Since we seem to always have our smartphone on us, doesn't it make sense to have it earn money for us too? There are a few money making apps for your phone, but it can be difficult to know where to even get started.
So, I wanted to create this list of mobile apps that actually make you money. If you have some free time, considering downloading these apps below as you can really make money from your phone for free.
Here are my favorite top apps that pay you money on your smartphone.
Legit Ways to Make Money on Your Phone
Why not try out one of these ways to make money from your phone? That’s right: There are apps that give you free money that can net you some extra funds for whatever, whenever you want.
1. Bingo Cash — iOS and Android
With the Bingo Cash app you can make money in thrilling head-to-head bingo battles with players from all around the world, and let your skills shine as you strategize for real cash prizes.
To get started, you will need to deposit $5 to unlock cash games and win big.
If you don't want to deposit any funds, you'll likely want to go with an option like KashKick.
However, you can literally raise the stakes and dive into thrilling competitions that will keep you on the edge of your seat with just $5 here.
While we can't guarantee overnight millionaire status, Bingo Cash presents an exciting opportunity to win over $83 per win.
You have the freedom to withdraw your cash balance straight to your PayPal account.
Download Bingo Cash and start your winning journey today.
In Bingo Cash, you're paired to play in head-to-head games against real people and whoever plays the fastest, wins real cash. You won't get rich, but earning up to $83 per win can add up quickly. Win cash for free or deposit $5 to multiply your winnings.
Cash tournaments aren’t available in AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME and SD but residents can still play the free games for swag! If you're interested in a legitimate game that pays real money, you're able to download Bingo Cash for here.
2. Solitaire Cash — iOS and Android
Let's face it: most people enjoy playing games for money.
It may sound strange, but you can actually play solitaire for money. Even though you won't get rich overnight, our Solitaire Cash review found that you can still make up to $83 per match-up.
Make up to $83/game playing solitaire when you deposit only $5 or more!
This free game allows you to play head-to-head skill-based Solitaire for real money.
While $83 isn't the average winning, you can play multiple games as each game is only 2 minutes long.
Plus, it’s free to download, and they’ve given out a whopping $1.5+ million dollars in prizes so far.
Download it for free and see if you have what it takes to make real money.
Although you can win cash for free, you will need to deposit $5 to participate in cash tournaments and increase your potential winnings.
This app lets you play solitaire for money — make $100 today. It is absolutely free to play Solitaire Cash and earn real-world rewards and cash prizes when you download through the button below before 08/31/2024. You can download the popular mobile app for iOS and Samsung devices.
3. Survey Junkie — iOS, Android and Desktop
Taking online surveys to make extra money is a no-brainer!
You definitely won’t get rich or make hundreds of dollars per day with surveys alone, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way. Here is my favorite (and highest paying) survey site:
Survey Junkie: This is a free survey app for your phone that pays you to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and try new products.
And, I really mean free all around – free to join and they don’t charge anything to be a member (they will actually pay you in cash via PayPal).
You can get a free registration bonus for free when you join through this link.
Survey Junkie pays up to $50 per survey, and many of them take less than 5 minutes to complete. It is one of the highest paying survey sites that actually work. Sign up through here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There’s absolutely no cost to join. Tip: Never register for a survey site that asks you for cash | Sometimes you’ll be a few questions in only to find out that you aren’t eligible for a survey, but you still get points |
| Points can be exchanged for both cash to PayPal and for gift cards | Minimum balance of $10 USD needed for Payout |
| Your information will go toward helping companies improve their products and services | Only users from the United States, Canada, and Australia can participate with future plans to expand |
| Answers that you provide are kept completely anonymous | |
| The potential for high earnings (depends on your demographics) | |
| Registration bonus if you go through this link. | |
| If you’re not eligible for a survey, you’re still given points |
Survey Junkie is one of the highest-paying survey sites available. Complete three or more surveys a day, and you can earn as much as $100 monthly. With $76 Million paid out to date, Survey Junkie is one of the best survey sites available.
4. Swagbucks — iOS, Android and Desktop
Swagbucks is another great money app to earn some easy cash for just pushing a few buttons in your free time. As a new member, you can conveniently earn up to $5 per survey through this link.
Cashouts are through PayPal or gift cards.
