How To Earn Money From Iphone Apps

Since practically everyone on the planet now uses a smartphone, it makes sense to take a look at how you can make money using your iPhone or Android device.

Whether it is browsing through social media, chatting with friends, shopping online, or playing games, we are spending an awful length of time fiddling with mobile devices on a daily basis.

In fact, one study shows that average mobile usage is now over 3 hours and 30 minutes per day.

With this in mind, this blog post covers how you can monetize your smartphone usage and make some money with iOS and Android apps that pay you.

These apps will hardly make you rich, however, you can earn a little bit of extra cash while burning through your mobile internet data.

iPhone and Android Apps That Pay You Money

The money making apps listed below are mostly free to download and install on your mobile device. They include iOS and Android apps that fall in the following categories:

The Best Cash Back Apps
The Best Passive Income Apps
The Best Side Hustle Apps
The Best Personal Finance Apps
The Best Fitness and Game Apps That Pay

Read on to learn about the best 25 smartphone apps to earn extra cash.

Best iPhone and Android Apps To Make Money

Best Cash Back Apps To Make Money

Cash back apps pay you to shop. Whether you do your shopping online or in the store, there's a free cash back app (iPhone and Android) that can put money back in your wallet.

1. KOHO

KOHO is not your typical cash back app. Instead, it combines an intuitive budgeting app with a prepaid cash back card that puts debit cards everywhere to shame.

Use the KOHO app to round up your purchases and when you pay for any purchase using their free KOHO Visa prepaid cards, you earn 0.50% to 2% every single time!

Who knew spending cash could bring you rewards!

App Store rating: 4.8/5 from 7,461 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.4/5 from 2,545 reviews
Available: Canada
Promo: Get a $20 welcome bonus when you sign up here (applied after your first purchase with the card)

Your money on KOHO is protected by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation and you can get more details in this KOHO review.

2. Drop

Similar to Rakuten, the Drop app automatically tracks your online purchases and credits cash back to your account.

After you sign up and add your debit or credit card, simply shop offers available on the app. There is no need to scan or upload receipts.

More than 3 million people use Drop and this is one of the best iPhone apps that pay you money.

App Store rating: 4.7/5 from 43,231 reviews
Google Play rating: 3.3/5 from 6,411 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.
Promo: sign up for Drop and get $5 after linking your card

To learn more, read our Drop App review.

3. Rakuten

With online shopping playing a more prominent role in our lives than ever, the Rakuten app is a must-have in 2021.

Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten has partnerships with more than 2,000 stores which means that a huge portion of your online purchases can qualify for cash back.

Simply sign up and visit Rakuten before proceeding to the website of your preferred retailer. Cash back is automatically tracked and credited to your account.

App Store rating: 4.3/5 from 25,615 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.2/5 from 58,025 reviews
Available: Canada and the United States
Promo: sign up here and get $5 to $30 after making your first purchase of $30 or more

With cash back offers of up to 30%, this app is definitely worth your while. To learn more, read our Rakuten review.

4. Caddle

Is Caddle worth your time? It depends on what you buy for groceries.

The Caddle app pays you to shop for groceries, complete short surveys, and watch video ads.

I find that the rebate offers on Caddle are limited compared to Checkout 51, however, if you shop at Costco or like craft beer, there's always an offer for you.

Following a purchase, upload your receipt via the app and get cash back.

App Store rating: 3.7/5 from 574 reviews
Google Play rating: 2.7/5 from 4,294 reviews
Available: Canada
Promo: Get $1 when you sign up (enter promo code S9EL0HJGVY)

You can cash out your earnings through a cheque in the mail when your balance reaches $20. Learn more about the app in this Caddle review.

5. Checkout 51

This grocery shopping app is Canada's version of Ibotta and works well for grocery shopping in Canada and the United States.

Download the app and watch out for new offers every week. Redeem cash back offers by purchasing the item at your favourite store and upload your receipt using the app.

Cash back is credited to your account within days and you can cash out when it reaches $20.

App Store rating: 4.1/5 from 5,219 ratings
Google Play rating: 4.4/5 from 67,469 reviews
Available: Canada and the United States

Learn more about grocery receipt scanning apps.

Best Side Hustle Apps To Make Money

Want to earn some income on the side and in addition to your 9 to 5? Check out these side hustle apps for iOS and Android devices.

6. Swagbucks

Swagbucks rewards you with points when you complete paid surveys, watch video ads, surf the internet, shop online, and more. In fact, there are over 10 ways to earn with Swagbucks.

Given that this site has paid its members more than $490 million over the years, we can easily rank it as one of the best sites for generating side income.

The points you earn are called SB and can be redeemed for gift cards and PayPal cash.

App Store rating: 4.4/5 from 27,852 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 45,144 reviews
Available: Worldwide
Promo: Get $5 when you sign up here.

7. Survey Junkie

This free rewards site is one of the best market research panels out there.

