Is Mistplay Legit? Earn Up to $550 Playing Mobile Games

Mistplay is a free Android app that rewards you for downloading and playing games.

But is it really “the best-kept secret in gaming,” like the company proclaims? And is it safe to use?  

The good news is Mistplay isn’t a scam — it’s legit — but your earning power depends on a few factors.

In this Mistplay review, I’ll break down:

• How to make money with Mistplay
• How much you can earn (and how to maximize your income)
• Pros and cons
• Mistplay alternatives to consider 

Ready? Let’s do it!

What is Mistplay?

Mistplay is a free Android app available from the Google Play Store that rewards you for downloading and playing games through the links in the Mistplay app. 

Mistplay personalizes your experience based on:

• location
• time
• player interaction

(So our screenshots of available games and rewards may look different than yours.)

Is Mistplay Legit?

Yes, Mistplay is a legitimate company based in Quebec, Canada. It is backed financially by GrowthCurve, a private equity firm.

Mistplay partners with mobile game developers to advertise, build player loyalty, and increase game revenues.

Some of their popular game development partners include:

• Scopely
• IGG
• Peak

Mistplay’s website states they have paid out over $60 million to users and have over 400 games.

At press time, Mistplay has a 4.5-star rating on Google Play, and 4.1-stars on Trustpilot.

They’ve also claimed their Trustpilot profile and respond to user reviews, which is a positive sign.

Can You Earn Real Money with Mistplay?

Yes, you can earn real money through Mistplay and withdraw through PayPal or a variety of gift cards.

Our independent app tester, Rachel, earned $175 in eight months using Mistplay. “Initially, I played for fun with no real strategy,” she said. “Then I started getting more strategic and I earned $40 in one month.”

Still, you’ll have to consider this “extra income” or “fun money,” because it may only work out to $1 to $2 an hour.

And there’s a ceiling on the money you can earn – it caps out at $550 per year:

If you’re looking for a side hustle with better hourly earning power, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you’re already going to be spending time playing mobile games, you might as well get paid for it.

How Does Mistplay Work?

Here’s a high-level overview of how Mistplay works and how you can make money:

1. Install the Mistplay app from the Google Play Store.
2. Select games and install them by following the link in the Mistplay app.
3. Have fun and play the games within the Mistplay app. The more you play, the more you can earn.

Let’s break it down in more detail and share some best practices to maximize your Mistplay earnings.

Who is Eligible for Mistplay?

Mistplay is open to users 18 and over with Android phones running version 6 or higher.

Some phones and devices aren’t compatible (see screenshot)

Phone Settings

When downloading Mistplay, it will prompt you to change your phone’s permissions.

Follow the “Go to Settings” link, allow Misplay to display over other apps, and permit usage access.

This will allow Mistplay to verify your gameplay and award you units.

Important Note: VPNs are not allowed when playing Mistplay. If you use a VPN, make sure the VPN is turned off prior to playing.

Mistplay warns that playing with a VPN could result in suspension or termination of your account.

Another Pro Tip: When downloading Mistplay or any games through Mistplay, don’t change your Internet connection between WiFi and cellular data.

Inside The Mistplay App

Playing Games

Earn points or units by installing and playing games from the Mistplay app. There are a wide variety of games available to choose from.

For each game, you can see the earning speed and how many gems you can earn per dollar spent on the games. Purchasing gems increases your status.

Your game status is on the upper left of the screenshot.

Purchasing gems is completely optional. No purchase is required to earn in Mistplay. “I never spent money on games (or while playing) and could still earn and redeem units,” Rachel explained.

We’ll discuss gems and statuses later in this review and whether it’s worth purchasing gems.

Search

From the search menu, you can see many different categories of games to choose from, including:

• Action
• Adventure
• Arcade
• Base Building
• Bingo
• Card Games
• Casino
• and lots more 

If you’re looking for a specific game, this menu gives you a place to search for it.

How Does Mistplay’s Point System Work?

Mistplay awards units at their checkpoints, which are different from game checkpoints. Multiple factors determine how many units are awarded at each checkpoint.

Game Experience Points (GXP)

GXP are the points you earn playing individual games based on the time you played. The longer you play, the more GXP you earn.

But you stop earning GXP after 2 hours of playing a game.

No worries, just play another game. When you have enough GXP you reach a checkpoint and are awarded units.

Player Experience Points (PXP)

PXP are the points you earn for all the games you play, and they increase your “level” within Mistplay.

You’ll earn these whenever you reach a Mistplay checkpoint.

“Increasing your levels with PXP can also increase the number of units you earn at each checkpoint,” Rachel added.

Unit Multiplier (UM)

At each Mistplay checkpoint, points are awarded. There is a base amount of points and that base amount is multiplied by a Unit Multiplier (UM).

UM is individualized for each player based on game interactions.

Playing games with higher Unit Multipliers can improve your earnings from the app.

Gems & Status

Everyone starts Mistplay with Bronze status.

One way to level up is to earn PXP, but another way is to make a purchase within a newly discovered game. 

The highest status is Platinum. 

Similar to frequent flyer and other loyalty programs, your point-accumulating powers really accelerate at the higher levels.

For example, a Platinum player gets a 23% boost on their Game Experience Points and has a higher Unit Multiplier:

Is it Worth it to Make In-Game Purchases Through Mistplay?

“If your goal is to earn and not lose money, I’m not convinced it’s worth it,” Rachel said. “The reward system for purchases seems complicated, and I can see where it would be easy to overspend.”

However, if you like purchasing bonuses within games, earning a bit of that back might be worth it. Take a closer look on a game-by-game basis to see if it’s worth it for you.

