7 of the Best Money-Making Apps of 2024
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For those looking to earn money in an easily accessible way, apps provide plenty of avenues to consider. You can use your smartphone to take surveys, pick up a side gig, sell your unwanted stuff and more.
Here’s the scoop on seven free money-making apps. NerdWallet considered apps with at least 3.8 stars and 25,000 reviews in both Google Play and the iOS App Store.
7 of the best apps to make money
- Compare Medigap plans
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans
- How to maximize your rewards
- Decide where to live
- Who is eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA?
- Best Payment Processors for High-Risk Merchants
- Learn what you can afford
- 1. Your bank or credit union
- Usual coverages may not apply
- 1. “The Startup Owner’s Manual” by Steve Blank
- 1. Resell used clothing and items.
- 1. Delay your application
- How does my credit score impact personal loan offers?
- 1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts)
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Choose the best mortgage
- 2. Your employer or 401(k) provider
- Winner for program reach: Caesars Rewards
- 1. Select an online stockbroker
- Average monthly expenses for one person:
- Grants.gov
- When can you no longer contribute to a Roth IRA?
- Strengths
- 1. Ibotta
- 1. Pick up freelance work online
- How do I see my credit score for free?
- 1. Roll your debts onto a balance transfer credit card
- 1. Food trucks
- Manage your home and mortgage
- 3. Your online broker
- Understand the budgeting process
- What to know about cash advance apps
- 2. “Who” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street
- Average monthly expenses for a family of 2:
- State and local government grants
- Amount of Roth IRA contributions you can make
- Weaknesses
- 2. Declutter and organize people’s homes.
- Medicare Part B IRMAA
- The good
- Ready to take the next step?
- Welcome bonus
- 2. Work longer
- Key questions to ask
- 2. Research the stocks you want to buy
- Average monthly expenses for a family of 3:
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
- 4. Pro-bono financial planning services
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically
- The cheapest large car insurance company: State Farm
- 2. Use an online real estate investing platform
- What is the difference between FICO score and VantageScore?
- 3. “You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth” by Jen Sincero
- 1. Inspect the check
- Roth IRA rules for withdrawals
- 2. Car wash services
- State mortgage calculators
- Winner for earning rewards: MGM Rewards
- Growth intent
- Child tax credit 2023 (taxes filed in 2024)
- Average monthly expenses for a family of 4:
- American Express Hilton Honors
- Small Business Development Centers
- 5. Financial advisor consultations
- Personal loans
- 3. Sell original items on Etsy.
- Short-term capital gains tax
- Will pre-qualifying affect my credit score?
- 2. Apply for a credit card consolidation loan
- Changes and cancellations
- 2. Rakuten
- What is a prepaid debit card?
- 3. Earn more
- Average monthly expenses for a family of 5 or more:
- Minority Business Development Agency Centers
- The bad
- Complete Coverage
- Medical expense deduction
- 2. Test websites and apps
- Long-term capital gains tax
- Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush
- Annual fee
- What do I need to pre-qualify for a personal loan?
- 3. Think about investing in rental properties
- Why are my FICO and VantageScore credit scores different?
- 4. “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel
- 3. Auto repair
- Surrender the policy
- 4. Participate in the gig economy.
- Compare car insurance rates for 20-year-olds
- The penalty
- 2. Ask yourself why you received the check
- Juneyao Airlines
- Hotel stays
- Business objectives
- Prepaid debit card vs. debit card vs. credit card
- Nerd note
- Index examples
- American Express Delta
- Does basic economy get a carry-on on United?
- Property tax deduction
- Bonus points at IHG hotels
- 5. “Leading at the Speed of Growth” by Katherine Catlin and Jana Matthews
- 1.Meet the requirements
- Make a withdrawal
- 1. Online advice services
- How does FDIC insurance on prepaid cards work?
- Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally
- 4. Consider your spouse
- 3. Decide how many shares to buy
- Medicare Part D IRMAA in 2024
- The cheapest midsize car insurance company: American National
- Student loans
- Fast Break for Small Business
- Winner for elite status perks: Caesars Rewards
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- 1. States with no income tax
- Estimate your potential refinancing savings
- How long will it take to pre-qualify?
- 3. Don’t use the money
- The five-year rule for Roth IRAs
- 4. Personal trainers
- 2.Pick your path
- Home equity loans
- 3. Swagbucks
- 5. Rent out your home on Airbnb.
- Allow up to 50% of your income for needs
- 1. Open an investment account
- 6. “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” by Kim Scott
- 1. Do I need more distance from some savings?
- Accident-Only
- Borrow from the policy
- Mortgage interest deduction
- End goals
- FICO score ranges
- 3.Network
- Thai Smile
- Hotel amenities
- Purchase a pass
- Medical expenses
- IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database
- 3. Tap your home equity for a loan or line of credit
- 2. Do I have savings earmarked for a big purchase?
- Cover your premium
- Home equity lines of credit
- 2. States with flat income tax rates
- Spending bonus
- 5. Investigate divorced spouse benefits
- 2. Choose your investments
- 4. Consider flipping investment properties
- If you've owned your account for less than five years ...
- Preventive Care
- 4.Start applying for jobs or pitching your services
- Charitable contribution deduction
- Transfer to airlines
- 4. Buy stocks using the right order type for you
- VantageScore ranges
- 7. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers” by Ben Horowitz
- 3. Do I want to protect some wealth outside of investments?
- 5. Newborn and post-pregnancy services
- 2. Free or cheap financial apps
- 6. Become a dog walker.
- 3. States with progressive tax structures
- Leave 30% of your income for wants
- Net worth of U.S. families by income
- Amber Grant for Women
- Cash-out refinance
- Winner for credit card: MGM Rewards
- Funding
- 4. Fiverr
- Stay at a Universal resort
- 4. Alert authorities to fraud
- And when you retire ...
- 4. Take surveys for money
- Book one to three months in advance
- Elite status
- 6. Add your minor child
- What are your options?
- Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: State Farm
- Net worth of U.S. families by age
- Market orders
- 8. “Founders at Work” by Jessica Livingston
- Complicated spouses
- National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grant
- 6. Enrichment activities for children
- Credit cards
- Tiers
- 7. Babysit or open a daycare.
- 1. Have a goal for your index funds
- If you are investing in an S&P 500 index fund:
- Net worth of U.S. families by race or ethnicity
- Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- What's next?
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- Compare car insurance rates for 35-year-olds
- Perks that are the same
- What do I need for my loan application?
- 5. Rent out a room
- Bizee’s Fresh Start Business Grant
- You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
- Set a price alert
- Additional standard deduction 2023 (taxes due 2024)
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- How to maximize your rewards
- If you are investing in an S&P 500 ETF:
- 9. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
- 1. Decide on an account type
- Net worth of U.S. families by education
- Winner for hotel partner elite status matches: MGM Rewards
- What’s included
- 8. Start a housekeeping business.
- 2023 tax rates by state
- 2. Research index funds
- 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
- 1. Earn elite status
- Level of risk
- 5. Upwork
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- 1. Think long term versus short term
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- Additional standard deduction 2024 (taxes due 2025)
- Benefits unique to the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Cheapest car insurance after an accident: State Farm
- If you are investing in a stock within the S&P 500 index:
- 2. Choose the right broker
- Chase IHG
- Roth IRA income limits in 2023 and 2024
- 10. “Never Too Late to Startup” by Rob Kornblum
- Watch the calendar
- Venmo Small Business Grant
- 9. Become a tutor.
