50 Best Money-Making Apps That Pay You Real Money

If you need a little extra cash, you’ve got a wealth of options right at your fingertips. Dozens of money-making apps allow you to run a side hustle from your smartphone or tablet—some are extremely easy, some are downright fun, and several even run in the background, allowing you to earn money without any real effort!

And if you’re feeling particularly motivated, you can use as many of them as you like.

If there’s one problem, it’s that there are so many of these apps that it can be hard to explore them all. Fortunately for you, we’ve reviewed scores of money-making apps and narrowed the list down to only the best choices, then broken them into categories so you can easily find the app (or apps) that interest you the most.

The Best Money-Making Apps: What Kinds You’ll Find

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Here are the eight categories that we’ve broken our selection of money-making apps into:

• Survey Apps: Marketers want as much information on their potential customers as possible—their demographics, what they like to buy, product awareness, future purchasing plans, and more. Survey apps pay you for this valuable information.
• Shopping Rewards Apps: If you already enjoy shopping online, you can often save money or earn cash rewards by shopping with specific retailers. It’s a win for the business (because you’re choosing them over competitors for your online purchases) and a win for you (because what you’re buying is more affordable).
• Cash-Back Apps: Cash-back apps are similar to shopping rewards, though they’re usually extended to restaurants, gas stations, and other establishments. Cash-back apps’ rewards are also strictly limited to … well, cash. Cash from a money app can be funneled back to you in several ways, including through PayPal, money on a card, or a direct deposit into your bank account.
• Banking and Investing Apps: Banking and investing apps take your existing money and put it to work for you—making more money! These apps are less time-consuming than most money-making apps, though the rewards can often take longer to reap. Sometimes, they offer lucrative sign-up rewards.
• Passive Income Apps: Passive income apps allow you to earn extra cash (or save it) just by letting them run in the background. They don’t make money as quickly as other options, but once they’re set up, they take little to no extra effort.
• Video Game and Gaming Apps: Game creators test out new games to work out bugs and learn how they can improve them. While many people would volunteer to test games for free, you can get paid to play!
• Gig Economy Apps: Gig economy apps are actual jobs. On the one hand, they require more effort and skill than most of the other money-making apps mentioned here. On the other hand, you can make money much faster with them, and they typically still offer time flexibility.
• Money-Saving Apps: Money-saving apps make saving money second nature. If you struggle to save money, these apps can help you set aside cash automatically.

There’s no rule saying you can only use one money-making app. Feel free to use as many of these as your time allows.

Most of the following apps are available on the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store, but a few are limited to just one or the other.

Also, some apps come with sign-up and other new-member bonuses. We’ve denoted in the header whenever that’s the case, and we explain how to earn those bonuses in the product description boxes below.

Survey Apps

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1. Swagbucks ($10 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Swagbucks is one of the most popular money-making apps because it allows you to earn cash or gift cards by doing everyday activities. For example, you can make money by taking online surveys, playing games, watching videos, even doing live trivia.

To get started, sign up for a Swagbucks account and begin participating in some routine tasks offered through the app. Each task earns you “SB” (Swagbucks), which you can cash in for gift cards or cash back on PayPal. Or, you can put your SB rewards toward sweepstakes where you can win big prizes.

You can earn a free $10 bonus for signing up, and you can earn additional money by referring friends to the app.

Related: How to Invest Money: 5 Steps to Start Investing w/Little Money

2. Survey Junkie

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Survey Junkie is a paid-survey service that’s trusted by millions of users. The platform matches users with surveys that are most relevant to them. You complete surveys on your own time and earn points for doing so.

Each point earned through Survey Junkie is worth 1 cent. Once you have at least $5 worth of Survey Junkie points, you can redeem them for virtual gift cards from popular merchants including Starbucks, Target, and iTunes. You can also get Visa gift cards or even receive cash back via PayPal or bank transfer.

 

3. MyPoints ($5 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

With MyPoints, you participate in activities such as online games/puzzles/trivia, taking surveys, watching ads, even shopping for groceries, to earn points. In some cases, you’ll also earn points for trying out trial services from the likes of Disney+, HelloFresh, and AT&T.

Depending on the activity, you can earn points toward gift cards from the likes of Target, Starbucks, and Sephora; coupon codes; cash; or cash back on purchases. And MyPoints features a very low minimum withdrawal of just $3.

Related: 26 Best Online Jobs for Teens [Earn Money at Home, Age 13+]

4. Branded Surveys ($1 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Branded Surveys has paid out more than $36 million to more than 3 million users.

The surveys made available to you will depend on your interests and profile information, as well as what research partners currently need. Each survey earns points; you can cash out once you’ve accumulated at least 500 points. Depending on survey length, users make anywhere from 50 cents to $5 per survey.

You can use your points toward gift cards from more than 100 brands, receive cash in your PayPal or bank account, or even make a charitable donation.

 

5. InboxDollars ($5 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

InboxDollars helps users make extra money from doing simple tasks. Like with other money-making apps, brands pay InboxDollars for consumer opinions—which is where you come in. You can earn free cash by participating in several activities, including taking surveys and reading emails. You can also earn cash-back rewards for online shopping, spending on games, and even buying groceries.

Better still: There’s no complex points system. Your earnings show up as real cash. Simple as that.

This passive income app isn’t a substitute for a full-time job, but it’s a great way to earn some extra money with only a little additional work on your part. And to entice new customers, InboxDollars is currently offering a $5 bonus to get started.

Related: 10 Investments that Earn a Great Return [10% or More]

6. ySense

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

ySense is an online community that offers multiple earnings options, including taking paid surveys, testing new apps, signing up for websites, watching videos, and more.

ySense suggests completing the “daily checklist,” which includes a couple of surveys and a couple of offers; doing so can earn you up to 16% in bonuses. Cash rewards are paid out through PayPal, Payoneer, and Skrill.

 

7. KashKick

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web

KashKick is a rewards and loyalty platform that works with marketers to pass some of their marketing budgets on to you, the user.

KashKick shares things in common with several types of money-making apps. For instance, you can take surveys, grind at games, or watch ads to earn real money. But it’s also a cash-back app, given that you can get cash back when you shop deals ranging from games to subscription services to investment apps and more. You can also make money by inviting friends.

KashKick doesn’t use a complicated points system; you always know exactly how much money you have earned. Some deals only offer a little extra cash, while others might offer as much as $50. Once you reach at least $10, you can cash out to a PayPal account.

