Imagine there’s real money out there with your name on it, and all it takes to claim it is a few taps on your phone.
Whether it’s payouts from class action settlements, compensation for cancelled flights, or cashback from your everyday shopping, there are plenty of apps that let you pocket some extra cash with minimal effort.
The internet is full of solutions that promise easy payouts but never quite deliver. This guide helps cut through the noise.
We’ve rounded up the 15 best apps to claim money that actually pay out. Some help you recover money you’re already owed, while others let you earn a little extra by completing simple tasks like taking surveys or watching videos.
Where can you claim money from?
Before we dive into the apps themselves, it helps to understand which payout sources you can tap into. The biggest difference between them usually comes down to how involved you want to be.
You’ll find that some apps work quietly in the background and let you claim money without lifting a finger. Others are more hands-on platforms that reward you for doing something you might already do online, like taking surveys or trying out new apps.
Here are the four main payout sources our list covers:
- Class action settlements: When companies break the law or violate consumer rights, they sometimes face class action lawsuits. One way for them to resolve these lawsuits is to negotiate a class action settlement that compensates the affected individuals for the harm they suffered. Apps for class action settlement claims help you identify the cases you may qualify for and handle much of the filing process for you. Payouts can range from just a few bucks to thousands of dollars.
- Cashback and shopping rewards: Cashback apps return a percentage of the money you already spend on groceries, clothing, or travel as cash or gift cards. It’s one of the easiest ways to get money back from your regular spending.
- Task-based and micro earnings: Some apps pay you to complete small online tasks like playing games, testing apps, taking surveys, or watching videos. The payouts are usually modest, but if you have spare time and want to turn it into a bit of extra cash, these platforms can make it possible.
- Flight disruption compensation: Passenger protection regulations in many regions allow travelers to claim compensation if their flight is delayed, cancelled, or diverted. Dedicated apps can handle the claim process and pursue the payout on your behalf.
Below, you’ll see which apps belong to which category, so you can skip straight to the ones that interest you the most:
How we picked the best payout apps
To put together the list of the legit payout apps, we evaluated each one using four key criteria:
- Level of automation: We prioritized apps that can scan your inbox or receipts and take the necessary steps automatically, so you don’t have to spend time chasing claims or filling out endless forms.
- Ease of use: We looked for clean interfaces, intuitive navigation, clear instructions, and minimal friction between signing up and getting paid.
- Price: Some apps charge subscription fees, and that isn’t automatically a dealbreaker. If the app helps you recover or earn more money than it costs, it’s worth it. What also matters in our books is transparency and staying true to refund or satisfaction promises.
- User experience: We checked real user reviews across platforms like Trustpilot, Reddit, the App Store, and Google Play to gauge how these apps perform in everyday use.
Based on these factors, we narrowed the field down to 15 apps that pay out real money and are actually worth your time.
1. Settlemate
Settlemate is one of the most comprehensive apps for claiming money that’s rightfully yours. It scans your emails and purchase history and compares them against active class action settlements. When it finds a case you may qualify for, it helps you complete the claim form whenever possible and keeps you in the loop about the status of your claim.
But Settlemate doesn’t stop at class action payouts. It looks across several other situations where refunds or compensation might be available and helps you recover them. The app can claim money on your behalf from multiple sources:
- Price adjustments: If an item’s price drops shortly after you purchased it, Settlemate tracks the change and files a price adjustment request with the retailer so you can recover the difference.
- Late delivery compensation: When an order arrives late and the retailer has a policy that offers compensation, Settlemate flags the delay and submits a compensation claim on your behalf.
- Flight disruption compensation: Settlemate can also check whether you may be eligible for compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, as well as for certain luggage issues. It reviews airline policies and applicable passenger rights rules, submits the claim automatically, and follows up if the airline doesn’t respond or offers less than what you may be entitled to.
Settlemate is available on both App Store and Google Play, with monthly and annual subscription options. Setup is simple: link the app to your inbox, grant permission to scan it, and Settlemate will start identifying ways to help you claim your money. You can also manually add receipts, either digital or physical.
What sets Settlemate apart is the money-back guarantee: if your subscription doesn’t return more than it costs within the first 12 months, you may qualify for a full refund.
