55 money making apps that pay real money, from selling and gig apps to freelance, survey and cash back apps, each with its App Store rating, what it pays and how fast.
This is a list of 55 money making apps that pay real money, rated by their users on the App Store and checked against each app's own pay and payout pages.
I've made my living online since 2014, when my first virtual summit let me quit my bank job. Today I sell through Creator Store, an AI-powered store I built myself with the help of AI, and I've built the 700+ free tools on this site with Claude Code. You can read more in my story.
Most money making apps pay for a job, a sale or your time, and a few only save you money. So each app below shows its App Store rating, what it pays from its own pages, how fast it pays and who it fits, with pros, cons and a real example where one exists. Most of them work in the US, so check each app's country list first.
In this guide, you'll learn:
- What each kind of app really pays per hour, from the BLS and the apps' own pages
- 55 money making apps in seven groups, from selling and gig apps to surveys and cash back
- Which apps pay instantly, and which take weeks
- How to spot fake ratings and app scams
- How app income is taxed in the US
Pick the group that matches what you have now: a car, things to sell, a skill, spare time or spare space.
TL;DRKey takeaways
The 55 apps at a glance
Here's what each app is best for, what it pays and how soon, from each app's own pages:
- Best for
- Handmade and digital
- What it pays
- Your price, minus fees
- Payout
- Weekly, or daily
- Best for
- Selling almost anything
- What it pays
- Sale price, minus fees
- Payout
- Daily, or within 30 minutes
- Best for
- Clothes and shoes
- What it pays
- 80% of sales of $15+
- Payout
- Once the order is complete
- Best for
- Shipping almost anything
- What it pays
- 90% of the sale
- Payout
- After the sale
- Best for
- Vintage and streetwear
- What it pays
- Sale price, minus 3.3% + $0.45
- Payout
- After the sale
- Best for
- Selling locally
- What it pays
- Your price; 5% if shipped
- Payout
- In person, or after delivery
- Best for
- Local pickup deals
- What it pays
- Your price, in person
- Payout
- On the spot
- Best for
- Secondhand clothes
- What it pays
- 100% of your price
- Payout
- After the sale
- Best for
- Live auctions
- What it pays
- Sale price, minus 8% + processing
- Payout
- 1 to 2 business days
- Best for
- Selling textbooks
- What it pays
- The best buyback offer
- Payout
- 1 to 3 days after delivery
- Best for
- Driving people
- What it pays
- Fare per trip + tips
- Payout
- After each trip, or weekly
- Best for
- Rideshare driving
- What it pays
- Fare per ride + tips
- Payout
- After each ride, or Tuesdays
- Best for
- Food delivery
- What it pays
- $2 to $10+ per offer + tips
- Payout
- Weekly, daily or after each dash
- Best for
- Food delivery
- What it pays
- Fee per delivery + tips
- Payout
- Weekly, or Instant Pay
- Best for
- Grocery shopping
- What it pays
- Fee per order + tips
- Payout
- Weekly, or Instant Cashout
- Best for
- Package delivery
- What it pays
- $18 to $25 an hour for most
- Payout
- Set pay per block
- Best for
- Walmart deliveries
- What it pays
- Trip pay + tips
- Payout
- Instantly or weekly
- Best for
- Shopping and delivery
- What it pays
- Pay per order + tips
- Payout
- Up to 3 times a day, or Fridays
- Best for
- Handyman tasks
- What it pays
- Your hourly rate
- Payout
- After each task
- Best for
- Pet sitting
- What it pays
- 80% of your rates
- Payout
- 2 days after each service
- Best for
- Dog walking
- What it pays
- Your prices + tips
- Payout
- After each walk
- Best for
- Hourly shifts
- What it pays
- Over $20 an hour on average
- Payout
- Instantly, on eligible shifts
- Best for
- Short local jobs
- What it pays
- Hourly rate per job
- Payout
- Within 48 hours
- Best for
- Local service pros
- What it pays
- Your price, minus lead costs
- Payout
- Paid by your customers
- Best for
- Selling a service
- What it pays
- 80% of each order
- Payout
- 14 days after completion
- Best for
- Freelance clients
- What it pays
- Your rate, minus fees
- Payout
- 10 days after each week
- Best for
- Paid clipping
- What it pays
- About $1 per 1,000 views
- Payout
- Instantly, once approved
- Best for
- Selling to followers
- What it pays
- Your price, minus processing
- Payout
- Through Stripe or PayPal
- Best for
- Fan memberships
- What it pays
- 90% of what fans pay
- Payout
- When you ask, or the 5th
- Best for
- Short videos
- What it pays
- Rewards per qualified view
- Payout
- The 15th, past $50
- Best for
- Video creators
- What it pays
- 55% of long-video ads
- Payout
- Monthly, 21st to 26th
- Best for
- Reels creators
- What it pays
- Subscriptions, gifts, brand deals
- Payout
- Monthly, around the 21st
- Best for
- Live streaming
- What it pays
- Subs, Bits and ads
- Payout
- Once you pass $50
- Best for
- Testing websites
- What it pays
- A fee per test
- Payout
- PayPal, 14 days after
- Best for
- Research missions
- What it pays
- $25 to $150 on average
- Payout
- After approval
- Best for
- Usability tests
- What it pays
- $10 to $50 per study
- Payout
- After each study
- Best for
- Short surveys
- What it pays
- Points, cash at 1,000
- Payout
- PayPal, 7 to 10 days
- Best for
- Tiny surveys
- What it pays
- Up to $1 per survey
- Payout
- Per survey
- Best for
- Opinion polls
- What it pays
- Points per survey
- Payout
- At a set balance
- Best for
- Paid surveys
- What it pays
- $1 per 100 points
- Payout
- From $5
- Best for
- Renting your car
- What it pays
- 70% to 90% of each trip
- Payout
- After each trip
- Best for
- Renting a room
- What it pays
- Your price, minus 15.5%
- Payout
- Day after check-in
- Best for
- Renting storage
- What it pays
- Your price, minus 4.9% + 30¢
- Payout
- Each 30-day period
- Best for
- Renting your yard
- What it pays
- $5 to $15 per dog per hour
- Payout
- After each booking
- Best for
- Parking spots
- What it pays
- Hourly, monthly or event rates
- Payout
- After approval
- Best for
- In-store tasks
- What it pays
- $3 to $20 per job
- Payout
- To PayPal
Observa- Best for
- Store audits
- What it pays
- $6 to $25 per gig
- Payout
- Usually within 5 days
- Best for
- Property photos
- What it pays
- A fee per job
- Payout
- After approval
- Best for
- Small local tasks
- What it pays
- A fee per task
- Payout
- Instantly
- Best for
- Property checks
- What it pays
- $5 to $100 per Vue
- Payout
- PayPal, within 24 hours
- Best for
- Online shopping
- What it pays
- Cash back per store
- Payout
- Four times a year
- Best for
- Grocery cash back
- What it pays
- Cash back offers
- Payout
- From $20
- Best for
- Scanning receipts
- What it pays
- About $1 per 1,000 points
- Payout
- Gift cards, from 3,000
- Best for
- Gas cash back
- What it pays
- Cash back per purchase
- Payout
- Any time
- Best for
- Points on many tasks
- What it pays
- 1 cent per point
- Payout
- Within 10 business days
The ratings in each app's box below are its App Store score and number of ratings, checked on October 3, 2026.
