The Ultimate Guide to the Best Money-Making Apps

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Looking to make extra money? You can earn money from your phone and turn your phone into a paycheck for some extra cash in 2025. The online gig economy is projected to hit USD 582.2 billion, and these money-making apps help you get a piece of the action. We’ve found the best apps to make money online, cutting through the clutter to bring you legitimate options.

But if you want “making money on your phone” to feel more stable—like a real long-term side hustle—there’s one step many people overlook: how you manage and use what you earn, especially when payouts are scattered across different platforms. Cashing out can come with withdrawal fees, slow settlement times, and opaque exchange rates if you’re moving money across currencies. A smarter approach is to pair “earning apps” with a reliable “money tool” so your gains don’t quietly shrink after you get paid.

For example, whenever you need to convert your earnings or simply sanity-check whether a rate is fair, you can quickly compare using BiyaPay’s currency converter. If you handle money across multiple currencies more often, you can also explore options on the BiyaPay official site and start from the registration page if you want everything in one place. The idea is simple: don’t just earn extra cash—make sure each payout stays transparent, manageable, and easy to plan around.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best for Gig Work: Upwork
• Best for Cashback: Rakuten
• Best for Quick Tasks: Swagbucks
• Best for Passive Income: Nielsen Panel (one of the top passive income apps)

Key Takeaways

• Many apps help you earn extra money. These apps fit different skills and schedules.
• You can earn money in many ways. These include gig work, cashback, surveys, selling items, and passive income.
• Choose apps that fit your goals. You can use freelancing apps for big projects or survey apps for quick tasks.
• Use different apps to earn more. This helps you make money from various sources.
• Be careful of scams. Never pay money to an app to get paid yourself.

Understanding Different Money-Making Apps

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Before you dive in, it helps to know the different types of money-making apps available. Each category offers a unique way to make money, suiting different skills and schedules. Finding the right fit is your first step to success.

Gig Work and Delivery

These apps connect you with on-demand jobs. You can become a freelancer on freelancing sites or work for delivery and taxi apps. These side hustles let you work flexible hours. You complete a task, like delivering food or finishing a project, and get paid. This is a great way to generate income on your own terms.

Cashback and Rewards

Why not get paid for shopping you already do? Cashback and rewards apps give you money back on your online and in-store purchases. You simply link your card or shop through their online portal. While it won’t replace your job, it’s an easy way to earn extra income. The average user of shopping rewards apps earns about $85 annually.

Passive and Investment Income

Passive income apps help your money work for you. Some apps pay you for sharing your data, while others let you invest in assets like real estate. Investment apps like Groundfloor have historically offered returns around 10%. These options require some initial setup but can build wealth over time with minimal ongoing effort, making them a popular side hustle.

Surveys and Microtasks

Got a few spare minutes? You can earn money online with short-term tasks sites. These online earning platforms pay you for your opinions or for completing small online jobs. Most users on these money-making websites earn between $2 and $6 per hour. It’s a simple way to earn money from home during your downtime.

Selling Goods

You can turn your clutter into cash. Apps for selling goods let you list items like used clothes, furniture, or electronics. You take a picture, write a description, and connect with buyers online. It’s one of the most direct ways to make money using your phone.

Website Testing

Companies need feedback on their money-making websites and apps. You can get paid to test them and share your thoughts. Testers provide valuable feedback on user experience. Payments for these online hustles often start around $20 for a single testing session, making it a rewarding use of your time.

The Best Apps to Make Money in 2025

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Now for the exciting part! Let’s break down the best apps to make money, so you can find the perfect fit for your goals. We’ve tested and reviewed these options to help you start earning extra cash today. Each app offers a different path to make money, from professional projects to simple online tasks.

Top Freelancing Sites

These platforms connect your professional skills with clients who need them. If you have expertise in a specific field, these freelancing sites are your gateway to substantial online income.

1. Upwork

Upwork is a massive online marketplace for freelancers. You can find projects in writing, graphic design, web development, and much more. You create a profile, bid on jobs, and build relationships with clients from around the world.

