45 best money-making apps of 2025

Having more money is hardly ever a problem—the problem is knowing how to get it. Picking up a second and a third job is a surefire way to burnout, and your life shouldn't have to revolve around work, right? 

That's where money-making apps come in handy. You're your own boss, but the money still comes flowing in.

There are lots of apps out there that will promise you great earnings, but which ones are legit?

How to make money online with apps

You can make money online with apps in many different ways, including surveys, playing games, investing, or creating your own digital products. Making money on your phone has never been easier than it is now, with some apps letting you earn a bit of pocket money every month and others replacing a full-time job.

Below, we'll dive into a wide range of apps that can supplement your income or replace it entirely. Here are 45 apps that are worth trying if you want to make money on your phone.

Also check out apps with the best sign-up bonuses.

Best money-making apps

Whether you want an app that lets you make money from the comfort of your own home or one that connects you with people who need something in your area, there are lots of options to consider.

Let's get started.

1. Whop

Best for: Everyone to make money online.

How the app works: Whop is a social commerce platform where everyone can make money the way they want, whenever they want. You can make money by selling digital products and services.

You can sell things like:

• ebooks
• access to a paid community
• Online courses
• templates
• graphic design
• fitness and meal plans
• study materials
• SaaS
• sports betting picks
• trading advice
• one-on-one coaching

The above are just the tip of the iceberg, though. As long as you have an idea and a little bit of time, you can easily make it work with the help of Whop.

The best part is that you can make an active income—through the likes of online coaching, consulting, webinars and masterminds—or passive income, where your ebooks, templates, planners or courses will continue getting sold indefinitely while you're doing something else.

Once you set up your own whop, you can add products easily with pre-made apps—minimal setup and no programming required! Getting started only takes a few minutes.

Don't want to create a product or service? You can also earn money with content rewards (clipping and making UGC) and affiliate marketing.

How you get paid: Bank transfer through Stripe via ACH. You control how often you get paid; daily payments available.

What you need to use it: Android/iOS-based smartphone and a bank account.

2. Uber

Best for: People who have a car and want to turn it into a side hustle opportunity.

How the app works: Most of us have used Uber and Uber Eats at some point in our lives, but you can also flip the script and turn from customer to driver. Each app covers a different sort of gig and comes with its own set of requirements.

If you sign up to become an Uber driver, you'll get requests directly through the app. Once you pick one, you'll pick up the passenger and drive them to their destination. How much you make depends on things like distance, time of day, and tips.

Uber Eats drivers don't need a car, although you can use one if you want; scooters and bikes are okay, too. Your job will be to pick up deliveries and then drive them to their destinations, and you'll be paid based on distance and tips.

It's worth noting that both Uber and Uber Eats run a background check when you start (and then periodically), so you can't start earning right away.

How you get paid: Weekly payments are the norm, although you can get paid instantly with Instant Pay at an extra fee. Uber takes a cut out of each ride and delivery, but there's no set figure for how much you lose. Many drivers claim that Uber takes between 15% and over 50% of the cut, but you keep 100% of all tips.

What you need to use it: For Uber, you need to be at the minimum age required to drive in your city, and new drivers are expected to be at least 25 years old to transport passengers. You need to have at least a year of licensed driving experience in the U.S. Unsurprisingly, you also need a valid in-state driver's license and a 4-door vehicle.

For Uber Eats, the requirements are more lenient: you need to be at least 19 for car and scooter deliveries and 18 for deliveries by foot or on a bike. You'll need a valid driver's license or a government ID depending on your vehicle, and proof of insurance.

Find out more about how much you can earn as a delivery driver.

3. Cash Giraffe

Best for: Android users who enjoy mobile games and want to make some extra money.

How the app works: Cash Giraffe lets you make money on your phone by playing games and completing surveys. The tasks are fairly repetitive, and the idea appears to be that you try as many games as possible, as the longer you play a game, the less you earn for it.

Once you complete a task, you get gems for it, and the app lets you cash out once you reach 2,000 gems (roughly $0.20). The downside of this app (and many similar apps) is that your earnings are bound to be small. If you get a few dollars a day, consider it a success. 

On the other hand, you're getting paid for playing games—that's pretty cool, right?

How you get paid: Cash Giraffe processes payments through PayPal. If you use PayPal, the payment might take up to five business days to arrive; gift card codes should be quicker to reach you, and options include Amazon, Starbucks, and more.

What you need to use it: An Android-based smartphone; unavailable on iOS.

