Smartphone apps have come a long way. While we use mobile apps for everyday mundane things like reading the news, watching our favourite shows, and checking the weather report, they now offer much more.
These days you can earn a living with apps that pay you real money.
Money-making apps pay you to shop online, deliver food, offer your opinions, play games, and more.
Below we take a look at some of the best apps you can consider if you are looking to make some extra cash on the side.
Table of Contents
Top Money Making Apps
Side-hustle apps offer opportunities to work part-time or full-time depending on your availability.
From delivering food in your neighbourhood to pet-sitting, the possibilities are endless.
1. DoorDash
DoorDash is available in Canada and the United States. If you have access to a vehicle or scooter, this gig pays you to pick up and deliver food orders from various restaurants.
DoorDash drivers (Dashers) choose when they work and earn a combination of a base pay ($2-$10), tips, and promotion.
Payment options: Weekly payment through direct deposit.
2. Instacart
This is another app that pays you to drive and deliver stuff. As an Instacart Shopper, you shop for others and deliver groceries to their doorstep using your vehicle.
You must be able to lift up to 40lbs and be at least 18 years of age. Scheduling, customer locations, and payments are all managed through the app.
Payments options: Your earnings are paid out and using direct deposit.
- Read our Instacart Shoppers review.
3. Rover
Rover is the app that pays you to walk dogs or offer dog boarding and daycare services. If you love playing with pets, you can make some serious money when you sign up to become a Rover Sitter.
You set your preferred prices, type of pet you are comfortable with, and when you are available.
Payment options: You can withdraw your earnings two days after providing a service.
Apps That Pay For Your Opinions
Everyone’s got an opinion, however, you can cash-in on yours by taking paid surveys.
The best survey sites work on all devices and they are free to join. They also offer lots of ways to redeem your rewards.
4. Swagbucks ($5 Bonus)
Swagbucks is probably the world’s most popular rewards site, given that it has paid its members more than $490 million.
Members of the panel earn rewards when they answer surveys, play games, watch videos, shop online or browse the internet.
Payment options: You can redeem your points for popular gift cards (e.g. Amazon and Walmart), or cash using PayPal.
Promo: New members get a $5 welcome bonus.
- Read our Swagbucks review.
5. Survey Junkie
If you like completing online questionnaires for market research, Survey Junkie is a great platform to join.
After completing your profile, they send you daily survey opportunities and you earn points when you complete them.
Payment options: Easily redeem your points for cash or gift cards.
- Read our Survey Junkie review.
6. Daily Rewards ($5 Bonus)
Want to get paid to read emails? The Daily Rewards app rewards you for doing that and more.
Daily Rewards is available in Canada while those in the United States can use InboxDollars.
Payment options: Payments is sent through PayPal starting at $30.
7. Branded Surveys
If online reviews are taken into consideration, Branded Surveys is one of the top survey sites available right now. On Trustpilot, the site has a 4.3/5 rating from over 29,000 reviewers.
Branded Surveys pays you to complete online surveys. You can redeem the points you earn in the from of gift cards or cash.
- Read our Branded Surveys review for more details.
8. Opinion Outpost
This market research panel is free to join and you are paid to complete surveys from various brands and businesses.
Payment options: You can exchange your points for Amazon, iTunes and PayPal cash.
9. Toluna
Toluna Influencers is available on iPhone and Android devices and allows members to share their insights about products and services they use.
This platform caters to millions of users worldwide and has worked with big brands including Kellogs and Coca-Cola.
Payment options: Redeem your points for gift cards or cash using PayPal.
- Read our Toluna review for more details.
10. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research pays at least $3 per survey, so you won’t be wasting your time if you qualify. The only downside is that membership of this panel is by invitation-only.
Payment options: You can cash out using PayPal, cheque, gift cards, a virtual prepaid Visa card.
- Check out this Pinecone Research Canada review.
11. Prize Rebel
This rewards site rewards members for completing simple tasks and has paid them more than $20 million.
It is also available in multiple countries in North America and Europe.
After opening an account, complete your profile, and start earning by answering surveys, watching videos, participating in contests, and referring friends.
Payment Options: There are a tonne of redemption options to choose from including gift cards from Amazon, Starbucks, Boston Pizza, Gap, etc., cash via PayPal, and game codes.
