Short answer: A handful of apps really do pay you to play games, but the money is small. Mistplay and Swagbucks are the clearest options for Canadians. Solitaire Smash requires you to deposit money, and KashKick is US-only. No app on this list is a reliable income source.
Apps that pay you to play games
| App | How it works | Payout | In Canada? | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mistplay Try Mistplay → | Play mobile games for points (Units) | Gift cards or prepaid cards (check the app for current options); $550 per year cap | Yes (a Montreal company; primarily US, Canada and UK) | Earnings are small, and using a VPN risks a ban. Review |
| Swagbucks Join Swagbucks → | Play games for SB points, plus surveys and shopping | PayPal, Payoneer or gift cards from about $5 | Yes | Game rewards are modest and ad-heavy. Review |
| Freecash Try Freecash → | Offers, surveys and games | PayPal, Venmo, bank, crypto or gift cards; $5 to $20 minimums, fees on some methods | Unclear; check eligibility at sign-up | BBB complaint pattern and a 2026 app store removal (restored). Review |
| Solitaire Smash Try Solitaire Smash → | Cash solitaire tournaments (deposit required) | Apple Pay, PayPal or bank; $1 withdrawal fee reported | Unclear; cash play is blocked in several US states | You risk money, not just time. iOS only, 18+. Review |
| KashKick Try KashKick → | Games, surveys and deals | PayPal, $10 minimum | No, US-only | F rating with the BBB. Review |
What you can realistically earn
Reviews we found put Mistplay's typical earnings at roughly $0.50 to $3 per hour of play, and Mistplay itself caps redemptions at $550 per year. Treat any game app as spare-time pocket money. Deposit-based skill games like Solitaire Smash are different: you can win cash, but you can also lose what you deposit, so play only with money you can afford to lose.
Apps we left out and why
- Blackout Bingo: its App Store listing is rated 18+ for simulated gambling and lists no cash-play regions. We could not confirm Canadian eligibility.
- Lucktastic, Mychips, JustPlay, AppStation, Bingo Cash: we could not verify their Canadian availability, payouts or any regulatory history, so we did not list them.
Related: best GPT sites compared, best cashback apps in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app that pays you to play games?
For Canadians, Mistplay and Swagbucks are the clearest options we found. Both are free to use. Mistplay is built around mobile games, while Swagbucks mixes games with surveys and shopping cashback.
Can you really make money playing games on your phone?
A little. Typical earnings are small, and Mistplay caps redemptions at $550 per year. Treat it as pocket money, not income.
Is Mistplay available in Canada?
Yes. Mistplay is a Montreal company and is available in Canada, according to the sources we found.
Is Solitaire Smash legit?
It is a real-money skill game with documented payouts, but it requires deposits and you can lose money. Cash play is blocked in several US states, and we could not confirm Canadian availability. See our Solitaire Smash review.
Are games that pay real money safe?
Established apps are generally legitimate, but there are scams and low-quality apps. Check reviews, read the payout rules, never pay to unlock earnings, and avoid apps that ask for banking details beyond a payout method.
Ready to try it?
Start with the option that fits your situation. Check the current terms first.
Try Mistplay →Join Swagbucks →