- 2. Look into tax-loss harvesting
- 8. Use a do-over
- Limit orders
- Top 20 performers in the S&P 500 index
- 8. Shared accessories and attire
- Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
- Most popular
- 2. Use credit card statement credits to offset Frontier seat fees
- Set cash aside
- Chase Marriott
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- 3. Pick your index funds
- 3. Open the account
- Other general-purpose travel card reviews
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- 3. Hold the shares inside an IRA, a 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account
- 11. “Superbosses” by Sydney Finkelstein
- The Amplifier Grant
- Deductibles
- 10. Become a career coach.
- Consider using a retirement account
- Citi ThankYou Points
- 6. OfferUp
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: Progressive
- 4. Fund the account
- Reimbursement amounts
- 4. Call in a pro
- FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
- 9. Shared home improvement equipment
- Winner for partner reward benefits: Caesars Rewards
- 4. Decide where to buy your index funds
- 12. “Mastering the VC Game” by Jeffrey Bussgang
- Coverage limits
- 11. Offer freelance creative services.
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- Past years' state tax rates
- Dollar-cost averaging
- 5. Help your kid decide what to invest in
- Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
- Citi American Airlines
- American Airlines credit cards
- Delta Airlines credit cards
- JetBlue credit cards
- Southwest Airlines credit cards
- United Airlines credit cards
- Other airlines' credit cards
- 7. Poshmark
- 12. Keep the books for local businesses.
- 13. “Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration” by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
- 10. Vacation rentals
- 5. Buy index funds
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit: Geico
- Overall diversification
- Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- Which one should I take?
- What happens if I forget to pay my quarterly taxes?
- 14. “Thrive” by Arianna Huffington
- Nationwide vs. Allstate home insurance
- 11. Electronics repair
- 13. Dip your toe in the food industry.
- Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI
- 6. Keep an eye on your index funds
- 5. Optimize your stock portfolio
- Best Western credit cards
- Hilton credit cards
- Hyatt credit cards
- IHG credit cards
- Marriott credit cards
- Wyndham credit cards
- Other hotel credit cards
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership
- How can I make paying quarterly taxes easier?
- 15. “Start Something That Matters” by Blake Mycoskie
- Nationwide vs. Geico home insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- 14. Do home or tech repairs.
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- 6. Know when to sell stocks — and when not to
- 12. Academics courses
- Insurance protections
- 15. Plan parties, events, or weddings.
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers: Geico
- SBA microloans
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- 13. Language courses
- Pros
- 16. Become a fitness instructor.
- Friends and family
- Pros
- 14. Business or marketing courses
- 11. Sell your photography
- Compare auto insurance rates for drivers with poor credit
- Cons
- 17. Become a doula.
- Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers: State Farm
- Business credit cards
- Cons
- 15. Personal wellness
- 18. Start a dropshipping business.
- 19. Maintain lawns in your area.
- Crowdfunding
- ASPCA vs. Nationwide pet insurance
- 20. Become a virtual assistant.
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
- 21. Become a life coach.
- 17. Bookkeeping and accounting
- ASPCA vs. Embrace
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- 22. Manage a local business’s social media channels.
- 18. Consulting
- 23. Monetize your own social media channels.
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- Compare car insurance rates for drivers with an accident
- ASPCA vs. Healthy Paws
- 24. Become an SEO consultant.
- 25. Go freelance.
- 19. IT support
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- 20. Graphic design
- 21. Social media management
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- 22. Marketing copywriter
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- 23. Virtual assistant services
- 1. Gather your information
- 18. Rent out your car
- 2. Choose the right liability car insurance coverage levels
- 1. Do your research
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 2. Get organized and make it official
- 3. Find the right financing
- 20. Become a private tutor
- 3. Decide if you need full coverage car insurance
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- 4. Collect and compare car insurance quotes
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- 25. Put your drone to work
- Compare car insurance companies
The best money-making apps
1. Ibotta
How it works: Ibotta lets you earn cash back on in-store and online purchases at over 2,000 supported retailers. Originally for groceries, it has expanded to include clothing, entertainment and eating out, pet supplies and other categories. Offers can be product or retailer-specific. For others, you’ll need to complete an additional task such as watching a video or taking a poll.
