Did you know you can grow your income with your smartphone? Mobile apps in the United States generate about $143 billion every year. If you need a side hustle, you can get paid to install apps on your Android or iOS device. The best part is that you download various apps for free and earn gift cards, cash, and coupons.
In this article, we'll share our favorite platforms that pay you for downloading apps. Also, you will discover how to make the most money out of those apps.
Got time? This is a full list of trusted and legit apps you can download to earn money at the comfort of your home.
Mistplay
Mistplay is an android app that rewards you for downloading apps. After downloading, you can do tasks in the app that will award you even more points, such as:
- Spending time in the app.
- Completing a quest in the app.
- Spending in-game currency (optional but gives you lots of points).
Real users have said they've earned about $20 in just over a month with the app. One game can take about 5 minutes to complete.
Afterward, you can redeem points as retail gift cards such as Amazon, PayPal and Google Play cards. MistPlay allows withdrawals when you hit the minimum of $5 in earnings, which equates to 1,500 points.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars operates on Android and iOS gadgets. You need to take surveys, watch videos, and play games to earn money. This app also offers coupons for different products. The highlight is getting $5 when you sign up and confirm your details. Also, you can shop online and enjoy about 1.5% to 18% cashback on various items. InboxDollars rewards in real cash, and not points.
Alternatively, you can enjoy gift cards at the following outlets:
- Amazon
- Netflix
- Target
- Walmart
- H&R Block
You can withdraw a minimum of $30 from PayPal. Online surveys last for 3 minutes to 25 minutes, and you get to earn about $0.50 to $5. You can watch videos and read emails for $10 to $20 within ten minutes or less. So, in one month, it’s possible to add an extra $600 to $1,200 to your bank account.
InboxDollars requires you to register using your email and a strong password for payouts. Then, you can receive your gift card or cash within 48 hours of completing the offers.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is available for download to both Android and iOS users in the United States. You can sign up and earn a welcome bonus of $10 upon verification. Besides that, you can earn points by watching videos, taking surveys, and playing games. If you love shopping, Swagbucks offers a 10% cashback for the items you bought.
This money-making app features diverse gift cards, such as:
- Amazon
- Walmart
- PayPal
- Target
- eBay
- Uber
- Visa
You can withdraw a minimum amount of $3 when you redeem your points for different gift cards. Loyal members make about $600 to $1,000 worth of gift cards per month. Dedicate approximately 5 to 60 minutes to taking surveys or watching videos and earn rewards. Swagbucks is worth your time because you can fill surveys and make about $25 in twenty minutes.
Registration is free, but you can enroll in the Swagbucks Member Recognition Program for additional benefits. Typically, you will have double bonuses and more cashback.
Grab Points
You can download Grab Points and start a side hustle with an Android phone. The platform rewards you for watching videos, answering surveys, and completing offers. Referral programs that offer 500 points are available at Grab Points. Once you download the app and sign up, you receive gift cards such as:
- Steam
- Amazon
- Fortnite
- PlayStation Store
Besides that, you can get PayPal cash and withdraw a minimum of $3. Active users take home about $400 to $1,000 a month, depending on the tasks they undertake. In addition, you can earn about $1 per survey, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The best part is that the turnaround time for your money is 48 hours.
You need to sign up for Grab Points at no charge to access the benefits. After that, you can log in with Facebook, email, or Google. Also, a PayPal account is vital to cash out your payment.
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is available for both Android and iOS users across the United States. Essentially, you get paid to download the app and take surveys. Upon registration, you will enjoy a sign-up bonus of 150 points. You can convert points into cash and withdraw via PayPal.
Here are the types of gift cards you can expect at Survey Junkie:
- Amazon
- Target
- Groupon
- iTunes
- Starbucks
- Sephora
- Walmart
The minimum amount you can withdraw from Survey Junkie is $5 or 500 points. You might take home about $3.75 per hour if you deploy the right strategies. This amount might be about $700 to $1,200 per month. One survey takes about 1 to 20 minutes, attracting 10 to 90 points.
For effortless payouts, register with your email. You will also receive notifications when the site has the perfect surveys for you.
AppKarma
Android and iOS users can download AppKarma for free and generate an income from it. Earn rewards when you install the app and reach level 10 as per the requirements. Once you confirm your registration, your account gets credited with 300 points as a welcome package. Also, you can share your referral links with your loved ones and get 30% of their earnings. Karma Plays come with bonus points when you complete offers.
AppKarma has the following gift card options:
- PayPal
- Amazon
- iTunes
- Google Play
The minimum payout in AppKarma is $5 or 6,000 points. You’ll withdraw roughly $500 to $900 in cash or gift cards per month if you are an eager player. Remember that you can also receive scratch cards and win other prizes when you play games. You need about 4 minutes to complete an offer: thus, this app is worth your time.
You will need to create an account by signing up at AppKarma. Plus, you can level up to the VIP referral program if you have a solid social media presence for more profits.
Boom Gift
Boom Gift operates on both Android and iOS gadgets. You can download this app for free and earn a welcome bonus worth $5. Other ways to make money include playing games, taking surveys, and watching videos. In addition, Boom Gift comes with a 30% referral reward and 5 points.
