17 Money Making Apps for Your Side Hustle Arsenal

INSIDE: Here’s a list of the top money making apps for selling items, earning money on things you already purchase, and the best side hustle apps.

We could all use extra money, and in the world we live in, there truly is an app for everything. After putting together a list of apps that can save you money, it felt important to list some apps that can help you earn it, too. So here is a list of the top money-making apps, whether you’re selling items, looking to earn money on things you already purchase, or starting a new side hustle altogether in the gig economy.

If you decide to use one of these apps, you’re certainly not alone. Gig economy statistics show that about 36% of U.S. workers are involved in gig enterprises in 2021. And several of the apps described below are especially appropriate for busy people who have full-time jobs.

Need extra cash? Here are 17 apps that make money

Money-Making App #1: OfferUp

How you can earn:

• Have anything around the house you want to get rid of? Put it on this site or upload it via the app.
• Or do you want to start a business buying things at garage sales, flea markets and the like? Using OfferUp, you can post your items and have potential buyers reach out to you.

Why I like it:

• It functions similarly to Craigslist, but the user experience (UX) is better.

Price: FREE

• A few words of caution: Though the selling app is free, you never know exactly who you’re dealing with.
• Be sure to meet in a public place, so you don’t have to worry about safety.

Related: How We Made $2,100 on a $50 OfferUp purchase [The Flea Market Flipper]

Money-Making App #2: ThredUp

How you can earn:

• Got great brand-name clothes you no longer wear? Send them in to ThredUp, an online consignment shop, via their free “clean out” kit and earn money for your items.

Why I like it:

• This is definitely one of the best side hustle apps because it’s 100% hassle-free (seriously, there was not any “work” other than bagging the items), and you can make the choice between earning cash back via check or Paypal or using it as store credit.
• They also offer a deal where you can cash out immediately for a lower payout or wait for the items to consign.
• It still takes weeks for bag processing. But if you need a little cash for an upcoming trip, this is a nice option to have.

Price: FREE

Related: I used my ThredUp earnings to save $1,000 in 45 days. Here’s how.

Money-Making App #3: DeCluttr

How you can earn:

DeCluttr is the app to use when you want to trade in old technology for extra income.

Why I like it:

• They send you a prepaid label for free shipping.
• They buy things I never know how to get rid of: old phones and tablets, but also CDs and DVDs. Even old Lego® sets.

Price: FREE

It can be hard to know what to do with old electronics, but these items (in good condition) still have incredible value! Turn old electronics into cash with DeCluttr. Click here to try + FBL readers get 10% extra when trading in electronics with ELECTRONICS10.

Money-Making App #4: The RealReal

How you can earn:

If you have LEGIT designer clothes in good condition, consign them with The RealReal (the U.S. leader in authentic luxury consignment).

Why I like it:

• It’s not for Banana Republic, J.Crew and the like (see ThredUp for how to turn in these clothes for cash). But if you’re sitting on designer bags, shoes, jeans and dresses, you can earn more than on sites such as eBay and Poshmark.

Price: The RealReal will take up to 50% commission on your item.

Consider this: Everything in your home used to be money. Why not take the time you save not shopping to earn extra from your old items. Click here to order a thredUP closet cleanout, or click here to learn more about consigning high-dollar designer items with The RealReal.

Money-Making App #5: BookScouter

How you can earn:

Need to sell old textbooks? Old book club reads? Children’s books? The Bookscouter app can help by searching for sites where you can sell your books for the most cash.

Why I like it:

The app is so easy. Use the app to scan barcodes, then sell books to the highest bidder. Win-win.

Selling back my old textbooks was my very first side hustle in college, so I have some nostalgia for this method of making money.

Price: FREE to use.

Ready to earn money from your old books? Click here to explore what’s available on Bookscouter.

Money-Making App #6: Instacart

How you can earn:

Love to spend time shopping or in the aisles of the grocery store? Become a personal shopper for Instacart, and grocery shop for others on your schedule.

Why I like it:

• This delivery app offers more flexibility than some of the other best side hustle apps.
• You don’t have to deal with people as much as, say, driving with Lyft.

Price: FREE to become an Instacart shopper.

With Instacart you can’t go wrong, especially if you want to make money on top of a 9-to-5 job. Since dinner time is one of the most popular delivery times, an Instacart worker can easily work a full-time job, then use one of the best side hustle apps for a few hours in the evening to make extra cash. Click here to sign up for the Instacart shopper program.