What money making apps really pay per hour
Apps rarely publish an hourly rate, so here's what the work behind each kind pays, from the BLS and the apps' own figures:
- What the work pays
- $20.24 an hour, the median for taxi drivers
- Source
- BLS
- What the work pays
- $23.84 an hour, the median for maintenance and repair workers
- Source
- BLS
- What the work pays
- over $20 an hour on average
- Source
- Instawork
- What the work pays
- $18 to $25 an hour for most drivers
- Source
- Amazon Flex
- What the work pays
- $18.64 an hour, the median for driver/sales workers
- Source
- BLS
- What the work pays
- $17.00 an hour, the median for animal caretakers
- Source
- BLS
- What the work pays
- about $5 an hour, in one test
- Source
- Survey Leo
- What the work pays
- about $4 an hour at best
- Source
- No Hype Money
The BLS figures are for employed workers in May 2025, and app workers pay their own costs, like gas and car wear, out of what they earn. Surveys and reward apps pay far less per hour than any work with a car or a skill.
Are money making apps legit? What real users report
Most big money making apps are real businesses that pay real money, and their own help pages show what they pay. The problem is usually the gap between the ads and the pay.
Here's what people report on Reddit's r/sidehustle in 2026:
- Reward apps pay little per hour: one long-time user says Swagbucks "runs in the background" and brings in about $15 a month when they pay attention (Reddit).
- Delivery drivers say pay has dropped over the past couple of years, which is why one tried Field Agent's $3 store jobs on the side (Reddit).
- Renting out gear you own can pay steadily: one member rents a camera, a drone and a carpet cleaner on Fat Llama and local Facebook groups, and made more last year renting the $300 carpet cleaner than it cost (Reddit).
Fake "earn money" apps and job scams are real too. Americans reported losing $750.6 million to job and business opportunity scams in 2024 (FTC). Before you install an app, check these:
Apps that pay instantly
These apps can pay you the same day, from their own payout pages:
Uber- How fast it pays
- after every trip, with Instant Pay
- Source
- Uber
Lyft- How fast it pays
- after every ride, free to the Lyft Direct card
- Source
- Lyft
DoorDash- How fast it pays
- after every dash with Crimson, or daily with Fast Pay for $1.99
- Source
- DoorDash
Uber Eats- How fast it pays
- up to five or six times a day, with Instant Pay
- Source
- Uber
Instacart- How fast it pays
- right away, with Instant Cashout
- Source
- Instacart
Shipt- How fast it pays
- instantly, up to three times a day
- Source
- Shipt
Spark Driver- How fast it pays
- instantly, if you set up your account for it
- Source
- Spark Driver
Instawork- How fast it pays
- instantly, for eligible shifts
- Source
- Instawork
eBay- How fast it pays
- within 30 minutes on demand for eligible sellers, for a $2 fee
- Source
- eBay
Whop- How fast it pays
- instantly, once a clip payout is approved
- Source
- Whop
Ibotta- How fast it pays
- to PayPal within about 2 hours, from $20
- Source
- Ibotta
Instant payouts often cost a small fee each time, so a weekly payout keeps more of your money when you don't need it today.
The 55 apps come in seven groups, plus web platforms that pay more than most apps:
Sell things
These ten pay you when something you own, make or find sells.
Gig apps
These fourteen pay per ride, delivery, task or shift.
Freelance and creator
These nine pay for a skill or an audience.
Opinion and testing
These seven pay for surveys, tests and research.
Rent out what you own
These five pay for your car, room, garage or yard.
Tasks nearby
These five pay for quick store and property jobs.
Cash back
These five save you money on shopping you'd do anyway.
Web platforms
These pay more than most apps, with no app needed.
Apps that pay you to sell
These apps pay you when something you own, make or find sells. Fees and shipping decide what you keep, so each one shows its fees from its own pages.
1. Etsy
Etsy is the marketplace for handmade goods, vintage and digital downloads like printables and templates. Buyers come to Etsy to search, so a new shop can sell without an audience of its own.
What it pays: the price you set, minus Etsy's fees: $0.20 to list an item, 6.5% of each sale and a payment processing fee that depends on your country (Etsy). New sellers get paid weekly, every Monday, and can switch to daily, every two weeks or monthly (Etsy).
Example: Brenon Dopp's print-on-demand Etsy shop made $40 in its first month and $6,076 in its best month, October, in its first year, in December 2025.
Pros
- Buyers already search Etsy, so you don't need your own audience.
- Digital downloads deliver themselves, with nothing to ship.
Cons
- Listing, transaction and processing fees add up on each sale.
- Popular categories are crowded, so a niche matters.
Start: a little money · Paid: weekly by default, or daily · Age: 18+, or 13 to 17 through a parent's account
The marketplace for handmade, vintage and digital products, with buyers already searching.
2. eBay
eBay sells almost anything, new or used, from clothes and sneakers to electronics and collectibles, by auction or at a fixed price. It's where many resellers start.
What it pays: the sale price, minus eBay's selling fees. The money is usually available 1 to 2 days after the buyer pays, and eligible sellers can take an on-demand payout that usually arrives within 30 minutes, for a $2 fee (eBay).
Example: CNBC Make It profiled Rick Senko, who started by flipping a cellphone on eBay in 2008 and now brings in $6.5 million a year selling used clothes, in October 2025. The Nurse Flipper's reselling business sold $160,600 on eBay in 2025, about 63% of its sales (January 2026).
Pros
- Buyers search eBay for almost every kind of item.
- On-demand payouts can reach you within 30 minutes, for a $2 fee.
Cons
- Fees and shipping eat into thin margins.
- Returns and disputes take time to handle.
Start: free · Paid: daily, or on demand for eligible sellers · Age: 18+ on eBay
The biggest marketplace for used and new items, with fast payouts once you sell.
3. Poshmark
Poshmark is a marketplace for clothes, shoes and accessories. You list from your phone, ship with Poshmark's prepaid label, and buyers find you through search and shares.
What it pays: the sale price, minus Poshmark's fee: a flat $2.95 on sales under $15, and 20% on sales of $15 or more (Poshmark). You can cash out as soon as the order is complete (Poshmark).
