Earning extra money doesn’t always have to require clocking into a second job or giving up your evenings. Passive income apps make it possible to earn cash and rewards while going about your everyday routine.

Now, it’s worth noting that the traditional definition of passive income is fairly limited. For example, Capital One defines passive income as “money earned without actively working for it.” Examples cited include rental income and income from royalties (think: photos, books, music, etc.).

But passive income apps have opened up more passive income opportunities for anyone who has a phone. These apps allow you to make money while doing the things you’d normally do: shopping online, browsing the internet or even exercising.

KashKick, for example, rewards you for playing games, trying new products and services, taking surveys, and shopping online. In other words: You can give your free time a raise. As soon as you collect $10, you can cash out.

Whether you’re brand new to the world of passive income or you’re looking to level up, use this guide to explore some of the best passive income apps, their pros and cons, and more.

How People are Earning Passive Income with Mobile Apps

Passive income apps are designed to reward users for completing activities they’d already be doing or for allowing certain features to run automatically on their devices. 

Active vs Passive Income

The alternative to passive income is active income, which requires active participation. Let’s compare examples of both.

Passive income activities include:

• Cash-back shopping
• Data sharing
• Selling digital products or content
• Renting out assets
• Investing (though there’s no guarantee you’ll earn income)

Active income activities include:

• Taking surveys
• Playing games
• Gig or freelance work
• Scanning receipts for cash back

You’ll find that many of the best apps to make money offer both active and passive ways to earn.

How Passive Income Apps Make Money

Like many rewards apps, passive income apps generate revenue through a variety of streams, including:

• Advertising partnerships
• Affiliate or referral commissions
• Market research data
• Brand promotions

A portion of the money they earn then gets passed back to you. KashKick is all about transparency and explains why members get paid.

How Much You Can Earn With Passive Income Apps

When it comes to earning money online and in your free time—whether it’s through an active or passive income app—it’s important to set realistic expectations. These apps won’t replace a full-time job, but they can add some wiggle room to your budget or allow you to treat yourself.

Best Passive Income Apps

When it comes to passive income apps, it’s important to find one (or two or three) that fits your habits and comfort level. 

1. KashKick

KashKick pays members for completing simple online activities, like taking surveys, trying out new apps and shopping online. As soon as you earn $10, you can cash out through PayPal, for a gift card or make a donation. Payments are processed in just 1-3 business days.

With KashKick, you can pick and choose how it fits into your day. Think of it as giving your free time a little raise!

Want to learn more? Check out this KashKick review from The Penny Hoarder.

Pros:

• Multiple ways to earn that are both active and more passive
• Clear, transparent earnings ($1 Kash = $1 USD)
• $10 cashout minimum
• Earn cash through PayPal
• Only 1-3 days to receive payment
• Lucrative referral program
• Highly rated on Trustpilot, App Store and Google Play

Cons:

• Only available in the U.S.
• Offers may change

👉 Start earning with KashKick.

2. Acorns 

Acorns is an app that makes investing easy—so much so you can get started with your spare change. Here’s how it works: Link your debit and/or credit cards. Each time you make a purchase, Acorns will round it up and invest the spare change once you collect $5. 

It adds up faster than you might think, and like any good passive income app, you don’t have to think about it. But do note: With investments, there’s no guarantee you’ll make money. So while this is a great way to start investing for the future, you might want to choose an app like KashKick if you’re looking for some extra cash now.

Pros:

• Set it and forget it
• Easy to use and low barrier to entry
• Additional features include IRAs, checking accounts and more

Cons:

• Not guaranteed income
• Limited investment choices (so you can’t pick individual stocks to invest in)
• Subscriptions start at $3/month

3. Ark7

Owning rental homes is a classic form of passive income—but what if you can’t afford to buy a condo or don’t want to deal with managing property? That’s where an app like Ark7 is handy. It allows you to invest in shares of rental homes starting at $20, and you’ll get monthly distributions sent straight to your account!

