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Best Apps That Pay You Real Money

Irina Tsymbaliuk
Best Apps That Pay You Real Money

Right now, more than 5 million mobile applications are available on the web. But did you know there are some apps that pay you, not the other way around? And no, it’s not gambling or sports betting. Lots of legit apps pay for taking surveys or testing games and can save money with cashback or help in investing. In this article, you’ll read about the best apps to make money and figure out what option suits you.

What to Consider Before Downloading an App

What to Consider Before Downloading an App

Before diving into the world of money-making apps, it's essential to evaluate several factors to ensure a smooth and beneficial experience.

Choose what works for you

First, think about how much time you intend to spend on implementing a task and how exactly you want to do this. Do you want to participate in a survey in your spare time? Or do you want to get cashback while shopping or booking a hotel? Or are you just looking for a way to get passive income? Money-making apps are diverse, and payment is usually determined by the amount of work performed.

Check the payment method

Most applications allow for the withdrawal of money but require a PayPal account to simplify payouts. Others, instead of cash, provide points, coupons, and vouchers, which don’t directly help boost your income. Therefore, thoroughly review the conditions and the payment plan before you sign in.

Keep in mind your financial expectations

Choose an app depending on how much you wish to make. If you plan to earn thousands of dollars, taking surveys or playing games can’t help you here. In such cases, you should pay attention to products like Upwork, Uber, or Steady. There, you can find a gig with good compensation and better opportunities, while the experience you gain might be useful in the future.

Figure out the first financing

While many applications are free, others are paid or take sales percentages. These expenses, as well as initial inputs, are often minor, but in some cases they can impact your overall income. For example, Upwork charges a 10% fee for any freelancer services.

Make sure the app is trustworthy

Before downloading apps that make you money, examine them closely and check forums to ensure they’re not scams. Suspicious apps might request sensitive data for registration, while trusted ones just require your email and general info.

Don’t forget to research a company and check reviews. Legit money-making apps usually have plenty of customer feedback and big download statistics.

Best Apps That Make You Money

There are various apps for money-making that range in benefits they provide and tasks you're required to do. Here, we’ll explore 3 main types:

Apps for conducting surveys and performing tasks

Swagbucks

Swagbucks

Swagbucks makes it possible to earn money by completing surveys, watching videos, searching the internet, and testing new games. Users can earn Swagbucks, which can be converted into cash or gift cards. The best feature of Swagbucks is its extension, which allows users to earn points by switching their default search engine or adding it to their default web browser. Swagbucks offers a variety of withdrawal options, including PayPal money transfers and redeeming points for gift cards from popular brands or retailers.

Pros:

  • Free membership
  • Welcome bonus of $3
  • Different ways to get points
  • Easy-to-use

Cons:

  • Relatively low earnings
  • Some tasks are time-consuming
  • No online chat

InboxDollars

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is one of the apps that pay real money, not just referral points. Like Swagbucks it suggests different ways to make money: filling out surveys, playing games, and watching videos. It also has a search bar, using which you can get 5 cents per day. The easiest way to start earning from this site is by reading e-mails with product and service offers.

Pros:

  • Fast and easy registration
  • Several versions for different countries
  • $5 sign-up bonus
  • Many choices for withdrawal
  • Pays in real money

Cons:

  • Not available in some US regions or countries
  • Takes too much time to earn

Apps for shopping and cashback

Rakuten

Rakuten

Rakuten provides cashback, discounts, and coupons for over 3,500 retailers, including clothing, gadgets, and food services. Cashback is available through the app, in-store cashback, and an online extension. Every three months, Rakuten Rewards will email you when cashback is added to your account. Payments will be made via PayPal or check.

Pros:

  • Several ways for withdrawals
  • Welcome bonus of $3 via a referral link
  • No limits to the amount of cashback

Cons:

  • Certain cashback rates are low
  • Takes three months to make a withdrawal

Ibotta

Ibotta

Ibotta is another favored example of apps that give you money in cashback. Users can save money through purchases at partnering stores and by scanning their checks. You can either ask for a direct deposit to your bank or PayPal account, or redeem it for a gift card when you reach $20. However, if your account goes six months without redemption, you will be charged a $3.99 monthly maintenance fee from your accumulated Ibotta earnings.

Pros:

  • $20 bonus for signing up
  • Additional bonuses
  • Wide variety of stores
  • Several ways for withdrawals

Cons:

  • Maintenance fee after six months
  • Problems with synchronizing some stores

Best money-making apps for investments

Acorns

Acorns

Acorns service is often called an “investing app for millennials” as it fully automates the process. The app rounds up your purchases and deposits the extra money into your account after you link your bank card to it. Acorn’s users select ready-made options, and the platform automatically maintains the original proportions of instruments. It has two payment plans depending on your needs: personal ($3) and family ($5).

Pros:

  • Automatization of investing
  • User-friendliness
  • Automatic re-bundling
  • Multiple account types
  • Simple fee structure

Cons:

  • Poor online support
  • Absence of tax-loss harvesting
  • Non-profitable commission for investors with small balances

Stash

Stash

Stash is great both for beginners and advanced users. Investing with Stash is affordable because of the availability of fractional shares that start at $0.05. To earn income in Stash, you don't need to have a deep understanding of stocks and exchange-traded funds, build a portfolio, and monitor its profitability. Instead, Stash offers a Smart Portfolio feature, which makes investing almost effortless for anybody. Payment plans start from $1 and go up to $9 if you require additional features.

Pros:

  • Unique cashback system
  • No trading commission
  • Low minimum deposit level
  • Internal training platform

Cons:

  • Only two methods of withdrawals
  • Monthly fees
  • Poor online support

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of apps to make money, but not each of them may suit you. Some have only one way of withdrawing, others have a small earning potential. On the other hand, many apps can help to save up or make money fast and effortlessly by searching the Internet or conducting surveys. So, choose wisely, and check customer feedback before downloading.