Pros
- The prepaid shipping label makes shipping simple.
- There are no listing fees.
Cons
- The 20% fee on sales of $15 or more is high.
- Clothes can sell slowly without regular listing and sharing.
Start: free · Paid: once the order is complete
A clothes marketplace with a prepaid shipping label and no listing fees.
4. Mercari
Mercari lets you sell almost anything in the US by shipping it, from clothes to electronics, with a listing you can make from your phone in a few minutes.
What it pays: the sale price, minus a 10% selling fee on the item price and the shipping the buyer pays, a fee that applies to listings since January 6, 2025 (Mercari).
Example: EducatedHustler sold $1,346 on Mercari in seven days, and Mercari's fees took $134.60, in September 2026.
Pros
- Listing is free, and you pay only when an item sells.
- One flat fee makes pricing simple.
Cons
- The 10% fee also applies to the shipping the buyer pays.
- Buyers expect low prices, so margins can be thin.
Start: free
A simple app for selling and shipping almost anything, with one flat fee.
5. Depop
Depop is a fashion marketplace popular for vintage, streetwear and one-of-a-kind pieces.
What it pays: the sale price, minus payment processing. Sellers in the US pay no Depop selling fee, and Depop Payments charges 3.3% plus $0.45 per sale, with a 12% fee on sales from boosted listings (Depop).
Example: BriceIsNice made $1,897 reselling clothes on Depop in one week, in October 2025.
Pros
- US sellers pay no selling fee, only payment processing.
- Its buyers look for vintage and unique pieces.
Cons
- Boosting a listing costs 12% of the sale when it sells.
- It suits fashion, and little else.
Start: free
A fashion marketplace with no selling fee for US sellers.
6. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace lets you sell to people near you: you post an item, chat with buyers in Messenger, and meet them in person or ship it to them.
What it pays: the price you agree on. Shipped orders pay a selling fee of 5% per shipment, or $0.40 for shipments of $8 or less (Facebook), and local sales you're paid for in person don't go through Facebook at all.
Example: The Flip Shop made over $4,000 in profit in one month from five Facebook Marketplace flips, in December 2025.
Pros
- Local sales paid in person have no fee.
- Many buyers already use Facebook every day.
Cons
- Many messages lead nowhere, and no-shows happen.
- Meeting strangers needs care, so meet in a busy public place.
Start: free
The easiest way to sell to people nearby, with no fee on local sales.
7. OfferUp
OfferUp is a local buy-and-sell app. It ended nationwide shipping in September 2025, so you meet buyers in person and get paid on the spot (OfferUp).
What it pays: the price you agree on, paid in person. OfferUp calls cash the safest way to get paid, and warns against checks, gift cards, wire transfers and crypto (OfferUp).
Example: HustlerTaughtMe made $220 flipping an iPhone 14 on OfferUp in 30 minutes, in April 2026.
Pros
- You get paid on the spot, in person.
- Big items like furniture need no shipping.
Cons
- It's local only now, so buyers come from your area.
- Free listings have limits, and promotions cost extra.
Start: free · Paid: in person, at the sale
A local marketplace for quick, in-person sales.
8. Vinted
Vinted is a marketplace for secondhand clothes, shoes and accessories, where sellers don't pay a selling fee.
What it pays: the full price you set. Vinted says sellers keep 100% of what they earn (Vinted).
Pros
- Sellers keep 100% of the sale price.
- Listing is free.
Cons
- Buyers hunt for bargains, so expect offers below your price.
- It suits closet clear-outs more than high-volume reselling.
Start: free
A clothes marketplace where sellers keep 100% of the sale price.
9. Whatnot
Whatnot is a live shopping app: you sell cards, collectibles, sneakers, clothes and more on live video, and buyers bid in real time.
What it pays: the sale price, minus Whatnot's commission, which is 8% for standard US sellers and drops as low as 3% at higher sales tiers, plus payment processing of 2.9% plus 30 cents (Whatnot). Payouts usually arrive within 1 to 2 business days (Whatnot).
Example: Reaper Reviews sold $5,455 of Pokémon cards on Whatnot, about $1,455 more than the cards cost before taxes, fees and shipping, in March 2026.
Pros
- Live auctions can sell a lot of stock in one show.
- Payouts usually arrive within 1 to 2 business days.
Cons
- You need to be comfortable selling on camera.
- Commission and processing add up on low-priced items.
Start: a little money · Paid: 1 to 2 business days after a payout
Sell live on video, with buyers bidding in real time.
10. BookScouter
BookScouter compares what 30+ buyback vendors will pay for your books, especially textbooks. You scan the barcode, pick the best offer and mail the books with the vendor's prepaid label.
What it pays: the vendor's buyback price, with free shipping. Most vendors pay within one to three days of receiving and checking your books (BookScouter), by check or PayPal (App Store).
Pros
- Comparing 30+ vendors finds the best offer in seconds.
- Shipping is free with the vendor's prepaid label.
Cons
- Older editions often get low offers or none.
- Vendors pay wholesale prices, not retail.
Start: free · Paid: 1 to 3 days after the vendor gets your books
Compare buyback offers for your books from 30+ vendors.
Gig apps that pay per job
These pay you for each ride, delivery, task or shift. Most pay the fastest of any apps here, and many need a car.
11. Uber
Uber's driver app sends you ride requests while you're online, so you choose when to drive. You need a car that meets Uber's rules and a clean driving record.
What it pays: a fare per trip plus tips, and you can cash out after every trip with Instant Pay, or take weekly deposits (Uber). Employed taxi drivers, the closest job the BLS tracks, earn a median of $20.24 an hour (BLS, May 2025).
Example: Scott McKenna drove Uber like a 9-to-5 for three days: 51 trips and $550.13 in about 25 hours, roughly $22 an hour before gas, in January 2026.
Pros
- You choose your hours, down to a single trip.
- Instant Pay gets you paid after each trip.
Cons
- Gas, insurance and wear on your car come out of what you earn.
- Pay changes with demand, so slow hours earn less.
Start: a car · Paid: after each trip with Instant Pay, or weekly · Age: your state's minimum to drive for Uber, with 1 year of driving experience, or 3 years if you're under 25
Drive people on your own schedule, and cash out after every trip.
12. Lyft
Lyft works like Uber: you turn on the driver app when you want to drive and accept the rides that suit you.
What it pays: a fare per ride plus tips. Lyft caps its own fee at 30% of what riders pay and pays you an adjustment if it takes more in a month, and you can get free instant payouts after every ride to the Lyft Direct card, or weekly pay every Tuesday (Lyft).
Pros
- Lyft caps its own fee at 30% of what riders pay.
- Free instant payouts go to the Lyft Direct card.
Cons
- Car costs come out of your earnings.
