7 of the Best Money-Making Apps of 2023

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For those looking to make 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 four stars and 25,000 reviews in both Google Play and the iOS App Store.
7 of the best apps to make money
- Conventional mortgage
- VA loans
- FHA loans
- USDA loans
- How to maximize your rewards
- Fidelity CD rates
- New-car depreciation
- What should my credit score be to buy a house?
- 1. Resell used clothing and items.
- 1. Earn with ads as a YouTube Partner Program member
- Program highlights
- 1. Invest in your 401(k) and get the matching dollars
- 1. Delay your application
- TruckSmarter
- How does my credit score impact personal loan offers?
- Is the gift tax deductible?
- AT&T
- CA state income tax rates: Single or married filing separately
- Eligibility
- 1. Ibotta
- 1. Gather the needed documents
- Key takeaways:
- 1. Pick up freelance work online
- How do I see my credit score for free?
- Boost
- The Americas
- CA state income tax rates: Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
- Step 1: Enter your personal information
- 2. Declutter and organize people’s homes.
- NY state income tax: Single and married filing separately
- Transportation Management Group
- 1. Decide how you want to invest in the stock market
- 2. Use a robo-advisor
- 1. The credit card's interest rates
- 2. Work longer
- (taxes due April 15, 2024, or Oct. 15, 2024, with an extension)
- Verizon
- CA state income tax rates: Head of household
- Strategies to manage depreciation
- Closing Cost Assistance Grant
- NY state income tax: Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
- What is the difference between FICO score and VantageScore?
- 1. Start with a stroll — or a scroll
- Jackson Hewitt
- Step 2: Account for multiple jobs
- 3. Sell original items on Etsy.
- If you're less than 30 days late
- SALT deduction for income taxes
- Fly United and Star Alliance
- Will pre-qualifying affect my credit score?
- NY state income tax: Head of household
- Tax brackets 2023
- 2. Print out child freeze request forms
- 3. Open or contribute to an IRA
- 2. Rakuten
- 3. Earn more
- If you're more than 30 days late
- 1. Roll your debts onto a balance transfer credit card
- EveryDollar
- Step 1. Open the initial CDs
- Europe, Africa and the Middle East
- Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
- Spend on United co-branded credit cards
- 2. Test websites and apps
- What do I need to pre-qualify for a personal loan?
- 20% off in-flight purchases
- Why are my FICO and VantageScore credit scores different?
- 1. Contributions can be withdrawn at any time
- H&R Block
- 4. Participate in the gig economy.
- Needs
- SALT deduction for sales taxes
- 3. Mail the request and document copies
- AT&T
- 2. Find a good real estate agent
- Step 4: Refine your withholdings
- Apex Capital
- Down Payment Assistance Grant
- If it's an error
- 'Pay With Miles' benefit
- Credit Karma
- Index examples
- 4. Buy commission-free ETFs
- 2. The credit card's fees
- Hotel points work a little differently
- Step 2. Reinvest each CD when it matures
- T-Mobile
- Asia-Pacific
- Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
- 2. Choose an investing account
- 4. Consider your spouse
- 4. Wait for confirmation, then store it securely
- Wants
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- How long will it take to pre-qualify?
- 2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
- 2. Apply for a credit card consolidation loan
- SALT deduction for property taxes
- Goodbudget
- Verizon
- 5. Rent out your home on Airbnb.
- TAFS
- 3. Swagbucks
- 2. More time means more growth
- Intuit TurboTax
- TakeOff 15
- FICO score ranges
- 3. Expect to compromise
- Status matches available
- Granting Freedom
- Personal loan calculator
- Savings and debt repayment
- 5. Investigate divorced spouse benefits
- $100 flight credit eligibility
- SALT deduction for personal property taxes
- 3. Investing can trump saving over the long term
- 6. Become a dog walker.
- Marriott Bonvoy elite status
- RTS Financial
- 5. Trade stocks
- VantageScore ranges
- Price
- U.S. Mobile
- 1. Identify your limiting beliefs and emotions
- 'Plan It'
- More consistent pricing
- PNC sign-up bonus
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- 4. Fiverr
- Ting
- 4. Have your financing lined up
- 4. The tax advantages are prime for kids
- Lounge access
- 4. Take surveys for money
- 6. Add your minor child
- (taxes due April 2025)
- SALT tax deduction 2023
- Your money management style
- 7. Babysit or open a daycare.
