After watching countless YouTubers showcasing how they make real money from gaming apps, I decided to test things out myself. My goal was to find out whether these apps truly pay—or if it's just a clever tactic to attract more views.
Searching for Legit Games That Pay via PayPal
To start, I went online to research which money earning games actually work and which ones are just a waste of time. I wanted to gather as much information as possible before diving into a game that promised real PayPal payouts.
After checking multiple websites and trying out a wide range of apps, I quickly realized that most of them aren’t legitimate. Many are sketchy or poorly designed. Some claim you’ll earn money, but then crash or freeze before you can cash out. Others send vague messages like, “Too many transactions—try again later,” making it impossible to withdraw your so-called earnings.
In reality, a lot of these apps just simulate the appearance of earnings within the game, but when it’s time to withdraw, you find out it was all for nothing.
It’s also worth noting that many of these so-called games that pay real money are banned from the Apple App Store and Google Play, which explains why so few are available on official platforms.
Skillz Games Review: A Legit Way to Earn Money on PayPal
After a long and frustrating search, the only PayPal cash games I found that truly let you earn real money are those developed by a company called Skillz.
To verify whether Skillz is legitimate, I dug deeper and found that it’s a publicly traded company with years of experience in the gaming industry. That alone adds a strong layer of credibility. It’s a 100% legitimate platform that offers several skill-based games where players can compete and win real money.
How Skillz Games Let You Compete for Real Money
Skillz is a competitive gaming platform with apps available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. To earn real money, you need to play and win matches against other real players.
Here’s how it works: each player deposits funds into their Skillz account to join cash competitions. When two players compete, the winner takes home the prize money—essentially the entry fee from the opponent—while Skillz takes a small commission for hosting the match.
It’s a skill-based system, so your ability to win determines how much you can earn. It’s one of the few legit money earning apps in 2025 where the results depend on real gameplay, not luck or ads.
What Types of Games Are Available on Skillz?
Skillz offers a wide variety of casual, easy-to-learn games—think Tetris-style puzzles, dominoes, bubble shooters, and more. These games are designed to be simple and accessible, with built-in tutorials to help you learn the basics quickly.
Once you get the hang of it, you can enter head-to-head matches against other players and compete for real money. It’s a practical example of how to earn money playing games if you enjoy competition and have some skill.
How to Withdraw Skillz Winnings via PayPal
One of the advantages of using Skillz is the flexibility in how you can cash out your winnings. If you win matches and earn money, you can withdraw your balance through PayPal, Apple Pay, or directly to your bank account.
Just keep in mind that Skillz charges a small fee for each withdrawal, which covers the cost of processing the transaction. Still, it’s one of the few platforms that consistently delivers payouts to users.
Why Most PayPal Money-Making Apps Don’t Pay
Unfortunately, I haven’t found a reliable Android or iOS app outside of Skillz that truly pays out to PayPal. Most of the apps I tested showed fake earnings, making it seem like I was building up a balance. But once I reached the minimum withdrawal amount and tried to cash out, I either received vague messages like “we're experiencing high demand, try again later,” or heard nothing back at all.
In reality, most of these so-called PayPal reward apps are designed to attract as many users as possible. They make money from ads, surveys, and user engagement—while giving nothing back to the players. It’s profitable for the developers, but a waste of time for everyone else.
That’s why I strongly recommend sticking to tested platforms like Skillz, which offer a transparent structure for earning.
Is Earning Money Through Games Really Worth It?
The idea of earning money by playing video games is undeniably appealing. After all, who wouldn’t want to get paid for doing something fun with minimal effort? That’s exactly why so many people are drawn to these apps—and why so many companies are rushing to create them.
The market simply responds to demand: if users want to make money through games, developers will find a way to offer that experience—even if it’s not genuine.
But here’s the reality—money doesn’t appear out of nowhere. For someone to win real cash in these games, someone else has to lose it. Whether it’s a competitive match or a system that requires users to spend money, the earnings always come at someone else’s expense.
It’s crucial to understand the mechanics behind these platforms. Ask yourself: Where is the value being created? If you can’t clearly see how the business makes money and shares it sustainably, it’s likely not a long-term opportunity.
Final Thoughts: Avoid Get-Rich-Quick Game Apps
My honest conclusion after testing and researching this topic is simple: avoid chasing get-rich-quick schemes—whether through games or flashy investment platforms. Shift your mindset away from trying to earn the most with the least effort.
If you're serious about making money online, start by looking into legit money earning apps in 2025 like Skillz. Focus on building skill, understanding how the platform works, and treating it as a side opportunity—not a guaranteed income.