There are three possible ways to earn cash back in stores: Add offers and submit your receipt in the app after your shopping trip (you have 7 days to send in your receipt through the app), link your retailer loyalty accounts or purchase a retailer gift card through the Ibotta app. For online purchases, you shop through the app or with the Ibotta browser extension on your computer.
Payment: PayPal, digital gift card or direct to a bank account.
Pros: You’ll receive cash back on in-store purchases quickly — typically within 24 hours. Ibotta also offers a welcome bonus to new users, referral bonuses and a variety of payment methods.
Cons: Making money can be a slow process. You must have at least $20 in cash back to redeem your earnings (some gift cards require at least $25 in earnings). For online shopping, the pending period for earning cash back varies by retailer. Ibotta also charges an account maintenance fee for inactive (no activity for 180 days) or deactivated accounts. The fee is deducted from your balance, not your bank account.
2. Rakuten
How it works: Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) rewards shoppers with cash back on purchases from well-known retailers, restaurants and food delivery services. Users can also earn cash back on travel, gift cards and more. It’s straightforward: Create an account, tap on the store where you want to shop in the app, then make the transaction through the portal. You can also link a credit or debit card to your Rakuten account to earn cash back in-store — as long as you activate the deal through the app first. Rakuten credits the cash back to your account after it confirms the purchase with the retailer.
Payment: PayPal or "Big Fat Check."
Pros: Thousands of stores and purchases are eligible for cash back, so you’ll likely find deals where you already shop. New users can earn a welcome bonus after their first qualified purchase. You can also earn sign-up and referral bonuses. You can make an impact with your cash back earnings by donating a portion to nonprofit partners.
Cons: As with most cash-back services, you have to spend money to make money. You won’t see your earnings right away, either; Rakuten sends out payments every three months on the company's payment schedule, and you need to hit the minimum cash-back balance to get paid. Unlike other apps like Ibotta, you have to remember to initiate your purchase in the app first. If you forget and make your purchase outside of the app, you can't get credit retroactively.
3. Swagbucks
How it works: Swagbucks is a cash-back and rewards app. You earn points, called "SB," by shopping online (there are over 1,500 participating retailers), taking surveys, watching videos, playing games or fulfilling other tasks through Swagbucks. You can redeem those points for gift cards or get cash back to your PayPal account. The total points awarded can vary by task. For example, surveys are typically worth about 40 to 200 SB points each. The minimum balance required to redeem depends on the payout option you choose, but some gift cards are available for as low as 110 SB.
Payment: E-gift card or PayPal. You can also redeem SB for Bitcoin through the new Cryptovoucher Gift Card options.
Pros: Swagbucks offers many easy ways to earn rewards, and there’s no waiting period to cash in. Payments usually arrive within 10 business days after redemption. You can also get a $10 bonus with a qualifying $25 purchase when you join.
Cons: It doesn’t pay much; one SB is worth about a cent. With many tasks valued at pennies, it can take a fair amount of time and effort to make substantial money. Additionally, you won’t qualify for every survey or task, although users can earn up to 5 SB per day if they disqualify. Users often report getting kicked out of surveys in the middle of taking them. This can be due to demographics or dishonest or inconsistent answers, according to Swagbucks.
4. Fiverr
How it works: Fiverr is a freelancing marketplace that features gigs in over 200 categories, such as programming and video and animation. Create an account first, then you can set your profile as a "seller" highlighting your expertise. Post the gig you’re offering, which will include pricing and a description of your services. Pricing ranges from $5 to $995. Clients, known as "buyers," can click through and place orders. You’ll get paid once you complete the job. Fiverr assigns seller levels based on performance. As you move up each tier, you’ll be able to sell more “extras,” such as a faster delivery time.
