10 Best Reward Apps for Teens in 2026 — Earn Money From Your Phone (Under 18)
Reward Apps for Teens: 10 You Can Actually Use Under 18
Most money-making apps are built for adults. They require you to be 18+, link a bank account, or cash out through PayPal (which requires you to be 18). But teenagers want to earn too — whether it's for gaming, clothes, or just having their own spending money.
We tested 30+ apps specifically for teen eligibility: can someone under 18 sign up? Can they withdraw without a parent's bank account? Are there gift card options that work for teens? Only 10 passed all three tests. See our full reward apps for students guide for college-specific tips.
Important: Apps marked with a ⚠️ require parental consent or a parent account for teens under 18. We note exactly what each app requires.
Quick Comparison: Reward Apps Teens Can Use
| App | Min. Age | Parental Consent? | Min. Withdrawal | Payout Method | Best For | |-----|----------|-------------------|-----------------|---------------|----------| | Zarfo | No age limit | No ⚠️ | $5 | Gift cards | Quick daily earning | | Swagbucks | 13+ | Yes (under 18) ⚠️ | $5 (Amazon) | Gift cards | Surveys & shopping | | Mistplay | 13+ | No ⚠️ | $5 | Gift cards | Mobile gaming | | Survey Junkie | 16+ | No ⚠️ | $5 | PayPal, gift cards | Quick surveys | | Google Opinion Rewards | 13+ | No ⚠️ | $2 | PayPal, Google Play | Micro-surveys | | Microsoft Rewards | 13+ | Yes (under 18) ⚠️ | $5 | Gift cards | Passive search earning | | Freecash | 13+ | No ⚠️ | $5 | Gift cards, crypto | Fast payouts | | Ibotta | 13+ (parent account) ⚠️ | Yes | $20 | PayPal, gift cards | Grocery cash back | | InboxDollars | 13+ | Yes (under 18) ⚠️ | $15 | Gift cards | Reading emails | | Slidejoy | 13+ | No ⚠️ | $5 | PayPal | Phone lock screen |
1. Zarfo — Best for Teens Who Want Quick Daily Earnings
What it is: A free rewards platform where you earn credits through spin wheels, scratch cards, raffles, and daily check-ins — then redeem for gift cards starting at $5.
Why it's great for teens:
- No age requirement — anyone can sign up
- No credit card or bank account needed — just an email
- No surveys that disqualify you for being young — every activity pays
- $5 minimum withdrawal — reach payout fast
- Instant gift card delivery — no waiting for PayPal processing
- Gift cards teens actually want — Amazon, Google Play, Netflix, gaming credits
- Daily check-in streaks — earn every day just for showing up
How teens use it: Open Zarfo for 2 minutes between classes. Spin the wheel, scratch a card, do your daily check-in, and close the app. That's it — $10–$40/month with minimal effort. See our welcome guide for getting started.
Realistic monthly earnings: $10–$40 for consistent daily use.
The catch: Gift cards only (no cash). For most teens, Amazon and Google Play gift cards are just as good as cash. For direct cash options, see instant cash out apps.
👉 Start earning for free: Join Zarfo
2. Swagbucks — Surveys and Shopping (Age 13+ with Parent)
What it is: The largest get-paid-to platform with surveys, shopping, web searches, and videos. $900M+ paid since 2008. See apps like Swagbucks for alternatives.
Why it's good for teens:
- Age 13+ with parental consent
- Amazon gift card minimum is only $5 (500 SB points)
- Multiple earning methods — if surveys disqualify you for age, switch to videos or games
- Search earning — use Swagbucks search instead of Google and earn passively
How teens use it (with parent): A parent signs up and adds the teen as a household member. The teen can then take surveys, watch videos, and play games that pay real money on the parent's account.
Realistic monthly earnings: $10–$30 for teens using surveys and videos.
The catch: Teens can't have their own account until 18. Parent manages the account and withdrawals. Survey disqualifications are common for younger demographics.
3. Mistplay — Earn by Playing Mobile Games (Age 13+)
What it is: The leading mobile game reward app. Download games, play for minutes, and earn units that convert to gift cards. Android only. See apps like Mistplay for alternatives.
Why it's great for teens:
- Age 13+ — no parental consent required
- Gaming is what teens already do — earn for playing mobile games
- $5 minimum for gift cards — reach payout in 1–2 weeks
- No surveys or personal questions — just play games
- Gift cards for gaming — Google Play, Xbox, Roblox, and more
- No credit card required — totally free
How teens use it: Download games from Mistplay's library, play for 5+ minutes each, and earn units. Most reward apps require surveys, but Mistplay is pure gaming. See play to earn games for more options.
Realistic monthly earnings: $5–$25 for regular mobile gamers.
The catch: Android only — no iOS version. Gift cards only, no PayPal. Earning rate slows as you level up in each game.
4. Survey Junkie — Quick Surveys (Age 16+)
What it is: A survey-only platform with a clean interface and fast payouts. 100 points = $1, $5 minimum withdrawal. See our paid survey apps comparison.
