Apps that actually give you money can transform your smartphone into a source of income, offering diverse opportunities to earn rewards and cash. At money-central.com, we explore the world of financial technology to help you discover legitimate apps that can boost your financial well-being through cash rewards apps, mobile earning platforms, and digital money-making tools. By leveraging these apps, you can capitalize on various activities such as completing surveys, playing games, shopping, and sharing your data.
Ready to start making money with apps? Stay tuned as we delve into the top money-making apps, passive income apps, and real-time earning apps that you can use to supplement your income.
1. Apps That Pay You to Take Surveys and Play Games
Want to earn extra cash by sharing your thoughts or playing games? These apps offer fun ways to make money, potentially adding $20-100 a month to your income if used consistently. According to research from New York University’s Stern School of Business, in July 2023, the use of survey and gaming apps increased by 35% among adults aged 18-35 looking for supplemental income.
Mobile Game
1.1 Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a well-known platform in the online survey space. With over $550 million paid out to users, Swagbucks rewards you for shopping online, answering surveys, playing games, and watching videos. You can redeem your earnings for gift cards from major retailers.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to use.
- Multiple earning opportunities.
- $10 sign-up bonus.
Cons:
- Surveys do not pay much.
1.2 Freecash
Freecash provides numerous game offers for iOS, Android, and PC users, with some offers paying out hundreds of dollars. According to the site, users can expect to earn around $17.53 per day just by playing games.
Freecash Payouts
Pros:
- Wide variety of game offers.
- Simple, transparent rewards.
- Low minimum to cash out ($5).
Cons:
- Some offers feel spammy or have unrealistic milestone requirements.
- Some offers require spending money.
- 5% transaction fee for PayPal or bank transfers.
1.3 KashKick
KashKick pays you to answer surveys, test new games (up to $150 each!), and redeem money-saving offers. The platform is rated 4.5-stars in the App Store.
1.4 Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie allows you to share your opinions with partner brands. This app offers popular gift cards and cash outs via PayPal. Completing just 3 surveys a day can earn you $40 a month.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- Variety of cash-out options, including bank and PayPal transfers.
- Low $5 minimum to cash out.
Cons:
- Surveys don’t pay well on an hourly basis.
- Occasional bugs cause surveys to fail mid-way through without paying.
- Surf to Earn may not be worth it unless you are a heavy survey taker.
1.5 Bingo Cash
Bingo Cash turns classic bingo into a game of speed and skill, allowing you to earn real-world rewards and cash prizes. Each game takes about 2 minutes to play.
Bingo Cash App
Pros:
- User-friendly and straightforward experience.
- Fun and fair: Play against similarly-skilled players.
- Chance to win real money.
Cons:
- Cash deposit required to win real money.
- Cash tournaments not available in every state.
- $1 withdrawal fee feels unnecessary.
1.6 Scrambly
Launched in 2022, Scrambly has grown to over 2 million users. The website claims you can earn up to $500 a month, but that might be an exaggeration.
Pros:
- Easy and free to use.
- Wide variety of offers.
- Low minimum to withdraw (just $1).
Cons:
- Some offers have strict requirements or require a lot of time.
- No iOS app yet.
- Only available in US, Japan, and Korea.
1.7 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.
1.8 Cash Giraffe (Android)
Cash Giraffe (Android only) connects you with new mobile games. The app tracks the time you spend playing and rewards you for hitting certain milestones.
2. Apps That Pay You to Invest
Interested in making money through investments? These apps make it easy to invest in real estate, stocks, and other assets with minimal effort.
2.1 Arrived
Arrived is a real estate investing app that lets you buy shares of cash-flowing rentals for as little as $100. The company pools money to buy rental properties, manages them, and then distributes the cash flow every quarter.
Arrived Real Estate
Pros:
- Earn quarterly dividends.
- Completely hands-off.
- Low minimum investment ($100).
Cons:
- Limited liquidity.
- Not super diversified.
- Listings can sell out quickly.
2.2 Fundrise
Fundrise allows you to start building a portfolio of commercial real estate with just $10. They offer consistent quarterly dividends.
Pros:
- Start with just $10.