- Some drivers run Lyft and Uber together to stay busy, which takes juggling.
Start: a car · Paid: after each ride to Lyft Direct, or every Tuesday
Rideshare driving with a cap on Lyft's fee and free instant payouts.
13. DoorDash
DoorDash pays Dashers to pick up and deliver orders from restaurants and stores, whenever you choose to dash.
What it pays: base pay per offer, from $2 to $10 or more depending on time, distance and demand, plus 100% of tips (DoorDash). Fast Pay sends your earnings once a day for $1.99, and the DoorDash Crimson account gets them after every dash with no fee (DoorDash).
Example: CNBC Make It met Shonnita Leslie, 40, who used DoorDash on the side to pay down about $20,000 of her six-figure student debt, in May 2024.
Pros
- You keep 100% of tips.
- Daily or after-each-dash payouts are available.
Cons
- Some offers pay little for the distance, so pick carefully.
- Car costs come out of your earnings.
Start: free · Paid: weekly, daily with Fast Pay, or after each dash with Crimson
Deliver food on your schedule, keep 100% of tips, and cash out daily.
I may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
14. Uber Eats
Uber Eats uses the same Uber driver app, so you can deliver food and switch between deliveries and rides.
What it pays: a fee per delivery, and you keep 100% of tips. You can cash out up to five or six times a day with Instant Pay, for a small fee (Uber).
Watch: Your Driver Mike tests Uber Eats deliveries and shows what each offer paid.
Pros
- One app covers both rides and deliveries.
- You keep 100% of tips.
Cons
- Instant Pay costs a small fee each time.
- Car costs come out of what you earn.
Start: free · Paid: weekly, or several times a day with Instant Pay
Deliver food with the Uber app, and cash out several times a day.
15. Instacart
Instacart pays shoppers to pick groceries in the store and deliver them to customers' doors.
What it pays: a fee per order plus tips, and you keep 100% of tips. Instacart pays weekly by direct deposit, and Instant Cashout gets you paid sooner (Instacart).
Example: Brandon Pack made about $636 in 30 days of Instacart shopping on days off and after work, in January 2026.
Pros
- You keep 100% of tips.
- Instant Cashout pays you the same day.
Cons
- Big orders take time and heavy lifting.
- Out-of-stock items and swaps slow you down.
Start: a car · Paid: weekly, or right away with Instant Cashout · Age: 18+ on Instacart
Shop and deliver groceries, keep your tips, and cash out right away.
16. Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex pays you to deliver Amazon packages in blocks of a few hours, booked ahead in the app, using your own car.
What it pays: a set amount per block, shown before you take it. Amazon says most Flex drivers earn $18 to $25 an hour, depending on where and when they drive (Amazon Flex).
Pros
- You see the pay for each block before you accept it.
- Blocks booked ahead fit around a job.
Cons
- Good blocks can go fast in busy areas.
- You need to be 21 or older.
Start: a car · Age: 21+ on Amazon Flex
Deliver Amazon packages in blocks, with the pay shown up front.
17. Spark Driver
Spark Driver is Walmart's delivery app: you deliver Walmart orders, and sometimes shop them too, on your own schedule.
What it pays: trip earnings that grow with the distance, plus incentives, and you keep 100% of customer-confirmed tips. Earnings can be deposited instantly or weekly, depending on how you set up your account (Spark Driver).
Pros
- You keep 100% of confirmed tips.
- Instant deposits are an option.
Cons
- Short trips pay less.
- Car costs come out of your earnings.
Start: a car · Paid: instantly or weekly, depending on your setup
Deliver Walmart orders, with instant or weekly payouts.
18. Shipt
Shipt pays shoppers to shop for and deliver orders from Target and other stores in the app.
What it pays: pay per order, based on the time and effort it takes, plus 100% of tips. You can access your pay instantly up to three times a day, or get a direct deposit every Friday for the week before (Shipt).
Pros
- You keep 100% of tips.
- Pay is available up to three times a day.
Cons
- Orders depend on demand near you.
- Car costs come out of your earnings.
Start: a car · Paid: instantly up to three times a day, or every Friday
Shop and deliver orders, with pay up to three times a day.
19. Taskrabbit
Taskrabbit connects you with people who need help with furniture assembly, mounting, moving, cleaning and handyman jobs, at the hourly rate you set for each kind of task.
What it pays: the hourly rate you set. Clients pay Taskrabbit's service fee on top of your rate (Taskrabbit), and you pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 registration fee to start (Taskrabbit).
Example: Nesto Works made $395 in one day from three handyman jobs on Taskrabbit, in May 2026.
Pros
- You set your own hourly rates.
- Clients pay the service fee, not you.
Cons
- The Tasker app rates 3.0 on the App Store.
- Getting booked takes time until you have reviews.
Start: a $25 registration fee
Get paid your own hourly rate for handyman and moving tasks.
20. Rover
Rover connects pet sitters and dog walkers with pet owners nearby. You choose your services, like walking, drop-in visits or overnight sitting, and set your own prices.
What it pays: the rates you set, minus Rover's 20% service fee, so you take home 80% (Rover). A profile review costs $49 to $79, depending on where you live (Rover), and payments show up two days after you complete a service (Rover).
Example: Rachel Cole made £4,886 in a first year of dog sitting through Rover in the UK, in February 2026.
Pros
- You set your own prices and services.
- Payments arrive two days after each service.
Cons
- Rover keeps 20% of each booking.
- The profile review costs $49 to $79 up front.
Start: a $49 to $79 profile review · Paid: two days after each service
Pet sitting and dog walking on your terms, keeping 80% of each booking.
21. Wag
Wag connects dog walkers and pet sitters with owners who book walks, drop-ins and overnight stays in the app.
What it pays: the prices you set as a caregiver (Wag), and you keep 100% of tips (App Store).
Pros
- You keep 100% of tips.
- Walks are short, so they fit between other things.
Cons
- Bookings depend on how many owners use Wag near you.
- Pay depends on each booking, so check it before you accept.
Start: free
Walk dogs nearby, set your prices and keep 100% of tips.
22. Instawork
Instawork fills shifts at restaurants, warehouses, events and stores. Businesses post shifts, and you pick the ones that fit your week.
What it pays: an hourly rate that depends on the market and the job. Instawork says the average across all US markets and jobs is over $20 an hour, and eligible shifts pay instantly (Instawork).
Pros
- You choose shifts from a few hours to a few months.
- Eligible shifts pay instantly.
Cons
- Shifts depend on businesses near you.
- Many shifts are physical work, like serving or warehouse jobs.
Start: free · Paid: instantly for eligible shifts
Pick hourly shifts at local businesses, with instant pay on eligible ones.
23. Wonolo
Wonolo offers short jobs in warehouses, delivery, events and more, which you accept in the app.