4. OfferUp

Best for: People who want to make money by selling locally.

How the app works: OfferUp is one of the most popular apps for selling things. I don't mean digital products—I mean actual, physical items, like that hoodie you've grown tired of or a pair of sneakers that don't quite fit. It's unique in that it mostly targets local sales where you'll meet up with the buyer in person most of the time, although nationwide shipping is an option too.

Use this app to get rid of things you have lying around. There's a surprising amount of money to be made just from stuff we don't really need; I made well over $300 just selling some old books not too long ago.

If you're feeling entrepreneurial, you can also use OfferUp to explore reselling for profit.

How you get paid: If you're selling in person, you get paid directly, either in cash or via apps like PayPal, CashApp, or Venmo. If you're shipping, the payments go through the OfferUp app.

The payment only gets released to you when the item gets delivered and accepted by the buyer. At that point, you can choose a standard bank deposit, which takes up to five business days, or a fast deposit to your debit card.

What you need to use it: A smartphone with Android or iOS and a bank account (and something to sell!)

5. Upside

Best for: People who want to save some money on their shopping trips.

How the app works: If you've ever seen one cashback app, you've seen them all—but not all are great or legit. However, Upside is both. 

With Upside, you can open the app and claim offers from nearby stores. This includes grocery shops but also gas stations and restaurants. Once you claim an offer, all you need to do is shop to your heart's content.

You get a percentage of your money back to your Upside account once you spend money on eligible offers. The exact amount varies based on the offer. You won't get much money through this, but if you can get paid for something you have to do anyway, then why not?

How you get paid: You can get paid through a bank transfer or PayPal. For PayPal, you'll have to collect at least $15 to avoid paying an extra transaction fee. Gift cards are an option, too. Upside usually processes payments within a few days.

What you need to use it: An iPhone or any Android phone; a valid debit or credit card.

6. Rewarded Play

Best for: Casual gamers who want to earn gift cards.

How the app works: Rewarded Play is pretty much what it says on the tin: you get paid for playing games within the app. It's fun, but the earnings are modest and take a while to accumulate.

Playing games nets you points within the app, but you can't just leave it running and go get some lunch—you have to complete tasks or reach certain levels. Some tasks are as simple as playing for a certain amount of time. Some games require in-app purchases or watching ads, but you won't have to spend any actual cash to buy those in-game items.

How you get paid: You can cash out once you've earned enough points, and you'll need a lot of points for that: 45,000 points get you a $5 gift card, including options like Amazon, Walmart, or Target. It may take a few days for you to get your gift card.

What you need to use it: An Android phone (unavailable on iOS). You also need to be at least 18 years old.

7. Acorns

Best for: People who want to invest without an upfront capital.

How the app works: Acorns is a micro-investing app that can help you break into the world of investing in a very low-key way. Its perhaps most interesting feature is referred to as Round-Ups. This rounds up every eligible purchase that you make and invests the spare change for you.

There's also Acorns Earn, which lets you get a cashback of sorts when you shop with Acorns' partners—except instead of cash, you're getting more money toward your investment.

Acorns provides five different investment portfolios based on your risk tolerance, and each of those five portfolios is made up of ETFs.

There's one major downside of Acorns, though: it's not free. You'll have to pay a modest monthly subscription, ranging from $3 to $9 per month.

How you get paid: Building up money that's worth withdrawing takes a long time, and nothing is guaranteed. Like with any investment, the amount you make depends on how your ETFs perform. Once you're ready to cash out, Acorns supports bank transfers.

What you need to use it: A smartphone with either iOS or Android; a bank account; a minimum of $5 for your initial investment.

8. MobileXpression

Best for: People who want to make a small passive income.

How the app works: Who would've thought you could make money online simply by sharing some data? Don't worry—it's not dodgy, at least not exactly. MobileXpression is a data collection app that keeps track of what you do on your phone and then uses that data for research purposes. 

All of the data is anonymous, so you don't have to worry about your browser history getting leaked on the internet somewhere. Other than just letting the app run in the background while you do your own thing, you can also fill out surveys to earn more. The app also spices things up with the occasional sweepstakes, with prizes like iPads or straight-up cash.

How you get paid: Every week that the app is active on your phone gets you some credits. Once you've built up enough credits, you can trade them in for gift cards for retailers like Walmart or Amazon.

What you need to use it: A mobile device, either iOS or Android is fine; consistent internet access; need to be over 18 years old.

9. Caden

Best for: People with no privacy concerns who want to make a little money.

