With 24% of Americans now making money from the digital platform economy, making money online is a great option for many.
And these days, it’s so simple!
There are lots of sites and apps that’ll pay you.
But, one of the best and most fun ways to earn money online is passively. This is basically the closest you can get to making money without a job.
Sure, freelance work, like writing or data entry gigs can be great. You can even earn a full-time income from them.
However, if you’re looking for something passive, freelancing isn’t your best option.
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In today’s post, we’re going to cover ways to make money that require little to no effort at all. Passive income ideas that you can use to literally make money while you sleep!
Table of Contents
What’s a Passive Income?
A passive income is when you make money without any extra effort. It’s the opposite of Residual or Active income.
So, you set it up and then you make money from it without having to do anything extra.
It could be an app that you install on your phone which runs in the background and collects your data.
Or it could be a tool that analyzes your receipts and gets you rebates.
Passive income could also be considered as money you earn when you are doing something that you planned to do anyway, like:
- Shopping online.
- Dining out at a restaurant.
- Surfing the web.
- Losing weight.
- Playing games.
- Downloading apps.
Top 50 Legit Passive Income Apps
In this post, we’re going to cover some passive income apps and websites where you can make money for doing nothing, or for doing tasks that you already do anyway.
1. Drop
With Drop (review here), you can earn rewards whenever you shop.
Just link your debit and credit cards to your Drop account, and then when you come to pay for your shopping, use the linked cards, and you’ll earn points.
Then, you can redeem your points for gift cards to a variety of places, such as Amazon, Starbucks, and Netflix.
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Since you’re shopping anyway, you may as well sign up for Drop, and make money passively whenever you use your cards.
2. SavvyConnect
According to a lot of people on Reddit, this is one of the highest paying passive income apps out there.
You can earn up to $180 a year with SavvyConnect.
And, the best part is that you don’t have to do anything!
Just install the app and let it run in the background of your phone or computer and it will collect data.
It’s a panel from SurveySavvy.
They have apps for iOS, Microsoft and Chrome.
3. Microsoft Rewards
I’ve used Microsoft Rewards lots of times to get make money passively.
Basically, it pays you for searching the internet using Bing. You can also earn additional points when you do quizzes.
If you’re searching the internet anyway, then you may as well use Microsoft Rewards and earn money in the process.
I’ve gotten lots of gift cards from Microsoft Rewards.
- Visit the Microsoft Rewards website here.
4. Rakuten (Formerly Ebates)
Do you shop online a lot?
If so, you should definitely check out Rakuten.
It’s a cashback website that gives you a percentage of what you spend back.
You can get up to 40% cashback!
What’s great about the site is that there are more than 2,000 stores to choose from.
They have apps for both Android and iPhone.
There’s even a browser extension that you can install called the Rakuten Cash Back Button.
This gives you cashback directly on store sites. So you don’t even need to go through the Rakuten site to get the cashback!
And, the extension will also automatically redeem promo codes at the checkout.
That’s why Rakuten is such a good site for earning a residual income.
Plus, for signing up, you’ll get a $10 bonus.
5. Swagbucks
Swagbucks gives you points when you do stuff that you likely already to anyway, like browsing the internet, playing games and shopping online.
You can exchange your points for cash to your PayPal account or for gift cards.
By the way, sign up today and you can get a $5 sign up bonus!
6. Seated
With Seated, you can earn up to 30% back on every restaurant reservation.
Download the app (Android and iOS), book a reservation with the app, dine out as usual, and you’ll be rewarded.
So, dine out, like you normally would and you’ll make money!
For more details and tips to make the most of Seated app read my detailed review.
7. Acorns
With Acorns, you can invest your spare change automatically. You can invest for just $1, $2, or $3 a month.
This is such an easy way to grow your money – and once you’ve downloaded the app and set up your account, it’s a totally passive way to make money.
8. Shoptracker
With Shoptracker, you can earn $108 a year, and all you need to do is share your Amazon purchase history.
To learn more about the app, and to get the download links, check out our Shoptracker review.
9. MyPoints
Most of us are shopping online anyway, so why not make money from it?
Like Rakuten, MyPoints will reward you for shopping.
Each time you shop, you’ll get points. You can redeem these points for money to your PayPal account or for gift cards.
10. Gift Hunter Club
Gift Hunter Club will give you points for doing easy tasks, like viewing content, like text, images, audio, and taking surveys.
Then you can redeem your points to places like Amazon.
11. HealthyWage
Many of us would like to lose weight, or get healthier.
