23 Apps That Pay You Instantly (Best Money Making Apps)
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Looking for apps that pay you money instantly? Maybe you need fast cash or are looking to generate extra income month after month. You’re going to discover how to achieve your income goals, however big or small, with your phone.
Most of us spend significant time on our mobile devices every day. You could be chatting, video-calling, or browsing. But you might as well make some money while at it.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best money making apps of this day and age. Now, let’s begin to explore.
Best Survey Apps That Pay You Money Instantly
Surveys are great for earning quick money on the side. You get rewarded with points, redeemable for PayPal cash or gift cards, upon completing surveys. Most survey companies offer bonuses for simply creating and confirming your account.
Brands are always looking for ways to make better products. So, they partner with survey apps to get user opinions. If you take a survey online, you get a portion of what brands have paid.
Here are the best-paying and legit survey apps to check out:
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the top apps that pay you cash for taking online surveys. You earn SB points after completing survey jobs on Swagbucks. You can redeem these points for real cash or gift cards from retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.
The app also allows you to complete various other tasks to maximize your earnings. They include the following:
- Using the Swagbucks search engine for browsing.
- Watching videos that last 15 to 30 minutes.
- Shopping online at various stores through Swagbucks.
- Downloading and using other apps on your Android or iOS device.
- Inviting your friends to join the platform through your unique link.
Your earnings depend on how many tasks you do. Many users make a few cents up to $100 a day on Swagbucks.
If you want more money, it’s essential to use every earning opportunity you get. This may mean spending more of your free time on the app.
Minimum payout amount: You can redeem as low as 300 SB for cash or gift cards. That’s equivalent to $3.
Start earning with Swagbucks
2. Survey Junkie
This is another survey app that pays well. Survey Junkie rewards users for simply sharing their opinion. You only need to set up a profile on the platform to start receiving survey opportunities that match your demographics.
You can earn a few cents to several bucks per completed survey. Usually, surveys that take a longer time to complete have more rewards than shorter ones. Your age, occupation, and other factors also determine how many opportunities and hence how much money you get.
Survey Junkies also rewards you for other things. You receive free points just for joining, completing your profile, and verifying your email address. Similar to Swagbucks, points are redeemable into PayPal cash and gift cards.
Minimum payout amount: $10
Start earning with Survey Junkie
3. InboxDollars
If you need another money making app, InboxDollars is for you. This platform pays you to take surveys online. There’s even a $5 sign-up bonus for new users.
Besides surveys, here are other ways to make money with InboxDollars:
- Shopping on your favorite online store through InboxDollars.
- Watching videos.
- Playing games.
- Reading emails.
- Participating in promos and contests.
The earnings per task vary. They start from several cents to several dollars. You’re rewarded in PayPal cash and Amazon gift cards.
Doing a variety of InboxDollars tasks is essential for earning more money. Most of them will be fun to do. So, you only have to complete the activities each day and get paid online.
Minimum payout amount: $30
Start earning with InboxDollars
4. i-Say
The i-Say app pays you to share your opinion. You earn points by taking surveys. If you want to voice your views about various big brands across different industries, this app suits you.
All you need to get started is to submit your personal details and household-related information. This way, the company will know which surveys fit you best.
You can connect with other users by taking part in polls based on a variety of topics. The app also allows you to create your own polls for others to answer.
Your survey earnings depend on factors such as the length of surveys. Most of them take several minutes to complete and you get rewarded with points soon after. Besides surveys, i-Say gives an opportunity to participate in contests and win.
Your earned points are redeemable for electronic gift cards. i-Say sends electronic gift card redemptions through email. You’re free to redeem them any time as long as you’ve earned enough of them.
Minimum payout amount: 1,100 points
5. Google Opinion Rewards
The Google Opinion Rewards survey app, available for Android and iOS, gives you real cash for your opinion. You simply take short surveys from wherever you are at any time and receive the rewards.
The process to join is simple: install the app and fill out basic details about yourself. This app offers various survey topics from which you can choose. Some examples are opinion polls, restaurant reviews, and brand satisfaction.