What it pays: an hourly rate set for each job. Wonolo says 98% of jobs are paid within 48 hours (Wonolo).
Pros
- Most jobs pay within 48 hours.
- You can take one job or many.
Cons
- Jobs depend on what's posted near you.
- Many jobs are physical work.
Start: free · Paid: within 48 hours for 98% of jobs
Take short local jobs, with most paid within 48 hours.
24. Thumbtack
Thumbtack is for people with a service to sell, like cleaning, photography, tutoring or repairs. Customers post what they need, and you pay to receive their leads.
What it pays: whatever you charge customers. You set your lead prices and a weekly budget, and you pay for each lead that matches your preferences, whether or not you win the job (Thumbtack).
Pros
- Customers come to you with a job in mind.
- A weekly budget caps what you spend on leads.
Cons
- You pay for leads even when you don't get the job.
- Lead costs can eat the profit on small jobs.
Start: a little money for leads
Get leads for your local service business, within a budget you set.
Freelance and creator apps
These pay for a skill or an audience: services you sell, or content people watch and pay for. They take the longest to start and can pay the most.
25. Fiverr
Fiverr lets you sell a service as a fixed-price package, like a logo, a video edit or a voiceover. Buyers find your gig and order without a long hiring process.
What it pays: the price of your gig, minus Fiverr's cut: you earn 80% of each order, including extras and tips (Fiverr). Earnings clear 14 days after an order is complete, or 7 days for Top Rated sellers (Fiverr).
Pros
- Buyers come to you through Fiverr's search.
- Fixed-price gigs make pricing simple.
Cons
- Fiverr keeps 20% of each order, tips included.
- Earnings wait 14 days after each order before you can withdraw.
Start: free · Paid: 14 days after each order, or 7 for Top Rated sellers · Age: 18+ to withdraw, or 13 to 17 through a parent's account
Sell fixed-price service gigs to buyers who are already searching.
26. Upwork
Upwork is a marketplace where clients post freelance jobs, from writing and design to development, and you send proposals to win them.
What it pays: an hourly rate or a fixed price you agree with the client. Upwork pays hourly work 10 days after each weekly billing period, and fixed-price work after the client approves it, plus a five-day security hold (Upwork).
Example: Michael Elliott made $111,000 from one Upwork client, and explains why the hourly contract still capped his income, in May 2026.
Pros
- Clients post jobs with budgets, so you can choose.
- Long contracts can turn one client into steady income.
Cons
- Winning the first jobs takes many proposals.
- Hourly pay arrives 10 days after each work week.
Start: free · Paid: 10 days after each work week for hourly work · Age: 18+ on Upwork
Find freelance clients who post jobs with budgets.
I may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
27. Whop
Whop is a marketplace for digital products and communities, and its Content Rewards let creators and brands pay you for views on clips you post.
What it pays: a rate per 1,000 views, set by each campaign. Whop says clippers earn $1 per 1,000 views on average, with campaigns paying from $0.08 to $8, and approved payouts are instant (Whop).
Example: Matt The Method made $20,622.08 clipping through Whop, in August 2026.
Pros
- You don't need your own audience to start.
- Approved payouts are instant.
Cons
- Clips that don't get views earn nothing.
- Rates vary a lot from campaign to campaign.
Start: free · Paid: instantly, once a payout is approved
Get paid per view for clips you post, from creators and brands.
I may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
28. Stan Store
Stan Store is a link-in-bio store for creators: you sell digital products, coaching calls and courses from one page you link in your social profiles.
What it pays: the price of what you sell. Stan's Creator plan costs $29 a month and Creator Pro $99, with no transaction fees beyond payment processing (Stan).
Example: Arlan Hamilton crossed $1,000,000 in sales on Stan Store, live on video, in September 2026.
Pros
- No transaction fees beyond payment processing.
- One page holds everything you sell.
Cons
- The plan costs $29 a month, even before your first sale.
- You need followers to send to your store.
Start: $29 a month
A link-in-bio store for selling digital products to your followers.
29. Patreon
Patreon lets fans pay you every month for extras, like bonus videos, early access or a community, and you can sell one-off digital products too.
What it pays: monthly memberships and one-time sales. Patreon keeps 10% of what you earn, plus payment processing (Patreon), and pays out when you ask or automatically on the 5th of each month (Patreon).
Watch: Patreon's own channel, with creator Jake Doubleyoo, on the ways to earn on Patreon.
Pros
- Monthly memberships repeat, so income is steadier.
- You choose what members get.
Cons
- Patreon keeps 10% plus processing.
- You need fans who already like your work.
Start: free · Paid: when you ask, or on the 5th of each month
Get paid monthly by fans for extras and one-off products.
30. TikTok
TikTok pays creators through its Creator Rewards Program, and many creators add brand deals and affiliate links.
What it pays: rewards for qualified views on videos of at least 1 minute, through the Creator Rewards Program, once you have 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days. TikTok pays on the 15th of each month once you pass $50 (TikTok).
Example: Abigail Z. Robinson was paid $2,347 by TikTok's Creator Rewards Program, in May 2026.
Pros
- Short videos can reach new people fast.
- Brand deals come once you have a following.
Cons
- You need 10,000 followers before TikTok pays.
- Only videos of 1 minute or longer earn rewards.
Start: free · Paid: monthly on the 15th, once you pass $50 · Age: 18+ for the Creator Rewards Program
Earn from views on videos of a minute or longer, once you qualify.
31. YouTube
YouTube pays creators a share of the ads on their videos once they join the YouTube Partner Program, and many add memberships, sponsors and their own products.
What it pays: 55% of the ad revenue on your long videos and 45% of your share of Shorts ads (YouTube), once you have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in a year, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days (YouTube).
Example: Becca Farsace made $151,570 in a first full year as a YouTuber, with $15,513.84 of it from YouTube's ad share and most of the rest from sponsors, in October 2025.
Pros
- Old videos keep earning as people find them.
- Sponsors and memberships can pay more than ads.
Cons
- It can take months to reach 1,000 subscribers.
- Ad pay depends on your topic and viewers.
Start: free · Paid: monthly, between the 21st and 26th · Age: 18+, or a parent or guardian through AdSense
Earn a share of the ads on your videos, plus sponsors and memberships.
32. Instagram
Instagram pays creators through subscriptions, gifts on Reels and invite-only bonuses, and many creators earn more from brand deals and affiliate links.
What it pays: subscriptions, gifts and bonuses through Instagram's own tools, paid around the 21st of each month once you pass $5 in the US (Instagram), plus whatever brands pay you directly.
Example: Allison of The Simple Table reached 100,000 followers and made $575 from 11 brand deals and $437 from affiliate links in 2025, in September 2026.
