Make Money Gaming Apps

Best iPhone Games That Pay Real Money [2025]: Free + Tournament Apps We Recommend

While there are a lot of great iPhone games for making money, only some are worth playing. I tested and compared some of the best cash iPhone games to help you find what you're looking for, whether you want a free app that'll pay you just to play games or a competitive app with cash-entry tournaments and prize pools.

Updated Dec. 9, 2025
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Playing games on your phone is a great way to relax and, in some cases, to make money. While you won't be able to replace your job by getting paid to play games, you can earn some extra cash while you also have fun. But one iPhone game that pays isn't always as good as the next.

I tested out several cash games for iPhones to find the best games that pay real money. The apps I chose for this list are easy to learn, help you earn money without a lot of pressure, and have withdrawal rules that aren't as painful as some other platforms.

 
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Cash Giraffe Benefits
  • Super fun games with hardly any ads.
  • The more time you spend playing, the more you can potentially earn.
  • Cash out via PayPal or with gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, and more.

Compare the best real-money games for iPhone

iOS game app Best for How to earn money
Bingo Cash Bingo Cash Low-stakes paid games Winning bingo competitions
Cash Giraffe Cash Giraffe Getting paid just to play games Playing games and completing offers
Solitaire Cash Solitaire Cash Solitaire players Winning Solitaire competitions
Solitaire Smash Solitaire Smash Honing your skills with free games Winning Solitaire competitions
Bubble Cash Bubble Cash Low-pressure gaming Winning bubble shooter competitions
Inbox Dollars InboxDollars Getting paid to complete tasks Playing games and completing offers
Pool Payday Pool Payday People who want a challenge Winning pool competitions

Bingo Cash

Best for low-stakes paid games

Game Bingo Cash
4.8
info
Game developer Papaya Gaming
Apple's App Store rating 4.7 out of 5 (188K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) $1
Minimum cash deposit $5
Minimum withdrawal amount $5
Withdrawal processing fee $1
Payout options Refund to your original payment method and then PayPal or Venmo for additional balances
Prohibited states Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, South Carolina
Download Bingo Cash

Bingo Cash is a fun, colorful cash bingo game that moves quickly. Overall, it's a good entry into money-making game apps for iPhone users who like competition. It even made our list of the best bingo games that pay real money.

Playing bingo on my phone isn't my favorite because you need to turn up the volume to hear the numbers called while keeping your eyes on your card. But I did like playing Bingo Cash. To start playing, use tutorials to learn about the game's score booster and develop a rhythm. Playing standard games will earn you bonus cash and gems. You can use bonus cash to enter cash tournaments if you have enough to cover the entry fee, but you can't withdraw bonus cash.

If you're over 18 and live in a state that permits real-money games, you can deposit cash to enter higher-stakes tournaments. Depositing money isn't required, but it does allow you to enter bigger games faster. Entry fees for Bingo Cash tournaments start at $1 with a prize pool of $5. The highest entry fee is $5 to have a shot at a $30 prize. Since these are low fees relative to the potential payouts, Bingo Cash is more beginner-friendly than other cash games you can play on your iPhone.

The Bingo Cash app accepts deposits via PayPal, Apple Pay, or credit/debit card. It also offers extra gems and bonus cash as incentives for depositing higher amounts.

Since downloading the app, I've played in four tournaments and won $2 in bonus cash and about 360 gems.

Bingo cash games.

Bingo Cash splits the prize pool among the top four winners, so even though I came in third place in a tournament, I won 20 gems from the 110 prize pool. First place earned 50, second place got 30, and fourth place received 10. While this is nice for people who come in second or third, remember that even if you come in first place, you won't receive the full prize pool. This is how many iPhone games that let you win real money work, so this disadvantage isn't specific to Bingo Cash.

When you have at least $5 in earnings, you can request a withdrawal, which comes with a $1 processing fee. Like many iOS apps that pay money, Bingo Cash can take up to 14 days to process a refund to your original deposit method (i.e., your credit card). If you have an additional balance, it will be sent to you via PayPal or Venmo.

Pros
  • Bingo Cash is easy to learn and use.
  • Multiple boosters help you increase your score and bonus winnings.
  • It is fun to play and interact with.
Cons
  • Bingo Cash has low-stakes games where you won't earn much.
  • You must play for a long time or deposit cash to enter bigger games.
  • Winners split the prize pools among the top four players.

