When people search for the Best Money Making Apps, they want something simple. They want apps that actually pay, do not waste their time, and deliver real value. I have tested many of these apps personally and the rest have excellent user ratings and payment credibility. Here is the brand list with clear details you can quickly compare and reference.
20 Best Money Making Apps
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most beginner friendly earning apps. It rewards you for everyday activities you already do online. You can answer simple surveys, watch short clips, play games, shop through partnered stores, or even search the internet using their built in search tool. Every task earns you points called SB which you can convert to cash or popular gift cards.
The best part is that you can stack earnings. For example, if you shop through a Swagbucks link, you earn cash back plus survey points on the same day. It is perfect for anyone who wants low effort earnings while relaxing on the couch.
Pros:
• Many ways to earn
• Great for beginners
• Reliable payout history
Cons:
• Surveys can sometimes fill up fast
• Earnings are small unless you use it consistently
Homepage: https://www.swagbucks.com
2. Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the most trusted cash back platforms in the world. Whenever you shop at stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Macy’s, or even travel sites, you earn a percentage of your purchase back as real cash. You simply activate the cash back offer before shopping.
If you install the browser extension, Rakuten automatically alerts you when cash back is available so you never miss a reward. Payouts come through PayPal or check, and new members often get welcome bonuses for their first purchase.
Pros:
• Highest cash back rates among major apps
• Browser extension automatically activates offers
• New user bonuses are generous
Cons:
• Only pays for purchases
• Cash outs are scheduled quarterly
Homepage: https://www.rakuten.com
20 Best Money Making Apps Comparison Table
| App Name | Best For | How You Earn | Payout Method | Difficulty Level | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | Surveys and small tasks | Points converted to cash | PayPal and gift cards | Very Easy | iOS, Android, Web |
| Rakuten | Cash back shopping | Cash back on purchases | PayPal or check | Very Easy | iOS, Android, Web |
| InboxDollars | Simple tasks for cash | Reading emails, games, surveys | Cash payments | Easy | iOS, Android, Web |
| Ibotta | Grocery cash back | Receipt scanning and offers | PayPal and gift cards | Easy | iOS, Android |
| Fiverr | Freelance services | Selling digital skills | Bank transfer or PayPal | Moderate | Web, iOS, Android |
| Upwork | Professional freelancing | Hourly or fixed contracts | Bank transfer or PayPal | Moderate/Advanced | Web, iOS, Android |
| Instacart | Grocery delivery | Shopping and delivering | Direct deposit | Moderate | iOS, Android |
| Uber | Ride and food delivery | Per trip plus tips | Instant or weekly | Moderate | iOS, Android |
| DoorDash | Food delivery | Base pay plus tips | Daily or weekly | Moderate | iOS, Android |
| Lyft | Ride sharing | Per ride + tips | Instant or weekly | Moderate | iOS, Android |
| Airbnb | Hosting guests | Renting rooms or homes | Direct deposit | Moderate | Web, iOS, Android |
| Etsy | Selling handmade or digital items | Product sales | Etsy Payments | Moderate | Web, iOS, Android |
| TaskRabbit | Physical tasks and errands | Task fees and hourly pay | Direct deposit | Easy/Moderate | iOS, Android |
| Shopify | Online store owners | Selling goods | Shopify Payments, PayPal | Moderate | Web, iOS, Android |
| Google Opinion Rewards | Quick surveys | Short opinions | PayPal or Google Play credit | Very Easy | iOS, Android |
| Foap | Selling photos | Photo licensing | PayPal | Easy | iOS, Android |
| Honeygain | Passive income | Shared internet bandwidth | PayPal or crypto | Very Easy | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Mistplay | Gaming rewards | Playing mobile games | Gift cards | Easy | Android |
| Sweatcoin | Fitness rewards | Walking steps | Products or cash offers | Very Easy | iOS, Android |
| Acorns | Micro investing | Round ups and bonuses | Investment account | Very Easy | iOS, Android |
3. InboxDollars
InboxDollars pays you directly in cash rather than points. You can earn by reading promotional emails, answering questions, participating in offers, and playing simple games. It is very easy even for beginners who want fast payouts.
The dashboard shows you exactly how much you have earned so far, and it usually offers a small sign up bonus that boosts your first day earnings. If you prefer quick tasks with no learning curve, this is a great app to start with.
Pros:
• Pays in cash not points
• Very beginner friendly
• Variety of earning activities
Cons:
• Some offers require purchases
• Rewards per task can be low
Homepage: https://www.inboxdollars.com
4. Ibotta
Ibotta helps you save and earn money on groceries and everyday essentials. Before you shop, you look at available offers, then buy the products and upload your receipt. The app scans it and credits real cash to your account.
