Ever catch a glimpse of your screen time and cringe? You’re not alone. But instead of feeling guilty, why not turn your scrolling into some extra cash?
There are endless ways to make money from your phone—and it doesn’t require beating the odds to become an influencer.
Instead, find some of the best apps to make money below. There’s a little something for everyone, from the broke college student to the busy stay-at-home mom to the burned-out professional.
And even better: For many of these, you don’t even have to leave the house!
Key Takeaways:
- Earn money through apps in a variety of ways—from playing games to scoring freelance gigs to earning cashback on groceries.
- For many of these apps, it’s up to you how much time you want to dedicate to them. Typically, the more time you spend on them, the more you can make.
- With any of these apps, pay attention to payout minimums, payment types and fees.
- It’s important to have realistic expectations. In many cases, these apps won’t replace your full-time job.
- KashKick stands out as a top app to make money because it offers members a variety of ways to earn based on interests and available time.
Do Money-Earning Apps Really Work?
Yes—there are plenty of highly rated money-earning apps that can help you bolster your budget, plan for your next vacation or start saving for the holidays. Some pay in cash or gift cards for completing microtasks, like surveys, while others can become full-blown side gigs.
Whichever app you choose, the key is to have realistic expectations. These apps won’t replace your nine-to-five job—and that’s OK. In fact, if an app claims it’ll make you rich, that could be a sign of a scam.
Types of Apps to Use to Make Money
There are various types of money-making apps out there, and some, like KashKick, combine a few of these opportunities (surveys, gaming and cashback).
Here’s an overview:
- Survey apps: Answer questions and share your opinions. Surveys can range from 3 minutes to 30 and can pay anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars.
- Gaming apps: Get paid to play games. Typically, the more you play, the more you can make.
- Cashback apps: Earn money back on in-store and/or online purchases by shopping through an app or uploading pictures of your receipts.
- Side gig apps: Pick up flexible, on-demand requests for food delivery, maintenance, rides and more.
- Freelance apps: Offer specialized services, like writing, design, data entry or transcription, and get paid by clients.
- Selling apps: Sell items you no longer use (think: household items or clothing) or try retail arbitrage.
- Finance apps: Invest your money (though there’s always risk involved).
- Passive income apps: Let companies track your data and usage to earn money without thinking about it.
Best Apps to Make Money
For the best apps to make money, start here. You’ll find a little bit of everything, from survey apps to selling apps.
1. KashKick
KashKick is a free app that allows members to make real money (not points or gift cards) by taking surveys, trying new products, playing games and shopping online. For example, one moment you could be earning money for taking a survey or playing Solitaire, and the next you could earn a reward just for checking your credit score.
Once you bank $10, you can cash out via PayPal, grab a gift card or donate to a charity. Most payments arrive within 1-3 business days.
KashKick won’t replace your full-time job, but it is a great way to earn extra money while you’re on your phone. One user shared that he made $500 in a year. Millions of other people have earned through the app, which boasts 4.6 stars in the Apple Store and 4.5 stars on Google Play.
Key features:
- Get paid to complete a variety of simple tasks.
- Quick payouts start at just $10.
- Transparent processes and user-friendly interface.
- Free to use with no hidden fees, meaning you keep everything you earn.
Time commitment: Spend anywhere from 2 minutes on a survey to a few hours playing your favorite games.
👉 Download KashKick for iOS or Android.
2. Acorns
Acorns, named one of KashKick’s top investing apps, can help you build your savings automatically by rounding up your credit and debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and investing the spare change.
Spend $6.22 on a latte? 78 cents will funnel into your Acorns account. It adds up faster than you might think, and Acorns invests the money into an expert-built, diversified portfolio.
Just remember: With investing, there’s always some risk involved and no guarantee you’ll make money.
Key features:
- An easy, automated way to start investing.
- Additional products available, like checking, savings and IRA accounts.
- Loads of resources to help you learn as you go.
Time commitment: 5 minutes to create an account
3. Cash Giraffe
Cash Giraffe pays you to play games. As you play, you’ll earn gems, which you can redeem for vouchers, gift cards or through PayPal.
