17 Sign-Up Bonus Apps With Instant (or Fast) Payouts

We’ve tested hundreds of apps that claimed you could get paid to sign up — and many weren’t worth the download. But these 17 actually delivered.

We earned over $200 just from withdrawable welcome bonuses, often without spending a cent. Some paid us instantly. Others took a day or two. All were easy, legit, and required little more than creating an account.

If you’re looking for fast wins you can stack in a single afternoon, this list of sign-up bonus apps is a great place to start.

Jump to a Sign-Up Bonus

1. Fetch – $3
2. Freecash – $5
3. InboxDollars – $5
4. Cash App – $5
5. Survey Junkie – $1.70
6. Branded Surveys – $1
7. Rakuten – $30
8. Ibotta – $5
9. Upside – 15¢/gal
10. TikTok – $20
11. Robinhood – $5 to $200 stock
12. Acorns – $20
13. Coinbase – $5 BTC
14. Pogo – $1 to $3+
15. MoneyLion – $5 to $55
16. Upromise – $30.29
17. Moomoo – up to 30 stocks

Top Apps With Instant or Easy Sign-Up Bonuses

These were the fastest, easiest bonuses we tested — most had same-day withdrawal, and a few hit our accounts instantly. None required more than a few minutes to unlock, and several didn’t need a deposit at all.

1. Fetch — $3 After First Receipt Scan

Fetch is one of the easiest sign-up bonus apps we’ve used — you’ll earn $3 just for signing up and scanning a receipt.

This year, my wife and I have already cashed out $70 in free Amazon gift cards from our regular Walmart and Target runs. With three kids and three stinky dogs, we shop a lot.

Our Walmart account is linked to Fetch, and my wife’s Gmail auto-imports Target e-receipts. You can also just take a photo of any in-store receipt — super simple either way.

You earn 5 points per dollar at major stores, plus additional bonus points on everyday items such as: 

• 1,000 points on chicken  (any brand)
• 600 points for a loaf of bread
• 1,300 points on General Mills cereals
• and 1,500 points for nearly any name-brand laundry detergent.

We’ve also seen 2,500 to 5,000 point offers on baby wipes and diapers — all stackable on top of regular store sales.

It’s a free app with a low $3 withdrawal minimum and a huge range of gift card payout options.

Sign up for Fetch here and enter referral code CBH7XJ during sign-up to unlock the bonus, or learn more in our in-depth Fetch review.

2. Freecash — $5 Bonus After Starting Your First Offer

Freecash gave us one of the fastest bonuses in this entire roundup — $5 for downloading the app, verifying our email, and starting our first offer.

We didn’t need to deposit anything, and with a $5 cash-out minimum for PayPal, crypto, and gift cards, we were able to withdraw nearly instantly.

The real earning potential comes from Freecash’s Offerwall, where you’ll find tasks like testing gaming apps, signing up for services, or completing surveys.

We earned $205.85 by completing just nine offers throughout one weekend — an average of $22.87 each.

Some required small deposits (like $10 on Fanduel or DraftKings), but overall we came out way ahead.

We recommend only completing offers that are relevant to you or that you’ve predetermined are worth the time and/or required spend.

Use this link to try Freecash and instantly get a $5 sign-up bonus.

3. InboxDollars — $5 Bonus After Email Confirmation

InboxDollars credits a $5 bonus as soon as you confirm your email. From there, you can earn by taking surveys, uploading grocery receipts, shopping through their portal, and other small tasks (all tracked in real dollars, not points).

“I didn’t expect to like InboxDollars,” said Megan Robinson, DollarSprout’s Managing Editor, “but after casually using it for a week and semi-passively earning $8, I was sold on its legitimacy.”

For consistent payouts, she recommends focusing on surveys and Magic Receipts, which credited almost instantly during testing. The $15 cash-out threshold is a bit higher than some competitors, but still reachable within a few days of light use.

Create your free InboxDollars account to claim the $5 bonus or check out our InboxDollars review to learn more. 

4. Cash App — $5 Bonus for Sending $5

Cash App is a free mobile payment app for sending money, banking digitally, and investing in stocks or crypto. You can even request a debit card to spend your balance.