How the app works: Caden is similar to MobileXpression in that it lets you monetize your personal data to make some passive income. (There are much better ways to make a passive income, though, so check them out if this is up your alley.)

You can let the app connect to various accounts, such as Netflix, Uber, or Walmart. Once connected, Caden collects anonymous data on your usage. Companies can then request this data for research purposes.

You get a bonus for each account you connect, but after that, you just get a daily data dividend that depends on how many platforms you've linked with your Caden app.

How you get paid: Caden uses Stripe to process its payments, which means you'll need a bank account. You can't cash out until you reach 40,000 points, which is around $40.

What you need to use it: A device running iOS (unavailable on Android); a Stripe account; an internet connection.

10. Decluttr

Best for: People who want to sell tech-related physical items.

How the app works: Decluttr helps you…well, declutter. It lets you sell CDs, DVDs, old phones, games, consoles, and other techy things easily. 

You won't be selling to other people, though, which is how this app differs from competitors like OfferUp. Instead, you're selling directly to the company. You can scan barcodes or enter some crucial info about your electronics into the app and get an instant valuation. If you accept, Decluttr will send you a free shipping label and you're all done.

How you get paid: You only get paid if the item passes inspection once it reaches Decluttr. Payments can be made through direct bank deposit or PayPal soon after your item gets approved.

What you need to use it: A device with either iOS or Android.

11. Arrived

Best for: People looking to diversify their income.

How the app works: Investing in property is a solid plan, but how many people can afford to just buy a house at the drop of a hat? Fortunately, passive real estate investing exists, and investing in REITs can be a viable option. Arrived gives you a fairly hassle-free way to do this.

With Arrived, you'll start with an initial investment of $100 (or more) and pick a property or fund to invest in. This gives you a tiny bit of ownership in the rental homes that Arrived owns and manages. You'll then earn rental income passively, through monthly or quarterly dividends.

This is a long-term investment that you won't have to do anything with for years.

How you get paid: You can withdraw your monthly/quarterly dividends into your bank account as soon as you get them. You can also reinvest them in other properties if you prefer.

What you need to use it: An iPhone or another iOS device; at least $100 for your initial investment.

12. Poshmark

Best for: Anyone who wants to sell gently used items.

How the app works: Poshmark is considered the go-to app if you want to sell used (but in good condition!) clothes, shoes, accessories, electronics, home decor, or beauty products. This is the app you should turn to if you're going all Marie Kondo on your closet and you have a lot of stuff that you want to get rid of.

To start selling, you have to make an account, snap some pictures of the things you want to sell, and list them. Once you find a buyer, Poshmark will send you a shipping label so that you can pack up the item and ship it. 

Even if you don't have any clutter around the house, you can still use Poshmark to work as a reseller. Check out our top 10 tips to become a successful reseller.

How you get paid: All the payments go through Poshmark, making it a secure affair. Once the buyer confirms that they received your shipment, you'll get paid. Poshmark takes a cut out of each sale, though.

What you need to use it: A smartphone with iOS or Android.

13. Pogo

Best for: People who want some passive income and don't mind sharing their personal information.

How the app works: Pogo is something between a cashback app and a data-sharing app. You can share your transaction data, email receipts, and location history in exchange for rewards. To do this, you have to link your bank accounts and credit cards to let Pogo track your spending. 

Pogo makes money by selling that data for market research purposes but also through personalized offers and ads. It's all anonymized, though.

How you get paid: You need to save 3,000 points before you can cash out through PayPal or Venmo.

What you need to use it: A smartphone running iOS or Android; a bank account or card that's been linked through Pogo's partner, Plaid.

14. Survey Junkie

Best for: People who want to make a little money by taking surveys.

How the app works: Survey Junkie does exactly what you'd expect: it lets you take surveys and pays you for them. You'll start by filling out your profile, which helps the app find relevant surveys for your demographics. Some of the surveys are quick, but some can take up to 30 minutes.

Every survey nets you some points. Survey Junkie also has a subsection called SJ Pulse, and this is essentially a copycat of apps like MobileXpression. It tracks your online activity and gives you some points in return. 

How you get paid: Once you've saved up at least 500 points ($5), you can either redeem your money through PayPal or a bank transfer. Many gift cards are also available.

What you need to use it: A phone with iOS or Android. Survey Junkie is not available in every country, and you need to be at least 13 or 16 years old to participate (depending on where you live).

15. Rover

Best for: Animal lovers who want to make extra money.

