You want Dead by Daylight for the weekend. But why spend your own money?

There’s a smarter way to load up your Steam wallet. After some digging, I found apps that help you earn gift cards – completely free.

Even better? There’s a bonus app that earns money passively. Free games, no effort. Let’s dive in!

What is Steam Money

Steam is a gaming platform where people can buy video games, similar to how you might buy a game for your PlayStation or Xbox. On Steam, everything is digital, meaning the games and items exist only online.

Now, when people talk about “Steam money,” they’re usually referring to money stored in their Steam wallet, which they can use to purchase games, items, or downloadable content. If you’re interested in getting Steam free money, there are a few ways you can do this, like earning gift cards or participating in promotions…more will be discussed ahead.

There are two ways you can get money in your Steam wallet: 

• Using Real Money From a Credit Card
• Gift Cards
• Rewards or Points

Once the money is in your Steam account, it’s added to your Steam wallet. Now you can use that to buy games, tools, or even items within games, like cool skins for your favorite games. 

Brace Yourselves: Steam Free Weekend

A Steam Free Weekend is a limited-time event on Steam where users can play selected games for free, typically from Thursday or Friday until Sunday or Monday. During a Free Weekend, you can download and play the full version of the game at no cost, though access is limited to the duration of the event. 

For those looking for Steam free money options, these events offer a great opportunity to experience games without spending anything, allowing you to save and enjoy top titles for free during these special weekends.

The game “Crowns” was featured in a Steam Free Weekend from October 10 to October 14, 2024. Prior to this event, “Crowns” was priced at $19.99. 

During the Free Weekend, players could access the game for free. This meant good news for gamers as they could save $19.99. 

Keep updated on the Steam free weekends by joining its discord server.

Apps to Earn Free Steam Money

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a popular online rewards platform where users can earn money by completing various online activities, such as taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and playing games. It has been around for over a decade, offering people a fun and simple way to make extra money from the comfort of their own homes. 

Swagbucks partners with well-known brands and companies to bring users paid surveys and tasks, allowing them to earn points, known as SB. Swagbucks is free to use, and it rewards users with SB points that can be redeemed for gift cards that can be used on Steam.

Where is Swagbucks Available? 

Swagbucks is available in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, France, India, and several other countries, though the tasks available may vary by region. Here’s what users think about the app: 

• Google Play Store: 4.3/5 stars
• iOS: 4.4/5 stars

Requirements to Earn on Swagbucks

• Sign up for a free account using an email address or a Facebook account.
• Meet age restrictions, typically 13 years or older.
• Have a stable internet connection.
• Use a computer or smartphone to access and complete tasks.

Expected Earnings

Regular users may earn around $20 to $50 per month, though some people who spend more time on the platform can make more. 

Payment Type

Swagbucks pays users in SB points, which can be redeemed for PayPal cash or a variety of gift cards, including those for Amazon, Walmart, and Steam. The minimum cash-out amount varies depending on the redemption option, but gift cards start at around $3 for 300 SB. 

2. Mistplay

Mistplay is a mobile app that rewards users for playing games on their phones. Users download the app, choose from a variety of games, and earn points (known as Units) for each minute spent playing. 

Mistplay allows users to explore different games, providing an enjoyable way to earn rewards while playing. It’s designed for people who enjoy gaming and want to make their time spent on mobile games more productive by earning points redeemable for rewards like gift cards, including Steam gift cards.

Where is Mistplay Available

Mistplay is available on Android devices in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and most European countries. It’s not available on iOS, which limits some users. Here’s what people think about the app:

• Google Play Store: 3.7/5 stars

Requirements to Earn Money on Mistplay

• An Android device
• Users must be 18 years or older. 
• A stable internet connection is essential

Expected Earnings

Some games on Mistplay offer higher points per minute than others, and users can generally expect to earn $5 to $10 per week if they spend several hours gaming. 

Payment Type

Mistplay rewards users with Units, which can be exchanged for gift cards. Available options include Steam, Amazon, and Google Play gift cards. The minimum payout threshold is typically around $5, allowing users to redeem their rewards relatively quickly. Mistplay offers a straightforward redemption process, with most users receiving their gift cards within a few days.

3. InboxDollars

InboxDollars is an online rewards platform that pays users for engaging in various activities such as taking surveys, watching videos, reading emails, and playing games. Established in 2000, it has built a reputation for providing legitimate earning opportunities to its members. By partnering with numerous brands and advertisers, InboxDollars offers tasks that help companies gather consumer insights while rewarding users for their participation. 

Where is InboxDollars Available

InboxDollars is only available in the USA which limits the number of users who can earn through the app. Here’s what users think about the app:

• Google Play Store: 4.3/5 stars.
• Apple App Store: 4.5/5 stars.

