Best Money-Making Apps: 16 Apps to Help You Easily Earn Extra Income

Image Source: unsplash

Do you hope to easily increase your income in your spare time? This article will reveal to you 16 real and reliable money-making apps, which are your ideal tools. Making money is not difficult; the key is to find the right method. Nowadays, many popular apps provide monetization channels, covering various types:

• E-commerce and Markets: Get cashback through shopping.
• Media and Streaming: Earn rewards by watching videos.
• Mobile Games: Win cash while entertaining.

This article is your “treasure map,” which will guide you to discover the best money-making apps most suitable for you, allowing you to turn fragmented time into real earnings.

Key Points

• Money-making apps can help you earn extra income in your free time.
• You can choose different types of apps, such as completing small tasks, shopping cashback, or playing games.
• Using your skills and creativity, you can provide services on platforms to make money.
• Overseas money-making apps offer more opportunities, but you need to understand tax regulations.
• Choose apps that suit you and persist in using them to see an increase in income.

Task Bounty Apps

Task bounty apps are an excellent starting point for your side hustle journey. You don’t need any professional skills, just a smartphone and some scattered time. The core model of this type of app is very simple: there are many task publishers (merchants) on the platform who post small tasks, and as a user, you complete these tasks to receive corresponding cash rewards.

These tasks are usually very simple, such as helping others register for an app, liking a post, participating in a survey, or downloading and trying a new game. They have extremely low barriers and quick feedback, allowing you to see earnings immediately.

This type of app perfectly embodies the concept of “many little things make a lot.” You can complete a few small tasks while waiting for the bus, during lunch break, or before bed, easily earning enough for a cup of coffee.

Task commissions vary according to their complexity and time consumption. A simple like or browse task may only be worth a few cents, while a task requiring multi-step registration or in-depth experience may offer much higher rewards.

To give you a clearer understanding, here is an example of a typical task commission range:

Now, let’s take a look at a few task bounty platforms that are very popular and reputable in the mainland China market.

Qu Xian Zhuan

Qu Xian Zhuan is one of the leading platforms in the task bounty field, known for its large volume of tasks and fast update speed. You can almost always find new tasks to do here.

• Rich Task Types: The platform covers downloads, registrations, certifications, e-commerce assistance, and various other tasks. You can freely choose according to your preferences.
• Commission Range: Task commissions range from $0.15 to $7, with some complex tasks offering even higher rewards.
• Withdrawal Rules: The withdrawal threshold is very low, usually starting from $0.15. Withdrawal requests are processed quickly, with most withdrawals arriving in your digital wallet or bank account within 24 hours.

Shang Bang Zhuan

Shang Bang Zhuan is another highly popular app that has won the trust of a large number of users with its simple interface and stable operation. If you are a beginner, the clear guidance of this platform will make it very quick for you to get started.

• Massive Task Selection: The platform updates thousands of new tasks every day, so you never have to worry about having nothing to do. Task types include voting, browsing, sharing, etc.
• Fast Review: After you submit a task, the publisher will review it quickly. Once approved, the commission will be immediately credited to your app account.
• Flexible Withdrawal: Supports daily withdrawals, with the platform usually setting a daily withdrawal limit, such as $300 per day, to ensure stable and secure fund flow. This is a great feature for those who want to see actual income every day.

Hong Shang Ba

Hong Shang Ba is a dark horse that has risen in recent years, attracting many users through its unique reward mechanisms and promotional activities. In addition to doing tasks, the platform also offers a wealth of additional rewards.

• Combination of Tasks and Activities: In addition to regular bounty tasks, Hong Shang Ba often holds leaderboard challenges, promotion rewards, and other activities, giving you the opportunity to earn extra income beyond task commissions.
• Clear Commission System: The commission for each task is clearly marked and fairly priced. The average task commission range is similar to similar platforms, concentrated in the $0.20 - $5.00 range.
• Withdrawal Guarantee: The withdrawal threshold is also very low, and processing is timely. Most withdrawal requests will be processed within 36 hours, ensuring you can quickly receive your hard-earned money.

Shopping Cashback Apps

Image Source: pexels

If you are an online shopping enthusiast, then shopping cashback apps are definitely your money-saving weapon. This type of app allows you to earn back some money while doing your daily shopping. You don’t need to change your shopping habits; just jump to the e-commerce platforms you frequent (such as Taobao, JD.com, or Amazon) through the links of these apps to complete your purchase and get cashback.

