Your smartphone isn’t just for scrolling social media and taking pictures anymore. With the right apps, it can become a legitimate income stream that fits into your daily routine. Whether you’re looking to earn a few extra bucks for coffee money or build a serious side hustle, there’s probably an app that matches your lifestyle and skills.
We’ve tested dozens of money-making apps and narrowed it down to the ones that actually pay decent money without wasting your time. Here’s what really works in 2025.
The Cash-Back Champions: Earn While You Spend
Ibotta – The Grocery Receipt Goldmine
Best for: Regular grocery shoppers who don’t mind scanning receipts Earnings potential: $5-50+ per month Minimum payout: $20
Ibotta has evolved way beyond just grocery cash back. Now you can earn on everything from clothing to entertainment, with over 2,000 participating retailers. The beauty is in its simplicity – shop like you normally do, then snap a photo of your receipt within 7 days.
Pro tips for maximizing earnings:
- Check the app before shopping to see available offers
- Stack with store loyalty programs for double rewards
- Use the browser extension for online purchases
- Take advantage of bonus offers during holidays
The reality check: You’ll typically earn 1-5% back on purchases, which adds up if you’re already buying these items. Don’t expect to get rich, but it’s genuinely free money for things you’re purchasing anyway.
Rakuten – The Online Shopping Must-Have
Best for: Online shoppers who remember to click through Earnings potential: $10-100+ per month Minimum payout: $5
Think of Rakuten as your cashback middleman for online shopping. With partnerships across thousands of retailers, you’ll find cash back opportunities at most places you already shop online.
Smart strategies:
- Install the browser extension so you never miss a deal
- Check for coupon codes before checking out
- Time major purchases around their quarterly “Big Fat Check” payouts
- Link your credit card for in-store earning at participating locations
The catch: You only get paid quarterly, so don’t expect instant gratification. But when that check arrives, it feels like found money.
Upside – Gas Money Made Easy
Best for: Regular drivers who can stick to participating stations Earnings potential: $10-30 per month Minimum payout: $1
With gas prices being what they are, Upside offers a welcome relief by providing cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurant purchases. The app claims users average $290 annually, which isn’t life-changing but covers a few tanks of gas.
Getting the most out of it:
- Check the app before driving to find the best cash-back rates nearby
- Combine with credit card rewards for double benefits
- Don’t drive out of your way for slightly better rates – the gas cost isn’t worth it
The Freelance Powerhouses: Turn Skills Into Cash
Fiverr – Quick Gigs, Quick Cash
Best for: Creative professionals and skilled freelancers Earnings potential: $50-1000+ per month Platform fee: 20% of earnings
Fiverr flipped the freelancing script by letting you post what you offer instead of bidding on jobs. From logo design to voice-overs to social media management, there’s a market for almost every skill.
Keys to Fiverr success:
- Start with competitive pricing to build reviews, then gradually increase rates
- Offer packages at different price points ($5, $25, $100+)
- Respond to messages quickly – speed matters for rankings
- Over-deliver on your first few orders to secure 5-star reviews
Real talk: The 20% fee stings, but the platform brings you customers you’d never find otherwise. Think of it as marketing costs you don’t have to handle yourself.
Upwork – The Professional Freelance Hub
Best for: Experienced professionals in writing, design, programming, marketing Earnings potential: $500-5000+ per month Platform fee: 10% sliding scale
Upwork caters to more professional, long-term freelance relationships. The clients here typically have bigger budgets and more complex projects than other platforms.
Upwork winning strategies:
- Craft a compelling profile that showcases specific results, not just skills
- Start with smaller projects to build your reputation and reviews
- Use your “Connects” wisely – only bid on jobs you’re genuinely qualified for
- Specialize in a niche rather than trying to be everything to everyone
The investment: You’ll spend Connects (credits) to submit proposals, so you need to be strategic about which jobs to pursue.
The Selling Specialists: Declutter for Dollars
Poshmark – Fashion Forward Cash
Best for: People with quality clothing, shoes, and accessories to sell Earnings potential: $50-500+ per month Platform fee: $2.95 for sales under $15, 20% for $15+
Poshmark turned closet cleanouts into a social experience. The platform handles shipping logistics, but you’ll need good photos and descriptions to stand out.
