How To Make Money From Your Phone For Free: 35+ Smartphone Apps & Easy Ways To Earn Cash

It’s never been easier to make money from your phone than it is today. Dozens of free apps, services and platforms are just a click away ready to help you earn a little extra cash online. With some time and effort, your smartphone can unlock a number of easy ways to put more money towards your financial goals.

Digital rewards platforms, the gig economy, side hustles, entrepreneurial endeavors and so much more are easily accessible right from your hands. Whether it’s on free time during a morning commute, when you’re relaxing around home or out walking around the city, your phone is such a powerful financial tool.

Personal finances are personal. So are lifestyles and living situations. No two scenarios are the same.  What seems logical and feasible to one, might not for you. If you’re a six-figure earner, you might dedicate your time elsewhere. However, if you’re looking to build an emergency fund, start investing or make money fast for whatever means, your phone can help you do that.

Earning a couple hundred extra dollars a month (or much more) is entirely feasible and you just need to find what money making opportunities best fit you.

To help inspire some ideas and get you started here are 35+ easy and free ways to make money from your phone.

WATCH VIDEOS & PERFORM DIGITAL TASKS WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE FOR MONEY

1. Swagbucks (Free $5 Welcome Offer)

Swagbucks is a great way to make a little extra money online from your phone. You earn cash by taking surveys, using the Swagbucks search engine, getting cash back on online purchases, playing games, discovering deals, buying gift cards and watching videos.

With 9+ ways to make money, it’s one of the most popular digital rewards platforms. To date they’ve paid out over $306 million to their members.

The Swagbucks website, app and browser extension helps make sure you can access their services from your phone at any time.

Sign up today and get a FREE $5 welcome offer.

2. InboxDollars (Free $5 Welcome Offer)

InboxDollars is an American rewards platform that pays their members for watching TV, taking surveys, making online purchases and performing other digital tasks.

Their services are similar to Swagbucks but at a smaller scale. However, that doesn’t mean you wont have plenty of opportunity to make some extra money from your phone through their website.

InboxDollars offers a FREE $5 welcome bonus offer once you register.

3. DailyRewards (Free $5 Welcome Offer)

DailyRewards is the Canadian counterpart to InboxDollars mentioned above. Similar to the American website, you’ll be rewarded for watching TV, taking surveys, making purchases online and performing other digital tasks.

The website is mobile friendly and easily accessible on the move to keep you earning on your commute, lunch break or around the house.

They too offer a FREE $5 welcome bonus offer for new members after signing up.

4. MyPoints (Free $10 Amazon Gift Card)

MyPoints is another popular and large scale digital rewards platform to help you make money from your phone.

Similar to the other services above, there are a number of ways to earn cash. MyPoints pays you to take surveys, watch videos, play games, shop online and read emails.

They have paid out over $236 million in gift cards to date.

You’ll earn a FREE $10 Amazon gift card after making your first online purchase at one of their 1,900+ retailers through their platform.

MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR PHONE ON NORMAL SHOPPING HABITS

5. Ebates (Free $10 Welcome Offer)

Ebates is the most popular of the cash back platforms in terms of total users and familiarity in the marketplace. The Ebates website, app and browser extension give you access to almost every major online retailer (2,500+ stores and counting). Including Amazon, eBay, GroupOn, Expedia, etc.

You aren’t changing your shopping habits or spending any more money, just clicking through your Ebates account before shopping online.

Plus Ebates offers a welcome registration bonus of $10 FREE for Americans and then $5 FREE for Canadians.

6. Checkout 51 (Free $5 Welcome Offer)

Checkout 51 is another app to help you earn cash back rewards for grocery and household item purchases. They include a wide-range of product offerings all with a set cash back value and also release ongoing weekly promotions and one-off deals to help you push your earnings further.

Browse the deals, do your normal shopping and once home, upload a photo of your receipt with your phone to earn cash back.

You can get $5 FREE when you use this link and upload your first 3 receipts with Checkout 51.

7. Paribus – Price Change Monitoring For Free

Paribus is a free service for Americans that can save (make) you money by monitoring price changes on your recent purchases.

Most stores offer a price match within a specific time period should they drop the price of an item you bought. However, tracking and keeping up to date on that can be difficult.

That’s where the Paribus app and website comes in. They automatically monitor your purchases to ensure you know about any new price changes or offers on that product so you can get free refunds and money back.

You can sign up today for free and let Paribus go to work for you on saving you money.

8. BeFrugal (Free $10 Welcome Offer)

BeFrugal is another cash back platform to help you earn free money back on your online shopping purchases.