- What do I need for my loan application?
- Virginia Housing Conventional
- Consumer Cellular
- Saving for a rainy day (or a fun one)
- TBS Factoring
- Should you ever buy a new car?
- 3. Tap your home equity for a loan or line of credit
- Why is there a SALT cap?
- Bonus features
- More combinations and flight cabins available
- 5. The money can be used for more than retirement
- There are other nice perks
- 3. Learn the difference between investing in stocks and funds
- 2. Envision retirement
- Google Fi
- 8. Start a housekeeping business.
- 4. Sell some merch
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- Account linking
- 5. Offer a can't-miss closing
- Stopovers
- Tax brackets 2024
- Other types of savings accounts
- Resident status rules
- How long does status last?
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- 5. Upwork
- Mini CD ladder
- 9. Become a tutor.
- eCapital
- Virginia Housing Conventional No Mortgage Insurance
- Security
- 5. Offer memberships
- 8. Use a do-over
- Uneven splits
- AT&T
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- You can earn Gold status for life
- How will my loan application affect my credit score?
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- 6. Keep the home inspection simple
- Customer support
- T-Mobile
- Part-year resident status rules
- 10. Become a career coach.
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- Thunder Funding
- How long will it take for my application to be approved?
- How to have less tax taken out of your paycheck
- 4. Set a budget for your stock market investment
- 3. Start small
- Verizon
- Virginia Housing Plus Second Mortgage
- 6. OfferUp
- User experience
- How long will it take to get funded?
- 7. Sweeten your offer
- Nonresident status rules
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- 11. Offer freelance creative services.
- OTR Solutions
- Gifting large sums of money to family
- 4. Consider passive investing
- Reviews
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- What are the best Nasdaq index funds?
- AT&T
- 12. Keep the books for local businesses.
- Paying for vacations, cars or other stuff
- Porter Freight Funding
- FHA
- 5. Focus on investing for the long-term
- 7. Poshmark
- 1. Federal income tax rates are progressive
- Boost
- Laid-back loans
- 8. Be patient
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- T-Mobile
- Joint bank accounts
- 13. Dip your toe in the food industry.
- CoreFund Capital
- California earned income tax credit (CalEITC)
- 6. Manage your stock portfolio
- NYC tax rate schedule
- 2. State income taxes may work differently than federal income taxes
- USDA (Rural Housing Service)
- California young child tax credit (YCTC)
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- 14. Do home or tech repairs.
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- Single Point Capital
- California child and dependent care tax credit
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- California adoption cost tax credit
- 15. Plan parties, events, or weddings.
- California nonrefundable renters tax credit
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- 1. Have a goal for your index funds
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- 16. Become a fitness instructor.
- 2. Research index funds
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- 11. Sell your photography
- Pros
- 17. Become a doula.
- Cons
- 3. Pick your index funds
- 18. Start a dropshipping business.
- 19. Maintain lawns in your area.
- 20. Become a virtual assistant.
- 4. Decide where to buy your index funds
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- 21. Become a life coach.
- 5. Buy index funds
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- Business credit cards
- 1. Look at customer satisfaction scores
- 22. Manage a local business’s social media channels.
- 2. Consider financial strength
- Business line of credit
- 6. Keep an eye on your index funds
- 3. Evaluate the policy options
- 23. Monetize your own social media channels.
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- 24. Become an SEO consultant.
- 4. Get prices from a handful of companies
- 25. Go freelance.
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- 18. Rent out your car
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 20. Become a private tutor
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- 25. Put your drone to work

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 — and some will automatically be applied. 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 in 6 months) 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, which it says can take a few hours to several days.
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 $10 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 at least a $5 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 or credit to a Fiverr Revenue Card (a prepaid card). Minimum withdrawal amounts vary, and you may be charged 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 5% to 20% 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 to an eligible Visa or Mastercard debit card, 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.