Survey Junkie is straightforward to use and you can earn a tidy amount of money from completing surveys on a daily basis.

App Store rating: 4.5/5 from 25,052 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 12,570 reviews
Available: Canada and the United States
Promo: Get 25 bonus points

You can cash out your earnings from Survey Junkie via PayPal or free popular gift cards. Learn more in this Survey Junkie review.

8. DoorDash

This side hustle app is similar to Postmates and pays you to deliver food to others in your area. You can do deliveries using your car, scooter, motorcycle, or bicycle, and work only when you want to.

Doordash drivers also keep all the tips they are paid in addition to the delivery fee.

App Store rating: 4.8/5 from 6,857,413 reviews
Google Play rating: 4/5 from 668,153 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.

9. Pinecone Research

If you are going to get paid for your opinions, one legit way to accomplish this is by signing up for Pinecone Research.

Operated by Nielsen, Pinecone Research won't waste your time and you can expect at least $3 per completed survey.

10. Nielsen Homescan

Want to get paid to scan barcodes on your grocery purchases? That's what the Nielsen Homescan panel pays its members to do.

This gig has been around for decades. They give you a handheld scanner to scan the barcodes on the products you purchase every week. You can also use their mobile app.

Points earned can be redeemed for merchandise and you may also receive Visa prepaid cards.

11. Mobilexpression

Get paid for browsing the internet when you download the Mobilexpression app (iPhone) or (Android).

If you are comfortable with their privacy policy, you can get a $5 Amazon gift card when you keep the app installed for just 7 days.

Keep it installed for longer than that and they donate a tree on your behalf.

App Store rating: 4.1/5 from 146 reviews
Google Play rating: 4/5 from 41,749 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.

Learn more about the app in this MobileXpression review.

Mistplay is an Android App you can use to make money while playing games. It is free to join.

12. Postmates

Postmates is a food delivery app you can use to make money on the side. It is free to sign up and get started with dropping off food, drink, and grocery orders to customers in your community.

Even better, is the fact that you determine your schedule and keep 100% of the tips you are given.

App Store rating: 4.3/5 from 1,169 reviews
Google Play rating: 3.9/5 from 95,075 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.

This app is featured on my list of apps that pay you to walk.

In addition to Postmates, you can also use DoorDash to make money by delivering food in your area.

13. Task Rabbit

Task Rabbit is a central location where you can find all kinds of odd jobs and simple tasks and get paid for completing them.

For example, you could help someone install their TV or Ikea furniture, plant flowers, run shopping errands, etc., and earn up to $70 per hour.

App Store rating: 4.7/5 from 10,771 reviews
Google Play rating: 4/5 from 4,854 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.

Best Passive Income Apps To Make Money

Passive income apps help you generate money without much ongoing effort. Simply set things in motion and watch compounding interest do the rest.

14. Wealthsimple Trade

This stock trading app is the only one to completely offer commission-free trades for stocks and ETFs in Canada.

What this means is that you can purchase a stock or ETF on stock exchanges in Canada and the U.S. without paying trading commissions (FX fees may apply).

Wealthsimple Trade is great for beginners who are looking to build an investment portfolio using an investment app that is user-friendly.

App Store rating: 4.6/5 from 19,306 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 1,868 reviews
Available: Canada
Promo: Get $50 cash when you sign up and trade at least $150

Learn more in this detailed Wealthsimple Trade review. U.S. residents can check out Robinhood.

15. Moka App

Would you like to invest your spare change and save towards future financial goals? The Moka app can be of help.

This micro-investing app rounds up your purchases to the nearest $1, $5, or $10 and invests the difference in a portfolio of low-cost Exchange-Traded Funds.

The investment portfolio is managed by professionals and is automatically rebalanced. You pay a $3 monthly fee.

App Store rating: 4.4/5 from 11,158 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.1/5 from 4,412 reviews
Available: Canada
Promo: Get $5 when you sign up for Moka

Learn more in this Moka review. Residents of the U.S. can sign up for Acorns which is similar.

16. Questrade

Questrade is Canada's best brokerage platform when you consider the account types they offer, trading fees, and investment products.

The app offers access to trading stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, GICs, precious metals, and options. When you sign up for an account and deposit at least $1,000, you receive $50 in free trades.

The company has been around since 1999 and has more than $9 billion in assets under management. Note that their web interface works much better than the app.

App Store rating: 1.9/5 from 447 reviews
Google Play rating: 2.4/5 from 726 reviews
Available: Canada
Promo: $50 in free trades when you fund your account with $1,000 or more

Learn more in our Questrade review.

17. Wealthsimple Invest

Wealthsimple Invest is another investment app that simplifies investing for beginners and expert investors alike. This robo-advisor service invests your money in a personalized portfolio that matches your investment objectives and risk profile.

It is hands-free and all you need to do is set up an automatic savings plan. Compared to mutual funds that cost more than 2% per year on average, a Wealthsimple Invest account will cost you 0.40% to 0.50% per year plus an average of 0.20% for ETF fees.

