
Which Apps Give Real Money? A Guide to Earning Cash on Your Phone
Which Apps Give Real Money. In the modern digital age, earning money through apps has become a popular side hustle. With the increasing demand for convenience and remote opportunities, various apps offer users the ability to earn real cash directly from their smartphones. From cashback rewards and paid surveys to completing simple tasks or even gaming, these apps provide real, tangible earnings that can be a great way to supplement your income. In this guide, we’ll explore the top apps that give real money and explain how you can start earning today.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most popular apps for earning real money online. It offers users the chance to earn Swagbucks (SB) points by completing simple tasks like taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, or using their search engine. These points can then be redeemed for cash via PayPal or for gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.
How to Earn with Swagbucks:
- Paid Surveys: Earn points by answering market research questions.
- Online Shopping: Get cashback from online purchases made through Swagbucks’ partners.
- Video Watching: Watch sponsored videos to earn SB points.
- Daily Polls and Games: Participate in quick polls or play games to accumulate more points.
Payout:
- Swagbucks allows you to redeem points for PayPal cash (minimum of $25) or gift cards, depending on your preference.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Use the Swagbucks browser to earn points with everyday searches.
- Check for bonus offers: Swagbucks often has promotions where users can earn extra points for specific activities.
2. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another app that pays users for completing simple tasks. You can earn money by taking surveys, playing games, reading emails, watching videos, and even shopping online. Unlike Swagbucks, InboxDollars offers direct cash payments instead of points, which many users prefer for its simplicity.
How to Earn with InboxDollars:
- Take Surveys: Share your opinions and get paid for market research.
- Watch Videos: Watch videos, including advertisements and entertainment clips.
- Cashback on Shopping: Earn cashback on purchases through the InboxDollars shopping portal.
- Paid Emails: Earn a small amount of money for reading sponsored emails sent to your InboxDollars account.
Payout:
- InboxDollars pays in cash, and you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal or request a check once you reach a minimum payout of $30.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Take daily surveys for consistent income.
- Refer friends: InboxDollars offers referral bonuses when your friends sign up using your link.
3. Mistplay
For gamers, Mistplay is an app that rewards you with money for playing mobile games. By downloading and playing featured games, you can earn units, which are Mistplay’s in-app currency. These units can be redeemed for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Google Play, and even cash via PayPal.
How to Earn with Mistplay:
- Download and Play Games: Earn units as you reach new levels and meet in-game milestones.
- Invite Friends: Earn additional units when you refer friends to the platform.
- Complete Offers: Occasionally, there are offers or challenges that provide bonus units.
Payout:
- Once you accumulate enough units, you can redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards. Mistplay has a low payout threshold, with some gift cards available starting at just $5.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Choose high-reward games: Some games offer more units per minute of play, so focus on those to maximize your earnings.
- Play consistently to accumulate more units over time.
4. Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
Rakuten is a cashback app that rewards you with real money for shopping at your favorite online stores. It partners with over 2,500 retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Every time you make a purchase through the Rakuten app or website, you’ll earn a percentage of your spending back as cashback.
How to Earn with Rakuten:
- Shop through Rakuten: Browse through Rakuten’s partner stores and shop online.
- In-store Offers: Link your credit or debit card to Rakuten for cashback on in-store purchases.
- Refer Friends: Earn a referral bonus when someone signs up using your link and makes a qualifying purchase.
Payout:
- Rakuten pays out quarterly through PayPal or by sending a physical “Big Fat Check” once you’ve accumulated at least $5 in cashback.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Use Rakuten for all online shopping to get a percentage of your money back.
- Check for Rakuten’s double cashback events for increased rewards.
5. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is a straightforward app that pays users for sharing their opinions on products, services, and various topics through paid surveys. While surveys might not pay a huge amount individually, the consistent nature of the offers allows you to steadily build up your earnings.
How to Earn with Survey Junkie:
- Complete Surveys: Participate in online surveys tailored to your profile.
- Participate in Focus Groups: Occasionally, you may be invited to participate in higher-paying focus groups or product testing opportunities.
Payout:
- Once you reach a minimum balance of $10, you can cash out via PayPal, or you can opt for e-gift cards to major retailers.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Fill out your profile completely: This increases your chances of being matched with more surveys.
- Be consistent: Set aside time daily or weekly to complete surveys and maximize your earnings.
6. Acorns
Acorns is an investing app that rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change in diversified portfolios. While it’s primarily an investment app, Acorns also has a “Found Money” feature that gives you cashback when you shop with their partner brands.
How to Earn with Acorns:
- Round-Up Purchases: Link your bank account or credit card to automatically round up your purchases and invest the spare change.
- Earn Found Money: When you shop through Acorns’ partners, a portion of your purchase is added to your investment account as cashback.
Payout:
- Your cashback is invested into your Acorns account, which grows over time based on the performance of your portfolio. You can withdraw funds at any time via bank transfer.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Take advantage of the Found Money feature to increase your cash returns.
- Use Acorns consistently: Over time, small investments can grow significantly.
7. Dosh
Dosh is a cashback app that automatically gives you cash for shopping, dining, and booking hotels. By linking your debit or credit card, Dosh tracks your spending and automatically credits your account with cashback when you make qualifying purchases.
How to Earn with Dosh:
- Link Your Cards: Connect your credit or debit cards to the Dosh app.
- Shop or Dine: Earn cashback at participating restaurants and stores.
- Travel: Get cashback on hotel bookings through the Dosh app.
Payout:
- Once you have accumulated at least $25 in cashback, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, Venmo, or direct deposit.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings:
- Use Dosh for everyday purchases like groceries or gas to earn passive cashback.
- Check the app regularly for limited-time cashback offers.
Conclusion
In the digital age, numerous apps give real money, allowing users to earn extra income from their smartphones. Whether it’s through cashback, paid surveys, playing games, or investing, these apps provide real opportunities for making money. The key is consistency, as most of these apps won’t make you rich overnight, but with regular use, they can generate a steady stream of additional income.
References
- “15 Best Apps That Pay Real Money in 2024,” Smart Money Mamas, https://www.smartmoneymamas.com/best-apps-that-pay-you-money/
- “17 Apps That Pay Real Money,” NerdWallet, https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/apps-that-pay-real-money
- “25 Legit Apps That Pay You Real Money,” Millennial Money, https://millennialmoney.com/apps-that-pay-you-money/