It’s also a go-to option for quick payments to friends and family — whether you’re splitting a dinner bill, paying a friend back for concert tickets, or buying and selling on the side (I use it frequently for Pokémon card trades).

The bonus is nice, but the app itself is one you’ll probably keep using.

Most users unlock the sign-up bonus in under five minutes.

To earn your $5, just install the app using a referral link, create an account, and send $5 to another user.

I unlocked the bonus instantly by sending $5 to my wife and vice versa. 

You can use your balance immediately, transfer it to your bank, or keep it in the app.

Use code XDQZMZC to get started with Cash App and unlock your $5 reward.

5. Survey Junkie — $1.70 Bonus for Creating a Profile

Survey Junkie is one of the simplest ways to earn extra money through online surveys.

Signing up is free, and new users earn 170 points (worth $1.70) by completing their profile and confirming their email.

When I signed up, I earned the full bonus in under 10 minutes by walking through the registration steps and completing my profile surveys. You’ll need 500 points ($5) to cash out, but I was able to hit that in just a few hours. Learn more in our Survey Junkie review. 

Surveys typically pay between 20 and 400 points, and Survey Junkie awards small bonuses even when you don’t qualify. You can redeem your points for PayPal cash, gift cards, or direct bank deposits.

Create your free Survey Junkie account to unlock the $1.70 bonus.

6. Branded Surveys — $1 Bonus for Creating an Account

Branded Surveys is a long-time favorite among our editorial team — especially because of how consistently it delivers new surveys and how easy it is to cash out. You’ll get 50 points for signing up and another 50 for your first completed survey.

When Megan tested the app, she earned over 700 points in just over 2 hours and cashed out on her first day. Surveys were clearly labeled with time estimates and point values, and most took less time than expected.

The real appeal is Branded’s Elite bonus program, which rewards consistent users with up to 15% point boosts for hitting weekly milestones. It’s one of the few platforms where gamifying your streak can actually lead to higher payouts.

Create your free account to unlock the $1 bonus and start earning.

Shopping & Cashback Apps That Offer Sign-Up Bonuses

These apps don’t hand you free money just for signing up, but they come close. Each one offers a generous welcome bonus (often $10 to $30) after a qualifying purchase. Time it right, and your bonus can completely offset what you spend, effectively making it free.

7. Rakuten — $30 Bonus on Your First Purchase

Rakuten is one of the longest-standing cashback platforms out there, offering rewards at over 3,500 online and in-store retailers — including Walmart, Target, Sephora, and Best Buy.

You can shop through their app, website, or browser extension and get a percentage back on purchases you were going to make anyway.

I first downloaded Rakuten back in 2016. Since then, I’ve earned over $1,000 in cashback from regular purchases — everything from protein powder and groceries to a new laptop and even a vacation.

It’s basically passive savings once you get in the habit.

To unlock your welcome bonus, just sign up, make a qualifying $30 purchase through Rakuten, and your bonus will be added to your account.

You’ll get paid by check or PayPal once your cashback clears.

Activate your $30 bonus now and start earning with Rakuten.

8. Ibotta — $5 Bonus After Your First Receipt

Ibotta is arguably the most well-known grocery cashback app, with 50+ million users and a network of 2,000+ retailers.

You can earn rewards by scanning receipts, linking loyalty accounts, or shopping online through the app or browser extension.

To unlock a $5 bonus, download Ibotta and submit your first receipt. No special code needed. Just make sure to sign up through a valid promo link.

We’ve tested Ibotta for everything from groceries to takeout and found the $5 bonus hits fast, usually within hours. One of our team’s favorite features? The “Any Brand” offers that reward you for buying staples like milk, eggs, or bread, no matter the label.

Beyond the sign-up bonus, Ibotta regularly runs in-app promotions that can seriously boost your earnings — things like “redeem 3 offers in 3 days, get $3” or brand-specific bonuses that stack on top of regular cashback. These often show up mid-week and tend to add up fast if you’re already shopping for essentials.

Start earning with Ibotta and claim your $5 bonus, or read our Ibotta review.