The principle of this model is very simple: merchants pay promotion commissions to the cashback platform, and the platform returns a portion of this commission to you as a reward. This is a “win-win-win” situation for you, the platform, and the merchant. The cashback percentage varies depending on the product category and platform, but if you persist in the long term, you will find that this is a considerable income.

Every penny you spend has the opportunity to earn back a portion for you. It’s like having a personal discount that automatically activates with every purchase.

How high is the cashback rate? It depends on the type of product you buy. Understanding the average cashback rate can help you set reasonable expectations:

• Global Average Cashback Rate: Usually around 6%.
• Travel Industry: Due to high order values, the cashback rate is more attractive, averaging up to 8%.

While enjoying cashback, protecting your personal information is crucial. A reliable cashback platform will take strict security measures.

Security Tip: How to Protect Your Data? When choosing a cashback app or website, you should prioritize platforms that provide strong security guarantees. You can pay attention to the following points:

• Data Encryption: Check if the website uses SSL encryption technology. This protects your information from being stolen during transmission.
• Account Security: Choose platforms that offer two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your account.
• Privacy Policy: Take the time to read the platform’s privacy policy. You need to understand how they collect, use, and retain your data. Compliant platforms will clearly disclose their affiliate relationships and comply with data protection regulations.

Now, let’s take a look at a few mainstream shopping cashback apps.

Taobao Alliance

Taobao Alliance is the official promotion platform of Alibaba Group. It is not only a tool for merchants to promote products but also an excellent channel for ordinary users to earn commissions. You don’t need to open your own store; just become a promoter and earn money by sharing product links.

When you find a product you want to share through Taobao Alliance, you can generate an exclusive promotion link. Anyone who purchases the product through your link will earn you a certain percentage of the commission. This is very suitable for sharing with friends in your social circle or posting on your social media. Commissions are settled after the transaction is completed and transferred to your designated account monthly.

Jing Fen

Jing Fen is the official alliance promotion platform of JD.com, with functions similar to Taobao Alliance. If you or your friends prefer shopping on JD.com, then Jing Fen is your best choice. JD.com is known for its advantages in electronic products, home appliances, and logistics speed, and promoting products in these categories usually yields good returns.

The operation process is also simple: find products in the Jing Fen app, generate your promotion link, and then share it. When someone completes a purchase through the link, you earn a commission. Jing Fen’s commission settlement and withdrawal rules are clear, providing you with a stable and reliable cashback source.

Gao Yong Alliance

Unlike Taobao Alliance and Jing Fen, Gao Yong Alliance is an aggregated cashback platform. It is not limited to a single e-commerce website but integrates multiple mainstream e-commerce platforms including Taobao, Tmall, JD.com, and Pinduoduo.

This means you only need one app to get shopping cashback from different platforms. This greatly improves convenience. You can search for products through Gao Yong Alliance before shopping and find the channel with the highest cashback. It not only saves you money but also saves you valuable time by simplifying operations.

Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping is a powerful browser extension for global users, especially suitable for shopping on US and international websites. It is not just a cashback tool but more like a smart shopping assistant.

When you shop online, Capital One Shopping works automatically in the background. It searches the internet for available coupon codes and automatically applies the best discount at checkout. In addition, it compares the price of the same product at different retailers (such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay) to ensure you buy at the lowest price.

To give you a clearer understanding of its advantages, here is a comparison with other popular tools:

In summary, Capital One Shopping provides you with a comprehensive money-saving solution by combining automatic coupons, price comparison, and shopping point rewards.

Review of Several Best Money-Making Apps: Games and Interactive

If you like scrolling through short videos or playing mobile games, turning entertainment time into income will be a very attractive thing. Game and interactive apps perfectly meet this need, with their core concept being “entertainment is making money.” You don’t need to invest extra effort to learn new skills; just complete some small tasks while enjoying the fun to get cash or coin rewards.

This type of app allows you to get rewards while relaxing and entertaining. The time you spend on games and videos every day now has new value.

The earning methods of these apps are very intuitive, usually including:

• Watching Videos: Earn coin rewards for watching a certain duration of videos.
• Game Trials: Download and play specified games, reach a certain level or complete specific achievements to get rewards.
• Daily Tasks: Complete simple interactions such as daily check-in, sharing, liking, etc., to accumulate extra earnings.

