Introduction to Money-Making Apps
Hey there! Looking to make some extra cash in 2025? You're not alone! With the cost of living continuing to rise, more and more people are turning to their smartphones to boost their income.
The good news is that the app economy has evolved dramatically over the past few years, offering more legitimate ways to earn money than ever before.
Whether you're saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or just want some extra spending money, there's likely an app that fits your lifestyle and schedule.
In this blog post, I'll share some of the best money-making apps I've personally tested in 2025 that actually pay out. No scams, no false promises – just real opportunities to boost your income!
Check out this helpful overview from Forbes Advisor for more background on legitimate money-making apps.
| App Type | Time Investment |
| Survey Apps | Low (5-20 min per survey) |
| Cashback Apps | Very Low (just shop normally) |
| Gig Apps | High (1+ hours per gig) |
| Passive Income Apps | Very Low (set and forget) |
Survey and Market Research Apps
Let's kick things off with some of the easiest ways to make money with your phone – survey apps!
📊 Survey Junkie remains one of my favorite survey apps in 2025. The platform has improved its user interface significantly and now offers more targeted surveys than ever before.
I've been consistently earning about $20-30 per month just by completing surveys during my lunch breaks. What I love about Survey Junkie is how transparent they are about how long each survey will take and how much it pays.
You can check out Survey Junkie at their official website to get started.
🔍 Google Opinion Rewards is another app I use daily. While the payouts are small (usually $0.10 to $1 per survey), they take less than a minute to complete, making them perfect for those little pockets of downtime throughout your day.
In 2025, Google has expanded their survey topics and frequency, making it easier to earn Google Play credits or cash (for iOS users).
💬 Swagbucks has really stepped up their game this year. Beyond surveys, they offer multiple ways to earn, including watching videos, playing games, and even searching the web.
What's great about Swagbucks is the variety of redemption options. You can cash out via PayPal or choose from dozens of gift card options.
Learn more about how Swagbucks works at Swagbucks.com.
The key with survey apps is consistency. Set aside a specific time each day, even if it's just 15 minutes, to complete surveys. The earnings add up faster than you might think!
Cashback and Shopping Reward Apps
If you're already shopping, why not get paid for it? These cashback apps have been my go-to in 2025:
💸 Rakuten has continued to improve its partnership network, now offering cashback at over 3,500 stores. What's new in 2025 is their in-store cashback feature that works seamlessly with mobile payments.
I've earned nearly $200 back in the last three months just by linking my regular shopping to Rakuten. That's money I would have left on the table otherwise!
🛍️ Ibotta remains my favorite grocery cashback app. Their new "Any Brand" rebates let you earn cashback on staples like milk, bread, and eggs regardless of which brand you buy.
The app has also introduced a price comparison feature in 2025 that helps you find the best deals across different stores in your area.
You can check out more about how Ibotta works at Ibotta.com.
🔄 Fetch Rewards has simplified their platform this year, making it even easier to scan receipts from any store and earn points. I love that they now partner with local businesses too, not just national chains.
The beauty of these cashback apps is that they require minimal effort. You're going to shop anyway, so you might as well get paid for it! I recommend stacking multiple cashback apps when possible for maximum returns.
| Rakuten | Ibotta | Fetch |
| Best for online shopping | Best for groceries | Best for any receipt |
| Quarterly payouts | Cash out at $20 | Points-based system |
| Chrome extension available | Pre-shop activation required | No pre-selection needed |
Gig Economy and Freelance Apps
Looking for something more substantial than surveys and cashback? The gig economy is thriving in 2025, with more flexible options than ever before:
🚗 DoorDash and Uber Eats have introduced new "Quick Delivery" features that let you pick up and deliver items during specific time windows that fit your schedule.
What's great about these platforms in 2025 is the improved transparency about potential earnings before you accept a delivery. No more guessing if a trip will be worth your time!
Find out more about becoming a Dasher at DoorDash's driver page.
👨💻 Upwork and Fiverr continue to be excellent platforms for freelancers in 2025. The new "Quick Tasks" feature on both platforms allows you to complete small jobs that take less than an hour, perfect for earning in your spare time.
I've been doing graphic design on Fiverr as a side hustle, and with their new AI-assisted matching system, I'm getting more relevant job offers than ever before.
🏠 TaskRabbit has expanded into more suburban and rural areas in 2025, making it accessible to more people. The platform now offers "virtual tasks" too, so you can help people with things like admin work or tech support without leaving home.
What I appreciate about the gig economy in 2025 is the increasing flexibility. Most of these apps now let you set very specific availability windows, making it easier to fit gig work around your main job or family commitments.
Learn more about TaskRabbit opportunities at their tasker information page.
Passive Income Apps
My favorite category! These apps help you earn money with minimal ongoing effort:
📱 Honeygain and Peer2Profit have become more mainstream in 2025. These apps pay you for sharing your unused internet bandwidth. With improved security features, they're safer to use than ever before.
I make about $30-40 monthly from these apps combined, and all I had to do was set them up once and let them run in the background.
💵 Acorns has introduced an interesting new feature in 2025 called "Round-Up Multiplier." It lets you multiply your spare change investments by a factor you choose, accelerating your passive investment growth.
The new automatic rebalancing feature keeps your portfolio optimized without you having to do anything. I've been genuinely impressed with how my small investments have grown over time.
Check out how Acorns works at Acorns.com.
📸 Foap and similar photo-selling apps have grown in popularity as more businesses need authentic images for their marketing. Upload your smartphone photos once, and you can earn royalties again and again when they sell.
With their new AI tagging system, your photos are more likely to be found by potential buyers.
What makes these passive income apps so attractive is the minimal time investment required. Once set up, they continue generating income with little to no additional work from you.
Conclusion and Recommendations
🎯 So what's the verdict on money-making apps in 2025? In my experience, the most successful approach is to combine multiple app types based on your available time and goals.
If you're just looking for some extra spending money with minimal time investment, start with cashback apps like Rakuten and Ibotta, then add in some quick surveys from Google Opinion Rewards during your downtime.
For those with more time to spare and looking for substantial income, gig apps like DoorDash or freelance platforms like Fiverr can provide more significant earnings.
And everyone, regardless of schedule, should consider setting up passive income apps like Acorns or Honeygain – they're truly "set it and forget it" money makers.
Remember that consistency is key! Small amounts add up over time, especially when you're using multiple apps simultaneously.
I'd love to hear about your experiences with money-making apps! What's working for you in 2025? Drop a comment below!
| How much can I realistically make from these apps? |
| It varies widely depending on how much time you invest and which apps you use. Survey and cashback apps might earn you $50-200/month, while gig work could bring in $500-2000/month part-time. Passive income apps typically generate $20-50/month with no ongoing effort. |
| Are these apps available worldwide? |
| Availability varies by app. Upwork, Fiverr, and passive income apps like Honeygain are available globally. Cashback apps and gig economy apps tend to be more country-specific. Always check the app's website for availability in your region. |
| Do I need to pay taxes on money earned through these apps? |
| In most countries, yes. Income earned through apps is typically taxable. Gig platforms often provide tax documentation if you earn over a certain threshold. It's best to consult with a tax professional about your specific situation and keep records of your earnings. |
Happy earning!
