Apps like Freecash – Earn Money are gaining significant traction, ranking high in download charts on both Apple's App Store and Google Play Store, even surpassing established entertainment platforms. The app's description entices users with the prospect of earning real money by playing games, answering surveys, and shopping online in their spare time. Despite initial skepticism towards online earning claims, the app boasts a high user rating, prompting an investigation into its functionality.
Upon downloading Freecash, users create a profile and select preferred cash-out methods, including PayPal, Visa, Amazon gift cards, or bank transfers. The app then gathers information on users' gaming habits and desired earnings, presenting a range of mobile game apps with advertised rewards for reaching specific in-game milestones. For instance, a task might promise substantial earnings for reaching a certain level in a game like Bingo Blitz.
However, the experience of playing these games can be less straightforward than advertised. One user reported downloading Bingo Blitz via a Freecash link, only to find the gameplay confusing and the promised earnings elusive after 15 minutes. Online forums suggest that achieving the reward thresholds often requires significant time investment and potentially a level of skill that not all users possess. A Freecash spokesperson indicated that specific tasks, like the one described for Bingo Blitz, may be removed and that current offers can involve playing for extended periods over multiple days, with rewards around £32.
Experts note that payments from these apps are typically modest. Glyn Powditch, co-founder of technology marketing company Dream Agility, suggests that the rewards might be worthwhile only if the user genuinely enjoys the game. Freecash, owned by Almedia, states that its platform is not intended to make users rich but rather to offer rewards for activities users might engage in anyway.
These platforms generate revenue by partnering with advertisers who pay to reach Freecash's large user base of over 80 million people. Freecash claims not to sell user data, instead sharing a portion of advertising revenue with users as rewards for engaging with advertised products and achieving milestones. Game companies may utilize these apps to attract new players, as a larger player base can enhance a game's appeal and encourage further sign-ups. Psychologist Janina Steinmetz explains that playing games with others, even virtually, provides a social experience that companies are willing to pay for.
Beyond gaming, these apps also offer rewards for completing surveys, which typically pay between less than 50p and £3 for a 10-to-20-minute duration, resulting in an effective hourly rate below £4. The model often involves enticing users with the promise of 'free' games, which can then lead to in-app purchases as players spend real money to progress faster or access more content. Bingo Blitz, for example, offers in-game credit packages starting at £1.99. Professor Steinmetz highlights that the cumulative cost of these small, easily justifiable purchases can surprise users.