58+ Smartphone Apps that Pay You

Get paid to do things you already do with these money making smartphone apps. 

I’m a big believer in getting paid to do the things you’re doing anyway, whether it’s shopping or watching TV. Although I don’t believe you can pay your rent or make a living with smartphone money, there is a lot you can do to save, get free stuff, and yes, make money with your phone, often doing things you’re already doing. Not only that, the number of apps that will pay you in money, gift cards and other rewards continues to grow. So as an update to the 2014 post on phone apps that pay, here is an even bigger list, with more cool stuff you can do to make money with your smart phone.

Because the list of apps that make money is extensive, I’ve divided it into several categories:

1. Shopping – These are apps that will save and earn money mostly through grocery or other shopping.
2. Surveys – These apps pay to to share your opinion.
3. Watch stuff – These apps pay you to watch TV, trailers or other videos.
4. Try Apps- These apps pay you to try new apps or games.
5. Lock Screen – These apps pay you to feed news, trends and promotions on to your lock screen.
6. Miscellaneous – These are everything else such as driving, taking photos, and microtasking.

Not all pay in cash, but those that don’t use a point system that you can redeem for gift cards at top retailers. Also, many of these apps require you to set your phone to geo-track you. That can be an advantage as some apps will give you a notification of savings or point potential of stores you’re in or around. But it does seem a little like “Big Brother.”

Most come in both iOS (Apple) and Android. A few include other options such as BlackBerry. Check your phone’s app store for the apps.

Money Making Apps that Give Savings or Pay for Shopping or Visiting Public Establishments

Checkpoints: Earn points by visiting your local stores, scanning the bar codes of certain items, taking quizzes or surveys, watching videos, referring other users and more. Available on iPhone and Android.

EasyShift: Pays via PayPal for tasks such as scanning a barcode, taking a photograph of displays, checking stock availability and more. Once you get the app, select a “Shift” in your area and complete it within the given time, usually 24-48 hours. Once the shift is completed, you’ll receive payment within 48 hours. It appears to be available only on iPhone at this time.

Field Agent: This is a microwork-type site except instead of doing work at home, you do tasks on the go such as checking stock availability or prices, mystery shopping, and surveys. Pays in money. It appears to be available only on iPhone at this time.

Gigwalk: Register and get the app, then take on assignments that interest you. Assignments can include just about anything such as getting menu information, checking road signs, and more. Pays in money. App available on both iPhone and Android.

Ibotta: Is a shopping app for iPhone and Android. Before going shopping, select a store to see what items offer rewards. Do a couple of tasks related to the items you want to purchase, then go shopping. When you purchase the items, you earn cash back. You need to take a picture of your receipt to verify purchases (this is difficult if you have a long receipt – my recommendation is to have Ibotta products on a receipt separate from your other purchases). Once you’ve earned $5, you can have it deposited into your PayPal account. You can earn more by referring other users.

iSecretShop: This is a secret shop job portal that is web or app based.

Jingit: Earn cash while you shop. Also can earn by watching videos or taking surveys. iOS and Android

Mobee: Get paid to mystery shop. Find a mission near you, review as you’re out and about, and earn cash, gift cards and prizes. iOs and Android.

MobiSave: Earn money back on your grocery shopping. Shop at your regular stores and get payment in PayPal account within 24 (no minimum threshold to get paid). iOs and Android.

Punchcard: Snap picture of your receipt from shopping to earn points that you can redeem for gift cards, contest entries, or give to charity. iOS and Android

Receipt Hogs: This company collect receipts to learn about consumer buying trends, which means you can shop anywhere and buy anything. When you’re done shopping, take a picture of your receipt, send to Receipt Hog and earn “coins” that can be paid through PayPal or with an Amazon gift card.

Receipt Pal: Works like Receipt Hog, in that you scan your receipt or send an e-receipt to earn points to get gift cards.

Rewardable: Get paid to do tasks such as scan a barcode while you shop. Earn cash and rewards. iOs and Android.

Shopalong: Complete tasks while out and about to earn immediate rewards, typically $5 to $50 (according to the site). iOS and Android

Shopkick: Is actually a shopping app designed to help you find great stuff at the stores you visit, but it also rewards you with free stuff and “ShooKicks” that can be redeemed for gift cards. You can also do small jobs such as scanning a bar code to earn “Shopkicks”. Finally, refer your friends for more “Shopkicks.” App available on iPhone and Android.

Shrink: Buy brands you love, discover new brands, share brands and earn cash, freebies and more. Pays through PayPal and Venmo. iOS and Android.

Thrive: If you like organic, non-gmo products, you’ll want the Thrive app, where you can order and have items delivered. Many items cost less than their non-clean competitors. Thrive also offers a $25 referral bonus for sharing with your friends.

Wal-Mart Savings Catcher: Scan your Wal-Mart receipt and if the app finds a lower price on something, you’ll earn the difference back in a reward card.

Yaarlo: Earn gift cards by shopping in your favorite stores or online.

Apps to Make Money on Surveys

Global Test Market *: Take surveys and earn cash and rewards.

Google Opinion Rewards: Share your opinion and earn credits you can use in the Google Play Store.

IdeaShifters: Get paid for your opinion. Take surveys to earn points that can be redeems for giftcards. iOS and Android.

i-Poll Take surveys for cash, gift cards and entry to win $10k. iOS and Android

i-Say*: Take surveys and give your opinion to earn points that can be redeemed for stuff. I-Say is also in Canada.

