Imagine being able to turn your downtime into dollars, leveraging the power of your smartphone to unlock opportunities. Whether you’re a student looking to make some extra cash, a stay-at-home parent seeking financial independence, or a hustler with a passion for side gigs, there are scores of money-making apps to enable anyone to earn extra income today.
You’re already using your phone to access your bank accounts and pay your bills, so why not leverage your device to earn some extra money on the side?
After some thorough research, I’ve identified the top money-making apps in 2023.
There are also proven systems for starting and growing your own business. With Earnable, you get all the exact strategies, frameworks, hands-on tactics, real-world examples, mindsets, done-for-you templates, word-for-word scripts, and hard-won breakthroughs to start and grow your own business.
Overview of the 20+ Best Money-Making Apps
- Rakuten: Rewards you with cash back for shopping.
- Foap: Make money by selling your photos and videos.
- Google Opinion Rewards: Get paid by answering surveys.
- iPoll: Similar to above, get paid by taking surveys.
- Swagbucks: Rewards points for shopping online, browsing the web, answering surveys, and watching entertaining videos.
- Acorns: Puts your money to work by investing it.
- Sweatcoin: Get paid by walking. Yep, walking.
- Slidejoy: Get paid for watching ads.
- OfferUp: Sell used stuff to people in your area.
- Mobee: Secret shopper app that rewards you with points for completing missions at various stores.
- TaskRabbit: Make money by providing a wide range of services to people in your area.
- Uber: Get paid by providing people with rides.
- Lyft: Another ride-sharing app.
- MyPoints: Another cashback rewards app, similar to Rakuten and Swagbucks.
- Ibotta: Puts a unique twist on cashback rewards.
- Mercari: A marketplace app for selling goods.
- Survey Junkie: If you like the idea of getting paid to give your opinion, this app is another top choice to consider.
- Paribus: Finds you refunds from purchases that you’ve already made.
- Drop: Like many other money-making apps on our list, you’ll get rewarded for shopping.
- InboxDollars: Rewards points for answering surveys, watching videos, playing games, and cashback offers.
- Branded Surveys: Allows users to participate in surveys and earn rewards in exchange for their feedback.
1. Rakuten
Formally Ebates, Rakuten app rewards you with cash back from shopping.
More than 2,500 stores are partnered with this platform. Those stores pay Rakuten a commission for referrals and Rakuten shares that commission with its users in the form of cashback.
Earn cash rewards after buying from Amazon, Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s, eBay, Expedia, JCPenney, H&M, and countless other brands you’re already familiar with. I’ve seen cash-back promotions as high as 10%.
If you join Rakuten today, you’ll get a $10 bonus after making qualifying purchases within 90 days of becoming a member.
I have a few friends that use Rakuten. They each received checks for over $50 last month. You can opt-in for PayPal payments if you prefer to get paid electronically.
2. Foap
The Foap mobile app is an excellent way to make money by selling your photos and videos.
Simply create a profile and start uploading your content to the app. When a person, brand, or agency buys a photo, you’ll split the profits with Foap.
Some photos sell for $5, while others sell in the $60 to $100 range. You’ll need an active PayPal account to get paid for your work sold on Foap.
Foap is easy for anyone to use. You can upload photos that you’ve already taken, or take new ones for higher-paying missions.
More than 2.9 million creators are active on the Foap platform. Big brands like Bank of America, Mastercard, and We Are Social use Foap to buy content.
3. Google Opinion Rewards
Want to get paid for taking surveys on your smartphone? Download the Google Opinion Rewards app to get started.
The concept is straightforward. Complete a short survey on a wide range of potential topics. It could be a hotel review, personal opinion, or satisfaction survey from a particular merchant. The surveys are short enough that you can take them while waiting in line for a cup of coffee.
You can earn extra money by sharing your TV and internet usage with Google Opinion Rewards. Just continue browsing online and watching TV like you normally do.
Payments are released as Google Play or PayPal credits.
4. iPoll
If you like the idea of being paid to take surveys, the iPoll app is another top choice to make money from.
Similar to Google Option Rewards, all you have to do is answer brief questions about products and services that you’re already using.
You can earn gift cards for PayPal, the Apple App Store, and Amazon for your participation.
5. Swagbucks
Swagbucks app offers rewards points for shopping online, browsing the web, answering surveys, and watching entertaining videos. All of this can be facilitated through the mobile app.