How the app works: Who doesn't want to get paid for hanging out with a cute kitty or a fluffy pup? Well, everyone who's ever worked as a petsitter or dogwalker knows that it's not quite that easy, but Rover is still a good way to make money while doing what you love (read: spending time with animals).

Working through Rover is a flexible gig where you are connected with pet owners who need services such as dog walking, boarding, or pet sitting. People will book your services based on your profile. Once you accept a booking, you take care of their pet and get paid through the app.

How you get paid: Rover pays via direct deposit within 48 hours after you complete a gig.

What you need to use it: Smartphone with iOS or Android. Rover runs background checks and requires government ID.

16. TaskRabbit

Best for: People who want to get paid for doing a physical job.

How the app works: Let's be real: many people have more fun sitting on the couch than doing whatever needs to be done around the house. (It's me, I am "many people.") If you're willing to do it for them, there's good money to be earned. This is where TaskRabbit comes in.

On TaskRabbit, you can offer services such as putting furniture together, moving help, cleaning, and various handyman tasks. It's all flexible, so you can set your own hours and choose to decline or accept the tasks that you get matched with. 

How you get paid: Once the service is complete, you should get paid within 48 hours.

What you need to use it: Your iOS or Android-based smartphone; valid ID; often your own tools. You may also need to pass a background check.

Find out how you can make money with TaskRabbit.

17. Swagbucks

Best for: People who want to earn a little bit of money on the side.

How the app works: As far as money-making apps go, Swagbucks is up there in terms of popularity. It might be because the tasks listed on the app are pretty varied, including watching videos, playing games, filling out surveys, or shopping online.

All of the above tasks give you a small amount of SB points. Those points can then be redeemed for gift cards or money. It really is that simple.

How you get paid: Once you reach the minimum threshold of $1, you can cash out for a gift card. The minimum to get paid through PayPal is $5.

What you need to use it: You need to be at least 13 years old and provide parental consent if you're a minor. You also need a smartphone with iOS or Android.

18. Ibotta

Best for: People who want to get some cashback on their daily shopping.

How the app works: Ibotta is yet another cashback app. The good thing about these is that you don't need to be loyal to just one app—maximizing your income means downloading several and using the ones that pay you something for your particular shopping trip. In the case of Ibotta, that'll be trips to the grocery store, but also shopping at online and brick-and-mortar retailers of all kinds.

Using Ibotta is straightforward. Browse the offers that interest you, pick the one you want, and then go ahead and shop. Connect your account to let Ibotta automatically keep tabs on your purchases or upload a receipt to get some of your cash back.

How you get paid: You need to reach $20 before you can withdraw your earnings, at which point you can do so through PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.

What you need to use it: An Android or iOS smartphone. And don't forget your receipts!

19. CashWalk

Best for: People who are (or want to be) active.

How the app works: Whether you're on your feet all day long or you want to be more active, you could be getting paid for it through CashWalk. This is a free app that counts your steps and gives you rewards for walking and running, be it on a treadmill or outdoors.

Every 100 steps you take turn into Stepcoins. You can get gift cards for these Stepcoins, and if you're walking, that's all you need to do. CashWalk also has more ways to earn coins quicker, though, such as watching ads or completing challenges.

How you get paid: You can get gift cards for popular retailers once you hit certain thresholds. You need 5,000 Stepcoins for a $5 gift card, which is a whopping 500,000 steps.

What you need to use it: A smartphone with iOS or Android.

20. italki

Best for: People who want to teach languages.

How the app works: If you know a language and you're willing to teach it, you could get yourself a pretty sweet gig with italki. The app lets you teach people from all around the globe.

There are two options: you can either be a Professional Teacher (requires certification and/or experience) or a Community Tutor (focuses on language practice and conversation; doesn't need any qualifications). 

When you get started, you'll set your own hourly rates and availability. Lessons typically take place in the italki Classroom or through video-chatting platforms like Zoom.

How you get paid: You get paid with italki Credits at a ratio of 1 Credit to $1. You can withdraw via Payoneer, PayPal, or bank transfer as long as you have at least $30 in italki Credits.

What you need to use it: Language proficiency (in a language that italki needs), a smartphone with iOS and Android, and the required certifications if you want to be a Professional Teacher.

Pros:

• You can work whenever you want
• Getting started is free
• You can teach languages even without a background in teaching

Cons:

• There are often more teachers than students
• italki charges a 15% commission for your earnings

Check out our italki review to see whether it's the best option for teaching languages online.