Earnings are usually issued in the form of virtual currency (such as coins) within the platform, which you can exchange for cash at a fixed exchange rate and then withdraw to your digital wallet. Let’s take a look at a few best money-making apps that perform outstandingly in this field.

Douyin Speed Edition/Kuaishou Speed Edition

Douyin and Kuaishou are the most popular short video platforms in mainland China. Their “Speed Edition” is a lightweight version specially designed for users who want to earn pocket money by watching videos. Backed by large companies, these two apps have a huge user base, stable operation, and guaranteed withdrawals.

• Earning Methods: The main way to earn money is by watching videos. When you watch, a circular progress bar on the screen will continuously fill up, and every time it fills up, you get a certain number of coins. In addition, daily check-in, opening treasure chests, and inviting friends can also bring you generous rewards.
• Earnings Form: All rewards you get are “coins.” These coins will be automatically exchanged for cash according to the platform’s exchange rate at midnight the next day. The exchange rate may fluctuate slightly every day but remains generally stable.
• Withdrawal Rules: The withdrawal threshold is extremely low, usually starting from $0.04. This allows you to see actual income almost every day, greatly enhancing your sense of participation and satisfaction.

Bang Duo Duo

If you are a game enthusiast, then the “Bang Duo Duo” app is definitely not to be missed. It is a platform focused on game trial tasks, gathering a massive number of different types of mobile games, allowing you to earn rewards while enjoying new games.

• Supports Multiple Game Types: Whether you like casual puzzles, role-playing, or strategy management games, you can find interesting tasks on Bang Duo Duo.
• Clear Earning Path: The earning process is very simple. You just need to select a game in the app, download and play to the specified level or complete certain achievements according to the task requirements, then submit task screenshots, and after review and approval, you can get the commission.
• Generous Rewards: Compared to simply watching videos, game trial tasks have a higher unit price. Depending on the complexity and time consumption of the game, the reward for a task is usually between $0.70 and $8.00, or even higher. This is a high-return option for users willing to invest time in playing games.

Qi E Hu Zhu

Qi E Hu Zhu is a platform that combines task bounties and social interaction. Its core gameplay is “mutual help,” where users can both post small tasks that need help and earn commissions by helping others. This makes it unique among many apps.

• Task Types: The tasks here are more “micro” and social, such as boosting, voting, bargaining, etc. These tasks can usually be completed in a few seconds or tens of seconds, very suitable for using fragmented time.
• Earning Methods: You accept and complete help requests posted by other users on the platform to get corresponding rewards. Because the tasks are simple and quick, you can quickly complete a large number of tasks to achieve the effect of accumulating small amounts.
• Platform Comparison: To give you a clearer understanding of the characteristics of these three apps, you can refer to the following table:

In general, the game and interactive category is the most fun best money-making app category. They allow you to easily earn extra income in your daily entertainment activities and are an ideal combination for passing time and increasing earnings.

Creative and Skill Monetization

Image Source: pexels

If you have a skill, a hobby, or just want to unleash your creativity, turning them into income is an excellent choice. This type of app provides you with a stage to showcase your talents, allowing you to no longer be limited to the traditional “working” model. You can be your own boss, freely deciding the content and time of your work.

Your skills are your assets. Whether it’s writing, design, programming, or your unique creativity, there are people willing to pay for it. These platforms are the bridge connecting you with potential clients.

Monetizing your creativity or expertise means you can get higher returns and a stronger sense of accomplishment. To help you find direction, here are some in-demand skills in the current market:

1. Copywriting and Content Creation: Companies need high-quality content to attract and engage. This includes writing compelling blog posts, social media posts, emails, and ad copy.
2. Online Tutoring and Coaching: If you are an expert in math, programming, or career planning, you can monetize your knowledge through online platforms.
3. Digital Product Creation: You can create and sell online courses, e-books, downloadable templates, digital art, or software. This provides you with the opportunity to create passive income.
4. Video Editing and Short Video Creation: With the popularity of platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, skilled video editors who understand platform characteristics are in high demand.
5. Website Development and No-Code Solutions: Companies continue to need powerful websites and landing pages. Even if you use no-code platforms, this skill has a market.
6. AI Prompt Engineering: With the popularity of AI technology, the demand for experts who can write precise instructions for AI to get the best results is growing rapidly.

Now, let’s take a look at a few best money-making apps that can help you achieve skill monetization.