You can redeem Swagbucks points for gift cards or get cash back to your PayPal account.
Swagbucks gives away more than 7,000 gift cards every day. They’ve paid out more than $410 million in rewards since the company was first founded back in 2008.
You can earn 1,000 SB points ($10 in value) if you sign up and make a qualifying purchase at a store featured in the Swagbucks shop.
6. Acorns
Acorns puts your money to work by investing it through automation.
The app automatically rounds up your spare change from credit card purchases and deposits it into an investment account. For example, let’s say you spent $9.50 at lunch. Acorns round it up to $10 and invest $0.50.
It’s a great opportunity for those who want to start investing but don’t have large sums of money to do so. Just answer a few questions about your risk tolerance, and Acorns will recommend a portfolio that fits your needs.
The app costs $1, $3, or $5 per month depending on the pricing tier you select.
(If you want to discover other robo-investment apps or additional ways to invest $100 a day to make $1000, I listed some in this recent article for GO Banking Rates).
7. Sweatcoin
Want to get paid for walking? Sweatcoin is the perfect money-making app for you.
All you need to do is keep Sweatcoin running in the background of your phone at all times. The app will automatically track your steps. Every 1,000 steps reward you with 0.95 Sweatcoins.
Sweatcoins can’t be withdrawn as cash. However, you can redeem them for goods and services. Some featured examples include athletic wear, audiobooks, headphones, and meditation.
More than 300 brands have partnered with Sweatcoin. Most of these goods and services are related to promoting a healthy lifestyle.
8. Slidejoy
Every day you’re exposed to digital advertisements. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get paid for seeing ads?
Slidejoy makes that possible. The app adds advertisements to your phone’s lock screen.
Each time you check the app on your phone, you’ll see a new ad or promotion.
Slide left to learn more information about the ad. Swipe up to view another one. Or slide right to access your home screen.
Slidejoy is only available for Android users.
You can cash out rewards via PayPal, or donate your earnings to one of Slidejoy’s charity programs.
9. OfferUp
The OfferUp app is perfect for selling your used stuff to people in your area. Think of this app as a hybrid between Craigslist and eBay.
Simply upload some pictures and a description, and set your price. Everything from appliances to clothing and cars is available on OfferUp.
If you want your listing to get more views, you can pay to promote it.
Historically, you had to meet up with buyers in person to complete the transaction. But OfferUp recently added a shipping feature that facilitates sales nationwide.
You could also use OfferUp to buy items for cheap and then flip them to turn a profit.
10. Mobee
Mobee is a secret shopper app. It rewards you with points for completing missions at various stores.
Simply download the app and browse for a mission in your area.
It could be anything from Macy’s to Domino’s. Each mission has a set of tasks for you to complete. You’ll be rewarded for things like answering survey questions and taking photographs inside the store.
Mobee lets you redeem those points for gift cards, including gift cards to Amazon. It takes up to 48 hours to redeem your rewards.
11. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is another app that requires a little bit more work to make some money. But with that said, the extra effort usually results in higher pay.
You can provide a wide range of services to people in your area.
Common tasks include moving furniture, mounting a TV, household cleaning, and IKEA assembly. Create a profile on TaskRabbit to highlight your featured skills. You can even set your own rates for particular jobs.
The more tasks you complete, the better chance you have of getting selected for a task in the future. People seeking services will review your profile before accepting you to do a job.
If you’ve got the time to do some physical labor, download the TaskRabbit app to make money.
12. Uber
I’m sure you’re familiar with Uber. There’s a good chance you’ve used the app to hail a ride. But you can use that same app to get paid for driving people around.
Make your own hours and use your own car. Just turn on the Uber app whenever you want to start working.
Depending on your area, Uber generally has guaranteed earnings promotions for new drivers. You can be rewarded with bonuses for working certain hours and get tipped by customers as well.
If you want to make money with Uber but don’t want strangers in your car, consider becoming a food delivery driver for UberEats.
13. Lyft
Like Uber, Lyft is another popular ridesharing app.
In most instances, the pay and job description are pretty comparable to Uber. I know lots of people who sign up for both and switch between the two regularly.
Depending on your city, you might find that Lyft is more popular for riders in your area.
If you don’t have a car, Lyft can help you get one through one of their Express Drive partners. The car payment comes with insurance, unlimited miles, and maintenance included.