How Much Can You Make With Mistplay?

According to Mistplay’s economy-disclosure the maximum you can earn per year with Mistplay is $550. 

(My guess is this is to avoid IRS 1099 filing requirements, which typically trigger at $600 in earnings.)

Rachel, our Mistplay tester, earned as much as $40 in a month by optimizing her Mistplay strategy.

Ed Blount, another Mistplay reviewer, wrote: “You won’t get rich here, but I’ve probably made $150 on it since installing roughly 7 months ago.” 

The bottom line: As with most money making apps, it’s going to be side money at best — not something to replace your day job.

How to Maximize Your Mistplay Earnings

In this section, I’ll share how to maximize your Mistplay and game-play time.

Be Strategic with Playing Games

The core feature of Mistplay is getting paid to play mobile games.

Rachel found the best results when she:

• Played games with the highest multipliers.
• Looked for games with “boosted” offers.
• Played more than one game at a time. (You can play a new game if you run out of lives or if you’ve exceeded the 2-hour GXP cap for a game.)
• Consistently tried new games. “As you progress through Mistplay’s checkpoints, it takes longer to earn units and the units are fewer,” she explained.
• Interacted with specific tasks and events inside games.

Here are some additional best practices.

Check for Daily Tasks and Events

Completing daily tasks can earn additional units. Sometimes, you’ll see events and even tournaments in the app.

Events and tasks within the games you’re playing might increase your UM.

“It’s worth a try,” Rachel said. “I’m sure there are multiple ways that interacting with games could help.)

Keep Your Streak Alive

You can earn additional units for playing at least 15 minutes a day.

Refer Your Friends

After checkpoint 5, you can send friends a referral link.

They’ll earn the usual 200 welcome units plus an additional 100 units by using your link to sign up.

You earn 15% (in units) from your first 5 friends when they reach the 5^th checkpoint in a game.

Follow Mistplay on Social Media

Earn additional units by following Mistplay on social media and subscribing to their newsletter.

Mistplay also occasionally posts “Mistcodes” on social media. Add those codes in your profile section (click on the gear icon for the menu to enter Mistcodes) for additional units.

Enter Sweepstakes

There’s a winner each week — it could be you!

How to Cash Out Your Mistplay Earnings

In the Mistplay Shop, you’ll find several different cash out options, including PayPal and various gift cards.

Among the gift card options are:

• Amazon
• Target
• Starbucks
• Google Play
• Athleta
• AMC Theaters
• Papa John’s
• Sam’s Club
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• and more

The minimum redemption is 1800 units, which gets you a $5 gift card.

To cash out with PayPal, the minimum is 3000 units or the equivalent of $10.

You can also convert your gems into units.

How Much Are Mistplay Units Worth?

Mistplay units have two different valuations: one for gift cards and one for PayPal.

For gift card redemptions, 360 Mistplay units equals $1. (Though you’ll have to earn at least 1800 to cash out.)

For PayPal redemptions, 300 Mistplay units equals $1. (Though you’ll need to earn at least 3000 units before you can cash out.)

If you’re thinking this is intentionally confusing, you’d be right!

What We Like About Mistplay

• It’s fun, and you can earn rewards
• Earn based on the time spent playing games
• Variety of games
• Variety of cash out options, including Amazon gift cards and PayPal
• Low minimum to redeem units

What We Dislike About Mistplay

• Installing multiple games takes up a lot of memory on a phone
• The point system for earning units is intentionally unclear
• Earnings are low on an hourly basis
• Android only

Is Mistplay Worth It?

With realistic expectations, the app is worth it. If you enjoy playing mobile games, you can earn a little bit of extra money or gift cards while riding on public transportation, waiting for an appointment, or waiting in line.

“It’s more or less getting paid to be entertained,” Rachel said. “What’s not to like about that?”

But you’ll have to make this decision for yourself.

If your goal is to make more income, your time may be better spent working on a side project or even reading a book to improve your mindset.

Mistplay Alternatives

If you enjoy playing mobile games and earning awards, here are a few popular and well-rated Mistplay alternatives to consider.

Freecash

According to Freecash, players can earn around $17.53 per day just playing games. Freecash has game offers for iOS, Android, and PC, with some paying out hundreds of dollars.

(And unlike Mistplay, they tell you earning power in dollars, not confusing “units.”)

At press, the app had over 2,700 different games to choose from, offering plenty of variety for players.

Kashkick

KashKick is a newer gaming and survey site. They keeps things easy with clear payouts, so you know exactly how much you earn each time.

With a cash-out minimum that’s not too hard to reach, it’s perfect for those wanting a quick reward without a long wait. 

Check out our full KashKick review to learn more.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is an online survey app that enables you to take surveys and play new games to earn cash.

At press time, the app has a 4.4-star rating with over 117,000 reviews on the Apple App Store.

Reviewers appreciate the variety of ways to make money with Swagbucks, including:

• surveys
• mobile games
• cash back for online shopping
• receipt scanning
• and more

Cash Giraffe

Cash Giraffe is an Android-only mobile app that allows users to earn money playing some of their favorite mobile games.

Cashouts are provided in a number of ways, including:

• coupons from top brands
• gift cards
• PayPal

The app has a 4.4-star rating from a whopping 380K reviews!

Check out our full Cash Giraffe review to learn more.

Serious About Making Extra Money?

• Start Your Free $500 Challenge. My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
• Join the free Side Hustle Nation Community. The free Facebook group is the best place to connect with other side hustlers and get your questions answered.
• Download The Side Hustle Show. My free podcast shares how to make extra money with actionable weekly episodes.