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
- How do we review brokers?
- LOOKING TO SAVE ON INTEREST?
- 4.5
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans
- What you can do
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans
- How to maximize your rewards
- Simplifying tax time with accounting software
- 1. Start saving early
- What is 100% credit utilization?
- What about repayment penalties?
- 1. Write your business plan
- 1. Delay your application
- 1. Startup and organizational costs
- 1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts)
- Pros
- 1. Titles may mean nothing.
- 1. The Second Service Foundation
- Determine your social media marketing goals
- 1. Arrive in the right spot — and at the right time
- 1. Ibotta
- 1. Conforming conventional loans
- 1. Pick up freelance work online
- 1. Make the supermarket your mall
- Regular and exclusive use
- If you don’t ask, you don’t get
- 1. Keep your charges on each card to a minimum
- The recommended tipping range
- Cons
- T-Mobile
- 1. Restaurants
- 2. Know what kind of advice you need.
- 1. Roll your debts onto a balance transfer credit card
- Our pick for: Simplicity
- 1. Decide how much coverage you need
- Driveable RVs
- NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)
- 2. Decide how much home you can afford
- Nonprofit and corporate grants
- Step 1: Enter your personal information
- 2. Inventory
- 2. Nonconforming conventional loans
- Consider debt financing:
- 2. Warrior Rising
- Mortgage rates remain stubbornly high
- 1. Child tax credit
- How being an authorized user can help you build credit
- Monthly after-tax income
- Shop around
- Opt for a less expensive car
- Why it’s the best
- If you're younger than 59½ and the account is less than 5 years old
- 1. Set financial goals
- Verizon
- 2. Work longer
- Step 1: Choose your business name and business entity type
- 3. Find a fee-only fiduciary.
- Advantages of a life insurance policy loan
- How to play Powerball
- Getting to Hawaii on United
- SoundHound AI Inc. (SOUN)
- Principal place of business
- Electric bill
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically
- 1. Consider your vending machine options
- 2. Hybrid bar/coffee shop
- Big three prepaid plans
- 3. Check and polish your credit
- 50% of your income: needs
- Maximize your trade-in
- Step 2: Account for multiple jobs
- 3. Fixed-rate conventional loans
- The cheapest large car insurance company: State Farm
- Cruise during the shoulder season
- 2. Use an online real estate investing platform
- When to tip your hotel housekeeper
- Postpaid
- Alliant: Best for fast funding
- 4. Vet your advisor.
- Child tax credit 2023 (taxes filed in 2024)
- Disadvantages of a life insurance policy loan
- 3. Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
- SBA loans
- 2. Child and dependent care credit
- Define your target audience
- Income taxes for single-member LLCs
- Discover Bank, 4.25% APY, no minimum opening deposit
- Back to your lender
- 2. Ask for higher credit limits
- Air Canada standard seat selection fee
- If you're younger than 59½ and the account is at least 5 years old
- Pros
- The trick to finding off-peak rates at Marriott properties
- EveryDollar
- Step 1: Choose your gym name and business entity
- Towable RVs
- How being an authorized user could hurt your credit
- 2. Check in
- Find a co-signer
- 2. Rakuten
- Types of residency statuses in Arizona
- Prepaid
- 3. Earn more
- 3. Liquor store
- Changes and cancellations
- 2. Apply for a credit card consolidation loan
- How to play Mega Millions
- 3. American opportunity tax credit
- Limited partnerships
- Card details
- Varo, 3.00% APY, no minimum opening deposit
- 3. Utilities
- 4. Adjustable-rate conventional loans
- 2. Test websites and apps
- Book a repositioning cruise to save more
- 2. Track your money
- Cons
- 1. Calculate the car payment you can afford
- Cash is king
- Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush
- Google Fi Wireless
- Step 2: Write a business plan
- EveryDollar
- 4. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
- 2. Stream your video and music payments to this card
- 30% of your income: wants
- Delay your purchase
- Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
- Why it’s the best
- Crypto.com DeFi Wallet: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Contact your carmaker
- 3. Think about investing in rental properties
- First Tech: Best for co-sign and joint loan options
- 4. Handyman or contractor
- United interisland flights in Hawaii
- 2. Choose your insurance deductible
- 4. Explore mortgage options
- Pick your social media platforms
- Automatic relief group
- Income taxes for multi-member LLCs
- Bask Bank, 5.10% APY, no minimum opening deposit
- What if it’s close?
