15 Best Apps That Pay You Real Money (Tested in 2024)

Turn Your Phone into a Money-Making Machine

Let’s be real. Your smartphone is probably in your hand or within arm’s reach right now. What if, instead of just endlessly scrolling through social media, you could use that screen time to put some actual cash in your pocket? It sounds a bit like a late-night infomercial promise, but it’s completely possible. There are tons of legitimate apps that pay you for things you’re probably already doing, like shopping, playing games, or even just sharing your opinion. The trick is knowing which ones are worth your time and which are just digital dead ends.

Forget the get-rich-quick schemes. We’re talking about building a small but meaningful income stream during your downtime—waiting for the bus, watching TV, or during your lunch break. This isn’t about replacing your full-time job. It’s about earning enough for a few extra coffees, paying off a small bill, or funding your hobbies without dipping into your main budget. We’ve sifted through the noise, tested the platforms, and compiled the ultimate list of apps that actually deliver on their promise of real money.

Key Takeaways

• Diverse Opportunities: You can earn money through various activities, including taking surveys, playing mobile games, shopping for groceries, and participating in the gig economy.
• Not a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme: These apps are best for supplementing your income or earning gift cards, not for replacing a full-time job. Realistic expectations are key.
• Choose Your Hustle: The best app for you depends on your lifestyle. If you shop online a lot, cash-back apps are great. If you have a lot of downtime, survey apps might be perfect.
• Safety First: Always use reputable apps from official app stores. Be cautious about sharing excessive personal information and never pay to join a rewards program.

Best Apps for Earning from Surveys and Opinions

Got opinions? Of course, you do. Companies are willing to pay for them to improve their products and services. Survey apps are one of the most straightforward ways to start earning.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is the undisputed king of rewards sites, and for good reason. It’s more than just a survey app; it’s a complete rewards ecosystem. You earn points, called “SB,” for taking surveys, watching videos, searching the web, playing games, and shopping online. It has one of the widest varieties of earning opportunities out there.

• How it works: Complete tasks to earn SB. 100 SB is typically equal to $1.
• Earning Potential: Most users can realistically make $25 to $100 per month with consistent effort.
• Payout Options: PayPal cash, and a massive selection of gift cards from places like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.
• Pros: Multiple ways to earn, low payout threshold (as low as $3), trusted brand.
• Cons: Can be disqualified from surveys mid-way, some offers have low SB rewards.

Survey Junkie

If you want to focus purely on surveys, Survey Junkie is your app. It has a clean, simple interface and a straightforward points system. It’s incredibly user-friendly. The platform focuses on one thing and does it well: connecting you with market research surveys. No distractions, just opportunities to share your thoughts for cash.

• How it works: Build your profile, and Survey Junkie matches you with relevant surveys. You earn points for each completed survey.
• Earning Potential: $1 to $3 per survey is common, though some can be higher. Expect to make around $20 to $50 a month.
• Payout Options: PayPal, bank transfer, or e-gift cards.
• Pros: Very easy to use, transparent point system, low minimum payout of $5.
• Cons: Survey disqualifications are common, and earning is limited to just surveys.

InboxDollars

InboxDollars cuts out the confusing points systems and tells you exactly how much you’re earning in cold, hard cash. Plus, they give you a $5 bonus just for signing up. Like Swagbucks, it offers multiple ways to earn, including reading paid emails (yes, really), playing games, and taking surveys. It feels a bit old-school, but it’s reliable and has paid out millions to its users.

• How it works: Get paid in actual dollars and cents for various online activities.
• Earning Potential: Varies wildly, but casual users might pull in $15 to $30 per month.
• Payout Options: PayPal, check, or gift cards.
• Pros: $5 sign-up bonus, shows earnings in cash, variety of tasks.
• Cons: High minimum payout threshold of $30, which can take a while to reach.

Top Cash Back and Shopping Apps That Pay You

Why not get paid for the shopping you’re already doing? These apps give you a percentage of your purchase back in cash or points. It’s basically free money for buying things you were going to buy anyway.

Rakuten (formerly Ebates)

Rakuten is the leader in online cash back. It’s ridiculously simple. You start your shopping trip through the Rakuten app or browser extension, click through to your favorite store (they’re partnered with thousands), and shop as you normally would. Rakuten gets a commission for sending you there and shares a piece of it with you. It’s a no-brainer for any online shopper.

• How it works: Activate Rakuten before you shop online to earn a percentage of your purchase back.
• Earning Potential: Depends entirely on your spending, but can be hundreds of dollars per year for frequent shoppers.
• Payout Options: PayPal or a physical check (they call it a “Big Fat Check”).
• Pros: Huge network of partner stores, generous sign-up bonuses, browser extension makes it effortless.
• Cons: Payouts are only quarterly, so you have to wait for your money.

Ibotta

While Rakuten rules online shopping, Ibotta is the champion of in-store grocery savings. Before you head to the store, you browse the app for offers on products you plan to buy. After your trip, you just snap a photo of your receipt to claim your cash back. It’s like extreme couponing for the digital age, but way, way easier. They also have offers for online retailers now, making it even more versatile.

• How it works: Add offers in the app, shop at supported stores, and scan your receipt.
• Earning Potential: Active users report saving $20-$50 per month on groceries.
• Payout Options: Bank account, PayPal, or gift cards.
• Pros: Great for everyday grocery shopping, offers on generic items (like milk or bread), easy to use.
• Cons: You have to remember to add offers before you shop.

