It’s scary how much time we spend staring at our smartphones.
Get this: Most Americans are glued to these glowing devices for 4.5 hours per day.
For all that precious time texting or TikToking, have you earned a dime? Probably not — but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn your phone into a (totally legal) money-printing machine!
No, you don’t need to become a glam Instagrammer or YouTube sensation to get paid daily through your phone. Find out how to make money on your phone with a few hot financial apps. If you’re more of the “how to make money with my phone without investment” mindset, we’ve got options for you, too.
Best Apps to Make Money With Your Phone in 2025
We’ll offer up even more suggestions in the article, but here’s an at-a-glance peek at our favorite apps for making money with your phone:
App | What it’s best for |
---|---|
Investing in stocks + ETFs | |
Automated investing + high-yield cash account | |
Investing in real estate and private credit | |
Investing in real estate | |
Alternative investments | |
Saving small change | |
Surveys + more | |
Shopping rewards | |
Reducing unnecessary expenses | |
eBay | Selling your stuff |
Upwork | Gig jobs |
Note: We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.
10 Ways to Make Money With Your Phone
Let’s dig in. This list includes several ways to earn money from your phone, including options where you can get paid daily through your cell phone.
1. Invest in Stocks and ETFs
As smartphones become a part of modern life, most brokerages offer convenient stock and ETF trading services on mobile apps.
As an added bonus, many top-tier stock apps don’t charge pesky commission fees for your trades. You’ll also notice some of these apps have bonus features designed to help you make informed investing decisions.
One of our favorite platforms? moomoo, a relative newcomer to the brokerage arena that has grown exponentially in recent years.
moomoo has wan extremely friendly user interface, so it’s easy to get started, and has a variety of features I like, including:
- Commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options
- Access real-time Level 2 Market Data for free
- Stay ahead of the curve with its Earnings Calendar and Earnings Hub
- And more like paper trading, institutional tracking, heat mapping, stock screening
Plus, if you sign up with one of the links in this article, you could get up to 30 free stocks* (terms and conditions apply). Hit the button below:
Moomoo is a financial information and trading app offered by Moomoo Technologies Inc. Securities are offered through Moomoo Financial Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. The creator is a paid influencer and is not affiliated with Moomoo Financial Inc. (MFI), Moomoo Technologies Inc. (MTI) or any other affiliate. The experiences of the influencer may not be representative of the experiences of other moomoo users. Any comments or opinions provided are their own and not necessarily the views of MFI, MTI or moomoo. Moomoo and its affiliates do not endorse any strategies that may be discussed or promoted herein and are not responsible for any services provided by the influencer. This advertisement is for informational and educational purposes only and is not investment advice or a recommendation of a security or to engage in any investment strategy. Investing involves risk and the potential to lose principal. Investment and financial decisions should be made based on your specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Any images shown are strictly for illustrative purposes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. U.S. residents trading in U.S. securities may trade commission-free using the moomoo app through Moomoo Financial Inc. (MFI). Please see our pricing page for other fees. Level 2 data is free to moomoo users that have an approved MFI brokerage account. Trading during Extended Hours Trading Sessions carries unique risks, such as greater price volatility, lower liquidity, wider bid/ask spreads, and less market visibility, and may not be appropriate for all investors.
Regardless of your chosen stock trading app, it’s important to remember that there are no guarantees with stock and ETF investing.
However, tools like WallStreetZen’s Stock Screeners and Top Analyst stock picks can help you evaluate how investment-worth a stock is so you can build higher conviction in potential trades. Plus, did you know we have a FREE newsletter?
2. Open a High-Yield Savings Account
Want to know how to make money with your phone without taking crazy risks? Take a peek at high-yield savings accounts.
What makes these accounts a “safe” option? Well, as the name implies, these accounts work the same as standard bank savings accounts — but with above-average interest rates.
