Best Money Earning Apps 2025 And Beyond: Real Ways To Make Extra Cash On Your Phone
Looking to make some extra cash without adding another job to your plate? You’re not alone. In 2025 and beyond, people everywhere are turning to their smartphones for side income. This guide will walk you through the best money earning apps 2025 – legit apps that actually pay and can help you hit those financial goals without too much effort.
Whether it’s surveys, gaming, walking, or watching ads – yes, really – some apps are handing out real money just for your time and actions. But with so many options floating around, it’s easy to fall for apps that overpromise and underdeliver 🕵️♂️
That’s why we’ve done the digging for you. We’ve rounded up the real-deal apps that pay in 2025, how they work, what makes them stand out, and how much you can realistically expect to earn 🙌 Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, or just looking to make a little extra on the side, there’s something here for you.
Before we dive into the app list, let’s break down what makes a money-making app worth your time – because not all of them are created equal.
What makes a money app worth it?
Before downloading every app that promises cash, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Payout method: Does it pay via PayPal, gift cards, direct deposit?
- Minimum payout: Some apps make you earn $50 before you can withdraw. Others let you cash out at $5.
- Effort vs reward: Is it passive income (like letting an app run in the background) or active (doing tasks)?
- User reviews: Always check the app store ratings.
Most importantly, be real with yourself. These apps won’t make you rich, but they can help cover a few bills or give you some extra spending money.
Easy passive money: let it run in the background
Want to earn without doing much? These apps work while you do your thing.
1. Honeygain
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5 on Trustpilot)
Honeygain lets you earn passive income by sharing your unused internet bandwidth. Once installed, it runs in the background and rewards you with credits that can be converted to real cash or PayPal payouts. It’s completely hands-off – just set it and forget it.
- Payout: PayPal or crypto
- Minimum to cash out: $20
2. Swagbucks
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5 on App Store)
Swagbucks gives you points (called SB) for doing everyday online tasks like answering surveys, watching videos, shopping, and searching the web. You can redeem those points for gift cards or PayPal cash. It’s easy to use and great if you want to earn on the side while doing things you already do online.
- Payout: Gift cards, PayPal, or cash
- Minimum to cash out: $1
3. InboxDollars
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5 on App Store)
InboxDollars pays you real money – not just points – to read emails, take surveys, watch videos, and play games. You get a $5 bonus just for signing up, and the platform is super beginner-friendly. It’s a solid choice if you’re looking to earn a little here and there during your downtime.
- Payout: Gift cards, PayPal, Visa
- Minimum to cash out: $15
4. Rakuten
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5 on App Store)
Rakuten is one of the best money earning apps 2025 for earning cashback on everyday purchases. Just activate cashback in the app or browser extension before shopping at stores like Amazon, Walmart, or Target. A percentage of your spend comes back to you – no extra effort needed.
- Payout: Check, PayPal, American Express
- Minimum to cash out: $5.01
These apps won’t make you thousands, but they’re solid for small passive income.
Play and earn: best money-making game apps
Love gaming? Some apps actually let you make money while you play. Here are some of the best apps to earn money playing games this year.
1. Mistplay
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5 on App Store)
Mistplay rewards you for playing mobile games on Android. As you level up and try new games, you earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards from top brands like Amazon and Google Play. It’s a chill way to get paid for doing something you already enjoy – gaming!
- Payout: Gift cards
- Best for: Casual gamers
2. Skillz Games
⭐⭐⭐ (3.4/5 on App Store)
Skillz Games hosts real-time competitions in casual games like Solitaire, Bubble Shooter, and Trivia. You can play for free or enter tournaments to win real cash prizes. It’s great for anyone who’s competitive and wants to turn their skills into income.
- Payout: PayPal, Apple Pay, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), check
- Best for: Competitive players
3. Cube Cube: Win Real Money Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5 on App Store)
Cube Cube is a fast-paced puzzle game where you stack blocks in a Tetris-style format – but here’s the twist: you can actually win real cash. You compete in skill-based tournaments, and the better you play, the higher your chances of scoring real money prizes. It’s perfect for gamers who love a challenge and want their skills to pay off.
- Payout: PayPal, Apple Pay, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
- Best for: Competitive puzzle lovers
If you’re already spending time playing mobile games, might as well get a few bucks out of it!
Microtasks and gig apps that actually pay
If you’re okay with doing short tasks, mystery shopping, or local gigs, these apps pay a bit more.
1. Field Agent
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5 on App Store)
Field Agent pays you to complete small tasks in your area, like checking product displays, taking photos in stores, or answering short surveys. You get real cash for each completed job, and payouts are fast. It’s a great app if you’re out and about and want to earn on the go.
