money making apps

Tap for Cash! The Top 15 Money-Making Smartphone Apps of 2020

The popularity of smartphones has revolutionized how we live. Globally, there are 3.5 billion smartphone users and in the US alone 77% of mobile devices are smartphones. There is so much that we can do on our devices that their sales have outpaced computers.

Mobile phone applications cover the gamut and with the future of 5G expect bigger and better innovation to come to our mobile devices. 

Tech developers are constantly creating new applications to make life easier. We can pay bills, hang-out on social media, watch our favorite shows, and even earn a few bucks on money-making apps. 

The best part about apps is they make our lives so much easier. Instead of going to the bank we can snap a picture of a check and deposit it into our bank account without leaving the house. Can’t get there in person, video-call them and say it via FaceTime or Skype.

Now, you can even earn extra money from using certain apps. 

Are you looking for ways to start making residual income online? Keep reading for 15 apps to make money in 2020 using your smartphone.

What Are Money-Making Apps?

Money-making apps are applications created for mobile devices that allow users to perform actions that earn them extra cash to supplement their monthly paychecks. Some of these apps can be turned into a significant source of income. Others allow users to start their own businesses.

It is a bit misleading to say that all someone needs is a smartphone and they can make money. The reality is you will need to put in some work. It isn’t the same work you would put into a 9 – 5 job but it isn’t as simple as clicking a button.

The creators of apps that pay you aren’t in it just to give away money. They want something in return that will make them money also.

There is no such thing as free money so choose an app that requires you to do something you won’t mind doing in your free time. Here are a few to consider. 

1. Opinion Outpost

If you are someone who loves to give your opinion on a wide variety of subjects, Opinion Outpost is the money-making app you should try. They are looking for people to give their opinion on a wide array of products and services.

The user creates an account providing basic information. Next, you’ll be asked questions about yourself to give the app a sense of who you are. These questions are designed to create a user profile to determine which surveys are best suited to engage users.

The surveys are sent via email and users have the option to complete the survey or not. The account is activated once the first completed survey is returned. 

Survey takers do not earn cash immediately. Each survey is worth points. Once the user has earned enough points, they can be converted into cash and paid via a PayPal account.

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is another platform that allows the user to register for the program and earn money by taking surveys. Where it differs is they have their own search engine and to capitalize, you’ll need to turn off Google and set your browser to Swagbucks.

There are numerous ways you can earn money on the app. Let’s look at a few.

Do you love watching videos that pop-up on your social media newsfeeds? Swagbucks sends the user a variety of videos to watch and rate.

Swagbucks also pay users for referring their app and getting people to signup.

With the referral feature, you not only earn points when a friend registers and meets the requirements. You also earn a percentage of their earnings going forward.

Swagbucks is a fun money-making app that also lets users earn points by participating in competitions and completing daily goals.

Users can take the points they earn and exchange them for cash, payable through PayPal. The other option is to exchange points for gift cards to major retailers.

3. Poshmark

Poshmark takes the work out of taking clothes to a consignment shop and waiting for them to sell.

All those designer clothes taking over your spare bedroom doesn’t require a trip to the consignment store. Now you can snap a few pics and sell them through the Poshmark app.

Your items will reach buyers from many geographical locations. This increases your chances of selling significantly. The app offers what is called virtual selling parties.

Everything from marketing to making the purchase is done via the app.

Once someone places an order for the item, Poshmark creates a shipping label for the seller, packages the items and ships them to the buyer. 

Poshmark provides buyers a secure buying environment and also provides customer service. Another perk is their online social community that matches buyers and sellers.

4. Ebates

The Smart Shopper powered by Rakuten is more commonly known as Ebates. Rakuten uses the commissions they earn from sales generated on its main website to provide rebates under the Ebates website.

The rebates cover every retail industry and have great money-saving benefits at the top retailers in the country. Their tagline is quite simple, Shop, Earn, Get Cash Back.

To earn money, users must shop through the Rakuten website.

5. YouTube

Live streaming is taking over the world thanks to video streaming technology. One way people are making a lot of cash on money-making apps is via social media giant YouTube. The hardest part will be learning how to grow a YouTube channel audience to watch your content.

The YouTube app is downloaded to your mobile device. Anyone can go live on the app and pretty much talk about any subject. To earn cash you’ll need to become a YouTube Partner. This allows the platform to run ads on your content.

When viewers engage with the ads in various ways, you earn money. Another way to earn cash through the app is with its SuperChat feature. This is where viewers send money to the YouTuber to have their comment spotlighted.

Regardless of the amount, the channel earns 70% and YouTube gets 30%.

