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8 Best Money-Making Apps In 2023 (Pros & Cons + Average Income)

Did you know that the best money-making apps are available at your fingertips? While you’re still at home, you can make extra cash with just a few taps on your smartphone!

By just following a simple sign-in process, you can work with many clients worldwide through some money-making apps and get paid in time — all while relaxing on your couch and sipping a glass of your favorite juice. 

These money-making apps are very simple to use and guarantee fast payment when you dabble with them. 

Wondering what they are? We’ve got you!

In this article, we discuss 8 of the best money-making apps that are making the rounds in 2023.

In addition, we discuss their potential income, pros and cons, and how each works. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

8 Best Money-Making Apps

The ability to make money with your smartphone today perfectly sums up the significant progress the world has overseen in the last two to three years. 

It can be a great side hustle if you want to juggle a 9-5. Here are the best money-making apps you can trust.

swagbucks - best money making apps

1. Swagbucks

One of the best money-making apps out there is Swagbucks. This app allows you to earn points by taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online. 

Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash through PayPal.

With over 20 million users, Swagbucks is a tried and true way to make some extra cash.

Average Income

  • $7 per hour

How it Works

Swagbucks allows you to make money by completing tasks like shopping for products, watching videos, playing games, or taking surveys.

You earn points known as Swagbucks (SB) for every task you fulfill, and this can range from 40 to 200 SB for most surveys (100 SB equals $1.)

You can choose to withdraw your earnings as gift cards or cashback to your PayPal account, especially for in-store purchases.

However, it must be above the minimum balance before you can redeem them, like some gift cards that are available for as low as 110 SB. 

Pros

When you sign up, Swagbucks will offer you a $10 joining bonus to welcome you.

Afterward, you will receive tasks that are pretty easy to do on your request. 

Cons

Swagbucks don’t pay much, so it isn’t ideal for you if you want a faster way to make money.

Plus, when you redeem your points, you must wait 10 business days after the redemption date to receive your cash payment. 

2. Upwork

Next up is Upwork, a freelancing app that connects you with clients from all over the world, allowing you to work on your schedule and on projects you’re passionate about. 

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a bit of extra cash to treat themselves to that new pair of shoes or go on a weekend getaway?

Average Income

  • $28/hour

How it Works

To get started on Upwork, you need to create a profile that includes details such as the niche you want to focus on, qualifications, desired rate, and availability.

After that, you will be given a set number of Connects for free to allow you to contact potential clients.

You will be charged some Connects for every job you apply for, ranging from 2 to 6 Connects, depending on the role.

When you exhaust all your Connects, you earn them back or pay a little amount for more. 

Pros

Upwork has a wide range of job categories to choose from.

Whether you’re a graphic designer, a writer, a web developer, or even a virtual assistant, Upwork has got you covered.

Plus, with its easy-to-use interface and user-friendly features, you can easily browse through jobs, submit proposals, and communicate with clients without breaking a sweat. 

The platform uses advanced algorithms to match you with clients who are looking for the skills and experience you have to offer, making it easy for you to find the right job, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting. 

Cons

There is a bit of a rat race that most freelancers experience on Upwork, especially when applying for jobs. Also, Upwork charges you a service fee of 5%-20% depending on your billings per client. 

Although your payment is secure, you must wait 10 days after the billing period ends. 

Fiverr

3. Fiverr

The third on the list is Fiverr — the go-to app for skilled freelancers and gig workers looking to turn their passions into profit.

It is an online marketplace that connects freelancers with clients from around the world. 

The platform offers a range of jobs across various categories, including writing, design, programming, marketing, and more.

And the best part? You can set your own prices and work on projects that interest you. 

Average Income

  • $5 to $500 per project. 

How it Works

First, you have to set up your profile that showcases your skills and expertise as a seller.

You should also highlight your experience and qualifications and include any relevant samples or portfolio pieces. 