Pros:

• Truly passive income with automatic monthly distributions
• No hidden fees (note that Ark7 does keep a small percentage of funds to help cover property sourcing and management expenses)
• AI plus local expertise are used to source the best investment opportunities
• Extra savings and tax benefits get passed to investors
• Good Trustpilot rating and Reddit reviews

Cons: 

• Requires investing upfront (and, like any investing platform, returns aren’t guaranteed)
• U.S. only
• Minimum holding period

🥷 KashKick ninja tip: Right now, sign up for Ark7 through KashKick and purchase your first share of $100 or more to earn a $40 KashKick reward. Remember, the minimum for payout on KashKick is just $10!

4. Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping offers multiple ways to save—and you don’t have to be a Capital One customer to use it! You’ll install the browser extension and download the mobile app, which will search for online coupons, better prices and rewards. When you earn rewards, you can redeem them for gift cards. (Sorry, no cash earnings on this one!)

Pros:

• Great tool for frequent online shoppers
• Free and not required to be a Capital One cardholder
• Highly rated iOS and Android apps

Cons:

• Only available in the U.S.
• Rewards are for gift cards only

5. CoinOut

CoinOut (as seen on “Shark Tank”) rewards members for submitting their receipts (both paper and digital). For each receipt, you’ll get 10-50 coins based on your level. Once you earn 3,000 coins, you can cash out $5 for an Amazon gift card or, once you level up, a gift card of your choice or Venmo. (More details on the tiers here.)

Pros:

• Easy to use and accepts any receipt within 14 days
• Highly rated apps (iOS and Android)

Cons:

• Low earnings per receipt
• Limited to gift cards initially
• You’ll share your purchase data (which is fine if you’re comfortable with that!)
• Lower Trustpilot rating
• Uses a points system, which isn’t the easiest to convert

6. Fetch Rewards

Fetch is a well-known cash-back app that makes earning rewards for your shopping pretty passive! All you have to do is shop through the browser extension or app, or connect your email to share your digital receipts automatically. As you shop, you’ll earn points, which can be exchanged for gift cards.

Pros:

• $3 minimum to cash out
• Get rewarded for every receipt (no category limits)
• Highly rated apps

Cons:

• Offers gift cards only (no cash options)
• Low base earnings (25 points per receipt)
• Uses a points system
• Lower Trustpilot rating

7. Honeygain

Did you know you can actually sell your unused internet? Honeygain helps you earn money by sharing the internet you’re not using. You’ll install the app, and it simply works in the background as you use your device normally. You can earn 10 cents/GB. According to the site, most users earn $5 to $20 a month.

Pros:

• Truly a passive way to earn money
• No technical skills required
• Can be used on more than one device
• Highly rated on Trustpilot 
• Does not collect personal data or browsing history 
• Good referral program

Cons:

• $20 cashout minimum (unless you want crypto)
• Earnings aren’t consistent and depend on demand
• There may be fees to cashout

8. Ibotta

Ibotta is a well-known cash-back app for grocery shopping, but it’s a little less passive than some other options. Before you head to the store, you’ll add offers to your list, then, after checkout, submit a picture of your receipt. Once you earn $20, you can collect your earnings. You can also find offers on clothing, health and beauty products, gas, and more.

Pros:

• Good for grocery savings
• Works with many stores
• Cash out via PayPal or direct bank deposit (or gift cards)

Cons:

• Cash back on specific products/brands
• Requires manually activating offers
• Higher payout minimum at $20

9. Mistplay

If you’re a gamer, did you know you can get paid for your game time? Mistplay rewards users “units” as they advance through various game levels. These units can then be redeemed for gift cards or cash through PayPal. You won’t make a fortune, and it isn’t the most passive app, but it’s a decent way to earn small rewards for something you already do.

Read our Mistplay review and explore some alternatives.

Pros:

• $5 minimum to cash out for gift card (or $10 for PayPal)

Cons:

• Confusing points system that’s not easy to convert to cash
• Not the most passive option on this list

10. MobileXpression

When you install the MobileXpression software on your phone, it’ll monitor how you use the internet and, in turn, reward you with credits. Exchange those credits for digital gift cards. Once you’ve had it for a week, you’ll get a $5 Amazon gift card.

