Our ratings and reviews are not influenced by our advertising relationships, however, we may earn a commission from our partner links. This content is created independently of the TIME editorial team. Have more information.
If you’re looking for ways to balance your budget, there are plenty of apps out there that can help you make extra money or save money on purchases. These money-making apps make it easy to use your mobile device to do side hustles. , take online surveys, sell products you no longer use, reduce your bills, and much more. The most productive money-making apps allow you to sign up for free, get paid quickly, and set your own schedules. Here are our most sensible picks.
Swagbucks allows you to win kinks by completing undeniable responsibilities, such as taking surveys, gambling, watching videos, and searching the internet. You can also earn coins and exclusive deals and coupons when you shop at more than 1,500 physical and online stores (including grocery stores). ). It’s free to join, and you can redeem your issues for gift cards from stores like Amazon or Walmart or retrieve coins from PayPal.
Survey Junkey is an online market research community. As a member, you take surveys in exchange for virtual points, which you can immediately redeem for e-gift cards or PayPal payments. You will answer a few questions and create a profile to get started, then Survey Junkey will attach the corresponding surveys to you. You may not get rich by answering surveys, and the company stresses that this is rarely meant to update a full-time job. Still, he says he can earn $40 a month through taking 3 surveys a day.
FreeCash allows you to earn coins through gambling, taking surveys, watching videos, and much more. The online page says that you can earn up to $399. 89 per offer, users earn an average of $27. 90 per day. Once you’ve created a free account, you can explore a wide variety of offers, decide which one you like, follow the steps, and get paid in FreeCash coins (the $1000 worth of coins equals $1). From there, you can accumulate your rewards through PayPal, various cryptocurrencies, gift cards, or game pieces like Valorant and League of Legends.
Bark is a lead generation service that connects you with potential visitors. After you create a free Bark profile that describes its services, the platform alerts you when a promising prospect appears. You’ll use Bark credits if you need to reach a prospect. , with the charge based on the service, the price of the job, and the source and call in your area. After that, any new contact with the prospect is loose. The optional Elite Pro subscription helps you stand out, and the company claims that an additional visitor per month can more than cover the cost (a one-month free trial is available).
Acorns makes it easy to save and invest with little to no effort. The app rounds up the purchases you make from connected accounts, debit cards, and credit cards to the most reasonable dollar. Acorns then invests this small upgrade in a diversified portfolio of professional vendors. Controlled ex-replace-traded (ETF) budget. Acorns also offers a browser extension called “Earn” that helps you make money when you shop online. Subscriptions charge $3, $6, or $12 per month, depending on the plan and features you choose. .
Rocket Money (the same company behind Rocket Mortgage) is a money budgeting and tracking app that allows you to see all your money accounts in one place, create budgets, automate your savings, and monitor your credit score so you can save more, spend less, and stay (and stay) on track. The app is free, but you pay between $3 and $12 per month for premium services, adding subscription cancellation, chatting with an exconsistent in cash, and negotiating expenses (which collect 30-60% of your first-year savings).
DoorDash Dashers makes money by delivering products from restaurants, convenience stores, puppy stores, grocery stores, and more. To get started, register and apply online, set up your profile, and then schedule shifts or start starting right away. . You know when and how much you need to paint and you get a guaranteed base rate for any and all orders, as well as tips. You can set up single, automatic weekly invoices or get paid immediately after each sprint with no payment with DasherDirect Instant Pay.
Upside (formerly GetUpside) partners with businesses across the country to offer custom coins. While Upside offers coin return opportunities at restaurants and grocery stores, it is best known for helping other people save coins at the pump. Download the app, create an account, and allow Upside to access your location to view offerings in your area. From there, locate and claim the offers, pay with a credit or debit card, and submit your receipt or in-app registration. Upside validates your purchase, then you can withdraw your winnings to your bank account, PayPal, or a gift card.
Upwork is an independent marketplace that connects work staff with clients. Once you’ve registered and created a profile, you can submit projects and apply for jobs in almost any industry, job, and skill. You’ll bill clients and track their earnings on Upwork. , the payment method (direct deposit, PayPal, Payoneer, or wire transfer) and pay a separate 10% service payment on your winnings.
TradeStation is best known for its flagship desktop platform, but investors in the pass will appreciate its newly updated mobile app. With a fast and secure connection, the app offers complicated charts with real-time data, complex analytics, and a simplified way to order. interface, intuitive order tracking, account monitoring, and much more. You’ll also have access to pre-built favorites lists, news, analyst notes, and earnings calendars. The app supports trading stocks, options, futures, and cryptocurrencies, with the ability to transfer between live and sim trading environments.
M1 Finance is an ideal budget robo-advisor for self-directed investors who need to manage their investments, banking and lending in a single app. It offers as a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured savings account that earns 5% APY (as of November 2, 2023), a Visa credit card that pays up to 10% back, and tuition-free private loans can be worth it for anyone. Autonomous investors will appreciate M1’s competitive margin borrowing rates, virtual tools, and automated investment placement with dynamic rebalancing of their portfolio allocation.
Rakuten Rewards (formerly Ebates) offers cashback, deals, and coupons at over 3500 outlets in every aspect, from clothing and electronics to dining and rideshares. Create a free account in less than 30 seconds and start shopping for groceries on Rakuten. . com, the Rakuten app, or the browser extension. You can also link store offers to your credit card to get cash back in-store. Rakuten Rewards sends you an email when you add money to your account and get a payment each. and every 3 months by check or PayPal.
Decluttr is a resale app that allows you to sell media and generation products that you no longer use, such as old smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, DVDs, game consoles, and video games. To get started, download the app, search for the item you need to sell (or scan the barcode at your booth), and get an instant quote. If you accept, Decluttr will send you a loose UPS shipping label. Once Decluttr receives the item, you will be paid via direct deposit or PayPal within 24 hours. Or, if Decluttr does not accept the item for any reason, it will be returned to you free of charge.
It is imperative to set realistic expectations when using apps to make money. These aren’t get-rich-rich plans, and you may not earn enough to make ends meet. And, as a self-employed person, you may not get any benefits like Fitness Insurance, 401(k), or paid time off, and your earnings would possibly be sporadic.
Still, money-making apps can be a wonderful way to supplement your source of income while also enjoying the flexibility of setting your own schedule. Keep in mind that some combined apps can increase your earning potential. For example, if you drive for DoorDash, you can use Upside (or the DasherDirect prepaid visa) to save at the pump. Every detail counts when it comes to balancing your budget.
$0. 40 – $2
$1 – $3
$5 (500 points)
$10
N/A
There is a delay between when coins are generated from a coin making app and when they are obtained. Depending on the application, the delay can be 10 days or more. However, some apps have low minimum thresholds for requesting payments. For example, Survey Junkie allows you to withdraw coins with only $5 in profits. You may want to verify your bank account or PayPal main points before the app can send you coins, which can take several days.
Many money-making apps are safe. Valid maxims will be transparent about how they pay and about users. If you’re not sure about an app, study the company, read online user reviews, and check its ratings and download statistics on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Most money-making apps can’t be downloaded or used, but some offer in-store purchases to unlock premium features or charge a usage fee, which is periodically deducted from your earnings. Of course, some apps allow you to earn cash through discounts, which means having to spend money to make money. In those situations, ask yourself if you really want the item. It doesn’t make monetary sense to buy something you don’t want just to get a discount.
The data presented here is created independently of TIME’s editorial team. For more information, visit our About page.