- Here’s a PrizeRebel review.
Game Apps That Pay Real Money
If you are a gamer, you can enjoy your online games and make money at the same time.
The best game apps that pay right now include:
12. Mistplay
Mistplay is a loyalty platform for gamers and it is available on the Google Play Store.
You earn ‘Units’ and can redeem them for Amazon, Visa, Google Play Store gift cards, and other rewards.
Mistplay has been downloaded more than 10 million times.
13. Lucktastic
If you like playing “scratch and Win”, this app offers instant win scratch cards and games.
Members can also win cash prizes through sweeptakes, contests, and other offers.
Apps That Pay You To Shop
Shopping is one of those activities you are going to do anyway, so if you get paid while shopping, even better!
14. KOHO (1% Extra)
KOHO makes it possible to earn cash back when you spend cash. This is great if you are trying to avoid credit cards and the problems that goes with using them.
After loading your KOHO prepaid card, you can track your spending using the app and earn 0.50% cash back on all purchases.
Payment options: Easily use your cash back rewards to pay for purchases whenever you want.
Promo: New KOHO users get an extra 1% cash back for 90 days here. The app is only available in Canada.
15. Drop ($5 Bonus)
The Drop app automatically tracks your purchases at participating retailers and gives you points. It also rewards you for taking surveys or playing games in-app.
Payment options: Choose from several popular gift cards when you reach the threshold amount. New Drop members get a $5 bonus after linking their first debit or credit card.
16. Rakuten ($10 Bonus)
If you are wondering which cash back app is the most popular, think Rakuten.
Formerly known as Ebates, this platform has partnerships with thousands of retailers which means you are likely to qualify for cash back when you shop online.
To take advantage of the offers available, visit your Rakuten account before making purchases online.
Payment options: Cash back earnings are paid out every 3 months through PayPal or Cheque.
Promo: New members get a $10 bonus after they have made their first purchase of $25 or more.
17. Caddle ($1 Bonus)
Caddle is a grocery rewards app that sends you discount offers every week.
After making a purchase at your favourite grocery store, you upload your receipt to the app and earn cash back.
Payment options: You can cash out your earnings starting at $20 and a cheque is sent to you through postal mail.
Promo: Get a $1 bonus when you use the promo code ENOCH48192.
18. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is similar to Caddle and it gives you cash back based on offers available for the week. It also works like the Ibotta app in the U.S.
Payment options: You can withdraw your earnings starting at $20. A cheque is sent in the mail.
Investing Apps That Pay You
Investing your money can overtime generate unbelievable returns. By paying yourself first, you can continue to reap the rewards long into the future.
The investment apps listed below can help.
19. Wealthsimple Invest ($75 Bonus)
The Wealthsimple app invests your money using low-cost Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
Since everything is done automatically on your behalf, you don’t need to worry about the technicalities.
The company is registered with the government and your investments are insured up to $1 million.
Promo: New Wealthsimple clients who open an account through our link and fund it with at least $500, get a $75 cash bonus.
If your preference is to trade stocks and manage your own portfolio, you can try Wealthsimple Trade.
20. Moka ($5 Bonus)
If you are just barley scraping to get by, it can feel overwhelming to think about investing. This is where a spare change investing app like Moka comes to play.
When you make a purchase, Moka rounds it up to the nearest dollars and invests the difference on your behalf. For example, if you buy coffee for $2.50, Moka rounds it up to $3.00 and invests 50 cents.
The app also offers cash back and more. Moka has a $3 monthly fee and you can learn more about it here.
Promo: New Moka clients get a $5 bonus after linking their bank account.
Apps That Pay You To Walk
Yes, there are apps that reward you for exercising, walking, and staying active in general.
21. Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin rewards you for walking. You earn ‘sweatcoins’ you can redeem for fitness classes, sports wears, electronics, charity donations, iPhones, and PayPal money.
Sweatcoins is free to join.
Frequently Asked Questions
The money-making apps we have listed are legit, however, you should still do your due diligence. Read online reviews to see what other users have pointed out as pros and cons.
Many rewards apps pay you according to the time you spend on the platform completing tasks. If you are looking to cash out immediately, then take advantage of sign-up and welcome bonuses.
Which money-making app is your favourite? let us know in the comments!