Why it's good for teens:
- Age 16+ — no parental consent required
- $5 minimum PayPal withdrawal — cash out quickly
- Better qualification matching — get surveys relevant to your age group
- Instant PayPal payout — no waiting
How teens use it: Sign up with email, fill out demographic profile (age, location, interests), and take surveys. Teens 16–17 actually qualify for more surveys than adults because brands want Gen Z opinions.
Realistic monthly earnings: $5–$20 for teens (fewer surveys than adults, but higher qualification rates for teen-specific studies).
The catch: PayPal requires you to be 18 for full verification. Teens can redeem for Amazon gift cards instead. Survey-only — no other earning methods on slow days. See side hustle ideas for more teen-earning options.
5. Google Opinion Rewards — 30-Second Surveys (Age 13+)
What it is: Google's own survey app. Answer 1–3 question micro-surveys in under 30 seconds. $2 minimum withdrawal.
Why it's great for teens:
- Age 13+ — no parental consent required
- Quickest earning-per-minute of any app on this list
- $2 minimum — the lowest withdrawal threshold anywhere
- No survey disqualifications — if you get a survey, you get paid
- Made by Google — the most trustworthy app for teens
- Google Play credit — perfect for buying apps, games, and in-app purchases
How teens use it: Download the app, answer location and opinion surveys as they arrive (2–4 per week). Each takes under 30 seconds. It's the easiest make money from your phone method for teens.
Realistic monthly earnings: $2–$10. Low total, but extremely high per-minute.
The catch: Survey frequency is unpredictable. You might get 5 surveys one week and 0 the next. Google Play credit is only useful for Android users. iOS users get PayPal. Best as a supplementary earner paired with Zarfo.
6. Microsoft Rewards — Passive Search Earning (Age 13+ with Parent)
What it is: Earn points for using Bing searches, completing daily quizzes, and Xbox achievements. 5,000 points = $5 gift card. See Zarfo vs Microsoft Rewards vs Rakuten.
Why it's good for teens:
- Age 13+ with parental consent
- Change your search engine to Bing — earn passively while doing homework
- $5 minimum for Xbox gift cards — perfect for teen gamers
- Daily quizzes — earn 30–50 points in 2 minutes
- Xbox achievements earn points — gamers score double
How teens use it: Set Bing as your default search, do daily quizzes (2 min), and play Xbox. Points accumulate passively. See our reward apps for students guide for more school-compatible earning.
Realistic monthly earnings: $5–$15/month. Low but completely passive.
The catch: You have to use Bing. Parent sets up the account. Xbox gift cards and Amazon are the most useful gift cards for teens.
7. Freecash — Fast Payouts for Surveys and Offers (Age 13+)
What it is: A newer platform focused on speed — quick surveys, fast offerwall tasks, and some of the lowest withdrawal minimums available. See apps like Freecash for alternatives.
Why it's good for teens:
- Age 13+ — no parental consent required
- $5 minimum — reach payout fast
- Gift card payouts — no PayPal verification needed for teens
- Instant delivery — most gift cards arrive in minutes
- Leaderboard bonuses — competitive teens can earn extra
How teens use it: Complete surveys and free offerwall tasks (download apps, try free trials). Skip anything that asks for credit card info. Stick to free money apps that don't require purchases.
Realistic monthly earnings: $10–$40 for active teen users.
The catch: Offerwall tasks sometimes require credit card info for trials. Only do free tasks. Some survey topics skew adult (finance, insurance) and will disqualify teen respondents.
8. Ibotta — Grocery Cash Back (Age 13+ with Parent)
What it is: The dominant grocery cash back app. Browse offers, buy items, scan your receipt, and earn. Works at Walmart, Target, and 1,000+ stores. See our cash back apps guide.
Why it's good for teens:
- Age 13+ (on parent's account)
- Learn budgeting while earning — plan grocery trips with offers, save money
- Works at stores teens already go to — Walmart, Target, CVS
- Gift card payouts available — don't need PayPal
How teens use it: A parent signs up and adds the teen as a household member. The teen can browse offers, help with grocery shopping, and scan receipts. It's practical money management education. For more options, see best apps to make money fast.
Realistic monthly earnings: $5–$15 for families who shop at partner stores.
The catch: $20 minimum is high for teens. Requires being on a parent's account. You need to physically go grocery shopping to earn.
9. InboxDollars — Read Emails and Take Surveys (Age 13+ with Parent)
What it is: Earn dollars for reading promotional emails, taking surveys, and watching videos. $80M+ paid since 2006. See apps like InboxDollars for alternatives.
Why it's good for teens:
- Paid emails — literally just open emails ($0.01–$0.05 each)
- Age 13+ with parental consent
- Dollar-denominated balance — easy to understand how much you've earned
- Gift card payouts — don't need PayPal
How teens use it: Sign up under a parent's account. Open paid emails daily (30 seconds), take occasional surveys, and watch videos. It's the lowest-effort beermoney app that teens can use.
Realistic monthly earnings: $5–$15 for consistent use.
The catch: $15 minimum withdrawal is high. Per-email earnings are tiny. Gift card selection is smaller than Swagbucks. Best as a supplementary earner.
