If you’ve ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone during lunch breaks or late at night, it’s time to turn those moments into money. Thanks to a growing number of legit mobile apps, you can now make money online in your spare time — without needing a laptop, special skills, or a big upfront investment.
From paid surveys and micro tasks to freelancing gigs and digital product creation, these apps allow anyone — students, stay-at-home parents, or side hustlers — to earn real cash with just a smartphone and internet connection. Whether you’re looking to earn a few extra dollars each week or start building a passive income stream, these opportunities are accessible, flexible, and beginner-friendly.
In this guide, we’ll cover the 10 best apps to make money online, all of which you can start using today — even if you only have a few minutes here and there.
1. Swagbucks (Paid Surveys, Videos, and Cashback)
Swagbucks is one of the most widely used and beginner-friendly apps to make money online directly from your phone. It allows you to earn “SB points” by completing a variety of micro tasks such as answering surveys, watching short videos, using their built-in search engine, shopping online through partner stores, and even playing games.
This app is ideal for anyone who wants to earn passive income in their free time — no professional skills or upfront investment required. Whether you’re commuting, waiting in line, or just relaxing, Swagbucks lets you monetize your spare moments.
- Payout options: PayPal cash, Amazon gift cards, Walmart, and dozens of other retail options
- Why it’s great: Extremely user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and available in countries like the U.S., Canada, UK, India, and more
- Bonus tip: Check out their daily “To-Do List” feature for extra SB point bonuses, and don’t miss limited-time Swag Codes on their Facebook page
For those who are new to online earning, Swagbucks is a top pick among legit survey apps that actually pay. With consistent use, many users hit their first $5–$25 payout within a few days.
Helpful guide: Top 10 Highest Paying Survey Sites That Actually Pay in Cash
2. ySense (Surveys and Micro Tasks)
ySense is a global survey and micro-tasking platform that lets you earn real cash through your smartphone. Unlike many apps that are region-locked, ySense is available in over 100 countries — making it a great choice for international users who want to make money online without restrictions.
With the ySense app, you can:
- Take paid surveys from research companies
- Complete small online tasks (like signing up for websites, testing apps, or watching videos)
- Earn referral bonuses by inviting friends
- Participate in daily polls for extra cash
It’s easy to navigate and doesn’t require any technical skills, which is why it’s so popular among students, stay-at-home parents, and side hustlers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Payout options: PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer, or gift cards (Amazon, iTunes, and more)
- Why it’s great: Accessible worldwide, includes multiple ways to earn, and supports low-payment thresholds
Helpful tip: Be sure to check their “Offers” tab — many high-paying tasks are hidden there, including cashback offers and free trials.
Want more beginner-friendly methods? Read: 10 Legit Ways to Make Money Online Without Any Investment
3. Fiverr (Freelancing for Creatives, Writers, and More)
If you’ve got a skill — no matter how simple — you can turn it into income using the Fiverr app. Fiverr allows anyone to offer freelance services (called “gigs”) directly from their phone, making it one of the easiest ways to start freelancing online.
Whether you’re good at graphic design, writing, voiceovers, social media captions, or even translating languages, there’s likely someone out there who’s willing to pay for your services.
Here’s why Fiverr works so well for beginners:
- You don’t need prior experience to get started
- You set your own prices, starting at $5 per gig
- The mobile app makes it easy to manage orders, messages, and delivery on the go
- You can offer multiple gigs to test what sells best
Many freelancers start part-time and grow their profiles over time to make hundreds or even thousands of dollars monthly.
- Payout options: PayPal, direct deposit, or Fiverr Revenue Card
- Why it’s great: Flexible, scalable, and beginner-friendly with global client reach
Tip: Start with a low-cost gig ($5–$10) to build reviews quickly. Once you have a few 5-star ratings, you can raise your prices confidently.
