People work hard to earn money. Some do it to achieve big goals and some struggle to earn to fulfil their basic necessity. It was difficult to find an employment in the past. But, with internet millions or new opportunities opened up. And we now have hundreds of money making apps that can help you earn extra.

There are numerous apps that you can use and start earning money. You can either earn it as a side hustle or some extra income to make your life easy or you can depend upon them for your carrer. Some apps directly help you in earning additional income or cashbacks. With some you will have to put some extra efforts to earn. The­se apps provide various ways to make money, including earning cash back or gift cards when making purchases. In fact, around 36% of U.S. workers are falling into a gig economy.

Out of hunreds of apps there where you can make money, we will discuss the top money making apps that are available in 2025 that can help you not only in earning extra but also can help you in becoming rich.

The Best Money Making Apps Of 2023

Looking at 2025 so far, many apps can help you earn some extra buck. These are the top 7 apps so far:

• Upwork
• Acorns
• Rakuten
• Fiverr
• Ibotta
• Swagbucks
• Survey Junkie

1.    Upwork

Recommended for freelancers

Image source: Upwork

One of the top-notch apps for money-making, whether you’re venturing into a side hustle or establishing a full-fledged freelancing enterprise, is none other than Upwork. It has an easy and user-friendly interface enhanced communication tools, and has the potential that it offers for freelancers to increase their earnings over time.

Upwork stands out as the ultimate money-making app, serving as a hub for skilled individuals to connect with clients and seamlessly manage projects within a freelancing marketplace that drives the gig economy. Upwork is popular due to its extensive list of accessible skill categories, robust profile-building features, and virtually limitless earning prospects.

Creating a profile and applying for new assignments on Upwork is easy. Regardless of your prior experience, the Upwork user interface is easy to manage. More than 10,000 jobs are posted daily on Upwork. It ranges from content writing, digital marketing, translation, coding, administrative tasks, graphic design, and more. You can discover a range of tasks that can be completed using a computer or laptop.

To begin using Upwork, the first step is to create an account. This allows you to create a profile page, highlight your skills, and se­t your desired pay rate for each project. Once your account is set up, you can start browsing and applying for jobs and get hired. You can also start creating projects that others can purchase.

The best part is that before you start the work, you can ask the client to deposit the amount in escrow. Once the work is completed and the user is satisfied, the amount is released from the escrow into your account. You can then withdraw the amount to your bank or PayPal account.

Pros:

• Effortless job hunting and connecting with potential clients.
• Upwork manages contracts, billing, invoicing, and mediation on your behalf.
• The platform offers substantial earning potential for skilled freelancers who are well-versed in their craft.

Cons:

• Bids are limited (50 connects for new signees thereafter, only ten connects for free every month). You have to pay for additional bids to reach out to as many clients as possible.
• Upwork charges a commission fee for its services.

2.    Acorns

Recommended for micro-investors

Image source: Acorns

Acorns is an automatic savings and investing app specifically designed for teenage beginners to invest money. For many, the consistent act of saving or the prospect of investing can feel daunting. However, it’s vital to recognize that time plays a crucial role in wealth-building. Delaying investment means forfeiting potential growth over the years.

If you’ve yet to dip your toes into investing and find yourself uncertain about where to begin, Acorns offers a promising entry point.

Here’s how it works – Imagine you’re at the restaurant, and your bill comes up at $15.14. So if you pay with your card, Acorns steps in, rounding up the charge to the nearest dollar, in this case, $0.86, into investments on your behalf.

Acorns go the extra mile by curating investment portfolios tailored to your specific goals and risk tolerance. Your invested funds can be categorized into various goals, like funds for a vacation, emergency funds, and even retirement funds. This makes Acorns an ideal choice for those who might not have initiated saving or investing independently; it helps take that crucial first step.

Investing amounts of spare change is definitely a step in the right direction. It’s important to keep in mind that while the initial gains in the stock marke­t may appear modest, they have the potential to accumulate into a significant sum if you consistently invest and increase your inve­stments over time. Acorns has developed into a comprehe­nsive financial wellness app over the years. With Acorns, you can start your savings and investme­nt journey with as little as $5.

Pros:

• Easy investment of spare money.
• You can get a chance to earn cashback and rewards on selected places.
• Works as a foundation for your investment journey.

Cons:

• Higher fees on smaller account balances may impact returns.

3. Rakuten

Recommended if you are looking for cashback offers

Image source: Rakuten

Recognized as Ebates, Rakuten stands as a cashback platform that rewards users for making purchases via their website or through their browser extension. Consumers have the potential to earn cashback ranging from 1% to an impressive 40% on nearly any item acquired through Rakuten. This inclusive service is available to individuals aged 18 and older, boasting partnerships with a vast network of over 2,500 retailers.

Rakuten operates as an affiliate marketing entity, a model where companies compensate influencers for directing customers to their websites or stores. In Rakuten’s case, retailers pay them a commission when you, the consumer, make a purchase through Rakuten.

What sets Rakuten apart is their choice to share a portion of this commission with you, effectively incentivizing you to continue conducting your shopping through their platform. In essence, this arrangement results in a win-win situation for all parties involved. Once you accumulate cashback, Rakuten provides two methods for payouts. You can either receive a physical check by mail or have the balance transferred directly to your PayPal account.

