How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Swagbucks and Freecash cover the widest mix of tasks, including surveys, games, offers, and shopping cashback.
- Survey Junkie and Prolific suit people who want surveys only, with Prolific focused on academic research studies.
- UserTesting pays per test rather than per survey, but tests are not always available and screening is strict.
- Rakuten and Ibotta pay cashback on spending you already planned, rather than paying for time spent on tasks.
- This is not financial advice. Earnings vary by profile, location, and task supply, and no app here guarantees a set amount.
Quick comparison
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The best apps to earn money online
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Swagbucks is a general rewards platform where members earn points, called SB, for surveys, games, offers, video content, and shopping through tracked links. Points convert to gift cards or PayPal cash, with gift card redemptions available from lower thresholds than cash in many cases. The range of tasks means a member who is screened out of one survey can often switch to a game offer or a shopping deal instead.
The honest limit is time. Surveys pay small amounts each, screening out is common, and the hourly return is modest compared with skilled freelance work. Swagbucks fits people who want a flexible side activity in short gaps, such as a commute or a waiting room, rather than a replacement for regular work.
What we like- Surveys, games, offers, and shopping in one account
- Gift card redemptions from low thresholds
- Long track record of payouts
- Works on web and mobile
Watch out for- Some surveys screen users out partway
- Points value varies by redemption
- Task supply changes by profile and location
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Survey Junkie keeps the experience narrow on purpose: answer surveys, build a balance, and cash out. The interface shows an estimated time and point value before each survey, which helps members decide whether a survey is worth starting. Cashout starts at $5 for PayPal or gift cards, which is lower than several rivals.
The narrow focus is the trade-off. There are no games, cashback deals, or user tests to fill gaps when survey supply is low. Survey Junkie fits people who prefer surveys and want a simple balance to track, and who accept that earnings rise and fall with the surveys matched to their profile.
What we like- Clean survey only interface
- Cashout from $5 to PayPal or gift cards
- Profile matching improves survey fit over time
- No games or offers to sort through
Watch out for- Surveys only, so no other earning route
- Screening out still happens
- Available surveys depend on demographics
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Freecash combines paid surveys with game offers and app trials, and it pays through PayPal, gift cards, bank transfer in some regions, and crypto. The PayPal cashout threshold is $5, which lets new members reach a first payout sooner than on platforms with higher minimums. Withdrawals are often processed within hours, though timing varies by method and account checks.
Game offers deserve a careful read. Many pay in stages as a player reaches levels or milestones, so the full reward can take days of play. Freecash fits people who already play mobile games and want rewards for that time, plus surveys for days when game offers are thin.
What we like- Surveys plus game and app offers
- PayPal, gift card, and crypto payouts
- Fast withdrawals reported by many users
- Low PayPal cashout threshold
Watch out for- Game offers require reaching set milestones
- Offer terms need careful reading
- Some offers are region restricted
#4UserTesting
Best for: Paid website and app tests4.4/5 on
G2 (794 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit usertesting.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
UserTesting pays members to complete tasks on websites and apps while speaking their thoughts aloud, then answering follow up questions. Short tests pay a set fee, and longer live conversation tests pay more. The work feels different from surveys, since it asks for spoken reactions and a screen recording rather than tick box answers.
Availability is the main limit. Members must pass a short screening test for each study, and many screenings end without a paid test. UserTesting fits people with a quiet room, a clear microphone, and patience for screening, and who want occasional higher value tasks rather than a steady daily stream.
What we like- Higher pay per test than per survey
- Tests use real websites and apps
- Think aloud format suits clear speakers
- PayPal payouts
Watch out for- Tests are not always available
- Screening tests reject many applicants
- Payout arrives about 14 days after a completed test
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Prolific connects participants with academic and commercial research studies, including surveys, experiments, and interviews. Studies show an estimated completion time and reward before a member starts, and the platform sets a minimum hourly rate for researchers, which gives members a clearer sense of fair pay than open survey marketplaces.
The catch is matching. Studies target specific age groups, locations, and backgrounds, so some members see many studies and others see few. Prolific fits people who enjoy research tasks and want transparent study terms, and who are comfortable waiting for studies that match their profile.
What we like- Research studies from universities and companies
- Published minimum hourly rate for studies
- Clear study descriptions before starting
- PayPal payouts
Watch out for- Study supply varies by demographics
- Account approval can take time
- Fewer game or shopping tasks than general platforms
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
InboxDollars shows earnings in dollars rather than points, which removes the mental math of converting points to cash. Members earn from surveys, offers, games, and paid email, and they can redeem through PayPal, gift cards, or a prepaid card. The dollar display makes it easier to judge whether a task is worth the time.
The first withdrawal requires a $15 balance, with later withdrawals from $10, so new members wait longer for a first payout than on Freecash or Survey Junkie. InboxDollars fits people who prefer cash figures over points and who will use the platform steadily enough to reach the threshold.
What we like- Balances shown in dollars, not points
- Surveys, offers, and paid email in one place
- PayPal and gift card payouts
- Long running platform
Watch out for- First cashout threshold is $15
- Payout processing takes a few business days
- Some tasks pay slowly for the time involved
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Rakuten pays cashback when members shop through its links or app at partner stores. Rates vary by retailer and by promotion, and the cashback appears in the account after the purchase is confirmed. Members can also use a browser extension that flags cashback when they visit a partner store site.