21. Fundrise

Best for: People who are interested in long-term investments.

How the app works: Fundrise and other apps like it are the epitome of money-making apps, because the whole point is that you're investing and hoping for a good ROI. Fundrise lets individual investors like you put some money into REITs (real estate investment trusts) and eFunds.

When you sign up, you'll choose an investment plan strategy. 

How you get paid: Returns are paid out in the form of quarterly dividends. This is a long-term investment scheme, though, so you may be penalized if you liquidate and withdraw before the first five years have passed.

What you need to use it: A minimum investment ($10 for a taxable account and $1,000 for an IRA); a smartphone with iOS or Android.

22. Instacart

Best for: People who enjoy shopping and want to get paid for it.

How the app works: Instacart is an app that connects online shoppers with people who need goods delivered. Sure, the buyers could just order online delivery through their supermarket, but Instacart is independent of any store and aims to get your goods to you within 15-30 mins.

As an Instacart shopper you have two options. The first is to become a full-service shopper, where you join the app, have orders pop up, and accept the ones you want to order. Then, you shop in store and drive the order to the customer's location.

The second option is to become an in-store shopper. As an in-store shopper you work for a specific store within the Instacart network. So, you only shop in one store, and as a result you're paid a fixed hourly wage rather than a per-gig fee.

How you get paid: Pay is a little complicated. As a full-service shopper you get your batch pay (amount paid to complete a 'batch' aka a shop), any promotions (think surge pricing), and 100% of your tips. As an in-store shopper you earn an hourly wage.

You can choose to cash out your pay instantly (2 hours after delivery) or get a weekly direct deposit.

What you need to use it: A phone, a car, and the physical ability to carry goods.

Is Instacart shopping the right side hustle for you?

23. Fetch Rewards

Best for: Anyone who wants to easily earn by scanning receipts and playing games.

How the app works: With Fetch you can earn for what you're already doing. You simply download the app and then scan receipts for your everyday purchases. All you have to do is shop as normal and scan your receipts, then you can earn points. You earn at least 25 points per scan, and hundreds of points for special offers and featured brands.

To earn even more points you can also play mobile games. Plus you can earn points by referring friends and family.

How you get paid: You exchange your Fetch points for gift cards. There's a big variety of gift cards, including restaurants like Chili's, retail giants like Target, and food delivery like Uber Eats.

What you need to use it: A phone with a camera.

24. StepN

Best for: Active people or anyone who wants to be incentivized for working out.

How the app works: With StepN you can earn money just by walking! StepN is an activity tracking app that gamifies your fitness.

However, StepN is a Web3 brand. So, you get paid in crypto. To make money with StepN you have to first download the StepN app, purchase a pair of NFT sneakers (as of March 2025 you can purchase a StepN sneaker for around $20), then open the app whenever you go for a walk, jog, or run.

How you get paid: StepN pays you in GST (the in-game token). You can withdraw this whenever you like.

What you need to use it: A phone, a crypto wallet, and StepN nft sneakers.

25. Neighbor

Best for: People with extra space in their home or garden.

How the app works: Neighbor is like 'Airbnb for storage'. It connects people who have goods to store or cars to park with people who have space to rent. As a Neighbor host you can earn passive income by offering up your unused space.

Using Neighbor, you can rent out your attics, closets, sheds, carports, basements, driveways, garages, yards and even spare bedrooms. All you have to do is sign up to Neighbor, list your space, respond to rental requests and book a move-in date.

How you get paid: Payments are made every month directly to your bank account through Stripe. Neighbor takes a 4.9% processing fee + $0.30 for every reservation.

What you need to use it: Phone or laptop access and unused space.

26. Foap

Best for: Anyone with an eye for photography.

How the app works: Foap is an app that allows you to sell your photos to earn extra cash. With Foap you can sell photos and videos, and there are currently around 4.5 million people selling their visual content on the platform.

Using Foap you take your photos or videos and upload and sell your content on the Foap app. The app is only available for iOS and Android devices. There are a few ways that you can sell your content with Foap. The first is with 'Crowds', which is how brands request images from within their own crowd - aka community. The second is 'Missions', where brands request images with 'missions' sent out to all users of the Foap app, not just those within their crowd.

How you get paid: Photos sell for $10 on Foap and you’ll get $5 back from this.

What you need to use it: An Android or Apple phone with a high-quality camera.

27. Honeygain

Best for: Anyone who wants passive income for minimal effort.

