You can make money by using your phone. If you have been thinking about generating extra cash to supplement your regular income, this list of the best money-making apps is precisely what you need!
Everyone has a smartphone these days. Whether your device is based on the iOS or Android platform, you can make money with your phone and the FREE apps you install. No upfront capital is usually required – simply download the apps, and you are good to go.
While free money-making apps will not make you rich overnight, the extra $100 to $500 in cash every month can help to increase your savings, pay off debt, fund a vacation, and improve your finances in general.
If you are anything like the average phone user and are going to spend a ridiculous amount of time on it every day, you may as well maximize this time by earning some moolah!
The Best Money-Making Apps For 2023
Whether it is paid surveys, earning cash back, completing simple tasks, or other side gigs, there is a mobile app for you to make money and get paid easily.
Make Money With Market Research (Survey) Apps
1. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is one of the best-rated surveys for making extra cash. As long as you are 13 years or older and reside in Canada or the United States, you can join the panel and start earning.
Rewards points can be redeemed for e-gift cards from popular retailers, or you can cash out through PayPal or bank transfer. The minimum payout threshold on Survey Junkie is $5, which means you can cash out often.
Join over 10 million other members in Canada or the United States.
2. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most popular money-making mobile apps available. As a get-paid-to site, it pays you to answer short surveys, watch entertaining videos, play games, browse the internet, shop online, and more on your phone.
This rewards site is free to join, and it takes only a few minutes to set up your account.
In addition to offering you multiple options to earn cash, Swagbucks also makes it easy for you to redeem your earnings. You can cash out via PayPal or redeem gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and others.
Swagbucks has paid its members well over $920 million, and it has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Sign up here with Swagbucks to receive a $5 or $10 welcome bonus.
3. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research is one of the best paid survey sites available in Canada and the United States.
You can make money with this site by taking surveys, testing products, and participating in sweepstakes. Each survey you complete pays between $3 and $5.
They offer multiple payment options, including PayPal, cheques, gift cards, and a prepaid virtual Visa card. With a low minimum payout of $3, it means you can have cash in your pocket after every survey you complete.
Pinecone Research has an A rating with the BBB. One small difficulty with Pinecone is that you need an invite to join the panel (see the invite link below).
Join Pinecone Research ($3 per survey).
You can also read our review of Pinecone Research.
4. Ipsos i-Say
Ipsos i-Say is a market research company that has been around for a while and has over 3 million members. They have an app that is available on both Android and iOS.
When you share your opinions, you earn rewards that can later be redeemed as cash through PayPal. You can also redeem Points for gift cards or as a Virtual Visa Prepaid Card.
Residents of Canada and the United States are eligible to join.
5. NielsenIQ Homescan
Nielsen is a well-known giant in the market research industry, and it operates in 25 countries.
When you join as a panel member, you are paid to scan your grocery purchases every week. Check out a complete review of NielsenIQ Homescan.
6. MobileXpression
The Mobilexpression app (Android or iOS) pays you to use the internet and is available on iOS and Android smartphones in Canada and the U.S.
To use the app, install it and receive a $10 Amazon gift card when you keep it installed for one week. Continuous usage of the app makes you eligible for credits that can be redeemed for free gift cards.
You have a chance to win prizes every week. After 90 days of active use and participation, the panel donates a tree on your behalf to Trees for Knowledge.
As per the company, your private information is not obtained by the app, and you can read about their privacy policy on their website.
Money-Making Phone Apps That Pay You To Shop
You can earn significant cash back every time you go shopping and use these free mobile apps. They are available on your iPhone or Android and can pay you as much as 40% back!
7. KOHO App
KOHO is the best cash back app in Canada by far.
It is a free app that comes with a free reloadable Mastercard prepaid card. You can use the app to automate your savings, as well as earn up to 5% cash back when you make debit purchases.
The regular KOHO account also pays savings interest on your balance.
KOHO is currently only available in Canada, and the app is well-rated on the App Store at 4.8/5. Your deposits are insured for up to $100,000 by CDIC. Read our KOHO app review.
Download KOHO here and use our referral code CASHBACK to get a $20 cash bonus after making your first purchase.
