Getting PokéCoins is the best way to upgrade your backpack and storage in Pokémon GO. While you can always buy them with real money most players prefer to earn them for free by playing the game. My opinion is that every player should aim for the daily limit to avoid spending their own cash. It takes a little bit of strategy but it is the smartest way to build up your resources.
I believe that the best way to get PokéCoins is through the gym system. It is a simple way to earn rewards just by being active in your local area. In this guide I will show you how the free methods work and the best ways to spend your coins once you have them. You will learn how to be a pro at saving up for those big upgrades.
The Main Ways to Get PokeCoins
There are two primary ways to get PokéCoins into your account. One way is free and requires you to help your team while the other is instant and uses real money. I believe that balancing both methods is the best approach if you are a very active player.
Most people focus on defending gyms because it is a reliable way to get coins every single day. However if you are in a rush or need a specific item for an event the shop is always available. In my opinion you should save your real money for big events and use the gym coins for your regular upgrades.
| Method | How it Works | Daily Limit |
| Gym Defense | Leave a Pokemon in a gym | 50 Coins |
| In Game Shop | Buy with real money | No Limit |
| Web Store | Buy online for bonuses | No Limit |
How to Earn Free Coins at Gyms
I believe that defending gyms is the most important skill for a free player. When your team controls a gym you can place one of your Pokémon inside to guard it. You earn one PokéCoin for every ten minutes your Pokémon stays in the gym. This sounds easy but there are a few rules you need to remember.
The most important rule is the daily cap. You can only earn a maximum of fifty PokéCoins every twenty four hours. Even if your Pokémon stays in a gym for a whole week you will only get fifty coins when it finally comes home. I think it is best to try and get your Pokémon knocked out every day so you can collect your coins consistently.
- You earn 1 coin for every 10 minutes your Pokemon is in a gym
- You need to stay for 8 hours and 20 minutes to get the full 50 coins
- You only get the coins when your Pokemon is defeated and returns to you
- The 50 coin limit resets at midnight every single day
Smart Strategies for Gym Defense
I believe that choosing the right gym is just as important as choosing the right Pokémon. If you pick a gym in a very busy city center your Pokémon might get knocked out in five minutes. In my opinion you should look for quiet gyms in parks or residential areas where people do not play as often.
You should also use bulky Pokémon like Blissey or Snorlax. These Pokémon have a lot of health and take a long time for enemies to defeat. I think that making it annoying for other teams to attack your gym is the best way to ensure you stay long enough to get your fifty coins. It is all about being a tough target.
- Place Pokemon in gyms that already match your team color
- Use Pokemon with high HP like Chansey or Slaking
- Feed berries to your Pokemon to keep them happy and strong
- Try to be in 2 or 3 different gyms at once to increase your chances
Why Teamwork Makes a Difference
I believe that playing with friends makes getting coins much easier. If you go to a gym with a group you can all put your Pokémon in at the same time. This makes the gym much harder for other teams to take over. I think it is a great way to hang out with friends while helping each other get rich in the game.
When you see a gym being attacked you can even use Golden Razz Berries to fully heal your Pokémon from far away. My opinion is that this is the best way to frustrate the other team so they give up and leave you alone. Teamwork is what makes the gym system work for everyone.
Buying Coins in the Shop
If you decide to buy coins I believe you should always check the prices carefully. The smallest pack is usually ninety nine cents for one hundred coins. However if you buy larger packs you sometimes get a better deal. In my opinion the Pokémon GO Web Store is often the best place to buy because they usually give you extra bonus coins for the same price.
I think you should only buy coins if there is a special raid or event that you really want to join. Otherwise the fifty coins you get from gyms every day will add up over time. If you save your gym coins for a month you will have one thousand five hundred coins which is enough to buy many great items.
- Small packs are good for a quick single item
- Large packs save you money in the long run
- The Web Store often has exclusive deals you cannot find in the app
- Always ask a parent before spending real money in the shop
Best Things to Buy With Your Coins
I believe that many new players waste their coins on items they can get for free. In my opinion you should never buy Poké Balls or Potions because you can get those just by spinning PokéStops. I think the best way to spend your coins is on permanent upgrades that make the game better forever.
Bag space and Pokémon storage are the most important things to buy. As you play more you will find more items and catch more Pokémon. If you do not upgrade your storage you will constantly have to delete things which is not fun. I believe that a bigger bag is the best gift you can give yourself in the game.
- Item Bag Upgrade costs 200 coins and gives 50 more slots
- Pokemon Storage Upgrade costs 200 coins and gives 50 more slots
- Remote Raid Passes let you play with friends from far away
- Egg Incubators help you hatch more rare and powerful Pokemon
How to Save Your Coins
I believe that having a goal is the best way to save your coins. Maybe you want a new outfit for your character or a special box full of raid passes. In my opinion you should write down what you want and check your coin total every day. It feels great to finally click that buy button after weeks of hard work.
I think you should avoid the temptation to buy small things like lures or incense unless you really need them. If you stay focused on your big goal you will reach it much faster. I believe that being patient is a big part of being a great Pokémon trainer.
- Set a goal for a specific upgrade or item
- Check the shop daily for special limited time boxes
- Avoid buying items that you can find at PokeStops
- Save up for the 3 pack of Raid Passes to save some coins
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I believe the biggest mistake is leaving a weak Pokémon in a busy gym. It will come home too soon and you will only get one or two coins. Another mistake is putting all your Pokémon in gyms at the same time in the same park. If one person clears the park all your Pokémon come home at once and you still only get fifty coins.
I think you should spread your Pokémon out in different areas. This way they are more likely to come home on different days. In my opinion this is the best way to make sure you get coins every single day of the week.
- Do not put all your Pokemon in the same neighborhood
- Do not use Pokemon that are easy to beat in gyms
- Do not forget to check if you already reached your 50 coin limit
- Do not spend coins on things you can get for free by walking
My Final Thoughts
In my opinion getting PokéCoins is a fun part of the game that teaches you how to be strategic. Whether you are defending the local gym or saving up for a big upgrade every coin counts. I believe that being consistent is the secret to success. If you try to get your fifty coins every day you will soon have a very powerful account without ever spending a penny.
I think the best part of the gym system is that it brings teams together. Working with your friends to hold a gym is a great way to be part of the community. I hope this guide helps you fill your bag with coins and your storage with amazing Pokémon. Get out there and start defending those gyms today.
- The daily limit for free coins is 50
- Stay in a gym for over 8 hours for the full reward
- Spend your coins on storage upgrades before anything else
- Check the Web Store for the best deals on paid coins
I truly believe that PokéCoins are the key to a great adventure. They give you the freedom to play the way you want and keep the items you love. Do not let the daily cap frustrate you. Just keep playing stay active and enjoy the rewards of being a Pokémon Master. Happy hunting and good luck with your gym battles.