28 Top Apps to Earn Extra Cash Quickly

Looking for the best money making apps and websites?

If you own a smartphone or a laptop, there are many legitimate apps and websites that can help you earn extra income.

The average person spends over 4.2 hours a day using mobile apps.

If you’re going to spend that time on your phone anyway, you might as well use some of it to earn money.

As a personal finance writer, I regularly test and review apps that pay real money. I keep this list updated so readers can find reliable ways to boost their income or save while shopping.

The apps and websites below can help you:

Earn money from your phone
Save or earn cash back when shopping online
Find side hustles you can do online or locally

Every dollar counts. Trying several of these options can help you increase income and reduce expenses. You never know which app or platform might become a meaningful source of extra money.

Below I explain the top money-making apps and answer common questions like: Are these apps safe? How do they pay you? And which ones deliver the best results?

Before we dive in, here’s a quick list of recommended apps and sites:

Freecash
Fetch Rewards
Rakuten
Poshmark
American Consumer Opinion
Ibotta
Survey Junkie
Neighbor
Swagbucks
Acorns
InboxDollars
Branded Surveys
Pinecone Research
PrizeRebel
Gazelle
Opinion Outpost
User Interviews
Mystery Shopping
Craigslist
Rover
RVshare
Turo
DoorDash
GetUpside
Facebook Marketplace
Capital One Shopping
Honeygain
TaskRabbit

Top money-making apps and websites

1. Freecash

Freecash is fast, user-friendly, and pays out quickly. By completing short tasks—like playing games or answering surveys—you can earn cash that’s redeemable for PayPal or popular gift cards. I tested Freecash and earned a notable amount in a short time, showing how rewarding the platform can be if you take on multiple tasks.

2. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards gives you points for scanning receipts from almost any store—groceries, clothing, restaurants, gas stations and more. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers like Amazon or Target. Simply shop as usual, snap a photo of your receipt, and collect points for qualifying purchases.

3. Rakuten

Rakuten (formerly Ebates) pays cash back when you shop through their links at thousands of online retailers. The platform earns commissions from partner stores and shares a portion of that commission with you as cash back. It’s an easy way to get money back on purchases you would have made anyway.

woman selling clothes on money making app

4. Poshmark

Poshmark is a popular marketplace for selling clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty products, and home items. Listing is simple: take photos, write a description, set a price, and manage offers through the app. It’s a quick way to turn unused items into cash.

5. American Consumer Opinion

This is a reputable survey platform that pays you for your opinions. Payouts vary by survey length and complexity, and the site also offers product testing opportunities. It’s free to join and has a long track record of paying members.

6. Ibotta

Ibotta offers cash back on purchases both in-store and online. You unlock rebates in the app, shop, then verify your receipts to receive cash back. It supports hundreds of retailers and pays via cash or gift cards.

7. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie matches you to paid surveys based on your profile. Rewards can be redeemed via PayPal or gift cards. It’s available in the U.S., Canada, and Australia and is straightforward to use for supplemental income.

8. Neighbor

Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage platform—think Airbnb for storage. You can rent out unused spaces like garages, basements, driveways, or closets. Hosts set their own prices, manage bookings, and receive monthly payouts. The platform provides host liability protection and handles payments.

9. Swagbucks

Swagbucks rewards you for a variety of online activities: shopping, watching videos, playing games, scanning receipts, taking surveys, and even searching the web. Points are redeemable for PayPal cash or gift cards. It’s versatile and easy to use for small consistent earnings.

10. Acorns

Acorns is a micro-investing app that rounds up your purchases and invests the spare change. It offers multipliers on round-ups and additional features like cash-back offers and diversified portfolio options. It’s a hands-off way to start investing small amounts regularly.

11. InboxDollars

InboxDollars pays you for watching videos, taking surveys, using coupons, and playing games. Surveys typically pay between $0.50 and $5, and the site often offers sign-up bonuses. It’s another user-friendly option for earning small amounts from home.

12. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys connects members to paid surveys that typically pay from $0.50 to $5, depending on length. Points can be redeemed for cash or a large selection of gift cards. It’s free to join and has paid out millions to its members.

13. Pinecone Research

Pinecone Research is known for reliable survey payouts and occasional product tests. Each survey typically pays a fixed amount, and the company has a reputation for consistent, timely payments to participants.

14. PrizeRebel

PrizeRebel rewards users with points for completing surveys and tasks, which you can redeem for cash or gift cards. It’s available in many countries and has paid out significant amounts to its members since launch.

15. Gazelle

Gazelle buys used electronics, especially phones. It’s a convenient way to sell old devices for cash quickly and securely.

16. Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost pays users for short surveys that usually take about 10 minutes. Payments are made via PayPal or gift cards, making it a straightforward option for quick survey earnings.

17. User Interviews

User Interviews connects participants with higher-paying research studies and focus groups. Many studies pay $50 to $100 per hour or more, and opportunities can include online interviews, diary studies, and in-person focus groups.

18. Mystery shopping with BestMark

Mystery shopping lets you evaluate customer service and the in-person experience while getting paid or receiving reimbursements. Assignments vary from retail visits to phone-based assessments and can include free products or cash payments.

19. Craigslist gigs

Local Craigslist listings can provide quick, one-time jobs—dog sitting, moving help, housecleaning, flyer distribution, and more. These gigs often pay immediately after the work is completed.

20. Rover

Rover connects pet owners with dog walkers, sitters, and boarders. Depending on the service and location, pet sitters can earn $25 or more per day for boarding or walking pets.

21. RVshare

RVshare lets RV owners rent their vehicles to travelers. Hosts can earn significant daily rates, and the platform handles payments and releases funds to your account shortly after a rental begins.

22. Turo

Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental service that lets you rent out your vehicle when you’re not using it. Turo offers insurance coverage options and estimates average monthly earnings for hosts.

23. DoorDash

DoorDash is a major food-delivery app where drivers choose their hours, accept delivery offers, and get paid per delivery. The app is available in multiple countries and is a flexible option for gig work.

24. GetUpside

GetUpside helps you find gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores that offer cash back. You can earn cents per gallon on fuel or percentage-based cash back on groceries and dining—an easy way to save on everyday purchases.

25. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a fast way to sell items locally without downloading a new app. With billions of users on Facebook, it’s often quick to find buyers for household goods and used items.

26. Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping (formerly Paribus) monitors price drops and helps you claim refunds when retailers lower prices after your purchase. It’s a useful tool to recover money on recent online buys.

27. Honeygain

Honeygain pays you for sharing unused internet bandwidth. Earnings are based on traffic that passes through your connection, making this a mostly passive way to earn small amounts over time.

28. TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit connects you with local clients who need help with tasks like furniture assembly, moving assistance, home repairs, and cleaning. There’s a one-time sign-up fee and you set your hourly rates.

Which apps work best and are safe?

Many of the apps and websites listed are legitimate and safe when used as intended. I screen services before recommending them, but you should also review app store ratings and privacy policies before signing up. Payment methods commonly include PayPal, direct deposit, checks, or gift cards.

Where do these apps get their money?

Different platforms monetize in various ways: survey and market research sites sell insights to companies; cashback and affiliate programs earn commissions from partner retailers; marketplaces and resale platforms take fees or resell items; and gig platforms charge service fees while connecting clients and providers. These revenue models allow them to compensate users for participation.

What is the fastest way to make money with apps?

The quickest strategies typically involve selling items you already own (on platforms like Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace) or taking on local gigs that pay immediately. Survey and rewards apps provide steady small earnings, while focus groups and user interviews can deliver higher pay for shorter commitments.

Which app is my favorite? It depends on your goals: use resale apps to turn clutter into cash, rewards apps to get money back on purchases, and research or gig platforms for higher hourly rates.