 

8. Rakuten Insight

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (Android)

Rakuten Insight is an online survey site that makes it easy to earn cash anytime, anywhere.

You earn points by completing surveys, and once you’ve earned at least $5 worth of points, you can redeem those points for PayPal cash or Amazon gift cards. Users can earn up to $5 on each survey, meaning in some situations, you can cash out right away.

Rakuten Insight’s surveys educate business organizations, universities, and other entities from around the globe, but primarily from the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

 

9. LifePoints

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

LifePoints is a popular survey app that paid more than $22 million to its members last year.

Users answer questions about various products and brands. In exchange, they receive LifePoints, which can be redeemed for e-gift cards/e-vouchers/store credit at a couple dozen leading merchants including Target and Best Buy; PayPal cash, experiences, even charitable donations to the Special Olympics.

To get started, you just need to sign up, verify your email, and complete your profile. Surveys, which cover a wide variety of topics, will arrive via email invitations and take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete. LifePoints also gives away bonus points each week, and it occasionally awards special prizes like smartphones and smart TVs to randomly chosen users. Worth noting is that LP’s points system doesn’t have an exact cash value—for instance, withdrawing $5 in PayPal cash might cost you more points than withdrawing $5 as an Amazon gift card.

Related: 60 Personal Finance Statistics You Might Not Know (But Should!)

Shopping Rewards Apps

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10. Rakuten ($10 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile (iOS, Android, Galaxy Store)

Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) has become one of the most popular apps among shoppers because of the rewards and savings it offers when you buy through the app. To date, it has paid members more than $2 billion via cash-back rewards.

To take advantage of the shopping savings, you can either shop through Rakuten’s online platform or install the Rakuten Chrome browser extension, which identifies potential shopping savings as you browse online retailers. Rakuten leverages its massive scale to extract affiliate revenue from more than 2,500 retailers—when you use Rakuten to get shopping savings, brands pay Rakuten a commission, which it then shares with you every three months (an admittedly infrequent payout schedule) via PayPal or check.

Currently, if you sign up with Rakuten, you’ll receive a $10 bonus.

 

11. Capital One Shopping

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Want help on saving real money within seconds? Install the Capital One Shopping app, log into the website or download the Chrome browser extension, and it will search for discounts and promo codes while you shop, and apply any of the deals it found to your cart.

Users can also put items on their watchlist so they’re notified when the price drops or it goes on sale. Additionally, whenever you see an item you want on Amazon, the app can let you know right away if there is a better deal available.

This app works with more than 100,000 stores, and you don’t need to be a Capital One credit card holder to use it.

Related: 23 Best Income-Generating Assets [Invest in Cash Flow]

12. Ibotta ($10 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Ibotta gives users cash back whenever they buy from participating retailers, whether they’re shopping online or visiting a physical store. Whether you’re shopping in a brick-and-mortar location or online shopping on your phone, you can use the app, or you can add a browser extension to your desktop to earn exclusive cash-back offers at hundreds of retailers.

Earn up to 30% cash back at thousands of top retailers, such as Home Depot, Best Buy, Gap, and Kohl’s—and even on grocery pickup and delivery fees. Cash-back rewards can even apply to some gift card purchases! Better still? Ibotta also compares and tracks prices for you, helping you to get the best deals.

Users can withdraw their earnings through gift cards, PayPal, Venmo, or participating banks.

Currently, new users will get a $10 bonus when they spend $30 with Ibotta. (Offer excludes grocery purchases and purchases made on the Ibotta mobile app.)

 

13. Drop

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Drop is a shopping app that helps you earn rewards for the shopping you were already going to do anyway!

It’s a simple process: Download the Drop app, sign up, connect your credit card or debit card, and pick five stores you want to earn rewards from automatically. Options include Uber, Starbucks, Target, and Walmart, among many others.

Typically, you earn 0.5 to 1.5% of your purchases back in the form of Drop points. The points can be redeemed for gift cards to stores, including popular ones such as Amazon and Starbucks; 1,000 Drop points are equivalent to $1 in gift card rewards

If you want to earn points more quickly, you can play Drop’s mini-games or complete surveys.

Related: 31 Millennial Spending Habits & Income Statistics to Know

Video Game and Gaming Apps

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14. Rewarded Play

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• Available: Android
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Mobile app (Android)

Games apps help you earn money for doing something you might already do: playing games.

Rewarded Play, for instance, introduces you to new games to play—and the more you play, the more you earn.

Like many money-making apps, Rewarded Play is points-based. You earn points when you play games. If you earn at least 5,000 points in any given day, you’ll also earn a Daily Bonus that starts at 500 points. For each consecutive day you earn 5,000 points after that, your Daily Bonus grows by 500 points, up to five days—after that, you’ll earn 2,500 points every day you continue your earning streak. If you miss a day, the bonus starts over.

You can also earn points by making in-app purchases and watching ads.

You must accumulate at least 45,000 points (the equivalent of $5) to cash out. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Macy’s. To date, Rewarded Play has paid out more than $15 million to users.

 

15. Mistplay

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• Available: Android
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Mobile app (Android)

Mistplay is a loyalty program targeted to gamers that rewards you when you play video games and participate in contests.

To make money using the Mistplay app (only available as an Android app at the moment), you discover new games on the app’s mix list, select the ones that interest you, then generate points as you play.

You can redeem earned points toward prizes such as Amazon and Google Play gift cards, and PayPal cash. Mistplay also holds weekly contests and offers an “epic” grand prize in the last contest of each month.

Invite friends to the app to earn more or join competitions to improve your ranking on the Mistplay app.

 

16. Blackout Bingo

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Blackout Bingo is a fast-paced bingo game where you’re matched against opponents at similar skill levels. And unlike real bingo, which is completely about luck, skill plays a part in this money-making app.

Blackout Bingo is part of the Skillz umbrella of skill-based games. Because we cover several of them in this article, here’s what you need to know about the currencies they typically use:

• Ticketz: Players receive Ticketz for playing, win or lose. Ticketz can be redeemed for gift cards, Skillz swag, tech products, kitchen items, sports equipment, and more! (Naturally, high-priced items require a substantial number of Ticketz.)
• Z: This is an in-game currency that’s used to enter non-cash tournaments. You receive these by winning tournaments, earning trophies, receiving daily rewards, and through other actions.
• Bonus Cash: Bonus Cash is occasionally awarded in promotions and can be used to help pay for entry fees. For every $1 you spend on entry fees, 10 cents will be used for entry. So if you pay a $3 entry fee, 30 cents of that will come from Bonus Cash. While it is priced in U.S. dollars, it cannot be withdrawn; in fact, if you withdraw money, you forfeit your Bonus Cash.
• Cash: Cash is used to pay for entry fees, and you collect cash when you win cash games.

