Why You Can Trust the MarketWatch Guides Team
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated top banks and credit unions
130
Institutions MonitoredOur team reviewed more than 100 of the country’s largest and most prominent financial institutions, from big banks like Chase and Bank of America to credit unions like Navy Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union.
688
Products StudiedTotal number of checking, saving, CDs, and money-market accounts that inform our review ratings.
719
Rates TrackedThe accounts with an annual percentage yield (APY) several times the national average rate receive the highest scores. Accounts with the lowest APY offering (under 1%) earn the least points.
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Professionals ConsultedBefore we began our research process, we consulted with financial advisors and industry experts to ensure our evaluations covered the banking product aspects that matter most to potential customers.
Featured Providers
We may earn a commission from partners featured in the table below. However, the article on this page was written independently and not influenced by our affiliate partnerships.For more information, visit our editorial guidelines.
Best Money-Making Apps
We reviewed dozens of the most popular money-making apps to determine our list. We recommend:
- Swagbucks
- Ibotta
- Survey Junkie
- Rakuten
- Upside
- Branded Surveys
- HeyPiggy
- Capital One Shopping
- Acorns
Swagbucks
Swagbucks offers a variety of ways to earn a little bit of cash. You can take online surveys, play games, watch videos or shop online at over 7,000 retailers to earn rewards.
Best for Consistent Surveys
The company estimates users can earn an extra $50 to $250 per month from taking surveys. Based on our first-hand experience using this app, it doesn’t require too much concentration to earn Swagbucks, so it’s easy to use the app regularly.
How Payment Works
Each task pays differently, but you can earn about $0.50 to $1.50 for short-form surveys, which typically only take you a few minutes to complete and ask you to give your feedback on an advertising campaign or report on brands you are aware of.
You can also earn $0.06 for every $1 spent with participating retailers. You typically use coupons or direct deals through the Swagbucks app to earn the cash back from retailers like Amazon or Home Depot.
Swagbucks are worth about $0.01 each, so 100 SB equates to $1. Once you have at least $1 worth of SB, you can cash out for an Amazon gift card. You must have at least $5 to transfer the money to PayPal.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app has 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.4 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store.
Ibotta
Ibotta is a cashback app that allows you to earn money while shopping. What sets the app apart from similar companies is the multiple ways to earn cash. You can submit a receipt for in-store shopping, install the browser extension or link your customer loyalty account at certain retailers.
Best for Rewarding In-Person Shopping
Cashback apps are a way to earn money for buying items you were already planning on purchasing. But it can be challenging to earn rewards if you’re an in-person shopper. Ibotta fixes that by allowing users to upload receipts up to seven days after completing an in-store purchase. Rewards appear within 24 hours.
How Payment Works
Any cash you earn with Ibotta depends on the retailer, the items you buy and what special offers are open. Once you reach $20 in earnings, you can withdraw to PayPal or your bank account with direct deposit. You can also use your earnings to buy gift cards, but you usually must have at least $25 in your Ibotta account. According to the company, the average user earns $256 cash back every year.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
Survey Junkie
With Survey Junkie, you can make money in two ways: taking surveys or sharing data. While taking surveys requires active participation and effort, data sharing is a passive earning process. That’s because to earn money, you don’t need to do anything else once you allow the company to access your browsing history.
Best for Passive Income
Once you agree to partake in Survey Junkie’s Surf to Earn data-sharing program, you automatically earn cash-converting points every month — up to 1,350 points per year. That nets you a total of $13.50. However, being part of this program gives you access to exclusive surveys, helping you potentially earn even more. Being able to take surveys and share your data to earn cash sets the company apart from other apps since most only allow one or the other.
How Payment Works
You must have at least 500 points ($5) to cash out. You can redeem points for cash through PayPal or Dwolla or buy gift cards. The company states you will not get rich from Survey Junkie, but it’s possible to earn extra spending money each month.