A FinanceBuzz writer reviewed Cash Giraffe and earned 49,047 gems in about 5 hours, which allowed them to cash out for a $5 Amazon gift card.
Key features:
- No next-level gaming skills required; the app pays you per minute of play.
- Cash out starting at 46,594 gems for a $5 Amazon gift card, according to FinanceBuzz.
Time commitment: Flexible; your game earnings correlate with how much time you play.
4. DoorDash
With DoorDash, you can become a delivery driver (aka Dasher) and choose when and what deliveries you want to make. If you’re introverted, good news: You don’t have to deal with passengers.
Dashers earn a base pay for each delivery that’s calculated based on the estimated time, distance and desirability of the offer. Drivers also keep 100% of any tips and can earn promotions, like Peak Pay and Delivery Streaks.
Key features:
- Start earning within a few days; no experience required.
- Mode of transportation required (think: car, bike, scooter or motorcycle).
Time commitment: Minutes to sign up; start earning within days (once your application is approved).
5. EarnStar
With EarnStar, you can make money through surveys, games and offers. The app claims users can make up to $1,200 a month. (But remember: Realistic expectations with money-making apps are key!)
Once you earn $20, you can cash out for a prepaid or gift card, or via bank transfer, Cash App, PayPal or Revolut.
Key features:
- $5 sign-up bonus (though may vary).
- Earn small rewards (1 or 2 cents) even when you screen out of surveys.
- Users rate surveys, so you can view average star ratings.
Time commitment: 2 minutes to sign up; the more time you spend on the app, the more you’ll likely earn.
6. Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance services marketplace with an app. It connects freelance writers, designers, developers, translators and more to work.
Create a gig, and when a customer orders your services, you’ll get connected. WIth Fiverr, there are no subscriptions or fees to list your services, but the platform does take 20% of each transaction.
Key features:
- Sign up and create a listing for free.
- Set your own rates.
- Connect with clients around the world.
Time commitment: Flexible; based on how many gigs you get and how much you want to work.
7. Ibotta
With Ibotta, you can earn cashback when you shop in stores or online. Let’s say you’re stocking up on groceries. Find the store in the Ibotta app, add offers to your list, then submit the receipt or link your store loyalty account after you checkout, pick up or have your groceries delivered.
Ibotta works with over 3,000 retailers and says users earn an average of $261 a year. Once you get $20, you can cash out via your bank account, gift card or PayPal.
Key features:
- Free app with browser extension available.
- Typically credited within 24 hours.
Time commitment: Around 10 minutes per errand to review offers and upload receipts.
8. InboxDollars
Take surveys, play games and shop online to earn cash through InboxDollars. Joining is free, and you can get a $5 bonus. Once you collect $15, you can cash out for gift cards or via PayPal and processing takes around 3 business days.
Key features:
- Variety of ways to earn and cash out.
- Earn cash—not points.
Time commitment: Flexible.
9. Rakuten
Rakuten is a cashback app that houses offers for 3,500+ stores—plus coupons and deals. Sign up for free, then start shopping through the app. You can also get in-store cashback when you link store offers to your credit card. Examples of offers include 12% back from Sephora and Chewy.
You’ll get paid your cashback every three months via check or PayPal. Rakuten notes the average member made $101.46 in 2024.
Key features:
- Shop online or in store for cashback.
- Use the app, browser or browser extension to earn.
- Get paid quarterly when you earn at least $5.01.
Time commitment: 2 minutes to sign up and start looking for offers.
10. Roamler
If you’re in Europe, download the Roamler app to find paid tasks available in your area. These include retail tasks, like store checks, where you take photos and collect data on products, prices and displays (think: mystery shopping).
You can also find technical tasks, like plumbing jobs and assembly services. Cash out whenever you like, but expect a processing or transaction fee.
Key features:
- Access a variety of tasks in your area.
- Limited to European countries.
Time commitment: Varies by task; one review notes most tasks have a time allotment
11. Survey Junkie
Want more paid surveys? Survey Junkie is another option. When you complete surveys, you earn points. Once you earn at least 500 points, you can redeem them for cash via PayPal or bank transfer or gift cards.