9. Upside — 15¢/Gal Bonus on First Gas Purchase

Upside is a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants — with most people using it for gas savings.

New users get an extra 15¢ per gallon bonus on their first fill-up, and the best part is it stacks on top of any standard offer in your area.

In our area, we’ve seen Upside offers as high as 61¢/gallon — meaning you could stack that with your welcome bonus and save more than 75¢/gallon on your very first use.

If you’re filling up a 32-gallon tank like we do in our Suburban, that’s nearly $25 back in one shot.

We typically use Kroger fuel points since we spend a lot on groceries for our family, but if your grocery rewards aren’t cutting it (or you don’t have any), Upside is one of the most consistent ways to save.

To claim your bonus, download the app, find a participating station, “claim” the offer, then pay with a linked card and upload your receipt.

Your cashback is credited automatically within a couple of days.

Sign up for Upside here to activate your 15¢/gal bonus and start saving at the pump.

10. TikTok — $20 to Use in TikTok Shop

TikTok is giving new users $20 in credit to spend in TikTok Shop — basically free money if there’s anything you were planning to buy anyway.

Spend exactly $20 and it covers your whole order (before taxes/shipping).

TikTok has been aggressively pushing their shopping platform, and it shows. We’ve seen massive ongoing promos like “Buy 5, Get $100 Off” or “$15 off $30” in our own accounts.

You can stack these with the welcome bonus for huge savings, especially on everyday goods or niche finds.

Personally, I use TikTok Shop to buy Pokémon cards, and I always check for new coupons before placing an order.

All listings come from third-party sellers, so we recommend reading reviews and comparing ratings before checking out.

The bonus applies instantly once your account is verified — no code needed.

Sign up for TikTok here to claim your $20 TikTok Shop bonus and stack it with other sitewide deals.

Investing & Crypto Apps With Real Cash Bonuses

These apps reward you for taking your first steps into investing — whether that’s buying your first stock, setting up a recurring deposit, or simply opening an account. Most offer $10 to $30 in bonus cash or free stock, and some let you cash out without ever spending your own money.

11. Robinhood — Free Stock Worth $5 to $200

Robinhood is a popular commission-free investing app that gives new users a free stock (or fractional share) just for signing up, getting approved, and linking a bank account. The bonus is random — you’ll draw from a list of top U.S. companies, with most users receiving a stock worth $5 to $10.

The cash value is instantly usable for investing, and you can sell the stock after 3 days. You’ll need to wait 30 days before withdrawing the bonus proceeds to your bank.

Our co-founder Jeff Proctor, a former investment analyst, has used Robinhood personally and wrote our full Robinhood review. He still uses it today.

“It’s one of the cleanest platforms out there for beginners. But free trades can trick people into thinking they need to be constantly buying and selling,” Jeff says. “Use it for what it is — a zero-cost way to start investing — and avoid the temptation to overtrade.”

You can buy stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options, all with zero commissions. Just know that while the sign-up bonus is nice, the real value comes from making informed, consistent investments over time.

Open a free Robinhood account to claim your bonus stock. 

12. Acorns — $20 Bonus for Your First Investment

Acorns is a beginner-friendly investing app that rounds up your everyday purchases and invests the spare change. To claim the $20 bonus, new users just need to set up a recurring deposit and complete their first $5 investment.

We like Acorns for its automation and ease of use; it’s especially helpful for anyone trying to build good financial habits with minimal effort.

Start investing with Acorns and claim your $20 bonus, or check out our in-depth review to learn more.

13. Coinbase — $5 in Free Bitcoin + Up to $200 in Learn Bonuses

Coinbase is a beginner-friendly crypto platform where new users can earn $5 in free Bitcoin just for signing up and verifying their account (no deposit required).

I’ve used Coinbase for years and found it to be one of the easiest places to start. In fact, in my first hour on the app, I earned an additional $50 worth of crypto from Coinbase’s Learn program, which pays you to watch quick explainer videos on emerging tokens and networks.

My total earnings from the free Learn rewards now top $100, and all of it can be sold or withdrawn instantly (standard bank processing applies).