Players start Blackout Bingo in the Bronze Tier, where they only earn one ticket per game. To progress up the tiers, you must earn a certain amount of Ticketz each month. Once you reach the Black tier, you earn six Ticketz per game, meaning you’re earning much faster than someone who only plays infrequently.

Players have the option to spend money on the game so they progress faster, but it’s not required. But you do have to use Z, Bonus Cash, and/or cash to play against opponents and enter events. If you want to play for cash, you must deposit money with a credit card, prepaid gift card, Apple Pay, or PayPal account. Withdrawals up to the amount of your total deposits can be processed using the same form of payment as your deposit, but winnings will be sent by paper check if you’re a U.S.-based player, PayPal if you’re internationally based.

Blackout Bingo is one of several money-making game apps offered by Skillz, which has several noteworthy rules. There’s no minimum to withdraw, but you will be charged $1.50 for any withdrawal under $10. Cash tournaments aren’t available in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, and South Dakota, according to Skillz. And you must be 18 or older to play for cash.

Related: 75 Cryptocurrency Statistics Show Crypto’s Gone Mainstream

17. Bingo Cash ($5 Bonus)

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Bingo Cash is another fun bingo game that doubles as a money-making app. You play against other users in tournaments; whoever has the highest score when the two-minute timer runs out wins. The faster you click your numbers, the more points you get. You can use “boosters” to increase your score as well.

You earn gems (the in-game currency) and bonus cash alike. You’ll also fill up an experience meter every time you play; as you level up, you’ll unlock new content and win prizes. You can collect daily rewards, too, and earn extra gems by watching ads. You also have the option to spend money to get gems, but it isn’t necessary. That said, some games do cost gems to play.

You can receive cash rewards through PayPal, Apple Pay, or a linked Visa or Mastercard. Just note that cash tournaments currently aren’t available in Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, and South Carolina. You must be 18 or older to play for cash.

 

18. Bingo Tour

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Bingo Tour is another skill-based bingo simulator that pits you against players around the world; they have similar skill levels and the same starting conditions. Various power-ups help you earn higher scores.

Players can use gems to play free matches, win real money in cash tournaments, and earn extra rewards and cash in minigames. Technically, it’s possible to play cash games with bonus cash awarded from free games, but it’s difficult—many users end up depositing money to play. When it’s time to cash out, you have three options: electronic check; PayPal; or Visa, Mastercard, or a debit card.

People in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Vermont are prohibited from playing cash matches, but they can still play free games.

 

19. Bubble Cube 2

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Bubble Cube 2 is a Puzzle Bobble clone where you shoot various colored bubbles onto a game board to create matches, which pop the bubbles and earn you points. Clearing all bubbles of the same color eliminates them for the rest of the round. If you run out of shooting bubbles before the meter fills, the board drops. If it drops too low, the game ends.

Bubble Cube 2 differentiates itself from most other bubble shooters in a couple of ways. For one, you play against another person. First off, you’re playing against another person. Both players have the same amount of time (three minutes) and the same bubbles in the same order; whoever earns the highest score wins.

It’s also different in that you can win prizes and cash. Bubble Cube 2, like Blackout Bingo, is under the Skillz umbrella of mobile games, so it uses the same currencies that you can redeem for gift cards, prizes, and real money.

Bubble Cube 2 also hosts cash prize tournaments, though they’re not available in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, and South Dakota. Users younger than 18 can’t play for cash.

Related: 9 Best Credit Cards for Students with No Credit [Building Credit]

20. Dominoes Gold

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Dominoes Gold, another Skillz game, is similar to the classic domino game All Fives. You and an opponent play identical games against the computer, and whoever gets the highest score before the time runs out wins.

Again, this is another Skillz game, and thus it shares a similar prize structure as Blackout Bingo and Bubble Cube 2. You earn Ticketz, win or lose, and can redeem Ticketz for a large range of prizes or cash. You can also earn Z, Bonus Cash, and real cash. Users can compete in daily domino tournaments for the opportunity to win prizes, too.

However, users in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Louisiana, and South Dakota can’t participate in Dominoes Gold cash prize tournaments.

 

21. Pool Payday

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Pool Payday, also by Skillz, is a pool/billiards game where you can play by yourself or get matched against other users at similar ability levels.

Pocket balls to score points. Extra points can be earned through multipliers and trick shots. Once you lose all your cue balls, the game is over. It can be tricky at first, but once you have the controls down, you can show off your geometry skills.

You must be 18 to compete in cash games. You also can’t participate in Pool Payday cash tournaments if you live in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee.

 

22. 21 Blitz

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Another Skillz game, 21 Blitz, is a solitaire-blackjack hybrid that has paid out $50 million to players so far.

Like with other Skillz apps, 21 Blitz users compete against players at similar skill levels. No bots—only real human opponents. You can earn money by winning, and by reaching milestones such as scoring over a certain amount of points in a game.

Every time you play a game, your experience meter fills up. As you level up, you get rewards and new content, such as leagues with high cash rewards (say, $1,000).

Note that for competitions where you use some of your funds, you will need to share your location to ensure you’re in a state that allows you to participate. Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, and South Dakota currently prohibit cash tournaments like what Skillz offers, and Maine and Indiana prohibit cash games in card-based apps like 21 Blitz.

 

23. Solitaire Cube

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Solitaire Cube is similar to classic Klondike solitaire, but with some twists. Players get points for every card and each card sent to the foundation pile. There is a time limit, so the faster you play, the better.

While the game might have the word “solitaire” in it, you actually compete against another person. Players must solve the same deck; whoever gets the most points wins.

This is another game by Skillz, which means all of the same rules above apply. You earn Ticketz that can be exchanged for gift cards and prizes. And if you live in a state that allows it, you can also play cash matches. That means you can’t play cash matches in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, and South Dakota.

Related: 11 Best Compound Interest Investments [Where to Invest]

24. Solitaire Cash ($5 Bonus)

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

Solitaire Cash is a free solitaire app that doesn’t require you to watch any ads. When you participate in paid tournaments, you’ll be matched against people with similar skill levels and play with decks that are arranged the same way. The faster a player clears their board (or gets close), the higher their ranking goes. Finish in the top three, and you’ll earn cash prizes.

