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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.
| Title | Best for |
|---|---|
Survey Junkie | Online surveys |
Rakuten | Cash back shopping |
Rocket Money | Saving money |
DoorDash | Delivery drivers |
Upside Cash Back Rewards App | Gas station rewards |
Poshmark | Selling gently used clothes |
Fidelity Investments | Self-directed investing |
SoFi Invest | Diversified financial services |
Bark | Expanding or building a business |
Freecash | Paid app testing, games and surveys |
Our top recommendations
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:
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Fidelity: Best for self-directed investing
Fidelity is an investment broker where you can invest your savings to earn money. Fidelity is one of the world’s largest investment brokers, and because it has so many investment options, services and resources, it’s the perfect platform for self-directed investing.
You can use Fidelity to invest in individual stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, fixed-income securities and even options and futures. Each of these investments requires a specific set of investment skills — some more than others.
Even if you are not investment savvy, Fidelity offers investment options for every investor. That includes a high-yield government money market fund, as well as Fidelity’s robo-advisor, Fidelity Go. The robo-advisor will invest your money automatically in a mix of stock and bond related ETFs and provide complete investment management going forward. There is no fee for the first $25,000 invested, after which an annual advisory fee of 0.35% will apply.
How you’ll get paid: Technically speaking, you won’t get paid with Fidelity in the normal sense. Instead, you’ll earn investment returns on the capital you invest, which can then be withdrawn for income purposes. As with all investment activities, those returns are never guaranteed.
Pros:
- Access to virtually every common type of investment.
- Has abundant educational resources and investment tools to help you become a better investor.
- Live customer service on a 24/7 basis.
- Trade both stocks and ETFs commission-free.
- Passive investment options in their government money market fund and their Fidelity Go robo-advisor service.
Cons:
- Because it is an investment platform, you’ll need to have some capital to make money.
- Pay comes in the form of investment returns withdrawn from your account, and there is no guarantee those returns will occur.
- You will need at least some investment skills to begin self-directed investing.
Sofi Invest: Best for investing with diversified financial services
Sofi Invest is part of a diversified financial services provider that offers student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, various insurance policies, online banking and a cash-back credit card. When you open an account, you will also work with a certified financial planner at no additional charge.
SoFi Invest comes in two forms: SoFi Active Investing and SoFi Automated Investing. Active Investing enables you to trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options commission-free. Automated Investing is a robo-advisor that provides you with a fully managed portfolio invested in stock and bond ETFs. There is no fee for the service, and you can begin investing with as little as one dollar.
How you’ll get paid: Similar to other investment platforms on this list, you can be paid when you withdraw money earned on your invested capital. That can be done anytime you have realized investment gains, or even at regular intervals. Exactly how much you’ll earn on your investments will vary with the amount of capital you have invested.
There is, however, an opportunity to get paid through a new account bonus. SoFi Invest is currently offering a bonus of between $5 and $1,000 when you open a new account with at least $25. The funds must settle in your account within 30 days. They also provide a 1% match on your contributions to either a traditional or a Roth IRA.
Pros:
- Both self-directed and managed investment options.
- Free access to certified financial planners.
- Diversified financial services, including online banking, loans, and insurance.
- Sign-up bonus for new accounts.
- Provides a 1% matching contribution on your contributions to either a traditional or Roth IRA.
Cons:
- Making money with investing requires having the capital to invest.
- Earnings and withdrawals will depend on investment returns, which are never guaranteed.
- You will need investment skills if you plan to engage in self-directed investing.
Bark: Best for expanding or building a business
Bark is an app that enables owners of existing businesses and startups to find new clients for their businesses.
Bark works something like a job board in that potential clients post the services they need to hire, giving business owners an opportunity to fill those needs. When you find jobs you are prepared to fill, you can contact potential customers directly. You can even set up instant notifications for leads so you can respond quickly. You can also post your own service on the platform to make it available to those looking for help.
To use the service, you must buy a credit pack and use the credits for the contact of potential customers. Credits are calculated based on the cost of contacting a customer, the value of the job, and the balance of supply and demand in your area. Beyond the credit pack, there are no monthly fees, and Bark does not collect any commissions if you successfully engage a new client.
How you’ll get paid: Bark doesn’t generate revenues directly, but rather clients for your business that will pay you upon completion of services rendered.
Pros:
- Access to clients for accounting, counseling, web design, gardening, house cleaning, personal training and other service providers.
- No fee to sign up for the service, no monthly fees and no commissions collected when you receive income from new clients.
- Provides new clients for both new and existing businesses.
- Available nationwide.
Cons:
- You must pay for a credit to be able to reach out to potential clients, and there is no guarantee you will secure those clients.
- Like most online marketplaces, your success will be determined by a combination of skill set, experience, referrals and presentation.
- Credit pack costs are not disclosed on the website and are based on a combination of variables.
Freecash.com: Best for getting paid to test apps, games and surveys
Freecash.com is a money making app that can be downloaded to your mobile device on Google Play. The company claims the average time until a user makes his or her first cash out is just 17 minutes and 16 seconds. The app offers hundreds of apps and games, with payouts ranging from under $1 to over $300. There are only a handful of surveys available and no indication of the amount paid.
The app publishes daily earnings, with the top earners fetching over $100 each. Participants can also earn a referral commission of up to 30% of all earnings from family and friends they refer to the app.
The app has a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 out of five stars based on more than 82,000 reviews. It also has 4.1 out of five stars for more than 62,000 Android users on Google Play; however, it does have a poor rating with the Better Business Bureau.
How you’ll get paid: As you complete tasks, you’ll earn coins on the app, which can be redeemed in cryptocurrencies, payments through PayPal, bank transfers or gift cards at popular retailers and service providers like Amazon, Netflix, Uber Eats and Visa. Unlike some money making apps, Freecash.com transfers payment immediately, especially by PayPal.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Multiple ways to earn cash.
- Multiple ways to get paid.
- Pays quickly.
- No set hours — you can work at your own pace.
Cons:
- The time you spend isn’t justified on all jobs.
- Has a Better Business Bureau rating of F.
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average payout | $0.40 – $2 | $1 – $3 | $0.50 – $5.00 |
| Payment method | Paypal or gift cards | Paypal, eGift cards, or bank transfer | Paypal Cash, Amazon gift cards, Starbucks gift cards, and more |
| Minimum to cash out | $3 for gift cards; $25 for PayPal | $5 (500 points) | $30 |
| Promotion | $10 | N/A | $5 |
| View Offer | View Offer | View Offer |
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. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
