Can you really make money from apps? The answer is yes! You can actually make money from your smartphone in your free time!
When I was short on my bills, alot of these money-making apps really helped. There were times when I was in desperate need of money, and all I had to do was schedule a transfer to my account.
So how much money can you make from apps?
Full disclaimer, you won’t become rich overnight. Downloading apps for extra cash as a side hustle is good, but it won’t replace your full-time income. The extra cash you can make on the side can help you pay bills or save more money! And the best part is that you can earn money sitting on the couch.
I had to do alot of research for a few of these, and others are based on my experience. Compiled together is the list of legit apps to make money. I’ve separated them into different categories so you can see what fits best for you.
Remember, time equals money, but unfortunately, you will have to put in a lot of time for smaller payouts. Since this is a fact, I recommend picking out some free time when you have no other tasks or important things to do.
Why not get to the good stuff first?
I already know after reading the first two paragraphs you are ready to switch over to your app store. Here is a quick list of the apps that make the most money. For details and tips, don’t forget to continue reading.
My Top App that personally generated the highest payout

The most frequent app I use to earn money is Ibotta. I’m an active couponer, so I earn more money where I produce the most activity. As you can see, my payout has been great overtime. If I use it more regularly, I’m sure I can earn more. Saving money on groceries is a big deal for me since it’s a variable expense.

Survey Money Making apps
One of the most frequent money-making apps you might come across a lot in survey apps. If you got some downtime, but it’s a great way to build up some spending cash. Answering surveys take more time than what you earn, so you will not earn 100 bucks in one day. I would do at least one survey a day and slowly grow your earnings.
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is an app you can download to make some extra cash. I’ve used Survey Junkie in the past, and it’s easy to breeze through surveys when you start. There’s a list of surveys to choose from and time allots listed. I prefer to choose by the time, especially if I only have like 10 minutes to burn.
You won’t e prompted to pay any money just answering surveys. What I like the most are some surveys. I wasn’t eligible, but I still earned points. Points for the surveys are redeemed for cash. To receive a payout, you have to earn points at a minimum equivalent to $10.00. If you got 20 minutes a day, you could do this! Download it for free!
iPoll
The iPoll app is another market research app that can earn money from taking surveys, writing down diaries, and completing missions at retailers. When you first sign, you will be asked some basic information, including habits, location, and missions that suit you best. You would want to offer your opinion on something you can’t relate to.
In my opinion, this app is great because it is customized. In this case, you might actually enjoy giving your feedback. Every time you complete a survey or task, you can earn points to redeem rewards. You only need to have accrued a minimum of $10 to cash out for gift cards or PayPal.
Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars is like a cash reward site. There are a variety of ways to earn money. Take surveys, complete online tasks, play games, and fill out surveys. I’m sure I may have missed a few, but once you join, you’ll see all the options. Download Inbox Dollars, another easy way to earn money sitting on your couch.
Google Opinion Rewards
Get paid by taking surveys, sharing your opinion, and merchant reviews. Google Opinion Rewards is another reward survey app by Google. Start by downloading an app on Google Play, free on Android or iOS. Earning varies by the survey, but you can get an average of .10 to $1.00 per survey.
Swagbucks
Earn rewards points for shopping online, browsing the web, answering surveys, and watching videos. Swagbucks is a site that has many more options than most. You can quickly earn money by redeeming points.
Selling your stuff for money apps
Foap
If you’re a photographer, this is a good app for you to try. Make money by selling your images on the app. You can easily upload photos and videos to sell them. The photos might catch the eye of a brand or agency, blogger, or website builder. Foap does get a 50% commission on your image, which might be the only disadvantage. Each image is priced at $10, to keep in mind.
OfferUp
Offerup is similar to craigslist if you ever sold anything locally. It’s an online platform to sell used stuff to people in your area. I’ve even gone there to look for vehicles so the items can be from small to large. The convenience is that its easy simple to use the app, unlike craigslist. Sell furniture, electronics, anything you need to get rid of to earn some cash.
Disclaimer: When buying used stuff online, always read reviews and the return policy. Beware of any scams and take caution—contact customer service for alerting and of the above complaint.
Money making apps for doing small tasks
The Money App
The Money App is an app you can download to do small tasks, take surveys and even earn from playing games. You can download the app for free it’s available for iOS and Android. I just download it, and it seems pretty easy to start. I earned my first 30 points for registering, and there is a daily check-in in which I got additional 20 points.