You can use it at almost every major grocery store, plus retailers like Target, Walmart, Costco, and Kroger. It is one of the easiest ways to earn back money on items you already planned to buy.
Pros:
• High cash back on groceries
• Works at almost every major retailer
• Fast payouts
Cons:
• Requires receipt uploads
• Best rewards are on specific brands
Homepage: https://www.ibotta.com
5. Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance marketplace where anyone can sell almost any skill. Whether you write, design logos, edit videos, build websites, coach people, or even record voice overs, Fiverr gives you a global audience.
You create a “gig,” set your price, and clients purchase your service. Fiverr handles the payment system, so you simply deliver the work and get paid. Many beginners start here with small services and slowly scale into full time income.
Pros:
• Easy to start even without experience
• High earning potential
• Global customer base
Cons:
• Platform fees reduce earnings
• Competition can be high for beginners
Homepage: https://www.fiverr.com
6. Upwork
Upwork is ideal for professionals who want long term, high paying freelance contracts. It connects you with companies looking for developers, writers, analysts, accountants, project managers, designers, and more.
Instead of selling small gigs, you apply to detailed projects. Most jobs on Upwork involve hourly contracts or multi week projects, so the earnings potential is much higher. If you want stable freelance income, Upwork is an excellent platform.
Pros:
• Higher hourly rates compared to Fiverr
• Long term contracts
• Safe and secure payment system
Cons:
• More competitive
• Requires proposals and client communication
Homepage: https://www.upwork.com
7. Instacart
Instacart lets you earn money shopping for and delivering groceries to people in your area. You accept orders on the app, go to the store, pick the items, and deliver them. You earn per delivery and keep one hundred percent of your customer tips.
It is flexible, so you can work mornings, evenings, or only weekends. Many users say Instacart is one of the fastest ways to make money the same day.
Pros:
• Fast earnings and instant cash out
• Tips can significantly boost pay
• Flexible schedule
Cons:
• Requires driving and physical work
• Earnings depend on demand
Homepage: https://www.instacart.com
8. Uber
Uber allows you to earn money as a driver for passenger rides or food delivery through Uber Eats. You pick the schedule, choose the areas you want to work in, and get paid instantly after rides.
If you prefer not to carry passengers, you can switch to food delivery only. With surge pricing and tips, the earning potential can grow significantly at peak hours.
Pros:
• Immediate payouts
• High earning potential during busy hours
• Flexible schedule
Cons:
• Vehicle maintenance is your expense
• Needs background checks and documentation
Homepage: https://www.uber.com
9. DoorDash
DoorDash is an easy way to make money delivering food from local restaurants. You accept orders through the app, pick up the meal, deliver it, and receive your pay plus tips.
You can also combine DoorDash with Uber Eats or Instacart to maximize your earnings during busy periods. Many food delivery workers rely on DoorDash as their primary income source because the app is beginner friendly and has consistent orders.
Pros:
• Easy signup
• Good in suburban and big city areas
• Daily payout option available
Cons:
• Earnings vary by location
• Busy hours are competitive
Homepage: https://www.doordash.com
10. Lyft
Lyft is a ride sharing app similar to Uber, but many drivers prefer it because the rider community is often friendlier and tips can be higher in some cities. You earn by transporting riders from one location to another, and you can cash out instantly anytime.
Lyft also offers bonuses such as guaranteed weekly earning targets, peak hour boosts, and referral payouts for bringing new drivers.
Pros:
• Friendly rider community
• Bonuses and peak hour boosts
• Instant cash out
Cons:
• Car requirements apply
• Earnings depend on demand
Homepage: https://www.lyft.com
11. Airbnb
Airbnb lets you earn money by hosting guests in your spare room, full home, apartment, or even a backyard space. You can set your own prices, choose when your listing is available, and create your own house rules.
Many hosts earn hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly depending on location. If you have extra space or travel often, Airbnb is a powerful income stream.
Pros:
• High earning potential
• Control your availability
• Great for travelers or homeowners with extra space
Cons:
• Requires cleaning and guest management
• Occasional maintenance costs
Homepage: https://www.airbnb.com
12. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace for handmade products, artsy creations, digital prints, templates, jewelry, candles, and personalized gifts. If you love crafting or creating digital planners, this is one of the best places to turn your skills into income.
You create a shop, upload your products, and buyers from around the world purchase directly from you. Etsy also has built in traffic, making it easier for beginners to get sales.