• Best For: Skilled professionals and experts looking for high-value remote work.
• Earning Potential: Varies widely, from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month, depending on your skills and client base. In-demand skills are key. For example:
  • Generative AI skills have seen a 220% year-over-year growth on the platform.
  • “Learning how to learn” skills, like professional development and training, have surged by over 70%.
• Effort Level: High. Requires building a profile, actively applying for jobs, and delivering quality work.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr works on a “gig” model. You create service packages (gigs) starting at $5 and clients come to you. It’s great for offering specific, well-defined services like “I will design a logo” or “I will write a 500-word blog post.”

• Best For: Creatives and professionals who can package their services into specific offerings.
• Earning Potential: Top sellers earn thousands per month. New sellers may start smaller, but income can grow quickly with good reviews.
• Effort Level: Medium to High. Requires creating compelling gig listings and marketing your services.

Top Short-Term Tasks Sites

If you have a few spare minutes, these short-term tasks sites are perfect. You won’t get rich, but you can definitely earn extra cash for completing simple online jobs like taking surveys or watching videos. These are some of the best money-making websites for quick earnings.

3. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the most popular money-making websites. You earn points (called “SB”) for taking surveys, watching videos, searching the web, and shopping online. You can redeem these points for gift cards or PayPal cash.

• Best For: Anyone looking for an easy, low-commitment way to make money online.
• Earning Potential: Most users can earn an extra $50 to $200 per month with minimal effort.

  Tip: Many dedicated users earn between $100 and $200 monthly by spending just 10-25 minutes on the app each day.

• Effort Level: Low. You can do these tasks while watching TV or during your commute.

4. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie focuses purely on market research surveys. You build a profile, and the app matches you with surveys from brands looking for consumer opinions. It’s a straightforward way to get paid for your thoughts.

• Best For: People who enjoy sharing their opinions and have pockets of free time.
• Earning Potential: Payouts typically range from $0.50 to $3.00 per survey. Your earnings depend on how many surveys you qualify for and complete.
• Effort Level: Low. Most surveys take between 5 and 20 minutes.

5. Google Opinion Rewards

This app, created by Google, sends you very short surveys. The questions are often about recent shopping experiences or YouTube videos you’ve watched. It’s incredibly simple and quick.

• Best For: Android and iOS users who want the absolute easiest way to earn small rewards.
• Earning Potential: You won’t replace your job, but the small credits add up. Payouts are in Google Play credit (Android) or PayPal cash (iOS). Here’s what you can expect to earn annually:

• Effort Level: Very Low. Surveys take less than a minute to complete.

6. MyPoints

Similar to Swagbucks, MyPoints rewards you for a variety of online activities. You can earn points by shopping at partner stores, taking surveys, and reading emails. The value of your points can vary, so it pays to redeem them wisely.

• Best For: Online shoppers who also want to earn from surveys and other small tasks.
• Earning Potential: A few dollars per week, with more possible if you do your online shopping through their portal. Getting a gift card for a retailer you love often gives you the best value.
• Effort Level: Low.

Gig Work and Delivery Apps

These delivery and taxi apps turn your car, bike, or scooter into an income-generating machine. You get paid to deliver food, groceries, or people. They offer great flexibility, allowing you to work when you want.

7. DoorDash

DoorDash is a leading food delivery app. As a “Dasher,” you get paid to pick up orders from local restaurants and deliver them to customers. You can use a car, scooter, or even a bicycle in some cities.

• Best For: Individuals with reliable transportation looking for a flexible side hustle.
• Earning Potential: Dashers earn base pay, plus tips and promotions. Earnings can range from $15 to $25 per hour during peak times.
• Effort Level: Medium. Requires driving and being active during your “dash.”

8. Instacart

With Instacart, you become a personal shopper. You receive customers’ grocery lists on your phone, shop for the items at local stores, and then deliver them. It’s one of the most popular side hustles in the gig economy.

• Best For: People who know their way around a grocery store and have a vehicle.
• Earning Potential: Shoppers earn based on the size of the order, driving distance, and tips. Earnings are often in the $15-$20 per hour range.
• Effort Level: Medium to High. Involves shopping, lifting groceries, and driving.

Cashback and Rewards Apps

These cashback and rewards apps pay you back for the shopping you already do. Simply link a card or shop through their online portals to get a percentage of your purchase back in cash. It’s an effortless way to build extra income.