It’s similar to Survey Junkie, but there are also a few other ways you can earn money as a member.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An incredibly wide range of activities to partake in | Sometimes there’s no sign-up bonus |
| Most of the tasks are incredibly simple to complete | May take up to a few days to receive your reward |
| 100% free – never join a rewards site that asks for your payment information | |
| Registration bonus if you go through this link. |
Other ways you can make money with Swagbucks outside of surveys:
Swagbucks pays up to $35 per survey. You can also earn free cash (via Paypal) for everyday activities like shopping, watching videos and searching the web.
If you’re interested you get started with a $10 sign up bonus.
Swagbucks offers a variety of ways to earn money online. You can take surveys, play games, surf the web, watch videos and more to earn points towards gift cards or cash.
5. Nielsen App — iOS, Android and Desktop
Nielsen offers an app and desktop service that allows you to register and earn rewards just for browsing the Internet. Yes, it’s a legitimate opportunity that allows you to literally get paid to use your cell phone.
Once you’ve installed the application, the company will be collecting information about your usage habits, activities and the websites you visit. You don’t have to do anything else, and the service works automatically in the background.
If that’s worth it to you, you can earn $60 passively throughout a year’s time.
This company will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month. You don’t have to do anything other than initially registering your computer or phone.
6. Branded Surveys — Desktop
Branded Surveys is straightforward. When you first log in, it will ask personal questions, so it can build an accurate profile of your preferences. You’ll then begin receiving exclusive surveys, which can pay anywhere from a few cents up to $75. You’ll even earn $1 right away just for signing up.
If you check in daily and complete the surveys they offer, you’ll have earned a nice chunk of cash before you know it. Sign up here.
Branded Surveys is quickly becoming one of the top survey sites. At up to $5-10 a pop for some surveys and a free 100 points for signing up, it pays to check in daily to see which ones are available to you.
7. Mistplay — Android
Mistplay pays you to play games, no really it does. While earning money playing games sounds like a dream, this app lets you do just that.
Once you download the app from the Play Store, you'll see a list of popular games you can play. Select a game such as Super Mario Run, Pokemon Go, Fruit Ninja, Chess or even Solitaire and start playing and you can start earning units, which you can redeem for gift cards.
How Mistplay works:
1. Install a game in your mixlist.
2. Play that game to start earning units.
3. Redeem your units for free gift cards.
That’s it.
Here, you don't have to deposit any money and you can earn money for free just by playing games in your free time.
You can redeem 1,500 units for $5 worth of gift cards to places like Amazon or virtual Visa cards that can be cashed out. You can usually earn around $40 per month with active gameplay.
To get started you can download the Android app and start playing and earning.
Earning money by playing games on your phone sounds like a dream. But Mistplay really pays you for playing new games with free gift cards. It is 100% free to play and you never have to deposit any money.
8. Ibotta — iOS, Android and Desktop
Ibotta is a mobile app — available for both iOS and Android — that helps you save money by scanning your grocery receipts. It also works with other apps and services on your device, such as Uber. For example, every time you use Uber and order a ride, you can earn $1 back through Ibotta. You can then transfer the funds to your authorized PayPal account for personal use.
You won’t make hundreds of dollars overnight, but you certainly can earn that much eventually, if you continue to use the app regularly. It’s great for building up emergency funds!
Ibotta pays you cash back for shopping at over 500,000 retailers, which you have to do every month. So why not get paid for it? Get started saving today.
9. InboxDollars — iOS, Android and Desktop
Do you ever spend a few minutes on your lunch break or at home watching videos online? This app or service is right up your alley. It’s available on mobile and desktop and requires you to watch “fun” videos and then take surveys about them.
If you invest just five to 10 minutes per day, you can earn up to $50 extra per month. That’s not bad, especially if you stick with it, because you can continue to earn more.
You’ll get a $5 bonus just for signing up, which is quick and free.
InboxDollars offers a variety of ways to earn money online. You can take surveys, play games, surf the web, watch videos and more to earn points towards gift cards.
10. Rocket Money — iOS, Android and Desktop
Rocket Money is a real, much better and desirable alternative to all the other money saving apps on the market. With Rocket Money, they have saved over $15M for its users on their bills (think cable or cell phone bills) and canceling forgotten subscriptions. Have a cable bill that has been increasing over the years? You can now simply download a free app, and they will negotiate it down for you.
Rocket Money will help you take control of your money, users have saved over $15M to date, and all without being a financial expert or dealing with staying on top of your bills, which can be a full-time job. There is a reason why they currently have over 50,000+ users, this app really gets you back free money.
If you’re interested, I recommend you sign up for more information from Rocket Money by clicking here.
