If you’re looking for ways to balance your budget, numerous apps can help you earn extra cash or save money on everyday purchases. These money-making apps make it easy to use your mobile device to pick up a side gig, take online surveys, sell stuff you no longer use, lower your bills, and more. The best money-making apps let you sign up for free, get paid quickly, and set your own hours. Here are our top picks for 2024.
Best money-making apps compared 2024
Our recommendations for the best apps to make money
1. Best for online surveys: Survey Junkey
Survey Junkey is an online market shravskitchen.com research community. As a member, you complete surveys in exchange for virtual points, which you can instantly redeem for e-gift cards or PayPal payments. You’ll answer a few questions and create a profile to get started, and then Survey Junkey matches you to relevant surveys. You won’t get rich taking surveys, and the company points out that it’s not meant to replace a full-time job. Still, it says you can earn $40 monthly by completing three surveys a day.
Pros:
- Earn money completing brief surveys
- Redeem points for e-gift cards or PayPal
Cons:
- Surveys might be expired
- Some surveys have repetitive questions
2. Best for earning gift cards: Swagbucks
Swagbucks lets you earn points by completing easy tasks like answering surveys, playing games, watching videos, and searching the internet. You can also earn cash back and access exclusive deals and coupons when you shop at over 1,500 in-store and online retailers (including grocers). Membership is free, and you can redeem your points for gift cards to retailers like Amazon or Walmart or get cash back from PayPal.
Pros:
- Multiple ways to earn points
- Redeem points for gift cards or cash
Cons:
- Low earnings potential
- Some tasks are time-consuming
3. Best for keeping track of your finances: Rocket Money
Rocket Money (the same company behind Rocket Mortgage) is a money management and budgeting app that lets you see all your financial accounts in one place, create budgets, automate your savings, and monitor your credit score so you can save more, spend less, and get (and stay) on track. The app is free, but you’ll pay $3 to $12 monthly for premium services, including subscription cancellation, chatting with a money expert, and bill negotiation (which costs 30% to 60% of your first-year savings).
Pros:
- Numerous budgeting and savings features
- Credit reports and tracking
Cons:
- Free version is limited
- Bill negotiation service can be pricey
4. Best for delivery drivers: DoorDash
DoorDash “Dashers” make money delivering products from restaurants, convenience stores, pet stores, grocery stores, and more. To get started, sign up and apply online, set up your profile, and then schedule shifts or start dashing right away. You choose when and how much you want to work and earn a guaranteed base rate for every order, plus tips. You can set up free, automatic weekly payouts or get paid instantly after every dash for no fee with DasherDirect Instant Pay.
Pros:
- Set your own hours
- Keep 100% of your tips
Cons:
- Vehicle costs (gas, wear and tear, etc.)
- No earnings while waiting for food orders
5. Best for cash back: Rakuten Rewards
Rakuten Rewards (formerly Ebates) offers cash back, deals, and coupons at over 3,500 stores on everything from clothes and electronics to restaurants and ridesharing. Sign up for a free account in less than 30 seconds and start shopping on Rakuten.com, the Rakuten app, or the browser extension. You can also link store offers to your credit card to earn in-store cash back. Rakuten Rewards emails you when it adds cash back to your account, and you’ll get a payment every three months by check or PayPal.
Pros:
- Unlimited cash back
- $10 welcome bonus for new users
Cons:
- Some cash back rates are low
- Cash back awarded every three months