Jessie Moore has been writing professionally for nearly two decades; for the past seven years, she's focused on writing, ghostwriting, and editing in the finance space. She is a Today Show and Publisher's Weekly-featured author who has written or ghostwritten 10+ books on a wide variety of topics, ranging from day trading to unicorns to plant care.
Inflation is up … Yet wage increases have been unimpressive. You need more money. But who has the time (or energy) to take on another job?
There are plenty of money making apps that promise to generate extra income without sacrificing too much of your precious time. But which ones are actually worth your time?
In this article, I took the time to vet several of the top money making apps and give you my honest, unfiltered opinion.
Let’s jump to it.
Best Money Making Apps in 2025
Bottom line:
It’s hard to go wrong with a company that helps you earn money doing things you already do….
- Both Acorns and Ibotta shine. Acorns allows you to “round up” purchases and automate your investing; Ibotta helps you earn shopping rebates.
- CIT Bank has a high APY, making it one of the best money-making apps out there. Even without investing, you could earn income from interest.
- If you have a larger account and a little time, Masterworks has impressive historical returns. Crowdstreet stands out as a great option for accredited investors.
At-a-Glance: Our Favorite Money Making Apps
Regardless of your budget or personal style, there’s probably a money-making app out there that’s perfect for you. Here are some of our favorites at every price level:
App | What is it? | Minimums + fees | How much can you make? |
|---|---|---|---|
Banking app | $5,000 for the Platinum Savings Account; $100 for the Savings Connect Account | 4.7% APY for the Platinum Savings Account; 4.35% APY for the Savings Connect Account | |
Real estate, private credit, and venture capital investing app | $10 Minimum | 0.85% Management Fee for real estate funds | 0.15% Advisory fee | Many earned 7-20% average returns (2019-2021) | |
Ibotta | Cashback/rebate app + Chrome extension | $0 or $3.99/month (Inactivity Fee) | ~5%-30% Expected returns |
Investment app with AutoSave & Round Up features | $5 Minimum | Pricing Starts $3/month | ~7% Expected returns | |
Alternative investment platform | $0/$8 per month | 1.25% + Misc Fees | ~5.4% Expected yield | |
Rakuten | Cashback/rebate app + Chrome extension | Free | ~1%-20% Expected Returns |
Residential rental real estate | $100 | ~3.2%- 7.2% in dividends + ~4% home appreciation | |
Crowdstreet (Accredited investors only) | Commercial real estate | $25,000 Minimum | 1-2 % Annual Fee | ~19.2% |
Rocket Money | Money + financial management app | $0 or $3-$12/month (added features) + $2 Maintenance fee for Non-members | Save > $750/year |
Small businesses | $100 Minimum Investment + Small fees for equity raises & fringe cases | Target returns of 10%-25% | |
Fine art | No minimum | Investors have realized annualized net returns of 17.8%, 21.5%, 35% | |
Swagbucks | Eclectic rewards program | $3.99/month | ~$1 to $5 a day |
CIT Bank
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $5,000 for the Platinum Savings Account; $100 for the Savings Connect Account
- How much can you make? 4.7% APY for the Platinum Savings Account; 4.35% APY for the Savings Connect Account
If you want to start earning passive income but don’t know where to get started, a high-yield savings account is a strong start.
If you’re not familiar with HYSAs, let me explain the magic. On the one hand, you have a “traditional” savings account. The average interest rate? Between 0.45 and 0.58%. If you have $10,000 invested, you could earn $40-50 of interest in a year.
With a HYSA offering a 4% (or higher) APY, you’d increase that number 10 times — you’d earn about $400 in a year. Big difference, right?
CIT Bank is a solid option with hefty APYs. Its Platinum Savings Account delivers an impressive 4.7% APY (for accounts $5K or over); even if you’re not at that point, its Savings Connect Account offers 4.35% APY with an accessible $100 minimum.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
High APY for HYSAs | No brick and mortar locations |
FDIC Insured | No investment account option |
Easy to Use | |
60,000 + 5 Star Reviews | |
Can Set up Auto – Deposits | |
Monthly interest payments |
Fundrise
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $10 Minimum | 0.85% Management Fee | 0.15% Advisory fee
- How much can you make? Many Earned 7-20% Average Returns (2019-2021)
How it works: If you’re interested in exploring the world of real estate investing but face challenges as an individual investor, Fundrise provides a superb option through its crowdfunding platform and proprietary Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) investment opportunities which have outperformed public REITs the last several years.
