With so many passive income apps out there, how do you know which ones are worthwhile? We did the research for you. Here are the top 18 apps that can help you generate income on the side.
Passive income apps can be a great way to make extra money on the side. It can help boost your income on top of your day job or serve as a starting point for starting your own business.
With so many passive income apps out there, how can you know which ones are worthwhile for extra income and which ones are a waste of time?
We’ve compiled an extensive list of tried and tested passive income apps that actually work. Give a few of these passive income ideas a try and slowly add more as you get more comfortable.
Jump to:
- What does passive income mean?
- The best passive income apps to start earning extra cash
- Even more passive income ideas
What does passive income mean?
There’s always something new to learn when it comes to building passive income. Because passive income is such a buzzword, it seems only right to provide a small caveat about what we mean when we say “passive income apps.”
It’s very unlikely any of the passive income apps in this list will make you a millionaire overnight with no effort.
While many people use the word “passive income” to describe a wide spectrum of potential revenue sources, in this article, we’ll stick to apps that allow you to make money on the side from activities you’re presumably already doing on a regular basis (driving, shopping, using your phone, etc.)
Not all of these passive income apps are 100% passive. They all require minimal investment and, over time, can supplement your income.
The best passive income apps to start earning extra cash
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is still one of the easiest ways to make extra money, but it’s important to note that while surveys offer a quick way to earn, they do require active participation. Users can take surveys that typically take only a few minutes, allowing them to earn during downtime. Additionally, Survey Junkie now offers the “Surf to Earn” program, where users can passively share their digital behaviors in exchange for rewards, making it a more flexible option for earning extra cash.
Google Opinion Rewards
The Google Opinion Rewards App is a simple way to earn a little extra money, typically in the form of Google Play Store credits or via PayPal, depending on your region. You can use these credits to purchase books, movies, apps, and more from the Google Play Store. The app sends you surveys based on your location, browsing history, and other interactions with Google services, like watching YouTube videos or using Google Assistant. Since these activities are part of your daily routine, you can effortlessly earn rewards by sharing your opinions with Google and their partner companies.
HoneyBook
HoneyBook is a all-in-one management platform, so you might not think it can help with passive income opportunities. But there are a couple of ways you can leverage HoneyBook as a passive income app to supplement your income.
First, if you’re an independent that uses HoneyBook, we offer a referral program that gives you up to $200 cash for each referral that joins using your unique referral link. Many members have seen success by simply including their referral link in their social media bios, promoting them on their website, and even offering their link to clients.
If you’re a business owner, you can also leverage HoneyBook to create projects and manage your client journey. Automate your lead response and streamline your entire clientflow.
When using your HoneyBook contact form, you can embed one on your services landing page. When someone fills it out, the app will automatically send an invitation to book without you lifting a finger.
With little effort, HoneyBook can help you bring more money in!
Creative Market
If you’re a creative person, a little upfront work can have a huge payout and big long-term dividends with sites like Creative Market.
Learning how to make money on Creative Market by selling digital products such as design templates, fonts, Procreate brushes, or even stock photos can generate continuous revenue with minimal ongoing effort. While creating these products initially takes time, once uploaded, they can be sold repeatedly, providing a steady income stream. Creative Market is ideal for designers, illustrators, photographers, and other visual creatives looking to monetize their talents.
By focusing on high-quality, niche products and promoting them effectively, you can turn your creative passion into a profitable passive income stream.
Society 6
Another great way to make passive income is to sign up for an app like Society 6 where you can license your work for extra revenue.
Society6 is a popular platform for artists to earn passive income by selling their artwork on various products like prints, home decor, and accessories. The process involves uploading high-quality designs, which are then applied to a wide range of products. While licensing your work through Society6 allows you to create it once and earn from it over time, it’s important to note that the earnings per sale can be relatively low. To help maximize your income, it’s recommended to actively promote your products through social media and engage with the Society6 community to attract more customers. With consistent effort, you can build a steady stream of passive income from your creative work.
Fluz
If you’re searching for a way to earn passive income through cashback on your everyday purchases, Fluz is a great app to consider.
Fluz allows you to earn cashback rewards by purchasing gift cards from popular retailers, which you then use for your purchases. But what sets Fluz apart is its unique “network” feature. When you refer friends to join Fluz, you earn cashback every time they make a purchase. Plus, when those friends invite others, you also earn from those purchases, creating a potentially large and passive income stream. With the ability to earn up to 35% cashback at certain stores and the potential to build a vast network, Fluz offers a compelling way to maximize your earnings and earn real money.
Swagbucks
If you spend a lot of time shopping online or doing a wide range of anything on the Internet, then you could be missing out on additional income from the passive income app Swagbucks.
Swagbucks rewards you for doing things you already do, like shopping on Amazon, watching YouTube videos, and even searching the web. You earn points, known as SBs, which can be redeemed for gift cards to your favorite retailers or converted into cash via PayPal. With a wide range of activities to choose from, including taking surveys, playing games, and scanning receipts, Swagbucks is an easy way to make some extra passive money during your downtime.
Fiverr
If you’re willing to do small tasks on a regular basis, Fiverr may be one of the passive income apps to check out.
Fiverr and sites like Fiverr allow their users to offer customers various services, known as “gigs,” at different price points. When customers find and purchase your services, you complete the work and get paid. Fiverr is ideal for those looking to turn a side hustle into a reliable source of income without committing to a full-fledged business. To maximize passive income on Fiverr, focus on offering easily repeatable services with minimal effort, such as designing templates, writing simple content, or creating digital assets that can be resold multiple times.
