Best Money-Making Apps ,For those looking to make money in an easily accessible way, apps provide plenty of avenues to consider. You can use your smartphone to take surveys, pick up a side project, sell your unwanted stuff and more.
Here’s the scoop on seven free money-making apps. NerdWallet considered apps with at least four stars and 25,000 reviews in both Google Play and the iOS App Store ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Ibotta
How it works: Ibotta lets you earn cash back on in-store and online purchases at over 1,500 brands and retail chains. Originally for groceries, it has expanded to include clothing, entertainment, pet supplies and other categories. Best Money-Making Apps ,Offers can be product or retailer-specific — and some will automatically be applied. For others, you’ll need to complete an additional task such as watching a video or taking a poll.
There are three possible ways to earn cash back in stores: Add offers and submit your receipt in the app after your shopping trip, link your retailer loyalty accounts or purchase a retailer gift card through the Ibotta app. For online purchases, you shop through the app or website.
Payment: PayPal, gift card or direct to a bank account.
Pros: You’ll receive cash back on in-store purchases quickly — typically within 24 hours. Ibotta also offers up to a $20 welcome bonus, referral bonuses and variety of payment methods.
Cons: Making money can be a slow process. You must have at least $20 in cash back to redeem your earnings (or $25 for certain gift cards). For online shopping, the pending period for earning cash back varies by retailer. But for some, it can take several months to get credit for your purchase. For example, at the time of this writing, the pending period for Macys.com is up to 90 days ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Download: Android, iOS.
Rakuten
How it works: Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) rewards shoppers with up to 40% cash back on purchases from well-known retailers, restaurants and food delivery services .Best Money-Making Apps ,Users can also earn cash back on travel, gift cards and more. It’s straightforward: Create an account, tap on the deal you want in the app, then make the transaction through the portal. You can also link a credit or debit card to your Rakuten account to earn cash back in-store — as long as you activate the deal through the app first. Rakuten credits the cash back to your account after it confirms the purchase with the retailer, which it says can take a few hours to several days.
Payment: PayPal or check.
Pros: Thousands of stores and purchases are eligible for cash back, so you’ll likely find deals where you already shop. You can also earn sign-up and referral bonuses.
Cons: As with most cash-back services, you have to spend money to earn money. You won’t see your earnings right away, either; Rakuten sends out payments every three months, and you need at least a $5 cash-back balance to get paid.
Download: Android, iOS.
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Keep track of your spending, credit score, and even find fresh ways to save ,Best Money-Making Apps
Swagbucks
How it works: Best Money-Making Apps ,Swagbucks is a cash-back and rewards app. You earn points, called “SB,” by shopping, taking polls, watching videos, playing games or fulfilling other tasks through Swagbucks. You can redeem those points for gift cards or get cash back to your PayPal account. The total points awarded can vary by task. For example, surveys are typically worth about 40 to 200 SB points each. The minimum balance required to redeem depends on the payout option you choose, but some gift cards are available for as low as 140 SB ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Payment: Gift card or PayPal.
Pros: Swagbucks offers many easy ways to earn rewards, and there’s no waiting period to cash in. Payments usually arrive within 10 business days after redemption. You can also get a $10 bonus with a qualifying $25 purchase when you join.
Cons: It doesn’t pay much; one SB is worth about a cent. With many tasks valued at pennies, it can take a fair amount of time and effort to make substantial money. Additionally, you won’t qualify for every survey or task. Users often report getting kicked out of surveys in the middle of taking them. This can be due to demographics or dishonest or inconsistent answers, according to Swagbucks ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Download: Android, iOS.
Fiverr
How it works: Fiverr is a freelancing marketplace that features gigs in over 200 categories, such as programming and video and animation. You create a profile as a “seller” highlighting your expertise. Then, post the gig you’re offering, which will include pricing and a description of your services. Clients, known as “buyers,” can click through and place orders. You’ll get paid once you complete the job. Best Money-Making Apps ,Fiverr assigns seller levels based on performance. As you move up each tier, you’ll be able to sell more “extras,” such as a faster delivery time.
Payment: PayPal, direct to a bank account or credit to a Fiverr Revenue Card (a prepaid card). Minimum withdrawal amounts vary and you may be charged a withdrawal fee, depending on which option you choose.
Pros: You don’t have to worry about tracking down buyers because they come to you. You can also earn tips.
Cons: Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings for every gig, including tips, and there’s a standard 14-day waiting period to withdraw money after completing an order.