They have relationships with over 5,000 retailers (almost twice as many as Ebates) plus thousands of other coupons and special promotions to help you earn and save.

Sign up today at BeFrugal to get a FREE $10 welcome bonus and start earning cash back.

9. SavingStar – More Digital Savings On Groceries

SavingStar can help you make money from your phone by earning you cashback on groceries. No coupons or printouts, they offer hassle-free digital discounts at over 70,000 stores.

Similar to Checkout 51, after you’ve completed your grocery shopping you just need to upload your receipt through the app or website to earn free cash back.

It’s one more option to have you putting more money back in your bank account for free. Sign up today and start earning.

10. Ibotta (Free $10 Welcome Offer)

Ibotta is another popular cash back app that helps you make money on your grocery shopping. Their partner network of stores is extensive and they have new timely offers to keep you earning cash back.

They have paid out over $438 million to their members.

Get the Ibotta app with your free $10 welcome offer and start to make money from your phone today.

SHARE YOUR OPINION FROM YOUR PHONE FOR CASH

11. Pinecone Research – Earn $3 Per Survey

PineCone Research is one of the most popular and rewarding survey websites that provides their users with $3 per survey completed. Their platform is easy to manage and mobile friendly so earning on the go won’t be an issue.

PineCone Research is free to join, their platform is mobile friendly and they offer surveys to both Americans and Canadians.

12. SurveyJunkie – Popular, High Frequency Surveys

SurveyJunkie is another one of the most popular and highest rated free survey websites. They do a great job of matching surveys to your interests and demographics based off the questions answered when you first set up your free account.

At times they have surveys at over $30+ per response if you meet the specific criteria.

The Survey Junkie website is easy to navigate from your mobile device and you can access surveys at any time throughout the day. Survey Junkie is available to both Americans and Canadians.

13. Survey Rewardz – Make Money With Your Opinion

Survey Rewardz is another free panel site that will pay you to give your opinion through their surveys covering a variety of topics. Pay outs range from $0.50 – $10.00 depending on the length and type of the survey.

The most unique aspect of Survey Rewardz is their payout threshold is only $1. Other sites might have a minimum of $25 but with Survey Rewardz you can pull smaller sums as you see fit. Survey Rewardz is available to Americans, Canadians, Australians and the UK.

14. iPSOS I-SAY – Another Survey Solution To Earn Money

iSAY is a big survey panel company, owned by Ipsos, providing both Americans and Canadians the opportunity to share their opinion for money.

Their parent company, Ipsos, is publicly traded and works directly with some major global firms on market research.

15. PANEL PAYDAY

Panel Payday is not a paid survey site in itself but more of directory connecting you to surveys from a collection of other platforms. It’s a handy service to access a collection of rewards opportunities in one place.

Dozens of survey directories at your fingertips with your phone.

The payouts range from $1 to $75 and include other options outside of just surveys. Including focus groups, product testing and more.

Sign up today and start making money with Panel Payday.

PARTICIPATE IN THE DELIVERY GIG ECONOMY FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE

16. DoorDash – Premier Food Delivery Service

DoorDash is a food delivery service that has partnered with local restaurants in over 300 cities across the U.S and Canada.

Through their app, you’ll be connected to those restaurants and their customers. Your role is to act as the middleman and deliver their order in a timely fashion.

It’s a flexible way to make money from your phone with quick, easy deliveries around your city on a schedule that fits best for you. It’s a free service and you can start earning in a short time frame after an initial registration and background check. Then you’ll be on your way and able to get paying Dashes.

Register for DoorDash today and start making more money.

17. Postmates – Everyday Delivery Opportunities

Postmates is an on-demand delivery side hustle platform that is free to join, takes no fees or commissions and gives you the flexibility to earn when it fits your schedule.

Essentially you’ll be picking up takeout food, catering, small meals, beverages and so on from restaurants in your neighborhood.

You just have to download the Postmates Fleet app and you’re ready to start earning.

18. Instacart – Cash Back On Groceries

Instacart is an app that pays you to delivery groceries around your local neighbourhood. Not only are you delivering the groceries, you’re also responsible for purchasing the groceries.

If you don’t mind spending time at the grocery store and fancy yourself a speedy shopper, Instacart is another way to make money from your phone.

Get the app and give Instacart a try.

USE YOUR PHONE TO EARN MONEY DRIVING

19. Uber – Earn On Your Own Schedule

Uber is one of the more popular ways to make money from your phone and an original stalwart of the gig economy.

It’s a proven and effective way to earn extra money if you have a vehicle and some free time on mornings, evenings or weekends. Just turn on the Uber app when you’re ready and dedicate however much time from your schedule you want to.