Related Read: Top Online Platforms to Start Earning Money as a Beginner
4. Canva (Sell Digital Products You Design)
Canva isn’t just a graphic design app — it’s one of the best tools for creating and selling digital products online, especially for beginners. With the Canva mobile app, you can design printables, social media templates, eBook covers, planners, and even digital resumes — all without needing advanced design skills or expensive software. It’s perfect for turning your creativity into passive income, and you can do it all from your phone, making it an ideal side hustle for busy people or those just starting out.
Many creators are using Canva to design and sell:
- Printable planners and journals on Etsy
- Instagram templates on Gumroad
- Digital business cards, resumes, or eBook covers on Payhip
Once created, these products can be sold over and over again without additional work — making it an ideal passive income stream.
- Payout options: Sales via Etsy, Gumroad, or Payhip
- Why it’s great: No design degree needed, and you can manage everything from your phone
Tip: Use trending keyword research on Etsy or Pinterest to figure out what kind of digital products are in demand.
Related Read: Best Digital Products to Sell Online for Passive Income
5. Remotasks (Micro Jobs and AI Training Tasks)
Remotasks is a mobile-friendly platform that pays users to complete small online jobs — many of which are used to help train artificial intelligence. From labeling images and transcribing short audio clips to moderating content and categorizing data, these tasks are straightforward and require no prior experience. All you need is a smartphone, internet connection, and a bit of time.
Before you begin, you’ll take a short online training (accessible via mobile) to get familiar with the task formats. Once approved, you can start working and earning right away — even during your commute or coffee breaks.
Popular task types on Remotasks include:
- Image annotation (bounding boxes, segmentation)
- Audio transcription and categorization
- Data collection for machine learning
- Content moderation tasks for social media algorithms
It’s one of the best micro tasking apps for beginners who want to earn online without investment and build real-world skills in the process.
- Payout options: PayPal (weekly payments)
- Why it’s great: Flexible work schedule, beginner-friendly AI training tasks, and global availability
Related Read: How to Make Money with AI Tools as a Beginner
6. Toloka (Mobile Micro Tasks with Instant Cashouts)
Toloka is a crowd-sourcing platform developed by Yandex that lets users earn money by completing simple tasks right from their phone. These tasks include checking if websites load correctly, identifying objects in images, evaluating search engine results, and more. It’s perfect for anyone looking to make money online in their spare time — no technical skills required.
One of Toloka’s biggest advantages is how quickly you can start. After a basic onboarding, you’ll immediately gain access to dozens of micro tasks. Most tasks take just 1–3 minutes to complete, and payouts are surprisingly fair compared to similar apps.
Popular Toloka tasks include:
- Image categorization and validation
- Web search evaluation
- Audio transcription or sentiment tagging
- App testing and feedback tasks
If you’re consistent, it’s possible to earn $5–$15 a day depending on the tasks available and your speed — all from your phone.
- Payout options: PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill (minimum cashout as low as $0.02)
- Why it’s great: Instant access to tasks, fast cashouts, and international support
Bonus Tip: Pair Toloka with Remotasks or ySense to diversify your micro-income streams and maximize your daily earnings.
7. Prolific (Academic Research Surveys)
Prolific is a survey platform that connects you with real academic researchers from universities around the world. Unlike traditional survey sites, Prolific focuses on high-quality, well-structured studies — and the pay reflects that.
Each survey is reviewed for clarity and fairness before it goes live, so you’re not wasting time on spammy or repetitive questions. Most studies pay between $1 to $5 and take just a few minutes to complete. Many users report earning $50 to $150 per month in their spare time.
What makes Prolific stand out:
- Higher pay per minute than most survey sites
- Ethical research standards
- Interesting, thought-provoking questions
- No disqualifications mid-survey — if you start, you finish
While there isn’t a native mobile app yet, the mobile-friendly website works seamlessly on your smartphone browser.
- Payout options: PayPal (once you reach the £5 minimum)
- Why it’s great: Legitimate academic research with fair compensation and a clean user interface
Want more survey options? Compare with Swagbucks and InboxDollars to find your best fit.