How the app works: Honegain is a super simple concept. With the app, you earn passive income from your unused internet bandwidth.

All you do is download the app, keep it open, and you can earn passive income by sharing your unused internet with Honeygain's verified business partners. these partners use your extra internet to perform their own data-intensive tasks. All you have to do is keep the app running in the background.

How you get paid: As a low-effort passive income earner, the amount you can earn is minimal. When you first sign up you will get $2 as a starting gift, and then 10 cents for every GB of data you share. You can ealso earn $5 per referral, but you only get paid once your referral makes $20.

When it's time to cash out you can get paid by PayPal or JMPT (online token). The minimum threshold for payouts is $20, and can take 1-3 days to process.

What you need to use it: A device with internet - phone, desktop computer, laptop or tablet.

28. Toluna Influencers

Best for: People who want to get paid simply for giving their opinions on products and brands.

How the app works: Toluna users earn money by sharing their opinions on products, ads, and services. 

Once you sign up, you’ll be matched with surveys based on your profile. These usually take a few minutes to 30 minutes to complete. You could also be invited to test products at home (yay, free stuff!) or participate in sponsored polls and discussions.

While surveys are the most common way to earn, occasional product tests pay more, so aim for those. The more active you are, the more invites you'll receive.

How you get paid: You can redeem points for PayPal cash or digital gift cards, and payouts typically process within a few days.

What you need to use it: A smartphone or computer and an internet connection.

29. Gigwalk

Best for: People looking to earn on the go with quick and local tasks.

How the app works: Gigwalk connects you with businesses that need help with small, location-based tasks. 

After signing up (and enabling your GPS), you’ll see a map of available gigs near you. You could be asked to check store displays, verify prices, photograph products, or test mobile apps in-store. Think of it like an adventure!

Once you accept a job, you follow the instructions, complete the task on-site, and submit it through the app (usually with a photo or form). Once your submission is approved, you get paid. 

Most gigs take between 5 and 30 minutes and pay between $3 and $20 (some may pay more).

How you get paid: You can get paid via PayPal, typically within a few days of gig approval.

What you need to use it: A smartphone with GPS and a PayPal account.

30. Mistplay

Best for: Android users who enjoy mobile gaming.

How the app works: Mistplay rewards you with gift cards for playing new mobile games. 

After downloading the app and setting up your profile, you’ll be shown a list of recommended games. Pick one, start playing, and earn points based on playtime, engagement, and in-game milestones.

Mistplay also includes loyalty tiers and streak bonuses, so staying active can help you earn more over time. 

How you get paid: Points can be redeemed for gift cards (Amazon, Google Play, Visa, etc.).

What you need to use it: An Android device.

31. Mobee

Best for: Mystery shoppers and anyone who enjoys checking out stores.

How the app works: Mobee lets you earn money by completing what they call “missions” at local retail stores. You’ll usually be asked to visit a store, answer a few questions, and take photos to check on cleanliness or customer engagement.

Once you pick a mission in the app, follow the instructions and head to the location. Missions usually take 5–15 minutes. After you submit your answers and photos, they’re reviewed, and you’ll earn points (if everything checks out).

How you get paid: Points can be exchanged for gift cards (Amazon, Target, Starbucks, etc.).

What you need to use it: A smartphone.

32. Premise

Best for: Travellers or city dwellers looking to earn by doing simple local tasks.

How the app works: Like Gigwalk, Premise pays you to complete small tasks in your area— taking photos of storefronts, verifying street signs, checking grocery prices, you get the idea. 

Once you download the app, it’ll show you available tasks based on your location.

Each task comes with a payout estimate and time requirement upfront, which is handy. Some take only a few minutes and pay as low as $0.20, but others may pay more depending on complexity. The more accurate and consistent you are, the more tasks you’ll unlock over time.

How you get paid: Cashouts are available via PayPal, Coinbase, or other local payment methods, depending on your country.

What you need to use it: A smartphone.

33. Sweatcoin

Best for: People who are (or want to be) active and earn rewards.

How the app works: Not gonna lie, this one is pretty cool. 

Sweatcoin tracks your outdoor steps and converts them into "Sweatcoins," a digital currency that can be redeemed for various products, services, or charitable donations. The more you walk, the more you earn.

How you get paid: Sweatcoins can be exchanged for offers in the app's marketplace (or donated to partnered charities).

What you need to use it: A smartphone.

34. Turo

Best for: Car owners who want to earn passive income by renting out their vehicle.

