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Finding the best money-making app in 2025
The best money-making apps of 2025 offer new income opportunities at your fingertips.
With rapid technological growth, earning extra cash has never been easier—whether you seek small gains or consistent income.
These apps feature low cash-out thresholds, flexibility, and quick earning potential.
For freelancers, entrepreneurs, or anyone wanting to boost their finances, these top apps deliver convenience and opportunity in just a few taps.
Why money-making apps are perfect for today’s lifestyle
Ideal for side income without full-time commitments, these apps let you earn passively, through gig work, or as a freelancer—all on your schedule.
Top money-making apps for 2025
Below is a detailed breakdown of 2025’s top-rated apps across categories, tailored to different earning styles.
Each includes key features, benefits, and ideal users.
| Category | App highlights |
|---|---|
| Cash-back rewards | Earn rewards on everyday purchases with instant redemption options. |
| Freelancing | Connect with global clients for writing, design, or consulting gigs. |
| Passive income | Generate earnings through app-based investments or content sharing. |
| Survey/micro-task | Complete quick tasks or share opinions for instant payouts. |
Cash-back and reward apps
For shoppers (online or in-store), these apps let you earn money back effortlessly. Ideal for maximizing everyday spending.
Rakuten
Overview: Partners with thousands of stores to offer cash-back deals online and in-store. Earn rewards by shopping via their app or website.
Key features:
- User-friendly interface
- Frequent deals
- Wide retail partnerships (e.g., Macy’s, Sephora)
Ideal for: Frequent shoppers, students, budget-conscious individuals.
Ibotta
Overview: Offers cash-back on groceries and retail purchases. Browse offers, add to your list, and redeem by uploading receipts.
Key features:
- Grocery-focused rewards
- Compatible with major retailers (e.g., Walmart, Target)
Ideal for: Students, parents, grocery savers.
Fetch Rewards
Overview: Earn points by scanning grocery receipts, redeemable for gift cards.
Key features:
- Quick receipt scanning
- Works with any grocery store
Ideal for: Busy shoppers, families.
Dosh
Overview: Automatically earns cash-back at restaurants, hotels, and retailers. Funds go to your Dosh wallet.
Key features:
- Automatic rewards
- Diverse categories (e.g., Burger King, Walmart)
Ideal for: Travelers, dining enthusiasts.
Shopkick
Overview: Earn “kicks” (points) for scanning items, purchasing, or entering partner stores.
Key features:
- In-store rewards
- Redeemable for gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Target)
Ideal for: Casual shoppers, in-store browsers.
Comparison table
| App | Main feature | Cash-out options | Retail partners | Who it’s best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | Cash-back on shopping | Direct deposit, PayPal | example partners: Macy’s, Sephora, Nike | Frequent shoppers, students |
| Ibotta | Grocery cash-back | PayPal, gift cards | Costco, Best Buy | Grocery shoppers, families |
| Fetch Rewards | Points via receipts | Gift cards | Any grocery store | Busy shoppers |
| Dosh | Automatic cash-back | Direct deposit, PayPal | Pizza Hut, Walmart | Travelers, diners |
| Shopkick | In-store rewards | Gift cards | Best Buy, Amazon | Casual shoppers |
Gig and freelance apps
Flexible work opportunities for showcasing skills, connecting with clients, and earning on your terms.
Fiverr
Overview: Connects freelancers with clients needing services like graphic design or digital marketing.
Key features:
- Large user base
- Project-based work
- Diverse categories (writing, programming, etc.)
Ideal for: Freelancers, students with specialized skills, side gig seekers.
Upwork
Overview: Offers freelance jobs in tech, writing, marketing, and more.
Key features:
- Hourly or project-based work
- Strong client base
- Comprehensive categories
Ideal for: Full-time freelancers, remote workers, gig workers.
TaskRabbit
Overview: Local services platform for tasks like home repairs, moving help, and furniture assembly.
Key features:
- Location-based gigs
- Same-day tasks
- Flexible service range
Ideal for: Local service providers, students, flexible earners.
Freelancer
Overview: Global marketplace for freelance gigs in programming, design, and administration.
Key features:
- Varied job opportunities
- Project bidding system
- Global reach
Ideal for: Creative professionals, gig workers with diverse skills.
Gigwalk
Overview: Provides short-term, location-based gigs like retail audits and product reviews.
Key features:
- Quick tasks
- Mobile-friendly
- Partnerships with major brands
Ideal for: Casual gig workers, part-time seekers, minimal-commitment earners.
