There’s no shortage of apps promising to help you make money. But “pay you real money,” as in, actual cash you can transfer to your bank account, is a different story.

Some apps reward you in points that are nearly impossible to redeem. Others lock your earnings behind sky-high cashout thresholds. And a few are just outright scams. According to the FTC, online scams cost Americans billions of dollars every year, so knowing which apps are legit matters.

The good news? There really are apps that pay you real money for completing simple tasks, playing games, shopping online and more. 

Below, you’ll find 12 of the best with honest breakdowns of how they work, what you can actually earn and what to watch out for. And if you want to see what one top-rated platform looks like up close, check out real KashKick reviews before you dive in.

What to Look for in Apps That Pay You Real Money

Before diving into the list, here’s how to spot the apps worth your time.

• Real cash payouts. Gift cards are fine, but cash through PayPal, Venmo or direct deposit gives you more flexibility. Look for apps that offer this as an option.
• Low cashout minimums. Some apps make you earn $25, $50 or more before you can withdraw. The lower the threshold, the faster you see your earnings.
• Transparent earning rates. Legit apps tell you upfront what each task pays—and how long it takes. If the earning details are vague or buried, that’s a red flag.
• Strong reviews. Check Trustpilot, the App Store and Google Play. A consistent pattern of complaints about missing payments or shady practices is worth heeding.

12 Apps That Pay You Real Money

Not all of these work the same way; some pay you to play games, others reward you for shopping or sharing opinions. The best approach is to find one or two that fit how you already spend your time. 

Here’s a breakdown of the top options, starting with the one that offers the most flexibility.

1. Earn Real Cash With KashKick

KashKick is one of the most versatile apps for making real money on your phone. You can earn by playing games, taking surveys, trying new apps and services and shopping online through KashKick’s cashback feature. 

Unlike most reward platforms, KashKick doesn’t deal in confusing points; your earnings are tracked in kash, where $1 Kash = $1 USD. Once you hit $10, you can cash out via PayPal or Venmo in just 1-3 business days. 

KashKick earns money by connecting consumers with new products and services (think games, apps and surveys) and shares that revenue directly with members. Here’s exactly why KashKick pays you for more details.

One member, 55-year-old Eric Jackson, earned over $500 in less than a year through surveys and games. Stay-at-home mom Christina earned around $75 in “fun money” before a family trip. Read more real KashKick member reviews to see what’s possible. 

Key features:

• Multiple ways to earn (games, surveys, deals, cashback shopping)
• $10 cashout minimum—one of the lowest available
• PayPal payouts processed in 1-3 business days
• 4.6 stars on the App Store; 4.4 stars on Google Play
• Referral program pays you 25% of your referrals’ game and deals earnings

Earning potential: Surveys typically pay a few cents to a few dollars. Game offers can pay significantly more when you complete milestone levels.

👉 Sign up for KashKick for free and start earning real cash today.

2. Make Money Taking Surveys With Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the most well-known survey sites around, and for good reason. The platform matches you to surveys based on your profile, so you’re more likely to qualify. When you get disqualified from a survey, Survey Junkie still gives you a few points as a consolation.

Once you earn 500 points ($5), you can cash out via PayPal, a bank transfer or gift cards. PayPal requests typically process within a few hours. For a full breakdown of how it stacks up, check out our Survey Junkie review.

Key features:

• Low $5 cashout minimum
• PayPal, bank transfer and gift card options
• Partial points for survey disqualifications
• Optional “Surf to Earn” program for passive income

Earning potential: Survey Junkie estimates members can earn up to $40/month if they complete three surveys daily.

3. Earn Points for Shopping With Swagbucks

Swagbucks has been around since 2008 and pays users “SB” points for completing surveys, playing games, shopping online and more. Once you collect enough SBs, you can cash them out for gift cards or PayPal cash, though the redemption math is a bit tricky (2,530 SB = $25 via PayPal).

It’s one of the most feature-rich reward platforms out there, with a large catalog of earning opportunities. Just know that payouts can take up to 10 business days. Curious how it really holds up? See our full Swagbucks review.