Pros
- Brands pay for posts once you have an engaged following.
- Subscriptions add monthly income from your biggest fans.
Cons
- Bonuses are invite-only.
- Instagram's own payouts are small for many creators.
Start: free · Paid: monthly, around the 21st
Earn from subscriptions, gifts and brand deals on Instagram.
33. Twitch
Twitch pays streamers from subscriptions, Bits and ads once they're Affiliates, and big streamers add sponsors.
What it pays: subscriptions, Bits and ads. Twitch makes you an Affiliate, able to get paid, once you stream 4 hours on 4 different days with at least 3 viewers on average and have 25 followers, and it pays out once you pass $50 (Twitch).
Example: Feinberg, a Minecraft streamer, says Twitch pays about $1,000 a day, in March 2026.
Pros
- You can become an Affiliate with just 25 followers.
- Viewers can pay you live.
Cons
- Most new streamers have few viewers for a long time.
- Streaming takes long hours live.
Start: free · Paid: once you pass $50
Stream live and earn from subscriptions, Bits and ads.
Apps that pay for your opinion and testing
These pay you to answer surveys, test websites or join research. Research studies pay well when you qualify, and surveys pay a few dollars an hour.
34. UserTesting
UserTesting pays you to try websites and apps while you talk through what you think, recorded on your screen.
What it pays: a fee per test. UserTesting sends each payment to PayPal 14 days after you upload the test (UserTesting).
Pros
- Tests are short and done from home.
- You can test on a computer or a phone.
Cons
- Tests can fill up fast, so you check often.
- The app rates 2.9 on the App Store.
Start: free · Paid: by PayPal, 14 days after each test · Age: 18+ for PayPal in the US
Get paid to test websites and apps, by PayPal.
35. dscout
dscout pays you to join research missions from companies: diary studies, video interviews and usability tests on your phone.
What it pays: a reward per mission. dscout says missions pay $25 to $150 on average, with diary studies from $50 to $200 and usability tests from $10 to $50 (dscout).
Pros
- Missions pay more than most surveys.
- You take part from your phone.
Cons
- You qualify through a screener first.
- Missions depend on your profile.
Start: free · Paid: after the team approves your entries
Join paid research missions, from diaries to interviews.
36. Userlytics
Userlytics pays testers to complete usability studies on websites and apps, usually by recording your screen and your voice.
What it pays: $10 to $50 per study, by Userlytics' own range (Userlytics).
Example: Lets Learn AI & Digital Marketing made $140 from Userlytics studies in India, with payment proof, in April 2026.
Pros
- Each study pays a set amount.
- Studies are done from home.
Cons
- Studies depend on your profile.
- You record your screen and voice.
Start: free
Earn $10 to $50 per usability study.
37. Meta Viewpoints
Meta Viewpoints is Meta's own research app: you answer surveys and join studies about its apps, and earn points.
What it pays: points that turn into PayPal cash or gift cards at set thresholds, like 1,000 points. PayPal payments arrive within 7 to 10 days (Meta), and rewards are capped at $599 a calendar year (Meta).
Pros
- It's Meta's own app, not a third party.
- Surveys are short.
Cons
- Rewards are capped at $599 a year.
- Studies depend on your profile.
Start: free · Paid: by PayPal, 7 to 10 days after you redeem
Answer Meta's own surveys for PayPal cash or gift cards.
38. Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards sends you quick surveys from Google and its partners now and then.
What it pays: up to $1 per completed survey, paid to your PayPal account on iPhone (App Store), or as Google Play or PayPal credit (Google).
Example: Andy Zhong earned $130+ in total from Google Opinion Rewards, with payment proof, in December 2025.
Pros
- Surveys take seconds.
- It's run by Google.
Cons
- Surveys arrive only now and then, so totals stay small.
- On Android, rewards are often Google Play credit, not cash.
Start: free · Paid: per survey, to PayPal or Google Play
Answer quick Google surveys for PayPal cash or Play credit.
39. YouGov
YouGov is a polling company that gives panel members points for surveys on news, brands and everyday life.
What it pays: points for each survey, which you redeem for cash or gift cards once you reach a set balance (YouGov).
Example: SIRWILLY made £50 from YouGov surveys in the UK, with proof, in November 2025.
Pros
- It's a well-known polling company.
- Surveys cover news and everyday topics.
Cons
- Reaching the cash-out balance can take a while.
- Points vary by survey length.
Start: free
Earn points for polls and surveys, then cash out.
40. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie gives you points for surveys you qualify for, with cash outs to PayPal, your bank or gift cards.
What it pays: points worth $1 per 100, with cash outs from $5 by PayPal, bank transfer or gift card (Survey Junkie).
Example: Survey Leo tested Survey Junkie with a fresh account and earned about $5 an hour, in August 2026.
Pros
- You can cash out from $5.
- PayPal and bank transfers are options.
Cons
- You'll get screened out of many surveys.
- Hourly pay is low.
Start: free · Paid: from $5, by PayPal, bank or gift card
Earn points for surveys and cash out from $5.
Apps that rent out what you own
These pay you for things you already have: a car, a room, a garage or a yard. They need little time once set up, and they bring wear and strangers.
41. Turo
Turo lets you rent out your car to travelers and locals, at the price and times you set.
What it pays: a share of each trip's price that depends on the earnings plan you pick: 70%, 80% or 90%, with more of any damage cost on you as your share goes up (Turo).
Example: Turo Hustle says its seven cars made $14,000+ in one month, and shows the costs behind it, in October 2025.
Pros
- You set the price and when the car is available.
- Each earnings plan includes liability insurance.
Cons
- Cleaning, handoffs and wear take time and money.
- Higher earnings plans leave more of the damage cost to you.
Start: a car
Rent out your car and keep 70% to 90% of each trip.
42. Airbnb
Airbnb lets you rent out a spare room, a guest house or your entire home to travelers.
What it pays: the nightly price you set, minus Airbnb's fee, which is 15.5% for most hosts under its single service fee (Airbnb). Airbnb starts your payout by the end of the business day after your guest checks in, or 28 days after check-in until you've completed two stays (Airbnb).
Example: Kristen and Michael's Airbnb business brought in $3,198 to $7,725 a month in early 2025, and costs about $40,000 a year to run, in December 2025.
Pros
- You're paid the business day after check-in.
- You set the price and the nights.
Cons
- Cleaning and guest messages take steady work.
- Local rules can limit short-term rentals, so check yours.
Start: a spare room · Paid: the business day after check-in
Rent out a room or a home, paid the day after check-in.
43. Neighbor
Neighbor lets you rent out space you don't use, like a garage, a closet, a driveway or a parking spot, as storage.
What it pays: the monthly price you set, minus a processing fee of 4.9% plus 30 cents. Listing is free (Neighbor), and you're paid at the end of each 30-day rental period (Neighbor).
