- There are no set hours, you can literally work on your own schedule.
- You can complete as many surveys as you have time to do.
- There’s no cost to sign up for the app.
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Updated March 13, 2024
In a nutshell
Money-making apps help you find ways to earn extra money to help pay the bills. The apps on our list help you earn extra money through gigs, taking surveys and other activities.
Some apps pay you through cash-back rewards for shopping and other activities that you regularly participate in, though some apps we don’t normally think of as money-making can also be good choices. Those include investment apps and apps that help you better manage your money.
Survey Junkie: Best for getting paid to take surveys
Survey Junkie may very well be the most classic example of a money-making app. You’ll be paid to take surveys from which you can earn rewards that can be redeemed through PayPal or with gift cards, and best of all, you can do it in your spare time. That means you can earn rewards during your lunch break, when you are relaxing at home after work and even at the gym in between sets.
The purpose of the surveys you complete is to provide market research to companies looking to improve their products or services.
How you’ll get paid: Rewards can be redeemed through cash transfers into your PayPal account or by e-gift cards at popular merchants like Target and Amazon.
Pros:
Cons:
- The availability of survey offerings is inconsistent, perhaps due to the popularity of the app.
- Rewards paid are on the small side, so this is not an app to use if you’re looking to earn some serious side cash.
Rakuten Rewards: Best for cash back shopping
The advantage of Rakuten Rewards is that you have an opportunity to earn rewards for an activity that you will be doing even if you aren’t being paid for it. Rakuten is an app that enables you to earn cash back at more than 3,500 stores. You’ll choose the merchant where you will shop through the Rakuten app, shop as you usually do, and then earn cash back along the way.
How you’ll get paid: Rewards are paid quarterly, either by check or by deposit into your PayPal account.
Pros:
- Earn rewards for shopping, which is an activity you participate in all the time.
- Rewards can be earned at thousands of merchants across the country.
Cons:
- Payments are made quarterly, so you may need to wait up to three months to receive your cashback.
- If you forget to activate the app before shopping, you will not be eligible for rewards on those purchasers.
Rocket Money: Best for finding extra money in your budget
Rocket Money (formerly TrueBill) might be the most passive money-making app on this list. That’s because you don’t have to invest any money or even spend any time. Instead, Rocket Money works to find unwanted subscriptions in your budget and then cancels them to reduce your monthly outlays. In a sense, it doesn’t make you money, but instead it enables you to keep more of what you already have. You can also use the app to analyze your spending patterns to find more money to allocate toward savings.
How you’ll get paid: You’re “paid” in the form of reduced expenses.
Pros:
- No effort is required on your part because you’ll enable the app to access your budget and find unnecessary subscriptions to cancel.
- Provides greater control over your budget.
Cons:
- The app won’t help you save much money if you don’t have any subscriptions that need to be canceled.
- You may have certain subscriptions that you don’t want to cancel.
- Rocket Money doesn’t earn extra money for you, so the financial benefit is limited.
TradeStation: Best for self-directed investing
Investment brokers don't normally make a list of the best money-making apps, but they should. TradeStation not only represents an opportunity to make money but it’s also available as an app for both Android and iOS devices. It’s an app where you can trade stocks, options and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) commission-free while taking advantage of one of the very best investment platforms in the industry. You can even use the app to trade cryptocurrencies.
How you’ll get paid: As an investment app, you won’t get paid when you perform services. Instead, you’ll “get paid” whenever you withdraw funds from your account, ideally, after you have made money on profitable investments. You’ll link your TradeStation account with your bank account so you can freely transfer money back and forth between the two.
Pros:
Excellent opportunity to make money if you are a skilled investor.
The platform is designed specifically for options trading if that’s your preference.
Unlike many US-based investment brokers, TradeStation is available to non-US residents.
Cons:
You’ll need money to invest to begin making money.
The amount you’ll earn will be closely linked to the amount of money you have to invest.
Making money with TradeStation requires investment skills and experience.
M1 Finance: Best for passive investing
If you have money to invest, but you’re not very skilled when it comes to investing, M1 Finance can be a better choice than TradeStation. It’s an online, automated investment service, commonly referred to as a robo-advisor. With as little as $100, you can create a portfolio of 100 individual stocks and ETFs. From there, M1 Finance will provide complete investment management, including portfolio rebalancing and reinvestment of dividends. And it’s all be done free of charge.
How you’ll get paid: Like TradeStation, you’ll link your M1 Finance account to your bank account and transfer funds between the two anytime you like. That will make the most sense after you’ve generated investment profits.
Pros:
- Perfect for inexperienced investors.
- No investment fees.
- You can begin investing with as little as $100.
Cons:
- As is the case with all investment apps, you’ll need to invest money to make money.