Download Bingo Cash | Check out our full Bingo Cash review

Cash Giraffe

Best for getting paid just to play games

Game Cash Giraffe
Game developer justDice
Apple's App Store rating 4.7 out of 5 (2K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) N/A
Minimum cash deposit $0
Minimum withdrawal amount $5
Withdrawal processing fee $0
Payout options PayPal, gift cards
Prohibited states N/A
Download Cash Giraffe

There's a lot I like about Cash Giraffe, but one of its greatest strengths is that it's not "one game" at all. Cash Giraffe is a rewards site that pays you just to test offers and try mobile game apps out, so you can make money no matter how skilled you are at any given game. You also don't have to pay to play games or compete, since it isn't based on tournaments. You get paid based on how long you play.

When I tried Cash Giraffe out, I was pleasantly surprised by how many games I could get paid to play. You have to be strategic about which game offers you take advantage of in order to maximize your earnings, but you might prefer getting paid for the amount of time you play or progress you make rather than only making money when you win a competition, as you would with a game like Bingo Cash or Solitaire Cash.

Pros
  • Doesn't require cash deposits
  • Multiple ways to earn money
Cons
  • Lower potential payouts than some tournament-style games
  • Must earn at least $5 before you can cash out

Download Cash Giraffe | Check out our full Cash Giraffe review

Solitaire Cash

Best for solitaire players

Game Solitaire Cash
4.6
info
Game developer Papaya Gaming
Apple's App Store rating 4.6 out of 5 (380K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) $1
Minimum cash deposit $5
Minimum withdrawal amount $5
Withdrawal processing fee $1
Payout options Refund to your original payment method and PayPal
Prohibited states Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, and Washington
Download Solitaire Cash

Solitaire Cash is another one of my favorites. It's easy to start playing and has many of the same rules and fees as Bingo Cash. You can play for gems and bonus cash or enter cash games faster by making a deposit. Entry fees range from $1 to $5, with prizes ranging from $5 to $30.

These low entry ranges make the games more accessible to all players, but the prize pools are smaller than you might find with other games – especially since you split the pool among the top four winners.

Solitaire Cash game.

As you climb higher in Solitaire Cash, you'll unlock new features and opportunities. Clubs (level 8) and Cards (level 15) connect you with other players and ways to make extra cash. Solitaire Cash is especially easy to play if you're already familiar with the rules of traditional Klondike Solitaire. 

However, earning bonus cash is more difficult than in Bingo Cash. There are no boosters or hints to help you in Solitaire Cash, so you can win only by entering and being one of the top players in tournaments. Building up enough bonus cash without depositing funds can take a long time.

Solitaire Cash can take up to 14 days to process withdrawals. The app first refunds money to your original payment method and then sends the remaining balance to your PayPal account.

Pros
  • Solitaire Cash is an easy way to play Klondike Solitaire.
  • Reaching higher game levels unlocks other ways to earn.
  • It refunds winnings using your original deposit method and PayPal.
Cons
  • Withdrawals take up to 14 business days.
  • You must split the prize pool, limiting how much you earn from one tournament.
  • There are fewer opportunities to earn bonus cash than in other games.

Download Solitaire Cash | Check out our full Solitaire Cash review.

Solitaire Smash

Best for honing your skills with free games

Game Solitaire Smash
4.9
info
Game developer Play Perfect
Apple's App Store rating 4.8 out of 5 (175K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) $1 or $0.60 and 500 gems
Minimum cash deposit $5
Minimum withdrawal amount $0
Withdrawal processing fee $1
Payout options PayPal
Prohibited states Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, South Carolina
Download Solitaire Smash

Solitaire Smash turns the classic card game into a slick mobile app that's easy to learn, with free-to-play games and optional cash tournaments. 

The gameplay interface is visually engaging and easy to get a handle on. The app lets you practice with "gem" games for free before making a deposit and risking real money. You can technically play in cash tournaments using gems earned in free games, but the amount of time it would take to earn enough is prohibitive.

To earn real cash you need to make a minimum deposit of $5 and pay cash game entry fees. Like other apps on this list, paid games with larger prize pools come with a higher entry fee. You can cash out via PayPal but, as with similar games, you'll forfeit any bonus cash you've earned up to that point. 

One thing to note is that, according to the app's terms and conditions, Solitaire Smash can charge you a $2 monthly maintenance fee once your account has been inactive for six consecutive months. Inactive accounts are those that have not entered at least one competition or tournament in that six-month period.

Pros
  • It offers an opportunity to win real money in cash tournaments.
  • It has free games that help you practice the game's mechanics.
  • The app uses appealing graphics and fun gameplay.
Cons
  • Solitaire Smash is not available on Google Play.
  • It requires paying entry fees for cash tournaments, risking potential losses.
  • Charges a maintenance fee on inactive accounts.

