We’re hooked on our devices, but did you know your smartphone can actually make you money every month? Here are some of my favorite money making apps.
Some are completely passive after you set them up, while others take a little more time.
Pick and install the ones that make the most sense for you!
For each, we’ll take a quick look at how they work and how you can earn money and get paid for using them.
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Most Ways to Earn
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Best for Testing New Games
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Passive Cash Flow
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4.4
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4.2
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4.5
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Swagbucks has paid out over $470 million to users over the last 10+ years. |
Get paid to test new games, complete offers, and answer short surveys. |
Buy shares of cash-flowing rental properties for as little as $100, and get paid quarterly. |
Swagbucks has paid out over $470 million to users over the last 10+ years.
Buy shares of cash-flowing rental properties for as little as $100, and get paid quarterly.
1. KashKick
KashKick is a newer app that pays you to answer surveys, test new games (up to $150 each!), and redeem money-saving offers.
With the slogan “get paid to have fun,” KashKick is rated 4.2-stars in the Google Play store.
2. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a recognized leader in the online survey space. The long-running app has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to users over the years.
Swagbucks has paid out over $650 million to users over the last 10+ years.
- Quick and easy to use
- Lots of ways to earn
- $10 sign-up bonus
- Surveys don't pay much
You can earn rewards for shopping online, answering surveys, playing games, and watching videos (read: ads). Cash out for gift cards from major retailers.
Sign up through my referral link for a $10 bonus.
To earn more, you might want to consider in-person or online focus groups–and my personal favorite of those is User Interviews. (Feel free to check out our full User Interviews review for more details.)
3. MobileXpression
MobileXpression is a market research panel that pays you in exchange for data from your mobile phone.
Download the app and allow it to work in the background recording your browsing habits while on your phone. By participating with Mobilexpression, you’ll earn weekly credits redeemable for gift cards to popular retailers.
Realistically, this is an un-intrusive background app that will probably earn you around $20 a year in passive income. And you’ll earn a free $5 gift card after your first week.
4. Survey Junkie
With Survey Junkie, you get to be the influencer — and give your opinions to hundreds of partner brands.
As one of the highest paying survey apps, Survey Junkie offers popular gift cards and cash outs via PayPal. Just 3 surveys a day can earn you $100 a month.
Join the 20+ million members and get started today.
5. Freecash
Freecash pays you real money to try out new casual games. You can cash out through Bitcoin, Amazon gift cards, and more.
One user described the offers available on the platform as “better than any of the other similar apps I use.” Another reviewer called Freecash “an absolute game-changer.”
According to the app, a typical user can expect to earn around $17.53 per day just playing games. Freecash has game offers for iOS, Android, and PC, with some paying out hundreds of dollars. (But the app itself is only available on Android and web.)
At press, the app had over 2,700 different games to choose from, offering plenty of variety for players.
As is common, you’ll earn more the more you play in each game, and reaching the highest tier may require some in-game purchases.
(But even if you don’t reach the highest level, you should still earn milestone payouts for however far you do get.)
6. InboxDollars
Most InboxDollars surveys pay between $0.50 and $5, but occasionally you’ll see offers up to $20 or more. You can also earn by watching TV, shopping, or completing offers through the app.
InboxDollars pays you in real dollars—not points—and offers a free $5 sign-up bonus.
7. Sharetown
Not many people know about Sharetown, but I’ve connected with side hustlers earning $3,000+ a month with this app.
Sharetown matches you up with gently-used mattress and furniture returns from direct-to-consumer brands.
Since the items aren’t new, the companies can’t really take them back and resell them — but you can. The Sharetown reps I’ve connected with report earning $150-250 per item.
And the cool part is the inventory doesn’t cost you anything until it sells.
But you can’t just download the app and get started. You have to apply first to make sure the company needs additional reps in your area.
Check out our full Sharetown review to learn more about how it works.
Pros:
Low startup costs
Great earning power
No hunting for inventory
8. Arrived
Arrived is a real estate investing app that lets you buy shares of cash-flowing rentals for as little as $100.
- Earn quarterly dividends
- Completely hands-off
- Low minimum investment ($100)
- Limited liquidity
- Not super diversified
- Listings can sell out quickly
The company pools money to buy rental properties, manages them, and then distributes the cash flow every month.
9. HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive specializes in safe and transparent school transportation for kids.
Their rigorously vetted CareDrivers are “caregivers on wheels” who set their own schedule and get to support the community.
HopSkipDrive currently operates in select metro areas, but is rapidly expanding to new cities.
Requirements:
- At least 23 years old
- 5 years caregiving experience
- Background check; good driving record
- 4-door vehicle under 10 years old
Earning Power: $20-30 per hour. (Earnings vary based on location and demand, but HopSkipDrive CareDrivers can earn over $35 per trip on average, completing 7-8 trips a week.)
10. Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel
From the same company behind National Consumer Panel, Nielsen rewards you for sharing internet usage behaviors. Simply download the app to all of your registered devices. The app isn’t intrusive and won’t slow down your devices.
As they track your usage, you earn points — up to $50 per year. Users can redeem points for prizes and sweepstakes entries.
11. Cash Giraffe (Android)
If you love discovering and playing new games, why not get paid for it? Cash Giraffe (Android only) connects you with new games that are trying to attract more players.
The app tracks the time you spend playing and rewards you for hitting certain milestones.
As you earn more Cash Giraffe tickets, you can cash out for gift cards or deposit directly into your PayPal account.
While Cash Giraffe is relatively new, it’s earned positive feedback so far. With over 5M downloads, it’s rated 4.4-stars on the Google Play Store.
12. Fundrise
I’ve been a Fundrise investor for years and like their long-term outlook and consistent quarterly dividends. With just a $10 minimum, you can start building a portfolio of commercial real estate.
Disclosure: When you sign up through my referral link, I receive a commission. Opinions are my own.
Fundrise is one of the best and largest crowdfunded real estate investment platforms, with $7B under management. The company makes institutional quality investments available to everyone, starting at just $10.
- Start with just $10
- Quarterly cash flow
- Instant diversification
- Healthy historical performance
- Lower volatility
- Liquidity
- Not as diversified as public REITs
- Limited operational track record
- Weaker upside
13. Fetch Rewards
One category of apps you’ll want to be aware of is cash back apps. Many of these will basically give you free money just by tracking the spending you’re already doing.
Get cash back for every receipt, plus bonus payouts for buying specific products and brands. Use referral code BG5MP to get 2,000 free bonus points added to your account.
- Super easy to use
- Tons of cash out options
- Earn more from popular brands
- $0.02 minimum receipt value is on the lower end
- Some rewards have high minimums
And of course, this is on top of the credit card rewards I hope you’re already earning too!
For example, the Fetch Rewards app is a favorite of mine because it’s super easy. You earn points just by snapping pictures of your grocery receipts, which you can cash in for gift cards.
Pro Tip: Use referral code FETCH300 when you sign up to get 300 free bonus points added to your account.
14. Pogo (iOS)
The free Pogo app is one of my latest finds. By sharing your location and credit card transaction data, Pogo gives you points that you can cash out to PayPal or Venmo.
Just enable location tracking and link your bank account credentials when you sign up. Based on my results so far, I expect Pogo to be worth around $10-20 a year.
15. Rover
With the Rover app, you can get paid to walk dogs. The service has a large database of dog owners looking for help from people like you.
Make money walking dogs and pet sitting.
- Strong income potential
- Reputable platform and protection
- Flexible schedule
- Potentially difficult pets (and owners)
- Limited to local demand
According to Rover, top dog walkers are earning $1000 a month.
Conclusion: There Really Are Apps That Pay You!
Yes, you can turn your smartphone into a money making machine by installing a few apps.
Hopefully a few on this list were new to you and you decide to give them a shot. Feel free to report back on your results in the comments below to help future readers!
I haven’t tried all of them, but the handful I do use have already netted me well over $1000 in benefits. I think with a little effort and attention you can have a similar experience.
The Most Overlooked Money Making App?
While these apps are great, the most overlooked money making app that’s already on your phone is … wait for it … the phone itself!
As in, call a prospect, figure out their pain points, and make a deal to help them.
If you’re still looking for ways to make extra money, be sure to check out our full list of side hustle ideas!
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