This platform has arrays of gift card rewards such as:
- PayPal cash
- Google Play Store
- Steam
- Amazon
- Apple iTunes
The minimum payout in Boom Gift is $5. In a month, you can make about $300 to $800 if you are proactive in completing tasks and referring people. Boom Gift is worth your time because you earn $3 per survey, which takes 10 minutes or less.
Boom Gift doesn’t require you to register at all. You only need to download the app and head straight to the “Earn points” section to do tasks. The platform will need your email address to send you gift cards.
FeaturePoints
You can use FeaturePoints on your Android or iOS device. You get paid to download different apps, play games, watch videos, and fill surveys, for starters. You can also share your referral link with friends and get up to 50% of their points. In addition, FeaturePoints offers 1% to 10% cashback on products you shop for via the platform.
After that, redeem your points on gift cards such as:
- Xbox
- Starbucks
- Amazon
- Bitcoin
- PlayStation
- PayPal
- App Store
- Walmart
- Gap
- Sephora
FeaturePoints allows you to withdraw a minimum of $3 in cash or gift cards. Suppose you have extra time on your hands, leverage referrals, and earn about $300 to $600. This app is worth your effort and time since you receive $3 within 10 minutes. Besides that, you can try an offer that comes with a scratch card valued at 50,000 points.
Payouts are accessible once you download FeaturePoints and sign up using your email. Also, you should verify your email for notifications and important updates.
App Flame
Android and iOS users can download App Flame from their respective stores. This free platform offers you money to install and play fun games. In addition, when you refer friends and family to the site, you can generate revenue. Rewards are in the form of virtual coins or Mcoins. What’s more, there is a welcome bonus of 4,444 coins upon registration. You can withdraw the money via PayPal.
App Flame has the following gift cards for its members:
- Walmart
- Google Play
- Steam
- Amazon
- PlayStation
- BestBuy
- Starbucks
Once you play two or three games, you can cash out a minimum of $0.5 or 4,999 coins. So, App Flame helps you make about $100 to $200 per month. Plus, you can optimize a 25% referral offer from your loved ones and get more coins. In 30 minutes to 24 hours, you can take home about $5 after playing your favorite games.
You must sign up via email or Facebook to access your payment. The leveling system in App Flame increases your earnings when you join the program.
CashPirate
CashPirate is available for Android phone users only. You get paid to install apps and earn 500 points once you register. What’s more, you can play fascinating games, take surveys, and complete offers for some bucks. A referral program gives you 10% of your friend’s earnings. You can recharge your prepaid mobile once you accumulate 1,800 coins.
Gift cards accessible at CashPirate include:
- Amazon
- Visa
You can withdraw a minimum of $2.50 via PayPal. Within one hour, you might earn $10, thanks to multiple tasks. An offer goes for 100 to 200 coins, depending on whether it’s a survey or game. If you are committed, you can make about $350 to $500 per month.
With CashPirate, you have to sign in using your email. However, this app is reliable for earning extra money, provided you can access the internet. The referral program has two levels with an additional 5% commission.
Important Things to Consider Before Installing Apps
Before installing the above apps on your phone, there are crucial factors to consider, such as:
Privacy and data security
Money-making apps should be secure because you might need to use your PayPal account as an encashment method. SSL encryption ensures your data remains confidential and third parties don’t access your details. Always check on Google Play Store or App Store if the app is Play Protect certified.
Memory on the device
Some applications might take up tons of space in your phone. If you download the app from Google Play Store or App Store, the size is displayed in MBs. App Flame, for instance, needs 1 RAM of your phone.
Reviews
Reviews help you decide on which app to download. Information from other users and Google ratings are essential in finding the right app.
Payout requirements
Not all apps require sign-in to start making money. Boom Gift, for example, doesn’t need a log-in. However, if you lose or damage your phone, you won’t earn from your referrals anymore. So, you might have to redo the process altogether.
How Do You Make The Most Money By Downloading Apps?
Money-making apps provide you with bountiful benefits to earn cash and gift cards doing fun things. It’s easy to give up if you aren’t making a lot of bucks. Thankfully, you can utilize the following hacks and tricks to maximize profits:
Remain strategic
Join multiple apps to make more money when starting on this endeavor. For instance, if an app pays you about $50 per month, sign up for 4 more apps and earn $200 or more. Then, after a while, you can stick to one or two apps with high payouts like Swagbucks and InboxDollars.
Be proactive
Apps that pay you to play games or fill surveys require proactivity. What does this mean? You should dedicate your time to these tasks to yield profits. The best part is that you get to engage in exciting activities for cash.
Get organized
Open a new Gmail account to receive app updates and news. Also, block some time in your schedule to participate in surveys or watch videos.
Monitor your progress
Track your success every day to figure out how much you are earning. You can use a spreadsheet to list the apps, the number of hours you work, and profits. These stats will assist you in improving on the weak areas.
The Bottom Line
Downloading any of the above apps is free and easy. You might need to register via email, Google, or Facebook to access most applications. If you are zealous enough, you can cash out about $100 to $1,200 every month. Fortunately, you don’t need educational background or experience to complete tasks and earn money.
For top earnings, dedicate about 5 hours a day to filling surveys, watching videos, and playing games. You can earn about $4 per hour in one app, amounting to $20 or more each day. In addition, some apps offer you instant welcome bonuses in cash once you sign up: hence, they’re worth your time.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