6. Paribus

Paribus is a money-making app purchased by Capitol One financial service company. The idea of the app is to save consumers money by offering price adjustments through large retailers like Amazon.

The way people make money is by getting a price adjustment on purchases they have already made. If you use the Paribus app and find a product you have already bought, they will negotiate a refund for the difference.

7. Decluttr

Forget about hauling all that stuff out of the garage and setting it out for a yard sale. There is no longer a need to put out signs to draw strangers to your home to skim through used merchandise laid out on tables.

With Decluttr you can sell that stuff from the convenience of their mobile app. You can sell CDs, Blue-Ray DVDs, electronic devices and even books.

Like Poshmark, the company provides the shipping labels and support customers with their in-house customer service.

You’ll earn the most money on gaming devices and games. The best part, payments go out quickly, usually the following day.

8. Bookscouter

Here is a money-making app that pays you for your old books. Don’t believe the hype, people still buy and read physical books. If you have some award-winning novels on your bookshelf in good condition, you can earn free money via the app.

It is also a good tool for college students trying to get a little cash back on costly books.

Bookscouter searches top book vendors to help users determine how much they estimate the book is worth. The user then decides which vendors to list the book with.  

You can expect payment one to three days after the book sells.

9. InboxDollars

Inbox Dollars match consumers looking to earn a few bucks, with brand name companies to participate in user activities. These activities include taking surveys, reviewing products and writing reviews.

Once a task is completed and submitted to the client, InboxDollars receives payment. They then share a portion of the payment with the user who completed the task.

10. Survey Junkie

The name Survey Junkie is self-explanatory. Spend time engaging with surveys on the app and you can make yourself some money. The surveys you receive are based on your user profile completed when you sign up.

Once you submit the completed survey you earn points that can later be converted into cash. 

Survey Junkie has been around for 15 years and helps 100s of thousands of users make some spending cash. It is one of the more reliable money-making apps on the market.

11. Airbnb

Airbnb is giving hoteliers a run for their money. If you have a rental property, extra room, mother-in-law suite, or a sofabed, look into this app to make money.

All you need to do is create an account and upload photos and a description of the rental property. 

Users enter their criteria into the app and when they rent your property they pay upfront. The renter is required to meet the standards of Airbnb but you can make a decent extra income if you provide a clean and attractive rental space.

Another profitable way to earn through Airbnb if you do not want to rent on a regular basis is to rent your home when big events like the Super Bowl are coming to your town.

12. The Harris Poll

If you are interested in politics and the laws that shape our lives, The Harris Poll will be of interest to you. Participants are paid to take surveys to gauge public opinion.

Leaders use this information to form opinions on policies that impact the public. 

13. Foap

It can be hard for a photographer to make a decent living if he doesn’t have a steady clientele. One way they can make money is by uploading their photos to apps like Foap. Users earn money when marketing agencies and people in need of photos and videos purchase their content.

With the number of bloggers increasing there is a bigger demand for diverse photos.

You don’t have to be a pro. A good camera and some awesome shots and apps like Faop can make you money.

14. Drive for Uber or Lyft

This isn’t a money-making app that allows you to earn cash from the comfort of your home but the app can earn you a decent living. 

If you love setting your own hours, traveling, and meeting new people, signing up for a rideshare app might be for you. Set your own hours, choose the areas you want to work in, and how often you want to work.

Platforms like Uber and Lyft are popular apps that have revolutionized an entire industry. It is a cost-saving alternative to taxi cabs and expensive car services.

Drivers are paid weekly for the trips that make and tips paid through the app. Sometimes a customer will pay the driver in cash so that can help tide them over. The important part is, drivers can earn as little or as much as they want.

15. DoorDash

DoorDash is another money-making apps that can create a second income. If you have a car but don’t want to transport people, try this food delivery service. 

It’s easy to register on the DoorDash app. They do not care about the age or type of vehicle you have. Scooters and motorcycles are okay.

The best part, before accepting an assignment you can see how much money you will earn for the delivery. 

Make Money!

We can’t guarantee you will make a boatload of cash using the money-making apps listed here. However, we can say they have proven to put some extra cash in the bank accounts of their users.

Did you find this article useful? Click here to take advantage of great resources designed to help you grow passive income online. 

About The Author

  • Andrzej says:

    A great idea. I once tried to do online surveys. It is a bit time-consuming, but you can use the time of travel by bus or train to work or school.

    • Nathan Lucas says:

      Yeah, It’s definitely time consuming, but for some people it’s their cup of tea. Thanks for stopping by the site.
      Nathan

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