9. Rakuten

Rakuten is a powerhouse in the cashback world. You start your online shopping trip on the Rakuten app or website, click their link to the store, and then shop as you normally would. They track your purchase and give you cash back.

• Best For: Frequent online shoppers who want to maximize their savings.
• Earning Potential: Typically 1% to 10% cashback. With their premium Rakuten+ program, you can get at least 10% cash back at select stores like Kate Spade, Sephora, and Hotels.com.
• Effort Level: Low. Just requires one extra click before you shop online.

10. Ibotta

Ibotta is a fantastic cash-back app focused on groceries, though it also works with online retailers. You add offers in the app, buy the products at a supported store, and then upload your receipt to get cash back.

• Best For: Anyone who buys groceries.
• Earning Potential: An average family can save between $480 and $720 per year. Many users report earning $50-$60 per month on their regular grocery budget.
• Effort Level: Low to Medium. Requires checking for offers and scanning receipts.

11. MoneyLion

MoneyLion is more than just a cashback app; it’s a full financial toolkit. It offers mobile banking, credit-builder loans, and investment accounts. One of its fun features is the ‘Shake ‘N’ Bank’ promotion, which gives you cashback rewards on eligible purchases.

• Best For: People who want to manage their finances and earn rewards in one place.
• Earning Potential: Cashback rewards start at $0.01 and can go up to $120 for a single qualified purchase of $10 or more. The app also offers Credit Builder Plus loans with APRs from 5.99% to 29.99% to help you build credit.
• Effort Level: Low for cashback; higher if you use its banking and credit features.

12. Upside

Upside gives you cashback on gas, groceries, and restaurant purchases. For gas, you find a participating station in the app, claim an offer, fill up your tank, and get cash back. It’s a must-have for anyone who drives.

• Best For: Commuters and anyone who buys gas regularly.
• Earning Potential: Users typically earn around 10 cents back per gallon on gas purchases. Some users report average savings of 7 cents per gallon, with occasional offers as high as 15 cents.
• Effort Level: Low. Requires checking the app and claiming an offer before you buy.

Selling Your Stuff Apps

Turn your clutter into cash. These apps provide a marketplace for you to sell new or used items directly from your phone. It’s one of the best apps to make money by decluttering your home.

13. Poshmark

Poshmark is a social marketplace for fashion. You can sell clothing, shoes, and accessories right from your closet. Just snap a photo, write a description, and set your price.

• Best For: Fashion lovers with a closet full of clothes they no longer wear.
• Earning Potential: Varies greatly. Top-selling brands hold their value well.
  • Ray-Ban sunglasses sell for an average of $66.
  • Activewear from Lululemon and Nike performs very well.
  • Outerwear from Patagonia and The North Face sells quickly.
• Effort Level: Medium. Requires taking good photos, writing descriptions, and shipping items.

14. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is built right into the Facebook app. You can sell almost anything to people in your local area. It’s great for large items like furniture that are difficult to ship.

• Best For: Selling a wide variety of items, especially locally to avoid shipping.
• Earning Potential: Depends entirely on what you sell. You can make a few bucks on old books or hundreds on a piece of furniture.
• Effort Level: Low to Medium. Listing is easy, but you may need to coordinate pickups with buyers.

Passive and Investment Income Apps

Want to make money while you sleep? These passive income apps and investment platforms help your money work for you. They require some initial setup but can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort.

15. Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel

Nielsen, the famous TV ratings company, will pay you to share your internet usage data. You simply install the app on your devices (computer, smartphone, tablet) and let it run in the background. It’s one of the easiest passive income apps available.

• Best For: Anyone comfortable with sharing anonymous internet usage data for market research.
• Earning Potential: Around $60 per year per device, plus entries into sweepstakes.
• Effort Level: Very Low. Just install it and forget it.

16. Fundrise

Fundrise lets you invest in a portfolio of private real estate across the United States. It’s a way to get into real estate investing without the hassle of being a landlord. This is a true side hustle for building long-term wealth.