When you’re done with that, determine your services and pricing.

Fiverr allows you to set your rates, so make sure you do your research and price your services competitively. 

Now that you’ve determined your services and pricing, it’s time to create your gigs.

You should include a description of your services, any relevant requirements or deadlines, and your pricing. 

Use relevant keywords when creating gigs so that prospective clients known as “buyers” can easily find you in searches, click through, and place orders. 

Pros

Fiverr offers a flexible schedule so you can complete gigs at your own pace. 

Plus, you don’t have to hunt around for clients; rather, they come to you. 

Cons

You will have to pay a service fee of 20% of your earnings for every gig.

And you have to wait a maximum of 14 days before you can withdraw to your local bank. 

Ibotta - best money making apps

4. Ibotta

Another app of interest is Ibotta. This free mobile app lets you earn cash back on your everyday purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and other retailers.

Even better, it now applies to buying clothing, pet supplies, and everything in between. 

It’s a fantastic way to save money on your shopping bills and make some extra cash while you’re at it.

Average Income

  • $10 to $20 per month

How it Works

All you have to do is download the app, browse offers at your favorite stores and restaurants, and unlock the offers you want to use.

Then, scan your receipt after shopping at a participating store (do this in 7 days after your shopping trip), and you’ll earn cash back on select items.

You can also earn bonuses for referring friends and completing certain tasks.

Pros

Ibotta offers a wide range of cashback offers at popular stores and restaurants, including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, and more.

Plus, Ibotta regularly updates its offers, so there’s always something new to save on. 

But that’s not all – Ibotta also offers a range of unique features to help you maximize your savings.

For example, you can link your loyalty cards to the app to automatically earn cashback on your purchases. 

Cons

While earning cashback on in-store purchases happens within 24 hours, that on online shopping might take a little longer, depending on the retailer.

Also, you need to have a minimum of $20 in cashback before you can withdraw your earnings.

Rakuten

5. Rakuten

Very similar to Ibotta, Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a cashback app that rewards you for shopping online — a dream come true for savvy shoppers. 

Your purchases are not limited to buying groceries, travel tickets, gift cards, and so on.

Plus, you can earn 1% to 40% cashback on your purchases at thousands of supporting retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

Average Income

  • 40% on every purchase you make from thousands of stores you shop at

How it Works

To use Rakuten, simply sign up for an account, browse offers at your favorite stores, and click through the retailer’s website to make your purchase.

Rakuten will automatically track your purchase and deposit cashback into your account within a few days.

Pros

Rakuten offers a $10 welcome bonus for new users, and you can earn even more by referring your friends. It’s like a pyramid scheme but without all the shady stuff. 

In addition, it rewards you with exclusive deals and promo codes to help you save even more on your purchases. 

Cons

You have to earn every dime you make on Rakuten, and that implies spending money on purchases. Well, this won’t be a problem if you’re a shopaholic. 

For you to redeem your earnings, you need at least $5 in cashback.

And even when you successfully withdraw them, you have to wait 3 months which is when Rakuten sends out payments to its users. 

6. Uber

If you’re a U.S. driver looking to earn extra money on the side or full-time, Uber is for you. It is a ride-hailing app that connects riders with drivers in their area. 

What you do driving for Uber is help people get around town and get paid for each ride you complete — a win-win for everyone. 

And if driving isn’t your thing, you can also use Uber’s food delivery service, Uber Eats, to make some money.

In all, you can set your hours and work as much or as little as you want.  

Average Income

  • $15 to $20 per hour

How it Works

If you’re already an Uber driver, then you’re halfway there.

But even if you’re not, you can still sign up to become a driver and start earning some serious money.

All you need is a car and a driver’s license, and you’re good to go. 

Once you’re signed up, you can start accepting ride requests from passengers.

Pros

Driving for Uber isn’t just a way to make money — it’s also a way to meet new people and explore your city. Who knows, you might even get a 5-star rating from a celebrity! 