Pros:
• Built in traffic from global buyers
• Perfect for creatives
• Good passive income from digital downloads
Cons:
• Listing fees and transaction fees
• Requires product creation and shipping
Homepage: https://www.etsy.com
13. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects you with people who need help with everyday tasks. These tasks can include assembling furniture, cleaning homes, running errands, doing yard work, organizing spaces, or fixing things around the house.
You set your own rate, choose which tasks to accept, and get paid immediately after completing the job. It is great for people who enjoy physical work or hands on tasks.
Pros:
• You set your own rates
• High pay for specialized tasks
• Same day earnings
Cons:
• Requires physical labor
• Not ideal for rural areas
Homepage: https://www.taskrabbit.com
14. Shopify
Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start an online store even if you are not technical. You pick a theme, add products, and your store is live. You can sell anything from physical products to digital downloads to dropshipping items.
With marketing tools like email automation and product recommendations, Shopify helps you scale without complexity. Many entrepreneurs have built full time businesses using this platform.
Pros:
• Easy store setup
• Scalable for large businesses
• Great tools for marketing and automation
Cons:
• Monthly subscription
• Requires marketing to get traffic
Homepage: https://www.shopify.com
15. Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards is one of the quickest earning apps because most surveys take less than a minute. Google sends you questions based on your shopping habits, nearby locations, or general opinions.
Payments are credited instantly, and rewards are usually small but consistent. It is a great passive earning app for people who love sharing quick feedback.
Pros:
• Very fast surveys
• Instant payments
• One of the most trusted apps
Cons:
• Surveys appear randomly
• Small earnings per question
Homepage: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.paidtasks
16. Foap
Foap is perfect for people who enjoy taking photos with their phone. You upload your best images to the marketplace and brands, bloggers, and agencies can buy them for their marketing campaigns.
You can also join “missions,” which are photo contests for specific themes. Winning missions earns you higher payouts. If you enjoy photography, Foap turns your creativity into real earnings.
Pros:
• Great for smartphone photographers
• Potential for big payouts from missions
• Easy upload process
Cons:
• Competitive marketplace
• Earnings depend on photo quality
Homepage: https://www.foap.com
17. Honeygain
Honeygain pays you for sharing unused internet bandwidth. After installing the app, it runs quietly in the background and uses your network to power secure data gathering for companies.
You do not have to do anything after setup. It is not a fast way to earn, but it is truly passive because you do nothing once it is installed.
Pros:
• Completely passive
• Zero effort after setup
• Pays through PayPal
Cons:
• Slow earnings
• Requires stable internet connection
Homepage: https://www.honeygain.com
18. Mistplay
Mistplay rewards gamers for playing mobile games. You install the app, browse the available games, and earn points as you play. You can redeem those points for gift cards.
If you love gaming and want rewards for the time you already spend on mobile games, Mistplay gives you a simple way to earn something extra.
Pros:
• Fun for gamers
• Easy to start
• Wide game selection
Cons:
• Only available on Android
• Not high income
Homepage: https://www.mistplay.com
19. Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin turns your daily steps into rewards. You walk outside, the app counts your movement, and you earn Sweatcoins which you can redeem for products, services, or cash offers.
It motivates you to stay active while also rewarding your consistency. Many users treat it like a fitness challenge that pays.
Pros:
• Encourages healthy movement
• Passive earnings
• Works in the background
Cons:
• Requires outdoor walking
• Payouts take time to accumulate
Homepage: https://www.sweatco.in
20. Acorns
Acorns is an automated investing app that helps beginners grow money without thinking about it. The app rounds up your everyday purchases. For example, if you spend 6.25, Acorns invests the remaining 0.75 for you.
Over time, those small investments grow into a real portfolio. Acorns also gives you cash back bonuses when you shop at partnered stores, all of which go straight into your investment account.
Pros:
• Great for beginner investors
• Automatic system requires no experience
• Bonuses from partnered stores
Cons:
• Monthly fee
• Slow growth unless you invest consistently
Homepage: https://www.acorns.com
Final Thoughts
Finding the Best Money Making Apps depends on your goals. If you want quick rewards, apps like Swagbucks, Google Opinion Rewards, and InboxDollars pay you for simple daily activities. If you want higher income, platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Instacart, Uber, and DoorDash offer stronger earning potential. And for passive income or long term growth, Sweatcoin, Honeygain, and Acorns do the heavy lifting for you.
The key is to pick two or three apps that match your lifestyle. Whether you are looking to earn cash back, sell skills, deliver food, rent your space, or grow your investments, these twenty apps give you trusted ways to make money immediately from your phone.