8. Rakuten
This is one of the most popular services for earning cash back when you shop at thousands of popular online stores.
It is easy to use Rakuten (formerly Ebates). After signing up and downloading the app, simply visit your favourite store via the app and make your purchase. Earnings are automatically credited to your account.
You can redeem payments through PayPal or via a check in the mail. After joining and making your first purchase of $30 or more, you receive a $30 cash bonus.
Rakuten has an A+ rating from the BBB. You can read our review of this rewards site.
Join Rakuten and earn a $30 bonus.
9. Caddle – Earn Rewards on Groceries
The Caddle app is similar to Checkout 51 and pays you when you do your grocery shopping. It is currently only available in Canada.
New cashback offers are made available every week, and all you need to do is shop at any store and scan your receipt using your phone. You can cash out when your account balance reaches $20 or more.
Caddle also pays you to answer short surveys, watch videos, and refer friends. Read this review of the Caddle app for more details.
Join Caddle here ($1 bonus)
10. Ampli
Ampli is a cash back app available in Canada.
The app rewards you when you shop at any brands and retailers affiliated with it, including Lowe’s, Leons, Gap, Burger King, SportChek, CIBC, Mark’s, Lululemon, and several others.
Ampli is free to join, and you can easily cash out your earnings via Interac e-Transfer. You can read our Ampli review.
11. Drop
The Drop app makes it easy to earn cash rewards when you shop at your favourite retailers. It is also one of the easiest apps for earning cash back because you do not need to scan and upload purchase receipts.
Simply add your debit or credit card to the app, and they automatically reward you with points when you spend money.
You can redeem your points for various popular gift cards, starting at $25. Drop is available in Canada and the United States, and you can read our complete Drop review.
12. TopCashback
This cashback site is popularly known as America’s “most generous cashback site.” It has over 8 million members worldwide, and the app is available to residents of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
TopCashback is easy to use. Simply sign up, visit your preferred retailer through the app, and earn cash back.
You can earn rewards from over 4,400 stores, including Walmart, Best Buy, Groupon, E-bay, and others. Read this TopCashback review.
13. Checkout 51
The Checkout 51 app allows you to earn cash back on your shopping. It is available in the U.S. and Canada.
Every week, they send multiple offers you can choose from. To redeem an offer, simply purchase it at any store, and scan and upload your receipt using your phone.
You can cash out your rewards via check when your balance reaches $20. Read this Checkout 51 review.
Money Making Investing Mobile Apps
You can use the right savings and investing apps to generate passive income without much effort. Examples include:
14. Simplii
Save and earn some of the highest interest rates available on savings accounts. Simplii is available in Canada, and your deposits are insured up to $100,000 per account category.
It also offers a free chequing account with unlimited transactions, and you earn a $400 bonus when you join and set up a direct deposit. You also get a $50 bonus for using a referral link.
Learn more about Simplii in this Simplii vs EQ Bank comparison.
Visit Simplii ($400 bonus).
15. Wealthsimple
The Wealthsimple app lets you invest automatically using low-cost ETFs.
Their annual management fee is much cheaper at 0.50% or less (compared to the average mutual fund), and you get a $25 cash bonus when you open and fund a new account.
The app also has a ‘Roundup’ feature that automatically invests your spare change. You can open both registered (RRSP, 401k, IRA, TFSA, etc.) and non-registered accounts.
Wealthsimple is available in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Read this complete review.
Join Wealthsimple and receive a $25 cash bonus.
16. CoinSmart App
If you want to try cryptocurrency investing, the CoinSmart app is a great place to start.
You can trade several popular coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and more, with only a few clicks.
New clients who sign up and deposit $200 or more in crypto using our exclusive link get a $50 bonus.
Visit CoinSmart ($50 bonus).
17. EQ Bank (High-Interest Savings)
EQ Bank offers some of the best savings and GIC rates available in Canada. Even better, their high-interest savings account works like a hybrid between savings and chequing that is accessible via your smartphone and comes with the following:
- Zero monthly fees
- Free and unlimited Interac e-Transfers
- Unlimited bill payments
- Zero minimum balance
- Free electronic fund transfer
EQ Bank offers one of the best non-promotional offers in Canada right now.