Once you sign up, you’ll complete a brief profile to get matched with surveys. Survey Junkie estimates that if you complete three surveys daily, you can earn as much as $40 a month.
Key features:
- Access more paid surveys.
- Earn a few points even if you get kicked out of a survey.
Time commitment: Varies by survey length
12. Swagbucks
Like KashKick, Swagbucks is a get-paid-to app that rewards users for completing surveys, shopping online and playing games. As you complete tasks, you’ll earn SBs (like points) that can be exchanged for gift cards or cash via PayPal. For example, 2,530 points can be redeemed for $25 through PayPal.
Key features:
- Earn SBs by doing a variety of tasks.
- Get a 1,000 SB bonus when you spend at least $25 in a featured store within 30 days of signing up.
Time commitment: Flexible
13. Taskrabbit
If you’re handy, TaskRabbit will connect you to people in your area who need help with furniture assembly, mounting TVs, cleaning, moving and more.
When you sign up, you’ll select what services you want to offer and where. In some cities, Taskers will have to pay a $25 registration fee. Once you complete a task, you can get paid via direct deposit.
Key features:
- Keep 100% of your earnings.
- Offer services in over 50 categories.
- Set your own schedule and work radius.
Time commitment: ~4 days to process registration, then flexible based on which tasks you choose
14. Toluna
When you join Toluna Influencers, you can get paid to share your opinion on products and services through online surveys. Influencers earn points—anywhere between 15 and 500,000 per survey—which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.
To start, complete your personal profile for 500 points to ensure you’ll qualify for surveys. Currently, 3,000 points equate to $1.
Key features:
- Receive email invites to surveys.
- If you don’t qualify for a survey, you won’t receive points.
Time commitment: Varies based on survey length
15. Uber
Uber is perhaps one of the biggest, most well-known side gig platforms out there. As an Uber driver, you’ll get people from Point A to Point B.
Set your own hours and get paid up to six times a day via Instant Pay (expect a fee) or opt for free weekly deposits.
No car? Uber offers weekly car rentals starting at $260, which includes car insurance and basic maintenance.
Key features:
- Earn a base fare in addition to 100% tips and any promotions (think: Surge Pricing).
- Option to rent a car.
- Safety features include an emergency button, GPS tracking and anonymized phone calls.
Time commitment: Flexible
16. Upwork
Upwork, a popular freelance app, connects freelancers with businesses that need professionals skilled in support, design, marketing, video and more. As a freelancer, you’ll create a profile, then search and apply for gigs.
Once the work is completed and approved, you’ll get paid. You can cash out directly to your bank account for free.
Key features:
- Reach global businesses.
- Make a free profile, but expect a fee up to 15% per contract.
Time commitment: Flexible depending on project
Choose the Best Phone App for Fast and Reliable Earnings
There are endless ways to make money from your phone—from freelance gigs to playing games.
If you’re looking for something that’s fun, flexible and trustworthy, start with KashKick. The app has tens of thousands of positive reviews (4.6 stars in the Apple Store and 4.5 stars on Google Play).
The best part is you can pick and choose which tasks you want to complete based on how much free time you have—and even your mood.
Killing time in carline? Take a quick survey. Long day at work and need to decompress? Play Domino Dreams, FarmVille or Animals & Coins. Between meetings? Download TikTok and scroll to get a $2 bonus.
With new surveys, games and offers popping up all the time, you’ll never run out of ways to earn.
FAQs on the Best App for Making Money
Can I get paid for watching ads?
Yes, some apps will pay you a few cents for watching ads or trailers.
Which app is best for earning money?
If you’re looking for a flexible way to make money on your phone, the best app is KashKick. It’s simple, transparent and fun. It doesn’t require any special skills or a big time commitment.
Can you make a living from earning apps?
Earning apps are a great way to make some extra money, but in most cases, they won’t replace a full-time job. Using multiple at once—like KashKick, DoorDash and Upwork—could generate a steady income. But KashKick’s goal is to provide people a fun way to earn some extra money—not replace their 9-to-5.