- 4. Insurance
- 5. Low-down-payment conventional loans
- 2. Register your business
- Resident status rules
- If you’re 59½ or older and the account is less than 5 years old
- Boost
- Under 35
- 1. Investment advisors
- YNAB
- Step 2: Write a business plan
- 5. Texas Woman's University Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant
- Business term loans
- 4. Lifetime learning credit
- Water bill
- Index examples
- Getting the best HELOC rate
- Use a credit card
- Step 4: Refine your withholdings
- Where Exodus shines
- Does basic economy get a carry-on on United?
- Credit Karma
- 1. Make dollar-cost averaging your friend
- Asset allocation by goals
- Consumer price index (CPI)
- 20% of your income: savings and debt
- The bottom line
- 3. Set up balance alerts to stay on top of spending
- If you're 59½ or older and the account is at least 5 years old
- How to leave tips for housekeeping
- Consider equity financing:
- Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally
- 4. Consider your spouse
- 5. Automotive repairs
- 2. Broker-dealers and brokers
- 3. Evaluate other factors
- Commercial real estate loans
- 5. Student loan interest deduction
- Research top private equity firms
- Assess your content needs
- Start with a budget
- 3. Go through the security checkpoint
- Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
- The cheapest midsize car insurance company: American National
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- Part-year resident status rules
- 3. Budget for emergencies
- PenFed: Best for a seamless application process
- 1. Make sure you’re eligible to get an EIN online
- 3. Transition to this card for gas and more
- Airport lounge access
- LifeLock pros
- 3. Swagbucks
- Guarda: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- 1. Examine your revenue
- Typical cost for a flagship family plan with unlimited data
- Premiums
- Reasons for unfreezing your credit
- 1. TownePlace Suites Nashville Midtown
- Goodbudget
- But wait, there’s more
- In-flight seating
- Home supply is still limited
- Equipment financing
- 6. Adoption credit
- Gas bill
- Choosing corporate tax status for your LLC
- Asset allocation by age
- 5. Business property rent
- Why it’s the best
- 1. Open an investment account
- 2. Calculate the car loan amount you can afford
- 6. Home cleaning
- Where Exodus falls short
- What qualifies:
- Ages 35 to 44
- 3. Certified financial planner
- Put contributions into a Roth
- LendingTree Spring
- Step 3: Get certified, pay CrossFit fees
- 6. Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab
- Take a pre-purchase test drive
- Look for private equity exchange-traded funds
- Personal loan calculator
- Track your spending
- Personal consumption expenditure (PCE)
- 4. Pay your bill before your issuer reports to the credit bureaus
- Cigna
- Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores
- Family plans on a budget
- Step 3: Register your catering business and get an EIN
- How to get Avios
- Stock mutual funds = higher potential returns (or losses)
- 7. Earned income tax credit
- Decision group
- Plan G
- 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
- 4. Tackle high-interest debt
- Contact your insurer
- Copays, coinsurance and deductibles
- Navy Federal: Best for military members
- 5. Investigate divorced spouse benefits
- 7. IT and computer services
- What doesn't qualify:
- Tips for unfreezing your credit
- 1. Fill out a mortgage application
- 2. Sir Albert, Amsterdam, a Member of Design Hotels™
- 3. Tap your home equity for a loan or line of credit
- 2. Gather the necessary information
- Our pick for: Online purchases
- Arrange an inspection
- 5. Research first-time home buyer assistance programs
- Hotel elite status
- The actual expense method
- Post consistently
- Find ways to save
- LifeLock cons
- 6. Auto expenses
- Nonresident status rules
- 2. Choose your investments
- Exodus: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- 2. Subtract fixed costs
- 4. Consider flipping investment properties
- Access federal student aid and other government loans
- Step 4: Register your business and get an employer identification number
- 2. Diversify your holdings
- 7. National Association for Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
- 8. Charitable donation deduction
- 6. Conventional renovation loans
- Air Canada preferred seat cost
- Find preapproved auto loans
- What Exodus is best for
- 4. Financial consultant
- Expensify
- Price
- The lottery annuity option
- In-flight refreshments
- 4. Consider extra coverage
- Shop for your own loan
- 4. Supplement with another card, or cards
- Other ways to access Club Millésime lounges
- Card details
- Plan N
- How do I access a HELOC?