2. Payout
Payout is a claim settlements app designed to make the claims process quick and easy. It helps you find eligible settlements and guides you through the claim-filing process step by step. With the app’s assistance, submitting a claim typically takes less than five minutes.
There are two main ways to find settlements in the app:
- Browse the database: Payout maintains a directory of hundreds of active class action settlements that you can explore and apply to directly.
- Get notified: Wait for the app to alert you when a new settlement appears that you might be eligible for.
Payout is free to download, though some features require a paid subscription. While specific pricing isn’t listed on their website, the App Store listing indicates that a subscription is needed for full access.
3. Coressi
Coressi is a free app for class action lawsuits that aims to automate much of the claims process. After linking your email, the app scans for settlement notices and identifies cases you may qualify for.
One of its standout features is a notice verification tool. If you receive a class action postcard, letter, or email and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate, Coressi can check it against official court filings and public records to help confirm whether the notice is real.
The app is free to download and use, but it’s currently available only on iOS devices. Since it’s relatively new, the number of user reviews is still limited.
4. Sparrow
Sparrow is a “found money” platform that casts a wider net than most settlement-focused apps. Instead of looking only for class action payouts, it scans for several types of opportunities where you might be able to recover money. These include:
- Unclaimed property
- Price-match refunds
- Airline delay compensation
- Subscription overcharge credits
To get started, you need to connect your email and, depending on the features you want to use, a card account. Sparrow then scans your data to identify potential claims and, when possible, file them on your behalf.
You can try Sparrow at no charge. If the app successfully recovers money for you, you’ll have to pay an annual or monthly fee.
5. MoneyPilot
MoneyPilot is a platform for discovering settlements and managing subscriptions, tested and reviewed by thousands of users. Here’s how it works:
- You answer a short quiz.
- The app surfaces class action settlements you may qualify for.
- It helps file the claims on your behalf.
The platform is designed for people who want a more systematic approach to tracking settlements, while also staying on top of subscriptions and spending. Its Deep Spend Insights feature uses AI to categorize your expenses and flag potentially risky activity.
Full access to MoneyPilot requires a subscription, with monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly plans available. Pricing isn’t disclosed publicly, though.
6. Claim
Claim is one of the most widely used apps in the class-action settlement space. After you select the brands you’ve purchased from, the app will check for any open claims. When it finds eligible settlements, it will pre-fill the claim form whenever possible and guide you through the rest of the filing process.
To use the app, you need to choose between two paid subscription plans:
- Claim Pro: Billed monthly
- Claim Unlimited: Billed annually and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
7. PayMe
PayMe is a class action settlement app that quickly matches you with active lawsuits based on a few simple questions about your purchase history. The app lets you file claims, track payouts, and receive alerts when new settlements become available.
A “coming soon” feature will add subscription cancellation tracking, giving the app extra value beyond settlement claims.
While the app is subscription-based, its pricing is straightforward and transparent.
8. ClaimHood
ClaimHood works much like other settlement apps on our list: you select the brands you’ve bought from, get matched with eligible open settlements, and submit claim forms through the app. Once you provide the required information, ClaimHood handles the submission on your behalf.
The app is currently available only to iOS users and can be accessed through a weekly, monthly, or annual subscription.
9. Collect – Settlement Finder
What makes Collect stand out is the upfront transparency. Before you file a claim, the app shows the estimated payout and whether proof of purchase or other documentation is required. That way, you won’t waste time on claims you can’t complete.
The process is brand-based: after telling the app which brands you bought from, it will match you with relevant settlements and help you submit the claims in minutes.
Collect requires an active subscription, available on a monthly or annual basis.
10. Fetch
With over 17 million monthly active users, Fetch is one of the most popular receipt-scanning cashback apps in the United States. To earn points, you simply scan receipts from any retailer, restaurant, or grocery store. These points are then converted into dollars, which you can redeem for gift cards from over 600 retailers, including:
- Amazon
- Target
- Starbucks
- Ulta Beauty
- Nike
- Uber
- Airbnb
For online purchases, Fetch offers a digital receipt program. By connecting your Amazon or email account, you can earn credit automatically for qualifying online orders.
Fetch is completely free to use, making it a no-risk option for claiming money back on everyday purchases.
11. Rakuten
Rakuten is a free cashback platform that gives you a percentage back on purchases made through its links at over 3,500 partner stores.
