The internet is awash with side hustles and schemes promising ways to earn money online, both gift cards and cash rewards. While many of these gig or money-earning apps are legitimate, they often come with a catch where you have to buy something, link your bank account, or piss off (spam) all your friends and family.
If you actually like some of your inner circle and you’re not an influencer, there do exist actual legit and non-cringe ways you can earn rewards and this article covers the best free app opportunities.
Will you earn enough to pay off your mortgage or replace your 9-to-6 hustle? No. (Unless you only owe like $10 on your mortgage and in that case you can definitely pay it off with a good rewards app.)
But if you’re looking for easy, low-stress ways to earn an extra $100 every month, this article’s featured apps are also solid options. This list mixes well-known heavyweights with lesser-known gems to give you plenty of ways to earn.
Why trust me? I’m Stacy, a Minnesota mom (moms don’t like unless it’s good for you) with over a decade of experience in retail, market research, and loyalty marketing, including 9 years at InboxDollars and Prodege (Swagbucks). I’ve personally tested 100+ side hustles like Poshmark, Mercari, Fetch Rewards, Stash, Acorns, Mistplay, and Uber Eats. I know legit ways to earn online—and I’m here to help you find them.
Let’s dive in!
1. Ibotta
Ibotta is a great cashback app for groceries and other supermarket goods when you shop at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, and hundreds more.
You snap a picture of your receipt and then upload it on your phone, or you can link your Ibotta account to your loyalty account (i.e., Target Circle) so that you don’t have to remember to submit the receipt.
It’s a little bit like coupons but in reverse. Instead of saving $0.50 for trying a new brand of dishwasher soap, Ibotta might have an offer where you earn a $0.50 cashback rebate for buying a featured brand or product. There are hundreds of offers on Ibotta, with the line-up always changing. And you can even earn bonuses just for uploading your receipt or completing special shopper missions.
You can cash out directly to your bank account, PayPal, or snag gift cards for your favorite stores.
What makes it great:
- Easy to use for things you already buy.
- Fast payouts to your bank account, PayPal, or gift cards.
- Regular bonuses for referring friends.
Keep in mind: You need a $20 balance to cash out ($25 for some gift card rewards), but that’s pretty doable if you’re grocery shopping weekly. Additionally, you need to log in to the app and “save” offers before you can earn rewards for redeeming them.
2. Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) turns your online shopping addiction into passive income. With cashback deals from thousands of stores, it’s like finding free money scattered all over the internet.
The free Chrome browser extension makes it easy to claim rebates. You don’t need to remember to log into Rakuten first; just shop as usual online and if there’s a cashback deal available Rakuten will alert you and you can claim the rebate with a click.
Rakuten excels because of its wide range of retailers, from big-box stores to niche boutiques. It features more merchants than other cashback shopping platforms and usually has the highest rewards. Seasonal double cashback events can lead to surprising savings if you time your purchases right. I’ve been able to snag as much as 20% off at high-end department stores or even 25% to 30% off around Cyber Monday or President’s Day.
Pro tip: Stack Rakuten with store-specific promo codes for maximum savings.
What makes it great:
- No receipts—just shop through the app or browser extension.
- Seasonal double cashback events add extra savings.
- Big bonus for signing up ($30 for new users at the time of writing).
Keep in mind: Cashback isn’t instant. You get paid quarterly, so patience is key.
3. Swagbucks
If earning money for surveys, games, and coupons sounds too good to be true, Swagbucks is here to prove you wrong. It’s the OG money-making app, and it’s still going strong.
Swagbucks gives you plenty more ways to earn, like shopping online (cashback rebates), searching the web, trying samples, scanning grocery receipts, or even signing up for an investment account (which I’ve done; it takes about 3 minutes).
You can dive into surveys (some are shockingly entertaining), play games, or rack up points while shopping. One underrated feature? Daily goal streaks that give you bonus points for consistent use.
What makes it great:
- Tons of earning options, from surveys to shopping rewards.
- Earn small SB (point) rewards for survey disqualifications. (One of the only survey apps to offer this thank-you-for-trying bonus.)
- Gift cards start at $3 (or 300 SB), making it beginner-friendly.
- Referring friends earns you extra Swagbucks (SB) and is a fairly easy way to earn passive income (a few dollars a month).
Keep in mind: Surveys can be hit or miss. I like to start with the surveys and then move on to other ways to earn in the app like games or offers on the Discover page.
