Are you looking for legit money making apps? We all need some extra money from time to time. Maybe you’re trying to pay off debt, contribute to your investments, or even just save up to buy that new thing you’ve been wanting.
With that said, if you’re like the rest of us, you probably spend a lot of time on your phone playing games, browsing social media, and so on.
While this is an okay way to pass the time, why not spend your valuable time making money instead?
When you think of money making apps, you probably think of survey sites like Swagbucks. While we have included a few of these on our list, we have also include money making apps that help you make money through cash back, investing, selling stuff, freelancing, and more.
Legit Money Making Apps
The following 21 apps are great for making extra money when you’re on your phone just passing the time.
Some of the apps will pay you to give your opinion, some will help you earn cash back, some will help you pick up a side gig, some will provide a platform for you to sell your unwanted stuff, and much more.
Alright, let’s get started.
1. Ibotta
Founded in 2011, Ibotta is a well-known cashback rebates app that also helps users save on groceries.
The Ibotta app is available for both in-store and online purchases. Simply download their mobile app on your phone and install their browser extension on your computer.
After purchasing an offer, simply scan your receipt with their app or browser extension to earn cash back. You will also receive a welcome bonus after redeeming your first few offers.
2. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie may just be the most popular online market research app that will pay you to take surveys.
It currently has countless surveys you can take and millions of users.
You can redeem the points you earn for cash via PayPal or an e-giftcard to Amazon, Walmart, iTunes, and more.
3. Swagbucks
Similar to Survey Junkie, Swagbucks is another well-known market research app that will pay you to take online surveys and may just be one of the best.
However, you can also earn by shopping online, watching videos, browsing the web, and more. As seen in the screenshot above, you will also receive a $10 bonus just for signing up.
Swagbucks has currently paid its members over $667,000,000 since its founding.
4. OfferUp
Formerly known as LetGo, OfferUp functions as a mobile-first online marketplace that lets you sell stuff locally. Because of this, it’s a great option to sell stuff that’s too heavy to ship, such as gym equipment, furniture, and so on.
However, OfferUp does allow shipping, so it’s also a great option to sell other stuff like electronics, toys, clothing, shoes, and much more. Simply take a few pictures, write a description, and then list your item for sale.
One aspect of this app that sets it apart from the rest, is that you can view buyer ratings to get an idea of who you’re dealing with beforehand. Unlike a different marketplace like Craigslist, where you have no idea who you’re meeting up with.
5. Upwork
Upwork is a freelancing platform that helps freelancers find gigs in services like writing and translating, design and creative, sales and marketing, development and IT, and hundreds of other categories.
Not only will Upwork allow you to set your preferred rate and schedule, it also helps take the time out of finding clients, establishing relationships, receiving payment, and much more.
6. OnMyWay
We love OnMyWay because of its mission. OnMyWay is a mobile app that will pay you to drive without texting or using your phone.
By downloading their app, it will track your driving and pay you for every mile you don’t use your phone. However, you can still make and receive calls via in-car Bluetooth. Even if you’re a passenger, you will still get paid.
According to their website, they have prevented over 27,000 car accidents and have saved over 180 lives.
7. Mistplay
Known as “The #1 Loyalty Program for Mobile Gamers,” Mistplay is a gaming app that lets you earn rewards for playing games.
Once you earn enough points, which are known as units, you can exchange them for a gift card to Amazon, Google, iTunes, PlayStation, and much more.
Unfortunately, Mistplay is only available on Android devices. It currently has over 4 stars and more than 242,000 reviews.
8. Rakuten
Previously known as Ebates, Rakuten is a popular cashback rebates app that is similar to Ibotta. However, unlike Ibotta, Rakuten is only available for online purchases.
With that said, you can earn significant cash back on almost anything when you shop through their online shopping portal. They are currently partnered with more than 3,500 stores.
You will also receive a $10 welcome bonus after spending your first $25.
Once you have created an account, simply visit their website when you’re shopping online and then select the store you would like to make a purchase from.
Whenever you make a purchase through their shopping portal, cash back will be automatically added to your cash back balance.
9. MobileXpression
MobileXpression is a market research company that will pay you to track and gather your internet usage data for the purpose of market research.
All you have to do is install their software onto your mobile device. Once you’ve had their software installed on your device for a week, you will receive a $5 Amazon e-giftcard. After that, the longer you participate, the more you will earn.