Unlike receipt-scanning apps, Rakuten tracks cashback upstream: you shop through the app or website, and the rewards are automatically applied. You can also earn cashback on in-store purchases by linking your credit or debit card.
Cashback rates typically range from 1% to 15% (or more), and payments are issued quarterly via PayPal or check. Besides the app, Rakuten offers a browser extension that alerts you whenever a site you’re visiting offers cashback through the platform.
12. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the longest-running rewards platforms online, having paid out over $680 million to users since its launch in 2008.
The app offers multiple ways to earn points, including:
- Answering surveys
- Cashback shopping
- Watching videos
- Searching the web
- Playing games
As your Swagbucks points add up, you can redeem them for PayPal cash, checks, or gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
The app is free to download on Google Play or the App Store, and you can also use it through the web extension.
13. Freecash
Freecash is a free “get-paid-to” (GPT) platform that rewards you with coins for completing a variety of tasks, including:
- Playing games
- Taking surveys
- Using apps
- Watching ads and videos
Freecash has a clear, transparent earning structure: 1,000 points equal $1. You can withdraw your earnings at any time via PayPal, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, giving you flexibility in how you access the rewards.
14. AirHelp
AirHelp is a flight compensation service with over 13 years of experience. If your flight is cancelled, delayed, or you miss a connection, AirHelp helps you claim the compensation you’re entitled to. The app guides you through the necessary documentation, handles communication with the airline, and negotiates on your behalf if needed.
The app also includes a flight tracker that monitors your trips in real time and alerts you when a disruption qualifies for compensation. While this feature is free, AirHelp charges a 35% fee on the compensation recovered. If legal action is required, the fee rises to 50%.
The AirHelp+ annual membership offers additional perks for frequent travelers, with pricing based on the number of trips per year. Membership waives the percentage fees and includes Fast Track at security, flight insurance, lounge access, and other benefits.
15. Compensair
Compensair is a flight compensation platform that helps you claim money for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights under EU Regulation 261 and Turkish air passenger rights law. You simply enter your flight details, and Compensair will assess your eligibility for free, prepare the necessary documentation, and handle communication with the airline’s representatives.
Like AirHelp, Compensair works on a no-win, no-fee basis. If it successfully recovers compensation for you, it charges a 35% fee.
How to pick the best app for you
To choose the right app for you, you should know what kind of money you’re trying to claim and how much effort you want to put in.
If you’re an active online shopper, Rakuten or Fetch is a natural fit. While Rakuten is the stronger choice if you shop online at major retailers, Fetch is more flexible for everyday in-store shopping.
On the other hand, apps like Swagbucks and Freecash can be a suitable choice if you enjoy testing new apps, watching videos, or playing games. Both are free to use and allow for effortless micro-earnings.
With so many apps in the class action settlements space, it can be hard to pick the right one. The main difference between them is that some apps, like Settlemate, file the claims automatically, while others, like Payout, walk you through the process.
If you're not sure where to start or don’t want to juggle a bunch of different apps, the smartest move is to go with a platform that handles multiple types of claims in one place.
Settlemate stands out as the strongest option as it allows you to claim settlement money, price adjustments, and compensation for late deliveries and flight issues within a single app.
For those looking to maximize earnings and savings, Settlemate works well alongside a cashback or micro-earnings app, letting you cover all your bases—from settlements and refunds to small online tasks and shopping rewards.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between class action settlement apps and cashback or refund apps?
Class action settlement apps help you claim money from lawsuits that have already been settled against companies. If you qualify, you’re entitled to receive a payout. Cashback and refund apps, on the other hand, give you a percentage back on purchases you make going forward. Some apps also let you claim money for past purchases by uploading photos of your receipts.
Are apps that claim to give you free money legitimate?
Many money-claiming apps are legitimate and have proven track records of real payouts, including Settlemate, Rakuten, Swagbucks, and others on our list. That said, new apps pop up all the time with limited reviews, unclear billing, and marketing that overpromises. To stay safe, stick to apps with transparent pricing, clear refund policies, and plenty of user reviews.
How long does it take to get paid from money-claiming apps?
When you’ll get paid depends on both the app and the type of claim. Cashback apps often pay quarterly or once you reach a minimum threshold. Claims that rely on external factors, like airline policies or class action lawsuit timelines, can take weeks or even months to process.