MySurvey: Take surveys and redeem points for money, gift cards, stuff and more.

Quick Thoughts: Take surveys for points toward giftcards. iOS and Android

Survey Mini: Receive a short survey when you visit restaurants and retail establishments (sort of like mystery shopping). Earn free stuff, discounts and points toward gift cards. iOS and Android

Surveys On the Go: Get paid to do surveys. Like all survey programs, you need to complete info and be meet the profile needs of the surveying company. Survey’s are a few bucks and payout is through PayPal with a $10 threshold. iOS and Android

The Panel Station*: Appears to be worldwide. Take survey and earn points for cash and rewards. iOS and Android

Toluna: Take surveys and test products. Win gifts and cash. iOS and Android

Vindale: Get paid $2 for signing up. Pays in cash, up to $50 per survey.

* Apps with an asterisk have international options as well. Don’t miss WAHS post on making money with surveys, that includes more survey companies including international survey sites.

Phone Apps that Pay You Watch TV or Videos

AppTrailers: Watch app trailer vidoes and earn points towards reward cards. iOS and Android

Instant Rewards: Get paid cash and rewards to watch app trailers, like pages on Facebook and more. iOS and Android.

Media Insiders: Earn points for giftcards or cash by watching TV. Android

Viggle: If you like TV and music, this is the app for you. Download the app (iPhone and Android) and then “check in” whenever you sit down to watch TV. Viggle can even tell you what’s on. You can also earn points when listening to music using song match, doing surveys, becoming a “fan” of shows, and referring friends. There is a social component that allows you to connect with other fans. Redeem points for electronics, trips, gift cards or entry into sweepstakes.

Phone Apps that Pay to Try New Apps

Appdango: Earn points to exchange for gift cards to your favorite retailers just by testing apps. Android only.

App Down: Try out new apps and get points that can be redeemed for cash (PayPal) or gift cards. Earn more by referring others. iOS and Android

Feature Points: Test free apps and earn points towards gift cards or cash (PayPal). iOS and Android

FreeMyApps: Try new apps and games and earn gift cards. iOS and Android

Gift Wallet: Earn points for doing tasks, usually downloading an app. Redeem points for gift cards or cash payment through PayPal. iOS or Android

Mobile Rewards: Earn points for downloading and testing an app for 30 seconds. Points can be redeemed for gift cards.

MyCrowd: Get paid to test apps. Also pays for website testing.

ShowBox: Get paid for playing games and trying other apps.

Review for Dev: Get paid to review apps. Payment varies depending on whether you supply a text, video or text/video review.  Appears to be iOS only.

Tap Cash: Try apps and earn points for gift cards. Android

Phone Apps that Pay for Using Your Lock Screen

Adme: Lock screen app for Android.

Fronto: Lock screen app that pays in cash (PayPal), gift cards or coupons.

Locket: Change your lock screen to view news, trends and promotions. Android only.

Slide Joy – Earn cash to set your lock screen to show news, trends and promotions. You can get paid through PayPal or donate your earnings to a cause. Android.

Phone Apps that Pay for Miscellaneous Activities

1Q: Answer a question and earn $0.50. Apparently you can earn more by using one of the apps. iOS or Android.

FOAPGet paid for photos.

GrabPoints: Earn points for surveys, watching videos, etc. Redeem points for gift cards or cash (PayPal). Earn more points by referring friends. iOS, Android, Amazon, Website

Gym Pact: Get paid to keep your commitment. Whether you want to exercise more, eat better, or any other healthy living improvement, you can get paid for meeting your goals. However, you’re paid based from those who don’t meet their goals. If you don’t meet your goal, you’ll end up paying in. It’s a great way to motivate you to achieve your goals. iOS and Android

Perk: Offers a variety of apps that will pay you do stuff like watch videos or play games. Pays with giftcards, cash rewards and prizes.

Qustodian: Get paid a percentage of the advertisers cost to view ads. Most mobile devices.

Roamler (European Countries): Get paid to do tasks.

Smart Panel: This app works in the background, collecting data that is used to “help your favorite websites, apps, and technology companies improve their services and features for everyone.” Sounds invasive, but you get paid $5 for qualifying and $5 a month for continuing to run the app. Plus you get a bonus every 3 months.

Snapwrire: Get paid for photos and videos

Survey.com: Despite the name, this app pays for people to visit stores to do a variety of tasks such as set up displays, take inventory and more. iOS and Android

Swagbucks: This program has been around for awhile and is popular among couponers and mom bloggers. It’s an online program, but it does have iPhone and Android apps. Earn 30 swag points just for registering and earn more by completing tasks such as watching a video, responding to surveys and more. You can redeem your swag bucks for gift cards at places like Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target and more.

Task Rabbit: Get paid to do tasks including cleaning, handyman, personal assistant and more.

The Ride App: To be honest, I’m not sure of the purpose (i.e. why they want your mileage info) of this app or the source of money, but basically, this app will track the miles you travel by foot, car, bike, skateboard, etc and give you “Ride Points” that you can redeem for gift cards. It appears to be for iPhone only.

Zoozz: Cloudsourcing tasks app similar to Task Rabbit.

Do you know of any other apps that pay?

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