Comparison table
| App | Focus area | Payment options | Job types | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | Freelance services | Direct deposit, PayPal | Writing, design, marketing | Skilled freelancers |
| Upwork | Multi-industry freelancing | Direct deposit, PayPal | Tech, content, marketing | Full-time remote workers |
| TaskRabbit | Location-based services | Direct deposit | Moving, repairs, cleaning | Local service providers |
| Freelancer | Freelance marketplace | Direct deposit, PayPal | Programming, design, admin | Creative professionals |
| Gigwalk | Short-term gigs | Direct deposit, PayPal | Retail audits, product reviews | Casual gig workers |
Fun Money Making Apps
Here are some additional top money-making apps that get you a little more involved:
Acorns
Overview: Rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change.
Key features:
- Automatic round-ups
- User-friendly interface
- Managed portfolios
Ideal for: Beginners in investing, students, passive income seekers.
Sweatcoin
Overview: Rewards users with virtual coins based on their daily steps, redeemable for products, services, or cash.
Key features:
- Health-focused rewards
- Simple to use
- Various redemption options
Ideal for: Fitness enthusiasts, daily walkers, active earners.
Honeygain
Overview: Pays users for sharing their unused internet connection.
Key features:
- Passive income model
- Secure data sharing
- Multiple payout options
Ideal for: Tech-savvy users, those with unlimited data, hands-off earners.
Neighbor
Overview: Allows users to rent out extra storage space to people in need.
Key features:
- Passive rental income
- Secure platform
- Great for unused spaces
Ideal for: Homeowners, those with extra space, rental income seekers.
Mobee
Overview: Pays users to complete “missions” at local businesses in exchange for rewards.
Key features:
- Local mystery shopping
- Fun and engaging tasks
- Cash and gift card payouts
Ideal for: Mystery shoppers, students, local explorers.
Comparison Table
| App | Main Feature | Earnings Type | Ideal User | Unique Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorns | Round-up investing | Investment portfolio | New investors | Hands-free investing |
| Sweatcoin | Earn from daily steps | Digital currency | Fitness enthusiasts | Rewards for staying active |
| Honeygain | Share unused data | Cash | Tech-savvy users | Passive data-sharing income |
| Neighbor | Rent storage space | Rental income | Homeowners | Monetize unused space |
| Mobee | Local missions | Gift cards, cash | Mystery shoppers | Explore and earn locally |
Survey and Micro-Task Apps
Survey and micro-task apps are great for people who want quick and easy ways to earn a few extra dollars during downtime. They’re perfect if you’re looking to make some side cash without dedicating a lot of time.
Swagbucks
Overview: Rewards you for simple tasks like answering surveys, watching videos, and shopping online.
Key features:
- Multiple earning methods
- Easy-to-redeem points
- Various reward options
Ideal for: Students, part-time workers, casual earners.
Survey Junkie
Overview: Offers paid surveys to help companies improve products and services.
Key features:
- Simple surveys
- Direct payouts
- User-friendly platform
Ideal for: Opinion givers, gig workers, survey enthusiasts.
Toluna
Overview: Rewards users for sharing their opinions through surveys and product testing.
Key features:
- Engaging surveys
- Frequent opportunities
- Community-based platform
Ideal for: Social and engaged users, product enthusiasts.
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)
Overview: Allows users to complete “Human Intelligence Tasks” like data entry and surveys for small amounts of money.
Key features:
- High volume of tasks
- Simple to complete
- Consistent work opportunities
Ideal for: Gig workers, remote employees, students.
InboxDollars
Overview: Pays users for activities like reading emails, playing games, and taking surveys.
Key features:
- Fun, varied tasks
- User-friendly interface
- Direct payout options
Ideal for: Casual earners, those with free time, side hustlers.
Comparison Table
| App | Main Earning Task | Cash-Out Options | Best For | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | Surveys, tasks | PayPal, gift cards | Students, side gig seekers | Multiple ways to earn |
| Survey Junkie | Paid surveys | Direct deposit, gift cards | Gig workers, opinion givers | Quick survey payouts |
| Toluna | Surveys, product testing | PayPal, gift cards | Product testers, social users | Engaging community platform |
| MTurk | Micro-tasks | Bank transfer | Part-time earners | Quick, simple tasks |
| InboxDollars | Emails, games, surveys | PayPal, checks | Casual earners | Fun and varied earning tasks |
Key Takeaways for Choosing the Best Money-Making App
- Align with Your Goals: Each app suits a different purpose—choose one that fits your lifestyle, interests, and income goals.
- Understand Time Commitment: Passive income apps require less time, while gig and survey apps may need more involvement.
- Consider Payout Options: Make sure the app’s cash-out methods work for you, whether through PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.
- Check User Reviews: Look at ratings on Google Play, the App Store, or social media for firsthand insights from real users.
Get Started on Your Money-Making Journey!
With so many options, pick an app that matches your earning style and start today.
If you prefer shopping rewards, paid surveys, or quick gig work, there’s a way to earn extra cash effortlessly.
Which of these apps are you going to try out?
Drop a comment below.