- Quarterly cash flow.
- Instant diversification.
- Healthy historical performance.
- Lower volatility.
Cons:
- Liquidity.
- Not as diversified as public REITs.
- Limited operational track record.
- Weaker upside.
2.3 Robinhood
Robinhood gives new customers a free stock when you sign up—worth up to $200.
3. Best Cash Back Apps
Want to get paid for the purchases you are already making? Cash back apps can give you free money just for tracking your spending.
3.1 Fetch Rewards
The Fetch Rewards app is easy to use. You earn points by snapping pictures of your grocery shopping receipts, which you can cash in for gift cards.
Fetch Rewards App
Pros:
- Super easy to use.
- Tons of cash out options.
- Earn more from popular brands.
Cons:
- $0.02 minimum receipt value is on the lower end.
- Some rewards have high minimums.
3.2 Rakuten
The Rakuten shopping app offers cash back, in-store cash back, and a cash back button extension for online shopping. You can earn up to 40% cash back.
Rakuten Cash Back
3.3 Ibotta
Ibotta provides extra cash back on your grocery purchases. Ibotta Savers who use the app every month earn over $130 a year!
3.4 Pogo
By sharing your location and credit card transaction data with Pogo, you’ll earn points you can cash out to PayPal or Venmo. You can make $10-20 a year with Pogo.
3.5 Upside
Use the Upside app to get up to 25¢/gallon cash back on gas at thousands of locations. Upside also gives you cash back at participating grocery stores and restaurants.
Upside App
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Strong cash back offers.
- Variety of payout options.
Cons:
- You have to remember to “activate” your offers.
- Participating locations may be limited.
- Tight time limits to claim (usually 4 hours).
3.6 Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards pays at least $0.10 per receipt, the highest minimum value you can find. The app credits your account balance once a week and automatically pays you via PayPal once your account hits $2 in accumulated earnings.
4. Apps That Connect You With Money-Making Gigs
Looking for ways to earn money by completing various tasks and gigs? These apps connect you with opportunities ranging from reselling furniture to running errands.
4.1 Sharetown
Sharetown matches you up with gently-used mattress and furniture returns from direct-to-consumer brands. The Sharetown reps you connect with report earning $100-200 per item.
Sharetown App Review
Pros:
- Low startup costs.
- Great earning power.
- No hunting for inventory.
Cons:
- Requires a truck or SUV.
- Bulky items to store.
- Not available in all areas.
4.2 Airtasker
Airtasker is an up-and-coming odd jobs app. You can create a profile to highlight your skills in running local errands, assembling furniture, local admin temp help, virtual support jobs, and more. Top taskers are earning over $10,000 a month.
Airtasker
4.3 Wonolo
Wonolo connects you with immediate hourly or same-day gig jobs in retail, logistics, manufacturing, and more.
4.4 Oppizi
Oppizi is a great app for local brand ambassador and flyer delivery gigs. You can earn $23 an hour, plus bonuses when people sign up for the services you’re promoting.
Oppizi Brand Ambassador App
5. Apps That Give You Money for Using Your Phone
These apps pay you for sharing your data, turning your phone into a passive income source.
5.1 Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel
Nielsen pays you for sharing Internet usage behaviors. Just download the app to all of your registered devices and earn up to $60 per year.
5.2 MobileXpression
MobileXpression pays you for data from your mobile phone. You’ll earn weekly credits redeemable for gift cards to popular retailers, probably around $20 a year in passive income. You’ll also earn a free $5 gift card after your first week.
MobileXpression
5.3 Honeygain
Honeygain allows you to earn up to $30 a month when you share “your unused net traffic with data scientists.”
5.4 Caden (iOS)
Caden is earning users around $10 a month on autopilot.
Caden App
6. Apps That Pay You to Drive
If you enjoy driving, these apps offer opportunities to earn money by providing transportation or delivery services.
6.1 Lyft and Uber
Lyft and Uber pay you to drive your neighbors around. You can set your own hours and earn tips for providing a great, safe passenger experience.
6.2 HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive specializes in safe and transparent school transportation for kids. Their CareDrivers are “caregivers on wheels” who set their own schedule and get to support the community.