Key features:

• Variety of earning options (surveys, games, shopping, referrals)
• Gift cards and PayPal cash
• Available in most countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia
• 4.4 stars on the App Store; 4.2 stars on Google Play

Earning potential: The site says motivated users can earn $100+ per month.

4. Get Paid to Play Games With Mistplay

Mistplay is a loyalty app for gamers. Play games, earn “units” and redeem them for gift cards, including a Visa gift card that works like cash. The app is available for both iOS and Android users.

Gift cards are approved within 48 hours, and the minimum to cash out is $5. Keep in mind there’s a $550 annual payout cap.

Key features:

• Variety of free games
• $5 cashout minimum with fast approval
• iOS and Android availability
• Highly rated in both app stores

Earning potential: Earnings vary based on gameplay. Most users treat this as a slow-and-steady earner rather than a primary income source.

5. Earn Money Back on Every Purchase With Rakuten

Rakuten is the go-to cashback app for online shoppers. Browse 3,500+ stores through the Rakuten app or browser extension and earn a percentage back on every qualifying purchase. Examples include 12% back from Sephora and Chewy.

The catch: Payouts are quarterly. You’ll need at least $5.01 in cashback to receive payment via check or PayPal. If you want to compare Rakuten to other options, our cashback apps guide has you covered.

Key features:

• 3,500+ partner retailers
• App, browser and browser extension options
• Quarterly PayPal or check payouts
• Free to use

Earning potential: Depends on your shopping habits; shoppers who use Rakuten consistently can earn $100+ per year.

6. Make Extra Cash Through InboxDollars

InboxDollars has been paying users since 2000, making it one of the most established platforms in this space. You can earn cash (not points) for taking surveys, playing games, shopping online and reading emails. For a deeper look at the pros and cons, check out our InboxDollars review.

New members get a $5 bonus. The first cashout minimum is $15, then it drops to $10. Payouts are processed via PayPal or gift cards within about 10 business days.

Key features:

• Cash earnings (not points)
• $5 sign-up bonus
• Surveys, games, shopping and email tasks
• Owned by Prodege, the same company behind Swagbucks

Earning potential: Survey payouts typically range from $0.50 to $5, according to the site.

7. Scan Receipts for Cash With Ibotta

Ibotta makes it easy to earn cashback on groceries and everyday purchases. Before you shop, browse available offers in the app and add them to your list. After checkout, snap a picture of your receipt (or link your store loyalty account) to claim your reward.

Ibotta works with 3,000+ retailers and says members earn an average of $218 per year. Once you hit $20, you can cash out via PayPal, Venmo or gift cards. 

Looking for more options like this? Browse the best cashback apps to find what fits your shopping habits.

Key features:

• Grocery and retail cashback
• 3,000+ partner stores
• $20 cashout minimum
• Free browser extension available

Earning potential: Casual users earn a few dollars per grocery run; frequent shoppers can add up to $261+ annually.

8. Take Short Surveys With Google Opinion Rewards

Google Opinion Rewards sends short survey notifications to your phone—most take around 20 seconds to complete. Surveys pay up to $1 each. iOS users receive PayPal payments automatically at $2; Android users receive Google Play credits.

It’s not a huge earner, but it’s extremely low-effort and backed by Google.

Key features:

• Quick, low-effort surveys
• Automatic PayPal payouts for iOS users at $2
• Backed by Google
• Available for iOS and Android

Earning potential: Surveys pay $0.10 to $1. Survey frequency varies by user.

9. Get Paid to Test Websites With UserTesting

UserTesting pays you to share your thoughts on websites, apps and products. You’ll record your screen and voice as you navigate through a test. Each test typically takes 10-20 minutes and pays $4 to $10 according to user reviews, which is higher than most survey platforms.

You’ll need to apply and pass a sample test to qualify. Payments are sent via PayPal 14 days after completing a test.

Key features:

• Higher-paying tests ($4 to $10 each)
• Interesting, varied assignments
• PayPal payouts
• Application and practice test required

Earning potential: Less frequent than survey apps, but each session pays more per minute of effort.

