If you’re looking for an easy way to make a little extra money from your phone, you’ve probably come across EarnStar.
EarnStar is a money making app that lets you earn money by playing mobile games, taking surveys, and completing various offers. You can then redeem your earnings for PayPal cash or gift cards.
I’ve tested quite a few apps in this space, and one thing I always look for is whether the app makes it reasonably easy to understand what you need to do, how much you can earn, and how you actually get your money out.
So, is EarnStar legit? How much can you realistically make? And is it worth your time?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Is EarnStar?
EarnStar is a get-paid-to app that rewards you for completing activities on your phone.
The main earning opportunities include:
- Playing mobile games
- Completing surveys
- Completing offers and tasks
- Hitting milestones
- Referring friends
- Participating in leaderboard promotions
Overall, it’s a pretty versatile app. AND it’s available on both Android and iOS too, which I always love to see.
How Does The EarnStar App Work?
Getting started with EarnStar is pretty straightforward.
You create an account, browse the available earning opportunities, complete them, and your rewards are added to your balance.
Here’s what you can do.
1. Play Games
Games are one of the biggest parts of EarnStar.
You’ll find different mobile games inside the app, and each one has its own requirements and rewards.
For example, you might be asked to:
- Download a game
- Reach a certain level
- Complete specific milestones
- Continue playing for a certain amount of time
The important thing is to read the requirements before starting an offer.
If a game says you need to reach Level 20, for example, that’s the milestone you need to hit to receive the advertised reward.
If you want to get paid for playing games, then EarnStar is definitely worth checking out. And in my account there are dozens of games you can play at a given time, so there’s no shortage of choice.
2. Complete Surveys
You can also earn money by completing paid surveys.
These work like surveys on other rewards apps: you’ll answer questions about yourself, your habits, preferences, and opinions.
The available surveys can vary considerably. Some are very short and can be completed in just a few minutes, while others take considerably longer.
In my testing, most of my EarnStar surveys paid anywhere from $0.25 to $2 or so. But I did see some surveys in the $3+ range which is nice.
Another nice feature is that the app displays information such as the estimated completion time and reward before you start a survey. That makes it easier to decide whether something is actually worth your time.
3. Complete Offers
EarnStar also has additional offers and tasks. These can include activities from third-party advertisers where you’re rewarded for completing a particular action.
The exact offers available can change, so this is another section worth checking periodically.
In general, I wouldn’t recommend blindly completing every offer you see.
Look at the reward, read the requirements, and decide whether the amount of time involved makes sense for you.
4. Hit Milestones
EarnStar also uses milestones and bonuses to encourage users to keep using the platform.
For example, the app currently promotes milestone rewards and leaderboard opportunities where active users can earn additional bonuses. There’s also a referral program, so you can earn bonuses for inviting your friends to join as well.
How Much Does EarnStar Pay?
There isn’t one fixed EarnStar hourly rate.
Your earnings depend on what you’re doing, which games and surveys are available, what milestones you complete, and where you’re located.
For games, the advertised reward can vary significantly from one offer to another.
Surveys can also have different rewards depending on their length and targeting.
EarnStar itself warns that earnings can vary based on factors including your region, survey availability, and game progression.
Overall, I wouldn’t look at EarnStar as a replacement for a job. It’s better viewed as a way to turn spare time into some extra cash. Basically, it’s a side hustle at the end of the day.
One thing I like is that EarnStar doesn’t make you guess how much an activity is worth. The app generally shows the reward associated with the opportunity before you start. That lets you make your own decision about whether it’s worth doing.
Rewards & Cashing Out
EarnStar offers several ways to redeem your balance. You can cash out via PayPal and then dozens of different gift cards. Based on the country you’re in, gift card availability and selection may also change.
Many rewards start at $5 to $10 as well, which is pretty decent for the world of reward apps.
PayPal is probably the most appealing option if you want actual cash rather than store credit.
Gift cards are another option if you’d rather use your earnings at a particular retailer.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Free to join
- Games, surveys, and offers
- Available on iOS, Android, and web
- PayPal and gift card rewards
- Large selection of gift cards
- Leaderboards and milestone bonuses
Cons:
- Some game offers can require a lot of time
- Survey availability varies by user and location
- You sometimes get disqualified when taking a survey
Final Thoughts — Is EarnStar Worth It?
So, is EarnStar worth it?
I think EarnStar is worth checking out if you’re already interested in paid surveys, game rewards, and other get-paid-to apps.
The biggest advantage is that you aren’t locked into one earning method.
You can play games when you feel like gaming, take a survey when you only have a few minutes, and check the offer section when something interesting comes up.
I also like that EarnStar gives you several ways to redeem your rewards, including PayPal and gift cards. I cashed out to PayPal in my testing of EarnStar and got paid without any issues as well.
But I’d keep your expectations realistic.
EarnStar isn’t a replacement for a job or a serious side business. The amount you can make depends heavily on the opportunities available to you and how much time you’re willing to put in.
If you’re going to use it, I’d focus on the opportunities with the best combination of reward, time commitment, and something you actually enjoy doing.
And, as always with reward apps, read the requirements before starting an offer so you know exactly what you need to do to get credited.
Overall, EarnStar is another app worth adding to your list if you enjoy making a little extra money from your phone.