Since practically everyone on the planet now uses a smartphone, it makes sense to look at how you can make money using your iPhone or Android device.
Whether it is browsing through social media, chatting with friends, shopping online, or playing games, we are spending an awful length of time fiddling with mobile devices daily.
In fact, one study shows that average mobile usage is now over 3 hours and 30 minutes per day.
With this in mind, this blog post covers how you can monetize your smartphone usage and make some money with iOS and Android apps that pay you.
These apps will hardly make you rich; however, you can earn a little bit of extra cash while burning through your mobile internet data.
iPhone and Android Apps That Pay You Money
The money-making apps listed below are mostly free to download and install on your mobile device. They include iOS and Android apps that fall into the following categories:
- The Best Cash Back Apps
- The Best Passive Income Apps
- The Best Side Hustle Apps
- The Best Personal Finance Apps
- The Best Fitness and Game Apps That Pay
Read on to learn about the best smartphone apps to earn extra cash.
Best Cash Back Apps To Make Money
Cash back apps pay you to shop. Whether you shop online or in the store, there’s a free cash back app (iPhone and Android) that can put money back in your wallet.
1. KOHO
To maximize cash back earnings online and in-store, consider using KOHO as your main cash back payment card.
KOHO offers a free prepaid Mastercard that combines all the best features of savings and chequing accounts, and cash back credit cards. Neo Money is not your typical cash back app. It also comes with a free budgeting app.
Users earn up to 5% unlimited cash back on purchases and also get a 3% savings interest on their balance.
- App Store rating: 4.8/5 from 77,000+ reviews
- Available: Canada
- Promo: Get a $40 welcome bonus when you sign up here (use referral code GETCASH and make at least one purchase to get an instant $40 bonus)
Your money at Neo Financial is protected by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, and you can get more details in this Neo Money guide.
2. Neo Money
Neo Money is not your typical cash back app. Instead, it combines an intuitive budgeting app with a prepaid cash back card that puts debit cards everywhere to shame.
Use the Neo Money card when you pay for purchases and earn up to 5% cash back.
- App Store rating: 4.8/5 from 26,000+ reviews
- Available: Canada
- Promo: Get a $10 welcome bonus when you sign up here (bonus when you fund your account with at least $50 and complete your first purchase)
Your money at Neo Financial is protected by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, and you can get more details in this Neo Money guide.
3. Rakuten
With online shopping playing a more prominent role in our lives than ever, the Rakuten app is a must-have this year.
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten has partnerships with more than 3,000 stores which means that a huge portion of your online purchases can qualify for cash back.
Simply sign up and visit Rakuten before proceeding to the website of your preferred retailer. Cash back is automatically tracked and credited to your account.
- App Store rating: 4.3/5 from 25,615 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.2/5 from 58,025 reviews
- Available: Canada and the United States
- Promo: sign up here and get $30 after making your first purchase of $30 or more
With cash back offers of up to 30%, this app is definitely worth your while. To learn more, read our Rakuten review.
4. Caddle
Is Caddle worth your time? It depends on what you buy for groceries. The Caddle app pays you to shop for groceries, complete short surveys, and watch video ads.
I find that the rebate offers on Caddle are limited compared to Checkout 51; however, if you shop at Costco or like craft beer, there’s always an offer for you.
Following a purchase, upload your receipt via the app and get cash back.
- App Store rating: 3.7/5 from 574 reviews
- Google Play rating: 2.7/5 from 4,294 reviews
- Available: Canada
- Promo: Get $1 when you sign up
You can cash out your earnings through a cheque in the mail when your balance reaches $20. Learn more about the app in this Caddle review.
5. Checkout 51
This grocery shopping app is Canada’s version of Ibotta and works well for grocery shopping in Canada and the United States.
Download the app and watch out for new offers every week. Redeem cash back offers by purchasing the item at your favourite store and uploading your receipt using the app.
Cash back is credited to your account within days, and you can cash out when it reaches $20.
- App Store rating: 4.1/5 from 5,219 ratings
- Google Play rating: 4.4/5 from 67,469 reviews
- Available: Canada and the United States
Learn more about grocery receipt scanning apps.
Best Side Hustle Apps To Make Money
Want to earn some income on the side and in addition to your 9 to 5? Check out these side hustle apps for iOS and Android devices.
6. Swagbucks
Swagbucks rewards you with points when you complete paid surveys, watch video ads, surf the internet, shop online, and more. There are over 10 ways to earn with Swagbucks.