Requirements to Earn Money

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Provide a valid email address during registration.
• Reside in the United States.
• Access to a computer or smartphone with an internet connection.

Expected Earnings

Earnings on InboxDollars vary based on the time and effort invested. Surveys typically pay between $0.50 to $2.00 each, while other activities like watching videos or reading emails offer smaller rewards. Dedicated users can expect to earn approximately $30 per month. 

Payment Type

InboxDollars pays users in cash, not points. Once a user reaches the minimum payout threshold of $30, they can request payment via check, prepaid Visa card, or ePayment options like PayPal. Processing times may vary, but users generally receive their payments within a few weeks after the request. Once received the amount can be transferred to the Steam account. 

4. MyPoints

MyPoints is a rewards platform that allows users to earn points by engaging in various online activities, including shopping, taking surveys, watching videos, and reading emails. Established in 1996, it has a long-standing presence in the online rewards industry. 

By partnering with numerous retailers and brands, MyPoints offers users opportunities to earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or cash. 

Where is MyPoints Available

MyPoints is available in the United States and Canada. Here’s what users think about the app: 

• Google Play Store: 4.3/5
• Apple App Store: 4.2/5 

Requirements to Earn Money

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Provide a valid email address during registration.
• Reside in the United States or Canada.
• Access to a computer or smartphone with an internet connection.

Expected Earnings

Regular users on MyPoints can accumulate enough points to redeem for gift cards or cash equivalents worth $20 to $50 per month.

Payment Type

MyPoints rewards users with points that can be redeemed for a variety of gift cards from popular retailers, travel miles, or cash through PayPal. The minimum redemption threshold varies depending on the reward chosen, with some gift cards available for as low as $3. This amount can later be transferred to your Steam account. 

5. Ibotta

Ibotta is a free cashback app that rewards users for making everyday purchases, both in-store and online. By partnering with numerous retailers and brands, Ibotta offers users the opportunity to earn real cash back on groceries, clothing, electronics, and more. 

Users can browse available offers, add them to their accounts, and then shop as usual. After shopping, they can submit their receipts or link loyalty accounts to receive cashback rewards. 

Where is Ibotta Available

Ibotta is only available in the United States, which limits its accessibility to other countries. 

• Google Play Store: 4.5/5 stars.
• Apple App Store: 4.8/5 stars.

Requirements to Earn Money

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Provide a valid email address during registration.
• Reside in the United States.
• Access to a smartphone.

Expected Earnings

Earnings on Ibotta depend on the frequency and amount of purchases made through the app. Cashback offers typically range from $0.25 to $5.00 per item, with occasional bonuses for purchasing specific products or reaching certain spending thresholds. Regular users can expect to earn approximately $20 to $50 per month, though this can vary based on shopping habits.

Payment Type

Ibotta allows users to withdraw their earnings into the Steam account once it reaches a minimum balance of $20. Users can choose to receive their funds via PayPal, Venmo, or select gift cards from popular retailers. 

Why Earning Free Steam Money by Playing Games Risky

One of the main downsides of using apps to earn gift cards and rewards is that they usually offer very small earnings. People often spend a lot of time completing tasks like surveys, watching videos, or playing games, but the payouts are usually only a few cents or points per task. 

Additionally, some platforms might have limited availability in certain countries or require specific devices, limiting who can access them. Finally, users should be cautious of scams, as not all reward apps are legitimate, and some may never actually pay out the promised rewards, wasting users’ time and effort.

Passive App: Alternative to Boring Surveys to Earn Steam Money

All the above apps have their downsides, which is why when I want to earn Steam free money, Passive App is my go-to option. This app allows you to earn money simply by sharing your internet with people around you. 

PassiveApp only collects your email for registration and your IP address. It does not access any other personal information. The app is simple to install and works on all kinds of devices, like Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Once you set it up, you can start earning money. Big companies use PassiveApp to collect public data from the internet.

Where is Passive App Available

Passive App is available everywhere, you can download the app from anywhere across the world. The app is available to download on Windows. 

Requirements to Earn Money on Passive App

NONE! 

You only need access to a stable internet connection. 

Expected Earnings with Passive App

You can earn up to $55/month through Passive App. However, your earning potential depends on the following factors: 

• Geolocation
• Residential IPs
• Network Connectivity

Payment Type

The amount you earn from Passive App can be transferred into your Steam account, giving you free money to spend on games, so you won’t need to wait for Steam Free Weekend to buy your favorite title.

Pro Tip: Refer the app to a friend and earn 10% of all their earnings, giving you even more opportunities for Steam free money.

Download Passive App and enjoy the games you love!