Pros
- Listing is free.
- Renters pay monthly, so the income repeats.
Cons
- Renters need access to your space now and then.
- Demand depends on where you live.
Start: free · Paid: after each 30-day rental period
Rent out a garage, closet or driveway for monthly income.
44. Sniffspot
Sniffspot lets you rent your yard or land to dog owners by the hour, as a private place for their dogs to run.
What it pays: the hourly price you set, and most spots charge $5 to $15 per dog per hour (Sniffspot). Hosting is free to start, and Sniffspot says some hosts earn $3,000 or more a month (Sniffspot).
Pros
- Hosting is free to start.
- Host protection insurance comes with it.
Cons
- Bookings depend on dog owners near you.
- Guests and their dogs come onto your property.
Start: free
Rent your yard to dog owners by the hour.
45. SpotHero
SpotHero is a parking app with spaces from garages and lots, and individuals can apply to list a spot as independent sellers.
What it pays: hourly, monthly or event rates for your space, once SpotHero approves your listing request (SpotHero).
Pros
- Drivers book and pay in the app.
- You can rent by the hour, the month or for events.
Cons
- SpotHero reviews each seller before listing.
- It fits best near busy areas, like stadiums or downtown.
Start: free
Apply to rent out your parking spot to drivers.
Task and mystery shopping apps
These pay small amounts for quick jobs near you, like store checks and property photos. They suit people who are out and about anyway.
46. Field Agent
Field Agent pays you to do quick jobs in stores, like checking prices, taking shelf photos or buying a product to review.
What it pays: a fee per job. Field Agent's listing says location jobs generally pay $3 to $20 and that it has paid out over $20 million (App Store), and you cash out to PayPal.
Example: Gigsberg did about 160 Field Agent gigs in a month for about $650, mostly $3 jobs, in February 2026.
Pros
- Jobs take minutes, often at stores you already visit.
- Some jobs reimburse a purchase.
Cons
- Most jobs pay $3, so it adds up slowly.
- Store staff may not like shelf photos, so stay polite and safe.
Start: free
Get paid for quick store checks and shelf photos.
47. Observa
Observa pays you for gigs in stores, like checking displays, prices and stock, with photos in the app.
What it pays: $6 to $25 per gig, usually paid within 5 days, and Observa says it has paid more than $500,000 to its Observers (App Store).
Example: Gigsberg walked through a real $15 Observa gig, step by step, in November 2025.
Pros
- Each gig shows its pay up front.
- Payment usually comes within 5 days.
Cons
- Gigs depend on stores near you.
- Small gigs pay little for the drive.
Start: free · Paid: usually within 5 days
48. ProxyPics
ProxyPics pays you to take photos of homes and buildings for lenders, insurers and property managers, with jobs on a map in the app.
What it pays: a fee per job. After the client approves your photos, which usually takes 24 to 48 hours, the money goes to your wallet in the app (ProxyPics).
Example: Daily Earn Deals compared ProxyPics, iVueit and WeGoLook, with public rate examples of up to $125 a job, in July 2026.
Pros
- Jobs are near you, on a map.
- Photo jobs take little time on site.
Cons
- Jobs depend on where you live.
- Photographing homes takes care and good manners.
Start: free · Paid: after the client approves, usually 24 to 48 hours
Get paid to photograph homes and buildings near you.
49. Premise
Premise pays you for small tasks, like taking photos of places and answering surveys, in many countries.
What it pays: a fee per task, paid instantly by PayPal, Payoneer or Bitcoin, depending on what's available in your country (Premise).
Pros
- Payouts are instant.
- PayPal, Payoneer or Bitcoin, depending on your country.
Cons
- Tasks pay small amounts.
- Tasks depend on where you live.
Start: free · Paid: instantly, by PayPal, Payoneer or Bitcoin
Earn small amounts for local photo and survey tasks, paid instantly.
50. iVueit
iVueit pays you to visit nearby properties and stores and answer a short survey with photos, called a Vue.
What it pays: $5 to $100 per Vue, depending on the job (App Store), and your wallet goes to PayPal within 24 hours of approval (iVueit).
Pros
- Some Vues pay well for a short visit.
- PayPal payouts come within 24 hours.
Cons
- Vues depend on where you live.
- Each one needs photos and a survey done right.
Start: free · Paid: to PayPal within 24 hours of approval
Earn $5 to $100 per property check, paid to PayPal.
Cash back and reward apps (savings, not income)
These pay you back on money you spend anyway. They're worth having, but they save you money rather than earn it.
51. Rakuten
Rakuten gives you cash back when you shop online at partner stores through its app or browser extension.
What it pays: a percentage of what you spend at each store. Rakuten sends a Big Fat Check, by check or PayPal, four times a year once you have more than $5 in cash back (Rakuten).
Example: Money with Andrey got back over $450 in a year of Rakuten cash back, in May 2026.
Pros
- It pays on shopping you'd do anyway.
- PayPal is an option.
Cons
- It's savings, not income.
- Payouts come only four times a year.
Start: free · Paid: four times a year, past $5
Get cash back on online shopping, paid four times a year.
52. Ibotta
Ibotta gives you cash back on groceries and everyday shopping when you link store loyalty accounts or upload receipts.
What it pays: cash back offers on what you buy. You can withdraw to PayPal or gift cards once you reach $20, and PayPal payments usually arrive within 2 hours (Ibotta).
Pros
- PayPal payouts arrive fast.
- It works on groceries you already buy.
Cons
- You need $20 before you can withdraw.
- It's savings, not income.
Start: free · Paid: from $20, to PayPal within about 2 hours
Get cash back on groceries, withdrawn to PayPal from $20.
53. Fetch
Fetch gives you points for scanning your shopping receipts, which you trade for gift cards.
What it pays: points worth about $1 in gift cards per 1,000, with most rewards starting at 3,000 points (Fetch). Points expire if your account is inactive for 90 days (Fetch).
Example: Mo' Budgets & Adventures earned $238 in rewards with Fetch and uses them for travel, in May 2026.
Pros
- Any receipt can earn points.
- Small gift cards start at $3.
Cons
- It pays in gift cards, not cash.
- Points expire after 90 days without activity.
Start: free · Paid: in gift cards, from 3,000 points
Scan receipts for points you trade for gift cards.
54. Upside
Upside gives you cash back on gas, groceries and restaurants at partner locations, on top of your card's own rewards.
What it pays: cash back on each claimed purchase, with no minimum to cash out, to your bank, PayPal or gift cards. Upside says frequent users average $255 in their first year (Upside).
Pros
- There's no minimum to cash out.
- It stacks on top of your card's rewards.
Cons
- Offers apply only at partner locations.