10. Earn by Renting Your Space With Neighbor

Got extra space in your garage, basement or backyard? Neighbor lets you rent it out for storage. Hosts earn an average of $100-$200 per month per storage space, according to the platform. 

This is one of the more hands-off ways to earn. If you want to understand the difference between earning like this versus active work, here’s a good breakdown of passive vs. active income.

Neighbor handles payments and provides host liability protection. Payouts are processed monthly.

Key features:

• Passive income from unused space
• Host liability protection included
• Monthly payouts
• Available across the U.S.

Earning potential: Varies by location and space size. Urban areas tend to command higher rates.

11. Turn Pet Love Into Income With Rover

If you love animals, Rover lets you earn money as a pet sitter or dog walker. Set your schedule, browse requests and accept the gigs that work for you. Rover handles booking and payments.

You’ll keep 80% of what you earn (Rover takes a 20% service fee). Payouts are available within two days of completing a service.

Key features:

• Flexible scheduling
• Dog walking, pet sitting and overnight stays
• 80% earnings retained
• PayPal or direct deposit payments

Earning potential: Rates vary by service and location; experienced sitters in major cities can earn $30+ per visit.

12. Freelance Your Skills on Fiverr

Fiverr connects freelancers with clients who need writing, graphic design, video editing, web development and more. You set your own rates, create a “Gig” and wait for orders to come in.

It’s free to sign up, but Fiverr takes a 20% commission on each transaction. Payouts can be sent to your bank account or PayPal after a brief clearing period.

Key features:

• Set your own rates
• Global client base
• Free to join
• Flexible hours and workload

Earning potential: Highly variable. New freelancers may start with lower-priced gigs before building a reputation. Top earners on the platform make thousands per month.

How to Maximize Your Earnings From Money-Making Apps

Using one app is great. Using a few strategically? Even better. Here’s how to get more out of your time:

• Combine apps for different purposes. Pair a rewards app like KashKick with a cashback app like Rakuten and a survey app like Survey Junkie. Each covers a different earning lane.
• Complete your profile surveys first. Most survey platforms (including KashKick) match you to better-paying surveys once your profile is filled out. It takes five minutes and directly affects how much you earn.
• Log in consistently. Some platforms reward daily logins with bonuses, streak multipliers or extra sweepstakes entries. Small habits add up fast.
• Take advantage of referral programs. KashKick’s referral program is one of the strongest out there. You earn 25% of your referral’s game and deals earnings. Sharing your link once can create ongoing passive income.
• Prioritize apps with clear earning expectations. If you can’t find out upfront what a task pays or how long it takes, that’s a red flag and a sign your time might be better spent elsewhere.

How to Spot Apps That Aren’t Worth Your Time

Not every money-making app delivers. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Unclear payout terms. If you can’t find the cashout minimum or payment methods on the app’s website before signing up, proceed with caution.
• Unusually high cashout minimums. A $50 or $100 minimum to withdraw is a common tactic to keep earnings locked in the platform.
• Gift cards only. Cash flexibility matters. Gift-card-only platforms limit where you can spend your earnings and make it harder to track their value.
• No verifiable reviews. Always check Trustpilot, app store ratings and Reddit threads. A pattern of payment complaints is a serious warning sign.
• Too-good-to-be-true claims. Any app promising hundreds of dollars per day for passive tasks is almost certainly misleading.

Learn how to spot financial scams before they catch you off guard.

The Easiest App to Start With Today

If you’re new to money-making apps and want something straightforward and proven, KashKick is one of the best places to start. It’s free, takes two minutes to set up and gives you a variety of ways to earn, so you’re never stuck doing the same thing over and over.

Play a game while watching TV. Take a quick survey on your lunch break. Claim a deal while you’re already shopping online. It all adds up, and once you hit $10, you’re paid through PayPal or Venmo in 1-3 business days.

The apps that pay you real money are out there. KashKick is one of the most reliable ways to get started.

👉 Sign up for KashKick for free and see how much you can earn.