I've tested a lot of apps that claim they pay real money. Most of them are a waste of time.
But after trying a handful consistently over the past few months, I've found a few that actually pay. Between surveys, cash games, and reward apps, I average around $100 to $200 a month. It's not life changing money, but it's real cash I can send to PayPal or my bank.
Below are the apps that actually worked for me and which ones are worth your time if you want extra money without committing to a full side hustle.
17 Best Apps to Pay You Real Money
1. Fundrise
Fundrise is a great way to dip your toes into real estate investing without needing tons of cash upfront. For as little as $10, you can start building a real estate portfolio, and new users even get a $10 bonus to kick things off.
Whether you're new to investing or looking to diversify, Fundrise offers an easy and flexible way to grow your money while investing in properties nationwide.
2. Scrambly
Scrambly is a solid way to stack some quick cash by completing simple offers. Whether it's trying out apps, signing up for services, or completing small tasks, you'll rack up points fast—and new users get a random bonus just for joining.
The best part? You can cash out via PayPal or gift cards once you hit the minimum threshold of only $1, and some rewards process instantly. If you're looking for a no-fuss way to earn, Scrambly is definitely worth a shot.
3. Nielsen
Nielsen will pay you $60 per year in rewards just for installing their app on your devices. The app runs in the background, anonymously collecting data on internet usage to help improve market research—no surveys or extra work required.
Once set up, you'll earn passive rewards, and the longer you keep it installed, the more you can earn. If you're looking for easy, set-it-and-forget-it money, Nielsen is a solid pick.
Download an app and earn $60 per year
4. National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief offers a free debt relief analysis to see if they can help you lower your payments and get back on track. App bonuses are fun, but if you're drowning in debt, a few extra bucks won't fix the bigger issue.
To make this worthwhile, you'll need at least $10,000 in unsecured debt (like credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills). If debt is weighing you down, it's worth seeing what options you have—it costs nothing to check.
Get a free debt analysis from National Debt Relief
5. Self
Self doesn't offer a $5 sign-up bonus, but it can help you build credit and save at the same time—which is worth way more in the long run. It's a credit-building app that sets you up with a small loan, which you repay over time.
Those payments get reported to the credit bureaus, helping boost your score while you stash money away. If you're looking to improve your credit and stack some savings, Self is a solid option.
Start boosting your credit score with Self!
6. Freecash
Freecash is one of the fastest-growing rewards platforms online, and people are making serious side money just by taking surveys, trying apps, or completing simple offers.
It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it's a super low-effort way to earn free PayPal cash, crypto, or gift cards in your downtime. Some users even make over $100 a day.
Just sign up, complete a few quick tasks, and start stacking up cash you can withdraw instantly.
Join Freecash and start earning today — it's free to sign up and takes less than a minute.
7. InboxDollars
InboxDollars pays you real cash to do things you already do online—like taking surveys, playing games, watching videos, and trying new offers. Right now, new users can score a $5 sign-up bonus just for creating an account.
Once you're in, you can boost your earnings by completing simple tasks or cashing in on high-paying offers. Payouts are made via PayPal or check, and it's free to join. If you want a legit way to earn extra money during your downtime, InboxDollars is an easy win.
Join InboxDollars and get a $5 bonus instantly
8. EarnIn
EarnIn lets you access the money you've already earned before payday — no interest, no mandatory fees, just your paycheck when you need it.
You can cash out up to $1,000 per pay period, and new users can get an instant cash boost just for signing up. If you're tired of waiting for payday or want to avoid overdraft fees, Earnin is one of the most practical money apps out there.
Get early access to your paycheck with EarnIn
9. National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief offers a free debt relief analysis to see if they can help you lower your payments and get back on track.
App bonuses are fun, but if you're drowning in debt, a few extra bucks won't fix the bigger issue.
To make this worthwhile, you'll need at least $10,000 in unsecured debt (like credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills).
If debt is weighing you down, it's worth seeing what options you have—it costs nothing to check.
Get a free debt analysis from National Debt Relief
10. Survey Junkie
Taking online surveys to make that extra money is a no-brainer!
You definitely won't get rich or make thousands of dollars per day with surveys alone, but you won't waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way. Here is my favorite (and highest paying) survey site:
Survey Junkie pays between $2 and $50 per survey, and many of them take less than 5 minutes to complete. So if you took on average 10 surveys per day, every day for a month, you could make $375+ per month. If you took more surveys a day — the possibilities are endless.
There are a lot of scammy survey sites out there, but Survey Junkie has over 11,000 positive reviews on TrustPilot, the highest of any survey site. It's legitimate.