Money-Making App #7: Foap

How you can earn:

• Selling stock photos is a great way to make money. With Foap, it’s easier than ever.
• The app allows you to upload the photos you take or even take photos directly in the app.
• People will look at your pictures and buy them for $10 apiece, of which you’ll make $5.

Why I like it:

• Uhm, who doesn’t have photos lying around on their phone?
• Everyone is a content creator. This is (potentially) a great way to monetize content you already have.
• They can’t guarantee your photos will sell, but a good strategy is to just keep putting up picture after picture in hopes that people will buy them.

Price: They’ll take half of what you earn.

Related: How Do I Make Money on Foap? [Quora]

Money-Making App #8: DoorDash

How you can earn:

Use your own car (or bike) to deliver lunches and dinners in major metro areas via the DoorDash food delivery app.

Why I like it:

• You get a flat fee ($6) per delivery and are guaranteed to make a minimum of $10 per hour. If Dashers make less than this, DoorDash pays the difference.
• Again, work on your own schedule.
• Plus, they’re hiring in 300 U.S. cities, so there’s plenty of work to be had.

Price: FREE to use and start. You just need to be 18 years old with a valid driver’s license and valid car insurance.

The DoorDash app lets you keep 100% of the delivery fee, plus you earn tips and boosts, and it’s one of the gigs that have been reviewed by others as being a decent way to earn cash. This is why it’s one of my favorite out of the best side hustle apps to recommend.

DoorDash has confirmed an average pay rate for Dashers of $15 to $25 per hour. Click here to find out if DoorDash could be the right side hustle for you!

Money-Making App #9: Lyft

How you can earn:

• Do you own a car? Do you like to drive and meet new people? Then becoming a Lyft or Uber driver may be perfect for you.

• If you pass your background check and finish your activation, you can start using the Lyft app to get requests to pick people up.

Why I like it:

• You can set your own schedule.
• You dictate how much you want to make. The more you drive, the more money you make.

Price: Free to use and to apply. Once you drive, Lyft takes 20% of each fare. (Uber takes 25%.)

Lyft is one of the most popular money-making apps and best side hustle apps options out there. People like it because you get to set your own hours, can drive as much or as little as you’d like, and you manage it all from your smartphone. Click here to learn more about driving with Lyft.

Money-Making App #10: Rover.com

How you can earn:

Like dogs and cats? Download Rover to connect with pet owners in need of a dog walker, pet sitter and everything in between.

Why I like it:

• You do have to pass a background check and include references, but the app makes it easy to apply, connect and start earning.
• Dogs.

Price: Rover takes a 5% to 7% service fee for services booked through the app, but pet sitters get to set their own rates.

With Rover, you set your rates and get connected to Rover’s massive network of pet owners. Click here to explore how you can easily start a dog walking or pet sitting side hustle with Rover.

Money-Making App #11: S’more

How you can earn:

By installing this app, you’ll allow S’more to post ads on your home lock screen. Weird, right?

Why I like it:

• Literally, you’ll earn cash just by downloading the app.
• If you’re looking for the lowest-investment way to earn a little bit of money on your phone…this is a way to earn passive income.

Price: FREE

To try out S’more (it’s a free app, so don’t worry), click here to snag your download.

Money-Making App #12: Userfeel

How you can earn:

Userfeel enables companies to have live people test their websites and apps. If you qualify, you can become a tester and earn as much as $10 per 10-20-minute test.

Why I like it:

• The testing requirements are easy enough, but you also have to qualify for tests, which is a gripe among users.

Price: FREE

Related Reading: Userfeel isn’t a Scam…it’s real. [Gig Hustlers]

Money Making App #13: Swagbucks

How you can earn:

Download the app. If you search via the app and buy items there, take online surveys or watch videos, you’ll get “Swagbucks,” which you can then cash in for an Amazon gift card or other gift cards.

Why I like it:

• Swagbucks is one of the best, most popular money-earning apps. You don’t earn cash, but you get good gift cards to, besides Amazon, places like Walmart and Target.
• Click here to sign up for Swagbucks and get your instant $5 bonus!
• Then come back and read the full post on how to get started with Swagbucks, which details step by step how to use the platform.

Price: Free!