Download: Android, iOS.
Upwork
How it works: Upwork connects freelancers to gigs in writing, design, marketing and other categories on the marketplace. First, you’ll create a profile. It should include information such as the field you’re interested in plus your qualifications, availability and desired rate. Then, you can submit proposals. Clients will review them and offer projects if you seem like a good fit. You’ll pay a small sum for each submission, but you won’t be charged when clients contact you. You can get paid on an hourly or per-project basis.
Payment: Directly to your bank account, wire transfer, Instant Pay, PayPal and Payoneer. Charges apply to some payment options, so be sure to check Upwork for details.
Pros: Upwork helps take the work out of seeking out clients, establishing relationships and getting paid. The service also gives you the flexibility to set your preferred rate and schedule.
Cons: The app is free to download, but initiating contact with clients costs money. Users also get charged a service fee. Upwork takes a 5% to 20% cut of your earnings based on how much you’ve billed a client. The more you earn, the more you get to keep. However, you won’t get paid until 10 days after the billing period ends. Remember, too, that you’re competing with other freelancers on the platform. That means clients may choose those who’ve set lower rates ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Download: Android, iOS.
OfferUp
How it works: OfferUp, which recently combined with competitor Letgo, functions as a local marketplace you can use to sell your stuff. If you want to reach a broader audience, OfferUp also allows shipping within the continental United States. Best Money-Making Apps ,Create an account and snap a picture of your smartphone, car, sofa or whatever it is you’re selling. Once you add a title, description and price, you can post your listing and chat with buyers directly through the app. Then, you’ll ship to or arrange a meeting with the buyer. [Note: If you decide to pursue this during the pandemic, follow proper cleaning and hygiene guidelines.]
Payment: Cash or deposit to debit card or bank account.
Pros: Creating a listing is simple and fast, and you’ll get paid instantly when you make a cash sale. You can also view a prospective buyer’s reviews and ratings to get an idea of how trustworthy they are beforehand. If you ship your item, the buyer pays the cost, and OfferUp provides the label.
Cons: You’re responsible for meeting local buyers in person and handling transactions. Sellers must pay a 12.9% service fee, or a minimum of $1.99, for shipments.
Download: Android, iOS.
Poshmark
How it works: The Poshmark app is tailor-made for selling clothes and accessories. After signing up, you take or upload photos of your item, fill out a description, price it and share the listing. You can also feature items in the app’s “Posh Parties,” which are virtual shopping events centered around particular brands, categories and themes. Poshmark emails you a prepaid shipping label once a purchase is made. Then, you send the package ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Payment: Check or direct deposit to a bank account.
Pros: Poshmark facilitates the entire process, from selling to shipping. Plus, you don’t have to meet with strangers to make a sale. The company will cover lost packages and handle issues between you and the buyer. Getting paid is relatively quick, too; Poshmark issues the money within three days of the buyer receiving the order.
Cons: You’ll pay a fee for selling through Poshmark. The company takes a $2.95 commission for sales under $15 and a 20% commission for sales of $15 or above.
Download: Android, iOS.
Google Opinion Rewards
Best Money-Making Apps ,want to get paid for taking surveys on your smartphone? Download Google Opinion Rewards to get started.
The concept is very straightforward. Complete a short survey on a wide range of potential topics. It could be a hotel review, personal opinion, or satisfaction survey from a particular merchant. The surveys are short enough that you can take them while waiting in line for a cup of coffee.
You can earn extra money by sharing your TV and internet usage with Google Opinion Rewards. Just continue browsing online and watching TV like you normally do.
Payments are released as Google Play or PayPal credits.
iPoll
Best Money-Making Apps ,If you like the idea of being paid to take surveys, the iPoll app is another top choice to consider.
Similar to Google Option Rewards, all you have to do is answer brief questions about products and services that you’re already using.
You can earn gift cards for PayPal, the Apple App Store, and Amazon for your participation.
Acorns
Best Money-Making Apps ,Acorns puts your money to work by investing it.
The app automatically rounds up your spare change from credit card purchases and deposits it into an investment account. For example, let’s say you spent $9.50 at lunch. Acorns rounds it up to $10 and invests $0.50.
It’s a great opportunity for those of you who want to start investing but don’t have large sums of money to do so. Just answer a few questions about your risk tolerance, and Acorns will recommend a portfolio that fits your needs ,Best Money-Making Apps.