Instacart
If you ever pick up groceries for your family or significant other, why not make a little extra when you take those trips to the grocery store?
With the Instacart app, you can pick up grocery orders from local stores and deliver them to customers in your area. The app notifies you of available orders, and you can accept the ones that fit your schedule. As a full-service shopper, you’ll earn money for each order you complete, with the potential for tips on top of your base pay. Instacart allows you to set your own hours and work as much or as little as you like, making it a flexible option for earning extra income on your own terms.
Ibotta
Ibotta is a popular cash-back app that rewards you for making everyday purchases, whether in-store or online.
Before you shop, browse through Ibotta’s offers and add the ones that match your planned purchases. After buying the items, simply upload your receipt or link your store loyalty account to receive cash back, which can be redeemed for gift cards, direct bank deposits, or PayPal. You can also link your debit card to the app to make the process even smoother and more automatic. New users can also take advantage of a $5 to $20 sign-up bonus, depending on the current promotion. With Ibotta, earning cash back is easy and can quickly become a valuable addition to your savings strategy.
Fundrise
No list of quality passive income apps would be complete without exploring the world of real estate, and Fundrise is an excellent option for those looking for real estate investments without the overwhelming costs.
Fundrise pools funds from users to invest in a diversified investment portfolio of real estate assets, including commercial and residential properties, with a minimum investment of just $10. Through Fundrise, you can earn passive income from rental payments, interest, and potential property appreciation. However, it’s important to note that these investments are best suited for long-term growth, as withdrawing funds early can incur penalties.
Betterment
Investing in the market is a classic way to generate passive income, and Betterment makes it easier than ever to get started.
Whether saving for a specific financial goal or investing as a way to financially plan for your future, Betterment’s automated platform helps you invest without requiring extensive financial knowledge. You can choose from a variety of pre-built portfolios based on your goals and risk tolerance. Betterment also offers tax-efficient tools, like tax-loss harvesting, to help you maximize your returns and minimize unnecessary taxes. If you’re already saving money in a bank account, consider setting some aside in Betterment to start growing your wealth over time.
Honeygain
Honeygain is a creative and easy way to earn passive income by sharing your unused internet bandwidth.
Once you install the app on your device, Honeygain runs in the background, using your excess internet connection capacity to help companies with data collection and other tasks. In return, you earn money based on the amount of data you share. It’s a simple setup: just install the app, let it run while you browse the web, and start collecting earnings. This passive income app turns your unused internet resources into cash with minimal effort on your part.
Fetch Rewards
If you’ve got a lot of mouths to feed, you know that groceries can take a massive bite out of your monthly finances (pun intended).
With Fetch Rewards, simply download the app, shop as usual, and then scan your receipt to earn points. These points can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers. It’s an effortless way to get rewarded for everyday purchases, turning your grocery shopping into a small but steady stream of passive income.
DoorDash
If you find yourself eating out a lot, you may want to think about signing up for food delivery passive income apps like DoorDash.
DoorDash is a food delivery app that allows you to earn money by delivering takeout to people in your area. While not entirely passive, DoorDash offers flexibility—you can choose when to accept deliveries, making it a convenient side hustle. Whether you’re running errands or heading home from work, you can pick up and deliver orders along the way, earning a small fee for each delivery. It’s a simple way to make extra money during your free time.
Capital One Shopping (formerly Wikibuy)
If you shop online frequently, Capital One Shopping can help you save money by finding better deals. Although it’s not technically passive income, this browser extension and app automatically compares prices across various retailers when you shop online. It will notify you if it finds a lower price, allowing you to save money without extra effort. Over time, these savings can add up, making it a valuable tool for regular online shoppers. Additionally, you can link your credit card to the app for more seamless shopping and to track savings effortlessly.
Nielsen App
Known for its famous TV and radio ratings, Nielsen is one of the leading media research companies in the world.
Once you install the Nielsen app, it runs in the background, collecting data on how you use your smartphone, tablet, or computer. This data is aggregated and used for market research. The more data the app collects, the more rewards you earn, which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. It’s a passive way to earn a little extra income just by installing the app and continuing your daily activities.
Native
If you’re interested in getting paid to share your data, habits, and behavior with companies you shop with, then Native is another great option when it comes to passive income apps.
The Native app can send you location-based tasks, such as visiting a specific store or taking a photo of a product display. In return for completing these tasks, you receive payments or rewards. It’s a straightforward way to earn extra income, especially if you’re already out and about. The tasks are designed to be quick and easy, making it a convenient option for those looking to monetize their daily activities.
Neighbor
If you’ve got an unused basement, garage, or shed that’s sitting empty, then you should sign up for Neighbor, the peer-to-peer storage sharing app.
With Neighbor, you can list your available space, set your price, and start earning passive income as others pay you to store their belongings. This platform offers a more affordable alternative to traditional storage units, making it attractive to renters, while providing you with a hassle-free way to monetize extra space in your home.
Even more passive income ideas
Naturally, this list of passive income apps only scratches the surface of what’s possible when it comes to potential earnings via passive income. There are hundreds (probably thousands) of passive earning methods—including some you’ve never even considered—so the only thing stopping you from making (or saving) a few hundred dollars each month is your own creativity and go-getter attitude.
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