Depending on the city you’re in, there are tens of thousands of potential customers just a tap of the phone away.

Sign up today and starting making money through your phone via Uber.

20. Lyft ($300 Bonus Offer)

Another ride sharing app that allow you to make money in the gig economy is Lyft. Similar to Uber, it connects you with thousands of potential clients through their app.

To compete with Uber, they offer welcome bonuses up to and above $300.

Flexible schedules, tips, a market full of demand and their great bonus offers make Lyft a great option for potential drivers looking to earn extra cash.

21. Amazon Flex – Make Money As A Driver

Another way to make money from your phone with your vehicle is with Amazon Flex. Their delivery fleet pays $18 – $25 per hour.

Flexible schedules, an easy to navigate interface and lots of demand thanks to Amazon’s ever-growing success.

The Amazon Flex program is only available in America but it’s a big money making opportunity for those willing to put in the time and effort.

MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR PHONE FROM YOUR HOME, PARKING SPOT OR WITH DOGS

22. Airbnb – Rent Your Place or a Room

If you’ve got an extra room in your place or perhaps have the opportunity to shack up with a significant other or friend, you can make some serious money from your phone via Airbnb. Heck if you’re going on vacation, you can rent out your place during that time to offset costs.

By creating a compelling listing (photos, description, rules and price point) you’re setting yourself up for success.

The Airbnb app connects your listing once live with prospective renters from around the world who could potentially be visiting your city. You’ve likely been a guest before as an Airbnb renter but the money making opportunity comes with being a great Airbnb host.

Sign up today and start earning with Airbnb.

23. Parking Panda – Rent Your Parking Spot

If you own a parking spot in a popular area for commuters, professional or tourists, you can make money from your phone with the Parking Panda app.

The process is simple, list your parking spot for renting and get paid.

24. Rover – Watch or Walk Dogs

If you’re a fan of dogs, why not earn some cash for your affinity of canines? The Rover app and platform connects with you dog owners in your local area.

So how do you make money? Rover has 5-core services you can provide to dog owners and get paid. Dog Boarding, House Sitting, Dog Walking, Doggy Day Care and Drop-In Visits.

You can earn over $1,000 a month with Rover, set your own schedule and stay close to home (or in your home).

Download the Rover app today and start turning that free time to time with dogs and money in your account.

TURN YOUR CLUTTER TO CASH FROM YOUR PHONE

25. Decluttr – Sell Your Electronic & Collectibles

Decluttr is a free app and website that allows you to turn the “stuff” you’ve accumulated into cash. It’s specialty is electronic, tech items, video games, DVDs, etc. and even LEGO.

You simply scan the barcode (ISBN) of the item with the Decluttr app and Decluttr gives you an immediate offer. They then send you a prepaid shipping label and finalize your payments after they’ve received your items. No auctions, no fees and an easy to use app (or web) platform. Plus you can access free shipping and insurance coverage on your items.

Sign up to Decluttr today for free to start turning your clutter to cash.

26. OfferUp – Clear Out Old Items

OfferUp is a similar service to Decluttr but with a wider range off product categories for you to sell from (like an eBay or Craigslist).

The free OfferUp app is only available in America currently.

Whether you want to sell in-person or online, the app can open you up to millions of potential customers. Turning your old furniture, collectibles, clothes, etc. into money with your phone has never been easier.

Download the OfferUp today and get to selling.

27. BookScouter – Get Paid for Your Textbooks

If you have any of your old (expensive) textbooks you can turn those pages to cash from your phone with the BookScouter app.

Check those old books to see whether they have the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and then you’re all set. The BookScouter app actually uses that ISBN and quality of the book to determine the price they’re willing to offer.

You aren’t selling to individuals but certified BookScouter vendors.

27. SecondSpin – Get Money for Old Records, CDs & Movies

Similar to Decluttr, SecondSpin helps you turn your CDs, DVDs, Blu Rays or vinyls to cash. Through their website you’re connected to an online marketplace of motivated buyers.

SecondSpin is just another option to help you turn your “stuff” into money.

BUILD WEALTH FROM YOUR PHONE

29. EQ Bank Savings Plus Account (CA) – 2.30% Everyday High Interest Rate

Another way to make money from your phone is not as conventional as the means above. High interest savings accounts are the preferred place for where I store my emergency fund and short-term savings.

EQ Bank is an online bank in Canada with a great, easy to navigate app to help you build wealth.

The EQ Bank Savings Plus Account helps Canadians save money faster at a 2.30% everyday high interest rate. Plus there are no fees, no minimum balance and safe, modern online banking practices. It’s the solution I use for my short-term savings and I’m a big fan of their service.