You can earn $3 per survey + a $5 sign-up bonus with Swagbucks. Click here to get your $5 bonus.

Money-Making App #14: Airbnb

How you can earn:

This depends on your level of comfort, but if you have a spare bedroom…you’ve got a serious income generator on your hands. The Airbnb app connects travelers with homes in the areas they’re visiting. Find out what hosts in your area are making, and start imagining the possibilities.

Why I like it:

The online process to create a listing is pretty quick and easy. You write a description of your space, upload photos and mark dates your space is available to travelers.

Airbnb makes the payment process simple: Guests are charged when a reservation is made, and funds are typically released to hosts 24 hours after check-in.

How you’re paid is up to you: You can set up direct deposit, use a PayPal account or choose a number of other options.

• Most Airbnb bookings include property damage protection and liability insurance coverage of up to $1 million when you host. It’s peace of mind for you at no extra charge.
• Lots of built-in security features: Airbnb visitors need to submit a profile photo and confirmed phone number and email address. For extra assurance, you can also require your guests to submit a government-issued ID.

Price:

It’s always free to create a listing, but Airbnb charges a 3% service fee for hosts (or potentially more depending on your location and if you offer any experiences to guests).

If you’ve got a spare bedroom, you’ve got a serious income generator on your hands. Airbnb is one of the most popular money-making apps, and it connects travelers with homes in any area.

Click here to find out what hosts in your area are making, and start imagining the possibilities.

Money-Making App #15: Turo

How you can earn:

Turo allows you to rent out your own car and earn extra cash. Think Airbnb but for your vehicle. People use Turo to rent out their personal vehicles for extra money, and those renting the cars receive an automobile at a fraction of what a car rental company would charge. Here’s how it works, and here’s how much you could make with your vehicle if you live in an area where Turo is available (hint: most major U.S. cities).

Why I like it:

• The earnings potential – I plugged in the information about my own car.
• In Atlanta, Ga. (where I live), I could make about $25 per day if I rented out my car via Turo. Since I work from home and don’t use my car much, this could be a decent side gig.

Price: Turo takes 25% of any trip booked through their app.

Related Reading: A closer look at Turo.com. [One More Cup of Coffee]

Money-Making App #16: Drop

How you can earn:

This app works in a similar way as Ebates, except it is exclusively a mobile app.

Why I like it:

• If you’re a big shopper on your mobile phone, you can earn cash back for all the shopping you do via Drop, making it more lucrative than desktop-only apps.

Price: FREE

Drop isn’t so much a “money-making” app as a cashback app. If you are a HEAVY mobile shopper, take advantage of cashback opportunities via Drop.

Money-Making App #17: Acorns

How you can earn:

Acorns is an automatic savings and investing app. You sync it to your checking account, and it saves spare change into an account and then invests that money on your behalf.

Why I like it:

• The app makes it easy to get started investing.
• It’s easy to see how a little bit of change can add up to big results if you invest over time.

Price: At $1 per month, it’s an easy way to get started investing and even better if you’re like me and have a hard time saving (in the traditional sense). You won’t earn big bucks, but you can passively grow your money into something (potentially) great.

With Acorns, you’ll make money via compound interest. Acorns gives users bank-level security and is a great way to learn about investing and put spare change into investments. Click here to get started with Acorns.

The TL;DR

In this article, I linked to great articles on other sites that can help you get started with a successful side hustle using these apps because I don’t have related content in this area. The best part is that these apps (when leveraged properly) help you raise money for bills or your most important financial goals.

But there are also other ways you can earn extra cash on the side, especially if you’re motivated and ready to put in the work.

• 13 gig economy jobs that pay $1,000+ per month.
• These side hustles will earn your next $100, $500 or $1,000.
• How to start a side business: the comprehensive guide.
• The 12 best ways to make money while you sleep + best side hustles for really busy people.

If I had to pick my favorite money-making app out of all the best side hustle apps out there, I’d pick Instacart because it’s one of the quickest, low-cost ways to start earning extra money. And everyone can do it.

You don’t have to have an extra bedroom or a nice car to get started. It’s also one of the few side hustles where it’s actually to your benefit to work after 9-to-5 hours. Click here to explore becoming a personal grocery shopper with Instacart.

This post was originally published in November 2017 and updated in March 2019. TJ Philbrook contributed to the original post.