Sometimes free isn’t really free after all. Too often we pay for social networks, messengers and other smartphone apps with our data or the services are cluttered with advertising. And even though most paid apps cost less than €5, some Android users may not want to or be able to spend money on paid apps for various reasons. This may be because they don’t have one of the required payment methods, because they are afraid of fraud or for some other reason don’t want to buy apps. Here are five tips on how to get hold of paid smartphone apps cheaply or even completely free of charge.
1. the Google survey app: earn credit with surveys
With the „Google survey app“ , Android users can easily earn credit for GooglePlay. All you have to do is answer surveys from time to time. According to Google, you can earn between 0 and 80 cents per participation, although zero cents and 80 cents are admittedly extremely rare or never occur. Users who don’t want to spend money on Android apps (credit is of course also valid for other things from GooglePlay) can earn a little extra bit by bit. Admittedly, firstly it takes a little time, as each survey is only valid for a few days and there is not a survey every week, and secondly the answers are of course added to the Google account, so that the user’s advertising profile is sharpened even more. However, there is the option of answering each survey/question with “I don’t want to answer this”. In some cases, you will still receive money for participating. Everyone has to test this for themselves. The extent to which this “do not answer” is then saved and influences the appearance of future surveys is unknown.
Personal comment:
I was able to “earn” €36.79 with 200 surveys in around five years. Other examples speak of 72/14.28€, 434/86.33€, 474/96.69€, 380/72.11€, 470/102.68€ and 192/35.24€. An average of just under 20 cents per survey. How exactly the number of surveys can be pushed is not officially known. Some sources talk about opening the app more often, others about activating the GPS or generally being on the move more, as it is suspected that surveys are played out based on the GPS location.
Of course, the credit cannot be paid out and, according to rumors, it also seems to expire. So you should not accumulate the credit forever and ever.
Please note: While researching this article, we discovered that there are several other survey apps. Unfortunately, the comments in GooglePlay speak volumes. None of these apps seem reputable. Since the “Google Survey App” comes directly from Google, the security here is much higher. The credit is displayed directly in the app. You can find out exactly how the app works here.
2. The “AppSales” app: price alert for your favorite apps
The free app “AppSales” is a tip for all savers and discount hunters. The way it works is relatively simple to explain. The app collects price information and informs you of price drops and special offers in GooglePlay. As programmers occasionally release apps for promotions free of charge or with a discount for a short time, the app can help you save a lot. Important: Not all apps from GooglePlay seem to appear in the app or sometimes only with their original English names. Here you have to look around a bit and get to know the app. The app is financed by advertising banners.
Additional tip:
If you add your favorite apps to your favorites, you will receive a targeted message as soon as one of the apps drops in price and can then get it for free or at least at a low price. In combination with the “Google survey app”, you can definitely get hold of a bargain or two.
3. Family library: an app for the whole family
Android (and also iOS) offer so-called family libraries. In these libraries, apps can be purchased once by the “family administrator” and are then available to the whole family free of charge. This means that the other family members can theoretically use paid apps for free. Of course, the terms and conditions always apply and the Google accounts must be linked in the family library.
4. Credit.de + Amazon.de:
Admittedly: Guthaben.de and Amazon.de are not really savings tips in the classic sense. However, the advantage of both providers are lower or smaller credit cards for GooglePlay. While the credit vouchers in the supermarket only start from 15 euros upwards, on Guthaben.de and Amazon.de vouchers can be purchased from as little as 5 euros and sent by e-mail.
In addition, with Sofortüberweisung, Giropay, Überweisung, EPS Online Überweisung, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa and AMEX, there are significantly more payment methods available than in GooglePlay directly.
Additional tip:
The 5,- Euro vouchers are particularly suitable for giving away a single Android app without having to think about what to do with the remaining credit.
5. Classic vouchers on special offer
Classic vouchers or prepaid cards are not really a money-saving tip either. However, from time to time there are discount promotions from discounters such as Real, Rewe, Penny or Media Markt, where GooglePlay credit cards are sold with a 20% discount. Depending on the amount of the credit card, you can save a few euros – or the equivalent of an app. Sometimes – and it has to be said fairly – the discount only applies to other products from the supermarket or Payback points. In the worst-case scenario, you get 500g of minced meat for free. Here you have to pay close attention to the wording of the offer.
Do you have any other legal tips for saving money or do you know of any apps that help you save money? Then post them in the comments.