Download Solitaire Smash | Check out our full Solitaire Smash review.

Bubble Cash

Best for low-pressure gaming

Game Bubble Cash
4.6
info
Game developer Papaya Gaming
Apple's App Store rating 4.6 out of 5 (146K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) $1
Minimum cash deposit $3
Minimum withdrawal amount $5
Withdrawal processing fee $1
Payout options Refund to your original payment method or PayPal
Prohibited states Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina
Download Bubble Cash

Bubble Cash is one of the easiest cash iPhone games out there. Papaya developed this app, which follows the same format and rules as two of its other games, Bingo Cash and Solitaire Cash.

To play Bubble Cash, aim your bubble shooter at groups of other bubbles. If you make groups of three or more of the same color, the bubbles pop, and you earn points. If you clear the board before the time is up, you win.

Bubble Cash game.

Learning the game is fast, and after a couple of tutorial rounds where you earn gems, you'll be ready to start entering tournaments. If you want to join cash tournaments faster, depositing money via PayPal, Apple Pay, or debit/credit card will help you cover the entry fees.

An entry fee of $1 enters you into a $5.10 prize pool. Spending a combination of $1 and 600 gems has a prize pool of $10. Finally, the largest game requires an entry fee of $3, and the prize is $13.

You can also earn extra gems and bonus cash every time you reach a higher level, and that's where I earned the most. At the end of my testing, I played 14 games and earned 330 gems and $0.80 in bonus cash.

Since you have to split the prize pool with other players, Bubble Cash will not earn you much money quickly. However, playing it is meditative and repetitive, making it easy to play many games in a row.

Bubble Cash will refund money to your original deposit method and send any additional balances via PayPal.

Pros
  • Bubble Cash is very simple to play.
  • It was easier to earn gems and bonus cash than some other apps.
  • It doesn't require special skills or previous game knowledge.
Cons
  • It can take 14 days to receive your winnings.
  • No player will earn the entire prize pool – if you win, you must split with other winners.
  • You'll need to deposit cash to enter higher-fee games.

Download Bubble Cash | Check out our full Bubble Cash review

InboxDollars

Best for getting paid to complete tasks

Game Inbox Dollars
Game developer Prodege
Apple's App Store rating 4.5 out of 5 (218K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) N/A
Minimum cash deposit $0
Minimum withdrawal amount $15
Withdrawal processing fee $0
Payout options PayPal, gift cards, prepaid Visa
Prohibited states N/A
Download InboxDollars

Like Cash Giraffe, InboxDollars is a rewards app rather than a competitive gaming app. If you want to get paid not only for playing games but also for completing other tasks, this would be one of the first money-making apps for iPhone we'd recommend.

InboxDollars stands out from other apps like it for offering more ways to earn cash, including unusual options like reading emails and using the Bing search engine on the platform. Other ways to make money with InboxDollars include:

  • Playing games
  • Taking paid surveys
  • Scanning receipts
  • Watching videos/ads

The InboxDollars iPhone app is highly rated and easy to use, and we like that it often offers bonus money when you first sign up (we got $5). If you get bored easily and want the option to bounce from one task to the next while making the most of your screen time, check out InboxDollars. Just note that you won't necessarily earn as much money as possible for each task with this platform, so it's not ideal for sticking with one type of task or always playing games. After a few hours of testing, we cashed out about $12 with InboxDollars.

Pros
  • Doesn't require cash deposits
  • Many ways to earn money
  • Offers referral and sign-up bonuses
Cons
  • Lower potential payouts for tasks than some similar apps
  • Smaller selection of game apps than some platforms

Download InboxDollars | Check out our full InboxDollars review.

Pool Payday

Best for people who want a challenge

Game Pool Payday
4.3
info
Game developer Hidden Pixel
Apple's App Store rating 4.6 out of 5 (92K+ reviews)
Minimum entry fee (for cash tournaments) $0.60
Minimum cash deposit $10
Minimum withdrawal amount No minimum listed
Withdrawal processing fee $1.50 charge for all withdrawals under $10
Payout options A refund to your original payment method and paper check (U.S.) or PayPal (international) for additional balances
Prohibited states Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee
Learn more in our Pool Payday review

I enjoyed the challenge of learning to play Pool Payday (offered on the Skillz platform), but it took several rounds for me to learn to coordinate the cue and make effective shots.