Given that this site has paid its members more than $500 million over the years, we can easily rank it as one of the best sites for generating side income.
The points you earn are called SB and can be redeemed for gift cards and PayPal cash.
- App Store rating: 4.4/5 from 27,852 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 45,144 reviews
- Available: Worldwide
- Promo: Get $5 when you sign up here.
7. Survey Junkie
This free rewards site is one of the best market research panels out there.
Survey Junkie is straightforward to use, and you can earn some cash by completing surveys daily.
- App Store rating: 4.5/5 from 25,052 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 12,570 reviews
- Available: Canada and the United States
- Promo: Get 25 bonus points
You can cash out your earnings from Survey Junkie via PayPal or popular free gift cards. Learn more in this Survey Junkie review.
8. DoorDash
This side hustle app is similar to Postmates and pays you to deliver food to others in your area. You can do deliveries using your car, scooter, motorcycle, or bicycle and work only when you want to.
Doordash drivers also keep all the tips they are paid in addition to the delivery fee.
- App Store rating: 4.8/5 from 6,857,413 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4/5 from 668,153 reviews
- Available: Canada and the U.S.
9. Pinecone Research
If you are going to get paid for your opinions, one legit way to accomplish this is by signing up for Pinecone Research.
Operated by Nielsen, Pinecone Research won’t waste your time, and you can expect at least $3 per completed survey.
10. Nielsen Homescan
Want to get paid to scan barcodes on your grocery purchases? That’s what the Nielsen Homescan panel pays its members to do.
This gig has been around for decades. They give you a handheld scanner to scan the barcodes on the products you purchase every week. You can also use their mobile app.
Points earned can be redeemed for merchandise, and you may also receive Visa prepaid cards.
Sign up here or learn more in this Nielsen Homescan review.
11. Mobilexpression
Get paid for browsing the internet when you download the Mobilexpression app (iPhone) or (Android).
If you are comfortable with their privacy policy, you can get a $5 Amazon gift card when you keep the app installed for just seven days.
Keep it installed for longer than that, and they donate a tree on your behalf.
- App Store rating: 4.1/5 from 146 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4/5 from 41,749 reviews
- Available: Canada and the U.S.
Learn more about the app in this MobileXpression review.
Mistplay is an Android App you can use to make money while playing games. It is free to join.
12. Task Rabbit
Task Rabbit is a central location where you can find all kinds of odd jobs and simple tasks and get paid for completing them.
For example, you could help someone install their TV or Ikea furniture, plant flowers, run shopping errands, etc., and earn up to $70 per hour.
- App Store rating: 4.7/5 from 10,771 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4/5 from 4,854 reviews
- Available: Canada and the U.S.
Best Passive Income Apps To Make Money
Passive income apps help you generate money without much ongoing effort. Simply set things in motion and watch compounding interest do the rest.
13. CoinSmart (Bitbuy)
CoinSmart is the top crypto trading platform in Canada (now Bitbuy).
You can use its app to trade 50+ digital currencies and get a $50 bonus when you open an account and deposit $250 or more.
- App Store rating: 3.5/5 from 571 reviews
- Google Play rating: No reviews
- Available: Canada
Learn more about them in this CoinSmart review.
14. Questrade
Questrade is Canada’s best brokerage platform when you consider the account types they offer, trading fees, and investment products.
The app offers access to trading stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, GICs, precious metals, and options. When you sign up for an account and deposit at least $250, you receive a $50 bonus.
The company has been around since 1999 and has more than $9 billion in assets under management. Note that their web interface works much better than the app.
- App Store rating: 1.9/5 from 447 reviews
- Google Play rating: 2.4/5 from 726 reviews
- Available: Canada
- Promo: $50 bonus when you fund your account with $250 or more
Learn more in our Questrade review.
15. Moka App
Would you like to invest your spare change and save towards future financial goals? The Moka app can be of help.
This micro-investing app rounds up your purchases to the nearest $1, $5, or $10 and invests the difference in a portfolio of low-cost Exchange-Traded Funds.
The investment portfolio is managed by professionals and is automatically rebalanced.
- App Store rating: 4.4/5 from 11,158 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 4,412 reviews
- Available: Canada
- Promo: Get $5 when you sign up for Moka
Learn more in this Moka review. Residents of the U.S. can sign up for Acorns, which is similar.
Best Personal Finance Apps To Make Money
These savings and personal finance iPhone and Android apps can help you make money starting right now.