- M1 Finance focuses on long-term investing gains, rather than short-term trading profits. You’ll need to be patient.
DoorDash: Best for delivery services
DoorDash is quite possibly the consummate side hustle for the 21st century. It’s also the app that will require the most active involvement on your part since the income you earn will be directly correlated with your availability, especially at peak delivery times.
Drivers are paid to deliver meals to customers and earn money from both DoorDash and tips they receive along the way. The service has moved beyond meal delivery alone, and can now include delivery of groceries, business supplies and even specialty products like baked goods. You will need to have a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and a clean driving record to qualify.
How you’ll get paid: Weekly, through direct payments into your bank account, plus tips paid on the spot.
Pros:
- You can work on your own schedule.
- Drivers are paid weekly and can even receive tips from customers.
- Some Dashers have turned this side gig into a full-time job.
Cons:
- Most participants use their own vehicles, which can add mileage and wear and tear that will reduce its market value.
- You will have substantial car expenses.
- The screening process for drivers is surprisingly detailed.
Upside: Best for cashback on shopping offers:
Upside works much like Rakuten and other cashback rewards apps in that you must open the app, claim the cashback offer and then shop as usual to earn the rewards. You can expect to earn rewards on purchases of gas, groceries and restaurant meals. Gas and restaurant meal rewards run about 2%, while grocery purchases can earn you an average of 2.5%. It’s an excellent way to earn money for purchases you are already making.
How you’ll get paid: Rewards are sent directly to your bank account, PayPal account or sent to you by gift card.
Pros:
- Earn cashback rewards on purchases you are already making.
- There are no special purchases you need to make or extra activities you’ll need to participate in.
Cons:
- You must shop in grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants that provide cashback offers through the Upside network.
- This is not a big moneymaker; if you spend $2,000 per month on the three categories, you’ll only earn about $40.
Fiverr: Best for Freelance Gigs
Fiverr provides users with an opportunity to earn extra cash through freelance activities. Gigs are available in digital marketing, writing and translation, video animation, programming and tech, business, data and other capacities. If you have any special skills, like writing, IT or social media, there is an excellent chance you’ll find multiple gigs on this app.
You’ll need to post your profile on the site and specify the types of jobs you’re prepared to do. You can also actively search for freelance opportunities posted on the app.
How you’ll get paid: Once you complete a job, 80% of the agreed-upon fee is transferred to your account. You will then wait up to 14 days for the balance to be transferred, which is called the clearing period.
Pros:
- You can work as much as your schedule permits.
- Fiverr is a way for you to monetize your specific skills.
- It’s possible to develop a full-time freelance business by beginning in Fiverr.
Cons:
- Many of the gigs pay only a few dollars, especially if you are a beginner ($5 is the standard).
- There can be a considerable amount of uncompensated time spent finding suitable gigs.
- How much you can make depends on the skillsets you bring to the app.
Poshmark: Best for converting used clothes and luxury goods to cash
Poshmark has come up quickly as the go-to place to sell gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and even home goods. It serves as an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of generally quality merchandise. Much like eBay, you’ll need to post ads on the site advertising your products. That will include photos and product descriptions. You’ll then list it for sale, and entertain offers. Poshmark provides prepaid, addressed shipping labels for UPS delivery to buyers.
How you’ll get paid: Once a purchase is completed, you can be paid by PayPal, Venmo, paper check, instant transfer or direct deposit into your bank account.
Pros:
- Poshmark is a ready-made platform where you can sell your merchandise.
- They provide everything you need to market, sell and deliver your goods to customers.
- Provides multiple payment receipt options.
Cons:
- Poshmark favors name brands and high-end goods, like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. They must also be in excellent condition.
- The fee structure is on the steep side. There is a flat commission of $2.95 per sale under $15, and a 20% commission on everything above.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What apps pay you instantly?
Very few money-making apps will pay instantly. At a minimum, there is usually a delay of two or three days for funds to reach your bank account. Many apps impose holding periods to make sure required transactions or services have been provided satisfactorily before payment is released.
Are money-making apps safe?
Most are. They have safeguards in place to protect both your information and the transfer of funds through the app. However, always fully investigate the safety and integrity of any online app before signing up. Check with the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, the ratings on The App Store and Google Play and even your state department of consumer affairs.
How much does a money-making app cost?
Most money-making apps require no upfront costs. There are no fees to join, nor any to download the app. Instead, fees are charged on the back end after products are purchased or services are rendered. Always pay close attention to the fine print of any fee disclosures associated with a money-making app. Some charge a flat fee, others a percentage, and some a mix of both.
You should be suspicious of any money-making app that requires you to put money up front. That’s either a tipoff of a scam, or an arrangement in which the app will be paid whether or not you receive any financial benefit from its use.
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. We might earn commissions from links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.