The “safety” aspect has to do with insurance protections like FDIC. Also, these accounts are super liquid, so you can deposit and withdraw anytime without paying penalties.
Just keep in mind the yield offered on these apps fluctuates each month, so it may not always be the most attractive way to earn money from your phone.
One of our top picks for high-yield savings? M1 Finance. Their high-yield cash account currently offers 4.25% APY — but you can get a 0.50% boost for a limited time using this link. That means you could be earning up to 4.75%!
As a bonus, M1 Finance offers other investment features, including stock trading, cryptocurrency, and retirement accounts. It’s also loaded with automated features — perfect for investors who prefer a “set and forget” approach.
3. Invest in Real Estate
There’s no need to flip homes on Zillow to earn money from your phone in the real estate market.
You don’t even need to list a property online to earn money from your phone with real estate.
New real estate apps like Arrived Homes and Fundrise make it easy for non-accredited investors to put money to work in the property market.
Both apps have accessible minimums — for instance, you can get started on Fundrise for an accessible starting point, which allows you to invest in assets including fractional real estate.
Intrigued? To learn more about Fundrise and how it works, check out our ultra-informative article — Fundrise Review 2025 — Can You Really Make Money?
Arrived Homes lets you invest in residential real estate rental properties for as low as $100. The platform’s pretty new, but Amazon’s Jeff Bezos is an investor, which definitely gives the app a bit of street cred. (For more info, check out our Arrived Homes review.)
Note: You’ll usually need to tie up funds in these investments for years before you regain access to your capital. Also, although real estate tends to be a high-performing investment, there’s never a guarantee your properties will appreciate.
Not sure which app is right for you? Read more…
- Check out our Arrived Homes review
- Check out our Fundrise review.
Note: We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.
4. Invest in Alternative Assets
When investors talk about alternative investments, they mean anything outside the vanilla world of paper assets like stocks and bonds. To give you a better idea of what we’re talking about, here are a few examples:
- Cryptocurrencies
- Fine art
- Movie memorabilia
- Private equity
- Private debt
- And more…
Although you won’t find many of these assets on standard brokerage apps, there are ways to make money with your phone in this alternative category.
For instance, check out the Public app for a broad assortment of alt assets. With a Public account, you could pick up shares in CryptoPunk NFTs, Charizard Pokémon cards, and Air Jordan shoes.
Pretty wild, right?
Just keep in mind alternative assets sometimes have different insurance protections or regulatory statuses than more traditional vehicles like stocks. Also, while alternative investments may offer tremendous upside versus benchmark indices, they might increase the volatility in your portfolio.
Want to take a deeper dive into the world of alternative assets? Don’t miss our post on the best alternative investments.
5. Invest Your Spare Change
If you’re not ready to dive straight into investing, you can “drip” your funds into assets using your phone.
For instance, the Acorns app has a famous “Round-Ups” feature that invests a tiny sliver of your daily expenses into your long-term savings.
To use “Round-Ups,” link your credit and debit cards to an Acorns account, and it’ll automatically bump up each purchase to the nearest buck. The extra change goes straight into your Acorns “piggy bank.”
According to Acorns, most people who use this method save $150 within their first three months. Sure, this won’t make you a millionaire, but it’s a painless way to make money with your phone.
6. Earn Cash Back
Earlier, I promised I’d share options for the “how to make money with my phone without investment” population out there.
Here’s a quick and easy suggestion: Download a cash-back app that pays you to shop.
Turns out, some apps reward you with small amounts of cash for making online or in-store purchases.
For instance, the Fetch app rewards you with points every time you scan a receipt.
Rakuten is another cash-back app that you could use to shop on sites like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy for rewards.
Just remember the point of these apps is to get a little money back on things you’d already buy — so don’t think you’re saving a bundle on an unnecessary shopping spree!
7. Take Surveys
Still not satisfied with our response to “how to make money with my phone without investment?” OK, what about squeezing some e-surveys into your spare time?