16. Simplii Financial
Simplii Financial is one of Canada’s most popular online banks, with no-fee chequing and high-interest savings rates.
You can open a free savings account and earn a high interest rate plus a $300 bonus when you open a free chequing account.
All your banking transactions can be completed using their mobile app.
- App Store rating: 4/5 from 8,800+ reviews
- Google Play rating: 3.8/5 from 6,400+ reviews
- Available: Canada
Learn more about the Simplii Financial Chequing Account and how to get a $300 bonus.
17. EQ Bank
If you are looking for a savings interest rate that is always one of the best in Canada, consider EQ Bank.
With a high interest rate that is non-promotional coupled with free and unlimited debits, this online bank always stands out.
- App Store rating: 4.6/5 from 2,964 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.5/5 from 1,177 reviews
- Available: Canada
Learn more about earning high interest in this EQ Bank review.
18. Wealthsimple Trade
This stock trading app is the only one to completely offer commission-free trades for stocks and ETFs in Canada.
This means that you can purchase a stock or ETF on stock exchanges in Canada and the U.S. without paying trading commissions (FX fees may apply).
Wealthsimple Trade is great for beginners who are looking to build an investment portfolio using a user-friendly investment app.
- App Store rating: 4.6/5 from 19,306 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 1,868 reviews
- Available: Canada
- Promo: Get a $25 cash bonus when you sign up and deposit at least $200
Learn more in this detailed Wealthsimple Trade review. U.S. residents can check out Robinhood.
19. Wealthsimple Invest
Wealthsimple Invest is another investment app that simplifies investing for beginners and expert investors alike. This robo-advisor service invests your money in a personalized portfolio that matches your investment objectives and risk profile.
It is hands-free, and all you need to do is set up an automatic savings plan. Compared to mutual funds that cost more than 2% per year on average, a Wealthsimple Invest account will cost you 0.40% to 0.50% per year, plus an average of 0.20% for ETF fees.
- App Store rating: 4.5/5 from 4,350 reviews
- Google Play rating: 3.6/5 from 1,864 reviews
- Available: Canada and the U.S.
Learn more about hassle-free investing in this review.
Apps That Pay You To Exercise or Play Games
In addition to the health benefits derived, the Sweatcoin iPhone and Android apps pay you to walk. The other apps reward you for playing games.
20. Cashyy
Cashyy is a free game app that rewards players with cash prizes, gift cards, and more.
The Cashyy app is only available on the Google Play Store.
- Google Play rating: 4.6/5 from 106,061 reviews
21. Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin is a free fitness app that pays you to be active. You earn 0.95 sweatcoin for every 1,000 steps you take and 5 sweatcoin for every friend you refer.
Easily redeem your points for sports merchandise or PayPal cash.
- App Store rating: 4.2/5 from 10,967 reviews
- Google Play rating: 4.2/5 from 146,718 reviews
- Available: Canada and the U.S.
Sign up for Sweatcoin, and you can learn more about how the app works in this Sweatcoin review.
22. Daily Rewards
DailyRewards is a get-paid-to site operated by Prodege, the same company that runs Swagbucks. You can earn cash on the site when you take paid surveys, play games, and watch video ads.
New members get a bonus after signing up. Learn more in this Daily Rewards review.
23. Skillz Games
Skillz is a mobile games platform in the United States and Canada. If you are looking for competitive gaming and big paydays, Skillz may be worth checking out.
The top mobile games on the platform are:
Money Making iOS and Android App FAQs
Before installing an app, you should check out reviews and take a look at how much you can earn, payout options, and whether an app has any associated fees.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to money-making apps.
Cash back apps such as Neo Money, Rakuten, and Caddle pay you when you shop at a participating store. The more you shop using the apps, the more you earn.
Side gig apps such as DoorDash, Swagbucks, and Postmates are great for generating extra income right away, and you can scale up when you need more funds.
Sign up for several of the phone apps listed above to earn money actively and passively. Passive income apps such as Wealthsimple Trade, Questrade, and Lending Loop require very little effort to make money.
Checkout 51, Rakuten and Neo Money are the best cash back apps by far based on my experience. If you prefer to spend using your debit card or cash, Neo will still reward you with up to 5% cash back which is pretty impressive.
Sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Pinecone Research offer PayPal as one of the payment methods when you want to redeem your earnings.
In Canada, you can try Daily Rewards, Swagbucks, and Swagbucks Live. In the U.S., Inbox Dollars, Cashyy, and Mistplay offer great options.