Review and Ratings
The Survey Junkie mobile app earns 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
Rakuten
Rakuten is a cashback app that allows you to earn rewards for completing everyday purchases. The company partners with over 3,500 major retailers, restaurants and grocery stores including Target, Walmart, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Nike and Sam’s Club.
Best for Straightforward Cashback
Rakuten works by selecting the store you want to shop at and then by completing the purchase within the app. Each purchase you make earns you a percentage of price as a cashback reward, typically between 2% and 10% depending on the retailer – though some offer temporary deals that push the rate higher.
You also have the option to link a credit card or debit card for in-store purchases. Just make sure to activate offers within the app before you checkout.
The amount of cash you earn depends on the retailer and the amount you spend. Rakuten says the average user earned about $90 in 2023.
How Payment Works
You must have at least $5.01 in your account to cash out. Rakuten completes payments on a specific date every three months, and can be automatically received via check or PayPal. Upcoming payment dates include May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15. On average, users earned $90.16 cash back last year.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app has some negative reviews on Google Play with a total score of 3.7 out of 5 stars. On the App Store, however, it received 4.8 out of 5 stars. The Android app has more than 71,000 reviews, while the iOS app has more than 359,000.
Upside
Upside is a map-based app that shows you retailers – usually grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations – near you that are offering discounts or deals. When you buy from these stores, you earn a percentage of the purchase as cash back. Plus, Upside provides a calculator where you can input your projected spending to view potential award amounts.
Best for Gas Station Rewards
Gas stations that partner with Upside offer various amounts of cash back per gallon depending on whatever deal is available at a given time or day. Here you can save money on a regular expense, especially if your preferred gas station is a participating company on the app. Upside’s map feature also helps save when you’re traveling and need last-minute fuel in an unfamiliar place.
How Payment Works
You can cash out with any balance amount, but if it’s less than $15, you might have to pay a $1 fee. You can receive your rewards through PayPal, directly to your bank account or as a gift card to retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app receives 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys partners with market research firms that work with Fortune 500 companies, so the primary focus is consumer opinions on topics such as brand awareness, consumer insight, product market research and partner surveys — which are essentially ads.
Best for New Users
Branded Surveys doesn’t overcomplicate the process of earning points. Every survey offer you receive tells you exactly how many points you’ll earn and how long it’s expected to take – making it easier to calculate how much money you can earn in a specific time frame. You don’t have to play games, watch videos or shop at specific stores.
How Payment Works
You must have at least 500 points to cash out. Each point is worth $0.01, so 500 points is equal to $5. You can receive your money through PayPal, as a gift card, or send it directly to your bank account. Branded Surveys also offers the option to donate your earnings to charity.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app earns 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
HeyPiggy
HeyPiggy is a survey site where users earn points for sharing their opinions. Like other survey sites, the payment structure is transparent and the payout is relatively quick. Some surveys pay around $1, while others can earn up to $10. What separates HeyPiggy is that teenagers can use the mobile app with parental consent.
Best for Teenagers
Users 14 years old and older can sign up with parental consent to earn cash with HeyPiggy. However, the app does not actually verify that the teen has a parent’s approval.
How Payment Works
Users can cash out with an Amazon gift card after earning as little as $1. Once your balance hits $5, you can use PayPal to access your cash. When you have $10, you can move your balance over to a Visa gift card.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app doesn’t score as high as some of the others on this list with 3.1 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 3.6 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
In a statement, HeyPiggy said that the poor ratings reflected earlier versions of the app that didn’t work well. “We acknowledge that we’ve faced some technical issues in the previous version of the app resulting in negative reviews,” the statement said. “However, we’ve been actively working to address any and improve user experience.”
The company also said that a soon-to-be-released update to the app should address any lingering concerns.
Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a browser extension that automatically checks for discounts, coupons and cashback offers from major retailers as you shop.
Best Browser Extension
Capital One Shopping’s price comparison feature compares the costs of various products — including shipping and membership costs — and directly links to cheaper options wherever they’re availables. The extension searches for deals in the background while you shop.