18. Questrade
Questrade is one of Canada’s top online discount brokerages. The app is easy to use and offers commission-free ETF purchases.
If you are comfortable with managing your own portfolio, Questrade can save you a lot of fees you would otherwise pay to a mutual fund manager.
Get started with Questrade and receive a $50 trading fee credit.
19. Moka (formerly Mylo)
Moka (formerly Mylo) simplifies your investing. Simply set it and forget! If you have been finding it challenging to set money aside to save or invest, the Moka app is for you.
The app rounds up your daily purchases and invests your spare change. You can invest your funds in both registered and non-registered investment accounts. Moka is available in Canada.
Read this Moka review or Join Moka for a $5 welcome bonus.
Make Money With Side Hustle Smartphone Apps
There is a lot of money to be made in the gig economy, and the following phone apps are a great starting point.
20. Rover
If you like pets, you can make good money by walking dogs or dog-sitting.
Using the Rover app, you set your own schedule, prices, and the type of pets you prefer to work with. The various services people are willing to pay for include: dog boarding (and cat), dog walking, doggy daycare, house-sitting, drop-ins, and more.
Rover puts your mind at rest with their Rover Guarantee that protects your services up to $1 million. There is also 24/7 support. Read our Rover review.
21. Instacart
The Instacart app allows you to make extra income in your spare time. It is similar to Uber Eats, except that in the case of Instacart, you are delivering fresh groceries.
As a personal shopper, you choose the hours you want, shop on behalf of a customer, and use your car to deliver the groceries to their doorstep. You can make up to $20/hour, and payments are made weekly.
Instacart is currently available in Canada and the United States. Read my complete Instacart review.
A similar food delivery app and service that you can use to earn extra cash is:
DoorDash: You can combine DoorDash with Postmates and Instacart to maximize your earnings. It is one of the best food delivery apps for restaurant orders.
DoorDash drivers earn up to $25 per hour, and earnings are paid out every week!
22. Airbnb
Do you have a spare room in your house? You can make money using the Airbnb app.
Airbnb hosts make money by listing space they have available to guests. You pick your price and choose the dates that work for you.
Airbnb covers every booking with $1 million in property damage protection and $1 million in insurance against accidents.
Other Apps To Make Money
23. Sweatcoin
While this is not a market research app, it offers some ways to make money on the side while getting fit.
Sweatcoin is a fitness app that rewards you with “sweatcoins” when you walk and exercise. You can redeem these points for fitness gear, Apple products, PayPal cash, gift cards, and more.
This app is free to use, and it is available worldwide. Learn more in this review.
24. Daily Rewards
This is another survey site you can access from your phone to make money. Users can earn from taking surveys, playing games, watching videos, and shopping online.
Daily Rewards is only available to Canadians. Its sister site – InboxDollars – is for Americans. Both sites offer a $5 sign-up bonus.
As of this update, the parent company has paid more than $65 million to members.
25. STACK
STACK is Canada’s free budgeting app and reloadable Mastercard. The STACK prepaid Mastercard offers multiple cash back opportunities every month and also waives the 2.5% foreign exchange transaction fee when you spend money abroad.
Here are some of its core benefits:
- $5 sign-up bonus after loading $300 or more
- No foreign exchange fees (terms apply)
- No ATM withdrawal fees
- Free STACK-to-STACK transfers
- Automated savings plan
- Free budgeting tool in-app
Bonus: Lyft
You can make some dough by participating in the ride-sharing economy. Lyft offers a service that is similar to Uber. After you sign up to become a driver, you get to decide when you are available to accept rides. You can cash out your earnings instantly with their Express Pay feature.
Lyft is available in Canada and the United States.
The Lyft app provides a rewarding side hustle that you can do in the evenings, on weekends, and whenever you have spare time. All you need is your phone and access to a car.
Wrapping Up
There are multiple ways to earn extra cash using your phone, and these apps offer some of the best money-making opportunities. Sign up for several of them, try them out, and stick with the four or five that work for you.
Make the most of the time you spend looking at your phone by generating extra cash that can go a long way to improving your financial situation.
For more money-making ideas, click here.
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