Rakuten is not a task app. It pays nothing for time spent, and it only returns money on spending that was already planned. That makes it a useful add-on for regular online shoppers, and a poor choice for anyone looking to earn without spending. Payouts arrive quarterly, so members should treat it as a slow rebate rather than quick cash.
What we like- Cashback at many large retailers
- Browser extension and app track purchases
- Quarterly payouts by PayPal or check
- No tasks or surveys required
Watch out for- Only pays on tracked purchases
- Cashback rates change by store and promotion
- Payouts arrive quarterly, not on demand
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Ibotta focuses on grocery and everyday retail cashback. Members activate offers in the app, shop in store or online, then scan a receipt or link a loyalty account to claim the rebate. Bonus offers reward members who complete a set of deals within a set period, which adds value for regular shoppers.
The work is in the setup. Offers must be activated before purchase, and brand or store limits can make an offer unusable on a given trip. The withdrawal minimum is $20, so occasional shoppers may wait weeks to cash out. Ibotta fits people who already shop at covered stores each week and who will check offers before they buy.
What we like- Cashback on grocery and retail purchases
- Receipt scanning for in store shopping
- Bonus offers for completing sets of deals
- Bank, PayPal, and gift card withdrawals
Watch out for- Cashback requires activating offers before shopping
- Withdrawal minimum is $20
- Some offers are brand or store specific
How we chose
We compared vendor sites, payout terms, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked each platform for a free signup, a clear payout method, and a track record of paying members. We favored platforms that publish cashout thresholds and payout timing, and we excluded apps that charge a fee to join or promise a fixed income. We also weighed the honest limit of each option, since task supply, screening, and payout timing usually matter more than the headline reward.
How to use these apps without wasting time
Earning apps reward consistency and careful choice, not hours spent clicking every available task. A few rules keep the return reasonable.
Pick one route and one backup
Choose the route that fits your day: surveys, user tests, or cashback. Add one backup app for days when the first has no tasks, and stop there. Running five apps at once splits attention and makes it harder to reach any single cashout threshold.
Check the cashout threshold first
Before spending time on any platform, confirm the minimum payout, the payout method, and the processing time. A low threshold matters more than a high headline reward, since a balance you cannot withdraw has no value. Survey Junkie and Freecash both allow PayPal cashout from $5, while InboxDollars and Ibotta require higher balances.
Treat surveys as pocket money, not a job
Survey and task apps pay small amounts per task, and screening, waiting, and account checks add unpaid time. This is not financial advice, and no app on this list should be treated as a guaranteed income source. If you need steady income, skilled freelance work, part time work, or local services will pay far more per hour than task apps.
Protect your data and your time
Use a separate email address for rewards accounts, read offer terms before starting a game or trial offer, and never pay to join an earning app. Set a daily time limit, such as 30 minutes, and stop when the tasks on offer pay less than your time is worth. If an app asks for a fee to release earnings, leave and report it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to earn money online for beginners?
Swagbucks is a good starting point, since it offers surveys, games, offers, and shopping in one account. A beginner can try several task types and see which fits their day. Survey Junkie is a simpler alternative for people who want surveys only and a low cashout threshold.
How much can I realistically earn from survey apps?
Amounts vary widely by profile, location, and task supply, and no app guarantees a set monthly total. Most members earn small amounts that suit pocket money or gift cards, not rent or bills. Treat any app that promises a fixed income with suspicion, and track your own hourly return for a month before deciding whether to continue.
Do these apps pay through PayPal?
Most of them do, including Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Freecash, UserTesting, Prolific, and InboxDollars, though thresholds and processing times differ. Rakuten pays quarterly by PayPal or check, and Ibotta allows PayPal and bank withdrawals from $20. Always confirm the payout method in your own account, since options vary by country.
Are money earning apps safe?
Established platforms with a long payout history are generally safe to use, but they do collect profile and activity data for matching. Use a separate email address, avoid sharing bank login details with any rewards app, and never pay a fee to join or to withdraw. If an app promises very high pay for little work, treat that as a warning sign.
Why do I get screened out of surveys?
Surveys target specific groups, such as an age range, a job type, or a buying habit. Screening questions check that fit, and members outside the target group are removed, sometimes after several questions. This is normal on every survey platform, and it is one reason a backup app helps on slow days.
Do I need to pay tax on app earnings?
In the United States, rewards and cash payouts can count as taxable income, and platforms that pay above a set yearly total may issue a tax form. Gift card redemptions can also count. This is not tax advice, so check current IRS guidance or ask a tax professional if your yearly total grows beyond a small amount.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.swagbucks.com
- https://www.surveyjunkie.com
- https://freecash.com
- https://www.usertesting.com
- https://www.prolific.com
- https://www.inboxdollars.com
- https://www.rakuten.com
- https://www.ibotta.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Swagbucks
Survey Junkie
Freecash
Prolific
InboxDollars
Rakuten
Ibotta