12 Best Money Making Apps That Pay Cash
It seems like everyone’s looking for ways to make a little extra cash these days, and thankfully, your smartphone can be a surprisingly useful tool for that.
Forget get-rich-quick schemes; we’re talking about legitimate apps that offer real opportunities to earn money, get cashback, or build a side business.
Whether you have specific skills, enjoy sharing your opinion, love shopping, or just want to declutter your home, there’s likely an app on this list that fits your needs.
Let’s explore twelve popular options where you can potentially make some real money.
1. Pinterest App
While Pinterest itself doesn’t directly pay users for pinning content like some social media platforms might, it serves as an incredibly powerful visual discovery engine that many entrepreneurs, bloggers, and creators leverage to earn real money indirectly.
Think of it less as a task site and more as a platform to drive significant traffic and generate sales for your own businesses.
You can use Pinterest to visually showcase products from your online store (like an Etsy shop or your own website), attract readers to your blog where you might have ads or affiliate links, or even directly promote affiliate products through carefully crafted, high-quality pins (always adhering to disclosure guidelines).
Building a strong Pinterest presence requires creating appealing visual content and understanding how users search and discover ideas on the platform.
For those who master it, it can become a substantial source of leads and income by directing users to where you actually make the sale.
Get started by exploring the Pinterest App.
2. Fiverr App
Fiverr has established itself as a leading global marketplace for freelance digital services, often referred to as “Gigs.”
If you possess a skill that can be delivered digitally – whether it’s graphic design, writing and translation, video editing, programming, voice-over work, social media management, or even more unique niche services – Fiverr offers a platform to connect with clients seeking those talents.
You create specific service packages (“Gigs”) starting at a base price (historically $5, hence the name, but prices vary widely now) and buyers purchase them directly.
As you complete orders successfully and gain positive reviews, your reputation grows, allowing you to command higher prices and attract more clients.
The Fiverr App is crucial for managing your Gigs on the go, allowing you to communicate effectively with buyers, receive order notifications, and even deliver work directly from your phone.
It’s a serious platform for building a freelance career or a substantial side income based on your skills.
3. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most well-known and versatile online rewards platforms where you earn points, called “SB,” for completing a variety of simple online tasks.
These tasks include taking market research surveys, watching video playlists, searching the web using their search engine, discovering and completing special offers (like signing up for services or playing games), and even earning cashback by shopping online through their portal.
Once you accumulate enough SB, you can redeem them for real rewards, including PayPal cash deposits or a wide selection of gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
While Swagbucks won’t replace your full-time job, it provides a flexible way to earn a bit of extra cash or gift cards during your spare time, like during commutes or while watching TV. The Swagbucks App makes it convenient to earn points from anywhere.
4. Rakuten
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a leading platform focused purely on providing cashback when you shop online (and sometimes in-store).
The concept is straightforward: retailers pay Rakuten a commission for sending shoppers their way, and Rakuten shares a portion of that commission with you as cashback.
To earn, you simply start your online shopping trip through the Rakuten app or website, clicking their link to your desired store before you make a purchase.
They partner with thousands of retailers across nearly every category, from clothing and electronics to travel and home goods.
You shop as you normally would, and Rakuten automatically tracks your purchase and credits your account with a percentage of your spending.
Payouts are typically sent quarterly via PayPal or a physical check (“Big Fat Check”).
It’s essentially free money for shopping you were already planning to do, making it a must-have for regular online shoppers. Download the Rakuten App to start saving.
5. Food Delivery Apps (e.g., DoorDash, Uber Eats)
This category encompasses several popular apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Instacart (for groceries), which function as platforms connecting customers with independent contractors for food and grocery delivery.
As a driver or “Dasher,” you use your own vehicle (car, bike, or scooter in some areas) to pick up orders from restaurants or stores and deliver them to customers’ homes or workplaces.
The main appeal is flexibility – you generally set your own hours, working when it suits your schedule. Earnings are typically composed of base pay per delivery, promotions (especially during peak hours like lunch and dinner rushes), and customer tips, which often make up a significant portion of income.
These apps provide order details, pickup/drop-off locations, and often in-app navigation. It’s an active gig that requires reliable transportation, a smartphone, and meeting specific platform requirements (like age, driver’s license, insurance).
>> Explore sign-up options like the DoorDash Dasher app or Uber Eats Driver app.
6. Facebook Marketplace
Already integrated within the main Facebook app that billions use, Facebook Marketplace has become a dominant platform for local buying and selling.
It’s an excellent tool for decluttering your home and earning cash from items you no longer need.
You can list almost anything, from furniture, electronics, and clothing to vehicles, toys, and household goods.
Creating a listing is straightforward: take clear photos, write an accurate and detailed description, and set your price (researching similar items helps). Interested buyers contact you directly via Facebook Messenger to ask questions or arrange pickup (or shipping, if you offer it).
One of the biggest advantages is that there are generally no listing fees for basic local sales, allowing you to keep more of the money.
Its massive user base means your items get significant visibility within your local community, making it a convenient and effective way to sell unwanted stuff.
Access it easily within the main Facebook App.
7. Etsy Seller App
Etsy has carved out a unique niche as the premier online marketplace specifically for handmade goods, vintage items (typically 20+ years old), and craft supplies.
