Your phone isn’t just for doom-scrolling – it’s “a goldmine waiting to be tapped”. In 2025 there are dozens of apps that turn phone-time into pocket change. Whether you’ve got minutes between meetings or want passive income while you sleep, there are flexible side-hustle apps for you. We’ll walk through both active gigs (tasks you do for pay) and passive streams (money earned in the background), with options available in the U.S. and globally. Each idea includes a quick description and pros/cons to help you pick what fits your hustle.
Active Hustles (Earn by Doing Tasks)
- Surveys & Microtasks: Apps like Swagbucks and InboxDollars pay you for little tasks – e.g. watching videos, answering polls, playing games. Swagbucks gives you points (redeemable for PayPal or gift cards) for all kinds of simple activities. InboxDollars pays real cash (no point system) for watching vids, surveys, shopping, even reading emails. Google Opinion Rewards is another easy one: it pops up quick surveys on your phone in exchange for Google Play credit or PayPal. Pros: No skills needed, can do in spare moments. Cons: Low pay per task and sometimes you’ll wait for surveys.
- Freelance Gigs: Have a skill? Apps like Fiverr and Upwork connect you with clients worldwide for remote work. Maybe you’re a writer, designer, marketer or coder – list your service on Fiverr, or bid on jobs on Upwork. You set your own schedule and get paid via PayPal or bank transfer once a job is done. Pros: High earning potential for skilled work, flexible hours. Cons: It’s competitive and platforms take a cut of your pay.
- Local Odd Jobs: If you’re okay with in-person work, apps like TaskRabbit or Rover turn phone alerts into cash. TaskRabbit finds local gigs (assembling furniture, home repairs, deliveries). Rover (and similar pet-care apps) pays you to walk dogs or pet-sit in your area. You pick jobs that fit your schedule. Pros: Fast pay and varied tasks. Cons: Requires transportation or physical effort in some cases.
- Drive/Deliver: Got a car? Rideshare and delivery apps like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Postmates are classic side hustles. You use your phone to pick up riders or drop off food/groceries on your own schedule. These apps often offer instant payouts or weekly transfers. Pros: Always in demand (especially during peak hours), very flexible. Cons: Gas, insurance, and car upkeep cut into profits; you must meet vehicle requirements.
Sell Your Stuff: Declutter for cash with marketplace apps. List clothes or accessories on Poshmark (or Depop), or electronics and collectibles on eBay. Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp let you post items locally (meetup or ship) for quick sales. These platforms make listing easy on your phone – just snap a photo, set a price, and sell. Pros: Turns unused items into money. Cons: You must handle shipping or meet buyers, and sites take a small fee on each sale.
Passive Income Ideas (Earn in the Background)
- Cashback & Rewards: Use your usual shopping to earn. Apps like Rakuten or Ibotta give you cash back for purchases at participating stores. For example, activate a Rakuten offer in-app before you shop, and you’ll get a cut of your purchase back via PayPal or check. Ibotta lets you upload receipts or scan items to earn bonuses on groceries and more. Pros: Free money on things you’d buy anyway. Cons: You only earn when you shop (and sometimes must reach a minimum before you cash out).
- Investing & Roundups: Put spare change to work. Investment apps like Robinhood (USA) or eToro (global) let you buy stocks or crypto commission-free. Micro-investing apps (Acorns, Stash) automatically invest your credit card “round-ups” – e.g., spending $2.50 becomes $3.00, the $0.50 goes into investments. Over time, this can grow into a passive income stream. Pros: Potential for long-term gains with little extra effort. Cons: Market risk – you can lose money if stocks drop; not instant cash.
- Share Your Bandwidth: Apps like Honeygain or PassiveApp let you rent out your unused internet data. After installing, they quietly use idle bandwidth (while you’re online) to earn credits. For example, Honeygain pays about $1 per 10–20 GB shared. Pros: Completely “set it and forget it” passive income. Cons: Usually very modest earnings; raises privacy concerns since your IP is used.
- Lock-Screen Ads: If you have an Android phone, apps like Slidejoy display ads on your lockscreen. You earn a few cents (in points) each time you unlock your phone. It’s 100% passive – just swipe as usual. Pros: No active work required, earnings in gift cards or PayPal. Cons: Very low payout and only available in some countries.
- Content & Affiliate: Turn your phone into a mini studio. Start a vlog or Instagram channel on a hobby you love, and monetize it. Use free editing apps (like InShot or TikTok’s creator tools) to make content. Once you have an audience, you can earn ad revenue or share affiliate links (e.g. Amazon Associates links) for products you review. Pros: Scalable income if you build a following. Cons: Takes time to create content and grow an audience; not truly passive until later.
Tips & Tools
- Use Free & Paid Apps: Most survey and task apps are free to join. Gig platforms usually take a percentage of earnings but don’t charge a signup fee. Free tools like PayPal or Wise can receive your payouts globally. Paid tools can be worth it too – for example, buying a premium editing app ($$) might let you offer better freelance services, or an investing course might help grow your portfolio faster. Balance free vs. paid depending on your hustle.
- Diversify Your Hustles: Don’t rely on one app only. As one guide notes, “the best app depends on how you want to earn”. Mix categories: use a couple of survey/reward apps (Swagbucks, Google Opinion), a gig app (Fiverr/Upwork), and a cashback app (Rakuten/Ibotta) all at once. Running a passive app like Honeygain in the background while you actively do tasks in another can multiply your income.
- Watch Out for Scams: Stick to reputable apps with good reviews. Any app promising huge money with zero effort is likely a red flag. Legitimate platforms won’t ask for your social security number or bank password upfront. Check that you understand any fees or payout minimums before signing up (Printify’s guide warns to “watch out for fees and withdrawal limits”).
- Time vs. Reward: Many smartphone side gigs pay only a few dollars per hour. If time is tight, focus on higher-value tasks (e.g. freelance gigs or delivery). If you have lots of “in-between” time (commutes, waiting rooms), microtasks and passive apps might add up. Always compare the time investment to the payout.
- Think Global: The apps above mostly work in many countries (Fiverr, Upwork, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc.). Some are region-specific (for example, Ibotta is U.S.-centric, while Rakuten has international versions). Look for local equivalents too: there are survey panels, cashback apps, and freelance marketplaces in Europe, Asia, and beyond.
In short, there’s no single “magic” app – it’s about trying a few and seeing what sticks. Use several side-hustle apps together, grab sign-up bonuses, and stay consistent. As Printify’s roundup puts it, if you play your cards right you’ll “turn screen time into cash”. Happy hustling!
