People find ways to monetize new technological advancements, which applies to mobile applications. Now, users can make money using many apps on their smartphones. You heard it right; apps pay them, not the other way around. If you want to learn how to make real money on your phone, stick around, this article is for you.
1. Freelancing Apps
Upwork
Upwork is one of the most popular freelancing apps, connecting millions of freelancers and businesses worldwide. Making a profile on Upwork is free, and you can make up to 3 profiles for each service you plan to offer. For example, if you’re a bilingual writer, you can provide translation services in one and content creation in another. To discover more companies seeking freelancers, browse job opportunities on online platforms such as Lensa.
After signing up, users bid on jobs to get picked by clients. Additionally, they can pitch their projects to clients or get the help of recruiters to find them opportunities. They get paid securely through multiple payment gateways, including:
- Direct to U.S. Bank
- Direct to your bank account
- Wire transfer
- Instant Pay
- PayPal
- Payoneer
The pros of using Upwork include:
Upwork is excellent when it comes to connecting freelancers to clients. And the freelancers can set their rates and work on their own time.
The Drawbacks of Using Upwork:
For the platform to make money, they take 5% to 20% of freelancers’ earnings. Another disadvantage is that it’s a competitive playground that sometimes forces freelancers to lower their bids to get selected by clients.
Other Freelancing apps: Fiverr and People Per Hour
2. Survey Apps
Survey Junkie
A well-trusted app where users do surveys to earn a few bucks. It won’t pay the bills and doesn’t replace a full- or part-time job. But who wouldn’t want to make extra money in their free time without laboring by using one of the best available apps that pays?
If you’re wondering what’s in it for the app-developing company, they are a consumer insights platform that sells data and analytics to the market research industry. So, if you use the app and do these surveys, your voice is being heard in a way. Twenty million users utilize Survey Junkie, and user ratings are at 4.3 stars on Trust Pilot. Their privacy policy is clear, as it states how they protect user data and how they use it.
To use Survey Junkie, you sign up for free and start taking surveys, earning points that can be converted into money. You get payment through:
- Bank Transfer
- PayPal transfer
- Gift cards
Pros:
Survey Junkie is easy to use, and you can earn points even if the survey doesn’t qualify. These points have a long expiration time compared to other survey sites.
Cons:
Users complain that the payment they get when using the app could be higher, not to mention that surveys are limited in number.
Other Survey apps: InboxDollars and Toluna Influencers
3. Cashback Apps
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is similar to Survey Junkie in that you can make money on the app by doing surveys, except that it’s not limited to just doing that. Users watch videos, shop from over 1,500 retailers, and browse the web. Users prefer browsing the web using Swagbucks’ search engine because it’s something they already do daily. Each task earns you points called SBs, which turn into money.
Another thing in common with Survey Junkie is that Swagbucks doesn’t make up for having a daily job, but it never hurts to get extra money. To use the platform, you sign up on the app or the website, which earns you a $20 bonus from the get-go. Redeeming points takes around ten days, and you can get gift cards for as low as 110 SB. Each SB point is worth 1 cent. You get paid through:
- E-gift card
- PayPal
- Bitcoin, as of recently.
Pros:
Swagbucks money is easy to earn, and it’s legit, as reported by users.
Cons:
Users find that Swagbucks doesn’t pay them much, and they report getting disqualified or kicked out while doing surveys. The company claims disqualification and expulsion are due to demographics and dishonest or inconsistent answers.
Similar apps: Rakuten and Opinion Outpost
4. Gaming Apps
Solitaire Cube
Many of us grew up playing solitaire games, and Solitaire Cube is another solitaire mobile game, but with a catch. You can play all you want for free to practice and hone your skills. Then, you could take it to the next level and enter paid tournaments when you’re confident enough. The game matches players of similar skills to level the playing field. Then, players play in real-time, and the ones with the most points in the shortest time win money.
Tether Studios, which specializes in skill-based mobile games, launched Solitaire Cube. Games developed by the studio have a total of 20 million players. Solitaire Cube alone is on the top 100 casino games in the App Store, with a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
Players get paid through:
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Bank Transfer
Pros:
Avid solitaire players can compete and make money, and skilled players with free time can earn decent amounts.
Cons:
Players have to pay a deposit to compete and earn money. Moreover, the game isn’t available in all states in the United States. It’s worth noting that users with gambling addiction aren’t advised to play the game.
Other gaming apps: Mistplay and Blackout Bingo
5. Apps to Sell Items
Bookscouter
An app for selling textbooks mostly, Bookscouter allows you to declutter your desk, ridding of old books for a price. Users make money on the app without making any effort. The app is simple to use; users scan the book’s barcode to get a price estimate of its worth. Then, they can pick the vendor to sell the book through, depending on what each vendor offers. Afterward, users ship their books for free to the vendor they selected. Typically, users go for the vendor that offers the highest price. However, we advise you to check ratings because some offer high prices but aren’t trustworthy. Another option for buyers is to rent books for a smaller fee.
Most sellers get their money one to three days after the vendors receive the shipment. Each vendor has a preferred payment method, but PayPal is the quickest. Getting paid in checks is also available for users upon request.
Pros:
Bookscouter offers users a way to get money from books they no longer use. The app is easy to use and allows them to choose the best option for selling their books.
Cons:
Some users complain that the app doesn’t always function correctly; for example, sometimes the scanner doesn’t detect the ISBN. Customer service is another issue, as sometimes representatives don’t respond promptly.
Other apps used for selling items: Poshmark and OfferUp
6. Apps for Drivers
Uber
If you have time, a good car, and enthusiasm for driving, you could sign up to drive for Uber to make extra money. Your vehicle should be relatively new and less than 15 years old. And you should have driving experience, a driver’s license, auto insurance, and a smartphone. Drivers can work at their leisure, which is a plus, but many drivers find it unsafe to pick up strangers late. They earn $5 to $20 per hour, which isn’t much but still good as an extra source of income. They get a weekly deposit of earnings each week that can be transferred to a bank account.
Working for Uber is rated at 3.6 out of 5 on Indeed and the same on Glassdoor.
Pros:
Users like that they can manage their working hours, so flexibility is a great plus. And they don’t have to deal directly with the company unless there’s an accident or emergency. Another advantage is that the earnings are decent if it’s a second job.
Cons:
Other users complained about horrible working conditions and rude customers.
6. Social Media
Instagram and Facebook
As of recently, many people make a living solely from social media. The sky is the limit; you can make hundreds to millions of dollars. Social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, are examples of apps you can make real money on. All you need to do is create quality content and grow an engaged following. You can monetize your account by partnering with brands, promoting their products, and asking for sponsorships. Many businesses use the platform to showcase and sell products by launching a merchandise store.
Pros:
The great thing about Instagram and Facebook is that you can use them for free and start making money. It’s also an excellent way for small businesses to reach more potential customers.
Cons:
Both platforms are incredibly competitive, so you must devise a viable strategy to stand out. It may also take some time to start making money and can cost a bit because you might need to pay for ads to reach more people.
These are just some of the types of apps you make money on; the ideas are endless. Want to make your own money-making app? Use the nandbox native no-code app builder and unleash your creativity with our many solutions. Sign up for a free trial today!