Payment: PayPal, direct to a bank account, Payoneer or credit to a Fiverr Revenue Card (a prepaid card). Minimum withdrawal amounts vary, and your payment processor may charge a withdrawal fee, depending on which option you choose.
Pros: You don’t have to worry about tracking down buyers because they come to you. You can also earn tips. Fiverr also boasts its flexibility, allowing sellers to complete gigs in their own time or around their 9-5 jobs.
Cons: Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings for every gig, including tips, and there’s a standard 14-day waiting period to withdraw money after completing an order (top-tier sellers wait seven days for funds to clear).
5. Upwork
How it works: Upwork connects freelancers to gigs in writing, design, marketing and other categories on the marketplace. First, you’ll create a profile. It should include information such as the field you’re interested in plus your qualifications, availability and desired rate. Then, you can submit proposals. Clients will review them and offer projects if you seem like a good fit.
You begin each month with a set number of “Connects,” which are like credits that allow you to contact prospective clients. You can earn or pay a small sum for more Connects, but you won’t be charged when clients contact you. You can get paid on an hourly or per-project basis.
Payment: Direct to U.S. Bank, direct to your bank account, wire transfer, Instant Pay, PayPal and Payoneer. Charges apply to some payment options, so be sure to check Upwork for details.
Pros: Upwork helps take the work out of seeking out clients, establishing relationships and getting paid. The service also gives you the flexibility to set your preferred rate and schedule.
Cons: The app is free to download, but initiating contact with lots of clients costs money. Users also get charged a service fee. Upwork takes a 10% cut of your earnings based on how much you’ve billed a client. The more you earn, the more you get to keep. However, you won’t get paid until 10 days after the billing period ends. Remember, too, that you’re competing with other freelancers on the platform. That means clients may choose those who’ve set lower rates.
6. OfferUp
How it works: OfferUp, which combined with competitor Letgo in 2020, functions as a local marketplace you can use to sell your stuff. If you want to reach a broader audience, OfferUp also allows shipping anywhere within the United States except for Alaska, Arkansas and Hawaii. Create an account and snap a picture of your smartphone, car, sofa or whatever it is you’re selling. Once you add a title, description and price, you can post your listing and chat with buyers directly through the app. Then, you'll ship to or arrange a meeting with the buyer.
Payment: When selling locally, OfferUp recommends sellers take cash from buyers and stay clear of accepting payments by check, cashier's check or using other apps. For shipments, sellers can set up deposits to a debit card or bank account.
Pros: Creating a listing is simple and fast, and you’ll get paid instantly when you make a cash sale. You can also view a prospective buyer’s reviews and ratings to get an idea of how trustworthy they are beforehand. If you ship your item, the buyer pays the cost, and OfferUp provides the label.
Cons: You’re responsible for meeting local buyers in person and handling transactions. Sellers must pay a 12.9% service fee, or a minimum of $1.99, for shipments. To be successful, you’ll likely need to invest in a printer so you can print the shipping labels and mail items to buyers.
7. Poshmark
How it works: The Poshmark app is tailor-made for selling clothes, accessories and even home decor. After signing up, you take or upload photos of your item, fill out a description, price it and share the listing. You can also feature items in the app’s "Posh Parties," which are virtual shopping events centered around particular brands, categories and themes. Poshmark emails you a prepaid and pre-addressed shipping label once a purchase is made. Then, you send the package via USPS.
Payment: Check, PayPal, Venmo, Instant Transfer or direct deposit to a bank account.
Pros: Poshmark facilitates the entire process, from selling to shipping. Plus, you don’t have to meet with strangers to make a sale. The company will cover lost packages and handle issues between you and the buyer. Getting paid is relatively quick, too; Poshmark issues the money within three days of the buyer receiving the order.
Cons: You’ll pay a fee for selling through Poshmark. The company takes a $2.95 commission for sales under $15 and a 20% commission for sales of $15 or above.