Set up an account in minutes, browse real estate crowdfunding opportunities, and choose how many shares you want to invest in your chosen selection.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Low Minimum | Illiquid (5+ Year Investment) |
Great Diversification Option | Non-negotiable management Fees (Though low) |
Good Historical Returns | Limited Types of Investment |
Transparent Fracking | Results Not Guaranteed |
No/Minimal Expertise Needed | |
Lower Risk Than Most Self-Directed Real Estate Investments | |
Filter Personal Preferences (Risk, Duration, etc.) |
Note: We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.
Ibotta
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $0 or $3.99/month (Inactivity Fee)
- How much can you make? ~5%-30% Returns Expected
How it works: Ibotta is another tech-savvy, heavy hitter in the world of rebates and is ultimately one of my favorite money making apps that actually work. Use an app or browser extension to get cashback on your purchases from an ever-growing list of exclusive offers.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Account Maintenance Fees if Inactivity | Can Invite Overspending |
Bonus Opportunities | Results Not Guaranteed |
Free to Use | |
Earn Money Doing Things You Already Do | |
App & Chrome Extension | |
Earn More With Referrals | |
Earn From In-store and Online |
Public
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $0/$8 per month | 1.25% + Misc Fees
- How much can you make? ~5.4% Expected Yield
How it works: For those looking for apps to make money fast, check out Public. It is an investing platform that allows users to invest in a variety of assets including shares of stocks, ETFs, Crypto, art, and more. They have done a good job of introducing Ai to investing, building an intuitive platform, and creating a transparent and collaborative environment.
Pros | Cons |
5.4% Yield | Some Small Fees |
$500k Insured | Results Not Guaranteed |
Regulated by the SEC | |
Variety of Assets (Including crypto) | |
Low Fees | |
Ai Stock Recommends Feature | |
Auto-Invest Feature |
Acorns
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $5 Minimum | Pricing Starts $3/month
- How much can you make? ~7% Expected Returns
How it works: If you’re looking for legit money making apps, Acorns is top of the list. The company turns your everyday expenditures into potential earnings.
With them, you can automatically round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the spare change into personalized diversified portfolios.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
AutoSave Feature & Round Up Feature Automate Good Financial Habits | Results Not Guaranteed |
Transparent Fees | Promotes Investing Without Knowledge of How to Invest |
Ease of Use | Round-up Feature Could Invite Overspending |
Potential Return on Investment | |
Bank Level Encryption Security | |
Can Diversify Portfolio Based on Risk Tolerance, Financial Goals, and Time Horizon. |
Rakuten
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: Free
- How much can you make? ~1%-20% Expected Returns
How it works: When it comes to earning rebates on your everyday shopping activities, a major heavyweight in the market is Rakuten. This company has to be one of the best money making apps out there. The company provides cashback rewards by shopping at preferred partner retailers, effectively giving you money back for something you were already planning to do.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Free to Use | Could Encourage Overspending |
Earn Money Doing Things You Already Do | Paid Every 3 Months |
App & Chrome Extension | They Collect Your Information |
Earn More With Referrals | Earn Money Slowly Over Time |
Results Not Guaranteed |
Arrived Homes
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Minimums + fees: $100 Minimum | 8-25% (Based on Market)
How much can you make? ~3.2%- 7.2% in Dividends + ~4% Home Appreciation
How it works: Arrived Homes has changed the reality of investing in single-family rental properties by crowdfunding its investments.
The company acquires and operates residential units, creating truly passive earnings opportunities for you, regardless of your expertise or accreditation status. For its accessibility and as a diversification option, I dub it one of the best money making apps on the market.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
No Expertise Needed | Illiquid/Long-Term Investment |
No Accreditation Needed | High Fees |
Low Minimum | Results Not Guaranteed |
BBB Accredited | |
Lower Risk Than Self-Directed Real Estate Ventures |
Crowdstreet – Best for Accredited Investors
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $25,000 Minimum | 1-2 % Annual Fee
- How much can you make? ~19.2%
How it works: Crowdstreet is another one of the legit money making apps — but it’s only available to accredited investors.