If you are an artist, crafter, artisan, or collector of unique vintage pieces, Etsy provides a dedicated platform to reach millions of potential buyers actively seeking these types of products.
You can set up your own digital storefront to sell items like handmade jewelry, custom artwork, unique clothing, home decor, personalized gifts, and much more.
The Etsy Seller App is an essential tool for managing your shop on the go – allowing you to easily create and edit listings, upload photos, communicate with customers, track orders, manage shipping, and monitor your shop’s performance.
While Etsy does charge listing fees (a small flat fee per item) and transaction fees upon sale, it offers direct access to a targeted audience passionate about unique and handcrafted goods, making it a powerful platform for creative entrepreneurs.
8. MyPoints
MyPoints operates similarly to Swagbucks as another long-standing online rewards program where members earn points for engaging in various online activities.
You can accumulate points by taking surveys, watching video playlists, reading promotional emails (and clicking links within them), printing and redeeming grocery coupons, playing games, and, significantly, by shopping online through their portal to earn points per dollar spent at participating retailers.
These points can then be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including gift cards to numerous restaurants and stores, travel miles with select airline partners, or, perhaps most appealingly, cash payouts via PayPal.
Like other task-based reward sites, MyPoints is best viewed as a way to earn some extra pocket money or fund small treats during your downtime, rather than a primary income source.
The MyPoints App allows you to conveniently access earning opportunities from your phone.
9. Ibotta
Ibotta specializes in offering cashback primarily on grocery purchases, although it has expanded to include offers at other retail stores, pharmacies, and even some online retailers.
Before you go shopping, you browse the app for available offers on products you intend to buy – these can range from specific branded items to generic “any brand” offers on staples like milk or bread.
You add the relevant offers to your list within the app.
After making your purchases at a participating store (most major grocery chains and many other retailers are included), you simply upload a photo of your receipt using the app’s built-in scanner. Ibotta automatically matches the offers on your list with the items on your receipt and credits your account with the corresponding cashback amount.
For some retailers, you can also link your store loyalty card for potentially easier, automatic offer redemption.
Once you reach the minimum payout threshold (usually $20), you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, Venmo, or choose from various gift cards. The Ibotta App can lead to significant savings on your regular grocery bills.
10. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 functions very much like Ibotta, focusing on providing cashback rewards for grocery and everyday essential purchases.
Each week, typically starting on Thursday, the app releases a new list of offers. Users browse these offers and can “claim” the ones for products they plan to buy.
A key difference and advantage of Checkout 51 is that you can often redeem offers regardless of where you shop; you aren’t always limited to specific partner stores for many offers.
After purchasing the qualifying items, you take a clear photo of your entire receipt and upload it through the app.
Checkout 51 verifies the purchase and credits the cashback amount to your account.
Once your balance reaches the $20 minimum threshold, you can request a payout.
Historically, they primarily mailed physical checks, but it’s wise to check their current payout options within the app, which may include electronic methods.
It’s another excellent tool to stack savings on top of coupons and sales. Download the Checkout 51 App.
11. Decluttr
If you have old tech gadgets, physical media, or even LEGO bricks collecting dust,
Decluttr offers a convenient way to sell them for cash with minimal hassle.
They primarily buy used smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles (like PlayStation and Xbox), MacBooks, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games.
Using the Decluttr App/Site, you can often use your phone’s camera to scan the barcodes on your media items (or manually enter tech details) to get an instant valuation.
If you’re happy with the offered price, you accept it, pack all your items securely into a single box, and Decluttr provides a free, prepaid shipping label to send your package to them.
Once they receive and inspect your items to ensure they match the description, they process your payment quickly, typically via direct deposit into your bank account or PayPal.
It’s a fantastic way to declutter your space responsibly and make some money from things you no longer use, without the complexities of individual listings and finding buyers yourself.
12. eBay
As one of the original and largest online auction and marketplace platforms, eBay remains a powerhouse for selling almost anything, both new and used.
Whether you have unique collectibles, vintage clothing, used electronics, car parts, handmade crafts, or everyday household items, there’s likely a market for it on eBay.
You have the flexibility to list items in an auction-style format, letting buyers bid against each other, or set a fixed “Buy It Now” price for immediate purchase.
Success on eBay often hinges on taking high-quality photographs from multiple angles, writing detailed and honest descriptions (including any flaws), pricing competitively, and managing shipping effectively.
Be aware that eBay charges seller fees, typically a percentage of the final sale price plus potential listing fees depending on the format and category.
The eBay App is indispensable for sellers, allowing you to easily create listings, monitor bids and sales, communicate with buyers, manage shipping, and track your performance directly from your smartphone.
Its massive global user base provides unparalleled reach to potential buyers worldwide.
Thank you For Reading!
So there you have it – 12 distinct apps offering legitimate paths to earning real money or valuable rewards, all accessible right from your smartphone.
From quick tasks and cashback on shopping to selling goods and offering freelance services, the options are diverse.Â
Remember that significant earnings usually require consistent effort, specific skills, or strategic use of these platforms.
Not every app will be the perfect fit for everyone, so consider your interests, available time, and goals.
Explore the ones that sound promising, give them an honest try, and you might just find a convenient new way to boost your income or save money using the device you carry every day.