Do you need some extra cash but don’t have time or the ability to get a part-time job? If this rings true for you, consider using one of many money-making apps to add extra cushion to your wallet.
There are tons of money-making apps out there that allow you to work online — more than you’d expect.
You can get paid directly through PayPal, receive free gift cards to your favorite retailers, or get cash back on all your purchases. Companies are eager to get new app users — and they’re willing to pay you for it. If you’re going to spend hours on your phone each day, it can’t hurt to make a little extra money while you’re at it.
15 Best Money Making Apps for 2021
This list of best apps to make money using your phone is broken down into the following categories:
- Popular Side Hustle Apps
- Money-Making Apps That Pay You Cash Back
- Apps That Pay for Things You Already Do
- Passive Income Apps
This list has some of the best apps for making money, both for Android and iPhone. Some even have a browser-compatible version you can use, helpful if you have time at work.
Note: Some offers are only available in certain areas or on certain platforms. Check back regularly to see if the app has been updated to fit your device or geographic area.
Popular Side Hustle Apps
Whether you’re saving to buy a house or trying to pay off credit card debt, using a side hustle app can be a simple way to make more money when you need it.
1. DoorDash
Working as a driver for DoorDash entails picking up food from local restaurants and chains and delivering it to customers. DoorDash drivers earn a base pay and also get to keep 100% of their tips.
As a driver, you can earn extra money when DoorDash offers special promotions and challenges. There’s also special “Peak Pay,” when drivers can get paid more. According to Indeed.com, DoorDash drivers earn around $15 an hour.
However, you’re responsible for expenses such as gas, parking, and tolls. Unlike rideshare companies, you can have any kind of car to deliver for DoorDash. You do need to have a driver’s license, clean driving record, smartphone, and be at least 18 years old.
In some cities, you’re allowed to deliver on a bike, scooter, motorcycle, or even by foot.
Related: DoorDash Driver Review: How to Make Money Driving for DoorDash
|
|
|
|
| Deliver anything (but mostly takeout) |
Deliver groceries | Deliver takeout food |
| Requirements:
Must have an insured car, |
Requirements:
Must have an insured car or |
Requirements:
Must have an insured |
| Pay:
Paid for time spent + |
Pay:
Paid a flat delivery fee + |
Pay:
Delivery fee + boosts + 100% |
|
2-8 days to get started |
1-2 weeks to get started |
1-2 weeks to get started |
Note: Since average hourly earnings fluctuate based on factors including location and demand, we have not included rates. However, based on our research, average rates tend to fall between $10-$20 per hour.
2. Decluttr
If you’ve got piles of used DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, or video games lying around your house, you can make a few dollars selling them with the Decluttr app. It also accepts electronics like phones, tablets, and game consoles.
You can download the Delucttr app and scan items directly with your phone. It’ll give you an instant offer on your item.
Once you’ve accepted the offer, you’ll print out the pre-paid label and send off your goods. You can drop off the box at a UPS Store, customer center, authorized retail outlet, or with a UPS driver.
Related: 7 Ways to Sell Electronics for Cash Before They End Up in a Landfill
3. Swagbucks – $10 Bonus
One of the best money-making apps out there, Swagbucks offers a $10 bonus for new users.
Swagbucks allows users to earn money by searching the web, watching videos, taking paid surveys, playing games, or shopping online. You can redeem your rewards for cash deposited directly in your PayPal account or by claiming gift cards to a partner retailer such as Walmart or Amazon.
There’s no limit to how much you can earn. You’re not going to replace your full-time income with it, but if you start using Swagbucks as your web browser, play some games, and take a few surveys, you could potentially boost your income by $25 to $50 each month.
With an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and over 20 million active members, there’s no reason not to try one of the best money-making apps out there.
Related: Is Swagbucks Worth It? Here’s Our Official Swagbucks Review
4. Turo
If your car spends more time in the driveway than on the road, you might consider renting it out on Turo. Turo is an app where you can list your car for other people to rent. It’s an easy way to earn money, especially if you don’t need your car on a regular basis.
You can use Turo’s “carculator” to see how much you can make using the app. According to its site, a 2016 Toyota Camry in Seattle would earn $244 a month.