You can play in regular games or cash tournaments to make money. There are also daily gifts and bonuses. Winners can cash out their winnings to PayPal or Apple Pay.

Cash tournaments are not available in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Montana, South Carolina, and South Dakota.

 

25. Solitaire Clash

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• Available: iOS | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Galaxy Store)

It’d be easy to confuse Solitaire Clash with Solitaire Cash, given their nearly identical names. In Solitaire Clash, you play classic Klondike solitaire in timed multiplayer tournaments. With the timer ticking down, players try to get the highest score possible to beat their opponents.

Players can use gems to play free matches. Alternatively, they can participate in cash games to win real money if they live in an eligible state. Multiplayer tournaments usually include five to 10 other players, with the top three scorers winning prizes. You can earn extra rewards through mini-games as well.

Users can withdraw money via PayPal. Solitaire Clash also has a very low minimum withdrawal of $2.

You must be 18 or older to play Solitaire Clash. Cash games are not available in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Vermont.

 

26. Big Buck Hunter: Marksman

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• Available: iOS | Android | Galaxy Store
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play], Galaxy Store)

If you enjoy the arcade game Big Buck Hunter but can only game on the go, you’ll likely also have fun playing Big Buck Hunter: Marksman.

Big Buck Hunter: Marksman works like the original. You visit a hunting location, look through your rifle scope, and take aim at deer. The better your shots, the likelier you are to take down the buck, and the more points you’ll earn.

But this is a multiplayer version that matches you with opponents at similar ability levels. It’s another Skillz game, so you win Ticketz no matter how you do. You can also earn coins, which you can cash in for upgrades at the in-game Big Buck Outfitters store.

Cash games are available in all states but Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, and South Dakota. Again, if you want to win cash, you’ll either need to deposit money (not required) or earn Bonus Cash. You can earn Bonus Cash through promo codes, referrals, or by winning enough games in free mode.

 

27. WorldWinner (Free Bonus Bucks)

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• Available: iOS | Android
• Price: Free. Cash games require cash entry fees.
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play])

WorldWinner offers nearly two dozen games you can play competitively against others, including Solitaire games, Trivial Pursuit, Bejeweled Champions, Wheel of Fortune, and more.

You can practice for free, but you must make a deposit to play in cash tournaments, with a starting entry fee of 25 cents. Simply pick a tournament, determine whether you want to play head-to-head or multiplayer, choose your level of difficulty, and play against opponents of similar skill levels.

Participants play separately and try to emerge with the top score. One the results are in, you’ll learn whether you’ve won some cash.

WorldWinner says it pays out around $250,000 in prizes every day. You can deposit and withdraw via debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, PayPal, and check. However, cash games may be limited or not available in Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Vermont.

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Cash-Back Apps

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28. GoCashBack ($8 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS)

GoCashBack is a cash-back app trusted by more than 700,000 users who’ve collectively earned more than $8 million in rewards. The free platform allows users to shop online at retailers like eBay, Walmart, Home Depot, Macy’s, GNC, and more, and get up to 40% back on their purchases. (However, actual cash-back rates are more commonly in the low- to mid-single-digit range for most offers.)

You can shop through GoCashBack’s website or app, or use their Chrome browser extension to claim coupons and deals through various participating retailers. You can use their GoCashBack app to check your cash-back status from anywhere and click through while on the go to save when you shop on your phone. You can withdraw via PayPal, check, and gift cards.

Get an $8 sign-up bonus today for joining GoCashBack.

 

29. Upside

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• Available: iOS | Android
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android)

Upside lets users earn cash back on purchases with minimal extra effort.

Upside can provide cash back at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, and it can work alongside other discounts, coupons, and loyalty programs. And there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

Here’s how it works: You claim an offer through the app, then pay as you normally would with a credit card or debit card. From there, you either “Check In” your purchase (or upload a photo of the receipt), and cash back will be deposited into your Upside account. Finally, you can cash out as you wish via e-gift card, PayPal cash, or bank transfer.

Related: 7 Best Teen Checking Accounts [Bank Accounts for Teenagers]

30. Dosh

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android)

Dosh automatically generates cash-back rewards when you shop—not just retail brands, but restaurants, hotels, and more. Some of the well-known brands under its umbrella include Walgreens, Nike, Forever21, Hyatt, Marriott, Shake Shack, and Disney+.

Participating is easy. Simply download the app, link up any cards or eligible mobile wallets. Whenever you use your card with a partner featuring cash-back rewards, Dosh will automatically deposit the cash back into your wallet. You can also accumulate rewards faster by completing special offers.

When you’ve accumulated at least $15 in cash-back rewards, you can cash out to your bank, PayPal, or Venmo.

 

31. Samsung Wallet

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Mobile app (Android)

Samsung Wallet lets you avoid a bulging wallet filled with payment cards, membership cards, and gift cards. This mobile payment system lets you make purchases in-store, online, and through the app. All users need to do is register their cards on Samsung Wallet and the cards are always ready to use from their phones.

To make in-store purchases using Samsung Wallet, you simply swipe up from the home screen. Then, you choose a card, verify a fingerprint, and hover your phone over the card reader.

In addition to the convenience, users can get cash back when they make purchases within the app from select merchants during promotional periods. The cash-back percentage varies by retailer.

Note that users need at least $5 in rewards to redeem and the cash back isn’t received until the merchant’s return period is passed. Cash back can be used to make purchases through Samsung Wallet.

Related: 9 Best Credit Cards for No Credit History: Starter Credit Cards

Banking and Investing Apps

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32. Plynk ($85 Bonus)

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• Available via Apple iOS and Android App on Google Play.
• Price: Free, but certain features may require a fee in the future.
• Sign up here

Plynk™ is an app designed to help you start investing and learn along the way, and they’re currently offering a $10 account signup and $75 net deposit bonus ($85 combined).

The Plynk app helps investors put their money into an investment portfolio. You can invest with as little as $1, and trade stocks, funds, and crypto commission-free**—all in one app.

The platform uses straightforward, easy-to-understand language to explain investing concepts. No jargon. No complex charts and tables. Just simple-language tips and how-tos.

Navigate investment ideas with tools to help you explore and choose. With Plynk Explore, just answer a few questions, and the app will display stock, ETF, and mutual fund investments that mesh with your investment comfort zone.

To assist with building your financial literacy, Plynk offers complete lessons and courses on financial education, including tips, educational content and how-tos.