Google Opinion Rewards notifies you of any surveys you haven’t taken. After completing a survey, you get Google Play or PayPal credit. Google Play credits go to the Play Store account associated with the email address you give.
Minimum payout amount: $2
Best Cashback Apps That Pay You Money Instantly
Cashback apps pay you for shopping through them. All you need to do is use such an app every time you’re buying groceries and other items or even booking a hotel.
It’s quite simple how cashback works. The app sends you to a store, the store pays them a commission, and they share it with you.
6. Ibotta
Ibotta is one of the best apps that give you real money when you shop for stuff. You earn cashback by simply purchasing the items you need through Ibotta. It could be groceries, apparel, and other everyday purchases.
Here’s how to get cashback on your purchases through Ibotta:
- Get Ibotta for Android or iOS: Download the app from Google Play or App Store and set up your new account.
- Pick offers: You simply need to take out your shopping list and look for the items you need on Ibotta. It’s just like regular shopping, except that you’re now doing it through Ibotta.
- Shop for the items: Go to the stores and buy items in your list that are also Ibotta offers. You have to ensure that you visit a store that you see is supported on Ibotta.
- Prove your purchase: Go back to Ibotta and upload a photo of your receipt.
- Earn the cashback: Using your receipt, Ibotta will verify that you actually bought the stuff and you get the reward then. In fact, Ibotta currently offers $5 for submitting your first receipt.
Your Ibotta earnings depend on how frequently you use the app for purchases. If you can always remember to shop through Ibotta, you’ll make lots of extra bucks with time. You can withdraw what you’ve earned to PayPal.
Minimum payout amount: $20
7. Fetch Rewards
Another great cashback app to earn money instantly is Fetch Rewards. The best thing about this particular app is that you get rewards for any receipt from any store or restaurant. The reason is that Fetch Rewards supports lots of brands.
With Fetch Rewards, you’re free to shop for items across various categories and earn points. It can be groceries, drinks, personal care and wellness products, and much more.
The process to earn cashback is similar to Ibotta. You just need to shop and submit your receipt. Fetch Rewards rewards you with points once they confirm your purchases.
The points you earn depend on the type of product and how many purchases you make. If you use the app frequently, you’ll earn more points.
There’s a referral program where you invite friends to use Fetch Rewards too and get bonuses. You can then redeem the points for gift cards.
Minimum payout amount: You need at least 3,000 points, equivalent to $3, to cash out.
8. Rakuten
Rakuten is an app that rewards you with cashback when you buy stuff from various stores. You just need to shop as usual to earn your reward.
This app gives you access to daily deals on the latest items in the market. Whether you’re looking for clothing, home décor, or electronics, Rakuten has offers for you.
The cashback amount varies depending on the category and items you frequently need. Rakuten also has a welcome bonus for new users who have met certain shopping requirements.
Your Rakuten account may be accredited with cashback within a short time or after a few days. But the downside is that payments are only sent four times a year.
You get paid via PayPal or check. In some offers, gift cards apply.
Minimum payout amount: $5.01
Start earning with Rakuten
9. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is yet another popular cashback app for Android and iPhone that rewards users for shopping. The app gives you real money when you make gas and grocery purchases.
They’ve partnered with thousands of gas stations, grocery stores, and other stores. This means that you’re likely to find several brands you like through the app.
All you need to do is get the app, find an offer, and buy what you need that’s on offer. You earn cashback when you add a photo of your receipt and it’s approved.
The good thing is that even the items you buy from online stores are eligible for cashback. And you can use an itemized packing slip as proof of purchase.
If you don’t want to miss out on earning rewards, it’s best to upload your receipt immediately after shopping. You’re required to prove your purchase while an offer is still live.
Minimum payout amount: $20
10. Shopkick
Looking for another app that pays you to shop? Shopkick offers you reward points called kicks when you use the app for daily purchases.
You can either shop in-store or online to get the points. In fact, you earn some rewards for simply walking into a store with the app, your Internet, and Bluetooth on.