10. InboxDollars
Somewhat similar to Survey Junkie and Swagbucks, InboxDollars is also a market research app that will pay you to take online surveys.
You can also make money by watching video ads, shopping online, playing games, and completing other tasks. You will also receive a $5 welcome bonus just for signing up.
Once you reach the minimum cash out threshold of $30, you can request a payment via PayPal or opt for an e-gift card.
11. Piñata
We all receive loyalty points for almost everything we spend money on, such as gas, groceries, plane tickets, and so on, but not our biggest monthly expense: our rent payment.
Piñata is a rewards and credit building app that allows renters to earn rewards, save on their everyday expenses, and build their credit score.
12. Drop App
Somewhat similar to Rakuten, Drop is a cash back app for online shopping, food delivery services, and even reserving flights.
For every eligible purchase you make, drop points are automatically credit to your account. The points you earn can be exchanged for a gift card to Amazon, Walmart, Netflix, and Starbucks.
The Drop app currently has over 3 million users. It also has 4.5/5 stars on the App Store.
13. Steady
Steady is a gig economy app with a massive collection of part-time, hourly, and on-demand work opportunities.
As a side hustler on Steady, you can search this large collection of work opportunities according to your skills and location.
The app also providers members with income booster opportunities, savings incentives and discounts, and personalized earning insights.
14. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is an app that turns all your retail and restaurant purchases into savings. This is by far my favorite cash back app because it works at any store.
All you have to do is create an account and then use their mobile app to scan your receipts. You can also earn cash back from eReceipts in your email. Furthermore, you can also earn points by referring your friends
The cash back points you earn can be redeemed for gift cards and other rewards.
15. Fiverr
Fiverr is an online marketplace that helps freelancers find side hustle gigs by allowing them to offer their freelance services.
While there are other online marketplaces for freelance services, Fiverr is among the largest and most popular. Fiverr is also free to join.
Although you can offer nearly any freelance service on their platform, some of the most popular and lucrative are graphic design, copywriting, web development, translating, HR consulting and more.
16. MyPoints
One of the first rewards programs, MyPoints will pay you for answering surveys, shopping online and in-store, playing games, and more.
MyPoints is currently partnered with over 2,000 top retailers, such as Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, and many others.
As seen in the screenshot above, you will receive a welcome bonus of $10 for joining. However, you will have make a purchase of $20 or more within the first 30 days of signing up to receive it.
17. Acorns
Acorns is a financial technology and services company that will help you make money by automating your savings and investments.
The app will automatically round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest it into ETFs. For example, if you buy a coffee for $3.65, Acorns will round up the purchase to $4.00 and invest the $0.35.
You can also earn money by shopping with 350+ retailers that Acorns has partnered with.
18. KashKick
KashKick is a survey-style rewards app that that will pay you to answer surveys, shop online, watch videos, and surf the web, all of which are known as “missions.”
There isn’t a minimum number of missions you must complete in a day or a maximum, meaning you can complete as many as you want to maximize your earnings.
Once you reach the payout threshold of only $10, you can request payment via PayPal instead of having to choose a gift card.
19. Robinhood
Robinhood is a financial services company that makes investing exciting and offers a user-friendly app that is sleek and super easy to navigate.
As a customer, you will be able to make unlimited commission-free trades on stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and even options with a brokerage account.
You will also receive one free stock for just signing up and creating an account. There is no minimum deposit required to receive the stock.
20. Airbnb
Airbnb is a sharing economy app that lets people list space in their home for rent. This can be on the weekends, when you’re not home, or any other time you’d like.
All you have to do is create an account as a host, make the space look nice, take photos, and then list the space for rent on Airbnb.
According to Priceonomics, the average Airbnb host makes $924 per month.
21. Poshmark
Poshmark is a commerce marketplace that is tailored to buying and selling new or used clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Using the app, you can upload photos of your item, write a description, set a price, and then list it for sale. Once your item is bought, Poshmark will email you a prepaid shipping label for you to send the package.
Poshmark will also cover any lost packages and handle any issues between you and the buyer.
Final Thoughts on Legit Money Making Apps
There you have it, 21 legit money making apps you can use to make money in your spare time instead of browsing social media or playing games.
Now that we live in a world with countless ways to earn money online, money making apps are only going to become more common. In fact, hundreds of thousands of people search terms relating to these apps every single month.
While they won’t make you rich, they’re all a wonderful way to make some extra money to help you build an emergency fund, pay off debt, save, or even just buy something you want.