Xianyu

Xianyu is a large second-hand trading platform under Alibaba, with a huge user base in mainland China. It is not just a place for you to sell idle items but also a creative “flea market.”

You can use Xianyu to sell items you no longer need, from old phones and books to clothes, achieving resource recycling. But its potential goes far beyond that. Many people also provide various “intangible” services on it, such as:

• Handicrafts: Sell ornaments, paintings, or wood carvings you made by hand.
• Skill Services: Provide PPT production, image design, copywriting, etc.
• Local Services: If you have time, you can provide errands, express delivery, and other localized services.

Understanding which products are most popular on the platform can help you start your sales journey faster.

Xianyu provides you with a low-threshold starting point, allowing you to easily turn the resources and creativity around you into actual income.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a globally renowned freelancer service platform that packages your skills into “service packages” (Gigs) for sale. Whether you are a designer, programmer, writer, or musician, you can find your clients here.

On Fiverr, you define your service content and price. For example, you can create a service “I will design a business Logo for you” starting at $10. Buyers browse your service and place an order, and you get paid after completing the work.

As a beginner, setting a reasonable income expectation is important. Beginner sellers on Fiverr usually earn about $100 to $500 per month. As you gain more positive reviews and experience, you can increase your prices and take on more complex projects.

Fiverr handles the trouble of payment collection for you and provides multiple withdrawal methods. You need to note that the platform deducts 20% of your income as a service fee. Here are some common withdrawal options and rules:

• Payoneer:
  • Minimum withdrawal amount is $30.
  • Withdrawal fee to Payoneer account is $1 (2 days to arrive) or $3 (2 hours to arrive).
  • Payoneer does not charge currency exchange fees, but its exchange rate is usually 2% higher than the market mid-price.
• PayPal:
  • Minimum withdrawal amount is only $1.
  • Fiverr does not charge withdrawal fees, but PayPal charges 3-4% currency exchange fees and may charge additional fees for international transactions.
• Bank Transfer:
  • You can receive payments through direct bank transfer.
  • For example, you can link your Fiverr account to an account opened at a licensed bank in Hong Kong or use other services that support international transfers.

Fiverr opens the door to the global market for you, allowing your skills to no longer be limited by geography.

MidReal

MidReal is an emerging AI role-playing app that provides a brand new way to make money for imaginative you. It is not a traditional task or skill trading platform but an interactive story community.

On this platform, you can create unique virtual characters and engaging storylines. Users will interact in real-time with the characters you create, advancing the story. Your income comes from other users’ love and support for your created content, such as by purchasing virtual gifts or subscribing to your exclusive storylines.

• Core Gameplay: You act as the “Host,” designing the world view, characters, and plot. Other players participate and interact with your AI characters.
• Earning Methods: When your story is attractive enough and players are willing to pay for a deeper experience, you can get a share of the income.
• Suitable For: This app is very suitable for creative people who love writing, tabletop role-playing games (TRPG), and role-playing.

MidReal represents the future direction of creative monetization, combining AI technology with human creativity to provide you with a unique platform to directly turn imagination into income.

Selected Overseas Money-Making Apps

If you want to look to the global market, many excellent overseas apps provide you with broader earning opportunities. These platforms usually have a large user base and mature business models, offering you diverse tasks and more competitive returns. However, before starting, you need to understand some key information.

Important Tip: Tax Notes on Income When you earn income from overseas apps, it may involve complex tax issues. You need to understand some basic principles:

• Income Source: The US tax authorities usually only tax your “US-source income”. If you provide services outside the US, this income is usually considered foreign-source income and does not need to pay US tax.
• Income Type: The income you earn may be defined as service income, rent, or royalties. For example, if you sell the copyright of a digital work through an app, this income may be considered royalties, which is US-source income and needs to be taxed according to regulations.
• Complexity of Digital Transactions: With the development of internet technology, determining the location of digital service execution has become very difficult. Your service may involve computers and personnel distributed in different countries.

Therefore, you need to carefully analyze your income sources. If your income scale is large, consulting a professional tax advisor is a wise choice.

After understanding this background information, let’s explore a few highly rated overseas best money-making apps together.

Freecash.app

Freecash.app is a very popular “Get-Paid-To” (GPT) website and app that allows you to earn cash and cryptocurrency in multiple ways. This platform is known for its modern interface, rich task selection, and reliable payments, winning a good reputation worldwide.

