Best Apps to Make Money

While you’re scrolling around on your phone for hours, you could actually be using the best apps to make money to reward yourself.

Believe it or not, some apps can actually kickback money to you for what you’d be doing anyway – whether it’s buying certain products, selling things you’re trying to get rid of or even exercising.

You can earn money by giving your opinion through surveys or set your extra change to work for you in the form of investments.

Money-making apps are no substitute for income from a job. They often pay small amounts. Still, many people appreciate that extra pocket money, especially when earning it is so easy.

Here’s are some of best apps to make money that are becoming popular for the way they easily pad your wallet:

1. Rakuten

Rakuten, formerly called Ebates, is an ideal app for bargain shoppers.

Basically, Rakuten makes money from retailers when they direct shoppers their way. In return, it kicks back some of that commission to consumers in the form of saving. Typically, discounts range from about 4% to 15% depending on the retailer.

The end result is that you can save substantially on items you would buy normally just by buying them through the Rakuten app. You can get bargains that the retailers themselves don’t even offer.

Your money accrues in your cash back account, and you can snag it quarterly through a PayPal payment or through a mailed check. Currently, you can join for free and get a $10 sign-on bonus.

2. Shopkick

Shopkick is among the other best apps to make money for bargain hunters, giving you kickbacks for what you buy either online on in stores if the items are in the app.

The Shopkick app rewards points, which can be redeemed for free gift cards from a number of retailers – Amazon, Sephora, Starbucks and Target to name a few.

(Read also: How to Payoff Debt Faster.)

3. Swagbucks

With Swagbucks, you can earn kickbacks in six different ways. Earn points for shopping online, shopping in stores, answering surveys or even just browsing the internet.

You can get cash back through PayPal or free gift cards to retailers like Amazon or Walmart.

4. Acorns

A “micro-investing” account, Acorns is one of the best apps to make money through online investing. This app allows you to round up your purchases to the nearest dollar, and then have the spare change funneled to your portfolio. With everything automated, it’s a fairly painless way to save and invest.

You set up a portfolio on Acorns that matches your investing goals and level of risk tolerance. Acorns will ask you a few questions about that, then recommend a mix of ETFs. Acorns’ portfolios range from conservative to aggressive.

It does cost $1 to $3 to sign up.

(Read also: How to Invest $5,000 Right Now.)

5. The Money App

The highly-rated Money App is another market research app, similar to Swagbucks. It gives you rewards for completing tasks on your phone that you can do from your couch.

You can answer surveys, play games or participate in free trials. Other tasks include mystery shopping, testing services and checking store displays.

Redeem your points for cash through PayPal, and get paid within a few days.

(Read also: Is a $1,000 Emergency Fund Enough?)

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6. Ibotta

Ibotta is another legit shopping app that you can use to get cash back on items you would normally purchase. It’s highly rated by both iphone and Android users.

You can use ibotta at more than 300 major retailers like Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart and restaurants like Chipotle, Olive Garden and Peet’s coffee. The app is free and there is no membership fee.

To use ibotta, simply select the product offers from the app and then, after you go shopping, upload the receipt. You’ll get cash back for any items that match your offer list. You can also use your loyalty card at some retailers so you don’t have to upload the receipt.

Once you earn $20, you can get that money cashback through PayPal of with a gift card. Score a $20 welcome bonus just for using the app.

(Read also: How to Increase Your Credit Score)

7. MyPoints

MyPoints also has a rewards program for shopping. Score an up to 40% discount from major retailers like Macy’s, Best Buy, Walmart and Home Depot.

You can earn also points by reading emails or taking surveys or downloading the search tool bar and searching the web. Then, once you have earned enough points, you can redeem them for gift certificates to retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Best Buy or Hotels.com.

Just by signing on and completing your profile you earn a $10 bonus from Amazon or a Visa gift card. Referring a friend gets you 25 points.  

8. Dosh

Dosh users earn automatic cash back when they dine out, travel or shop.

To start earning, you simply download the app and link your cards to it – you won’t need to scan receipts or use coupons. If the brands you shop with are linked to Dosh, you’ll get money funneled into your account.

Some of Dosh’s retailers include Walmart, Pizza Hut, GNC, Sephora, and Disney+, The Honest Co. among many others. You can also get cash back via Dosh at more than 6,000 hotels.

9. Foap

Foap attracts photography lovers – and they can make a quick buck from just the photos on their phone.

You can turn your photos (or videos!) into extra cash by uploading them and selling them to brands around the world. When the brands choose your photos for their campaign, you split the profits 50/50.

Companies have found buying photos from Foap to be less expensive than buying photos from professional companies. This app has nearly a full five stars in the Apple store with more than 11,000 ratings.  

So far, the company says more than 3 million creators have signed on. And it says about half the users are making money – some hundreds of dollars at a time.

Just remember, if you take pictures of people that show their face, you need to get their permission before you sell them.

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