Pros:

• Truly a passive income app

Cons:

• Typically low earnings
• Will need to feel comfortable sharing your internet usage details
• Lower Trustpilot and Google Play ratings
• No iOS app

11. MyPoints

MyPoints rewards users for completing various tasks like playing games, taking surveys and shopping online. You then exchange points for gift cards. 

Pros:

• Variety of ways to earn (though not all are the most passive)
• Get points even if you get disqualified from surveys

Cons:

• Unclear cashout minimums and tricky points system
• Takes up to 10 business days to process cashout requests, according to the site

12. Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel

Join a Nielsen panel to earn up to $60 each year in reward points for gift cards. Nielsen is a professional research company, so when you sign up on your computer, smartphone or tablet, it’ll collect insights on your usage. You don’t have to change a thing—just go about your day to day and earn rewards.

Pros:

• Passive after sign-up
• Good Trustpilot ratings (4.2 stars)
• Legit, established company

Cons:

• Should be comfortable sharing your data
• Slow to earn

13. Rakuten

Over on Rakuten, you’ll find promo codes, coupons and cash-back offers. In other words: Online shoppers could benefit! Next time you shop online, head to Rakuten to find the store and any cash-back offers, then shop through the portal. Once you collect $5 in cash back, you can cash out for an instant gift card or quarterly cash payment.

Pros:

• High cash-back rates for online shoppers
• $5 cashout minimum
• Stackable offers/savings
• Easy to use and highly rated

Cons:

• Can take up to 14 weeks to confirm cash back
• Limited earning opportunities outside of shopping

14. Robinhood

Robinhood is a popular investing app because it doesn’t charge commission fees on stocks, ETFs and their options. Pick and choose how you want to invest your money with the aim of earning dividends. Don’t count investing as a quick way to earn a few bucks. Your best bet is to invest over the long term.

Pros:

• Commission-free trading
• Offers fractionable shares making it easier to invest in expensive stocks
• Positive reviews and well-known platform

Cons:

• Dividends aren’t guaranteed

15. Survey Junkie

Like it sounds, Survey Junkie is a survey for money site, but it also has a feature called Surf to Earn. Here’s how it works: Install Surf to Earn on up to three devices for 100 points each. Then, the tool will track the pages you visit, products you shop, ads you see, apps you use and device information for market research purchases.

In addition to the points you earn when you install it, you’ll also get a 50-point monthly bonus and access to 50% more high-paying surveys. Once you earn $5 (or 500 points) on Survey Junkie, you can request a payout.

For more details, including real user reviews, check out this Survey Junkie guide.

Pros:

• Once you install Surf to Earn, you’re done!
• Low cashout minimum at $5
• Quick payout processing (1-3 business days for PayPal)
• High app ratings

Cons:

• Must be comfortable sharing your online activity
• Lower Trustpilot rating (3.8 stars)

16. Shopkick

Shopkick might not be as well known as some of the other shopping apps on this list, but it’s a fun one. With Shopkick, you can earn points (or “kicks”) when you upload receipts, watch videos and shop through the app. You can also earn points just walking into a store (no purchase necessary).

Pros:

• Receive rewards quickly
• Low $2 payout minimum required
• No purchase necessary in some cases

Cons:

• Lower ratings on Trustpilot (3.8 stars) and Google Play (3.8 stars)
• Uses a points system (250 points = $1)
• Location-dependent deals

17. StormX

Into crypto? Instead of earning cash back on your purchases, it’s possible to earn crypto with StormX. Download the app or Chrome extension, shop at one of 1,000+ online stores, activate your reward and checkout like normal. Once you earn $10 or more, you can withdraw your rewards into your crypto wallet.

Pros:

• Good for those who want to earn crypto
• Easy to use at hundreds of stores

Cons:

• Limited information online (but this is a pretty comprehensive review)

18. Swagbucks

With Swagbucks, you can earn points (called “SB”) when you complete surveys, play games and earn cash back on your purchases. The most passive opportunity is the cash back you can earn when shopping online!

Check out this write-up on whether Swagbucks is legit or not for more intel.