So, why not get paid for it?
HealthyWage is an app that pays you for competing in weight loss challenges and contests.
With this app, you set a time-sensitive weight loss goal and then bet on it. Basically, you make a bet on your own weight loss!
If you lose the weight in the time period you chose, you win the money.
If you’re looking to lose weight anyway then you may as well get paid to do it in the process!
12. AppRedeem
Get gift cards for trying out new apps with AppRedeem.
13. S’more
S’more will pay you to display ads and content on your phone’s lock screen.
How simple is that?
It’s a totally passive way to earn money because you don’t even have to interact with the ads to make money!
For displaying these ads and content, you’ll earn points, which you can redeem for gift cards.
- Download S’more for Android devices here.
14. InboxDollars
When you read emails, complete surveys, play games, online, and shop, InboxDollars will pay you!
15. Stash
Stash allows you to invest in stocks and funds with as little as $5. So, you can easily invest, with no extra effort on your part!
16. Slidejoy
Get paid to display content on your phone’s lock screen with Slidejoy.
- Download the Slidejoy app for Android devices here.
17. AppOptix
AppOptix is an app from Strategy Analytics Inc., which collects data on your phone.
All you need to do is install it, and you’ll make money for doing nothing!
- Download AppOptix for Android devices here.
18. Qmee
Make money searching Google with Qmee.
You likely already search on Google anyway, so why not get paid for it?
You’ll also get paid for searching on platforms, like Bing, Amazon, and eBay! Qmee also pays you to shop and take surveys.
You can get money right to your PayPal account or a gift card.
- Visit Qmee.com for links to download the app for iOS and Android or the Extension for Chrome.
19. DietBet
DietBet lets you set up or join a weight loss challenge. So, if you lose weight, you could win money!
If you’re planning to lose weight anyway, you should definitely give the app a try!
- Visit DietBet.com for download links.
20. GrabPoints
Make money when you do tasks that you probably already do anyway, like watching TV or downloading apps with Grabpoints. You can get gift cards and money to your PayPal account.
- Download GrabPoints for Android devices here.
21. QuickRewards
QuickRewards gives you points for simple tasks, like shopping online and reading emails. You can also get paid for taking surveys.
Payments are sent to you through PayPal or you can get gift cards.
- Visit the QuickRewards website here.
22. CheckPoints
Get points when you surf the internet, shop online, and do other tasks online that you probably do anyway with CheckPoints!
You can redeem your points for gift cards for places like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
- Visit the CheckPoints website here for links to install the app for iOS or Android
23. instaGC
With instaGC, you get gift cards for doing super easy tasks, like trying apps and games, shopping online, and searching the web.
24. Perk
This is one o the few legit sites that pay you to play games, watch TV, shop and many other simple tasks you already do online.
Perk will give you points for every action you take. You can then redeem your points for gift cards or money to your PayPal account.
You can learn more about Perk in our review here.
- Visit the Perk website here.
25. Paribus
Paribus will monitor your inbox for receipts, and the prices at stores.
This is so handy because prices often change at stores.
If Paribus sees that the price of an item you bought has now dropped, it will automatically get you a refund for the difference.
- Download Paribus for your device here.
26. TopCashBack
Shop online and make money in the process with TopCashBack. You can get cashback at more than 4,400 stores.
They have apps for both iOS and Android devices.
- Visit the TopCashBack website here.
27. Pact
You can make money when you set and achieve weekly exercise and healthy eating goals with Pact.
- Download Pact for Android devices here.
28. Extrabux
Earn up to 30% cashback with Extrabux. It’s a cashback website with more than 6,000 stores available.
Extrabux also has a great browser extension, which automatically tracks your cashback. So, you can go directly to a store’s website to make a purchase, and you’ll still get your cashback.
- Download the Extrabux browser extension here.
29. Checkout51
Checkout51 gives you rebates when you purchase qualifying items and then upload a photo of your receipt. You get paid by check.
30. SavingStar
With SavingStar, you can actually earn money when you buy groceries!
It gives you cashback on groceries at stores like Walmart, Albertson’s, Kroger, Target, Food Lion and Publix.
You get money right to your PayPal account, or you can get a gift card.
31. Ibotta
Ibotta (review) gives you a rebate when you upload a photo of your receipt. It works in a similar way to Checkout51, where it gives you rebates for purchasing qualifying items.
You can get paid through PayPal or get a gift card.
32. StepBet
You can make money being more active with StepBet.