The Plynk app enables you to make use of a powerful investing technique called dollar-cost averaging through participating in recurring investments. By continuing to buy a fixed dollar amount of investments over time, whether the market is up or down, you can build a disciplined investing habit and lower the stress that can come from market movements.

One of Plynk’s most interesting features involves, of all things, gift cards. Specifically, you can redeem unused gift cards for money that you can use to buy stocks in your favorite companies.

If this sounds interesting to you, consider opening an account with Plynk. To make it more worth your while, they have a few special offers.

Simply open an account and link your bank account to get a $10 signup bonus. Plynk is also offering a special bonus promotion through Feb. 15, 2024. If you make a deposit, Plynk will double it up to $75. Customers must have a minimum of $25 in net deposits during the promotional period to receive a match. That means you may be eligible for up to $85 in signup bonuses from Plynk by taking qualifying actions.

Read more in our Plynk review.

 

33. Fundrise

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Fundrise enables its investors to access several real estate funds, each of which holds a number of properties and is designed to provide varying levels of risk and income.

This popular real estate investment platform offers numerous ways to invest, including:

• Starter and Basic accounts: Investors can now access Fundrise for as little as $10. People who open a Starter account ($10-plus minimum investment) or Basic account ($1,000-plus) have their money automatically invested in the Flagship Real Estate Fund, which seeks a balanced objective of income and growth.
• Core, Advanced, and Premium accounts: Core ($5,000-plus), Advanced ($10,000-plus), and Premium ($100,000-plus) accounts all have access to more specialized strategies. The four primary funds, from low risk/income to high risk/income, are Fixed Income, Core Plus, Value Add and Opportunistic. These accounts also have varying amounts of access to Fundrise’s “eREITs,” as well as the tax-efficient Fundrise eFund.
• Fundrise iPO: This “internet public offering” allows investors to buy a stake in Fundrise’s parent company, Rise Companies Corp.
• Innovation Fund: This fund does not invest in properties, but rather private high-growth technology companies. While the fund expects to focus primarily on late-stage companies, it can hold early- and late-stage private companies, as well as some public equities.

You do not need to be an accredited investor to invest in Fundrise, but several of its funds are closed to non-accredited investors.

Learn more about Fundrise, including its various tiers, to determine what level of investing is best for you.

Related: Which Type of Real Estate Investment is Right for You? 8 to Know

34. Acorns

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Personal: $3/mo. Personal Plus: $6/mo. Premium: $12/mo.
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Acorns is an investing app geared toward minors, young adults, and millennials by offering “Round-Ups”: The app rounds up purchases made on linked debit and credit cards to the nearest dollar, then invests the difference on your behalf.

For example, if you purchase a coffee for $2.60 on a linked credit card, Acorns automatically rounds this charge up to $3.00 and puts the 40-cent difference aside. Once those Round-Ups reach at least $5, they can be transferred to your Acorns account to be invested.

The Acorns investment offering itself is a simple, automated platform that uses pre-built portfolios of ETFs to keep investors exposed to stocks and bonds. While it doesn’t have much to offer intermediate investors who want variety in their portfolios, Acorns’ basic approach makes it one of the best investment apps for beginners.

It also features a powerful way to accelerate your savings: Later Match. While most people are aware that employers will sometimes match funds you contribute to your 401(k), “matches” are virtually unheard of in retirement accounts like IRAs, where there’s no employer to kick in extra cash. However, Acorns itself will match 1% or 3% on new contributions to IRAs for Personal Plus and Premium subscribers, respectively. 

Here’s more about what you can expect from Acorns’ varying subscription options:

• Acorns Personal ($3 per month): Includes an Acorns Invest investment account, as well as Acorns Later for tax-advantaged investment options such as Roth IRAs. Also includes Acorns Checking, a bank account that has no account fees, lets you withdraw fee-free from more than 55,000 ATMs nationwide, and Smart Deposit, which allows you to automatically invest a bit of each paycheck into your Acorns accounts.
• Acorns Personal Plus ($6 per month): Everything in Acorns Personal (Acorns Invest, Later, and Checking), plus Premium Education, which are live onboarding sessions covering account setup, Round-Ups, setting up recurring investments, and more; Emergency Fund; and a 25% bonus on Acorns Earn rewards (up to $200 per month).
• Acorns Premium ($12 per month): Everything in Personal Plus, plus Acorns Early, which allows you to open a custodial investment account for your child so you can begin investing for them while they’re a minor; custom portfolios that allow you to hold individual stocks; live Q&As with financial experts; a 50% match on Acorns Earn rewards (up to $200 per month); $10,000 in life insurance; even the ability to set up a will for free.

Learn more in our Acorns review.

35. Robinhood ($5-$200 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Robinhood is a pioneer of commission-free trading, jumping into the investing public’s consciousness in 2013 when they rolled out commission-free trading. They remain a standout option for cost-minded investors thanks to their continued $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options, as well as for its fractional trading, which allows people to invest with as little as $1.

Now, however, Robinhood now offers individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs via Robinhood Retirement. Functionally, it comes up short compared to many other IRA providers because of its investment options. It offers just stocks and ETFs; like with its brokerage account, mutual funds aren’t available.

However, Robinhood Retirement still stands out from the pack because it’s the only IRA provider that offers matching funds. If you open up an IRA with Robinhood Retirement, Robinhood will match 1% of any IRA transfers, 401(k) rollovers, and annual contributions to your account—and 3% if you pay for the Robinhood Gold service ($5 per month)—typically almost immediately after you make your contribution. Better still: Any matches made on annual contributions don’t count toward your contribution limit.

Also, the Robinhood Cash Card can help turn purchases into investments. This debit card lets users earn a 10% to 100% bonus on weekly roundups (with bonuses capped at $10 per week), which is then invested into your choice of stocks or cryptocurrency.

Sign up for a Robinhood brokerage account or Robinhood retirement account today.

Related: 12 Best Robinhood Alternatives [US + Non-US Trading Apps]

36. Webull ($18-$36,000 Bonus)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux), web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)

Webull first hit the investing world in 2018 and made a splash by offering free stock trading, as well as commission-free trading of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and options. And since then, it has become one of the best stock apps for intermediate traders and investors, though many of its features are helpful to beginners as well.

For one, Webull remains friendly to wallet-conscious traders today. It costs nothing to open a Webull account. Stocks, ETFs, and options still trade commission-free. Many options have $0 contract fees. And Webull has no deposit minimums. On top of that, it offers fractional shares, which allows investors to start buying for as little as $1. So beginners working with small dollar amounts can still easily diversify across numerous investments.

