In today’s digital economy, making money from your smartphone is more than just a side hustle—it’s a legitimate income stream. Whether you want to earn extra cash, start a freelance business, or get cashback on everyday purchases, there’s an app for that.
With apps to make money online becoming more advanced, you can now earn through cashback rewards, freelancing, selling used items, and even playing games. But with so many options, how do you know which apps are actually legit?
To save you time, we’ve rounded up the 9 best apps to make money in 2025—each offering a unique way to boost your income.
The Best Money-Making Apps in 2025
1. Ibotta – Best for Cashback on Groceries & Shopping
How It Works:
Ibotta is a cashback app that rewards you for shopping at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Instead of dealing with coupons, simply scan your receipts or link your store loyalty card to earn cashback on everyday purchases.
Why It’s Great:
- Works with thousands of retailers across the U.S.
- Offers exclusive bonuses and cashback on groceries, travel, and even alcohol purchases.
- Allows you to stack rewards with other discount programs.
- Pays out via PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.
Pros:
✅ Easy to use – Just shop, scan, and earn cashback.
✅ Works in-store and online for maximum flexibility.
✅ Huge retailer network—earn cashback at grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants.
Cons:
❌ Minimum payout threshold of $20 before you can withdraw.
❌ Cashback isn’t instant—it may take 24-48 hours to process.
2. Rakuten – Best for Online Shopping Rewards
How It Works:
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) partners with over 2,500+ retailers, including Walmart, Sephora, and Expedia. When you shop through the app, you get up to 40% cashback on your purchases.
Why It’s Great:
- Completely free to use—just shop and earn.
- Quarterly cash payouts via PayPal or check.
- Includes cashback deals for travel, food delivery, and subscriptions.
- $10 sign-up bonus for new users after their first purchase.
Pros:
✅ No hidden fees—you earn cashback for purchases you’d make anyway.
✅ Includes travel deals, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
✅ Works for in-store shopping at select retailers.
Cons:
❌ Payouts are not instant—you receive them every three months.
❌ Must remember to activate cashback before shopping.
3. Swagbucks – Best for Surveys & Small Tasks
How It Works:
Swagbucks lets you earn points (SB) by taking surveys, watching ads, and shopping online. These points can be converted into PayPal cash or gift cards.
Why It’s Great:
- Multiple earning options—not just surveys, but also playing games, watching videos, and more.
- Low payout threshold—cash out with as little as $3.
- Daily opportunities to earn extra bonuses.
Pros:
✅ No special skills required—anyone can start earning.
✅ Great for passive income—earn by completing simple tasks.
✅ Instant cashout options for PayPal and gift cards.
Cons:
❌ Surveys can be time-consuming and don’t always qualify.
❌ Lower earning potential compared to freelancing apps.
4. Fiverr – Best for Beginners in Freelancing
How It Works:
Fiverr is a global freelancing marketplace where you can sell almost any digital service imaginable, from graphic design and writing to voiceovers and coding. Unlike traditional job-hunting platforms, Fiverr lets sellers (freelancers) create “gigs”—fixed-price services that clients can purchase instantly.
Getting started is simple:
- Sign Up & Create a Gig – List your service, set pricing tiers (Basic, Standard, and Premium), and add portfolio samples.
- Optimize Your Profile – A professional profile with relevant skills and keywords improves visibility.
- Wait for Orders or Promote Your Gig – Clients can find you organically, or you can use Fiverr’s built-in promotional tools.
- Complete the Job & Get Paid – Once a client orders, deliver the service by the deadline. Fiverr handles secure payments and transfers funds after order completion.
The best part? You don’t need a resume or years of experience—if you have a skill, you can monetize it here. Fiverr even features unique categories like astrology readings, AI-generated content, and even viral TikTok creation.
Pros:
✅ Beginner-friendly – No need to bid for projects. Clients come to you.
✅ Global reach – Work with businesses worldwide.
✅ Scalability – Top sellers earn six figures by optimizing gig structures.
Cons:
❌ 20% commission on every order—Fiverr takes a cut from your earnings.
❌ Highly competitive—Standing out in popular categories can take time.
5. Upwork – Best for Skilled Freelancers Seeking High-Paying Gigs
How It Works:
Upwork is a freelancing platform designed for professionals in fields like writing, programming, marketing, and consulting. Unlike Fiverr, where clients browse and purchase services, Upwork requires freelancers to apply for jobs posted by clients.
Here’s how to get started:
- Create a Profile – Highlight skills, experience, and certifications. A strong profile increases your chances of landing high-paying jobs.
- Browse & Apply for Jobs – Use “Connects” (Upwork’s virtual currency) to submit proposals for jobs. Your proposal should include a personalized pitch, past work samples, and competitive pricing.
- Negotiate & Secure Contracts – Clients may request interviews before hiring. Contracts can be fixed-price or hourly.
