42 Apps That Earn You Real Money: The Top Money-Making Apps for 2025

      Side Hustle Nation focuses on enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this goal, we often collaborate with companies that align with this mission. If you register or purchase through one of our partners' links, we may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. Learn more. We are captivated by our devices, but did you know there are actually apps that reward you with real money? Indeed! Among the millions of apps available, many will actually pay you for using them.

      To compile this list of the top money-making apps, I:

      - Reviewed my personal favorites from the last decade of testing

      - Cross-checked the highest-rated money-making apps in both the iOS and Google Play app stores

      - Collected feedback from Side Hustle Nation readers

      For each app, we will examine how they operate and the ways you can earn and receive payments. Some require minimal effort after initial setup, while others may demand more time.

      I've categorized these apps and encourage you to choose and install the ones that best fit your needs.

      **Best for Quick Surveys**

      - Swagbucks has paid users over $470 million in the past decade.

      **Highest Earning Power**

      - Sharetown representatives earn money by reselling gently-used furniture and bed-in-a-box mattresses, with top earners making over $4000 per month.

      **Best for Passive Income**

      - Fundrise offers access to high-quality institutional investments for as little as $10. (Note: I have been a Fundrise investor since 2015 and earn a commission if you join through my link. All opinions are my own).

      **Apps That Pay You These Profits**

      There are numerous ways to earn some extra cash by sharing your opinions through brand surveys. While these apps may not lead to substantial earnings, they could bring in an additional $20 to $100 a month if used regularly. To maximize your income, consider joining online focus groups—my preferred resource for this is User Interviews. (Feel free to visit our comprehensive User Interviews review for further details).

      **1. Swagbucks**

      - **Best for Quick Surveys**

      - Swagbucks has distributed over $550 million to users in the last decade.

      - **Pros**: Quick to use, plenty of earning options, $10 sign-up bonus.

      - **Cons**: Surveys typically don't pay much.

      Swagbucks is a well-established name in the online survey arena. This long-standing app has rewarded users with massive payouts over the years. Users can earn rewards by shopping online, taking surveys, playing games, and watching videos, redeemable for gift cards from major retailers. Sign up via my referral link to receive a $10 bonus.

      **2. Freecash**

      Freecash features thousands of gaming offers on iOS, Android, and PC, with some rewards reaching hundreds of dollars. The app itself is only available on Android and web. On average, users reportedly earn about $17.53 daily from gaming.

      **3. KashKick**

      KashKick is a newer app that compensates you for taking surveys, testing games (up to $150 each!), and redeeming money-saving offers.

      **4. Survey Junkie**

      Let your voice be heard! With Survey Junkie, you share your thoughts with hundreds of partner brands. This app is among the highest-paying survey platforms, offering popular gift cards and cash outs via PayPal. Just three surveys a day can net you $40 monthly.

      **5. Bingo Cash**

      Bingo Cash transforms the classic bingo game from one of chance into a game of skill and speed.

      **6. Scrambly**

      Established in 2022, Scrambly has quickly amassed over 2 million users, offering cash back rewards.

      **7. InboxDollars**

      Most InboxDollars surveys pay between $0.50 and $5, although some offers can exceed $20.

      **8. Cash Giraffe (Android)**

      Cash Giraffe connects users with mobile games looking to attract players, rewarding you as you hit milestones.

      **Apps That Pay You to Invest**

      **9. Arrived**

      Arrived allows users to invest in cash-flowing rental properties starting at $100.

      **10. Fundrise**

      As a long-time Fundrise investor, I appreciate their focus on long-term growth and regular dividends. A mere $10 initiates your investment journey.

      **11. Robinhood**

      Robinhood offers new users a free stock worth up to $200 upon sign-up, although the stock choice is random.

      **The Best Cash Back Apps**

      Numerous cash back applications almost provide free money just for tracking your spending.

      **12. Fetch Rewards**

      With Fetch Rewards, simply snap photos of your grocery receipts to earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards.

      **13. Rakuten**

      Rakuten has been rewarding users for over 25 years, providing cash back on a vast array of retailers with potential earnings of up to 40%.

      **14. Ibotta**

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