10. Slidejoy — Earn for Unlocking Your Phone (Age 13+)
What it is: An app that shows ads on your phone's lock screen. You earn points every time you unlock your phone, whether you engage with the ad or not. See slidejoy alternatives for more passive options.
Why it's great for teens:
- Age 13+ — no parental consent required
- Zero active effort — just unlock your phone like normal
- $5 minimum withdrawal — low threshold
- PayPal payout — real money, no gift cards required
- Totally passive — earn every time you check your phone
How teens use it: Install Slidejoy, set it as your lock screen, and forget about it. The app shows an ad when you unlock your phone. Swipe right to go to your home screen (and earn). It's the most passive passive income app on this list.
Realistic monthly earnings: $2–$8/month. Low but zero effort.
The catch: Very low earning rate. Only works with certain Android phones. PayPal payout requires you to be 18, so teens under 18 need to use a parent's PayPal or find alternatives. For better passive options, see reward apps that actually pay.
How Teens Can Maximize Earnings (The Teen Stack)
Teens have an advantage: more free time, fewer expenses, and brands that want your opinions (Gen Z opinions are valuable to survey companies). Here's the optimal teen earning stack:
The Teen Earning Stack
| App | Time/Day | Monthly Earnings | Notes | |-----|----------|-----------------|-------| | Zarfo | 2 min | $10–$40 | Daily check-in, spin, scratch | | Mistplay | 15 min | $5–$25 | Play games you'd play anyway | | Google Opinion Rewards | 1 min | $2–$10 | 30-second surveys | | Swagbucks (parent) | 10 min | $10–$30 | Surveys + search | | Slidejoy | 0 min | $2–$8 | Passive lock screen | | Microsoft Rewards (parent) | 3 min | $5–$15 | Bing searches + quizzes | | Total | ~30 min | $35–$130+/mo | Stacking 3–5 apps |
The key is consistency. 5–10 minutes with 3 apps every day earns more than 2 hours with 1 app once a week. Start with Zarfo for daily check-ins, add Mistplay for gaming, and layer in Google Opinion Rewards for micro-surveys.
Age-Specific Strategy
Ages 13–15 (parent account required for most apps):
- Zarfo (independent, no parent needed)
- Google Opinion Rewards (independent)
- Mistplay (independent)
- Swagbucks, Ibotta, InboxDollars (parent's account)
Ages 16–17 (more independence):
- Everything above, plus:
- Survey Junkie (independent at 16+)
- Freecash (independent at 13+)
- More survey opportunities — brands pay more for older teen opinions
Earning Safety Tips for Teens
✅ Do:
- Use apps that don't require credit card info
- Stick to gift card payouts if you're under 18
- Ask a parent before signing up for anything
- Keep personal info minimal (use a school email, not your main email)
- Use legit money making apps that have verified payouts
❌ Don't:
- Give out your Social Security number to any app
- Pay to join an earning app (legit ones are free)
- Use apps that require bank account linking without parent permission
- Fall for "get rich quick" claims — real apps earn $20–$100/month, not $500/day
Reward Apps for Teens FAQ
Can a 13-year-old use money-making apps?
Yes, several apps allow 13+ users: Zarfo (no age limit), Mistplay (13+), Google Opinion Rewards (13+), Freecash (13+), and Slidejoy (13+). Swagbucks, Ibotta, and InboxDollars allow teens on parent accounts. See our full reward apps for students guide for college-level options.
How can teens withdraw money without PayPal?
Most teens under 18 can't have a verified PayPal account. Use these withdrawal methods instead:
- Gift cards — Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Netflix (Zarfo, Swagbucks, Mistplay)
- Google Play credit — Google Opinion Rewards
- Parent's PayPal — with parent approval (Survey Junkie, Slidejoy)
Zarfo is the easiest for teens because it offers instant gift cards with no PayPal required. See how to earn free gift cards for more options.
Which app pays teens the most?
For pure earning potential: Zarfo ($10–$40/month) and Swagbucks ($15–$50/month on a parent account). For gaming teens: Mistplay ($5–$25/month). For lazy earning: Slidejoy ($2–$8/month, zero effort). See free money apps for the full ranking.
Are money-making apps safe for teens?
The apps on this list are all established platforms with verified payout histories. Safety tips for teens: never share your Social Security number, never pay to join, never link a bank account without parental approval, and only use apps recommended by trusted sources. For verification tips, see our Zarfo review.
Can I earn money from my phone as a teenager?
Yes — Zarfo, Mistplay, Google Opinion Rewards, and Freecash all work on phones for teens 13+. You don't need a computer or bank account. Gift cards are delivered directly to the app. For phone-specific tips, see make money from your phone.
Start Earning as a Teen Today
You don't need to be 18 to start earning. Pick 2–3 apps, give them a week, and see what fits your schedule:
- Zarfo — 2-minute daily check-in, no age limit, $5 minimum → Start free
- Mistplay — Play mobile games, earn gift cards (age 13+) → See alternatives
- Google Opinion Rewards — 30-second surveys, $2 minimum (age 13+)
Three apps, zero cost, zero parent involvement (for most). Start earning today.