- 4. Fiverr
- Revocable life insurance trusts
- Equifax business credit scores
- 8. Pet store, grooming and boarding
- Step 4: Get all licenses and clearances needed to start a catering business
- Ages 45 to 54
- Understanding Avios
- 8. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs
- 9. Medical expenses deduction
- Buyouts
- Asset allocation by risk tolerance
- 7. Rent and depreciation on equipment and machinery
- 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- 4. Take surveys for money
- 5. Plan for retirement
- Credit cards that earn World of Hyatt points
- Book one to three months in advance
- 6. Add your minor child
- 5. Financial coach
- Split between a traditional and Roth IRA to defer taxes
- 3. The St. Regis Beijing
- 3. Submit your application and wait
- Bond mutual funds = lower returns (but lower risk)
- Home prices keep climbing
- 6. Compare mortgage rates and fees
- How much does a HELOC cost?
- Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: State Farm
- Why it’s the best
- Trust Wallet: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- Shop around
- 3. Set a target purchase price
- No collections until Fresh Start expires
- Exodus at a glance
- 2. Review your Loan Estimates
- Step 5: Get funding for opening your CrossFit gym
- Your money management style
- But wait, there’s more
- 5. Get a quote
- Rental car elite status
- 10. Deduction for state and local taxes
- The simplified version
- Monitor mentions and respond quickly
- Post-class group
- Use designated accounts for spending and savings
- Discounts
- 3. Subtract variable expenses
- 2. Find the right location for your vending machine
- 9. Salon or barbershop
- Ages 55 to 64
- 6. Portfolio, investment and asset managers
- Pay the security deposit upfront in cash
- Rocket Money
- The cash option
- 9. Southern California Job Creators Grant
- How renting from RVshare works
- Venture capital
- 1. Have a goal for your index funds
- 8. Office supplies
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- If you are investing in an S&P 500 index fund:
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs)
- Experian business credit scores
- Make Money
- How to complain about ECSI
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- Money market mutual funds = lowest returns, lowest risk
- Bonus features
- 3. Invest in sectors that perform well in recessions
- 11. Mortgage interest deduction
- What if you can’t pay your bills?
- Make a plan to pay off debt
- 3. Secure funding
- Review booking terms
- 6. Optimize your finances with tax planning
- 5. Rent out a room
- Set a price alert
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- A second shot for borrowers who rehabilitated and defaulted
- Step 5: Determine your pricing
- Full details about Exodus' ratings
- You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
- 4. Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter
- If you are investing in an S&P 500 ETF:
- Zengo Wallet: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- 10. Gas station
- Ages 65 to 74
- 7. Wealth advisors
- Account linking
- 10. Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Grant
- 7. Gather your loan paperwork
- Statement credits
- 12. Gambling loss deduction
- 2. Research index funds
- 9. Office furniture
- 5. Upwork
- Aetna
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- Eureka
- Place a debit card hold
- 1. Avoid filing your tax return on paper
- Competition remains steady
- WANT TSA PRECHECK FOR FREE?