Just like a few market research apps, the points added up to cash out for real funds. To add to the similarity, the ratio of work versus always earning out of the way. So if you are looking to earn a lot of money in a short amount of time, be prepared to put some time in.
The best part about this app is that you get paid within 2-3 days instead of at the end of the month. You redeem your points for cash by using a PayPal account. Make sure you have one. Then you can, of course, transfer funds from your PayPal to your bank account.
TaskRabbit
Make money by providing a wide range of services to people in your area. The app is like a mobile marketplace for freelance work. Why not get paid for some of your skills. The customer can pick a variety of popular services. This is perfect for everyday tasks, moving, shopping, handy work, cleaning, and delivery services. Customers make appointments, chat with you and pay electronically, all on the app.
Mobile
Secret shopper app that rewards you with points for completing “missions” at various stores. Missions might be a series of questions to answer or to take photos while visiting the locations. It’s worth it if you don’t live too far away from various stores.
Similar to other survey apps, you are redeeming points for gift cards and cash. The rewards might seem relatively low to the effort. If you shop all the time as I do, couponing well is not too hard, mainly because I’m always in a store.
Sweatcoin
Get paid by walking. Yep, walking. This isn’t a scam, and it’s legit, earn points for all the steps you take. Every 1,000 steps are like .95 cents, so you’re not going to become rich from this, but you’re earning money from something you do anyway.
Keep the app running, and your steps will add up. When you first sign up, you are subscribed to the free version for 5,000 steps per pay. Upgrade to the paid version to earn more rewards.
Slidejoy
Get paid for watching ads. Sign up to earn rewards for running ads on your smartphone screen lock. You can redeem carats for gift cards. Other ways to earn is by installing apps, taking surveys, and playing games.
In my opinion, the other options will help you earn more faster. Unfortunately, this is only available for Android users.
Apps that earn you cash back on your purchases
Rakuten
Rewards you with cashback for shopping. I’m a big fan of Rakuten for shopping during the holidays. You can earn anywhere between 1%-40% on purchases.
I’ve downloaded the chrome extension, so anywhere I shop, let me know if there’s a cashback offer. Rakuten will either mail you a check or allow you to transfer your funds to your PayPal account. The only thing is that Rakuten pays you quarterly.
MyPoints
Another cashback rewards app, similar to Rakuten and Swagbucks. Mypoints is fairly easy to use and has been around since 1996. So at this point, I’m sure many kinks from new development apps have been worked out.
You can earn points from completing pre-qualified surveys, playing games, watching videos, and shopping. I’m a frequent Amazon shopper, so this is perfect for me because it’s hard to find cashback for Amazon. Other retailers to earn points from are Walmart or Target.
Ibotta
What I’ve shown you earlier might have already convinced you, but Ibotta by far is my favorite cashback app. Whatever, I can redeem it within 24 hours after meeting the threshold. Just by signing up, you get your first 10, and so does your referral.
All you have to do is redeem your first offer. There are tons of bonuses every week plus cashback with online shopping too. Just select the offers through Ibotta and shop as normal. Earn money towards gift cards or transfer funds via PayPal or Venmo.
Paribus
Finds refunds from purchases that you’ve already made. Paribus monitors the purchases you made online, and if the price drops, it requests a refund on your behalf. If it’s not able to do the contact for you, it will help you do it. How does the monitoring work? Basically, it uses your inbox to scan your emails, mainly in search of online purchases.
Don’t worry; Paribus still protects your privacy. It doesn’t store your password. It’s a free service from Capital One, and no, you don’t need to be a cardholder to get started. 100% savings with no hidden fees. What do you have to lose?
Drop
Like many other money-making apps on our list, you’ll get rewarded for shopping. My second app download for my Amazon purchases. Earn rewards from shopping at dozens of retailers online. You can also play games and take surveys for rewards.
I know you probably already switched your screen to Google play and maybe even downloaded one. It’s good to keep in mind these are passive earners, generally small amounts over time. The biggest earners will be selling your stuff or services.
So can you make legit money from apps, yes, and at home? Depending on your effort and being realistic, I think you can have a chunk of money saved by the end of the year. Try one out for 30 days, and if it doesn’t work out, try another. Every needs passive earning happening in the background.
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