App Store rating: 4.5/5 from 4,350 reviews
Google Play rating: 3.6/5 from 1,864 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.
Promo: Get $75 cash bonus when you invest $500 or more

Learn more about hassle-free investing in this review.

18. Lending Loop

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending is one way to make money online. You lend money to individuals and businesses in exchange for interest income. Yields vary depending on the risk rating of the loans you invest in.

For example, you could earn 7.9% on a balanced loan portfolio and potentially higher if you take more risks.

Lending Loop is Canada's premier P2P lending platform with more than 11,250 investors and $73 million in loans. One great thing about the platform is that you can start investing with as little as $25.

Learn more in this Lending Loop review.

Best Personal Finance Apps To Make Money

These savings and personal finance iPhone and Android apps can help you make money starting right now.

19. EQ Bank

If you are looking for a saving interest rate that is always one of the best in Canada, consider EQ Bank.

With a 1.25% interest rate that is non-promotional coupled with free and unlimited debits, this online bank always stands out.

App Store rating: 4.6/5 from 2,964 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.5/5 from 1,177 reviews
Available: Canada

Learn more about earning high interest in this EQ Bank review.

20. STACK

STACK is a free app and prepaid Mastercard that waives the foreign transaction fee and pays you cash back when you spend.

You can easily load the prepaid card and use it to shop while abroad without worrying about FX conversion fees or ATM withdrawal fees.

Lastly, cardholders get access to cash back at more than 140 stores, including Amazon, Netflix, Adidas, and more.

App Store rating: 4.5/5 from 1,000 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.4/5 from 1,103 reviews
Available: Canada

STACK is completely free and you can sign up here for a $5 cash bonus.

21. Mogo

Mogo is a fintech company offering free credit scores, personal loans, mortgages, and cryptocurrency trading.

If you are looking to trade Bitcoin using the platform of a company that is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Mogo app is for you. You can also use the app to monitor your credit score and report for free.

App Store rating: 4.3/5 from 1,348 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.4/5 from 2,233 reviews
Available: Canada
Bonus: Get a free credit score when you get their free prepaid card

Learn more about them in this Mogo review.

22. Tangerine

Tangerine Bank is Canada's most popular online bank with no-fee chequing and high-interest savings rates.

You can open a free savings account and earn a high interest rate plus a bonus when you open a free chequing account.

All your banking transactions can be completed using their mobile app.

App Store rating: 4.1/5 from 4,206 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.4/5 from 4,996 reviews
Available: Canada

Learn more about Tangerine TFSA Savings.

Apps That Pay You To Exercise or Play Games

In addition to the health benefits derived, the Sweatcoin iPhone and Android apps pay you to walk. The other apps reward you for playing games.

23. Sweatcoin

Sweatcoin is a free fitness app that pays you to be active. You earn 0.95 sweatcoin for every 1,000 steps you take and 5 sweatcoin for every friend you refer.

Easily redeem your points for sports merchandise or PayPal cash.

App Store rating: 4.2/5 from 10,967 reviews
Google Play rating: 4.2/5 from 146,718 reviews
Available: Canada and the U.S.

24. Daily Rewards

DailyRewards is a get-paid-to site that is operated by Prodege, the same company that runs Swagbucks. You can earn cash on the site when you take paid surveys, play games, and watch video ads.

New members get a $5 bonus after signing up. Learn more in this Daily Rewards review.

25. Lucktastic

Lucktastic is a free app that rewards players with cash prizes, gift cards, and merchandise.

The Lucktastic app is only available to residents of the United States.

App Store rating: 3.8/5 from 5,706 reviews
Google Play rating: 3.9/5 from 330,791 reviews

Money Making iOS and Android App FAQ

Before installing an app, you should check out reviews and take a look at how much you can earn, payout options, and whether an app has any associated fees.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to money-making apps.

What apps make you the most money?

Cash back apps such as KOHO, Rakuten, and Caddle pay you when you shop at a participating store. The more you shop using the apps, the more you earn.

Side gig apps such as DoorDash, Swagbucks, and Postmates are great for generating extra income right away and you can scale up when you need more funds.

How can I make money on my iPhone?

Sign up for several of the phone apps listed above to start earning money both actively and passively. Passive income apps such as Wealthsimple Trade, Questrade, and Lending Loop require very little effort to make money.

What are the best cash back apps?

Checkout 51, Rakuten and KOHO are the best cash back apps by far based on my experience. If you prefer to spend using your debit card or cash, KOHO will still reward you with up to 5% cash back which is pretty impressive.

How can I earn PayPal money?

Sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Pinecone Research offer PayPal as one of the payment methods when you want to redeem your earnings.

What apps pay you real money to play games?

In Canada, you can try Daily Rewards, Swagbucks, and Swagbucks Live. In the U.S., Inbox Dollars, Lucktastic, and Mistplay offer great options.

The right phone apps can help you earn extra cash during your free time!