Newer investors can also learn trading skills through the courses in Webull’s education center, and even practice their skills via Webull’s paper trading service. And Webull is available across just about every platform, allowing you to research, trade, and track your stocks on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop.

On top of all the free features mentioned above, Webull also runs frequent promotions that allow investors to collect free stocks.

Read more in our Webull review, or sign up at Webull today.

 

37. CIT Bank

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platform: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

High-yield savings accounts are a type of federally insured savings account which aim to earn interest rates much higher than the national average. In recent years, they’ve not paid much to account holders. But, that’s starting to change.

Depending on where you look and the prevailing market interest rates overseen by the Federal Reserve, high-yield accounts can earn around 3.00% APY or more.

As a comparison, the national savings account average interest rate comes to 0.07% APY—a far cry from the most competitive offers in the market. All things equal, if you hold your money in an account which pays a higher interest rate, your balance will grow faster without any additional effort on your part.

To illustrate the effect of holding money in a high-yield savings account compared to one offering a far lower rate, consider the following comparison. After one year, a savings account balance of $10,000 would earn $10 in an account with a 0.10% APY. If this money had instead been placed in a high-yield savings account offering 3.00% APY, your money would have earned 30x more, or a total of $300.

Consider placing your money in one of the most competitive high-yield savings accounts available on the market through CIT Bank’s Savings Connect. The Savings Connect Account currently is offering much more than the national high-yield savings account average—with the convenience of mobile banking, and with no monthly service fees.

Related: 6 Best Investing Apps for College Students to Start Investing

Passive Income Apps

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38. Public.com

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Basic: Free. Premium: $10/mo.
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)

Public.com, an investing platform that allows you to invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternatives, has launched a product that allows you to invest in Treasury bills and offers a high rate of passive income.

This investing product allows you to earn a higher yield than even the most competitive rates on a high-yield savings account—with equal accessibility to your cash. That is, you can tap your balance anytime; you don’t have to wait for your T-bill holdings to mature.

To participate, you’ll need to open an account with Public.com and make a deposit of as little as $100. The Treasury product is offered through Public by Jiko Securities, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC. In exchange for the management, trading, and custody of Treasury services, Jiko charges a flat management fee of 5 basis points (or, 0.05%) per month, or 60 basis points per year, based on the average daily balance of your Treasury account. Public deducts this amount from your Treasury account each month and receives a portion of that management fee as a referral fee.

However, even with this fee, you get easy access to a safe investment that generally yields more than a high-yield savings account and is exempt from state and local income taxes.

 

39. Honeygain

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Desktop app (macOS, Windows, Linux), web, mobile app (iOS, Android [Not in Google Play])

Honeygain is another option for people looking for a passive source of income.

With Honeygain, you effectively open up your internet connection to Honeygain’s partner companies. “These companies extract insights from the web using Honeygain to make market research, ad-fraud prevention, brand protection, pricing intelligence, travel fare aggregation, and SEO monitoring services,” Honeygain says.

Honeygain provides a wide variety of returns, including covering monthly subscriptions to platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube Premium; free gaming with Xbox Live, Twitch Prime, free in-game currency, and more; and even returns in crypto or PayPal cash.

Earnings vary based on the amount of traffic you share. For instance, Honeygain’s estimating calculator says that if you share 6 GB of traffic every day, across eight hours per day, you could earn $20 per month. That might not seem like a lot, but remember: You’re not doing anything differently than you otherwise would.

Honeygain only allows trusted partners to use your internet, and it will never ask for or receive access to your personal data.

Related: 9 Best Online Stock Brokers for Beginners [2023]

Gig Economy Apps

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40. Etsy

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Etsy is one of the most popular ecommerce marketplaces in the U.S., offering buyers a chance at finding one-of-a-kind items.

But don’t worry: If you want to make money on Etsy, you don’t have to just rely on physical items (think crocheted sweaters or woodwork, which would require you to spend money on expensive materials every time you get an order). You can also create digital products, such as E-printables. Not sure how to create or sell them online? You can take an Etsy E-Printables online course to learn how. (Editor’s note: In general, online courses are an excellent way to learn marketable skills.)

You can sign up for a free e-book, and then you’ll be allowed to apply for a course that costs $247 (though a $50-off coupon will be applied at checkout, making your cost $197).

Once you’ve learned how to create E-printables, you can set up an Etsy store and make money by selling them. Check out the course in the product box below to learn more.

 

41. Uber (Varying Bonuses)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android, Galaxy Store)

Uber is the original taxi alternative. Some people drive infrequently as a side hustle, while others—typically in larger cities, where it’s easier to find and complete rides—have made Uber their full-time profession.

Either way, you choose your hours, so it can be great for both early birds and night owls. And it’s hard to complain about pay frequency—drivers are paid every week. Drivers can also get the Uber Pro Card, a no-monthly-fee debit card and checking account that allows Uber drivers to automatically cash out after every delivery.

New drivers can get significant sign-up bonuses if they complete enough rides during their first month, though the bonuses vary depending on where you live and what time of year it is.

Fares work two ways. One starts with a base fare, with additional money added depending on time and distance traveled, with earnings determined after the trip is over. The other shows you how much you’ll make before you even accept the trip, though the fare can increase if you run into traffic or other issues that slow you down. You can make even more by driving during surge pricing, participating in Boost+ trips in promotional zones, and finishing “Quests” (completing varying numbers of trips.) Uber does charge its drivers a 25% fee on all fares. But drivers collect 100% of any tips.

If you don’t own your own car or don’t want to use yours for fares, Uber also offers rentals for as low as $260 per week. Drivers must meet the minimum age to drive in their city, have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the U.S. (three years if the driver is under 25 years old), use an eligible four-door vehicle, and pass a background screening. Necessary documentation includes a valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of residency, proof of vehicle insurance if you drive your own car, and a driver profile photo.

Related: How Old Do You Have to Be to Invest in Stocks? [Age to Invest]

42. Lyft (Varying Bonuses)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Enjoy driving and want to get paid for driving others? Lyft might be the gig for you.

Drivers choose their own hours and can request to only be matched with people on the route they’re taking home, so they’re never stuck far away. The app makes it easy to track your earnings and you can receive bonuses during peak times. In most places, you can see the fare prior to accepting a ride. Lyft takes a 20% cut of fares. However, you keep 100% of tips from riders.