- Work & Get Paid Securely – Payments are protected by Upwork’s escrow system. Funds are released upon client approval.
High-rated freelancers often land recurring contracts with businesses, making Upwork an excellent platform for building a sustainable online career.
Pros:
✅ Higher earning potential – Skilled freelancers can charge premium rates.
✅ Long-term work opportunities – Many clients hire for ongoing projects.
✅ Payment protection – Escrow ensures freelancers get paid.
Cons:
❌ Upwork takes 10-20% of earnings—freelancers pay platform fees.
❌ Not all applicants are approved—new users may struggle to gain visibility.
6. OfferUp – Best for Selling Used Items Locally
How It Works:
OfferUp is like Craigslist meets eBay—a mobile marketplace where users can buy and sell used items locally. Whether you want to declutter your home or flip second-hand goods for profit, OfferUp makes selling effortless.
Here’s how it works:
- Create a Listing – Snap a few photos, add a title, write a description, and set a price. OfferUp’s AI-powered interface suggests pricing based on similar listings.
- Chat with Buyers – Interested buyers can message you directly within the app, keeping negotiations safe and private.
- Arrange Pickup or Shipping – Choose between local meetups or nationwide shipping (for eligible items).
- Get Paid – For local deals, buyers pay in cash or through OfferUp’s in-app payment system. For shipped items, OfferUp holds payments until delivery is confirmed.
Sellers can boost visibility with paid promotions or leverage the platform’s “Instant Offers” feature for faster sales.
Pros:
✅ Fast and easy way to sell unwanted items.
✅ No listing fees—you only pay fees for promoted listings or shipped items.
✅ Local transactions mean no need for shipping hassles.
Cons:
❌ High buyer negotiation—expect people to haggle over prices.
❌ Potential for unreliable buyers—some may cancel last minute.
7. Poshmark – Best for Selling Fashion & Accessories
How It Works:
If you have a closet full of trendy clothes you no longer wear, Poshmark is one of the best apps to make extra money in 2025. Unlike OfferUp, Poshmark specializes in fashion, making it a go-to marketplace for clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories.
Here’s how to sell on Poshmark:
- List Your Items – Upload photos, write a description, and set a price. High-quality images improve sales.
- Engage with the Community – Poshmark is social-driven, meaning users can “like” and “share” listings to boost visibility.
- Make a Sale & Ship It – Once someone buys an item, Poshmark provides a prepaid shipping label. You just drop it in the mail.
- Get Paid – After delivery, the buyer confirms receipt, and your earnings are deposited into your Poshmark account.
Sellers can host “Posh Parties” (virtual sales events) to increase exposure and use Poshmark’s bundling feature to upsell multiple items.
Pros:
✅ Easy to use—perfect for selling name-brand fashion.
✅ Prepaid shipping labels make the process hassle-free.
✅ Built-in social features help boost sales.
Cons:
❌ Poshmark takes 20% of sales over $15—a hefty commission.
❌ Sellers must package and ship orders themselves.
8. Premise – Best for Earning Money from Quick Tasks
How It Works:
Premise is a task-based money-making app that pays users for completing real-world and digital tasks. Unlike survey apps, Premise focuses on location-based microjobs like taking photos of businesses, confirming store hours, or checking product availability.
To start earning:
- Download the App & Sign Up – The app automatically detects tasks near you.
- Complete Assignments – Tasks range from taking street photos to verifying store information.
- Submit & Get Paid – Payments are processed quickly and can be withdrawn via PayPal or Bitcoin.
Some users make $10 to $50 per day simply by running errands and completing simple tasks while commuting.
Pros:
✅ Get paid for everyday activities—earn money while shopping or commuting.
✅ Quick payments—no long payout wait times.
✅ Simple, low-effort tasks that don’t require special skills.
Cons:
❌ Limited availability—not all locations have frequent tasks.
❌ Some tasks require leaving your house—not ideal for those wanting to earn solely online.
9. Upside – Best for Gas & Grocery Cashback
How It Works:
Upside is a cashback app that rewards users for purchasing gas, groceries, and dining out. Instead of traditional couponing, Upside offers instant discounts at participating locations.
Here’s how it works:
- Check Nearby Deals – Open the app to find cashback offers on gas, groceries, and restaurants.
- Pay as Usual & Upload Your Receipt – Use your usual payment method and scan your receipt.
- Earn Cashback – Your earnings are added to your Upside account and can be cashed out via PayPal or gift cards.
With some locations offering up to $0.25 per gallon cashback on gas, the savings add up quickly.
Pros:
✅ Earn money on necessary expenses like gas and groceries.
✅ No minimum payout required.
✅ Works at thousands of locations nationwide.
Cons:
❌ Only available in select areas.
❌ Cashback rates fluctuate based on promotions.