Uber also offers bonuses and incentives to drivers who complete a certain number of rides or work during peak hours.

Cons

Your earning potential may be affected by your location, time of the day, and demand for rides in your area.

Plus, as an Uber driver, you get to pay a service fee which depends on factors like cost and time.

OfferUp best money making apps

7. OfferUp

OfferUp is a peer-to-peer online marketplace that allows people to buy and sell items locally. 

It is a great way to make money by selling items you no longer need or want.

You can also use it to buy items at a discounted price, which you can then resell for a profit. 

Average Income

  • Varies 

How it Works

First, download the OfferUp app from the App Store or Google Play Store and create an account.

Take high-quality photos of the items you want to sell and write detailed descriptions.

After that, set a fair price for your items, taking into account their condition, age, and market value.

List your items for sale on OfferUp and wait for interested buyers to contact you.

Once you have a buyer, arrange a safe and secure meeting place to close the deal if you’re selling in person.

But if the customer isn’t close to you, ship your goods to him.

Shipping covers many parts of America except Arkansas, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Pros

Everything is pretty easy on this app, from the signup to when you create a listing. And once you make a cash sale, you receive an instant payment. 

Since it has a large user base, there are plenty of potential buyers for your items.

Plus, you can easily tell who the genuine ones are by looking up their reviews and ratings on the app.  

Cons

OfferUp is a local marketplace, which means that you’ll need to meet buyers in person to exchange goods, which might be inconvenient or impractical for you. 

There’s also a risk of scams or fraud, so it’s important to be cautious and only deal with trusted buyers.

As a seller, you will be charged a 12.9% service fee and at least $2 on any shipment, which’s way too high for an online marketplace.

Acorns best money making apps

8. Acorns

Are you looking for a way to grow your wealth without having to actively manage your investments? Look no further than Acorns.

Acorns has been gaining popularity in recent years and was even rated the best investment app on DollarSprout.

It is designed to help you save and invest money by automatically rounding up purchases you make with linked accounts and investing the spare change.

Average Income

It varies depending on the amount invested and market conditions.

However, according to Acorns, the average user earns around 5% per year on their investment. 

How it Works

Simply download the app, create an account, and link your bank account and cards. 

Acorns will automatically round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the spare change for you.

You can also set up recurring deposits or make one-time investments to grow your portfolio even more.

Pros

What’s great about Acorns is that it requires minimal effort on your part.

Once you set it up, you can sit back and watch your portfolio grow.

And with low fees and a diversified portfolio of investments, you can feel confident that your money is working for you.

Cons

The limited investment options might not be suitable for more experienced investors, and like every other investment, there is always a risk of losing money. 

FAQs about the Best Money-Making Apps

What is the best-earning app in 2023?

It’s certainly Upwork. Not only is this a very flexible platform, but it also offers gigs with better pay rates compared to the rest.  

How can I make $100 a day?

If you wish to end each day with an additional $100 in your pockets, then you should join platforms like Respondent and Survey Junkie, where you get paid to do odd jobs like taking part in research studies and surveys.

Are there any genuine money-making apps?

Of course, there are tons of them. All discussed in this article are 100% reliable and easy to use.

best money making apps - woman using phone from the couch

Best Money-Making Apps: Final Thoughts

There you have them — the best money-making apps of 2023, their expected pay, pros and cons, and how they work.

As you’ve seen, there’s an app for you to make money, whether you’re an avid shopper, a skilled driver, or just someone looking to make a quick buck. 

So what are you waiting for? 

Don’t just waste your day throwing banters on social media; put your phone to work and start earning some real cash.

Who knows what opportunities might come your way if you take the leap and give these apps a try?

Remember, financial freedom is within your reach. It’s time to seize the day and take control of your financial future.

Download these apps, get creative, and watch your bank account grow. The possibilities are endless, and the sky’s the limit. Happy earning!

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