Who doesn’t love getting free stuff?
Whether it’s a free snack, a beauty product, or a subscription trial, finding ways to get free stuff on the internet is a smart way to save money while discovering new products you might love.
This How to Get Free Stuff Online guide will walk you through the best and legitimate ways to get free stuff online in 2025, so you can enjoy new products and experiences without spending a dime.
I will include a summary of each option, so you can easily identify which ones fit you best.
Let’s begin.
Why do companies give out free stuff?
Before we talk about the options, let’s discuss why these companies give out free stuff. What do they stand to gain by doing so?
It might seem too good to be true, but companies do give out free stuff online for strategic reasons. Here’s why:
- To Attract New Customers
- To Get Honest Feedback
- To Increase Brand Awareness
- To Clear Out Excess Inventory
- To Compete in a Crowded Market
In short, companies give out free stuff because it benefits them too. When done through trusted channels, it’s a win-win situation.
You get to try new products for free while brands gain exposure, feedback, and potential customers.
Common scams and how to avoid them
While getting free stuff online can be exciting, it’s important to watch out for scams.
Unfortunately, some websites and social media pages take advantage of people looking for freebies. When they promise you free stuff but ask you to fill out endless surveys or install suspicious apps, they are most likely scams.
Some sites even advertise free items but ask for a large “shipping” fee that costs more than the product itself. There are also fake freebie offers that include links that can infect your device with malware when clicked. Scammers may even create fake freebie offers to collect your personal information, including your address, email, or payment details.
It’s quite hard to distinguish them immediately. So, the best thing you can do is stay cautious and use trusted platforms.
That way, you can enjoy getting free stuff online safely, without risking your personal data or money. It also helps to do some research before diving in.
8 best places to get freebies
Now that you know why there are companies that give free stuff, it’s time we discuss the actual options you can choose from. Keep in mind that this is not a prioritized list, so just choose whichever one suits you best.
I will keep updating this guide, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new options.
#1 – Free Sample Sites
There are many websites that hand out free samples in exchange for short feedback. You can check out this guide on the best ways to get free samples online for a list of great options.
The idea is that you can claim a free product by simply providing feedback. They will ask you to evaluate the product and provide feedback via a survey. So, it’s not a very complicated process. The free stuff you can get will be quite varied, but based on my experience, they will usually be categorized under beauty products, food, pet care, etc.
#2 – Product Testing Platforms
Product testing platforms are, in a way, similar to free sample sites, with one key difference. These product testing platforms will usually require you to follow certain procedures when testing products. You usually don’t have free rein on how you can test/evaluate a product.
Based on my experience, you will also usually have to speak out your thoughts about the product, which means you’ll have to record yourself while testing/evaluating it. Or at least fill out a survey after testing it.
But in the end, you still get to try out specific products for free.
You can check out this guide on the best product testing sites you can join.
#3 – MyHOP
If you are craving pancakes, you can join MyHop, which is iHop’s loyalty program. Once you register as a member, you’ll receive an email that includes a coupon for a stack of free pancakes.
Just remember to use it before the expiration date.
#4 – Cashback and Reward Apps
Technically speaking, you won’t get free stuff from these apps. Instead, cashback and reward apps will let you earn enough rewards that you can use to redeem gift cards, which you can then use to buy stuff from certain stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more.
So, in essence, you’ll still get free stuff from them. You can check out the best cashback apps as well as the best reward apps for a list of options to choose from.
#5 – Arby’s Rewards
One good thing I discovered was that if you join Arby’s Rewards, you’ll get a free roast beef sandwich. All you have to do is click the link above and sign up to receive text messages from Arby's Rewards to get a free sandwich.
You can also receive text messages when there are great deals available. So, if you love this fast-food restaurant, then signing up for its loyalty program is your best way to get free food from them.
#6 – Buy Nothing Project
The Buy Nothing Project is a global movement where people give and receive items for free within their local communities, aiming to reduce waste and encourage sharing instead of buying new.
To get free stuff, simply search for your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook or download the Buy Nothing app, join your community, and start posting requests or browsing available offers.
Members frequently post free “Gifts” of items they no longer need, such as:
- Clothes and shoes
- Books and toys
- Kitchen appliances
- Furniture
- Plants or seeds
Just remember to be polite and patient when requesting items because many people may express interest in the same items. Aside from that, don’t take items you don’t need just because they’re free.
By using the Buy Nothing Project, you can consistently get free items while giving back to your local community, making it one of the most sustainable and rewarding ways to get free stuff online, in my opinion.
#7 – Freecycle Network
The Freecycle Network is a global, nonprofit movement where people give away items they no longer need for free.
Its goal is to keep usable items out of landfills and reduce waste. To start, you must go to the website, create a free account, and join a group based on your city or neighborhood.
Once you’ve joined, you can check the “Offers” section for items people are giving away. If you find an item you want, send a clear, polite message to the giver expressing your interest. Remember to be honest about when you can pick it up and respect the giver’s pickup preferences.
It’s also good etiquette to thank the giver after pickup, either by message or on the platform. But again, don’t take items you don’t need just because they’re free.
#8 – Loyalty Programs with Birthday Freebies
Lastly, you can join loyalty programs that hand out birthday freebies. Even though you can only get free stuff from them once a year, if you like the brand or company, then it’s worth joining their loyalty program because you’ll also get other benefits like discounts and special deals.
You can check out this guide on the best sites that give out birthday freebies for a list of great loyalty programs you can join.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this guide on how to get free things online.
As you can see, there are several places you can get freebies online. Whether you’re looking for beauty samples, snacks, or full-sized products to test, there are plenty of ways to get free items delivered to your doorstep.
Just remember to always check the eligibility, requirements, and terms to avoid scams.
In my opinion, the best thing you can do is to stay cautious and use trusted platforms. That way, you can enjoy getting free stuff online safely, without risking your data or money.
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with how to get free stuff online, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.