Yes, you can make money on your phone by sharing your opinions. Admittedly, the amount you earn on survey apps isn’t monumental, but it might get you some groceries or gas.
For instance, Swagbucks is considered a reputable name in the “get-paid-to” app niche. In addition to surveys, the site often offers ways to earn rewards from referrals, watching videos, and playing games.
As long as you sign up for these apps with the expectation of making pocket change, it’s a cool and easy way to earn side cash.
8. Sell Your Stuff
Even if you don’t feel your home is cluttered, chances are there’s some stuff lying around you could part with for money.
While you could use desktop websites to sell items, there are also ways to make money with your phone by listing stuff.
For instance, the auction site eBay has a highly-rated app for iOS and Android devices. This app lets you easily upload images, set prices, and monitor your eBay sales on your phone.

Poshmark is another popular mobile app in the “sell your stuff online” category. Like eBay, you can snap a photo of whatever you want to sell and list it on Poshmark’s social platform.

Just be sure to factor in extra platform fees and shipping costs when estimating how much you’ll earn on these sites. Also, remember that you might have to deal with not-so-fun customer complaints and returns.
9. Reduce Unnecessary Expenses
Learning how to make money with your phone isn’t just about bringing cash in — it’s also about reducing how much money goes out.
You’d be amazed at how much you could save by monitoring and trimming your expenses with a financial health mobile app.
For instance, Rocket Money gives you actionable insights into your spending habits and suggests adjustments to meet your savings goals. With Rocket Money, you can instantly cancel unused subscriptions, view your credit score, and even renegotiate bills.
How does Rocket Money work, you ask? Once you download this app, you’ll link your bank and credit card accounts so Rocket Money can run its magical algorithms.
For your privacy, Rocket Money uses Plaid to have view-only access to your finances, and it uses NASA-grade AWS servers for data storage.
Although apps like Rocket Money can help you budget better, not all of their services are free. Also, if you use Rocket Money’s bill negotiation feature, you’ll need to pay a percentage upfront if they succeed.
10. Gig Apps
Almost 40% of Americans already have a side hustle, which makes gig apps one of the most popular ways to get paid daily through your cell phone.
While “independent contractor” work won’t give you benefits like health insurance, it gives you the flexibility to set your schedule. Plus, there’s a wide variety of jobs to choose from, so you’re bound to find a non-boring way to bring in extra bucks.
For instance, you could search for freelance gigs for everything from coding to cooking on apps like Upwork or Fiverr.

Don’t mind driving food or french fries (or both) in your car? Consider joining the rideshare fleet with apps like Uber, Uber Eats, or Lyft.

You could also earn money on your phone delivering groceries with Instacart, working on DIY projects with Taskrabbit, or transporting packages with Amazon Flex.
Final Word:
If you have a phone, you have ways to earn side cash, save on expenses, and invest in your future. However, to maximize your long-term gains, you need to “invest” in your financial education.
WallStreetZen can help you understand what makes Wall Street tick with detailed top analyst ratings and our proprietary Zen Rating. With a WallStreetZen account, you can assess the risks of countless investments and make confident moves in the stock market.
FAQs:
How can I earn money with my phone?
There are many ways to make money on your phone, including gig work, surveys, and cash-back apps. You could also invest on your phone with brokerage apps.
How can I make money on my phone without spending money?
Most survey apps offer small cash incentives for users who watch videos, play games, or share opinions. You also don't need to spend money to join many gig work apps like Uber or Lyft.
How can I make money with my iPhone?
The Apple App Store has hundreds of gig work, survey, or cash-back apps. You could also download financial health apps like Rocket Money, brokerage apps like moomoo, or auction apps like eBay.
What phone apps can make you a lot of money?
If you pick a profitable stock, ETF, or cryptocurrency, you could make a lot of money with a brokerage app. Also, if you establish a big following on a gig work app, you might pull in a steady stream of cash from a side hustle.
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