A major selling point? They help both first-time real estate investors and more experienced active investors branch into commercial real estate investing. They provide institutional-quality commercial crowdfunding opportunities that are highly diversified and well-vetted.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Access to Commercial Real Estate Investments | Accredited Investors Only |
Real Estate Good Diversification Option | Illiquid |
Vetted Opportunities | Real Estate Always Has Risk |
Transparency | Results not guaranteed |
Potential High Returns | High Minimum Investment |
Ease of Use | |
No Expertise Needed | |
Low Fees + No Platform Fees |
Rocket Money
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $0 or $3-$12/month (added features) + $2 Maintenance fee for Non-members
- How much can you make? Save > $750/year
How it works: Rocket Money offers a comprehensive suite of financial management tools, including subscription cancellation, bill management, budget creation, credit history monitoring, and more.
While many banks and credit cards do provide subscription alerts, Rocket Money actively negotiates better rates on your behalf, setting them apart as one of the top money making apps that actually work.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Minimal Fees (If Any) | Limited to the USA |
Easy to Use | Though Secure, They Require Sensitive Info (Bank Accounts & Credit Card Numbers) |
Negotiate Lower Bills | Results May Vary and Are Not Guaranteed |
Bank-Level Encryption | |
Help Find Hidden Subscriptions |
Mainvest
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $100 Minimum Investment + Small fees for equity raises & fringe cases
- How much can you make? Target returns of 10%-25%
How it works: Mainvest empowers everyday investors with opportunities to invest funds under Regulation Crowdfunding (Title III Crowdfunding). The platform connects you with emerging businesses looking for growth capital.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Registered With SEC | No Guarantees |
Don’t Need to be an Accredited Investor | |
SSL Web security + Encrypted Links | |
Can Invest With an IRA | |
Tracking Tools | |
Vetted Investments | |
Promotes Small Business Growth | |
Small Minimums | |
No Expertise Needed |
Masterworks
- Rating: 3.7/5
- Minimum: None (Masterworks retains complete discretion to determine that subscribers are “qualified purchasers” (as defined in Regulation A under the Securities Act) in reliance on the information and representations provided to us regarding their financial situation.)
- How much can you make? 12.70%-19.80% Historical Returns
How it works:
The art-lovers amongst us will appreciate Masterworks’ innovative investment platform–one which allows people who are not wealthy collectors or institutions (i.e., everyday individuals) access to high-value artwork through fractional ownership.
Masterworks’ platform enables you to diversify your holdings and possibly benefit from the appreciation of fine art over time.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
3% of Art Passes Due Diligence | High Minimum Investment |
Fees are lower Than Industry Standard | Limited Selection of Artwork Currently |
Bank-Level Security | Less Liquidity Than Most Investments |
Impressive Historical Returns | Art is Considered a Risky Investment |
Good Diversity Options | Results Not Guaranteed |
Swagbucks
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
- Minimums + fees: $3.99/month
- How much can you make? ~$1 to $5 a day
How it works: Swagbucks is an innovative reward scheme that allows you to earn rewards in the form of Swagbucks (SB) by simply completing everyday online activities such as taking surveys, shopping online, or playing games.
Though I would not put it at the top of the Best Money Making Apps List, it earns its place because you can trade SBs for cash or gift cards for doing things you would already be doing.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Get Access to Exclusive Deals | $3 fee for Virtual Cards & Crypto Cards |
Earn in a Variety of Ways (Shopping, Playing Games, and More) | $3.99/month (Others are free) |
Easy to Use | Can Invite Overspending |
Results Not Guaranteed | |
Can Take a While to Earn Rewards |
Final Word: Money Making Apps
Good news is that there are plenty of ways to start earning money in 2025. The investment platform landscape is vast and continues to expand with new and creative ways to grow your portfolio.
I know I am biased, but a high APY will always come first for me. CIT Bank is great for that.
The nice thing is that you can easily combine that with any other money making app. Acorns also stands above the crowd for me thanks to its user-friendly, feature-rich, and trustworthy platform, but you really can’t go too wrong using another — or several other legit money making apps in its stead.
FAQs:
Which app is best for money earning?
The best money earning app of [wpdts-year] is Acorns. Its simplicity, automated features, and potential earnings make it the top choice. Other popular money making apps include Rakuten, Ibotta, Fundrise, and Masterworks.
Is there a real app to make money?
Yes, there are several legitimate apps available that allow users to make money through various activities. Some popular and trusted money-making apps include Acorns, Mainvest, Ibotta, and Masterworks.
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