33 Legit Apps That Pay You Real Money in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Earning on the Go
Are you looking for ways to make some extra cash? In 2025, you don’t need to start a business or have a 9-to-5 job to earn money. There are plenty of apps that can help you make money right from your phone. Whether you're taking surveys, shopping online, or even walking, you can start earning today.
This guide will show you 33 apps that pay you real money in 2025. Some apps will pay you quickly for tasks like surveys or shopping, while others let you earn passively with minimal effort. Let’s dive in!
1. Survey and Game Apps
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is one of the best survey apps out there. It lets you share your opinions and get paid. After signing up, you fill out a profile that helps match you to the right surveys. This means fewer chances of being disqualified. You can cash out with PayPal or gift cards. The best part? You only need $5 to cash out!
InboxDollars
InboxDollars offers more than just surveys. You can earn money by playing games, watching videos, and even using scratch tickets. There's a $5 sign-up bonus to get you started. You need $30 to cash out, but the app’s many earning options make it easier to reach that goal.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is another popular app for earning money. You earn points by taking surveys, playing games, watching videos, and shopping online. Swagbucks has a low cash-out threshold. You can redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards.
Freecash
Freecash pays you cash for completing offers. You can earn by playing games, taking surveys, and signing up for apps. Most users can cash out within 17 minutes of signing up. The app offers flexible payment options like PayPal and gift cards.
2. Cash-Back and Shopping Apps
Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a great way to save money while shopping online. The app helps you find deals and automatically applies coupon codes at checkout. You earn credits that can be redeemed for gift cards when you make purchases with Capital One’s partner stores.
Drop
Drop lets you earn free gift cards by linking your credit and debit cards to the app. You earn points by shopping at your favorite brands. Once you reach 25,000 points, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular stores like Amazon, Starbucks, and more.
Rakuten
Rakuten is known for offering cash-back rewards when you shop online. The app helps you earn money from purchases at thousands of retailers. You can even earn cash back for Lyft rides and dining at select restaurants.
Dosh
With Dosh, you don’t have to search for offers. Simply link your payment cards, and you earn automatic cash-back when you shop at partner stores. It’s an easy way to earn money without extra effort. You can withdraw your earnings through PayPal or Venmo.
Ibotta
Ibotta is a great app for earning cash-back on groceries. You select offers before you shop, and then upload your receipt after you buy the items. Ibotta works with stores like Walmart, Kohl’s, and Walgreens. You need $20 to cash out, but the offers are easy to find.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is simple. Shop for the brands you love, and upload your receipts. You earn points for buying products from partner brands. You only need 3,000 points to redeem a gift card worth $3. It’s easy to earn with just a few grocery trips.
Upside
Upside is perfect for anyone who drives. It helps you find cheap gas and earn cash-back for filling up. You can also earn rewards for shopping at grocery stores and eating out. The app lets you redeem your cash-back for gift cards or PayPal cash.
ReceiptPal
ReceiptPal rewards you for uploading your receipts. You can earn points for every receipt you scan. Once you collect enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards. While you won’t make a lot, it’s an easy and passive way to earn some extra cash.
3. Gig-Based Apps
DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery app. You pick up food and deliver it to customers. You set your own hours and keep 100% of the tips. It’s a great way to make extra money, especially during busy meal times.
Shipt
Shipt is a grocery delivery service. As a Shipt shopper, you pick and pack orders and deliver them to customers. You can earn up to $22 per hour, depending on the order. Plus, you keep all the tips.
Instacart
Instacart lets you shop and deliver groceries. There are two types of shoppers: in-store shoppers and full-service shoppers. Full-service shoppers make more money because they deliver the orders. The pay varies based on tips and distance.
Uber or Lyft
Uber and Lyft are ridesharing apps. If you have a car, you can drive passengers and earn money. Both apps let you choose your hours, so you can work whenever you want. If you drive during peak times, you can earn extra money.
4. Investment Apps
Investment apps help you grow your money over time. These apps are perfect if you want to start investing but don’t know where to begin.
Acorns
Acorns helps you invest small amounts of money. The app rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. It’s a great way to start investing without a large upfront investment.
Robinhood
Robinhood is a commission-free stock trading app. You can start investing in stocks, ETFs, and even cryptocurrency. Robinhood offers free stock when you sign up, making it an easy way to begin your investing journey.
SoFi
SoFi is an all-in-one financial app. You can invest in stocks, ETFs, and even retirement accounts. SoFi also offers loans and credit cards. Plus, you can win free stock when you open a new account.
Webull
Webull is another commission-free trading app. It offers a variety of investment options, including stocks, ETFs, and options. You can also earn free stock when you sign up.
5. Apps That Pay You to Walk
HealthyWage
HealthyWage lets you earn money by betting on your weight loss goals. You set a weight loss target and a time frame. If you meet your goal, you win money. It’s a fun way to stay motivated while earning cash.
StepBet
StepBet is a fitness app where you join challenges and compete to reach a step goal. If you meet your weekly goal, you share the prize pool with other players. It’s a great way to stay healthy and make money.
Rover
Rover is a pet care app. If you love animals, you can earn money by walking dogs, pet sitting, or boarding pets. Rover lets you set your own prices and schedule, giving you flexibility.
6. Passive Income Apps
Neighbor.com
Neighbor.com lets you rent out unused space, like a parking spot or a spare room. You earn money by renting out your space to others. It’s a passive way to make money from things you already have.
MobileXpression
MobileXpression is a market research app. Once you install the app, it runs in the background and collects data about how you use the internet. You earn credits, which you can redeem for gift cards.
Nielsen Panel
Nielsen is famous for TV ratings. Now, you can earn money by letting Nielsen track your internet usage. You earn points for sharing data, and those points can be redeemed for gift cards.
Mode Mobile
Mode Mobile pays you for listening to music. You earn points by playing songs and watching ads. It’s an easy way to make money passively while enjoying your favorite tunes.
7. Mystery Shopping Apps
Shopkick
Shopkick lets you earn points by walking into stores, scanning products, or shopping online. You can redeem these points for gift cards or PayPal cash.
Field Agent
Field Agent pays you to do mystery shopping tasks. You visit stores, check product availability, and rate the customer service. Tasks pay a few dollars each, but they’re a fun way to make some pocket money.
Mobee
Mobee is another app that pays you for mystery shopping. You complete tasks like taking photos of products or filling out surveys. You earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards.
8. Selling Apps
Mercari
Mercari is a popular app for selling almost anything. You take photos of your items, list them, and wait for buyers. The app is easy to use and offers seller protection.
Poshmark
Poshmark is perfect for selling clothing and accessories. You can list your items quickly and start making money. The app takes care of shipping labels and transactions.
Decluttr
Decluttr buys your old electronics. Just scan the barcode of your item, get an offer, and ship it for free. Decluttr pays you quickly once they inspect your items.
Conclusion
There you have it! 33 apps that can help you earn real money in 2025. Whether you want to take surveys, shop, walk, or even invest, there’s an app for you. These apps are simple to use and let you make money from anywhere. Start today and see how much you can earn!