- Cheapest car insurance after an accident: State Farm
- Calculate all travel costs
- If you are investing in a stock within the S&P 500 index:
- 4. Set aside a contingency fund for unexpected costs
- 11. Grocery store
- Filing status
- Money Manager
- Step 6: Find a gym space, get permits
- 4. Focus on the long-term
- 11. Feed the Soul Foundation's Restaurant Business Development Program
- Other ways to strengthen your application
- 13. IRA contributions deduction
- Illiquidity
- Government bonds
- Develop good credit habits
- Chase Sapphire Cards
- 8. Use a do-over
- 8. Robo-advisor
- 3. Loan processing takes over
- How to settle a dispute with ECSI
- Security
- In-flight entertainment
- 2. Get direct deposit
- 10. Software subscription
- Top 20 performers in the S&P 500 index
- 7. Invest to build your future goals
- Step 6: Hire, train, and outfit your staff
- Earned income
- InboxDollars Surveys
- Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
- 5. W Brisbane
- Look at nonchain hotels
- Other types of financing
- 8. Get a preapproval letter
- 14. 401(k) contributions deduction
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- Cabin options may be limited
- 5. Determine your profit
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- The fresh start will be reflected on credit reports
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- 12. Chicagoland Job Creators Quest Grant
- 3. Stay on top of things
- Government grants
- Card details
- 3. Pick your index funds
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- 12. Drugstore
- Expenses
- 9. Financial therapist
- 4. The underwriter makes a decision based on your documentation
- Consider vacation rentals
- AndroMoney
- Step 7: Get a business checking account, credit card
- Customer support
- Transparency, regulation and data
- Invest in your financial future
- Farmers vs. State Farm home insurance
- 11. Advertising and marketing
- Appendix: How the math works in our examples
- Coinbase Wallet: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- 8. Grow your financial well-being
- Google Opinion Rewards
- Our pick for: Cell phone and internet bill payments
- 15. Saver’s credit
- How to have less tax taken out of your paycheck
- 6. OfferUp
- 6. Finalize your business budget
- 4. One more thing to know about your tax refund
- Prepared to put down roots?
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: Progressive
- 4. Buy the property
- Extras may be limited
- 13. Antique or thrift store
- User experience
- 13. Beyond Open Small Business Grant Program
- 9. Choose a real estate agent carefully
- 16. Health savings account contributions deduction
- 4. Find your gate
- 12. Business entertainment
- Swagbucks
- 1Money
- Step 8: Get business insurance
- 4. Decide where to buy your index funds
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- Farmers vs. Allstate home insurance
- Honorable mention: Wellcare
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- 9. Estate planning: Protect your financial well-being
- 3. Find your vending machine
- 14. Fitness studio or gym
- 5. Your loan is cleared to close
- Call and ask
- Reviews
- How does RVshare insurance work?
- Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)
- 17. Self-employment expenses deduction
- Corporate bonds
- MetaMask: 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Step 7: Market during your own events
- Be flexible about travel dates
- 14. Bizee Fresh Start Business Grant
- 10. Narrow down your ideal type of house and neighborhood
- 13. Travel expenses
- 5. Secure a gas supplier contract
- Access to repayment options and forgiveness is restored
- Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)
- How's your job security?
- 18. Home office deduction
- 5. Wait at the gate
- How to maximize your rewards
- 7. Poshmark
- 15. Tutoring business
- 15. Venmo Small Business Grant
- Save
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX)
- 19. Educator expenses deduction
- 5. Buy index funds
- Pros
- 14. Interest
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit: Geico
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- Overall diversification
- 16. Ice cream shop
- 16. U.S. Chamber of Commerce America's Top Small Business Awards
- Why we love RVshare
- 6. Obtain necessary permits and licenses
- Electrum: 2.5 out of 5 stars
- Step 8: Get funding
- Other details you should know about Exodus
- Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBIAX)
- Are you financially prepared?
