How to get free stuff online

Nick Daws suggests unusual ideas on how to get free stuff online

The internet is a treasure trove of freebies if you know where to look. 

From samples and giveaways to promotional offers and rewards programmes, there are numerous ways you can get your hands on free stuff online. 

Here’s a guide to the best strategies and websites for scoring some great deals without having to spend a single penny.

1. Sign up for free samples

Many companies offer free samples of their products to attract new customers. This is especially common in the beauty, food and health sectors. Here are some popular websites to get started.

Magic Freebies UK – A comprehensive site that lists daily freebie offers, including beauty samples, food and drink, and household items.

Star Freebies – This is another excellent resource for finding free samples, competitions and other giveaways.

Latest Free Stuff – This popular site displays a wide range of free sample offers from brands across the UK.

2. Enter competitions and giveaways

Competitions and giveaways are a great way to get your hands on valuable items for free. Many companies and social media influencers run these to promote products and services. Keep an eye on:

Twitter/X and Instagram – Search for hashtags such as #giveaway, #competition and #win. Many brands and influencers host regular giveaways.

Facebook – Join giveaway groups such as UK Deals and Giveaways or follow pages dedicated to sharing competition links.

The Prize Finder – This is a dedicated website that lists hundreds of UK competitions across various categories.

3. Cashback and rewards apps

Several apps offer cashback or points that can be redeemed for free products. While these might require a small purchase initially, the rewards can be substantial.

Quidco – This cashback site allows you to earn money back on your online purchases, which can then be withdrawn as cash or used to buy gift cards.

TopCashback – Similar to Quidco, this site offers cashback on purchases from numerous retailers.

Swagbucks – Earn reward points (called SB) by shopping online, watching videos, taking surveys, and more. These points can then be redeemed for gift cards or cash.

4. Free trials

Many subscription services offer free trials, allowing you to use the service at no cost for a limited period. Some popular options include:

Amazon Prime – They offer a 30-day free trial, giving you access to free delivery, Prime Video, and various other perks. You can sign up here [affiliate link].

Netflix – While Netflix doesn’t offer a free trial any more in the UK, new users can still access promotional offers from time to time.

Audible – This leading audiobook site offers a 30-day free trial, which includes a free audiobook.

Don’t forget to make a note of when the free trial ends, and cancel in good time if you don’t want to start paying.

5. Giveaway groups

If you’re looking for larger items or household goods, local giveaway groups can connect you with people who have such items they are happy to pass on for free. Options include:

Freecycle – A network of local groups where people give away items they no longer need.

Gumtree – Check the ‘Freebies’ section for items being offered free of charge in your area.

Facebook Marketplace – Search for items listed for free within your local community.

6. Review products

Some companies offer free products in exchange for honest reviews. If you enjoy writing reviews, this can be a great way to access free stuff. Options worth trying include.

BzzAgent – Sign up to receive free products from leading brands to test and review.

Toluna – Participate in market research surveys and product testing opportunities.

Pinecone Research – This survey site often sends out products for review. You are also awarded points that can be exchanged for cash or prizes.

In addition, Amazon’s review programme, Amazon Vine, offers valuable items for free in exchange for reviewing them. Membership is by invitation only, but there are steps you can take to boost your chances of receiving one. See my article about Amazon Vine on Mouthy Money for further info.

7. Student freebies

Students can take advantage of various free offers and discounts. 

If you have a valid student ID, you can access a range of freebies and deals via websites such as the following…

UNiDAYS – This site promotes a wide range of discounts and offers to students.

StudentBeans – Similar to UNiDAYS, this site lists deals, discounts and freebies for UK students.

Save the Student -: This popular website covering most aspects of student life has a large section devoted to deals, discounts and freebies.

8. Digital freebies

Finally, don’t forget the vast array of digital freebies available online, including:

E-books – Websites such as Project Gutenberg have thousands of free, out-of-copyright e-books you can download.

Courses – Platforms such as Coursera, edX and FutureLearn offer free online courses on a wide range of subjects.

Software – Many open-source software options are available for free download.  SourceForge is a good place to start.

Tips for success

Stay organised – Use a dedicated email address for sign-ups to avoid cluttering up your main inbox.

Be persistent – Check freebie sites and apps regularly to catch the latest offers. The most popular ones may vanish quickly!

Read the terms and conditions – Ensure you understand the terms of any offer to avoid unexpected charges or commitments.

Closing thoughts

With a bit of effort and persistence, you really can access a wide range of free products and services online. By this means you can potentially save yourself hundreds of pounds on things you might otherwise have had to pay for. In these challenging times, that really can help your hard-earned income stretch a little further.

Good luck, and enjoy your online freebie hunting!

As always, if you have any comments to share about this article, please do leave them below.

Nick Daws writes for Pounds and Sense, a UK personal finance blog aimed especially (though not exclusively) at over-fifties.

Photo credits: Pexels