Earning Apps: Top 10 Best Apps to Make Money Without Investment

Are you looking for Apps that will pay you real money online? You’re in the right place! In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 best earning apps that allow you to earn money online without investment.

Whether you want to supplement your income, save for a special purchase, or simply enjoy the flexibility of earning from home, these apps offer a variety of opportunities tailored just for you.

Imagine getting paid for activities you already do, like taking surveys, watching videos, or shopping. These money-making apps are reliable and user-friendly, making it easy for you to start earning right away.

Best Earning Apps That Will Pay You Real Money

1. Survey Junkie

With Survey Junkie, you can make money in two ways: taking surveys or sharing data. While taking surveys requires active participation, data sharing is a passive earning process. Once you allow the company to access your browsing history, you’ll earn cash-converting points every month.

Best for Passive Income: By joining Survey Junkie’s Surf to Earn data-sharing program, you’ll automatically earn up to 1,350 points per year ($13.50). This program grants you access to exclusive surveys, helping you potentially earn even more. Survey Junkie sets itself apart by offering both survey-taking and data sharing.

How Payment Works: To cash out, you need a minimum of 500 points ($5). You can redeem points for cash through PayPal or Dwolla or buy gift cards. While Survey Junkie won’t make you rich, it offers a chance to earn extra spending money each month.

Review and Ratings: The Survey Junkie mobile app earns 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store, ensuring a reliable and effective platform.

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks offers you a variety of ways to earn a little bit of cash. You can take online surveys, play games, watch videos, or shop online at over 7,000 retailers to earn rewards tailored to your preferences.

Best for Consistent Surveys: By participating in surveys, you can earn an extra $50 to $250 per month. Based on our first-hand experience using this app, it doesn’t require too much concentration, making it easy for you to use the app regularly and maximize your earnings.

How Payment Works: Each task pays differently, but you can earn about $0.50 to $1.50 for short-form surveys, which typically only take a few minutes to complete. These surveys ask for your feedback on advertising campaigns or brands you are familiar with.

You also earn $0.06 for every $1 spent with participating retailers. By using coupons or direct deals through the Swagbucks app, you can earn cash back from popular retailers like Amazon or Home Depot.

Swagbucks are valued at about $0.01 each, so 100 SB equals $1. You can cash out for an Amazon gift card once you have at least $1 worth of SB. For PayPal transfers, you must accumulate a minimum of $5.

Review and Ratings: The mobile app has a strong rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Play store and 4.4 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store, indicating a positive experience for users.

3. Branded Surveys

You’re invited to share your thoughts and shape the products you love. Branded Surveys connect you with top companies seeking insights on everything from brand-new concepts to well-known favorites. By participating in surveys, you’ll contribute to the development of products and services that truly resonate with consumers like you.

Best for New Users: Branded Surveys make it easy for you to start earning. Each survey clearly outlines how much you’ll make and how long it will take, so you know exactly what to expect. There’s no need for complicated tasks – just share your thoughts and watch your points add up.

How Payment Works: You’ll be amazed at how quickly your opinions can turn into cash. Once you reach the 500-point minimum (equal to $5), you can choose to receive your earnings via PayPal, gift card, or direct deposit. Plus, you have the option to donate your rewards to a cause close to your heart.

Review and Ratings: Thousands of users love Branded Surveys! The mobile app has earned an impressive 4.2-star rating on Google Play and a 4.5-star rating on the App Store.

4. Ibotta

Ibotta is a cashback app that helps you earn money while shopping. What sets it apart is the variety of ways you can earn cash back: submit a receipt for in-store purchases, install the browser extension, or link your customer loyalty account at select retailers.

Best for Rewarding In-Person Shopping: If you prefer in-person shopping, Ibotta makes it easy for you to earn rewards by allowing receipt uploads up to seven days after your purchase. You’ll see your rewards within 24 hours.

How Payment Works: Your earnings depend on the retailer, your purchases, and available offers. Once you reach $20, you can withdraw your cash via PayPal or direct deposit. You can also buy gift cards with at least $25 in your account. On average, users earn $256 cash back annually.

Review and Ratings: Ibotta has a strong reputation, with 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store. By using Ibotta, you can effortlessly turn your shopping into cash-back rewards.

5. Rakuten

Rakuten is a cashback app that lets you earn rewards on everyday purchases from over 3,500 retailers, including Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, Nike, and Sam’s Club.

Best for Straightforward Cashback: With Rakuten, you select a store and shop through the app to earn cashback, typically between 2% and 10%. Special promotions can boost your earnings even further. You can also link your credit or debit card for in-store purchases; just activate offers in the app before checking out. On average, users earned about $90 in 2023, so you could see similar rewards just by shopping as usual.