Use Lyft as a side hustle to earn extra cash on nights or weekends. Or drive full-time. The choice is yours.
14. MyPoints
MyPoints is another cashback rewards app, similar to Rakuten and Swagbucks.
You’ll earn rewards in the form of points for purchases at thousands of stores. Examples of brands on the MyPoints program include Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, Macy’s, Target, and Groupon.
Redeem points for gift cards or transfer the funds as cash to your PayPal account.
New MyPoints members get a $10 welcome bonus in the form of an Amazon gift card or Visa gift card. Just make a qualifying purchase to get your bonus.
15. Ibotta
The Ibotta app puts a unique twist on cashback rewards.
You can pay for purchases using the Ibotta app in physical stores as well. You’ll also be able to upload receipts to get rewarded. So you don’t always need to shop using a direct link, as you would with other cashback apps on the market today.
The network of Ibotta partners isn’t quite as extensive as other apps. However, you can still use it at national brands like Walgreens, Target, Walmart, GAP, Domino’s, and Booking.com.
Ibotta offers a $20 welcome bonus to new app users who make a qualifying purchase.
16. Mercari
Mercari is a marketplace app for selling goods. It’s similar to OfferUp, but there’s no option for in-person meetups.
You can start listing items within minutes of downloading the app. Just upload pictures, add a description, and set your own prices.
Mercari provides you with printable shipping labels via email.
Popular products sold on Mercari include headphones, tablets, speakers, handbags, and clothing.
There is no fee for using Mercari. The app takes a 10% commission on all completed sales. So just keep that in mind when you’re setting prices.
17. Survey Junkie
If you like the idea of getting paid to give your opinion, the Survey Junkie app is another top choice to consider.
Build a profile on the app so that Survey Junkie can match you with the most relevant surveys to your lifestyle. Simply complete the surveys in your spare time to earn virtual reward points.
Redeem those points for gift cards at popular stores like Target or Amazon. Alternatively, you can cash out points via PayPal.
18. Paribus
Paribus finds you refunds from purchases that you’ve already made.
Just provide them with the email address you use for online shopping receipts. Paribus scans those receipts for stores that they monitor.
If one of your purchases goes on sale after you buy it, Paribus refunds you for the difference. You can also get compensated for late deliveries from online orders.
Paribus currently monitors more than 25 major retailers. Examples include Best Buy, Home Depot, Target, and Amazon. The Paribus app is 100% free. They don’t take a commission from the savings, charge a monthly fee, or surprise you with any hidden charges.
19. Drop
More than three million people are currently using the Drop app.
Like many other money-making apps on our list, you’ll get rewarded for shopping. Each time you shop using Drop, you’ll get rewarded with points.
Drop won’t give you cash, but you can redeem those points for gift cards at places like Amazon, Starbucks, and Netflix.
20. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is an online rewards platform that allows users to earn money by participating in surveys, watching videos, playing games, completing offers, and reading promotional emails.
To redeem earnings, users must reach a minimum balance threshold, typically $30, and can choose to receive payment via check or e-gift cards for popular retailers.
21. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is an online platform that allows users to participate in surveys and earn rewards for sharing their opinions. The platform connects users with companies and market research firms seeking consumer insights.
Users sign up, provide demographic information, and are matched with relevant survey opportunities. As users complete surveys, they earn points that can be redeemed for cash via PayPal, gift cards, or virtual prepaid Visa cards.
Branded Surveys also features a loyalty program called Branded Elite, where users can earn bonus points and access additional perks as they progress through different tiers.
While the income potential may vary, Branded Surveys offer a user-friendly experience and regular survey opportunities for individuals looking to share their opinions and earn rewards in their spare time.
How To Make Money With Apps
Making money with apps is very straightforward.
In most cases, it’s as simple as downloading the app and creating a profile. Depending on the circumstances, you might be required to provide more information for some apps compared to others.
For example, if you’re using Uber to make money, you’ll need to go through an approval process that can take 5-7 days. They’ll verify your license and car details, and run a background check.
Other apps allow you to start making money within seconds of signing up without any lengthy process.
Make sure you have an active PayPal account. Most money-making apps issue payments via PayPal.
How To Choose The Best Apps That Make You Money
Not every app on here is ideal for everyone. There are certain considerations to look at when evaluating apps for making money.