Its earning methods are very flexible, mainly including:

• Completing Paid Surveys: Cooperate with major market research companies to provide you with various themed survey questionnaires.
• Trying Games and Apps: Download and complete specified game tasks, which is one of the highest-return task types.
• Registering for Offers: Register and try partner websites or services to get cash rewards.

Freecash’s credibility is fully reflected on third-party review platforms. Its performance on Trustpilot is particularly outstanding, which can help you judge its reliability:

Platform data shows that Freecash actively responds to 99% of negative reviews, usually resolving user issues within 24 hours. Most negative reviews stem from users failing to correctly understand or complete task requirements, which reminds you to carefully read the rules when doing tasks.

When you earn rewards, Freecash provides multiple withdrawal methods:

• Cash: Withdraw via PayPal, minimum withdrawal amount is $5.00.
• Cryptocurrency: Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, minimum withdrawal amount is only $0.50.
• Gift Cards: Redeem gift cards for platforms like Amazon, Steam.

Sweatcoin

Sweatcoin is a uniquely creative health money-making app with the core concept of “earn money by walking.” It tracks your steps through your phone’s GPS and pedometer, turning your physical exercise into a digital currency called “Sweatcoin.” If you want to get some extra earnings while staying healthy, this app is very suitable for you.

Initially, you could earn 1 Sweatcoin for every 1,000 steps. However, as the number of users increased, its algorithm became stricter, meaning you need to put in more effort to earn the same rewards. This deflationary model aims to enhance the long-term value of the token.

Now, Sweatcoin has developed into a real cryptocurrency — $SWEAT. Your first 5,000 steps each day can earn you $SWEAT, while subsequent steps are converted into in-app Sweatcoin.

To give you a clearer understanding of its value changes, you can refer to the following data. Currently, the value of one $SWEAT token is about $0.0063.

The Sweatcoin you earn can be used in the in-app market to redeem various goods, services, or discount coupons. The $SWEAT you earn is an asset that can be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges, providing you with a real monetization channel.

MooCash

MooCash is a mobile app that allows you to earn money by unlocking your phone screen. Its concept is very simple: every time you unlock your phone, an advertisement or content will be displayed on the screen. You just need to swipe left or right to unlock the phone, and whether you interact with the ad or not, you can get coin rewards.

This is a passive income method that requires almost no effort. You don’t need to change any usage habits; just use your phone normally to continuously accumulate earnings.

In addition to lock screen earning, MooCash also provides other tasks to increase your income, such as:

• Watching Videos: Watch short advertising videos.
• Completing Tasks: Download and try recommended apps or games.
• Inviting Friends: Invite friends to join through your referral link, and both parties get rewards.

In MooCash, 2,000 coins usually equal $1.00. When you accumulate enough coins, you can withdraw through multiple globally universal methods:

• PayPal
• Payoneer
• Bank Transfer

This app is very suitable for users who want to earn a small amount of cash through simple interactions using fragmented time. It turns your countless daily unlock actions into real income.

This article introduces you to five categories of apps, from simple task bounties to creative skill monetization. You don’t need to try all the apps at once. According to your interests and time, choose one or two best money-making apps that suit you best to start.

Please remember, the key to success is persistence, and little by little adds up. Wishing you a successful start to your money-making journey!

FAQ

Are these money-making apps really safe?

Yes, the apps recommended in this article have been screened. But you still need to remain vigilant. You should prioritize platforms with a large user base and good reviews. At the same time, please carefully read the app’s user agreement and privacy policy, protect your personal information, and avoid leaking too much sensitive data on untrustworthy apps.

How much money can I earn each month?

Your income depends on the type of app you choose and the time you invest. Task bounty apps may bring you $15 to $50 in pocket money per month. If you use professional skills to take orders on platforms like Fiverr, the income may be much higher. Please remember, persistence is key.

How to withdraw the earned money?

Most apps support multiple withdrawal methods. You can withdraw your income to your digital wallet (such as PayPal, Payoneer) or bank account. Some apps also support redeeming gift cards. The minimum withdrawal amount for each app is different, usually between $0.15 and $10.

Do I need to invest a lot of time?

It completely depends on you. You can use a few minutes of fragmented time every day to complete some small tasks, or invest more time to get higher returns. These apps are very flexible, and you can freely decide the working hours according to your own schedule, with no mandatory requirements.