You’ve likely seen ads for apps that claim you can earn money just from playing games on your phone. While many of these seem too good to be true, Mistplay is a legit app that pays you to play. But is it really worth your time?
In this in-depth review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Mistplay:
- How it works
- What games it offers
- How much money you can actually make
- When and how it launched
- Steps for signing up and using the app
- How Mistplay compares to similar money-making game apps
So download a new game, settle into your couch, and let’s dive in!
Mistplay Basics: What Is It and Is It Legit?
Mistplay is an Android app you can download for free from the Google Play store. It was created in 2016 by a company called Mistplay based out of Canada.
The premise is simple: Mistplay partners with mobile game developers who want more people to test and play their games. In exchange for playing these games, you earn points called “units” in the Mistplay app. You can then cash out these units for gift cards or money.
Since launching in 2016, Mistplay has been downloaded over 10 million times. It holds a respectable 4.1 out of 5 stars on the Play Store across over 350,000 user reviews.
While you shouldn’t expect to replace your full-time income with Mistplay earnings, it is a legitimate way to earn rewards by playing fun games you’d likely play anyway during your spare time.
How Does Mistplay Work? An Inside Look at the App
When you first load up Mistplay, you’ll see a selection of games spanning multiple genres and formats. These were created by developers running promotions with Mistplay.
You can browse games in categories like puzzles, action, casino, multiplayer, simulation, and more. Tap a game you find interesting, and Mistplay will prompt you to download it right on your device so you can start earning units.
As you play games, Mistplay rewards you in a currency called “units” that you can build up over time. There are a few ways to earn units:
- Raw gameplay time: The longer you play a game, the more units you’ll accumulate
- In-game level ups and progress: Reach new levels to trigger unit rewards
- Unit multipliers: Games have different unit payout rates; play games with higher multipliers
- Bonuses: You can earn bonus units through daily check-ins, referrals, special promos, and more
Once you’ve earned enough units, you can cash out your earnings. Mistplay offers gift cards for popular shopping and entertainment options like Amazon, Target, Netflix, and many more.
You can also redeem units for Visa and Mastercard prepaid debit cards. And if you prefer cash, you can cash out to PayPal.
For example, 400 units would get you a $0.50 Amazon gift card. Not too shabby for just playing games!
One key tip is to pay attention to redemption rates. If you save up for higher-value denominations rather than cashing out at the lowest levels, your units become more valuable.
How Many Games Does Mistplay Have?
Mistplay doesn’t disclose exactly how many games it offers at one time. In our experience browsing the games tab, there were dozens of options spanning puzzle games, trivia, arcade-style games, multiplayer games, and more.
The selection of games you see is also tailored based on your user data, so not everyone will see the same games.
The variety of games will ebb and flow over time as well. Mistplay partners directly with mobile game developers who pay to have their games promoted on the platform. The more developers that sign up for campaigns, the more gameplay options users can access.
Can You Really Make Money Playing Games on Mistplay?
Now for the question you really want answered: How much can you expect to earn with Mistplay?
Unfortunately, reliably quantifying Mistplay earnings isn’t straightforward. Payout rates vary widely depending on which games you play. Some games earn just a few cents per hour, while others might average 25 cents or more per hour.
That said, based on user reports, you can expect average earnings somewhere in the 10 to 20 cents per hour range.
Reaching the maximum daily play thresholds across multiple games, you could potentially make $1 to $3 per day. But casual users are more likely to average around $5 to $15 per month.
While you won’t get rich with Mistplay, these earnings can add up over time. And you get to earn them while enjoying fun mobile games during idle moments rather than actively working.
Just don’t quit your day job! Consistent earnings beyond pocket change would require an almost unrealistic commitment to daily playtime.
When Was Mistplay Launched?
Co-founders Henri Machalani and Eugene Joannides founded Mistplay in Canada in 2016. Soon after, in July of 2016, the company launched its Android app to the public via Google Play.
Since launch, Mistplay has expanded its app to over 10 million downloads fueled by word-of-mouth buzz and integration of new games.
How Do You Sign Up for Mistplay?
Looking to score some gift cards just for the games you’d play anyway? Getting started with Mistplay is straightforward:
Download the Mistplay App
Go to the Google Play Store on your Android device and download the Mistplay app. The app supports Android 6.0 and above.
Create an Account
On first opening the app, Mistplay will ask you to create an account. You can quickly sign in with your Facebook, Google, or email account details.
Accept the Terms of Use
Read through Mistplay’s Terms and Conditions and formally accept them. As part of the terms, you permit Mistplay to access and record data on your gameplay activity.
Complete the Interactive Tutorial
Mistplay will walk you through a helpful interactive tutorial of the app’s core features. This will explain the process of finding games, earning units, leveling up, referring friends, and redeeming your earnings.
Browse Games and Start Playing!
With the basics down, start poking around the games tab to check out gameplay options tailored to you. Find something that catches your fancy, download it through Mistplay, and start racking up those units!
Cash Your Units for Gift Cards
Once you hit the minimum redemption thresholds, head to the shop tab to trade your hard-earned units for gift cards or cash.
Using the Mistplay App: Key Features and User Experience
Browsing through the Mistplay app itself, the interface is well-designed and intuitive. Tabs on the bottom make it easy to jump between your game shelf, unit earnings status, the games marketplace, your profile, shop, and bonus opportunities.
Within each game, Mistplay does a nice job of showing your gameplay progression. You can see available achievements to keep leveling up and milestone rewards you’ll unlock on the way.
The app also sends you notifications around every 30 seconds confirming you are still accumulating units from the game. This periodic confirmation is a great way to make sure you don’t play an entire game just to find your earnings weren’t tracking.
While using Mistplay, keep an eye out for badges, streaks, and limited-time challenges as well. These can offer sizeable unit bonuses and help boost your earnings rate.
How Does Mistplay Compare to Other Paid Game Apps?
While one of the most popular options, Mistplay isn’t the only legit Android app that pays you to play games.
Competitors like Cash Giraffe provide a similar gameplay-for-rewards structure with some key differences in available games and payout structures.
Let’s look at how two alternatives stack up next to Mistplay.
Cash Giraffe Overview
Downloads: 1 million+ Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Like Mistplay, Cash Giraffe focuses on letting you earn rewards by playing new games developed by their advertising partners.
The gameplay functionality mirrors Mistplay pretty closely, with the ability to earn gem currency you can redeem for gift cards and cash.
One advantage Cash Giraffe has over Mistplay is a kid-friendly “E for Everyone” rating. So if you want to let younger household members play and earn, this is likely the safer option.
Learn more in our complete Cash Giraffe review.
Solitaire Cash Overview
Platforms: iOS and Android Rating: 4.6/5 stars Solitaire Cash sets itself apart by specializing in just one game genre: solitaire. Users can play various solitaire game formats and earn cash rewards.
However, the narrow focus on just solitaire likely limits long-term engagement for many gamers. And iOS device compatibility makes it less accessible than Android options.
See our full Solitaire Cash review for more details.
The Verdict: Is Mistplay Worth Your Time?
After reviewing all aspects of the platform, Mistplay stands as a fun, legitimate app you can use to supplement your income. Install Mistplay for Android, play some entertaining games during spare moments, and collect a little extra spending money along the way.
Just keep expectations set properly when it comes to potential earnings. While payouts can really add up for consistent daily use spanning hours, most users should view Mistplay as a side hobby rather than a serious money making endeavor.
As long as you approach Mistplay as a way to play games you enjoy already while slowly earning perks like gift cards and prepaid credit cards, you’ll have the right mindset to enjoy it!