Today’s smartphones are capable of doing virtually everything. But you probably didn’t know they can make money for you, too. That’s right, there are some special apps out there that you can use to land some extra coin. Here are some apps that can help you save money on your daily purchases, earn money for completing basic tasks, and more.
Google Opinion Rewards
Earning money from your phone can be accomplished in less than 20 seconds with Google Opinion Rewards. The app uses your Google search activity, as well as your location history via Google Maps, to send you relevant surveys. Each survey takes less than 20 seconds to complete and will reward you with up to $1 per completion. Once you’re done, the credit will instantly be transferred to your Google account — no waiting. Note that you’re rewarded in Google Play credits so it only can be used on Google services like the books, movies, and apps on the Google Play Store, or as a method of payment with Google Pay.
Make Money
From the makers of Cash App comes Make Money. This is a great all-in-one option when it comes to making money from your smartphone. From watching videos and sharing posts on social media to using their affiliate offers, there are many ways to make money with this iOS-only app. After you’ve accumulated enough credits, you can exchange them for a PayPal payout and spend it however you like. The user interface is easy to follow, and you can complete most of the tasks with just a few taps.
Rakuten Ebates
Rakuten awards you with up to 40% cash back on items you normally buy. There are more than 2,500 participating stores — including Walmart, Amazon, Groupon, and Expedia — and you can set the app to notify you when there are new coupons available. If you choose a specific item you want to purchase, Rakuten also will show you which stores are selling that item and how much cash back you would receive from each store. Rakuten also offers a $10 Welcome Bonus after you make your first purchase on the app.
Robinhood
Investing is a popular way to grow your wealth, especially over a long period of time, but many people don’t invest because there are barriers to entry like the jargon — and the need to rely on fee-based managers. Robinhood clears at least some of these hurdles, offering users an easy, free platform to buy and sell stocks, options, funds, and cryptocurrencies. While Robinhood offers general stats, stock charts, and news stories about companies, it doesn’t teach you the intricacies of the stock market, or how to parse that data. If you want to make informed decisions, you’ll need to do your own research. If you want to play the stock market from your phone, without having to think about fees, Robinhood gives you the right tools.
Ibotta
Why not get money back for your everyday purchases? Ibotta helps you save money while shopping. All you do is check the app before you head out to shop, travel, or dine, and add those cashback deals to your phone. When you’re finished shopping, simply snap a picture of your receipt within the app and Ibotta will award you with cash back. The app works with your favorite retailers, too, including Best Buy, Lowe’s, Safeway, eBay, and many more.
Shopkick
Think of Shopkick like a game, one that awards you gift cards as you earn points — or “kicks.” To earn them, you accomplish daily challenges, which might require you to walk into a nearby store or scan products in a scavenger hunt. You also can earn extra points by taking a picture of your receipt. Then, you just cash in those “kicks” for gift cards to Starbucks, Walmart, Target, Amazon, or one of the many other participating vendors.
Field Agent
Bored on a Sunday afternoon and want to do something more than just watch Netflix? Field Agent pays you for completing small jobs as you’re doing what you’re already doing, whether that’s shopping in stores, running errands, or even simply hanging around your house. The app asks you to take photos, answer questions, express opinions, or complete other small tasks. Each job generally pays somewhere between $3 and $20 and is available on a first come, first served basis.
DietBet
Let’s be real, no one really likes working out, but what if you were rewarded for doing it? With DietBet, you bet on yourself to lose weight with a group of other players. You choose one of two game types: Kickstarter, which challenges you to lose 4% of your weight in four weeks, or Transformer, which tasks you with losing 10% of your weight in six months. If you meet your weight-loss goal by the end of the game, you split the pot with the other players. DietBet claims that 96% of its players have lost weight and winners take home an average of $58.
StepBet
StepBet pays you to do what you do every day: Take steps. Like DietBet, you place a bet on yourself, and if you accomplish your goal, you split the pot with others in the game. You don’t have to move more or longer than your competitors, just hit your goals and cash out. StepBet uses a signature algorithm to provide each player with daily step goals, and it automatically counts your steps using a variety of devices, including those from Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin. All you have to do is walk, climb, dance, or walk from the living room to the fridge — anything to get your steps in and hit your goal.
Sweatcoin
A popular app for health and fitness on the iPhone, the Sweatcoin walking step counter pays you cash for getting a move on. By swapping your sweat for coins — as the name suggests — the app converts your outdoor steps into gadgets, fitness kits, services, and experiences. You can also donate your Sweatcoins to partnering charities. Once you download the app, it tracks and verifies your steps using your phone’s accelerometers and GPS location. Then, it converts those steps into Sweatcoins. Every 1,000 steps you take outside equals 0.95 Sweatcoin, which adds up if you keep moving.
Foap
Use Foap to turn your photos into dollars. The app lets you upload your photo collection and sell it to well-known brands. Buyers of the app’s photos include Bank of America, Air Asia, Pepsi, and many more. Foap also distributes your photos through partners like Getty Images to help you sell even more — and make more cash. With Foap, you can upload as many images as you want in the hopes that they’ll sell. Then, you receive a 50% commission each time someone buys a picture. Feedback via the app is a nice touch and allows for input from a growing international community of photographers. If you got into photography for the camaraderie rather than the money and fame, the forum is even more enjoyable.
Slidejoy
Slidejoy pays you for checking your notifications or skimming the latest headlines. Once you register, you will receive a “card” with news or an advertisement every time you unlock your phone. Slide up to see more or right to close out of the app and access your home screen. By swiping left, you can see more information, while a swipe down opens your notifications. You don’t have to slide left to make money, either. You can use your phone as you usually would, and the cash will add up.
Editors' Recommendations
- Surprise Apple sale brings big discounts on iPad and Apple Watch
- These Android apps are spying on you — and there’s no easy way to stop them
- What is 5G? Speeds, coverage, comparisons, and more
- The best iPhone 12 Pro cases: 15 greatest ones you can buy
- One of last year’s most luxurious smartwatches finally has Wear OS 3