• Best For: Individuals looking to diversify their investments into real estate with a small amount of capital.
• Earning Potential: Fundrise has delivered solid returns. The platform’s historical average annual return (internal rate of return) for investors is around 8.51%.
• Effort Level: Low after initial setup. You choose an investment plan and Fundrise manages the properties.

17. Acorns

Acorns is a micro-investing app that helps you invest your spare change. It rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference into a diversified portfolio. It’s a great way to start investing without thinking about it.

• Best For: Beginner investors who want an automated way to build a portfolio over time.
• Earning Potential: Depends on market performance and how much you invest. It’s a tool for long-term growth, not quick cash.
• Effort Level: Very Low. The app does all the work for you after you link your bank account.

18. HoneyBook

HoneyBook is designed for small business owners and freelancers. It’s an all-in-one tool for managing clients, sending invoices, and getting paid. While it’s a subscription service, it helps you make money by streamlining your business so you can focus on your work. It’s the best app to earn money more efficiently if you run your own side business.

• Best For: Freelancers, photographers, consultants, and other independent business owners.
• Earning Potential: This app doesn’t pay you directly. Instead, it helps you increase your earnings by managing your client workflow more effectively, ensuring you get paid on time.
• Effort Level: Medium. Requires setting up your business services, contracts, and payment information.

These are some of the best apps to make money in 2025. Whether you want to start a new career on freelancing sites, find quick hustles on short-term tasks sites, or build passive income, there’s a money-making app for you.

How to Make More Money and Stay Safe

You have the apps, now you need the strategy. Using these platforms wisely helps you maximize your earnings and protect yourself from online risks. Let’s cover how to make money smartly and safely.

Diversify Your App Portfolio

Don’t put all your time into a single app. The smartest earners combine different types of hustles. Think like an app developer: they often mix models like subscriptions with in-app purchases to create multiple revenue streams. You can do the same. Spend some time on a survey app while waiting for a high-paying project on a freelance site. This strategy protects you if one app has a slow week and boosts your overall extra income.

Leverage Sign-Up and Referral Bonuses

Many apps offer bonuses to attract new users. You can earn extra cash just for signing up or referring friends. These bonuses are a great way to make extra money with very little effort. Some platforms, especially in the finance and investment space, offer significant rewards.

Set Realistic Earning Goals

It’s important to have the right expectations. A survey app is a great side hustle for earning extra cash, but it won’t replace your full-time job. Gig work and freelancing, on the other hand, have the potential to become a primary income source. Understand the earning potential of each app and set goals that match the time and effort you can commit. This keeps you motivated and prevents burnout.

How to Spot and Avoid Scams

Unfortunately, where there’s an opportunity to make money online, there are scams. The losses from online payment fraud are staggering and projected to grow. Protecting yourself is your top priority.

Be cautious of any app that seems too good to be true. These side hustles should never cost you money to get paid.

Warning Signs of an Online Scam:

• Offers that promise huge returns with zero risk.
• Requests for you to pay “taxes” or fees directly to the app before you can withdraw your earnings.
• Pressure to wire money, especially to a personal account or overseas.
• Scammers who refuse to talk on the phone and insist on encrypted messaging apps.

Always do your research and stick to well-known, reputable platforms for your online side gigs.

Ultimately, the best apps to make money are the ones that fit your personal goals. You have many online options to make money. You can choose an active side hustle or use passive income apps. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just pick one or two apps that look interesting and start your journey of earning extra cash today. You can absolutely make extra money and build extra income or passive income with the right online tools. Your new financial goal is within reach!

FAQ

How much money can I really make?

Your earnings depend on the app and your effort. Survey and task apps might earn you extra spending money each month. Gig work and freelancing, however, have the potential to become a significant income stream if you invest the time.

Are these money-making apps free to use?

Yes, all the legitimate apps we listed are free to download and use. You should never have to pay a fee to start working or to withdraw your earnings.

Remember: If an app asks you for money upfront to get paid, it’s likely a scam.

How do I get paid?

Most apps offer flexible payout options. You can typically cash out your earnings through:

• PayPal
• Direct bank deposit
• Gift cards to your favorite retailers

How many apps should I use at once?

Start with two or three apps from different categories. For example, you can try one survey app and one cashback app. This lets you see what you enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. You can always add more apps later as you get comfortable.