How Payment Works: To cash out, you need at least $5.01 in your account. Payments are processed every three months via check or PayPal, with upcoming dates on May 15, August 15, and November 15. Last year, users averaged $90.16 in cashback.

Review and Ratings: Rakuten’s mobile app has a 3.7 out of 5 stars rating on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store, with over 71,000 Android reviews and more than 359,000 on iOS.

6. Upside

Upside is a map-based app that helps you discover nearby retailers—like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations—offering discounts or deals. When you shop at these locations, you earn cash back on your purchases. The app also features a calculator to project your potential earnings based on your spending.

Best for Gas Station Rewards: With Upside, you can save money on gas. Partnered gas stations offer varying cash back per gallon depending on the current deals. This is especially beneficial for regular fuel purchases and when you’re traveling and need to refuel in unfamiliar areas.

How Payment Works: You can cash out your rewards anytime, though a $1 fee applies if your balance is under $15. Rewards can be received via PayPal, direct bank transfer, or gift cards to retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

Review and Ratings: The app boasts impressive ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store.

7. HeyPiggy

HeyPiggy is a survey site where users earn points for sharing their opinions. Like other survey sites, the payment structure is transparent and the payout is relatively quick. Some surveys pay around $1, while others can earn up to $10. What separates HeyPiggy is that teenagers can use the mobile app with parental consent.

Best for Teenagers: Users 14 years old and older can sign up with parental consent to earn cash with HeyPiggy. However, the app does not actually verify that the teen has a parent’s approval.

How Payment Works: Users can cash out with an Amazon gift card after earning as little as $1. Once your balance hits $5, you can use PayPal to access your cash. When you have $10, you can move your balance over to a Visa gift card.

Review and Ratings: The mobile app doesn’t score as high as some of the others on this list with 3.1 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 3.6 out of 5 stars on the App Store.

8. Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping is a browser extension that helps you save money while shopping online by automatically checking for discounts, coupons, and cashback offers from major retailers.

Best Browser Extension: With Capital One Shopping, you can compare prices across various products, including shipping and membership costs. The extension works in the background, linking you directly to cheaper options, so you can focus on your purchases while ensuring you get the best deal.

How Payment Works: You earn rewards through cashback promotions when you shop, with a low minimum balance of just $0.01 to cash out. You can also redeem rewards for gift cards at major retailers, maximizing the value of your purchases.

Review and Ratings: The mobile app boasts impressive ratings, with 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 4.9 out of 5 stars on the App Store, reflecting the positive experiences of users like you.

9. Acorns

Acorns is an investing and savings app that allows you to earn money by adding bonus investments to your portfolio instead of offering cash back like most shopping apps.

Best for Investments: While Acorns may not provide quick cash access due to its longer holding period, it’s a great way for you to grow your investments while you shop. By using the app or its browser extension, you automatically earn money for your Acorns investment account with every purchase.

How Payment Works: Rewards from your shopping are invested in your account within 60 to 120 days, though you can see them on your dashboard a few days after your purchase. Your earnings will vary based on promotions, your spending habits, and where you shop.

Review and Ratings: The Acorns mobile app has a strong rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on both Google Play and the App Store, reflecting high user satisfaction.

10. Current Rewards

As a Current Rewards member, you can listen to music from your favourite bands and radio stations and earn cash. To earn more, you can fill out surveys, try free games and apps, and watch short videos. You can also get cashback on shopping and earnings by referring the app to your friends. It is estimated that you can earn around $600 per year by using Current rewards.

How to earn with the Current Rewards app:

• Listen to radio stations and earn points on Current Rewards.
• Shop through the app for points.
• Invite friends and get points when they use the app.
• Complete surveys for more points.
• Earn points based on the time spent playing games.
• Get points while the app is open during device charging.
• Use the app as a lock screen for additional points.
• Give your opinion on content for faster point accumulation.
• Enter weekly raffles to win extra points.

Strategies for Maximizing Earnings

Here are steps you can take to maximize those earnings. 

• Check the app regularly: Survey apps usually offer new surveys every day. If you’re serious about earning money, check the app at least once per day for new money-making offers. For cash back while shopping, check the app before checkout. 
• Keep your profile updated: Make sure your profile is up-to-date for surveys. Companies are often looking for users with specific characteristics, and you might not qualify for every survey offered. The more detail you provide in your profile, the better your chances of more earning opportunities.
• Be strategic: Take advantage of an app’s welcome bonus or sign-up bonus to boost your rewards. For cashback apps, remember to check the app before making a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line: Money-Making Apps

Money-making apps can be a legitimate way to earn extra money. Survey apps allow you to share your opinion and earn rewards, which you can eventually redeem for gift cards or cash. Cashback apps provide rewards for shopping. Both options allow you to boost your bank account as long as you’re strategic about your time. Start with an app that fits your current lifestyle and habits to maximize your earnings.