This is the methodology that we used to create this list. I’ll explain what matters and how you can weigh these factors according to your personal needs.
Pay Amount
Most apps won’t make you rich. Lots of them won’t even qualify as part-time jobs or a side hustle. However, they provide simple ways to have extra cash.
Choose an app based on how much you want to get paid. For example, if you want to earn hundreds or thousands of dollars per month, you likely can’t do that by filling out surveys. You’d be better off using apps like Uber, Lyft, OfferUp, and TaskRabbit.
Those types of apps have a higher upside in terms of the payment amount.
Effort
The next thing you’ll have to decide is how much effort you want to commit.
Do you want just to complete small tasks from your smartphone while you’re lying on the couch or sitting at a coffee shop? Or do you want to visit retail stores, drive around, meet up with buyers in person, and do some manual labor?
The amount of effort it takes to do something usually has a direct correlation with the payment amount. Moving furniture on TaskRabbit pays more than completing a two-minute survey.
Payment Method And Frequency
Some apps let you get paid with cash. In most cases, cashouts are facilitated via PayPal. But there are a few apps that will mail you a check.
Other apps don’t offer cash but reward you with gift cards.
Again, you can’t make a living with a handful of Starbucks or Target gift cards. But if you’re just doing a few small tasks on the side, it could still be worth your time.
Certain money-making apps have redemption restrictions, so be sure to review the payment frequency and full terms before you get started.
Fees And Initial Investment
Many apps on our list are free. But some do require you to pay.
For example, an Acorns membership can cost up to $3 per month. Mercari takes a 10% commission for all sales facilitated through its marketplace.
Overall, these fees and initial investments are pretty low. But if you don’t want to spend any money, stick to the free apps.
App Reputation
Conduct your due diligence before you download any money-making mobile apps. Make sure the app has lots of positive reviews. Read the negative reviews to see what unhappy users are saying.
You can usually sign up for these apps with just an email address. Apps asking for sensitive information could be a potential scam.
Lots of apps on our list promise that they won’t sell your data. So if privacy is important to you, stick with an app with that reputation.
It’s never been easier to make money from apps in 2023. Use the apps that I’ve listed above to get started.
Looking for other ways to increase your income? Have a look at my video on how to find good business ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Money-Making Apps
Which app is best to earn money?
Here are the 10 best money-making apps from our list:
- Rakuten: Rewards you with cash back for shopping.
- Foap: Make money by selling your photos and videos.
- Google Opinion Rewards: Get paid by answering surveys.
- iPoll: Similar to above, get paid by taking surveys.
- Swagbucks: Rewards points for shopping online, browsing the web, answering surveys, and watching entertaining videos.
- Acorns: Puts your money to work by investing it.
- Sweatcoin: Get paid by walking. Yep, walking.
- Slidejoy: Get paid for watching ads.
- OfferUp: Sell used stuff to people in your area.
- Mobee: Secret shopper app that rewards you with points for completing missions at various stores.
Which app gives real money?
Swagbucks. The app offers money right when you sign up on your phone (available on iOS and Android.
You gain points by shopping online, browsing the web, answering surveys, and watching entertaining videos. All of this can be facilitated through the mobile app.
What apps pay you cash instantly?
Here are the apps that pay you cash instantly:
- Swagbucks
- Google Opinion Rewards
- iPoll
- Mobee
- Survey Junkie
- InboxDollars
Do money-making apps really work?
Yes! You likely won’t get rich, but you can earn some nice cash back from apps like Rakuten or even a significant side income from gig apps like TaskRabbit or Lyft.
What apps will make you the most money in 2024?
Gig apps like Swagbucks or Ibotta will almost always allow you to make much more money than survey apps or apps like Sweatcoin.
Do apps really pay money?
Absolutely! Many apps out there genuinely pay money for various activities you can do right from your phone. Whether it’s completing surveys, selling goods, freelancing, investing, or participating in the gig economy, there’s an app that can turn your time or assets into cash. Apps like Swagbucks, eBay, Upwork, Robinhood, and Uber are just a few examples where users earn real money for their efforts. It’s all about choosing the right app that aligns with your interests or skills. Dive in, and you might be surprised at how much you can earn!
If you liked this post, you’ll LOVE the Insider’s Newsletter
Join over 800,000 readers getting content that’s not available on the blog, free:
