Tester Buddy: Fun Side Hustle or Frustrating Flop?

It's been a while, my little lights of the outside world. I hope you are all a glow in this day and age. As always, bear in mind this is just one perspective, your mileage will also vary.

We all love a little extra money, especially in these uncertain times in the United States. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, and some start holiday shopping as the dreaded Mariah Carey season will be upon us before we realize it. Done early to avoid future price hikes, It's a wild concept, but it's becoming a common practice as we try to manage our daily lives, tackle bills, and maintain some semblance of normalcy.

In a previous article, I mentioned my love of games and my exploration of apps and sites that offer gift cards for platforms like Steam. But what if you have needs beyond gaming? How can you make a little extra money on the side in such a vast landscape?

For the fifth time, I came across the ad for an app called 'Tester Buddy' while playing games to earn points on Earnweb. My curiosity got the better, and I decided to see how legitimate this app could be. So, I downloaded the app intending to test it out, all while exercising caution.

Tester Buddy claims to offer users the opportunity to earn money through playing their suggested games. A common but still intriguing concept, so I decided to dive in and see if it could be a viable option for making a little extra cash.

Luckily, one of the offerwalls I work off of for points had a special offer to get points after earning a certain amount from this app.

Upon opening the app, I was presented with a list of games—some familiar, others less so. This variability likely stems from differences in app popularity, similar to the ongoing debate about the Epic Store versus Steam. I chose the 'Woodcolor Sort' app, downloaded it, and prepared to entertain myself on the go or when in need of a diversion.

Returning to the app, I was pleasantly surprised by a new list of games to explore, rather than the expected stagnant lineup.

After immersing myself in the game for a couple of days, I tested the process of adding money to my PayPal account. To my surprise, it was simpler than expected. Most apps or websites require linking PayPal to a bank account, but my cautious approach meant my PayPal was not linked to a bank.

The concept seems straightforward, right? Play, earn, and obtain what you desire. It's not always that simple. One of the primary criticisms of Tester Buddy is its inconsistency in disbursing rewards. While I received $1 in my PayPal account, others on Reddit reported never receiving their rewards.

Attempts to seek support from the website yielded unsatisfactory results, with the site only providing links to their social media pages and contact information—nothing more.

Regrettably, I did not receive the points promised from that offer wall for this app challenge, but I did manage to earn a dollar.

What does this mean for you? If you're seeking gift cards for Amazon, Mastercard, or Visa, explore other options. However, if you have a PayPal account and don't mind some extra funds for minor expenses, give it a shot. There's not much to gain or lose in this case.

So to tie everything up for the moment, Tester Buddy offers a common proposition: earn money by playing games. While the concept is appealing, the execution falls short due to stories of inconsistencies in reward disbursement and the search for customer support seems underperforming. For those looking to earn a little extra cash with minimal effort, it might be worth a try, especially if you already have a PayPal account set up. However, if you’re seeking a more reliable source of gift cards or substantial earnings, you might want to explore other avenues. Tester Buddy provides an interesting but ultimately unpredictable experience, making it a hit-or-miss option in the expansive world of digital earning opportunities.