PlayoutPayPal vs. gift cards: which reward to choose
PayPal cash is the most flexible reward: spend it almost anywhere or move it to your bank. Gift cards are the simplest: no PayPal account needed, ready for the store you already shop in. Both are great, and on Playout both usually arrive within minutes.
Key facts
- PayPal cash
- Money in your PayPal account, to spend online or move to your bank.
- Gift cards
- Store credit for Amazon or Google Play, delivered by email.
- What you need
- PayPal: a PayPal account. Gift cards: an email inbox and the store account.
- Delivery on Playout
- Both usually arrive by email within minutes.
- Minimum on Playout
- Low, set per currency, and shown in the app.
When your balance is ready to cash out, you get to choose: PayPal cash or a gift card. Neither is the “right” answer. Each one shines in different situations, and knowing the difference helps you get the most out of every payout. Here’s a friendly comparison of PayPal vs. gift cards, using the rewards you can pick on Playout: PayPal cash, Amazon gift cards and Google Play gift cards.
PayPal cash at a glance
PayPal cash is real money in your PayPal account. Once it’s there, you can pay with it at the many online shops that accept PayPal, send it to friends, or move it to your bank like any other PayPal money.
On Playout: tap your balance, choose PayPal and enter the email address of your PayPal account twice, so it’s exactly right. A reward email from our payout partner usually arrives within minutes. Accept it, and the money lands in your PayPal.
Great for you if:
- You want maximum flexibility in where you spend.
- You’d like the option to move money to your bank.
- You’re saving up for something specific and want it all in one place.
- You already use PayPal for online shopping.
Gift cards at a glance
A gift card is store credit. You redeem the code in your account with that store, and the value sits in your balance there, ready for your next purchase.
On Playout: tap your balance and choose a gift card, such as Amazon or Google Play. The card arrives by email, usually within minutes. Accept the reward, then redeem it in your store account.
Great for you if:
- You’d rather not use PayPal, or don’t have an account.
- You already shop at that store, so the credit gets used right away.
- You like keeping your rewards separate as a treat budget.
- You want something you could give as a present.
Side by side
| PayPal cash | Gift cards | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Money in your PayPal account | Credit for one store |
| Where you spend it | Wherever PayPal is accepted, or your bank | Amazon or Google Play |
| What you need | A PayPal account | An email inbox and a store account |
| How it arrives on Playout | Reward email, usually within minutes | Reward email, usually within minutes |
| Best for | Flexibility and saving up | Shopping you already do |
Which gift card fits you?
If you go for a gift card, choose the store you use most:
- Amazon suits everyday shopping: household items, books, gadgets and gifts. Amazon gift cards are generally tied to the Amazon store they’re issued for, so pick the one you shop in.
- Google Play suits your Android phone: apps, games and other content in the Play Store. Google Play gift cards are generally tied to a country.
Our Amazon vs. Google Play gift card guide goes into more detail.
Good to know on Playout
- The minimum is low for every reward, set per currency and shown in the app. Tap your balance any time to see how close you are.
- Payouts go out in round amounts. Anything above stays in your balance for next time, so nothing is lost.
- Cashing out is free, whichever reward you pick.
- Reward emails sometimes land in the Promotions tab of your inbox, so take a peek there.
- Your payout history in the app shows each payout’s status. “Sent” means the email is already in your inbox.
How to fill your balance
Whichever reward you choose, you earn it the same way: play the free games on the Playout shelf, finish levels for coins, and let the coins convert into real money every four hours. Keep your daily streak going for a coin boost that stays with you, and see how to cash out for every step of the payout.
PayPal, Amazon and Google Play are trademarks of their respective owners. Playout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