- Payout: Direct Deposit
- Best for: People looking for quick, local gigs they can complete on the go – like checking prices in stores, taking photos of displays, or doing short surveys.
2. TaskRabbit
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5 on App Store)
TaskRabbit connects you with people nearby who need help with everyday tasks like cleaning, moving, furniture assembly, or deliveries. You can set your own rates and schedule, making it flexible for side income. If you’re handy or helpful, this app turns your skills into quick cash.
- Payout: Direct to bank
- Best for: People looking for hands-on, flexible work like moving help, furniture assembly, or home repairs, ideal for weekend warriors and those who want to get paid fast for in-person tasks.
3. Fiverr Workspace App
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5 on App Store)
Fiverr Workspace helps freelancers manage their gigs with tools for time tracking, invoicing, contracts, and payments – all in one app. It’s not a gig marketplace itself, but a powerful sidekick that helps you stay organized and get paid smoothly. Perfect for Fiverr users or anyone juggling multiple clients.
- Payout: PayPal, Fiverr Revenue Card, bank transfer, Payoneer account
- Best for: Writers, designers, virtual assistants, etc. juggling multiple clients and looking for a streamlined way to manage freelance work, track time, send invoices, and handle contracts – all in one clean, professional space.
These apps can offer a higher payout, but they often require more of your time and effort.
Invest or earn while shopping: more ways to make money
Want to earn while you spend or invest a little? These apps offer cash back or micro-investments.
1. Acorns
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5 on App Store)
Acorns is one of the best money earning apps 2025 for beginners who want to invest without stress. It rounds up your everyday purchases and invests the spare change automatically. Over time, your savings grow with no active effort needed – making it a smart and passive way to build wealth.
- Passive? Yep – completely
- Best for: New investors
2. Robinhood
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5 on App Store)
Robinhood lets you trade stocks, ETFs, and even crypto with no commission fees, all from your phone. It’s beginner-friendly and offers real-time market data, making it a solid option for anyone curious about investing. You can start small and grow your portfolio at your own pace.
- Passive? Somewhat passive – once you invest, your money can grow without constant action, but you may still need to monitor the market.
- Best for: New investors, DIY traders
3. Shopkick
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5 on App Store)
Shopkick gives you points (called “kicks”) for walking into stores, scanning items, making purchases, and even shopping online. Those kicks can be redeemed for gift cards to places like Target, Amazon, or Starbucks. It’s an easy way to turn your regular shopping trips into rewards.
- Passive? Yes, mostly passive – you can earn points just by walking into stores or scanning items during your normal routine.
- Best for: Casual shoppers, Reward seekers
If you’re already shopping, these apps can be a nice bonus.
Best apps are cool, but what if you want to earn more?
So, here’s the thing. All the apps above are solid. But there’s a catch: they either require your time, or they pay so little that it’s not sustainable long term.
Let’s say you’re looking for something more scalable. Something that doesn’t just give you $10 here and there. That’s where building an online business comes in – specifically, dropshipping.
Ready for something bigger? Try dropshipping with AliDropship
Ever thought about starting your own online store but had no idea where to begin? That’s where AliDropship comes in.
This tool helps you build a ready-to-go ecommerce store using a dropshipping model. That means:
- No need to keep stock
- No packing or shipping
- Sell trending products directly from suppliers
Here’s why it stands out:
- Free turnkey store – built, designed, and filled with products
- You own the store 100%
- Built for beginners – no coding needed
- Automated promotion to boost your traffic
With the right strategy, your store can run almost passively – just like the apps we mentioned, but with way more potential to grow.
Imagine this: instead of earning $5 from a survey, you could be making $50 or $100 a day from your own store. And the best part? AliDropship automates the whole process.
Quick look: Comparing Top earning apps vs Dropshipping
Not sure which app fits your style or schedule? Here’s a quick side-by-side look at some of the best money earning apps 2025 and beyond. Whether you want something super passive or don’t mind putting in more effort for bigger returns, this table will help you pick your perfect match 👇
💡 Final tip:
No matter what your situation is – whether you’re chilling at home or hustling between gigs – there’s an app out there that can help you earn on your terms. Start with one or two that match your lifestyle, and see how far it takes you! 🚀
Final thoughts: Start small, think big
Using apps to earn money in 2025 and beyond is a smart move, especially if you’re trying to make some passive cash on the side. They’re simple, low-risk, and can be kind of fun too.
But don’t stop there. If you’re serious about building real income – the kind that doesn’t depend on how many hours you put in – dropshipping might be your next big step. With AliDropship, it’s easier than ever.
👉 Ready to take control of your income? Start your dropshipping journey today with AliDropship and build something that earns even while you sleep. Your phone can be more than just a tool for scrolling. It can be your income stream.