You’re required to scan a participating product’s barcode if you go to a store or upload your receipt thereafter. But you can also choose from over 80 online stores available through the Shopkick app.
Another way to earn kicks is by watching videos on the platform. The points you earn can be redeemed for gift cards from various retailers like Amazon or PayPal cash.
Minimum payout amount: $2 (or 500 kicks)
11. MyPoints
MyPoints is one of the earliest reward apps that pay actual cash for various tasks. One of them is shopping for stuff and getting rewards.
You simply need to create an account to start shopping. On the MyPoints app, you’ll find deals and promo codes at various stores. If there’s an item on offer that you need, you only have to make a purchase through MyPoints.
Another way to get points from MyPoints is by answering surveys online. Once you fill out your details, you’ll receive survey opportunities.
Most of the surveys take a few minutes to complete. But some longer ones that require thorough details can pay up to $50.
You can also earn from watching videos and playing games. Your points are redeemable for gift cards from a variety of brands or cash through PayPal or Visa.
Minimum payout amount: $25
Start earning with MyPoints
Other Money Making Apps for Android and iPhone That Pay You Cash
There are various things you can do online to get paid. These are the apps that pay you real money for things like selling stuff, offering a service, and more.
12. Acorns
Need an investment app for earning passive income? Acorns might interest you. The app works for beginner investors because the investment process is automated.
The Acorns investment app has a feature where it invests your spare change when you purchase something. For instance, Acorns will round up your $4.25 purchase to $5 and invest the additional $0.75 on your behalf. And you won’t have to actively monitor how things go with your investment.
The app works well for people who prefer low-effort investing or aren’t good at saving. The minimum investment amount on Acorns is $5. But you have to pay a monthly fee of $3 or $5 depending on the membership you choose.
Acorns automatically invests your share of earnings (or dividends) for you. If you have a well-balanced portfolio, this is usually more beneficial in the long run than taking the money.
Start earning with Acorns
Related: How to Invest $100 and Make $1,000
13. Instacart
If you’re looking for a grocery delivery app that pays well, Instacart is one of them. You get paid to shop and deliver customer orders.
There are two options for Instacart shoppers. These are the in-store shopper and full-service shopper roles.
In-store shoppers only have to shop for items. You spend a specified amount of time at a particular store organizing customer orders. And so, a car isn’t required.
A full-service shopper’s role is to shop and then deliver. If you have a car, this role suits you best.
You need to be able to lift at least 30 pounds to work as a personal shopper on Instacart. If you want to be a full-service shopper, you need a registered vehicle, driver’s license, and car insurance.
Your shopper earnings depend on various factors. They include how many orders you complete, the type of items, and how long it takes to shop and deliver.
Many shoppers make $14 an hour on average, according to PayScale. Customer tips, which you keep entirely, are a boost to what you earn.
Instacart pays you on a weekly basis via direct bank deposit. There’s the option to cash out daily for eligible delivery drivers in some places. This instant cash-out option requires $5 or more in earnings.
Start earning with Instacart
14. DoorDash
DoorDash is another app where you get paid to deliver food. The platform enables delivery people, called Dashers, to pick up food from local restaurants for delivery to customers.
The Dasher job suits you if you have a car, scooter, or bike in specific cities. You only need to finish the sign-up steps, install the app, and find orders in your area. There are in-app instructions on where to pick up and deliver the items.
DoorDash Dashers earn per delivery. The amount ranges from $2 to over $10. It depends on the time taken and the effort involved in picking and delivering. Also, you can receive tips and keep the entire amount.
DoorDash directly deposits your earnings into your bank account weekly. But there’s a Fast Pay feature where drivers who meet certain requirements can cash out any day. This option needs a small fee for processing.
Start earning with DoorDash
15. Amazon Flex
Amazon has millions of customers, many of whom prefer getting deliveries. Using Amazon Flex, delivery people can deliver the items that customers order. If you have a 4-door midsize or larger vehicle, you can work as an Amazon Flex driver.