Your car must meet certain requirements before you can sign up:
- No more than 130,000 miles
- Clean title
- Fewer than 12 years old
- Not registered in New York
- Not listed on any other site
If you’re renting out a specialty or classic car, then it must be:
- 1990 model or earlier
- Valued at least $85,000
- Safe and in excellent mechanical condition
Turo isn’t available in every city, but if you live in a major city like Los Angeles or Washington, D.C. then check to see how much you could make with the app.
Related: 6 Companies That Will Pay You to Advertise on Your Car
Money-Making Apps That Pay You Cash Back
Cash-back apps give you money or points when you make a qualifying purchase at partner stores. These are usually easy to use and work with a variety of different in-person and online retailers.
5. CapitalOne Shopping
Do you ever wonder if you’re actually getting the best price when you’re buying something? Or do you assume that you’re getting the best deal if you shop on Amazon? If you’re not shopping around, you could be missing out on savings.
That’s where CapitalOne Shopping comes in. CapitalOne Shopping is a browser extension that notifies you when there’s a coupon available for something you’re viewing or if the same item is selling for a lower price elsewhere.
You can earn CapitalOne Shopping credits by shopping through partnered stores and restaurants, which you can redeem for gift cards to places like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Nordstrom Rack. CapitalOne Shopping also includes a watchlist where it’ll notify you when an item on your list drops in price. See our full CapitalOne Shopping review to learn more.
Note: CapitalOne Shopping compensates us when you get the browser extension using the links provided.
6. Dosh – $5 Bonus
Dosh is a smartphone app that gives you cash back every time you make a purchase at participating outlets using your linked card.
Not having to jump through hoops to earn cashback is probably the biggest perk of Dosh. For instance, I’ve been getting cashback from Exxon each time I fill up my gas tank and I didn’t even realize it until recently. The money just gets added to my Dosh account.
Download the app, link your credit card (the app is secure), then spend as you normally would. You can start shopping at participating merchants using your credit card and points will be added to your “Dosh Wallet” straight away.
Once your balance reaches a minimum of $25, you can cash out via direct deposit or PayPal.
Related: Dosh Review: Pros, Cons, and Examples of Deals (Screenshots Included)
7. Ibotta – $10 Bonus
Ibotta is yet another of the money-making apps you’ll see on this list that revolves around cash back shopping.
But unlike apps similar to Ibotta, the company has become immensely popular worldwide because it extends to grocery brands.
It also has an affiliate program that allows users to earn even more money by inviting friends to the app.
Ibotta offers a $10 sign-up bonus for new members and will pay you $5 more for each friend you refer.
Related: Ibotta Review: How Much Can You Save?
Apps That Pay for Things You Already Do
While some apps require you to change your shopping habits or spend time taking surveys, others will reimburse you for activities and habits you already engage in regularly.
8. Mistplay
If you love playing video games and want more money to indulge your hobby, consider signing up for the Mistplay app. You can play games and earn gift cards to Amazon, iTunes, Nintendo, and Xbox. These are perfect rewards for a video game lover.
If you have a job where you’re allowed to be on your phone, then this app can be a fun way to kill some time and earn rewards for something you care about. The Mistplay app has a 4.1 rating on the Google Play Store.
Unfortunately, in recent reviews of Mistplay, people said they had problems redeeming points, and that customer service never got back to them.
Related: 13 Real Money Earning Games That Pay You Cash to Play
9. HealthyWage
If you’re trying to lose weight and need extra motivation, how about the chance to earn $10,000 while doing it?
HealthyWage offers a variety of ways to earn money and is one of a few apps that pay you to lose weight. You can take on a weight loss challenge on your own, or you can enter a team challenge and motivate each other to shed more pounds. The minimum weight loss goal is 10%. With HealthyWage’s 10% Challenge, if you drop 10% of your body weight in six months, you could earn upwards of $300 (depending on how many friends you invite to participate).
HealthyWage beats those at-work pools where people don’t pay up, or worse, the competition never gets started. If you can’t find a gym buddy to hold you accountable, then try using an app that targets your wallet.
