The best apps to make money in 2024 let you earn extra cash through surveys, gigs, cashback, or selling items, all from your phone. These apps are designed to supplement your income, not replace a full-time job, and each category offers a different trade-off between effort and earnings.
Best apps to make money with paid surveys
Survey apps are the lowest-effort earners. You answer questions about products or services and get paid small amounts for each completed survey. They won't make you rich, but they can cover minor expenses.
SurveyJunkie
SurveyJunkie connects businesses with customers to collect opinions on everything from new toothpaste to customer service. You can also share your online activities, searches, shopping, and engagement, in exchange for rewards. The pay is modest, but it takes only a few minutes per survey.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks offers odd jobs that pay almost instantly. You can complete online surveys, play mobile games, and make money on your phone. Thousands of offers are available, though some are restricted by location, and you can earn enough to cover daily expenses.
Honeygain
Honeygain is an internet-sharing app that pays you based on the traffic you share. Honeygain pays $3 for every 10GB of traffic shared. You can connect up to 10 gathering devices per account, but only one device per IP/network. Extra devices can show a 'Network overused' error until only one device is connected on that IP/network. Devices inactive for 14 or more days are not counted in your total. You can boost earnings through special features, social media contests, or the referral program, which gives you a permanent 10% bonus of your referral's daily earnings. Honeygain encrypts your bandwidth for security.
Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards pays you in Play credit for completing short surveys from market researchers. Install on iPhone from the App Store and on Android from Google Play. You must be over 18 and in an eligible country, currently available in Colombia, Finland, Hungary, South Africa, and Vietnam, among others. Surveys usually expire in 24 hours. You can earn up to $1.00 in Play credit per completed survey. Reward history is tracked separately for each platform, with no cumulative total across platforms. Referral rewards are capped at 10 referrals per week and 100 users per lifetime.
Gig apps for freelancing and side hustles
Gig apps require active work, driving, delivering, freelancing, but offer higher pay potential than surveys. They are ideal if you have a vehicle, specific skills, or time for short-term contracts.
Upwork
Upwork connects clients with freelancers for contract work in graphic design, copywriting, coding, consulting, and more. Its large client base and review system help you build a reputation and attract more work.
Fiverr
Fiverr is another freelancing platform offering short-term contracts, with opportunities for long-term partnerships. Your pay depends on your experience and skills, but freelancers can earn enough to support themselves through multiple contracts.
Instacart Shoppers
Instacart Shopper pays you to grocery shop for others. You get paid weekly with a flexible schedule. Earnings range from $7 to $20 per hour depending on order volume, plus a 5% tip from customers. You can cash out immediately with Instacart Cashout or opt for weekly direct deposit.
Uber
Uber lets you drive people and earn money on your own schedule. You can choose your working hours, and rates are higher during nights or rush hours.
DoorDash
DoorDash pays you to deliver food by car or bike. Delivery rates are higher during rush hours and typical meal times, so you can earn more by working those periods.
Cashback apps to save while you shop
Cashback apps give you rebates on purchases you already make. They require little effort beyond linking your accounts or uploading receipts.
Rakuten
Rakuten offers discounts, freebies, and cashback when shopping at hundreds of stores. You can scroll through offers or search for your favorite stores directly. 'Track My Payment' lets users see what they've earned and when they'll get paid.
iBotta
iBotta gives cashback on both online and in-person purchases. You unlock products by completing minor tasks, then upload your receipt to get a rebate. Regular users average $30 per month in cashback.
E-commerce and selling apps
Selling apps let you earn money by listing used goods locally. They require effort to photograph and describe items, but you set your own prices.
OfferUp
OfferUp is a customer-to-customer selling platform for furniture, electronics, clothes, and more. It works like Facebook Marketplace, letting you buy from or sell to neighbors. Its user-friendly mobile app makes listing and browsing easy.
Investment apps for passive growth
Investment apps let you grow money passively with minimal effort. They are best for long-term savings rather than immediate cash.
Acorns
Acorns rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a portfolio. You link your cards to the app, and after each purchase, the round-up amount is automatically invested. Over time, these small amounts build into a larger investment without you needing to think about it.
How to choose the right money-making app for you
Match the app type to your goals, time, and income needs. If you have a few minutes a day, survey apps like SurveyJunkie or Google Opinion Rewards are the easiest way to earn small amounts. If you have a vehicle or specific skills, gig apps like Uber, DoorDash, or Upwork offer higher pay for active work. Cashback apps like Rakuten and iBotta work best if you shop regularly. For selling unused items, OfferUp is a solid choice. And for passive growth, Acorns lets you invest spare change without active management. No single app replaces a full-time job, but combining a few can meaningfully supplement your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are money-making apps safe to use?
Most legitimate apps use encryption and secure payment methods. Always download from official app stores, read privacy policies, and avoid apps that ask for upfront fees or sensitive personal information beyond what is necessary for payment.
How much money can I realistically make with these apps?
Earnings vary widely. Survey apps typically pay cents per survey, while gig apps can pay $7, $20 per hour. Cashback apps average $30 per month for regular users. No app replaces a full-time job, but combining several can add a meaningful amount to your monthly income.
Do I need a bank account to get paid?
Most apps pay via direct deposit, PayPal, or gift cards. Some, like Google Opinion Rewards, pay in app-specific credit. Check each app's payout options before signing up.
Can I use multiple money-making apps at once?
Yes, and many users combine survey, gig, and cashback apps to maximize earnings. Just be mindful of time commitments, gig apps require active work, while surveys and cashback apps fit into spare moments.
What is the best app for passive income?
Acorns is the best for hands-off investing through round-ups. Honeygain also offers passive income by sharing your internet bandwidth, though earnings depend on traffic volume and device limits.
Do these apps work internationally?
Availability varies. Google Opinion Rewards is available in select countries like Colombia, Finland, Hungary, South Africa, and Vietnam. Gig apps like Uber and DoorDash operate in many countries, but you should check each app's supported regions before downloading. For the latest on which apps are available in your region, consult reliable mobile app guides and game guides that track regional availability.