With the app, you bet money on yourself in weekly health-focused games.
It’s a great app if you’re looking to exercise and walk more because you can make money!
- Visit the StepBet website here for app installation links.
33. AppBounty
Get gift cards to Amazon and other stores when you try out new apps with AppBounty.
- Download AppBounty for Android devices here.
34. Clink
Clink is a savings and investing app that helps you to save money every time you dine out.
If you’re dining out, this is a great way to earn money passively.
You can get started with as little as $5.
- Visit the Clink website here.
35. FeaturePoints
With FeaturePoints you can make money shopping online, trying apps, taking surveys and other online tasks that you probably already do anyway.
You can get money to your PayPal account or get a gift card for a range of different retailers, such as Amazon, Nordstrom, and Sephora.
36. AppMan
AppMan gives you money when you try new free apps and games.
- Visit the AppMan website here.
37. iRazoo
iRazoo gives you points when you do things like watch videos and play games. Since most of us do those things anyway, it’s a good passive income app.
Also, you can get points when you do other tasks, like completing offers and taking surveys.
You can exchange your points for money to your PayPal account or you can get a gift card.
- Visit the iRazoo website here.
38. Cash for Apps
Try new apps, and Cash for Apps will give you points. Then you can redeem your points for gift cards for lots of different retailers, like Amazon, Starbucks, Best Buy, and CVS.
39. AppNana
When you try apps, AppNana (review) will give you gift cards to places such as Amazon
- Go to AppNana.com to get the links for iOS or Android app installation.
40. Trim
Trim is a financial assistant that can save you money automatically!
It analyzes your accounts to find recurring subscriptions. Then it will cancel the ones that you no longer want. It can also help you to get out of debt, find you better car insurance, and negotiate your bills. So, you can earn money without having to do anything!
41. RetailMeNot
With RetailMeNot, you can get cashback when you shop online. You can get your cashback sent to your PayPal account or get a gift card.
- Visit the RetailMeNot website here.
- Download RetailMeNot for Android devices here.
- Download RetailMeNot for iOS devices here.
42. AppKarma
AppKarma will give you free gift cards when you try new apps.
- Download AppKarma for Android devices here.
43. TreasureTrooper
Make money for doing things like shopping online and answering surveys, with TreasureTrooper.
You get paid by check.
- Visit the TreasureTrooper website here.
44. Winwalk Pedometer
Winwalk Pedometer pays you for walking! The app counts your daily steps and then rewards you for them! You get gift cards.
- Download Winwalk Pedometer for Android devices here.
45. Mr. Rebates
Get cashback when you shop online at Mr. Rebates. You can get cashback at more than 3,000 stores.
- Visit the Mr. Rebates website here.
46. Appdown
Appdown gives you rewards when you download apps, and play free games. Since many of us play games online anyway, this is such an easy way to earn a passive income.
You get money to your PayPal account or gift cards.
- Visit Appdown.me for links to app download.
47. Punchcard
When you upload a receipt from any grocery store, gas station, restaurant or other retailer, Punchcard will give you points. Then you can exchange your points for gift cards.
48. BeFrugal
You can get cashback at more than 4,000 stores with BeFrugal.
49. Embee Meter CX
Embee Meter CX will pay you just for using your phone as you normally do.
It’s a mobile performance meter that you install on your phone. You’ll get free gift cards for having it installed.
50. Berry Cart
Get cashback when you shop at the grocery store with Berry Cart.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you want something that you just set up and leave to make money while you do nothing, like SavvyConnect or Acorns, or you want to earn money while you’re doing something that you’d do anyway, like dining out at a restaurant with Seated, or shopping online with RetailMeNot, there are so many great apps for earning passive income.
And the best part about some of these apps is that whether you live in the U.S., Canada, U.K., India or anywhere else for that matter, you can use them to earn passively and in your sleep.
And if you combine some of these apps, you can easily earn an extra $2500 or so per year. Browse forums like Reddit and you’ll find tons of people how actually make way more with some of these apps. But the trick is to use a whole bunch and not just one or two.
Give some of these awesome and free passive income apps a try and start making money!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about to those money making apps. Could you please help me find a simple app or online job that could help me earn atleast a few dollars per day? I badly need a job because of quarantine. Please do send me a message if you could refer me some online job. I’m from Philippines by the way. Thanks a a lot.
Hi Ian, our site is filled with ways to make extra money. Some are only available in the U.S., some are worldwide. Please scroll through our posts to find something that suits you. Thanks for reading!