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We could all use the extra money, and in the world that we live in, there truly is an app for everything. After putting together a list of apps that can save money, it felt important to list the apps that can help 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 apps that help you start a new side hustle altogether.
Need extra cash? Here are 17 apps that make money
1. Offer Up
How you can earn:
- Have anything around the house you want to get rid of? Put it on the site or upload 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 sellers reach out to you.
Why I like it:
- Functions similarly to Craiglist, but the UX is better.
Price: FREE
- A few words of caution, though the app is free, you never know exactly who it is that you’re dealing with.
- Make sure to meet in a public place so you don’t have to worry about safety.
2. ThredUp
How you can earn:
- Got great brand name clothes you no longer wear? Send it iintoThredUp via the free “clean out” kit and earn money on your items.
Why I like it:
- I like this service because it is 100% hassle-free (seriously, it was not any “work” other than bagging up the items) and you can make the choice between earning cashback via check or Paypal or using it as store credit.
- They'll also offer you 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
3. DeCluttr
How you can earn:
DeCluttr is the app to use when you want to trade in old technology for cash.
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
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:
- 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 like Ebay and Poshmark.
Price: The RealReal will take up to 50% commission on your item.
5. BookScouter
How you can earn:
Need to sell old textbooks? Old book club reads? Children's Books? Bookscouter app can help by searching which sites where you can sell your book for the most cash.
Why I like it:
- The app is so easy. Use the app to scan barcodes and then sell books to the highest bidder. Win-win.
- I feel like 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.
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:
- Offers more flexibility than some other side hustles
- You don't have to deal with people as much as say, driving an Uber.
Price: FREE to become a shopper.
7. FOAP
How you can earn:
- Selling stock photos is a great way to make money, with Foap it’s easier and harder 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, of which you will 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.
8. DoorDash
How you can earn:
Use your own car (or bike) to deliver lunches and dinners in major metro areas via the DoorDash app.
Why I like it:
- You get a flat fee ($6) per delivery and guaranteed to make a minimum of $10 per hour. If Dashers make less than this, DoorDash pays the difference.
- Get to keep 100% of your tips
- 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 of age with 2 years driving experience.
9. Uber
How you can earn:
- Do you own a car? Do you like to drive and meet new people? Then driving with Uber may be perfect for you.
- If you pass your background check and finish your activation, you can start using the Uber 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 Uber takes 25% of each fare. (Lyft takes 20%)
10. Rover.com
How you can earn:
Like pets? Download Rover to connect with pet owners in need of a dog walker, cat 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. Dogs. Dogs.
Price: Rover takes a 5-7% service fee for services booked through the app but pet sitters get to set their own rates.
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 literally the lowest investment way to earn a little bit of money on your phone…this is it.
Price: FREE
12. Userfeel
How you can earn:
Userfeel enables companies to have live people test their website 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
13. Swagbucks
How you can earn:
Download the app. If you search via the app and buy items there, take surveys, or watch videos, you'll get “Swagbucks” which you can then cash in for gift cards.
Why I like it:
- Swagbucks is one of the best, most popular money-earning apps. Not cash, but you get good gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, 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 that details step-by-step how to use the platform.
Price: Free!
14. Airbnb
How you can earn:
This depends on your level of comfort, but if you've got a spare bedroom..you've got a serious income generator on your hands. Airbnb connects travelers with homes in their area. 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 descriptions 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, PayPal, or a number of other options.
- Property is covered up to a million dollars when you host—it’s the peace of mind for you at no extra charge.
- Lots of built-in security features: Airbnb needs 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 (potentially more depending upon your location and if you offer any experiences to guests.)
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 rental car companies charge. Here's how it works, and here is how much you could make with your vehicle if you live in an area where Turo is available (hint: most major US 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 around $26 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.
16. Drop
How you can earn:
Drop isn't so much of a “money-making” app as a cash back app. It works very similar to sites like Ebates, except it is exclusively mobile.
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
17. Acorns
How you can earn:
Acorns is an automatic investing app. You sync it to your checking account and it saves spare change into an account and then they invest that money on your behalf.
Why I like it:
- Makes it easy to get started investing.
- 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.
Above I linked to great articles on other sites that can help you get started with these apps since 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 several 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 dollars
- 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.
This post was originally published in November 2017 and Updated in March 2019. TJ Philbrook helped contribute to the original post.
Great content.
Keep sharing your useful knowledge with us.