Make Extra Money Using Your Cellphone With These 6 Apps

Get some pocket cash by performing easy microtasks

By
Melanie Pinola
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Melanie Pinola has 5+ years' experience writing about consumer-oriented technology and is an expert telecommuter.
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Melanie Pinola
Updated January 14, 2020

Want to earn a little extra cash? There's an app for that! In fact, there are several services that will pay you to install their apps and perform market research or otherwise point and click with your smartphone. They're easy tasks anyone can do. While you won't make a living off these apps and services, the extra money you make may well be worth the minimal effort.

01
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Get Rewarded for Doing a Good Job: Gigwalk

Gigwalk app
Gigwalk app.
What We Like

  • Find work through Gig List or a map of gigs in your local area.

  • No timesheets or invoicing.

  • High performers may be added to a private workforce.

What We Don't Like

  • Limited to metropolitan areas.

  • Requires a PayPal account for payment.

  • Higher paying jobs are based on performance scores.

Gigwalk describes itself as a mobile work marketplace. You can earn a second paycheck using Gigwalk's iPhone or Android mobile app to perform simple field work, such as mystery shopping, delivering items, testing mobile apps, taking photos, and more. Available in major U.S. metro areas, Gigwalk pays from $3 to $100 per task, depending on your experience and reputation. 

Just download the app and check the list of jobs in your area. The small tasks take just minutes to complete, and you work only when you want to.

02
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Get Paid Fast: Field Agent

FieldAgent_app
FieldAgent_app.
What We Like

  • Easy way to make pocket money.

  • No minimum required for cashout.

  • Relatively quick to pay.

  • Pays through direct deposit or prepaid debit card.

What We Don't Like

  • Must follow instructions carefully to be paid.

  • Short reserve time.

  • Pay is low for the time involved.

Similar to Gigwalk, Field Agent turns iPhone and Android smartphone users into mobile workers who scan barcodes, mystery shop, check prices, take polls, explore neighborhoods, and more using their smartphones. In return, agents are paid between $2 and $12 for each task. It may not seem like a lot of money, but when you're bored waiting in a line, you might as well take a survey and earn a few bucks.

03
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Work From Anywhere You Shop: EasyShift

EasyShift app
EasyShift app.
What We Like

  • Available throughout the U.S.

  • Automatic PayPal payment 48 hours after approval.

  • As "rank" increases, so do shift opportunities.

What We Don't Like

  • Must follow instructions carefully to avoid rejection.

  • Pay is low for the time required.

  • Customer support is not responsive.

Pick up a quick 1- or 2-minute shift, and you can earn a couple of bucks anywhere you shop. Like Gigwalk, EasyShift assignments often include taking a picture or recording a price. Payments range from $2 to $20 per shift. The automatic payments are sent within two days to your Paypal account.

04
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Work for Gift Cards From Popular Stores: Shopkick

Shopkick app
Shopkick app.
What We Like

  • Works on a point system called "kicks."

  • Kicks are redeemable for gift cards at popular stores.

  • Earn kicks in physical stores and through online shopping.

What We Don't Like

  • Payment is in gift cards, not money.

  • Takes a long time to collect a lot of points.

Shopkick rewards you just for going shopping — whether or not you buy an item. If you walk in with your smartphone, you earn "kicks" redeemable for gift cards or store discounts. You don't actually get money with Shopkick; you receive savings instead. When you scan items or buy from partner stores, you earn even more kicks.

05
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Receive Fun Giveaways: CheckPoints

CheckPoint app
CheckPoint app.
What We Like

  • Shop, answer surveys, watch videos, and participate in daily contests for points.

  • Fun giveaways.

  • Good customer service.

What We Don't Like

  • Collect coins to play games for points.

  • Pays in gift cards and prizes, not cash.

CheckPoints, like Shopkick, earns you points and rewards for scanning items, watching videos, checking in at different stores, playing games, or completing offers. Points are redeemable for discounts, gift cards, or products.

06
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Get Paid to Search the Web: Swagbucks

Swagbucks app
Swagbucks app.
What We Like

  • Pays out in gift cards and cash.

  • Take surveys, shop online, watch movie trailers, and search the web for points.

  • Regular sweepstakes for cash prizes.

What We Don't Like

  • Surveys are time consuming.

  • Unresponsive customer service.

Get paid in gift cards to search the web on your phone or on your computer. Swagbucks is a popular online rewards program, and both Android and iPhone users can make money on the go. Mobile searches, daily polls, and other ways to earn Swag Bucks are available from your phone. For about 450 points, you can earn a $5 gift card. That requires a lot of searches, but there are other ways to earn points, including random drawings.