- It's savings, not income.
Start: free · Paid: any time, with no minimum
Get cash back on gas and groceries, with no cash-out minimum.
55. Swagbucks
Swagbucks gives you points, called SB, for surveys, shopping, games and videos, which you redeem for gift cards or PayPal cash.
What it pays: points worth a cent each: a $3 gift card costs 300 SB (Swagbucks). Swagbucks says over 15 million members have cashed out nearly $700 million (Swagbucks), and rewards usually arrive within 10 business days (Swagbucks).
Example: No Hype Money worked out that a typical Swagbucks survey pays 50 cents to $1.50 for 10 to 20 minutes, about $4 an hour at best, in September 2026. On r/sidehustle, one long-time user puts it at about $15 a month when paying attention (Reddit, May 2026).
Pros
- There are many ways to earn, from shopping to surveys.
- Gift cards start small, at $3.
Cons
- Hourly pay is low.
- Surveys often screen you out.
Start: free · Paid: usually within 10 business days of redeeming
Earn points for surveys and shopping, then redeem for gift cards or PayPal.
Web platforms that pay more than most apps, with no app
Some of the best-paying ways to earn from your phone or laptop aren't apps at all. These run in the browser and pay well when you qualify:
DataAnnotation- What it pays
- $25 to $50 an hour for generalists, and $40 to $150+ for coders and other experts (DataAnnotation)
- Payout
- within a few days of your request (DataAnnotation)
Outlier- What it pays
- an hourly rate for AI training tasks, by project
- Payout
- every Tuesday, for the week before (Outlier)
Respondent- What it pays
- an average payout of $75 per study (Respondent)
- Payout
- 48 hours after each session (Respondent)
My guides on how to make money with AI and AI side hustles cover AI training work in more detail.
Game and "free money" apps: what to know
Apps that promise money for playing games, walking or watching ads usually pay in points, and the points add up slowly. Before you spend hours on one, check three things in the app's own terms and its newest reviews:
- The minimum before you can cash out, and how long payouts take.
- Whether reviews mention accounts closed or payouts refused near the cash-out point.
- Whether you need to buy anything, like in-game items, to reach the payout.
If an app asks you to pay or deposit money to unlock your earnings, it's a scam pattern, so walk away.
How to pick the right money making app
The best app for you depends on what you already have:
You have a car
Gig apps like Uber, DoorDash, Instacart and Amazon Flex pay the fastest.
You have things to sell
Selling apps like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari and Facebook Marketplace turn clutter into cash.
You have a skill
Fiverr and Upwork pay for services, and they pay the most per hour of any apps here.
You have 10 spare minutes
Research apps like dscout pay well per study, and surveys fill small gaps.
You have spare space
Neighbor, Sniffspot, Turo and Airbnb pay for a garage, a yard, a car or a room.
You're under 18
Etsy and Fiverr let 13 to 17 year olds sell through a parent's account, and YouTube pays through a parent's AdSense.
Taxes on app income
Money you earn through apps is taxable in the US, whether it comes as cash, a deposit or a gift card (IRS). Payment apps and marketplaces send a Form 1099-K once your payments top $20,000 in more than 200 transactions (IRS), and businesses send a Form 1099-NEC once they pay you $2,000 or more for payments made after 2025 (IRS).
The income is taxable even when you don't get a form. If your net earnings from self-employment reach $400 in a year, you also owe self-employment tax (IRS). I'm not a tax advisor, so check with an accountant as the money grows.
FAQs about money making apps
Answers to the questions people ask most about money making apps.
Most big money making apps are real businesses that pay, like Uber, DoorDash, eBay, Etsy and Fiverr, and their own help pages show what they pay.
The catch is usually the pay, not the app: surveys and reward apps pay a few dollars an hour at most.
Skip any app that asks you to pay to unlock tasks or withdrawals.
Apps that pay for a skill can pay the most, like Upwork and Fiverr, where freelancers set their own rates.
Among gig apps, Taskrabbit handyman work and rideshare driving pay around $20 an hour or more, by BLS medians for that work.
Survey and reward apps pay the least.
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Shipt and Spark Driver can all pay the same day you work.
eBay offers on-demand payouts within 30 minutes for eligible sellers, for a $2 fee.
Instant payouts often cost a small fee each time.
Yes, most apps in this guide are free to join, including the selling, survey, testing and cash back apps.
A few cost money to start, like Rover's $49 to $79 profile review, Taskrabbit's $25 registration fee and Stan Store's monthly plan.
Gig apps also need a car, which brings its own costs.
Etsy and Fiverr let 13 to 17 year olds sell through a parent's account.
YouTube pays creators under 18 through a parent or guardian's AdSense account.
Most gig and survey apps require you to be 18, and Amazon Flex requires 21.
Some do, but they usually pay in points that add up slowly, with a minimum before you can cash out.
Check the cash-out minimum and the newest reviews before you spend hours on one.
If a game app asks you to pay to unlock your earnings, walk away.
UserTesting, Ibotta, Rakuten, Survey Junkie, Meta Viewpoints, Field Agent and iVueit can all pay to PayPal.
Gig apps like Uber and DoorDash pay to a bank account or their own debit cards instead.
Check each app's payout options before you start.
Every app in this guide has an iPhone app, which is where its rating comes from.
Most also have an Android app, though a few rewards, like Google Opinion Rewards, differ between the two.
Check your phone's app store for each one.
It depends on the kind of app: gig and freelance apps can pay $20 an hour or more, while surveys pay a few dollars an hour.
Real users report results like $550 for 25 hours of Uber driving and about $650 for 160 Field Agent gigs in a month.
Track what you earn per hour after costs to see if an app is worth it.
Yes, app income is taxable in the US, whether you get a form or not.
Payment apps send a Form 1099-K once your payments top $20,000 in more than 200 transactions, and you owe self-employment tax once your net earnings reach $400 in a year.
I'm not a tax advisor, so check with an accountant as the money grows.
Final thoughts on money making apps
There are 55 money making apps in this guide, and the ones that pay the most pay for real work: a ride, a delivery, a sale or a skill. Survey and reward apps are fine for spare minutes, but they won't replace a paycheck.
Pick one app that fits what you have, try it for a month and track what you earn per hour after costs. That number tells you whether to keep going.
Keep reading:
- 45 side hustle apps
- 48 ways to make money on your phone
- 38 ways to make money fast
- 70 side hustle ideas
- 108 ways to make money online
Your next step: pick one app from the group that matches what you have, and finish your first paid job, sale or study this week. And if this guide helped, DM me on X or Instagram and tell me which app you picked.
Navid Moazzez
AI business strategist & AI OS builder
Navid Moazzez helps creators and founders master AI and build their own AI Operating System (AI OS) to automate their business and life.
Navid.me is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
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