Poshmark success secrets:
- Take photos in natural light with clean backgrounds
- Share your listings daily to increase visibility
- Participate in “Posh Parties” for themed exposure
- Price items to leave room for negotiations (buyers love to make offers)
Time investment: Plan on spending 30-60 minutes per listing for photos, descriptions, and ongoing sharing.
OfferUp – Your Local Marketplace
Best for: Selling larger items, electronics, and furniture locally Earnings potential: $100-1000+ per month Platform fee: None for local sales, 12.9% for shipping
OfferUp combines the convenience of online listings with local pickup, making it perfect for items too big or valuable to ship easily.
Local selling tips:
- Meet buyers in safe, public locations
- Take multiple photos from different angles
- Research similar listings to price competitively
- Respond quickly to messages – timing matters in local sales
The Task Masters: Small Jobs, Steady Income
Swagbucks – The Micro-Task King
Best for: People with spare time who don’t mind low-paying tasks Earnings potential: $20-100 per month Minimum payout: $3 for some gift cards
Swagbucks offers the most variety in earning methods – surveys, watching videos, playing games, shopping, and web searching. It’s perfect for earning small amounts during downtime.
Maximizing Swagbucks:
- Focus on shopping cash back and surveys for the best return on time
- Run videos in the background while doing other activities
- Take advantage of sign-up bonuses and special promotions
- Don’t expect to make minimum wage – this is spare-time money
Premise – Location-Based Tasks
Best for: People in urban areas who enjoy exploring their community Earnings potential: $10-50 per month Minimum payout: $5
Premise pays you to collect local information – taking photos of businesses, reporting on events, or conducting simple surveys in your area.
Making it worthwhile:
- Check the app regularly for new tasks in your area
- Combine multiple tasks in one trip to maximize efficiency
- Read task requirements carefully to avoid rejections
The Smart Strategy: Maximizing Your App Portfolio
Stack Your Apps
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. The most successful app users combine multiple platforms:
- Shopping combo: Use Ibotta + Rakuten + cash-back credit card for triple rewards
- Freelance portfolio: List services on both Fiverr and Upwork to maximize exposure
- Selling strategy: Use Poshmark for clothes, OfferUp for electronics, and Facebook Marketplace for everything else
Time vs. Money Reality Check
Be honest about what your time is worth:
- High-skill freelancing (Upwork, Fiverr): $15-100+ per hour
- Selling quality items (Poshmark, OfferUp): $10-30 per hour
- Cash-back shopping (Ibotta, Rakuten): Essentially free money
- Surveys and micro-tasks (Swagbucks, Premise): $3-8 per hour
Tax Considerations
Once you’re earning $600+ annually from any platform, you’ll receive a 1099 form and need to report the income on your taxes. Keep track of:
- Business expenses (shipping supplies, phone costs, mileage)
- Payment processing fees
- Platform commission fees
Red Flags to Avoid
Skip these money-making apps:
- Anything requiring upfront payment or “starter kits”
- Apps promising unrealistic earnings ($100+ per day for simple tasks)
- Platforms with consistently poor reviews about payment issues
- MLM or pyramid scheme apps disguised as legitimate opportunities
Getting Started: Your First Week Action Plan
Day 1-2: Download and set up cash-back apps (Ibotta, Rakuten, Upside) Day 3-4: Create profiles on one freelance platform that matches your skills Day 5-6: List 5-10 items you want to sell on appropriate platforms Day 7: Track your first week’s earnings and decide which apps to focus on
The Bottom Line
The best money-making apps are the ones that fit seamlessly into your existing routine. You’re not going to retire from cash-back apps, but you can realistically earn an extra $100-500 per month with the right combination of platforms and consistent effort.
Start with one or two apps that align with what you’re already doing – shopping, working, or decluttering. Once you’ve got those down to a routine, you can expand your portfolio.
Remember, these apps work best as supplemental income, not primary income. But in a world where every dollar counts, turning your smartphone into a side hustle makes perfect financial sense.