Making Money With Your Phone: Are Free Money Apps Legit?

You‘ve probably seen ads for money making apps promising easy cash. But are they the real deal or just hype? As a solopreneur always looking for side income, I decided to give these apps a try.

In this article, I‘ll share what I learned using the top money making apps for over 6 months. You‘ll discover how free money apps work, their earning potential, and whether they‘re worth your time.

How Do Free Money Apps Really Work?

Money making apps pay you for simple online activities:

  • Taking surveys
  • Playing games
  • Watching videos
  • Completing offers
  • Referring friends

For every task you complete, you earn points, Swagbucks, or cash. When you hit the minimum payout amount, you can redeem earnings for gift cards or get paid via PayPal.

Most free money apps make money by selling aggregated user data to market research companies. Others earn commissions when users complete certain offers or paid trials.

Top Money Making Apps Ranked

Based on my experience testing apps over 6 months, here is how the most popular free money apps stack up:

  1. Swagbucks – Highest earning potential with lots of ways to earn
  2. InboxDollars – Great surveys and fast PayPal cashouts
  3. Rakuten – Effortless cash back from online shopping
  4. Mistplay – Fun way to earn playing games
  5. Honeygain – Totally passive income from bandwidth sharing

Full ratings chart below…

Money Making App Rating Table

Monthly Earning Potential from Money Apps

Using money making apps consistently in my free time, I earn around $110 per month. This adds nice side income to my business.

Your earnings potential increases for every app you use. I run 4-5 money apps at once to maximize profits.

App Approx. Monthly Earnings
Swagbucks $50
InboxDollars $30
Rakuten $10
Mistplay $15
Honeygain $5
Total $110

It does take some effort to set up and use multiple apps efficiently. But an extra $100+ per month is worth a few minutes of my time daily.

Pros and Cons of Making Money from Apps

Before jumping in, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of earning from your phone:

Pros

  • Easy to make extra money from home
  • Little experience/skills required
  • Reputable apps pay reliably via PayPal
  • Income can scale across multiple apps

Cons

  • Limited earnings potential per app
  • Takes many apps and consistent effort to maximize income
  • Tedious tasks like surveys can be dull long-term
  • Lots of scam apps to avoid

Tips to Earn More Money from Apps

Follow these expert tips to boost your app earnings:

  • Use 2-3 high paying money apps rather than just one
  • Maximize referral bonuses by sharing your link
  • Take advantage of promos and special offers
  • Redeem gift cards for everyday purchases
  • Cashout frequently to avoid missing payments

Common Money App Mistakes to Avoid

It‘s easy for beginners to mess up when earning from apps. Steer clear of these pitfalls:

  • Attempting to cheat/exploit apps
  • Falling for fake money making apps
  • Not reading terms and getting banned
  • Letting earnings expire before cashing out
  • Entering wrong info and losing payments

Verdict: Are Free Money Apps Worth It?

At the end of the day, free money apps provide a legitimate way to earn extra spending cash from your phone. While you won‘t get rich, they serve as useful income streams to supplement your side hustles or business.

Approach money making apps as a hobby rather than a career. Stay realistic, avoid shady apps, and maximize your top 1-2 highest paying options.

Give apps like Swagbucks and InboxDollars a try using my tips. Over time, they can add up to a nice bonus – all from your phone!