The app costs $1, $2, or $3 per month depending on the pricing tier you select.
Bonus: Want to work from home, control your schedule, and make more money? Download my FREE Ultimate Guide to Working from Home.
Sweatcoin
Want to get paid for walking? Sweatcoin is the perfect money-making app for you.
Best Money-Making Apps ,All you need to do is keep Sweatcoin running on the background of your phone at all times. The app will automatically track your steps. Every 1,000 steps rewards you with 0.95 Sweatcoins.
Sweatcoins can’t be withdrawn as cash. However, you can redeem them for goods and services. Some featured examples include athletic wear, audio books, headphones, and meditation.
More than 300 brands have partnered with Sweatcoin. Most of these goods and services are related to promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Slidejoy
Best Money-Making Apps ,We’re constantly exposed to digital advertisements on a daily basis. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get paid for seeing ads?
Slidejoy makes that possible. The app adds advertisements to your phone’s lock screen.
Each time you check your phone, you’ll see a new ad or promotion.
Slide left to learn more information about the ad. Swipe up to view another one. Or slide right to access your home screen.
Slidejoy is only available for Android users.
You can cash out rewards via PayPal, or donate your earnings to one of Slidejoy’s charity programs.
Mobee
Mobee is a secret shopper app. It rewards you with points for completing “missions” at various stores.
Here’s how it works. Simply download the app and browse for a mission in your area.
It could be anything from Macy’s to Domino’s. Each mission has a set of tasks for you to complete. You’ll be rewarded for things like answering survey questions and taking photographs inside the store.
Mobee lets you redeem those points for gift cards, including gift cards to Amazon. It takes up to 48 hours to redeem your rewards ,Best Money-Making Apps.
TaskRabbit
Best Money-Making Apps ,TaskRabbit is another app that requires a little bit more work to make some money. But with that said, the extra effort usually results in higher pay.
You can provide a wide range of services to people in your area.
Common tasks include moving furniture, mounting a TV, household cleaning, and IKEA assembly. Create a profile on TaskRabbit to highlight your featured skills. You can even set your own rates for particular jobs.
The more tasks you complete, the better chance you have of getting selected for a taskin the future. People seeking services will review your profile before accepting you to do a job.
If you’ve got the time to do some physical labor, download the TaskRabbit app to make money.
Uber
I’m sure you’re familiar with Uber. There’s a good chance you’ve used the app to hail a ride. But you can use that same app to get paid for driving people around ,Best Money-Making Apps.
Make your own hours and use your own car. Just turn on the Uber app whenever you want to start working.
Depending on your area, Uber generally has guaranteed earnings promotions for new drivers. You can also be rewarded with bonuses for working certain hours and get tipped by customers as well.
If you want to make money with Uber but don’t want strangers in your car, consider becoming a food delivery driver for UberEats.
Lyft
Like Uber, Lyft is another popular ridesharing app.
Best Money-Making Apps ,In most instances, the pay and job description is pretty comparable to Uber. I know lots of people who sign up for both and switch between the two on a regular basis.
Depending on your city, you might learn that Lyft is more popular for riders in the area.
If you don’t have a car, Lyft can help you get one through one of their Express Drive partners. The car payment comes with insurance, unlimited miles, and maintenance included.
Use Lyft as a side hustle to earn extra cash on nights or weekends. Or drive full time. The choice is yours.
MyPoints
MyPoints is another cash back rewards app, similar to Rakuten and Swagbucks.
Best Money-Making Apps ,You’ll earn rewards in the form of points for purchases at thousands of stores. Examples of brands on the MyPoints program include Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, Macy’s, Target, and Groupon.
Redeem points for gift cards or transfer the funds as cash to your PayPal account.
New MyPoints members get a $10 welcome bonus in the form of an Amazon gift card or Visa gift card. Just make a qualifying purchase to get your bonus ,Best Money-Making Apps.
“Frequently Asked Questions”
Online survey companies sell the data they collect to third parties seeking to improve their products and services.
User reviews, specifically those in the Google Play Store and App Store, are the best method for determining whether an app is a scam.
Sort by negative reviews, and read through three to five to see the common complaints. If a lot of users have trouble withdrawing money or not getting responses from customer support, it’s best to search about the domain app.
Selling apps, such as Amazon and eBay, are the best bets for making quick money online. Beyond selling, Ibotta, Postmates and DoorDash are also good options.
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