Related: HealthyWage Review: Get Paid Up to $10,000 to Lose Weight
10. StepBet
StepBet is an app where you can earn money for taking a certain number of steps. You enter a specific game and have to hit a certain number of steps each week. The app decides how many steps you have to hit based on your past history.
If you miss the goal for the week, then you’re no longer eligible to win the main prize. Most bets are around $40. StepBet takes a 15% cut of the total winnings.
StepBet works with your other fitness apps such as Apple Watch, Garmin, FitBit, Google Fit, and Samsung Health. So far, StepBet has paid out $89,749,215 to participants.
Related: 13 Legit Apps That Pay You to Walk by Tracking Your Steps
Passive Income Apps
If you want a way to earn more money without a lot of extra work, consider these apps for ideas to make passive income.
11. Neighbor
Neighbor users make passive income by storing people’s belongings in their spare space at home. If you have a shed, closet, or attic you’re not using, you could make passive income with this app.
Like all forms of passive income, renting out your space requires a little bit of a time investment upfront. But Neighbor takes care of most of the work for you by connecting you with local renters.
You’ll make a listing and renters will apply to reserve your space. You have 48 hours to view the candidate’s profile, ask questions, and make a decision. If you don’t act within that timeframe, the reservation will automatically be declined.
If you find a renter looking for a long-term option, you could earn passive income renting out your unused space each month. Check out Neighbor’s income estimator to see how much you could earn.
Related: 7 Ways to Make Money Renting Out Your Space
12. Nielsen – $50 per Year
You may have heard of Nielsen ratings for TV shows, but it turns out that Nielsen pays you to collect data on more than just TV. One area it’s interested in is your internet usage.
What does that mean for you? It means Nielsen will pay you $50 a year to keep its app on your favorite internet browsing device. The app itself collects statistics on your internet usage anonymously, so you never have to worry about any data being linked to you.
The app doesn’t take up much space and won’t slow down your phone or tablet.
Related: 12 Companies That Pay You for Your Data
13. Honeygain
Honeygain is an app that you can download on Android, Windows, and MacOS devices.
It uses data from your internet browsing history to help companies with research. According to its website, users who download Honeygain can earn $19 a month.
However, this amount depends on your internet speed, location, and other factors. Even if you earn less than the projected figure, it’s a completely passive way to earn money. Once you download Honeygain, you don’t have to do anything.
A possible downside is that you need to have at least $20 in your account before you can withdraw the funds. Once you do have that amount, you can request your money via PayPal.
14. Acorns – $10 Bonus
If you want to start saving up for your future and investing for retirement, consider checking out Acorns.
With a beginner-friendly platform and interface, Acorns is one of the best investing apps available. It’s easy to sign up, and you can set aside a certain amount every month or round up money from every purchase you make with a linked account. The app will take the change and invest it in your Acorns account.
Acorns also offers a $10 signup bonus for new users.
Once you sign up and complete your registration, Acorns will deposit $10 into your account to give your investments a head start.
Related: Acorns Review: Is Micro Investing Worth Your Time?
15. Slidejoy
Slidejoy is one of the easiest money-making apps out there. It’s not going to make you rich, but you could earn $5 to $15 per month according to the developers.
When you use Slidejoy, it’ll place ads on your phone’s lock screen. Then you’ll have the choice to:
- Ignore the ad by sliding right and unlocking your phone.
- Engage with the ad by sliding left. Upon sliding left, the phone will unlock and you will be directed to a destination specified by the advertiser (YouTube, advertiser website, Google Play, coupon page, etc.).
To prevent bias, you will make an equal amount regardless of whether or not you engage with an ad. Over time, Slidejoy learns your ad preference based off of your behaviors during different times of the day and curates a more relevant user experience. You can cash out your earnings via PayPal/several gift cards or choose to donate it to charity.
As long as you can put up with your smartphone’s lock screen being trending news stories or ads (which disappear when you open your phone), you’re looking at a possible $180 a year from one app with minimal effort.
App Developers Are Constantly Looking for Ways to Reward Users
These apps are just some of the ones that can make you money. There are new apps coming out all the time. Just be careful about what you download and what kind of information you provide.
If you don’t mind getting the legwork out of the way and filling out a bunch of registration forms over the next hour, you can get started with many items on the list right now and be making money from your phone in no time.