HopSkipDrive
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.
6.3 Uber Eats
Uber Eats connects you with nearby restaurant orders, allowing you to pick up the order and bring it to the customer.
6.4 Instacart
Instacart pays you to shop for and deliver other people’s groceries. You’ll enjoy weekly payouts and a flexible schedule.
6.5 DoorDash
DoorDash “Dashers” make up to $25 an hour as food delivery drivers.
7. Mystery Shopping Apps
Want to get paid for evaluating product displays or checking on inventory? These mystery shopping apps offer opportunities to earn money for providing feedback on retail experiences.
7.1 Field Agent
Field Agent presents a list of tasks you can do based on your location. They typically pay $3-10 apiece, depending on complexity and the time involved.
Field Agent App
8. Apps That Pay You to Exercise
For those who love to stay active, these apps offer incentives to walk dogs and track your steps.
8.1 Rover
With the Rover app, you can get paid to walk dogs. Top dog walkers are earning $1,000 a month.
8.2 Cashwalk
Cashwalk pays you to track your steps, with power users earning $5 every 6-8 weeks, or around $30 a year. (Available in the US only.)
Cashwalk App
9. Apps to Make Money Selling Stuff
Interested in decluttering and earning some extra cash? These apps make it easy to list and sell items locally and online.
9.1 Decluttr
Make money selling your used CDs, DVDs, and video games using this app. Decluttr will tell you how much your items are worth and even give you a pre-paid shipping label to send them all in.
9.2 Amazon Seller App
The free Amazon seller app is your gateway to the world of Amazon FBA — fulfillment by Amazon. The app will let you scan the barcodes of various products and see what they’re selling for on Amazon–and what your profit would be after fees.
9.3 Poshmark
With the Poshmark app, you can make extra cash selling clothing, accessories, and home goods. The app does take a 20% fee but has a large audience of buyers and makes the selling process as easy as possible.
10. The App That Pays You For Your Extra Space
Do you have extra storage space in your garage, attic, or side yard? You can list your space on Neighbor to fill it and get paid.
10.1 Neighbor
The Neighbor platform connects people who have extra storage space with people who need it. Top hosts are earning up to $10,000 a year running their own mini self-storage operations.
Neighbor
11. Apps That Pay You Real Money To Share Your Stuff
Turn your car or extra room into a source of income by sharing it with others through these apps.
11.1 Getaround
Getaround helps you turn that idle time into $500 a month or more.
11.2 Airbnb
Airbnb is one of the most well-known “sharing economy” platforms. If you have an extra room and don’t mind meeting a rotating cast of house guests, it’s a fantastic way to offset your living expenses.
12. Overlooked Money Making Apps
Don’t overlook these apps that can provide additional income streams through social media and content creation.
12.1 X (Formerly Twitter)
Top X influencers are making $10k+ per month with X’s new ad revenue sharing program.
12.2 TikTok
Like YouTube, TikTok actually does pay creators who publish creative viral videos. The TikTok Creator Fund has paid out millions of dollars so far.
12.3 Your Phone Itself!
The most overlooked money-making app that’s already on your phone is the phone itself!
Conclusion: There Really Are Apps That Pay You!
Turning your smartphone into a money-making machine is possible by installing a few strategic apps. These apps offer various ways to earn, from completing surveys and playing games to sharing your data and renting out your belongings. By leveraging these opportunities, you can supplement your income and achieve your financial goals.
Ready to explore these money-making opportunities? Head over to money-central.com to read more articles, use our financial tools, and get expert advice to manage your finances effectively. Start taking control of your financial future today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there really apps that pay you?
Yes! You can turn your phone into a money maker by installing several of these apps, and many work automatically after you set them up. Check the full list on money-central.com for more info.
What are the best cash back apps?
My favorite cash back apps are Fetch, Dosh, and Ibotta. Fetch is great because it works at tons of locations, and you can earn extra cash back on tons of popular brands. Check the full list on money-central.com for more info.
What apps pay you to play games?
Several apps pay you to play games, including Swagbucks, KashKick, and others. Still, there are other apps where you can make more money, so be sure to check the full list on money-central.com for more info.