How Payment Works
You earn rewards through cashback promotions when you shop. The minimum balance to cash out is $0.01, which is much lower than most comparable sites. Shoppers can also redeem rewards for gift cards at major retailers.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app earns 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.9 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
Acorns
Acorns is an investing and savings app that also lets you earn money. However, unlike how most of the shopping and survey apps previously listed in this ranking eran rewards or cash back, this app works by adding bonus investments to your portfolio.
Best for Investments
Since there is a relatively long holding period involved, Acorns is not the best choice if you want quick access to cash. That said, it may be an option to grow your investments while you shop. That’s because when you shop through the app, you automatically earn money for your Acorns investment account. You can also use the browser extension if you prefer shopping on a computer.
How Payment Works
Acorns invests rewards in your account within 60 to 120 days, but you can view the rewards on your dashboard a few days after making a purchase. How much you earn depends on current promotions, your spending and where you shop.
Review and Ratings
The mobile app earns 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.7 out of 5 stars on the App Store.
Pros and Cons Of Money-Making Apps
While earning extra money through apps like these can be lucrative, there is plenty to contemplate before signing on. Here’s what to consider as you embark on earning rewards.
Pros
Not much effort: You can typically complete surveys or other tasks within a few minutes. On cashback apps, you earn money while buying items you would have likely purchased anyway.
Straightforward payments: Once you have a previously specified account balance, you can cash out with a gift card or another preferred method.
No commitment: Money-making apps allow you to set your schedule, often making them a low-pressure way to earn.
Cons
Low earnings: You likely won’t get rich from these apps, and earnings can’t replace a full-time job. Gig economy apps such as Uber Eats, Rover, Instacart, Doordash or Upwork might provide better earning potential.
Minimum withdrawal amounts: Most apps require users to have a minimum account balance to withdraw funds.
Potential privacy concerns: Money-making apps usually require users to share data, including browsing history and location.
Strategies for Maximizing Earnings
Here are steps you can take to maximize those earnings.
- Check the app regularly: Survey apps usually offer new surveys every day. If you’re serious about earning money, check the app at least once per day for new money-making offers. For cash back while shopping, check the app before checkout.
- Keep your profile updated: Make sure your profile is up-to-date for surveys. Companies are often looking for users with specific characteristics, and you might not qualify for every survey offered. The more detail you provide in your profile, the better your chances of more earning opportunities.
- Be strategic: Take advantage of an app’s welcome bonus or sign-up bonus to boost your rewards. For cashback apps, remember to check the app before making a purchase.
The Bottom Line: Money-Making Apps
Money-making apps can be a legitimate way to earn extra money. Survey apps allow you to share your opinion and earn rewards, which you can eventually redeem for gift cards or cash. Cashback apps provide rewards for shopping. Both options allow you to boost your bank account as long as you’re strategic about your time. Start with an app that fits your current lifestyle and habits to maximize your earnings.
FAQ: Apps You Can Make Money On
The best app to earn money depends on your scrolling and shopping habits. If you regularly scroll on your phone, survey apps such as Survey Junkie or Ibotta might be a great fit. Cashback sites including Rakuten and Upside are solid options for mindful shoppers.
Most money-making apps pay you real money; a few apps only provide gift cards. Swagbucks, Upside and Survey Junkie allow you to cash out to your PayPal account. If you prefer a check mailed to your home, Rakuten is the best pick.
Legitimate apps provide transparent explanations about rewards. You can typically expect to earn a few dollars for completing tasks or earning cash back. Scam sites usually advertise much bigger earnings, which is a red flag.
Methodology
Our team researched a comprehensive list of money-making apps, including survey sites, browser extensions and cashback rewards. We considered app usability, access to money-making opportunities, reward values and minimum thresholds for payment. We also considered how easy it is for new users to get started. The top picks offer strong customer reviews, as well as the ability for users to redeem rewards in various ways.
*Data accurate at time of publication
Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someoneyou trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.