The Shop and Deliver feature allows you to shop for groceries and directly deliver them to a customer. You only have to set up a driver account, pick an offer, grab the items from the store, and take them to the customer. There are instructions on the app that you follow on the shopping and delivery location.
You get paid once you’ve completed the order. How much you earn depends on location, time taken to deliver, and other factors.
There are also tips from customers to increase your earnings. You receive your pay twice a week via direct deposit.
Related: How to Make Money on Amazon (even without selling!)
16. Uber
Uber is a great app to make money driving. The reason is that many people use the app to request rides. It’s a perfect opportunity to make money from your car in various regions across the world.
You have the freedom to choose the hours that work for you. Whether that’s during the daytime or at night.
While the requirements vary by location, having a driver’s license and a registered 4-door vehicle is a great start. Most people are eligible to drive as long as they meet these requirements and have attained the legal driving age.
Once approved, you simply need to accept ride requests in your area. You then follow the Uber driver’s in-app instructions on the pick-up location and destination of the passenger.
Besides driving passengers, there’s Uber Eats which allows you to deliver food. In this case, you pick up takeout or groceries from a restaurant or store for a customer.
Uber drivers receive their pay via direct deposit on a weekly basis. But an instant cash-out option is available if you need your earnings any time of the day.
17. Rover
The Rover app pays pet sitters to take care of pets. If you like being in the company of cats or dogs, this is the app you need to make money.
With Rover, you’re connected with pet owners nearby who need pet-sitting services. Maybe they’re not always home or are taking a trip.
Rover’s sitting jobs involve drop-ins, overnight stays, and house sitting. So, you may be required to check in on a pet, host it overnight, or go to the owner’s place.
You just need to create a profile, select which pets you prefer, and choose your available time. You’re also required to go through a background check and get approved by Rover’s specialists.
Being a pet sitter requires you to know how to handle a specific pet. So, previous experience, like with your own pet, goes a long way.
As a Rover sitter, you get paid 2 days after completing a service. The amount depends on things like the type of pet, the pet care you offer, and the time it takes.
When it comes to withdrawal, you just need to request to withdraw your available funds. You receive earnings through PayPal or check.
Start earning with Rover
18. Foap
Foap is an app where you get paid to sell photos and videos. It’s a popular photo app with millions of downloads on Google Play and the App Store.
It doesn’t take much to start earning extra money from your content on Foap. You simply download the app, create your account, and add photos. It helps to give your photos proper captions and tags to reach more users and get them interested.
You earn money when individuals, agencies, or brands buy your content. Usually, it’s $10 per photo. But the app keeps half of it.
There are also creative “Missions” where you can participate and make more profit. The rewards range from $100 to $500 for regular Missions and up to a total of $2,000 for Premium Missions. You just need to upload some of your pictures and footage depending on the brand’s mission for a chance to win.
As for the payment method, Foap pays you via PayPal.
19. HealthyWage
Looking for an app that gives you money for losing weight? That would be HealthyWage.
If you’re planning to lose weight and need some motivation, the app can do that for you. You win a specific prize when you achieve your weight loss goals on HealthyWage.
The first thing you need to do, after launching the app, is to go and select the pounds you need to cut. It should be realistic and attainable for you to achieve it. You’re also required to decide and indicate how long it will take to accomplish the goal.
After that, you simply place an amount for the weight loss bet. The app will calculate a prize range based on the weight to be lost, the indicated period, and the bet amount.
From there, all you need to do is work out to attain your weight goal. If you do it within the specified period, you win the prize.
Start earning with HealthyWage
20. Sweatcoin
Want to get fit and get paid? If that’s so, Sweatcoin is the right money making app for you. This app pays you to walk by converting your steps into a digital currency called Sweatcoins.
Here is how to earn Sweatcoins:
- Get the Sweatcoin app for Android or iPhone.
- Launch the app and start walking such that it can track your steps.
- Get rewarded depending on the steps you’ve covered.
The Sweatcoin app has several membership levels based on your subscription:
- Mover: Free and can earn you up to 5 Sweatcoins (5,000 steps) a day.
