If you’re searching for ways to earn quick cash, you’ve likely encountered popular apps like Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars. While these apps work well, completing dozens of surveys simply isn’t appealing to everyone. The good news? Thousands of other apps are ready to pay you for completely random activities—or sometimes, doing nothing at all!
If that sounds more appealing, here are our top picks for the best cash-earning apps you can download today.
Top Cashback Apps for Smart Shopping
1- Rakuten
Rakuten is probably familiar from TV commercials. Originally called Ebates, this massive Japanese commerce network partners with over 2,500 retailers worldwide.
Rakuten’s system is straightforward: earn money every time you shop through their platform. Whether you’re making a small or large purchase, simply click through their app first and receive cashback on your transaction.
Beyond cashback, Rakuten continuously scours the web for the latest coupons and deals. This means you might score an amazing promo code for 25 percent off or free shipping on top of your cashback rewards.
From personal experience, this app becomes invaluable when booking travel, purchasing cellular service, or handling your taxes.
New Rakuten members receive a $10 cash bonus after completing their first purchase.
2- Dosh
Like Rakuten, Dosh rewards you for shopping at popular retailers. The difference lies in its automated approach rather than requiring you to shop through their app.
Simply connect your credit or debit card to Dosh, and cashback automatically appears whenever you shop at participating retailers. If you already use a rewards credit card, you’re essentially earning double rewards by adding Dosh to the mix.
Typical earnings range from 2 to 3%, though Dosh occasionally offers up to 10% cashback with select partners. Your rewards can be transferred directly to your bank account, PayPal, or donated to charity.
3- Ibotta
Ibotta rewards you for shopping at your favorite online stores and extends to physical locations through their mobile payment feature or receipt submission. Either method earns cashback on every purchase. If this concept appeals to you, explore other apps like Ibotta for additional earning opportunities.
New Ibotta users receive a $20 welcome bonus upon signing up.
Top Micro-Saving and Investment Apps
4- Acorns
Acorns takes “keep the change” to new heights. While they don’t technically pay you, their process creates a rewarding feeling that’s just as satisfying.
Here’s how it works: Each purchase gets rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the difference automatically deposited into your Acorns account. You can withdraw these funds, invest them for growth, or allocate them toward retirement savings.
Plans begin at $1 monthly. The $3 monthly plan transforms your Acorns account into a checking account while providing additional funds for your investment portfolio.
5- Stash
Stash operates similarly to Acorns by rounding up purchases and saving the difference. However, their investment platform truly shines.
Stash automatically invests your savings across various stocks and ETFs (exchange-traded funds). Unlike traditional investing, fractional shares allow contributions as small as $1 to generate returns.
Monthly plans start at $1. New users receive $50 to invest after establishing their first direct deposit.
Top Apps That Pay You to Exercise
6- Sweatcoin
Imagine earning money for something as basic as walking.
Sweatcoin makes this possible! Download the app and start moving. Every 1,000 steps earns you Sweatcoins. While these can’t be converted to cash, you can redeem them for products and services from partner retailers including clothing, electronics, and more.
7- HealthyWage
Planning a weight loss challenge with colleagues? Add financial incentives using HealthyWage.
HealthyWage allows you to set weight loss targets and earn money for achieving them. Participants pay an entry fee, and anyone losing more than 6% of their body weight shares in the prize pool.
Top Passive Income Apps
8- Honeygain
Honeygain might be unfamiliar, but it offers payment for your unused internet bandwidth. Install the app on your smartphone, tablet, or any internet-connected device, and it operates automatically in the background.
You do nothing while the app generates income. Their calculator estimates $60 monthly earnings for sharing 20 GB daily. It’s genuinely passive income.
9- Slidejoy
If advertisements don’t bother you, earn money every time you unlock your phone. Slidejoy displays ads or news stories on your lock screen. Simply swipe right to dismiss the ad and unlock your device. In return for viewing their advertisements, you receive cash payments through PayPal.
iPhone users are unfortunately excluded—Slidejoy only supports Android devices.
Best Apps for Getting Paid
10- Userfeel
Earn at least $10 for each website visit through Userfeel by becoming one of their testers.
Userfeel’s clients require people to conduct website usability tests. You’ll receive scenarios (like searching for specific items) and perform assigned tasks. This feedback helps site owners identify and resolve potential problems.
Each test lasts 10 to 20 minutes, with PayPal cash payments. You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with a functioning microphone—smartphones aren’t supported. This becomes extremely profitable during extended waiting periods, such as airport layovers.
11- Foap
Transform your unused smartphone photos and videos into income through Foap.
Foap licenses your submitted content to companies and marketers as stock imagery for advertisements, social media, and promotional campaigns. If you’re comfortable with your photos and videos being used in various marketing contexts, put them to work generating income!