4. KashKick
KashKick is like the cash-only version of Swagbucks. Instead of earning SB points, you accrue rewards in dollars and cents. It has many of the same games and offers as Swagbucks and many of the offers or earning activities pay more on KashKick. Users are paid directly through PayPal.
What sets KashKick apart is its straightforward interface. There’s no guessing how much you’ll earn—offers spell it out clearly. While some tasks are as simple as watching short videos, others might involve downloading and trying an app or reaching a specific level in a game. For the latter, pick games you actually enjoy.
What makes it great:
- Low cash-out threshold of $10.
- Offers pay up to $360, which adds up fast.
- Simple layout that’s easy to navigate.
Keep in mind: Some offers require payment, such as reaching a certain level in the game and making an in-app purchase, or making a deposit in a new bank account.
5. Upside
Driving a lot? Or just paying a lot for gas? Upside rewards you for your gas station loyalty—or lack thereof. Just pay with Upside (link a card in the app) and you’ll earn cashback or “gasback” rebates.
While it started as a fuel-saver app, Upside has expanded to offer you rewards for grocery shopping, dining out, or filling your tank. It’s one of the best apps to easily earn money on the go for things you’re already doing.
Before you check out at the grocery store or pull into the gas station, check in the app for featured rewards. Just take a picture of your receipt and submit it, or if you are using Upside Pay, there’s no need to turn one in.
According to its website, the average user earns $290 a year using Upside and the app has paid out over $800 million in total rewards.
What makes it great:
- Works at most major gas stations and many national and regional grocery stores and restaurants
- Cashback offers range from 5-25 cents per gallon.
- Redeem your earnings once you’ve reached $10 to *$20
- Withdraw earnings via PayPal, bank deposit, or gift cards.
Keep in mind: Offers vary by location, so some areas may have fewer deals. Also, make sure to claim any featured rewards that you want to use.
*Most members can cash out at $10, but in the terms and conditions, Upside says it can set the threshold at $20
6. Freecash
A lesser-known app, Freecash pays you for completing surveys, trying new offers, playing games, and other small tasks. While it’s not as well-known as other featured money-earning apps, many Freecash earners make up to $10 a day. It’s similar in function to Kashkick or Swagbucks.
The design and feel of Freecash let you know it’s built for a younger Gen Z audience. It stands out with its daily leaderboard, gamer-first vibe, and low payout thresholds. Users can cash out once they’ve accrued at least $0.50 in cash.
What makes it great:
- Fast cash-outs (as low as $0.50) via PayPal, crypto, or gift cards.
- Daily leaderboard rewards add a competitive edge.
- Plenty of high-paying offers.
Keep in mind: Some offers are time-sensitive, so stay active to maximize earnings.
7. Premise
Premise pays you for snapping photos, answering questions, or completing surveys about your local area. Think of it as a discovery app where you can get paid to explore, or as their App Store listing puts it: Turn your point of view into a payday.
The app is especially great for city dwellers, where tasks are more abundant. You might be asked to snap a photo of a menu, check store hours, or report on the condition of a public park. It’s like being a secret agent with a camera.
What makes it great:
- Payment in cash, not points.
- Tasks are usually quick and fun, like photographing storefronts.
- Ideal for people in urban areas with lots of assignments.
Keep in mind: The app does not publish its payout methods or minimum balance required to withdraw earnings. A Reddit thread suggests that gift card and payout methods are continually changing, as well as the redemption threshold.
8. OfferUp
Got stuff collecting dust? OfferUp lets you sell it locally or ship it nationwide. It’s a great way to declutter and earn cash without creating an entire eBay empire.
What makes OfferUp so appealing is its simplicity. Snap a photo, add a description, and boom—it’s listed. Whether you’re selling furniture, electronics, or that weird gift from your aunt, there’s likely a buyer nearby.
The app has a local focus, although you can choose to ship to sellers nationwide. If you’ve ever been burnt by a buyer on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp is a more secure alternative. Buyers pay upfront so you know they are in earnest and are not going to no-show after you’ve taken down the listing.
The seller fees on OfferUp are fairly low compared to other resale apps. There’s no fee to list, but for any sale, the seller pays a 12.9% commission to OfferUp or a $1.99 fee, whichever is greater.
Pro tip: Price your items slightly higher to leave room for negotiation. People love to haggle (seriously, they want to quibble over quarters) and you might as well profit from their enthusiasm.
What makes it great:
- No investment—just snap a photo of your item and list it.
- Free to use, with optional shipping or promotion fees.
- Buyers are local, so you can skip shipping if you want.