How the app works: Turo is like Airbnb for cars. You can list your vehicle on the app, set availability and pricing, and rent it out to people in your area who need a short-term ride. 

When someone books your car, you either hand off the keys or leave it in a designated spot for pickup. And yes, Turo offers insurance options and customer support, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong.

Pricing can be set manually or using Turo’s ‘smart’ pricing tool, which factors in demand and location. 

Earnings can be pretty good, too – some hosts earn hundreds (or even thousands) each month, especially in high-demand cities or near airports.

How you get paid: Turo pays via direct deposit about 3 days after each trip ends.

What you need to use it: A car that meets Turo’s eligibility requirements, the Turo app, and a valid driver's license.

35. Mode Earn (Current Rewards on iOS)

Best for: Headphone addicts looking to earn rewards for listening to music (and completing small tasks on occasion).

How the app works: Mode Earn (or Current Rewards on iOS) pays you for doing things you’re probably already doing: listening to music, charging your phone, and playing games. 

What do I mean by while charging your phone? Once installed, you’ll earn points passively just by streaming music through the app’s built-in player. The app runs in the background and tracks activity while rewarding you over time.

You can also earn bonus points by watching ads, referring friends, playing games, or completing offers. 

It's a good option for people who spend hours listening to music daily (guilty).

How you get paid: Points can be exchanged for PayPal cash, gift cards, or even physical products.

What you need to use it: A smartphone

36. UserTesting

Best for: People who communicate well and want to earn by reviewing websites and apps.

How the app works: UserTesting pays its users to test websites, mobile apps, and digital products. After signing up and completing a sample test, you'll receive more invites. The tests usually involve recording your screen and voice (so, probably not a great choice if you’re shy) as you navigate a website or app while completing specific tasks. 

Each test usually takes 5–20 minutes, and you’ll need to speak your thoughts out loud while using the site. You may also get live interviews, which pay more. Good testers (clear, thoughtful, and articulate) get more invites.

How you get paid: Payments are made via PayPal 7 days after completing each test.

What you need to use it: A smartphone with a microphone and a PayPal account.

37. InboxDollars

Best for: People who want to stack small earnings doing a variety of micro-tasks.

How the app works: InboxDollars is the jack-of-all-trades cash-earning app. 

Once you sign up, you’ll see options like watching short videos, taking surveys, playing casual games, reading sponsored emails, or even just shopping through their portal and earning cash back. 

Each task displays an estimated payout and time requirement, but as a general guide: video clips pay a few cents each, surveys pay anywhere from $0.50 to $5, and shopping can net a percentage back on your purchases. 

You simply pick the activity, complete it in the app or on their site, and your earnings tally up in your dashboard.

How you get paid: Once you reach the $15 minimum balance, you can request a payout via PayPal, check, or gift card.

What you need to use it: A smartphone.

38. Pawns.app

Best for: People looking to earn through surveys and sharing unused internet bandwidth.

How the app works: Pawns.app offers two primary earning methods: completing short surveys (I know, I know), but users can also earn by sharing their unused internet bandwidth. Cool, right?

Surveys are typically brief and pay up to $1 each. By enabling the internet-sharing feature, you allow the app to utilize a portion of your bandwidth, earning you passive income.

How you get paid: Once you reach the $5 minimum payout threshold, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, Bitcoin, or gift cards.

What you need to use it: A smartphone.

39. Freecash

Best for: Those who want to make quick earnings through various online tasks.

How the app works: Freecash allows users to earn money by completing tasks such as surveys, app downloads, and other online activities. Tasks are listed with their respective payouts, allowing users to choose based on their preferences.

How you get paid: Earnings can be withdrawn via PayPal, Bitcoin, or gift cards, often with a low minimum withdrawal threshold.

What you need to use it: A device with internet access.

40. Depop

Best for: People wanting to sell second-hand or vintage clothing and accessories.

How the app works: Depop is the go-to marketplace for thrifters, vintage lovers, and those chasing a bargain. 

Users can list and sell their secondhand clothing items, and make a pretty decent income depending on how much they sell. Some Depop sellers are running full-time businesses! 

Upload your photos, set your prices, and use keywords to reach the right audience. 

How you get paid: Payments are processed through PayPal once a sale is made.

What you need to use it: A smartphone and a PayPal account.

41. DoorDash

Best for: Flexible delivery gigs – food, groceries, shopping, and more.

How the app works: DoorDash connects drivers with local businesses to deliver through their app. While it started as a food delivery service, it also offers deliveries for groceries, convenience stores, some retail stores, and even alcohol (where legal).