Sounds like fun? Sign-up for Survey Junkie, take surveys and earn money from your phone fast. You can also get a registration bonus through here.
11. Robinhood
Robinhood makes investing simple — whether you're buying stocks, ETFs, crypto, or options, you can do it all commission-free from your phone.
New users can earn a free stock just for signing up, and with no account minimums, it's one of the easiest ways to start building wealth. If you want your extra cash to actually grow instead of just sitting there, Robinhood is a smart next step.
Start investing for free with Robinhood
12. Swagbucks
If you browse the internet a lot, this could actually turn your past time into a moneymaking endeavor. Swagbucks ($10 sign up bonus) rewards you for shopping online, watching videos, searching and answering surveys. You are credited with points that you can then redeem for cash via PayPal.
The site has awarded over $282.6 million to its users. Once you have signed up, there will be a list of surveys you qualify for, games to play, or videos to watch for cash.
In fact, you can earn well over $300 a month using Swagbucks, according to a Huffington Post report. Finding a survey worth taking is easy too, look for surveys that are higher paying and stick to those.
Once you earn money in your account you can redeem it for a gift card of your favorite retailer or you can take it as cash through PayPal.
Sign-up with Swagbucks and start taking paid surveys.
13. Nielsen Mobile
By using the internet as you do every day, Nielsen invites you to make a difference – and you can make a quick $60 too.
Just by downloading an app, you can collect $60 per device and earn rewards. They just track your app usage and that's it.
You don't have to do anything other than initially registering your computer or phone.
Nielsen: This company will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month. So you can possibly make more than $50.
Sign up through here for a registration bonus.
14. Freecash
Freecash is one of the fastest and most rewarding ways to make extra money online.
Unlike other reward sites, Freecash lets you cash out in as little as 5 minutes via PayPal, Bitcoin, bank transfer, or gift cards, no waiting weeks to get paid.
With the chance to earn up to $250 per day just by testing apps, playing games, and taking surveys, making money online has never been easier.
This site is known for its elite payout rates and low minimum withdrawals, making it perfect for those who want instant results. Plus, Freecash has paid out over $60 million to users worldwide, it's super legit.
Whether you're looking to earn quick cash in your spare time or maximize your income, Freecash is one of my favorite ways to earn extra income.
15. Cash Signup Bonuses
Cash in on the following signup bonuses available through us and you will be on your way to making an extra few bucks:
- Current Bank: Earn a $75 bonus with code PAYROLL75 and direct deposit. Simple, fast, and 100% free banking.
- Freecash: Paid out over $60 million. Earn by playing games, watching videos, and completing surveys. I use this site daily.
- Fundrise: Earn passive income with real estate investing starting at just $10. Perfect for those who want their money to work for them. Get a $10 bonus when you start.
Signup bonuses offer a great way to kick start your earnings with quick cash rewards.
16. InboxDollars
Another app that offers you the opportunity to play games for real money is InboxDollars.
If you sign up before the end of this month, they also give you a $5 free bonus just to give it a try.
By spending just 5-10 minutes per day on this (either on your lunch break or during TV commercial breaks) you can earn and earn an extra $50/month just for playing games. They also offer you the opportunity to earn cash for sharing your opinion and completing surveys.
More people should be doing this.
17. Current
Current is a free banking app that lets you get your money fast, no fees, no overdraft stress, just quick cash when you need it.
If you're looking for quick money, you'll want Current as your main bank account. Why? Because you can get up to $750 in a payday advance anytime, no waiting around for payday.
Need $20 fast? $750 fast? No problem, Current has you covered. Just set up direct deposit and unlock instant cash when you need it. You can also get a $75 wecome bonus here for extra money (use code PAYROLL75 after sign up).
Need More Money Making Apps?
A ton of people are searching online for the best money making apps.
Well, look no further, because if you wanted more ways to make money online then these are literally the best free money making apps that'll pay you real money.
So consider scrolling back up and taking a second look.
Also, cash in on the following signup bonuses available through us and you will be on your way to making an extra $100:
- Nielsen: Get rewarded for using your devices and get up to $60 in points for gift cards when you join here and sign up your computers, smartphones and tablets to earn.
- Survey Junkie: Get paid up to $5 per survey through this link with one of the highest-paying survey sites on the web.
Signup bonuses offer a great way to kick start your earnings with quick cash rewards.
Good luck with making money with your phone!
Before you go, I keep a free spreadsheet of legit ways to earn extra income that I personally use and update regularly. Grab it here if you're interested.