Pros:

• Earn through a variety of tasks
• Highly rated on Trustpilot, Google Play and Apple App Store

Cons:

• Higher cashout minimum ($15)
• Points system can feel confusing and slow
• Higher cashout minimum for PayPal (vs. gift cards)

19. Sweatcoin

Get paid to walk. Sweatcoin rewards users for their steps. The more you walk, the more Sweatcoins you can earn. Exchange the in-app currency for goods, services, gift cards, donations or crypto. This is a fun passive income app, but don’t expect to earn cold, hard cash. 

Pros:

• Get rewarded for healthier habits
• Easy to use

Cons:

• No cash earnings
• Mixed reviews

20. Tada

Tada helps users save on their everyday purchases and household staples. Add the extension to Chrome or download the app and activate cash back wherever you plan to shop. Scan your receipt to get rewarded for your purchase. 

Pros:

• Owned by reputable Prodege company
• High Apple App Store rating (4.5 stars)
• Earn cash or gift cards

Cons:

• Lower Trustpilot rating (3.6 stars) and Google Play rating (3.5 stars)
• Unclear minimum to cash out

21. Upside

Calling all commuters: Upside is a great tool for earning cash back on gas. Use the app to find a gas station offer near you, fill up, pay with your linked card, then collect your earnings. Aside from finding a gas station, it’s truly passive. You can also find cash-back offers from restaurants and grocery stores.

Pros:

• Stackable with credit card rewards or loyalty programs
• Quick payouts
• Highly rated on Google Play and Apple App Store

Cons:

• Higher cashout minimum at $15 (but you can cash out sooner—just may incur a fee)
• Location-dependent deals

🥷 KashKick ninja tip: KashKick is a big fan of Upside—so much so you can get a reward when you download the app through KashKick. Right now, you can score $10.25 when you download the app and upload your first receipt of $10 or more. (Note this is subject to change.)

How to Choose the Right Passive Income App

With so many options, it can be difficult to know which passive income app is the best for you. Our recommendation? Choose two to three to get started and base it off how you already spend your time—whether that’s playing games or shopping online.

You’ll also want to keep these tips in mind:

Know Your True Earning Window

To best understand how much money you can make with these apps, you’ll want to consider:

• Average earnings per task (or week/month)
• Cashout minimum
• Payout processing times

The key is to find apps that are transparent about your earning potential. For example, KashKick clearly outlines how long surveys take as well as their earning potential. With games, the platform provides a map of milestones, so you can see exactly what you need to do to earn your rewards.

Understand the Time vs Reward Tradeoff

You’ll notice some apps on this list require daily engagement while others are truly passive. Although the truly passive ones might sound more appealing, they might only pay $5 a month. 

Watch Out for Red Flags

With any money-making app, it’s important to be aware of scams. You’ll want to avoid any apps that:

• Charge upfront fees
• Promise unrealistic earnings
• Have negative reviews across platforms

Tips to Maximize Your Passive Income

Want to maximize your passive income? Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you explore these apps.

Automate Everything You Can

The set-it-and-forget-it approach is ideal when it comes to earning passive income. If you feel comfortable linking your cards, enabling tracking and installing browser extensions, this will save you time in the long run!

Use Multiple Apps Together

Try using multiple apps together. The key is to choose different ones. For example, try pairing an app like KashKick—which rewards you for games, surveys and shopping—with an investing app like Acorns and an internet sharing app like Honeygain. That way you have a good mix!

Take Advantage of Referral Rewards

Referral programs can really boost your passive earnings. For example, when you have a friend sign up for KashKick, you’ll earn 25% of each reward they earn from playing games and completing deals for life. 

Enable Background/Passive Features

Data-sharing platforms and browser add-ons can help you earn even more. Again, just make sure you read the platform’s privacy policy and that you feel comfortable sharing your info!

Start Using the Simplest Passive Income App

[KashKick product image]

If you’re looking for a truly easy and transparent way to start earning money for spending time on your phone (like you already do!), then KashKick is the way to go. It’s easy to use, has a low payout minimum and allows you to get rewards quickly. You can also switch back and forth between games, surveys and deals—so you’ll never get bored and can always keep earning!

👉 Become a KashKick member for free.