Gig Economy Apps for Active Earning

If you’re looking for more than just a few dollars here and there, gig economy apps can provide a substantial income. These require more active work but offer much higher pay.

DoorDash / Uber Eats

Food delivery has exploded in popularity, and you can be on the other side of that transaction. With apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, you use your own car, bike, or scooter to deliver meals from local restaurants to hungry customers. The flexibility is the main draw; you can work whenever you want, for as long as you want.

• How it works: Sign up, pass a background check, and start accepting delivery requests through the app.
• Earning Potential: Highly variable based on location, time, and tips, but drivers can often make $15-$25 per hour.
• Payout Options: Direct deposit weekly, or instant cash-out options for a small fee.
• Pros: Complete flexibility, high earning potential, easy to get started.
• Cons: Wear and tear on your vehicle, income can be inconsistent.

TaskRabbit

Are you handy around the house? Good at assembling IKEA furniture? TaskRabbit connects you with people in your area who need help with various tasks, from running errands and cleaning to minor home repairs and moving help. You set your own rates and availability, giving you full control over your work.

• How it works: Create a profile outlining your skills and rates. Clients hire you directly through the app.
• Earning Potential: You set your own rate! Skilled Taskers in high-demand fields can earn over $50 per hour.
• Payout Options: Direct deposit.
• Pros: High earning potential, you’re in control of your services and pricing.
• Cons: Demand can be location-dependent, requires specific skills for higher-paying jobs.

Get Paid to Play: Gaming Apps That Pay You

Yes, you can actually get paid to play games on your phone. These apps won’t make you rich, but they can make your gaming habit a little more productive.

Mistplay (Android Only)

Mistplay is a loyalty program for mobile gamers. It recommends new games for you to play, and you earn points the longer you play them. It’s a fantastic way to discover new titles while earning rewards for your time. The app tracks your gameplay and rewards you with points you can redeem for gift cards.

• How it works: Download new games through the Mistplay app and earn points based on your playtime and in-game achievements.
• Earning Potential: A few dollars a week is a reasonable expectation for casual gamers.
• Payout Options: Gift cards for Amazon, Google Play, and more.
• Pros: Fun way to earn, discovers new games for you.
• Cons: Only available on Android, earning slows down significantly over time for any single game.

Pro Tip: When using gaming apps, focus on reaching small goals in several different games rather than trying to grind one game for hours. The rewards are often front-loaded to encourage you to try new titles.

Blackout Bingo

This isn’t your grandma’s bingo night. Blackout Bingo is a skill-based competitive gaming app where you play fast-paced bingo against other players. If you’re quick and strategic, you can win real cash prizes. It’s part of the Skillz platform, which hosts a variety of similar competitive games.

• How it works: Play free matches for practice or enter cash tournaments to compete for real money.
• Earning Potential: Can be high if you’re skilled, but you can also lose money. Prize pools can be significant.
• Payout Options: PayPal or direct deposit.
• Pros: Genuinely fun and engaging, based on skill, not just luck.
• Cons: You have to deposit your own money to compete in cash games, so there’s a risk of loss. Not available in all states.

How to Maximize Your Earnings and Stay Safe

Jumping into the world of money-making apps is exciting, but a little strategy goes a long way. First, don’t spread yourself too thin. Pick 2-3 apps that fit your lifestyle and focus on them. If you try to use twenty different apps, you’ll likely never reach the payout threshold on any of them. Second, take advantage of all the sign-up bonuses and referral codes you can find. It’s free money! Finally, be smart about security. Use a unique, strong password for each app and consider using an email address dedicated to these side hustles to keep your primary inbox clean. Never, ever pay a fee to join a program. Legitimate apps that pay you make their money from market research and partnerships; they don’t need to charge you.

Conclusion

There you have it. The world of apps that pay you real money is vast and varied. Whether you want to spend a few minutes on surveys, get cash back on your regular shopping, or dive into the gig economy, there’s an app out there for you. The key is to find what works for your schedule and your interests. Don’t expect to quit your day job tomorrow, but with a little consistency, you can absolutely turn that phone in your pocket from a time-waster into a valuable, money-making tool. So go ahead, download a couple, and see how much you can earn.

FAQ

Are these money-making apps legitimate and safe?

Yes, all the apps listed in this article are well-established and have a long history of paying their users. They are legitimate companies. However, always be safe. Download apps only from the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and be cautious about the permissions you grant. Never provide sensitive information like your Social Security number unless it’s for a verified gig-work app that requires it for tax purposes.

How much money can I realistically make from these apps?

This is the million-dollar question, but the answer is more like a few-dollars-a-day question. For passive and low-effort apps like surveys and cash-back, a realistic goal is between $25 and $100 per month with consistent use. For active gig economy apps like DoorDash or TaskRabbit, your earnings are directly tied to the hours you work and can easily be several hundred or even thousands of dollars per month, functioning more like a part-time job.

Do I have to pay taxes on the money I earn?

In most cases, yes. In the United States, income earned from these apps is generally considered taxable income. For gig work apps, you’ll likely be an independent contractor and will receive a 1099 form if you earn over $600. For rewards apps, it can be a bit of a gray area, but it’s always best to keep track of your earnings and consult with a tax professional to ensure you’re compliant with local laws.