As a Dasher, you use the app to accept nearby delivery requests, pick them up and drop them off – just like Uber Eats. 

How you get paid: DoorDash earnings come from a base pay per delivery, customer tips, and occasional bonuses. Payments are processed weekly with an option for instant cash-out for a small fee. 

What you need to get started: Smartphone, DoorDash app, valid license and car (or other delivery method).

42. Airtasker

Best for: Local gigs and handy tasks in your community.

How the app works: Airtasker is a platform to find and complete local jobs, from cleaning and handyman work to graphic design and errands. Browse tasks in your area, submit offers, and accept jobs.

How you get paid: Payments are processed securely through Airtasker after job completion, usually via bank transfer.

What you need to get started: Smartphone, ID verification, and relevant skills or tools depending on the task.

43. Streetbees

Best for: People who want to earn money doing quick surveys and tasks.

How the app works: After downloading, you receive notifications for bees, which are chat-style surveys or simple missions that involve answering questions, submitting photos or videos, or giving feedback about shopping habits or daily routines. Tasks usually take a few minutes.

How you get paid: Payments are made via PayPal shortly after task completion and approval. You accumulate earnings per task, which can range from a few cents to a few dollars, depending on complexity.

What you need to get started: Smartphone, PayPal account, time on your hands.

44. Field Agent

Best for: Microtasks such as retail audits and mystery shopping.

How the app works: Once you download the app, you can browse available jobs in your local area. Typically, you’ll visit a store, take photos of product displays, check promotions, verify pricing, or answer short surveys about your experience. You then upload your findings in the app for review.

How you get paid: Payments are processed via PayPal after submitted tasks are approved, generally within a few days. Payment per task varies but usually ranges from $3 to $12.

What you need to get started: Smartphone with GPS, PayPal account, ability to visit local stores.

45. Shopkick

Best for: Earning rewards by shopping, scanning barcodes, and engaging with brands instore and online.

How the app works: You earn kicks (points) by walking into partner stores, scanning barcodes, making purchases, or watching promotional videos. You can shop in stores like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, or shop through linked retailers on the online portal. The kicks you earn can then be redeemed for either gift cards or PayPal cash.

How you get paid: Accumulate kicks and redeem them for a wide variety of gift cards (Amazon, Starbucks, etc), or transfer cash directly to your PayPal account. Gift card redemptions usually require fewer points than cashouts.

What you need to get started: Smartphone, PayPal account

Money-making apps: Are they worth your time?

So, are money-making apps worth the time? That depends on two things: your needs and the app itself.

All of the apps on our list are legit, so that's a good start. There are hundreds or even thousands of apps out there that will never pay you a dime or will never have any work for you to do—that's obviously a waste of time.

Getting the scams out of the way, it all comes down to what you need. If you want something simple to do for an extra $20 or $50 per month, there are a lot of options. But spending time on those apps will never net you more than pocket change, so those apps can be a waste of time if you want to make more money.

The good thing is that it's entirely possible to make the equivalent of a full-time salary (or more!) every month, using only your phone. It's all about choosing the right app that gives you the best active or passive income without being too time-consuming.

Once you figure out which app that is, it's certainly worth your time. Apps that let you make as little or as much as you like are pretty rare, though. 

Make money online with Whop - all you need is your phone and an idea

Most apps limit your income—but not Whop.

With Whop, you're the boss, choosing what to sell and how much to earn. Whether it’s crochet patterns, sports picks, English lessons, or meal plans, if you're passionate about it, you can monetize it on Whop.

The average creator earns over $7,000/month, and top sellers make up to $250K.

Want something more hands-off? Try content rewards or affiliate marketing.

That's the whole point: it's all up to you. With Whop, it’s all up to you. Your skills, your rules, your income.

Start earning money on your phone with Whop today!

Money making apps FAQs

What are legit money making apps?

All apps listed in this guide are legit money making apps. When trying to earn money with an app, be sure to look out for scams by researching the app and reviewing payment methods.

Are there any real money making apps?

There are plenty of real money making apps, like Whop, TaskRabbit, and Instacart. If you're trying to make money with an app, make sure to check whether you will be paid in cash or gift cards.

What about free money making apps?

Apps with no upfront fees include Whop, Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Poshmark, and more mentioned in the above article.

What are the easiest money making apps?

The easiest money making apps that don't require much work include any receipt-scanning or game-playing apps. However, these apps often come with low earnings and payments in gift cards rather than cash.