Are you hoping to earn some extra cash with apps on your phone but you’re not sure where to start? These days, it seems like you need some sort of “side hustle” just to get by, especially if you’re starting out on your own adventure working from home. If you could use a little cash to help make ends meet (or if you just want a little extra to pay for the ‘little extras’), I’ve got nine money-making apps that you should know about. Without much effort at all (beyond a trip to the Play Store, of course), you can start on the road to a fun part-time money-making gig, all the way to a full-on supplemental income. This is also a great way to create an emergency fund! Just so you know – there are some affiliate links below, but only because I truly stand behind the companies I choose to endorse (this in no way impacts your investment and often times actually HELPS you with a bonus!)

Money-Making Apps

While all of the apps in this article are great, these were the money-making apps that got the highest overall ratings from when it came to the following categories:

  • Ease of Use
  • Rate of Purchases (or Activity) vs. Rewards
  • Frequency of Rewards (As well as how quickly they are issued by each app)

Without further ado, let’s take a look at these bank account boosting apps…

ShopTracker

ShopTracker is an easy-to-use money-making app where you simply allow them access to non-personal information about your online shopping history in exchange for points. It’s operated by The Harris Poll, so believe me – it’s totally legit! It takes all of 30 seconds to install and once it’s done – you’re good to go! You’ll earn $3/month, starting RIGHT NOW if you sign up today. And that’s it – $36+/year for a minute of work!

SlideJoy

With more people choosing to enable ad-blocking technology every year, simply choosing to view advertisements can make you money. How cool is that?? With SlideJoy, you allow the app access to your phone’s lock screen. Each time you check or unlock your phone, you’ll see a targeted ad, and each time you do, you’ll get points. You can later cash these in for rewards, or even cash them out through PayPal. I earn an average of $10 every 2 months. $60/year for doing nothing I’m not already doing? Yes please!
slidejoy snapshot

Rakuten

If you’ve been here before, you know that if you only join one of these programs – RAKUTEN. IS. IT!
Rakuten gives you rewards for online purchases you’d make at over 2,000 stores you’re already shopping at anyway. In addition, Rakuten can help save you a lot of money with coupon codes, special promotions, and more. It’s compatible with every device, so you’ve got no excuse not to give Rakuten a try. You can read more about how I’ve earned money with Rakuten, or simply sign up here and get an extra $10 in your account now! Sign up and you too can earn $1,000+ year by doing nothing!
snapshot of Rakuten earnings

InboxDollars

Imagine getting paid money for the things you would normally do on the web anyhow — that’s just what InboxDollars offers; they are an online loyalty club that rewards members who take surveys, try out new apps, purchase Groupons, and more. You can read more about how I’ve earned money with InboxDollars here or go ahead and sign up now by clicking here!

Review of InboxDollars, InboxDollars payment

More Money-Making Apps: Honorable Mentions

The following are also all great money-making apps; some are just a little more specifically tailored so they don’t have quite as broad of an appeal. Don’t let that deter you, though – these are all apps I personally use to supplement my income!

Ibotta

If you love coupons, get ready for something even better with Ibotta, the app that offers cash-back rewards for the products that you buy the most. All you need to do is buy the specific featured product from one of many different locations, take a picture of your receipt, and you’re on your way to cash! My one hang-up with Ibotta is that they don’t really fit well with all the shopping I do at Aldi. Still, I’ve managed to make $50+ this year thus far, so I can’t complain too much!

Ibotta earnings

LetGo

Do you have a closet, garage, or storage unit that’s packed to the gills? It’s time to download LetGo, an app that lets you simply snap a picture of the item you want to sell, type in a description, and puts it up for sale so you can find an interested buyer in your area. It’s like classified ads or Craigslist, but much better, because you can rate and review sellers and you can communicate directly through the app so no personal information is exchanged. It’s a great way to make some money decluttering your own life while also (hopefully) finding some much-needed stuff for yourself at a discount!

Evidation

Evidation is based around a fascinating concept: it is an app for people who want to commit to healthier lifestyle choices, such as eating healthier and exercising more. Users can answer survey questions and track their fitness, and will then receive points they can redeem for cash! Sign up for Evidation now (it’s FREE!)

StepBet

In the same vein as our previous entry, StepBet is a walking-oriented app that communicates with FitBit, S Health, or Google Fit technology. By setting goals for yourself, you can win cash rewards when you meet or exceed progressively harder challenges. I’ve lost weight using similar apps before (like HealthyWage!) I mean seriously – is there anything better than being PAID to LOSE WEIGHT?? I did a StepBet last month and I “only” won like $13 but it definitely motivated me to stay active and goodness knows staying active is key to avoiding medical debt! And if I did that consistently, I’d be looking at $100+/year!

stepbet winner

Most Important Takeaways

A few years ago, the idea of making money online might have seemed a little far-fetched; thankfully, it’s now a reality. No matter the level of time commitment you’re able to put in or how your schedule may vary, you can still get great cash rewards for your opinions, a willingness to check out different websites and advertisements, or even your ability to drive a car! By shopping a little smarter (and saving certain purchases until they can earn you a maximized rebate), you can start using your smartphone to your advantage. These nine apps are simple enough for anyone to sign up with and start making some cash ASAP! Try any of them out, and we know you’ll be surprised how quickly you can start earning some pretty impressive cash rewards.

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Thrifty Guardian was founded as a way to help parents lead richer lives through money saving tips, side hustle ideas, and parenting advice (including fun DIYs and recipes!)