- Shaker: Costs 4.75 Sweatcoins a month and can earn you up to 10 Sweatcoins (10,000 steps) a day.
- Quaker: Costs 20 Sweatcoins a month and can earn you up to 15 Sweatcoins (15,000 steps) a day.
- Breaker: Costs 30 Sweatcoins a month and can earn you up to 20 Sweatcoins (20,000 steps) a day.
- Trouble Maker: Costs $0.99 and can earn you up to 50 Sweatcoins a day.
As you can see, the much you earn depends on the number of steps. If you regularly walk significant distances, the app can reward you with more Sweatcoins.
You can exchange your Sweatcoins for various products and services on offer. They include discounted gadgets, restaurant vouchers, and holiday vouchers.
21. Decluttr
Have unwanted stuff taking up space in your home? Decluttr is an app that enables you to sell things you don’t need using your mobile device.
Maybe you have old or unused CDs, games, and cell phones. It would be great to sell them through Decluttr and put extra money in your pocket.
What you need to do is simply scan your stuff. You point your phone camera at the item’s barcode and instantly get a valuation. This works for media items such as CDs and games.
If it’s a tech device like a tablet, you select other product aspects such as the make, model, and condition. The app then gives you a price.
After that, you just need to box the item. Decluttr will email you a Welcome Pack with your shipping label once you complete the order.
You just need to print it and attach it to the box. Lastly, take the box to a nearby shipping location.
Remember, completing an order requires you to sell 10 media items or 1 tech item at minimum. The value has to be more than $5. Decluttr pays you via direct deposit or PayPal when they receive and check your package.
Start earning with Decluttr
22. Airbnb
It could be that you have a spare room and need extra income. If that’s the case, Airbnb is the app you need. You can become an Airbnb host and make money by simply hosting people at your place.
Most locations receive travelers from time to time all year long. In case you happen to be in such an area, sharing your space with others can be a good income source.
As a host, you can set the dates during which your place is available for rent. You’re also free to select the maximum period that your guests can stay. This way, you only rent out when there’s a need for it.
It’s also possible to rent out your apartment or entire house through Airbnb. This would mean generating more cash when you’re not staying at your home.
Your nightly rate and frequency of receiving guests determine how much you’ll earn. You get paid through a bank transfer, PayPal, Payoneer, or other payment methods available in your region.
23. Neighbor
Maybe what you need is an app that pays you for storing things. If you have extra storage space, listing it on Neighbor is a great way to make money on the side.
The Neighbor storage app simply brings you closer to nearby renters in need of storage. Some of the spaces you can offer to renters are garages, sheds, basements, and spare rooms.
If someone likes your listing, they just need to reserve it and connect with you. The two of you can communicate and even meet before the renter brings their items for storage.
For every month you store someone’s stuff, you get paid. Neighbor pays you via direct deposit through Stripe.
Start earning with Neighbor
Best Money Making Apps (FAQs)
What are the best apps to make money?
There are various apps to make money with depending on your interests. But if you need any money making app, the ones where you offer a service or sell stuff work best. They include DoorDash which pays you to deliver, Uber which pays you to drive, and Rover which pays you to pet sit.
Which apps make money fast?
If you need instant payouts without putting in a lot of effort, survey and cash back apps might suit you. Some of them are Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints.
You just need to do simple stuff on these reward apps to get paid. That includes taking surveys, shopping online, and watching videos.
How do the apps make money?
Most apps make money by taking a commission or charging a fee. For instance, a survey app takes a portion of what brands pay for market research and gives you the rest. A seller app may charge sellers a fee for listing their products or services on the platform.
Apps That Pay You Instantly (Wrapping It Up)
Nowadays, all you need is your phone to make some extra money. We’ve seen this through the mentioned Android and iPhone apps that pay you to do various things.
Now, you just need to pick the one that suits you best to get paid. You’re free to go with a few, but not too many, and see how well they work.
Most of these money making apps are legit. And so, you’ll surely earn an income if you’re determined to.