign-Up Bonus Apps (Ranked by Bonus Size)
I’ve sorted these by bonus amount so you can prioritize the highest payouts first. All of these have paid out for me or members of my community — I don’t list anything I can’t personally vouch for.
1. Current
$75 BonusCurrent is a free banking app with no credit check and no fees. Use code WELCOME75 and set up $1,500 or more in direct deposits within 45 days. The $75 bonus hits within 10 days. That’s it. You also get access to up to $1,000 early before payday once you’re set up.
2. Bigcash
$15 BonusBigcash is one of the better app-testing platforms right now with 3,000+ live offers. You get paid to test games and apps, and the $15 welcome bonus is one of the highest straight sign-up payouts in this category. Payouts are real cash, not points you have to convert.
3. Freecash
$10 BonusFreecash pays you to complete tasks, surveys, and app offers. The $10 sign-up bonus is solid, and the $5 cashout minimum means you’re not waiting forever to actually see money. PayPal, crypto, and gift card options available. Top users pull $250 a day — that’s not typical, but the earning potential is real.
4. Fundrise
$10 BonusFundrise lets you invest in real estate starting at $10. The $10 welcome bonus effectively makes your first investment free. This one’s different from the other apps here — it’s less about quick cash and more about building passive income over time. Worth it if you want something that compounds.
5. Arrived
Start with $100
Arrived lets you invest in rental properties and vacation rentals with as little as $100. You get a share of rental income and any appreciation when the property sells — no landlord responsibilities, no tenant calls. Monthly income hits automatically. It’s one of the more passive ways to add real estate to your portfolio without a big upfront commitment.
6. Swagbucks
$10 Bonus
Swagbucks is the largest rewards site out there with 20M+ members and a legitimate track record. You earn SB points for shopping, watching videos, surveys, and app offers, then cash out via PayPal or gift cards. New members get $10 just for signing up and completing a few starter tasks. If you’re already shopping online, the cashback alone makes this worth having.
7. Nielsen
$60/Year PassiveNielsen pays you $60 a year to run a background app while you browse normally. You install it, forget about it, and get paid. No surveys, no tasks, nothing to do. It collects anonymous usage data and sends you rewards for participating. Works on desktop and mobile.
8. Branded
Up to $100/OfferBranded has been featured on CBS and pays you to test games and apps. The sign-up bonus is only $1, so it’s not the reason to join — but the per-offer payouts go up to $100, which is where it gets interesting. If you’re already doing app testing on other platforms, this is worth adding to the rotation.
FAQs
There are many ways you can get $5 for free just for signing up. Checkout 51, Opinion Inn, BeFrugal, and InboxDollars all offer a $5 bonus for signing up as long as you meet the corresponding requirements.
The majority of the apps listed above give you money for signing up. As long as you meet the requirements, you can earn rewards for being a new member. You can also see the full list of sign up bonus apps.
There are many ways to earn a sign up bonus, though each typically requires opening a new account. Some apps reward you just for becoming a member, while others require you to act within a certain time frame, complete tasks, or even refer friends and family. For bigger offers, see the $10 sign up bonuses and the $20 sign up bonuses.
Stack These and See What Happens
The best move is to not pick just one. Sign up for Current first (biggest bonus), then Bigcash and Freecash while you’re at it. If you want something totally passive, add Nielsen and forget about it. That’s $100+ in sign-up bonuses with maybe 20 minutes of total effort.
I update this list monthly — if something stops paying out or a better offer comes up, I swap it. Questions? Drop them in r/EarnExtraIncome and I’ll answer there.
Sign up bonuses change every week
Get the ones still paying out in one short email every Friday, with the catch on each one so you skip the duds.
wow this is amazing