Drivers get paid every Tuesday. However, they can cash out anytime with ExpressPay (85-cent fee per transfer) or with Lyft Direct, a no-monthly-fee debit card and checking account that allows Uber drivers to automatically cash out after every delivery.

If you join Lyft Rewards as a driver, you can also earn perks such as cash back on gas and public EV charging, maintenance and repair savings, even discounts on TurboTax Self-Employed.

Don’t have your own car? You’re still good to go. Lyft Express Drive, through partnerships with Hertz and Flexdrive, provides you with affordable rentals with maintenance and insurance included.

Driver requirements might vary by state, but generally, you must be 25 years old, have a valid license, registration and proof of insurance if you plan to drive your own car, and complete a criminal background and driving history check.

 

43. Uber Eats (Varying Bonuses)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android, Galaxy Store)

Uber Eats is Uber’s food delivery program. Drivers earn a base fare that’s made up of pickup, drop-off and distance fees. In some cities, you’ll also earn extra money on a per-minute rate.

Deliveries with multiple orders earn additional amounts per delivery. Like with regular Uber, surge pricing and delivery promotions can boost your earnings, too. Drivers keep 100% of tips, too, and are paid every week. Drivers can also get the Uber Pro Card, a no-monthly-fee debit card and checking account that allows Uber drivers to automatically cash out after every delivery.

Requirements to sign up vary by mode of transportation but generally include some sort of valid ID and a Social Security number to run a background check.

 

44. Rover

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: One-time $35 profile review fee
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Do you love animals? Rover can pay you to spend time with them.

Rover allows you to sign yourself up as a pet-sitter. You simply download the app, create a profile, tell Rover what types of pet you’ll work with, and list whatever dates you’re available for work.

You can provide services including dog walking, doggy daycare, house sitting, grooming, drop-in visits, and overnight boarding—the latter being a particularly high-earning activity.

How much you get paid is up to you; pet carers set their own prices. And you can also get paid as soon as two days after a completed service. Funds typically hit your account two days after you complete a service, then payment processor Stripe automatically transfers the funds to your bank account.

You must be at least 18 years old and live somewhere that Rover operates, live in a residence that allows pets, complete a profile, and pass a background check. Rover also charges a 20% service fee on all transactions.

Every service you choose to offer is backed by The Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 in coverage for eligible vet care claims and property damage.

Related: 12 Best Stock Trading Apps + Platforms for Beginners

45. Instacart

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Many people are willing to pay to have their groceries delivered, whether it’s because they have a disability, no transportation, an extremely busy schedule, or just don’t feel like going to the store.

No wonder, then, that you can earn plenty of cash shopping for (and delivering) groceries with Instacart.

Instacart has two different roles in the U.S. Full-service shoppers are deliverers who are paid by the batch, and pay is determined by size of order, driving distance, and effort involved. They can also earn extra money through Instacart promotions and earn 100% of tips. Meanwhile, in-store shoppers earn an hourly wage in scheduled shifts for up to 29 hours each week. Instacart shoppers are paid weekly by direct deposit into a bank account of your choice, but you can also use Instant Cashout for a 50-cent fee.

To be an Instacart in-store shopper, you need to be at least 18 years old, be eligible to work in the U.S., have consistent access (and be able to use) a recent smartphone, and be able to lift up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation. To be an Instacart full-service shopper, you need all of the above, as well as consistent access to a vehicle.

 

46. Doordash (Varying Bonuses)

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

DoorDash delivery drivers, called “Dashers,” decide when and how much they want to work. Dashers are never required to take orders and can choose which ones they accept.

Every delivery comes with base pay, which is determined by time, distance, and “desirability of the order.” Drivers can get paid even more through promotions such as Peak Pay (surge pricing) and Challenges (completing a predetermined number of deliveries in a set time), plus they keep 100% of tips.

Dashers are paid on a weekly basis, typically receiving money by Wednesday night. However, they can get paid immediately via Fast Pay ($1.99 fee per transaction), or with the monthly-fee-free DasherDirect Business Prepaid Visa Card, which provides instant, no-fee deposits after every Dash. Some Dashers might also be able to receive cash upon delivery; the cash amount will be deducted from the Dasher’s next payout.

DoorDash doesn’t require previous work experience, but they do require you to be an adult, consent to a background check, and have your own means of transportation (car, motorcycle, scooter, or bike), a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

 

47. Airbnb

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Airbnb allowed my wife and I to earn enough passive income to cover our mortgage payment for two and a half years when we lived in New Orleans. We had an extra bedroom in a lock off unit behind us which allowed guests to come and go as they pleased with complete privacy.

The arrangement recreated the experience of a hotel, where you had an entire space to yourself and never had the worry of running into the host. We made a minimum of $500 per month and up to $2,500 on our busiest months (Mardi Gras).

Of all the apps listed here, it is my favorite because it has the highest earning potential if you have extra space in your house or apartment to rent.

If short-term rentals are allowed in your area, Airbnb is a great option to earn additional cash.

What’s also great is because it made the short-term rental business an acceptable housing/lodging arrangement, you now have access to a database of millions of users instantly who can quickly become customers.

However, this app relies on positive reviews, so you will need to do a good job of being a host or you won’t have great success in having your listing get booked consistently. Do well enough for an extended period of time, and you can become an Airbnb Superhost.

Airbnb typically charges hosts a 3% fee of the booking subtotal, though this fee can be higher if you have “Super Strict” cancellation policies. Payout can be sent via bank account, PayPal, Fast Pay, Payoneer Prepaid Debit Mastercard, Western Union, and even international wire. Airbnb typically releases your payout 24 hours after a guest checks in.

Typically, you must own the home or property you’re listing on Airbnb. Airbnb has a number of ground rules you must follow.

Related: How to Invest in Whiskey [A Not-So-Whiskey Business?]

Money-Saving Apps

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48. Rocket Money

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free. Premium subscription varies from $4/mo. to $12/mo.
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)

Rocket Money acts as both a money-management app and a money-saving app that’s dedicated to reviewing your expenses and automating potential opportunities to uncover the true cost of your bills—and lower them.

This automated financial manager proactively works on your behalf to reduce your monthly bills on items like cell service, internet connection, and other utilities and on-going subscriptions.

For example: Rocket Money can right-size your subscriptions if you’ve been upsold on services you no longer need. Let’s say you subscribed to a service provider’s premium package but haven’t used many of the included benefits, Rocket Money can slash the cost by reverting you to a lower service tier.

