23 Ways to Get Free Stuff Online (Or Mailed to You) (2026)

If ways get free stuff is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• 23 Ways to Get Free Stuff Online (Or Mailed to You) With time and persistence, you can claim gift cards, beauty products, household items, a...
• Fortunately, you don’t have to figure out how to get free stuff online on your own because we’ve vetted the very best ways you can do so.
• Written by Anna Baluch Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Home Money Management Save Money Some of the links on DollarSprout point to products or...

23 Ways to Get Free Stuff Online (Or Mailed to You)

With time and persistence, you can claim gift cards, beauty products, household items, and much more. Fortunately, you don’t have to figure out how to get free stuff online on your own because we’ve vetted the very best ways you can do so.

Written by Anna Baluch Last Updated: April 19, 2024

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In a day and age where everyone seems to be offering free stuff online, it may be hard to discern which companies offering free stuff are legit, and which ones are a scam.

The truth is not everyone has your best interest in mind, and frequently times getting free stuff isn’t as simple as some people make it out to be. There’s almost always some sort of “catch.” You’ll have to register an account, download an app, or start a free trial. You get the point.

It makes sense, though. Companies aren’t just going to offer free stuff online if there isn’t at least some heightened chance that you’ll do business with them in the future. Fortunately, you don’t have to do business with them. Numerous companies offer free product samples, free makeup, or other free stuff by mail, with no requirements, commitments, or shipping costs.

To help you cash in on their desperation generosity, we’ve put together a list of 22 completely safe places you can get free beauty products, gift cards, and other common household items (from retailers such as Amazon, Starbucks, and Walmart), at no cost to you.

23 Apps and Websites to Get Free Stuff Online

There are a number of companies that offer online freebies in exchange for completing simple tasks like taking paid surveys and watching videos. The tasks are generally pretty boring, but they offer a legitimate way to get free stuff with no strings attached.

Note: The apps and websites below can be accessed without a credit card (if you'd prefer to keep your information private).

1. Earn free rewards

If you ever purchase anything online, make sure you are using a rewards browser extension. Capital One Shopping works in the background to find excellent deals and potentially working coupon codes. Whenever you visit an eligible merchant, you will get a small alert notifying you of a rewards opportunity , just hit the Activate button and you are all set to earn.

Capital One Shopping also tracks cost drops on items you’ve viewed, helping you make informed purchasing decisions, especially for those pricier items you’ve had your eye on. 

Where to get free gift cards

Gift cards give you the opportunity to purchase whatever your heart desires at various retailers, restaurants, and more. The websites below may reward you with free gift cards, making it easier to score new clothes, enjoy a dinner out, or cover a week’s worth of groceries.

2. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys rewards users for giving feedback on products and services. You don’t have to pay for anything. All it costs is a small portion of your time. But with its Survey Matching Engine that pairs you with opportunities that fit your profile, it won’t even cost you much of that either.

Once you reach 1,000 points, you can cash out for $10. Options include PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards to places like Apple, Lowe’s, Amazon, and other favorite restaurants and retailers.

Bonus: Get your first 100 points when you create your account.

3. Swagbucks

With Swagbucks, you can earn points for things like shopping, taking surveys, watching videos, and playing games. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular places like Target, Amazon, and Walmart.

You can also earn cash and transfer it to your PayPal account if that’s your preference.

Bonus: Get a free $10 gift card when you make a $25 purchase at a qualifying retailer.

4. InboxDollars

InboxDollars rewards you for things you’re probably already doing. Think, searching the web, playing games, taking surveys, and watching videos.

According to its website, most surveys “pay from $0.50 to $5.00 and take 3 to 25 minutes to complete. There are some online surveys that pay $10, $20, or even more if you match the demographic profile an advertiser is looking for.”

The minimum redemption amount is $30. You can redeem your rewards points for Visa or retail gift cards, or you can opt for a physical check in the mail if you’d prefer.

Bonus: Get an instant, free $5 bonus when you sign up today.

5. Survey Junkie

You’ll love Survey Junkie if you don’t mind taking surveys and sharing your opinion. Most surveys only take a few minutes to complete, and you’ll still get points for trying to take a survey even if it turns out you’re not qualified for it. You can redeem these points for gift cards at hundreds of retailers or cash through PayPal.

6. MyPoints

The MyPoints rewards program gives you points for searching the Internet, reading emails, taking surveys, printing coupons, and more. You can earn 60 points just by signing up and completing your profile. You can save up points for a $100 gift card or redeem fewer points for gift cards worth $10, $25, or $50.

Bonus: Get a free $10 gift card when you make a $20 purchase at a qualifying retailer.

7. Pogo

Pogo is an simple way to passively earn free gift cards or PayPal cash just by keeping the app installed. It works by anonymously collecting data on things like your location and shopping habits, information that most apps already track for free. With Pogo, you actually get rewarded for it.

Once installed, Pogo runs in the background while you go about your day, whether that’s driving to work, shopping, or eating out. Over time, the points add up, and you can redeem them for free gift cards or cash.

I typically earn around $8 to $12 per year, not a fortune, but considering I don’t do anything extra, it’s an simple way to rack up some free rewards. Plus, Pogo also offers surveys, cash-back deals, and even discounts on car insurance, making it even more valuable.

If you’re already sharing data with apps like Google and Facebook, Pogo makes sure you actually get something in return.

Where to get free stuff by mail (product testing)

Companies rely on consumer opinions to improve their products and help them figure out whether or not they should be brought to market.

As long as you don’t mind sharing detailed feedback when it’s all said and done, you can earn good money testing products (and you may even get to keep the product for free once the testing period is over). Here are 4 places to do just that:

8. Pinecone Research

If you decide to become a panelist for Pinecone Research, you’ll get an email every time a survey is ready for you. You’ll receive multiple points for each survey you complete and can cash them in for cash or prizes. Occasionally, you’ll also get a free product to test. You’ll be able to influence the products of tomorrow while getting rewarded.

Note: One perk of Pinecone Research is that in addition to occasionally getting free stuff by mail (with no catch and no shipping costs), you’ll get paid $3 for each survey you complete.

9. American Consumer Opinion

To become a product tester for American Consumer Opinion (ACOP), you’ll have to take several 10-minute surveys each year. The

Final Thoughts

The bottom line: a little research on ways get free stuff goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.

Originally published at dollarsprout.com.