Claim your $5 in Bitcoin and explore Coinbase’s Learn rewards.

Passive and Financial App Bonuses

Looking for passive income options or finance-related bonuses? These apps didn’t qualify as “instant wins,” but they offer some of the highest payouts we found with a little patience or setup.

14. Pogo — Up to $3+ for Linking Your Accounts

Pogo is a passive rewards app that pays you for sharing your data — including location, transaction history, and app usage. After linking a few eligible accounts (like your bank or Gmail), most users see a small welcome bonus automatically added to their balance.

You’ll also earn ongoing cash rewards for everyday purchases, surveys, and short in-app actions — all tracked in dollars (not points). Once you hit the $3 payout minimum, you can cash out directly to PayPal or Venmo.

If you’re looking for passive income apps that don’t require constant engagement, Pogo is one of the easiest to set and forget.

15. MoneyLion — $5 Instantly + Up to $55 With Direct Deposit

MoneyLion is a fintech super app that combines banking, investing, and credit tools, and rewards new users with a cash bonus when they get started.

Here’s how to unlock up to $55 in total:

• Get $5 instantly when you open a RoarMoney account using a referral link.
• Get another $50 when you set up direct deposit and receive at least $100.

There’s no credit check, and your $5 bonus shows up right after signup. 

Open your free MoneyLion account to grab your $5 bonus and unlock the full $55 when your first paycheck hits.

16. Upromise — $30.29 Bonus for Joining + Linking a 529

Upromise is a free rewards platform that helps you save for college by turning everyday spending into automatic contributions toward your student loans or 529 savings.

The bonus is split into two parts:

• $5.29 when you sign up and confirm your email
• $25 after linking an eligible 529 or student loan account

As a parent with 529 plans for all three of my kids, I appreciate tools like Upromise that make saving a little easier, especially when they come with free bonus cash just for connecting an account I already use.

17. Moomoo — Up to 30 Free Stocks (Worth $2 to $2,000 Each)

Moomoo is another commission-free trading platform that offers generous stock bonuses for new U.S. users. Depending on your deposit amount, you can unlock up to 30 free stocks, each valued between $2 and $2,000.

Here’s how the tiers work:

• Deposit $100+ — Get 5 stock draws
• Deposit $2,000+ — Get 20 more draws (25 total)
• Deposit $5,000+ — Get 35 additional draws (up to 30 unlocked stocks)

After drawing your stocks, you’ll need to maintain your balance for 60 days to unlock and trade them. Once unlocked, they’re yours to sell or hold, just like any other stock in your portfolio.

Our team earned multiple stocks valued over $5 each with the $100 tier, and the platform’s trading tools are surprisingly robust for a bonus-heavy app.

Other Legit Sign-Up Bonus Apps Worth Exploring

Not every bonus app fits neatly into a category, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out. These options offer real cash, gift cards, or stock for signing up and completing a simple task like making a small purchase, linking an account, or trying a service.

• Stash — Get $25 when you open an account and make your first deposit.
• Swagbucks — Earn a $10 bonus when you spend $25 in the Swagbucks Shop.
• TradeStation — Score up to $3,500 in bonus cash when funding a new account.
• BeFrugal — Get a $10 bonus after earning $20 in cashback in your first year. 
• Titan Invest — Receive a $25 investing bonus with a $100 deposit.
• MyPoints — Get a $2 bonus after verifying your email.
• Chime — $100 bonus for a single direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days.

FAQs About Sign-Up Bonus Apps

Final Thoughts on the Best Sign-Up Bonus Apps

Sign-up bonus apps won’t make you rich, but they’re one of the easiest ways to earn free money online with minimal effort. We tested dozens of offers, and these were the ones that actually paid.

Start by stacking 3 to 5 of the best instant bonus apps that match your goals, whether that’s fast PayPal cash, Amazon gift cards, or long-term investing rewards. Most of the offers above take just a few minutes to complete and require no upfront spend.

Looking for more easy wins? Check out these guides:

• How I Get Free Gift Cards: 15 Real Methods That Work
• 21 Best Money-Making Apps for Earning On the Go
• 44 Easy Ways to Make Money Fast