Pool Payday is like a regular pool game that has a table, cue, and rack of balls. You can rotate and aim the cue stick to line up your shot. You use the "power meter" to adjust the shot strength. The pockets on the table are worth points; every time you pocket a ball, you score points. The point values rotate around the table, and the number on the ball increases the point value (i.e., the 8 ball is worth more than the 2 ball). Trick shots, such as using a rail or ball to pocket a ball, earn more.

Pool Payday game.

Unlike other games on Skillz, Pool Payday allows you to unlock additional rewards and in-game features, like fancy tables or cues. The game also provides hints and alternate shots to assist you.

Pool Payday uses Z coins as in-app currency and awards tickets for referring friends or as a welcome bonus. You can use Z coins to enter games and exchange tickets for prizes like bonus cash, gift cards, or merchandise. If you deposit money, you can enter higher-stakes games.

Entry fees start at $0.60 for a prize of $1, and the largest entry fee is $25 for a $40 prize pool. You don't have to split the pool if you come in first, but it can be challenging to earn the top prize, and it may take a lot of time and money.

Winnings go to your original payment method first.

Pros
  • Pool Payday has a broader range of prize pools than some other games.
  • You don't have to split the prize if you win.
  • Pool Payday offers hints and directions to help you play effectively.
Cons
  • Pool Payday is challenging and requires a lot of practice.
  • The platform can be confusing, with multiple poorly explained currencies.
  • It can take four to six weeks to receive your winnings.

Check out our full Pool Payday review

FinanceBuzz picks for best real money iPhone games in December 2025

  • Bingo Cash
    • Easy to learn and use
    • Confirmed as legit by our team
    • Why we like it: It's fun to play and has useful boosters
  • Cash Giraffe
    • Platform for testing offers and playing games
    • Earn based on how long you play, not whether you win tournaments
    • Why we like it: It offers variety and useful redemption options
  • Solitaire Cash
    • Well-designed interface
    • Highly rated
    • Why we like it: It's a fun way to play a classic game and offers both free play and cash tournaments
  • Solitaire Smash
    • Fun and engaging graphics
    • Offers high stakes tournaments
    • Why we like it: Has robust free games you can use for practice
  • Bubble Cash
    • Very simple to play (in a good way)
    • Highly rated
    • Why we like it: It's easy to learn and has a low minimum withdrawal amount ($5)
  • Inbox Dollars
    • Many ways to earn money
    • Offers referrals and sign-up bonuses
    • Why we like it: You can earn money with simple tasks, and no cash deposits are required
  • Pool Payday
    • Unique mobile game
    • Multiple options for play
    • Why we like it: You can unlock rewards and in-game features as you advance.

    FAQs

    What should I look for in cash games for my iPhone?

    Look for iPhone cash games with high rankings and good customer reviews. Be cautious if multiple reviews say that a game doesn't pay out or makes it difficult to access your winnings. You can also check the game's fee structure and withdrawal rules to better understand the process before you invest time in playing it.

    Do any iPhone games pay instant cash?

    Most games require you to verify your identity before you receive your winnings. The time and requirements of the verification process vary from platform to platform but can take up to a few weeks. Check your chosen cash game's terms of service and the platform's withdrawal rules to learn the requirements.

    How can I tell if an iPhone game is a scam?

    Be sure to take reasonable precautions before playing online games, including paying attention to spelling or grammar mistakes within the app or game description and any icons that seem too large or too small. Since many popular apps have millions of downloads, finding limited reviews posted on the game's platform may be a red flag of a scam.

    Always read Apple's App Store reviews to see what others have said. Be suspicious if you're reading that the iPhone cash game doesn't pay out, uses unfair practices, or makes winning impossible.

    Are iPhone cash games legal everywhere?

    Some states limit or outlaw casino games or other games that pay cash. Many games that pay money will ask you to verify your location by entering your full address or ZIP code to confirm your eligibility to enter a cash game. Even if you aren't eligible, you can often still use the app to play for fun, collecting points and non-cash trophies.

    Bottom line

    Playing games on your iPhone is easy and fun, making it one of the best side hustles. I recommend Cash Giraffe, Solitaire Cash, and Bingo Cash to earn the most money on your iPhone with cash games. Just remember that you'll probably need to make an upfront investment by depositing cash to cover entry fees, and there aren't guarantees you'll win or make back your initial deposit.

    Before downloading any apps, read the reviews and research the developer to ensure you're going to play a legit cash game that actually pays out. You might also want to try out multiple real-money iPhone games to determine which you enjoy the most and get a better idea of your potential winnings.

Super fun games with hardly any ads.
The more time you spend playing, the more you can potentially earn.
Cash out via PayPal or with gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, and more.