8. Google Opinion Rewards (Quick Surveys from Google)
Google Opinion Rewards is one of the simplest and most user-friendly ways to make money online with your phone. Developed by Google itself, this app sends you short, multiple-choice surveys based on your recent activity, locations visited, or general interests.
Each survey usually takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and you can earn anywhere from $0.10 to $1 per response. While the payouts may seem small, they add up quickly — especially if you’re checking your phone a few times a day.
Here’s why it works well:
- Reliable source: Developed and maintained by Google
- Efficient: Surveys are short and quick to complete
- Passive income: No need to actively seek tasks
- Privacy-conscious: You choose how much information to share
If you’re in the U.S., U.K., or other supported countries, you can redeem your earnings as PayPal cash. In other regions, you receive Google Play credits which can be used for apps, games, and subscriptions.
- Payout options: PayPal (select countries), or Google Play credits
- Why it’s great: Ultra-fast surveys, trustworthy platform, and consistent notifications
Related: Top 10 Highest Paying Survey Sites That Actually Pay in Cash
9. TaskRabbit (Get Paid for Local or Remote Tasks)
TaskRabbit connects you with people in your area who need help with everyday tasks — from assembling furniture and moving boxes to virtual tasks like data entry or online research. It’s perfect if you want to turn your free time into real hourly income using just your smartphone.
The app allows you to create a profile, list your skills, set your rates, and start receiving task requests. You can accept tasks that fit your schedule, making it flexible and great for part-time earners.
Popular tasks include:
- Local: Grocery delivery, cleaning, furniture assembly, minor home repairs
- Virtual: Online research, spreadsheet cleanup, data entry, scheduling help
What makes TaskRabbit unique is its mix of hands-on and remote tasks, so you’re not limited to a screen. The app handles everything from client communication to payment processing, so you can focus on doing the work.
- Payout options: Direct deposit to your bank account
- Why it’s great: Higher hourly rates than most apps, good for both physical and digital skills
Pro Tip: If you’re offering virtual services like admin support or writing help, you can cross-post your services on freelancing platforms like Fiverr to maximize your exposure and bookings.
Related: How to Turn Your Skills Into an Online Income Stream
10. InboxDollars (Earn Cash for Surveys, Videos, and Emails)
InboxDollars is a versatile app that pays you for doing everyday online activities like watching videos, reading emails, answering surveys, and even playing games. It’s a great way to earn passive income from your smartphone during spare moments — like commuting, waiting in line, or relaxing on the couch.
What sets InboxDollars apart is its wide range of tasks, giving users multiple ways to earn. It’s especially appealing to beginners because it doesn’t require any technical skills or previous experience. You get paid real cash, not points, and there’s a $5 sign-up bonus just for joining.
Common ways to earn on InboxDollars:
- Watching video playlists (news, cooking tips, entertainment)
- Reading promotional emails and clicking through offers
- Completing short surveys for market research
- Playing sponsored games or trying out new apps
- Payout options: PayPal, eCheck, or gift cards
- Why it’s great: Easy to use, consistent earning potential, and cash—not points
Tip: To increase your earnings, download the InboxDollars app and turn on notifications for new survey invites and special bonus tasks.
Related: 10 Legit Ways to Make Money Online Without Any Investment
Making money online doesn’t require a full-time commitment, technical skills, or expensive equipment — just your smartphone and a few spare minutes each day. Whether you’re taking surveys on Swagbucks, designing with Canva, freelancing through Fiverr, or completing microtasks with Remotasks, these apps offer practical and flexible ways to earn extra income on your own schedule. The key is consistency. Small wins like earning a few dollars per task can quickly add up and give you the confidence to explore even bigger opportunities online. With so many free tools at your fingertips, there’s never been a better time to start building a side hustle or passive income stream right from your phone. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore this guide: How to Make Money Online Using Just Your Smartphone and start turning your time into money — one tap at a time.