Pros:

• Utilizing Rakuten is straightforward; you simply use their platform to connect to the website where you intend to shop.
• Virtually any item you seek can likely be found through Rakuten, turning every online shopping endeavour into an opportunity to earn cashback.
• Rakuten offers referral rewards ranging from $5 to $25 on your cashback.

Cons:

• Cashback accruals are paid out quarterly, meaning you may need to wait to access your earnings.
• Rakuten reserves the right to permanently disable user accounts without prior notice, which can be a potential downside.

4.    Fiverr

Recommended for freelancers and designers

Image source: Fiverr

Fiverr’s distinctiveness lies in the fact that you, the creator, design the gig and list it for potential buyers. This means you can craft jobs that are entirely manageable from your smartphone. Fiverr operates as a freelancing marketplace encompassing a staggering 200+ categories, spanning areas like programming, video production, and animation.

To get started, you’ll need to create an account and designate yourself as a “seller,” emphasizing your area of expertise. Then, proceed to list the gig you’re offering, which should include pricing details and a comprehensive service description. The pricing spectrum ranges from $5 to $995, providing flexibility for various services. Buyers (clients) can browse your offerings and place orders. Your payment is secured once you successfully complete the job. Fiverr categorizes sellers into different levels based on their performance, and as you ascend through the tiers, you gain the ability to offer additional “extras,” such as faster delivery times.

Pros:

• Guaranteed payment for completed jobs.
• Option for freelancers to receive an early payout.
• Opportunity to offer multiple gigs, consolidating your services in one convenient location.

Cons:

• Fiverr deducts a 20% fee from your earnings.
• Finding freelance work on the platform may take some time, requiring patience.

5. Ibotta

Recommended if you are looking for cashback offers

Image source: Ibotta

Ibotta, a no-cost cashback app, opens the door to cashback rewards for both in-store and online shopping. This versatile app boasts a roster of over 2,000 retailers. To start your journey towards saving money, begin by creating an Ibotta account and downloading the app on your device. Once you acce­ss the app, you will discover a range of e­xclusive deals and promotions that are tailore­d to specific stores.

If you find a tempting offe­r, just tap the button to save it. The amount of cashback you earn with Ibotta depends on which offers you receive. The re­ward rates vary, starting at $0.10 and going up to $3.00 or even more.

Pros:

• Completely free to use.
• Boasts an extensive network of over 2,000 retailers.
• Offers a welcoming $10 bonus for new users.
• Allows you to earn cash by referring friends.

Cons:

• Requires you to add offers before shopping.
• Involves the step of uploading receipts as part of the process.

6. Swagbucks

Recommended if you are looking for cashback by doing odd jobs

Image source: Swagbucks

Swagbucks operates as a platform that offers cashback rewards in the form of “Swagbucks” for simple online tasks. While it functions as an advanced affiliate marketing website, Swagbucks goes beyond cashback for shopping. This versatile platform provides multiple avenues for earning money, including watching videos, playing games, utilizing their search engine, referring friends, and more.

Swagbucks boasts a remarkable track record, having disbursed over $885 million to users in the form of cash or gift cards redeemable at popular retailers like Walmart and Amazon and even cash through PayPal. While you might come across claims doubting Swagbucks’ legitimacy, the reality is quite the opposite. Such skepticism often arises from individuals who may not qualify for surveys or anticipate higher payouts, leading them to label it as a scam.

However, a multitude of positive reviews and testimonials stand as evidence of Swagbucks’ credibility. Numerous users have earned money by engaging in relatively simple tasks, such as answering questions and playing games.

Pros:

• Offers a diverse array of earning opportunities.
• The user-friendly mobile app enhances accessibility.
• Lucrative friend referral program.

Cons:

• Accumulating points can be a gradual process.
• Customer service response times may be slower in some instances.

7. Survey Junkie

Recommended if you are looking for paid surveys

Image source: Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is an app designed to help you earn extra cash by participating in online surveys, essentially compensating you for sharing your opinions. The process is straightforward. Begin by signing up either through the app or website and creating your account. To proceed with this step, they will ask for some information, like your ZIP code and the country where you currently reside. Please note that Survey Junkie is only accessible to residents of the United States.

Afterward, please fill out your profile by sharing details about your interests. Once your profile is in place, Survey Junkie will start offering you paid surveys. Each survey carries a specific point value, and these points can be converted into cash, either via PayPal, direct bank deposit, or as gift cards. The minimum redemption threshold on Survey Junkie is $5, equivalent to 500 points.

Pros:

• Earn money by participating in relevant surveys for marketing and research purposes.
• Offers the option to earn by sharing browsing data.
• Ensures anonymity when submitting data to protect your identity.

Cons:

• Some surveys may include repetitive questions to validate responses.
• Partially completed surveys may be terminated if you don’t meet the desired criteria.

Conclusion

As the global economy steadily embraces the growing gig economy trend, a plethora of money-making apps have emerged, offering opportunities to supplement or even substitute your traditional full-time employment. Depending on your objectives and personal preferences, you have a diverse range of options to explore.

Also watch our video on money making apps on Youtube.

Frequently Asked Questions