- 20. Solar tax credit
- Help For Felons
- Cons
- Complete financial plan and investment advice
- Access to short-term relief
- 17. Dry cleaner
- Rent
- Look beyond United
- 17. EBay Up & Running Grants
- Invest
- 15. Bad debt
- 4. Explore your financing options
- Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGAX)
- 11. Stick to your budget
- 21. Energy efficient home improvement tax credit
- Inmates to Entrepreneurs
- 6. Keep an eye on your index funds
- Gifting large sums of money to family
- 7. Get business insurance
- 18. Bookstore
- Equipment
- Tornadoes
- 18. Grants.gov
- UNLOCK AIRPORT LOUNGES WITH THE RIGHT CARD
- Specialized guidance and/or want to meet with an advisor face-to-face
- Is Exodus right for you?
- Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (VSMAX)
- 22. Electric vehicle tax credit
- Defy Ventures
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- 8. Market yourself
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- 19. Bed and breakfast
- Our pick for: Maximized value
- Employees
- The 10 largest lottery jackpots
- Pay off debt
- Paying for vacations, cars or other stuff
- Winter storms
- 19. GrantWatch
- Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (VTIAX)
- Project ReMADE
- 16. Taxes
- Portfolio management only
- Flooding
- 20. Floral shop
- How we review crypto wallets
- Insurance
- 12. Make the most of walk-throughs and open houses
- Laid-back loans
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- Step 9: Plan for emergencies — both financial and others
- Reasons to take pause before renting from RVshare
- 6. Board the airplane
- 21. Gardening and landscaping
- Repeat
- Joint bank accounts
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers: Geico
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- Ledger: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Entre Capital
- 17. Employee salaries
- Winter storms
- 22. Nail salon and spa
- 13. Don’t skip the home inspections
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- 5. Stock your vending machine with inventory
- Pets
- Veteran Business Outreach Centers
- Above-the-line deductions
- 18. Employee benefits programs
- Trezor: 4 out of 5 stars
- Tornadoes
- 23. Photography
- Refoundry
- 7. Retrieve your luggage
- Luggage restrictions
- Below-the-line deductions
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- 11. Sell your photography
- Hailstorms
- 24. Clothing boutique
- 14. Negotiate with the seller
- Small Business Development Centers
- 19. Employee gifts
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
- How renting from Cruise America works
- Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers: State Farm
- SafePal: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- 6. Make the right investments
- 25. Daycare
- 9. Familiarize yourself with your day-to-day responsibilities
- Our pick for: Prime gaming
- 8. Exit the airport and enjoy your trip
- 20. Contracted labor
- 26. Brewery or winery
- Boots to Business
- 15. Buy adequate home insurance
- How to maximize your rewards
- Methodology
- 27. Hardware store
- 21. Legal and professional fees
- Institute for Veterans and Military Families
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- 28. Catering company
- How does Cruise America insurance work?
- What is a prepaid debit card?
- 29. Real estate agency
- Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship
- Why we love Cruise America
- 30. Event venue and planner
- What is a prepaid credit card?
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- Veteran Institute for Procurement
- 31. Tattoo and piercing shop
- Where can you get a prepaid card?
- Individual stocks
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Cruise America
- 32. Veterinary office
- Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
- How do you add money to a prepaid card?
- Pros
- Our pick for: Target gaming purchases
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- 33. Food truck
- Cons
- State and local governments
- Dividend stocks
- 34. Health clinic
- 35. Bakery
- How renting from Outdoorsy works
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- Meet a local demand
- How does Outdoorsy insurance work?
- Scout locations
- Our pick for: Walmart gaming purchases
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- Calculate the costs of starting a business
- Reasons to love Outdoorsy
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Outdoorsy
- 18. Rent out your car
- Our pick for: PlayStation purchases
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 20. Become a private tutor
- Our pick for: Best Buy purchases
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- Trip cancellation
- Our pick for: Digital Microsoft Store purchases
- Trip interruption
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- Trip delay
- Cancel For Any Reason
- 25. Put your drone to work
- Baggage delay
- Lost baggage
- Travel medical insurance
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.