GTA Shark Cards Guide
A GTA Shark Card is a great way to add a cash injection to your character without having to commit to hours of grinding. For any person new to the concept, Shark Cards are the in-game currency you can buy with real money. Purchased GTA cash is automatically deposited into your character’s Maze Bank account so you can make in-game purchases. The cards have remained at the same levels since GTA Online was released in 2013, but the price of vehicles and properties available has increased tenfold.
In this guide, you can find information about what Shark Cards are, how much they cost and what you can buy with them, as well as introducing Shark Card alternatives to solve your money problems in GTA and GTA Online.
What are Shark Cards and how do they work?
Shark Cards are a way of gaining virtual currency in the highly popular video game GTA 5, developed by Rockstar Games. These cards can be purchased using real money and used to acquire various in-game items.
When you buy a Shark Card, the funds are automatically deposited into your in-game account and available for use in purchasing weapons, vehicles, property and other game items. These cards are available in different amounts, with in-game cash amounts ranging from $100,000 to $8,000,000. They are essentially paid DLC items, with the tier you buy determining the monetary boost you receive the game.
The convenience of purchasing Shark Cards is that they offer players a quick and easy way of acquiring in-game currency, eliminating the need for lengthy gameplay to accumulate cash. This enables you to bypass the tedious process of earning money and buy the items you desire immediately.
However, some gamers have criticised the use of Shark Cards as a form of microtransaction, as they provide an unfair advantage to players who can afford to buy virtual items with real money. It’s important to note that purchasing Shark Cards is entirely optional, and Rockstar Games tries to balance prices to cater to both buyers and non-buyers. However, they remain an excellent option if you’re looking to give your character’s bank account a cash boost.
How much are Shark Cards?
The cost of a Shark Card varies based on the amount of in-game currency you want to purchase. These cards come in different tiers, each providing different amounts of cash, with more expensive cards yielding more in-game money. The prices of these cards can range from a few pounds or dollars to being more costly than buying an actual game. They are also likely to increase in price with the release of GTA 6.
To stay true to their “Shark” branding, each tier of Shark Cards is named after an actual species of shark. The price and value differences of the cash cards correspond to the size ratios between the actual animals. At the shallow end of the spectrum is the Red Shark, which offers just $100,000 of GTA money. Climbing up the ladder is the Tiger Shark, which offers double the value for a slightly higher price, making it a better bargain.
It’s crucial to note that the cost of Shark Cards is subject to change based on various factors such as the platform, region and currency exchange rates. Keep reading to find out the cost of each Shark Card and what they give you in the game.
Megalodon Shark Card – $8,000,000
If you want to be a high roller in Los Santos and Blaine County, then you buy a Megalodon Shark Card. Players looking to add a Scramjet supercar ($4.5m), a Deluxo flying car ($4.7m) or a Lazer fighter jet ($6.5m) can do so with the purchase of a Megalodon cash card. Amazingly, despite being the biggest cash card you can buy in-game, there are still items that are more expensive, including the Luxor Deluxe plane ($10m).
- Cost: £64.99 / $99.99 / €74.49
Whale Shark Card – $3,500,000
The Whale Shark Card weighs in at $3,500,000, allowing you to buy a decent amount of expensive vehicles or a few of the properties dotted around Los Santos. If you’re starting to buy a Whale Shark Card, you’ll realise it’s now more expensive than buying GTA 5 itself. At this level, you’re taking your online bank and purchases more seriously.
- Cost: £31.99 / $49.99 / €37.99
Great White Shark Card – $1,250,000
The Great White Shark Card can certainly take a bite out of your planned GTA cash spending. The online game has a lot of high-end sports cars and supercars that are worth just over a million dollars. Compared to the cheaper cards below, the Great White Shark Card offers decent value.
- Cost: £11.99 / $19.99 / €14.99
Bull Shark Card – $500,000
Half a million GTA cash is not something you should dismiss straight away because you will be able to buy a huge number of vehicles to add to your fleet. You won’t get anything at the top end of the market and you’ll struggle to purchase multiple vehicles with that card, but you can still add to your collection of items. If you really want that one car and it fits into your budget, then go for the Bull Shark Card.
- Cost: £6.19 / $9.99 / €7.49
Tiger Shark Card – $200,000
At this point, you can’t buy much with a Tiger Shark Card, but it is good for topping up your bank account with a little extra cash if needed. You can save yourself a little money by not paying for two Red Shark Cards, but really there isn’t much left in GTA Online you can buy alone with either.
- Cost: £3.29 / $4.99 / €3.99
Red Shark Cash Card – $100,000
The cheapest Shark Card available, the Red Shark doesn’t offer much value for money costing over double what you’d pay for the same amount of in-game cash if you bought a more expensive card. While it may have been helpful during the first year or so of GTA Online, items added to the game in the last few years are much more expensive to buy. You can combine the card with some of your funds to buy older weapons or vehicles released during that first year, but not much.
- Cost: £1.99 / $2.99 / €2.49
How do you activate GTA Shark Cards?
Redeeming a Shark Card on PS4, Xbox One, PC or next generation consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X is a straightforward process that can be completed very quickly. Redeeming a GTA Online in-game cash key is also a simple process. You need to visit socialclub.rockstargames.com/activate and log in to your Rockstar Games Social Club account. Then, enter the Rockstar Code you received, and your Shark Cash Card will be instantly added to your account. The next time you open GTA Online, you’ll have access to the funds on the Shark Card.
Are GTA Shark Cards worth it?
Purchasing a Shark Card allows you to bypass the need to grind for in-game currency and immediately access the items you want. If you have limited time to invest in the game or you want to progress quickly, then they’re a great option. However, they can be particularly expensive, especially if you want to purchase all the available items in the game.
Because of the expensive nature of Shark Cards, gamers are turning to alternatives to improve their GTA cash flow. As an alternative to Shark Cards, we supply various cash packs and GTA modded account options popular with gamers that can support your domination of Los Santos.
- Cash Drops – Solve any cash problems you may have in GTA 5 with a cash drop. Available on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, these Shark Card alternatives provide a cash injection for up to 60% cheaper than a Shark Card. Choose from $2m right up to $10m, complete the form and we’ll do the rest.
- Millionaire Cash Drops – If you need even more cash, the Millionaire Cash Drops for PlayStation and Xbox are for the serious players. Starting from $10m, choose up to the amount you desire to become a true high roller in Los Santos.
- Car Dealer Service – If it’s a new fleet of cars you want for up to 60% less than paying for a Shark Card, our Car Dealer service is ideal for you. You can then sell these cars for the desired cash you need. We also have a modded cars service for PlayStation if you want to fill out your garage more permanently.
- Casino Chips & High Roller Bundles – We know you love the GTA Online Casino Update and the chance to have fun and make more online cash. To get more money, you need some money to start with. Our High Roller Bundle is perfect for giving you a heap of cash to spend in the casino. If you’re on the PC version, we also have Casino Chip Bundles exclusively for use at The Diamond Casino & Resort.
It’s important to remember that cash is king in this town and with the occasional purchase of cash drops, you can stay at the top of your game. Browse our full selection of GTA money options and GTA modded accounts.