If you’re looking for ways to stretch your budget, earning free gift cards can be a smart option. They can be redeemed at your favourite shops or online, cutting down the cost of everyday spending.

With so many apps and platforms now offering free gift voucher rewards instead of cash, it’s easier than ever to build up balances you can use towards food, fashion, or entertainment.

This guide looks at two simple approaches: taking part in surveys and reward apps, and sharing your unused internet bandwidth. Both are easy to start and can reward you with gift cards surprisingly fast.

Method 1: Paid Surveys, Get Paid To (GPT) and Reward Apps

One of the most common ways to earn gift cards is through surveys and reward-based apps. Companies pay for consumer opinions, data such as from receipts, and engagement, offering free gift vouchers as an incentive.  Here are some examples of websites and apps that offer gift cards as payment for your time, data or opinions.

First, here are some apps that I have tried and regularly use:

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the best-known platforms worldwide, and it’s available in the UK. You can earn points (called SB) for tasks like surveys, playing games, or watching videos, which you can redeem for gift cards from retailers including Amazon, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer.

Get a 300SB Bonus on Swagbucks if you earn 300SB within the first 30 days by clicking here to sign up

YouGov

Earn points for completing surveys that influence news and politics. Points can be exchanged for vouchers, such as Amazon.

Click here to sign up to YouGov

EverUp

A finance app that turns everyday spending into a game. Buy gift cards and earn cashback and "coins".  Spend those coins to try and win real cash or more coins in their games.  Coins can be converted into gift cards.

They also offer some free plays on their games, and I've regularly won coins, which I've converted into free gift cards!

Click here to download the EverUp app or find it in the app store. Enter my EverUp referral code RVIC312154ATMWQZ for a welcome bonus.

TopCashback and Quidco

While best known for cashback into your bank, both also offer payout in the form of boosted-value gift cards.

This can make your rewards stretch further if you often shop at specific retailers.

SnapMyEats and Shoppix

Don’t throw away your receipts, as you can actually make money with them! 

There are receipt scanning apps that will actually pay you in cash or gift vouchers for uploading your paper receipts and e-receipts to their apps. 

The receipt snapping apps I use include Shoppix and SnapMyEats, which both pay in gift vouchers.  I usually cash out my earnings in Amazon UK vouchers.

Here’s a big list of receipt snapping apps in the UK with some referral codes included, so you may get some bonus welcome points when signing up.

Points can quickly add up and can be exchanged for digital gift cards, making them simple passive earners alongside your regular day-to-day shopping.

LifePoints

LifePoints is a global survey site that regularly sends out opportunities. Rewards can be converted into vouchers for big-name retailers, often at competitive exchange rates.

Now, here are some apps I haven't used yet, but they offer similar tasks in exchange for gift voucher payouts:

InboxPounds

A UK-specific platform, InboxPounds lets you earn money and vouchers by completing surveys, reading emails, and trying out offers. Payouts include gift cards for popular stores, as well as PayPal.

Mistplay

If you enjoy gaming, Mistplay is worth considering. Available on Android, it rewards you with points for trying new games, which can then be swapped for vouchers.

With survey and receipt apps, it pays to use more than one platform to maximise opportunities. They don’t require upfront costs, just consistency.

Tips to Earn More with Surveys and Apps

• Keep profiles updated to receive more survey invites.

• Use multiple platforms at once to increase opportunities.

• Cash out regularly so you don’t lose points from account inactivity.

Method 2: Sharing Bandwidth for Gift Cards

If you’d prefer a more passive way to earn rewards, bandwidth-sharing apps might be the answer. These allow you to share unused internet bandwidth with trusted companies in exchange for payouts, including gift vouchers.

These apps route small amounts of your internet connection for research purposes, such as price comparisons, web performance checks, or anonymous browsing data. The apps typically run in the background with little effort required from you.

Important Considerations

• Check your broadband provider’s terms before signing up.

• Choose only reputable apps with clear privacy policies.

• Monitor your internet speed in case you notice any impact.

Pawns.app

Pawns.app lets you run their software in the background and pays you for the bandwidth you share. Rewards can be cashed out or taken as digital gift cards. If you want something passive that requires almost no effort, this is one of the simplest routes.

You can make money by sharing your unused internet bandwidth using the mobile or PC app.  There are also surveys to complete to make extra cash if you use the mobile app, as well as a refer-a-friend scheme.

Click and get up to $3 for free if you sign up to Pawns.app using my exclusive link

Honeygain

Honeygain works in a similar way. You install the app, and it quietly uses your unused internet in exchange for rewards. While PayPal is common, vouchers are often available too.

Always check your internet provider’s terms of service before signing up, and only use reputable platforms with clear privacy policies.

EarnApp

Another trusted platform, particularly popular in certain regions.

How to Make Money with Gift Cards

What if you don’t want the gift cards you’ve earned? The good news is that you can convert them into cash by selling them for real money!

Selling Gift Cards in the UK

• Cardyard – A dedicated UK site where you can sell unwanted gift vouchers for cash. They take a small commission but make the process straightforward.

• eBay – Some people successfully resell unused gift cards here, though you’ll likely need to sell under market value to appeal to buyers. Make sure you always list clearly and avoid untrustworthy buyers.

Selling your gift cards is a great way to turn rewards into real income, especially if you’d rather boost your savings than spend in-store.

Another option is to gift them for friends and family birthdays and special events, leaving you with the money you would have otherwise spent in your pocket.  Just be mindful of expiry dates.

Other ways to get free gift cards

There are also a few other methods to get free gift cards.  Check them out below.

Signing up to apps

Some apps reward you with a free gift voucher when you sign up and complete a simple action:

• Zilch – Get a £5 Amazon voucher for signing up and making your first Tap & Pay purchase. Find full instructions in my Zilch referral code blog post.

• Snoop – Sign up to the free Snoop app and connect at least one bank account to qualify for a free £5 Amazon voucher. You must remain signed up with a connected account for at least 28 days to receive the reward. Use my Snoop referral link.

Enter giveaways to win free gift cards

Another option is to enter free online competitions to win gift cards. These are often listed on competition websites and shared on social media platforms such as X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.

Final Word

From surveys and shopping apps to bandwidth sharing, there are several ways to quickly earn free gift cards online. They’re easy to start, don’t require specialist skills, and can help cover everyday costs like groceries or entertainment.

If you’d prefer to earn direct cash instead of vouchers, take a look at my full guide on how to get real free money in the UK, which covers even more apps and websites that pay money, or offer free money for signing up as a new customer. 

Quick Checklist

• Sign up to trusted survey sites like Swagbucks and YouGov.
• Use receipt apps such as Shoppix and SnapMyEats.
• Try EverUp for finance-based rewards.
• Redeem cashback via TopCashback or Quidco as vouchers.
• Run Pawns.app or Honeygain for passive gift card earnings.
• Sell unwanted gift cards through Cardyard or eBay.
• Sign up for some apps for free gift card rewards.
• Enter online competitions that give away gift vouchers as prizes.