Rocket Money can negotiate your bills for you, too, though the service is an additional charge. You choose a percentage (between 30% to 60%) of the first-year savings as a “success fee” when you submit your negotiation request. And you don’t have to pay if the negotiation is unsuccessful.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Rocket Money is also the most bizarre: pricing. Rocket Money has a free version. But for the Premium subscription—which which includes features such as Unlimited Budgets, Premium Chat, Smart Savings, and more—users actually choose how much they pay, within limits. You can see pricing details in the box below, and you can sign up with Rocket Money here.

 

49. Trim

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: Free for most services. 15% of yearly savings per telecom bill negotiation
• Platforms: Web

Trim is another money-saving app that works for you in two ways:

1. First, it looks at your spending patterns, then analyzes them to determine where you can save money.
2. Second, if it identifies bills that you could be negotiating lower, Trim takes the reins and talks to internet, cable, and other subscription companies for you. Trim boasts that it has negotiated more than 800,000 bills for its users. Additionally, Trim will negotiate your interest rates with banks and credit cards, get bank fees refunded, and waive interest fees.

Most of Trim’s features are free. However, if it does negotiate a bill lower, it will collect 15% of the savings.

 

50. Earny

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• Available: Sign up here
• Price: $19.99/yr.
• Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android, Galaxy Store)

Earny is something of a cash-back app and money-saving app rolled into one. Earny tracks your ongoing purchases—long after you’ve made them. It then scours the web for price drops on anything you’ve bought, then collects on any price-match guarantees.

The app boasts average annual price-drop savings of roughly $300 per person.

You can also link your Amazon account to Earny and gain access to around-the-clock price tracking and price-drop alerts for any items on your Amazon list. It will even let you know if an Amazon shipment came late and press for more money back.

You must have a minimum of $15 in cash savings to redeem money back to your linked bank account. The service also charges a $3-per-month inactivity fee if you allow your account to go inactive for more than 12 consecutive months.

One huge user-experience drawback to Earny pertains to new users. That is, Earny’s subscription costs are extremely opaque—it’s next to impossible to find out subscription costs (which are currently $19.99 per year) without actually signing up for the app first.

Related: 13 Best Money Apps for Teens [Invest, Spend, Budget + Pay]

Are Money-Making Apps Safe?

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While plenty of safe money-making apps exist, not all such apps are safe. Always conduct your own due diligence before signing up for an app—no exceptions!

A good rule of thumb: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

How Can You Avoid Scams On Money-Making Apps?

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Be careful when trying a new money-making app. Here’s a look at each step of the process, and the precautions you should take:

• Sign-up: Always research a company before signing up. Trustpilot, app store reviews, and the Better Business Bureau are among the resources you can check out to make sure a company is legitimate.
• Installation: Make sure you are installing the correct app. Scammers sometimes create apps with similar names to cause confusion. Evaluate what permissions an app is asking for to see if the permissions make sense and are necessary. For example, an app might ask for your location—something that would make sense for an app such as Lyft, but not for other apps that have no business knowing your location.
• Linking a bank or PayPal account: It’s safe to provide, say, a PayPal email address. But you don’t want to provide bank account and routing numbers unless you’re sure you can trust the money-making app you’ve chosen. Also, it’s not necessarily safe to provide personal passwords to these apps, either.
• Sharing personal information: Survey apps ask you to provide details about yourself. It’s safe to provide general information, such as income range and age range. But you should never share a Social Security number or other extremely sensitive data unless you’re earning a significant amount from them and need to fill out a tax form.

Also, whenever you plan to stop using an app, delete your account first, then uninstall the app.

Do You Need a Bank Account to Receive Your Earnings?

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How you receive your earnings depends on the app.

Most money-making apps provide the option to cash out your earnings to PayPal. You don’t need to have a bank account to have a PayPal account and receive payments there. So if you’re using an app just to make a little extra spending cash and you largely plan on using it to shop online with PayPal, there’s no need to get a bank involved.

However, if you want to withdraw funds from PayPal or send money to friends or family, you need to link a bank account to your PayPal account. And in general, if you’re making substantial earnings through PayPal, it’s probably in your best interest to connect a bank account.

Also, some gig-economy apps might require you to connect an actual bank account.

How Can You Receive Your Earnings?

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Here are the three primary ways money-making apps pay out earnings:

• Gift cards, sometimes including Visa gift cards, which can be used like cash
• Cash sent to PayPal
• Cash deposited into your bank (most commonly seen with gig-economy apps)

FAQs About Money-Making Apps

What is the best app for earning money?

The best money-making apps for you depend on your interests, available time, and how much money you are trying to make. If you want to earn money passively, shopping, cash back, saving, or investing apps are the best route for you.

People who are looking for just a bit of extra cash through a task that’s easy, or even fun, should consider survey or money-paying game apps. If you’re looking to earn more significant amounts through apps, gig economy apps have the most earning potential.

Which app gives real money?

All of the apps in this list let you earn and/or save real money. The amount of money you can earn varies.

What online apps give real money?

Many online apps will give you real money in exchange for a service.

These apps might request a task as simple as completing a survey, then pay out a very small amount of money. Alternatively, an app might require a more demanding task, such as delivering groceries, but for a more significant sum of money.

How can I make $100 a day?

If you need to make $100 per day, consider signing up for gig-economy apps, which include the likes of Uber (and Uber Eats), Lyft, or Instacart. Your earnings vary by demand, so it’s often easier to earn $100 a day if you live in a big city rather than a small town.

You can also use several of the apps mentioned in this article in a given day to increase your earnings potential.

What apps pay you instantly for signing up?

Many apps provide a sign-up bonus. If you look at the list of money-making apps above, apps that offer a sign-up bonus list the bonus next to the app name.

Are money-making apps worth it?

Yes, money-making apps are worth it as long as you have realistic expectations. Some apps can earn you a notable amount of money, while others are just fun ways to earn a little extra cash.

Do money-making apps really work?

Absolutely! The money-making apps listed above are all verified ways of making and/or saving money. Still, we recommend vetting apps for yourself before you use them.

Do you need a PayPal account for a money-making app?

Many money-making apps (but not all) send cash to PayPal accounts. If you don’t have PayPal, nor do you want to sign up for it, you’ll have to double-check to see if your preferred app has other ways of paying out cash earnings.

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Plynk Disclosures

Google Play Store and Apple Store Ratings are as of the date referenced (06/22/2023) and provide an average rating of users and do not reflect the experience of an individual customer.