Keep in mind: If you prefer to sell to a broader, nationwide audience, consider Mercari. The app does not charge any seller fees; those are passed on to the buyer. However, the app does charge payment processing fees, direct deposit fees, and PayPal transfer fees.
9. Receipt Hog
Turn your receipt hoarding into cash with Receipt Hog. Just upload photos of receipts, and you’ll earn points redeemable for Amazon gift cards, a prepaid Visa card, or PayPal cash.
Receipt Hog doesn’t discriminate—you can upload receipts (digital or paper) from almost anywhere, whether it’s a grocery store, gas station, or your favorite takeout spot. Points or “coins” rack up slowly but steadily, and there’s even a fun slot machine game where you can win bonus coins.
Additionally, as you submit more receipts, you can unlock survey-earning opportunities.
While it won’t make you rich, it’s a nice way to earn something from purchases you’d make anyway.
What makes it great:
- Works for almost any receipt, from grocery stores to gas stations.
- Fun slot machine feature for bonus points.
- Low effort—just snap and upload.
- Easy to cash out—minimum is $5 (1,000 coins)
Keep in mind: You can link your loyalty account (i.e., Target Circle or Walmart Plus) to your Receipt Hog account so the purchases are automatically logged and there’s no need to manually submit the receipt.
10. Field Agent
Field Agent is like a secret shopper app, paying you for completing small assignments like checking prices or taking photos in stores.
Field Agent offers a mix of online and in-person tasks, so you can earn whether you’re on the go or chilling at home. Tasks, called missions, vary. Missions may include buy and try, customer service audits, eye spys (collecting display details and UPC barcodes), scavenger hunts, ratings and reviews, and more.
The U.S. Field Agent page does not specify a pay range, although a 2018 Money Pantry review article states that most missions pay between $3 and $12.
What makes it great:
- Some assignments can be completed entirely online.
- A fun way to earn while at the grocery store.
- Payment options are limited to a bank deposit (ACH) or a linked prepaid card.
Keep in mind: Top-ranking information on Field Agent is dated or inaccurate (get it together, Google!). Also, FieldAgent.net is the USA site but the South African or Australian often shows up higher in the AI and Google Search results.
11. Neighbor
Got a little extra space in your garage, basement, or even your driveway? Neighbor lets you rent it out to people in your area who need affordable storage. Think of it as the Airbnb of storage units. Whether it’s boxes of seasonal decorations, furniture, or a canoe, Neighbor connects you with people looking for secure storage without the hefty costs of traditional facilities.
What makes it great:
- Earn passive income with space you already have.
- Flexible terms—you choose what to store and how long.
- Covered by a $1 million host guarantee for added peace of mind.
Keep in mind: You’ll need to be okay with strangers’ stuff taking up your space, and it’s important to communicate any rules or restrictions (e.g., no storing flammable materials).
12. Task Rabbit
If you’re handy, organized, or just good at running errands, TaskRabbit can turn your skills into cash. This gig platform is a giant freelance marketplace with a local focus. It connects you with area locals who need help with furniture assembly, snow removal, yard work, hanging holiday lights, spring cleaning, box removal (a.k.a. the ghosts of Amazon purchases past), painting, and more.
As another great perk, there are no seller fees! TaskRabbit charges a 20% fee to customers who purchase your services (incentivizing you to keep using TaskRabbit to book work).
There is, however, a one-time Tasker fee of $25. You can easily make this back within one task. This is to ensure the taskers who sign up are serious about earning through the app and are not going to flake out or no-show on customers who book their services.
What makes it great:
- Set your own rates and choose the tasks you want to do. I’ve seen fully booked Taskers charging $75/hour for yard cleanup.
- Wide variety of gigs, from simple errands to skilled labor.
- Work when you want—perfect for fitting around your schedule.
Keep in mind: In my area, there’s more demand (people hiring taskers) than supply (taskers hiring out their services), but this isn’t the case everywhere. If you live a few hours from a major metro area, it may make sense for you to line up several tasks there over a weekend and get a cheap hotel room or Airbnb.
Final thoughts
These money-earning apps prove that making extra money doesn’t require a big investment—or even leaving your couch in some cases. Whether you’re snapping photos of receipts, selling old clothes, or putting your college-perfected IKEA assembly skills to work, there’s something here for everyone.
So, pick a few apps, give them a try, and start earning. It’s not going to replace your day job, but the featured apps offer a way to make an extra $100 to $1,000 a year with minimal effort, or even $10,000+ a year with a bit of grit and grind.
And it’s not a one-or-none game. You can stack together two or more of these money-earning apps to maximize your earnings.
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