Sign up for an EQ Bank Savings Plus Account today and leave the old days of only earning 1.0% on your savings behind.

30. Wealthsimple (USA/CA) – Robo-Advisor Solution

Wealthsimple remains and continues to grow as one of the largest and most preferred robo-advisors for Canadian investors looking to take a more hands-off approach.

It’s yet another option to build long-term wealth from your phone.

An amazing user-experience and intuitive platform via their app or website, quick set-up process, $0 account minimums, unlimited transactions and strong customer service make Wealthsimple a great choice.

Wealthsimple offers 3 portfolios based on your risk tolerance (conservative, balanced and growth) and an extensive account mix. Plus they take care of rebalancing your portfolio and dividend reinvestments.

Sign up today for free, download the Wealthsimple app and start investing for your retirement.

31. Mylo (CA) – Micro-Investing & Roundups

Mylo is a micro-investing app that provides Canadians the opportunity to start investing with as small (or big) of contributions they’d like to make.

It’s the Canadian version of Acorns (the popular investing app for Americans below). Their platform allows you to roundup your purchases to the nearest dollar and automatically invest the difference.

They invest your account into the selected portfolio of ETFs that fit your risk tolerance and profile. The flat fee is $1 per month no matter the amount of money in your account.

Sign up today and start making every dollar count towards your retirement.

32. Acorns (USA) – Micro-Investing & Roundups

Acorns is a micro investing app that has helped over 3,000,000 Americans get started investing for their future.

How does Acorns work? Acorns provide their members 6 ways to grow:

• Round-Ups
• Recurring Investments
• One-Time Investments
• Found Money
• Referrals
• Acorns Later

Your investments are automatically diversified across 7,000 stocks and bonds thanks to Acorns Fractional Share Ownership of ETFs in your portfolio. There are no minimum investment levels, no trading fees and your total costs will only be $1, $2 or $3 monthly depending on the membership their.

The goal is to make investing for your future easier, non-intrusive and cost-friendly. Get started with Acorns today in less than 5 minutes and leverage the power of compound interest

OTHER IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR PHONE

33. Trim Financial App – Get Savings Back Automatically

Trim helps you save money on your subscriptions, bills and recurring expenses. It’s like an automated savings assistant that reviews your services to identify cost-saving opportunities based on your ongoing bills and purchases.

Trim is a free app and their users saved over $1 million in the last month.

Some examples of the free services it provides to help you save are:

• Subscription Analyzer
• Bill Negotiation
• Deal Finder
• Price Protection

Sign up today for free to review your own spending habits and subscriptions.

34. Foap – Sell Your Smartphone Photos

Foap allows you to sell the photos you’ve taken on your Apple or Android phone. Companies, content creators and others in-need of visual aids search the Foap marketplace looking for specific photos.

Download the Foap app and start uploading your photos for an opportunity to get paid.

35. Gigwalk – Earn As You Explore The City

Gigwalk is another mobile app that can help you make money from your phone. The free Gigwalk app is available in both Canada and the USA on Apple and Android.

After you’re set-up and registered you can apply for Gigs through the map or Gig List. You can pick Gigs that take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few hours or based on how much you want to make – from $3 to $100 or more.

Gigs are posted by consumer brands seeking visibility into the conditions of their products or events. They are looking to verify products are available on the shelf and displayed/priced correctly or that marketing events are done accurately and on-time.

Download the free Gigwalk app and start to earn some cash.

Conclusion: How To Make Money From Your Smartphone

The best part about making money from your phone is that there is only going to be more ways to do it. As the power of smartphones continues to grow so to will the opportunities to earn cash from the palm of your hand.

These 35+ apps and services to help you earn more money are free, easy to access and flexible.

You can set your own schedule based on what you want to achieve.

The money making opportunities range from small wins to major income stream possibilities. It’s truly amazing what the powers of FinTech and smartphones have unlocked.

What easy ways do you make money from your phone?

Are there other free money making opportunities with your smartphone?

Here are some other posts to help you make more money from your phone, at home, online or other ways:

• How To Make Money Online From Home In Canada (60+ Ways)
• 35 Rewarding Side Hustles (Almost) Anyone Can Do To Earn More Money
• Pinecone Research Review: Legit Surveys Or Scam To Sign Up For?
• How To Make $1,000 Quick: 12+ Fast Ways To Earn Money When You Need It
• Swagbucks Review – How To Earn Free Cash And Gift Cards Online
• DailyRewards Review Canada: Legit Surveys And Rewards To Make Money Online