Rocket Money helps 3.4+ million members save hundreds. Get the app and start saving today. Save more, spend less, and take back control of your financial life.
11. Upside — iOS and Android
Upside provides users with a variety of helpful information. First, it gives you 25 cents back on every gas station receipt you submit. It also shows you the best gas station deals and the cheapest gas.
This free cash back app for gas is saving users an average of $124 in a year. There is no minimum for cash outs, but a $1 fee will be made on withdrawals under $15.
How does it work?
To score the best gas prices, grocery prices, and restaurant offers with Upside, all you need is your phone and your receipt. There’s no limit on how much you can earn, and you can even use it with other coupons, discounts, and loyalty programs!
- Click here to download for free.
- Claim your offer for the best gas price, restaurant or grocery offer
- Snap a photo of your receipt or receipts
Profit! Earn cash back, and cash out whenever you want via PayPal, gift card or check. A true way to learn how to make money from your phone, if you ever needed one.
Upside (which used to be called GetUpside) lets you save up to 25 cents for every gallon of gas you buy at certain gas stations. You can also get up to 35% back when you shop for groceries or eat out at over 45,000 places that work with Upside. If you use the app a lot, you might earn more than $100 in a year.
12. Fetch Rewards — iOS and Android
Fetch Rewards works directly with popular brands to bring you everyday savings on thousands of products throughout any grocery store. You can earn points and save without jumping through hoops. Buy what you want, where you want, and save.
They work directly with popular brands to bring you savings on thousands of products every day, no matter where you get your groceries. Just scan your receipts and make money fast.
Once you scan your first receipt, you'll get 3,000 points which you can claim for a $3.00 Visa Gift Card.
Your Fetch Rewards download is free and they encourage you to earn extra money:
✔️Claim a $3 bonus when you scan your first receipt
✔️Earn money back for any receipt you scan
✔️Get $3 per referral when you refer friends and family
Fetch is one of the top apps for scanning receipts that we've tried. It's great because it always gives you the same amount of points for each receipt, at least 25 points, and you only need to earn a little ($3) before you can take your money out. You can scan up to 35 receipts every week, so if you shop a lot and keep using the app, you could get a few free gift cards each year. Get 250 points when you use the code C1JAV during sign-up.
13. KashKick — Mobile Web
With KashKick, your everyday online activities are rewarded. From answering intriguing surveys to downloading exciting game apps, you could earn up to $100 per app.
Not just that, there are opportunities to earn while playing games, watching videos, and even simply reading emails. Although surveys remain a major earnings avenue, the sky's the limit with the variety of tasks available.
The best part? As soon as your balance hits $10, you can swiftly cash out through Paypal. Picture this: making some extra cash while lounging comfortably, phone or computer in hand.
Ready to dive in? Signing up is a breeze, and as a warm welcome, you'll instantly receive $1 just for completing your profile. One step closer to your rewards!
This site pays you cash to play mobile games, save money, take surveys, and see offers — make $100 today. Over 2 million users agree that KashKick is a fresh and lucrative way to earn money and get paid directly to your PayPal!
14. Rakuten — iOS, Android and desktop
Rakuten is a cashback site that allows you to earn money back on purchases you make online and in-store. Rakuten has been around since 1998 and has paid its members over $2 billion in cashback.
Earn cash back for items you’re going to buy anyway. It mostly works for online shopping, and allows you to earn money you can transfer directly to a linked PayPal account.
Rakuten offers cash back for shopping at over 3,500 stores, free to join, and shares commissions with members as cash back, paid quarterly. Members also get a $30 sign-up bonus. Since 1998, Rakuten has paid out over $1 billion in cash back.
Enjoy These Ways to Make Money on Your Smartphone
There you have it. If you’ve finished the list, you’ve just made at least $100 through these ways to earn money on your mobile phone.
We wish you the best of luck on your money-making journey! Just remember, with most of these money earning apps, consistency is key, so be diligent about completing your daily check-in and continue to use the apps to earn free money.
These are honestly probably the highest paying apps if you want to earn more lucrative amounts of cash or gift cards. While there is no free money app, these are the best app substitute to earn money on iOS and Android phones.
It’s always better to use these opportunities as additional cash for smaller purchases, rather than to rely on them for a steady income. Click here if you wanted to learn more of my favorite passive income apps.
Do you know of any ways to make money on a smartphone that we may have missed? What side hustles do you use?
