Your smartphone is with you everywhere. You use it to walk, shop, browse, play games, and kill time. But did you know it could also be earning you money while you do all of that?
There are dozens of apps that pay real cash or gift cards for everyday activities — and most people have no idea they exist.
We tested the most popular money-making apps to find the ones that are actually worth your time. Here’s the complete breakdown for 2025.
🛒 Cashback Apps (Get Paid to Shop)
These apps give you money back on purchases you’re already making — groceries, online shopping, everyday items.
Rakuten
What it does: Gives you cashback when you shop at thousands of stores online — Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more.
How it works: Install the browser extension or app. Activate cashback before you shop. Get paid quarterly via PayPal or check.
Best for: People who shop online regularly.
Ibotta
What it does: Cashback on groceries and everyday purchases.
How it works: Browse offers before shopping, buy the items, scan your receipt. Cash deposited into your account.
Best for: Grocery shoppers who want instant cashback.
Shopkick
What it does: Gives you points (“kicks”) just for walking into stores — even without buying anything.
How it works: Open the app, walk into participating stores, earn points. Scan products for more points. Redeem for gift cards.
Best for: Mall walkers and window shoppers.
📝 Survey Apps (Get Paid for Your Opinion)
Companies pay for consumer feedback. These apps connect you with paid surveys.
Survey Junkie
What it does: Pays you to complete surveys about products, services, and opinions.
How it works: Sign up, complete your profile, get matched with surveys. Cash out via PayPal or gift cards.
Best for: People with spare time who enjoy giving opinions.
Payout: PayPal cash or gift cards. High TrustPilot rating.
Swagbucks
What it does: Pays you for surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and searching the web.
How it works: Earn “SB” points for various activities. Redeem for PayPal cash or gift cards.
Best for: People who want multiple ways to earn, not just surveys.
InboxDollars
What it does: Pays cash (not points) for surveys, reading emails, watching videos, and playing games.
How it works: Complete tasks, earn cash balance, withdraw via PayPal or check.
Best for: Beginners who want straightforward cash payments.
🚶 Walking Apps (Get Paid to Move)
These apps track your steps and convert them into rewards.
Evidation (formerly Achievement)
What it does: Connects to your fitness apps (Fitbit, Apple Health, etc.) and pays you for healthy activities.
How it works: Earn points for walking, sleeping, logging meals, and more. 10,000 points = cash payout.
Best for: People already tracking their health.
Sweatcoin
What it does: Converts your outdoor steps into “sweatcoins” you can redeem for rewards.
How it works: Walk outside, earn coins, redeem for gift cards, products, or PayPal cash (limited).
Best for: Daily walkers who want extra motivation.
LifeCoin
What it does: Pays you in “LifeCoins” for every 1,000 steps.
How it works: Walk, earn coins, redeem for gift cards or gadgets.
Best for: People who want variety in rewards (not just cash).
🎮 Gaming Apps (Get Paid to Play)
Some apps pay you to play games — either through rewards or cash tournaments.
Mistplay (Android only)
What it does: Pays you to discover and play new mobile games.
How it works: Download games through the app, play them, earn points as you level up. Redeem for gift cards.
Best for: Android users who enjoy trying new games.
Freecash
What it does: Pays you for playing games, completing surveys, and trying offers.
How it works: Complete tasks for points, cash out via PayPal, crypto, or gift cards.
Best for: People who want variety — games, surveys, and offers in one place.
Bingo Cash / Solitaire Cash
What it does: Cash tournaments where you compete against other players in skill-based games.
How it works: Play bingo or solitaire against others. Win cash prizes. Withdraw via PayPal.
Best for: Competitive players willing to risk entry fees for bigger rewards.
👉 Get Bingo Cash | Get Solitaire Cash
💤 Passive Apps (Earn While Doing Nothing)
These apps run in the background and earn you money with minimal effort.
Honeygain
What it does: Pays you to share your unused internet bandwidth.
How it works: Install on your devices, let it run in the background. Companies use your connection for market research. Earn credits, cash out via PayPal.
Best for: People with unlimited internet who want truly passive income.
Tapestri
What it does: Pays for anonymous location data while the app runs.
How it works: Allow location access, let the app run. Earn from data sharing plus surveys.
Best for: People comfortable sharing anonymized location data.
📊 Quick Comparison
| App | Category | Effort | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | Cashback | Low | PayPal, Check |
| Ibotta | Cashback | Low | PayPal, Gift Cards |
| Survey Junkie | Surveys | Medium | PayPal, Gift Cards |
| Swagbucks | Multi-task | Medium | PayPal, Gift Cards |
| Evidation | Walking | Low | PayPal, Gift Cards |
| Mistplay | Gaming | Medium | Gift Cards |
| Honeygain | Passive | None | PayPal, Bitcoin |
⚠️ Apps to Avoid (Time Wasters)
Not every money-making app is worth your time. Based on testing, avoid apps that:
- Require you to pay money upfront
- Promise unrealistic earnings
- Have withdrawal minimums that are very high
- Pay less than minimum wage for your time
- Have many complaints about not paying out
✅ How to Get Started
Step 1: Pick 2-3 apps that match your lifestyle
Step 2: Download from official app stores only
Step 3: Complete your profile fully (better survey matches)
Step 4: Set up payment method (PayPal is most common)
Step 5: Use apps during downtime — commutes, waiting, TV time
Step 6: Cash out regularly (don’t let balances sit)
🎯 Conclusion
Money-making apps won’t replace your job. But they can turn dead time into extra cash — and it adds up over time.
The key is choosing apps that fit your lifestyle. If you shop a lot, use cashback apps. If you walk daily, add a walking app. If you have downtime, do surveys.
Start with 2-3 apps, see which ones you actually use, and build from there. Your phone is already with you everywhere — might as well make it earn its keep.
📌 This content is for educational purposes only. Earnings vary by user, location, and usage. All apps listed are free to download. We are not affiliated with any apps mentioned. Always download from official app stores. Earnings may be considered taxable income.
Sources: Side Hustle Nation, The Penny Hoarder, FinanceBuzz, NerdWallet, app store ratings and reviews. Updated for 2025.
Andrew Brooks is a qualified writer and researcher with experience producing clear, trustworthy content on topics such as personal finance, lifestyle optimization, consumer insights, productivity, and informed decision-making. With an approachable yet professional tone, he focuses on turning complex information into practical, easy-to-understand guidance that helps readers make smarter choices with confidence.