Want to make money while you sleep, watch Netflix, or go about your regular day? That’s the dream behind passive income. You don’t need a rental property or a big investment account to get started. These 21 best passive income apps can help you earn extra cash, rewards, or investment income with surprisingly little ongoing effort.
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Legit Passive Income Apps
Imagine turning routine activities like shopping, listening to music, or even maintaining a healthier lifestyle into avenues for extra income. Enter passive income apps – your ticket to earning money effortlessly.
From cashback rewards and investment trackers to fitness challenges with financial incentives, these apps are changing the game of how we earn money.
If you’d like to know:
“How can I make $1000 a month passively”?
Or even:
How to make $4,000 a month passive income?
Whether you’re looking for passive income apps for iPhone or for Android we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, you’ll get the best list of passive income apps to make real money in passive ways.
These passive income ideas are a great way to make real money while you sleep!
Read on to find the best passive income apps to add to your income easily.
21 Best Passive Income Apps for 2026
1. Rocket Money
Rocket Money is a passive income app that helps you find all the subscriptions you’re signed up for, manage bills, and cancel subscriptions with a single click.
I had a rule for myself that I would have at maximum two streaming services at any time, and no more.
Add one 7-year-old, and one Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos, and Disney+ later, and I am looking into adding one more to get all the holiday movies we love. (*Handing in my frugal badge while hanging my head in shame*).
If you are like me and know you are probably paying too much for monthly subscriptions, Rocket Money is an easy way to help you get control of your subscriptions and save money.
2. Honeygain
One of the more unusual passive income apps is Honeygain, and it’s truly passive.
Honeygain is the first-ever app where you can get paid to share your internet connection.
The account minimum for payout is $20, and Honeygain states that you can make $50 or more a month passively sharing your internet.
I wrote a comprehensive review of Honeygain so you can decide for yourself if this is a way you’d like to make extra money.
In the article I also discuss the safety of sharing your internet connection.
If you’re looking for side hustles where you have to do almost nothing, one of the best apps is Honeygain.
3. Swagbucks
One of the easiest ways to make passive money is through Swagbucks.
Swagbucks is a great app that’s all about making your time online a bit more rewarding. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s a cool way to snag some extra cash or gift cards in your spare time.
Picture this: you’re scrolling through the internet, watching videos, taking surveys, or even doing your online shopping. Now, with Swagbucks, you can earn points (they call them “Swagbucks” or SB) for doing these everyday things. It’s like getting a little bonus for activities you’d probably be doing anyway.
The sweet part?
Those SBs can be converted into Amazon gift cards, Starbucks gift cards, or even straight-up cash through PayPal.
It’s like turning your downtime into a mini cash flow. Plus, they sometimes throw in bonuses or special offers, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for those.
Now, let’s be real. It’s not going to make you a millionaire.
But if you’re already spending time online, why not squeeze a bit of extra value out of it?
Whether you’re saving up for something special or just want some guilt-free Starbucks, Swagbucks is one of the best ways to bring in some passive income.
4. Rakuten: Passive Income Apps that Give You Cash Back
One of the best passive income streams that I recommend for everyone is Rakuten.
Rakuten is a cash-back site that pays you back a percentage of what you spend on things you buy online and it is awesome!
I have gotten money back from shopping at Sephora, the Gap, and on plane tickets I bought to visit my family. If you’re not using Rakuten, you are spending more money than you need to be.
The only downside of Rakuten that I have found is you have to remember to use it when you go to shop online!
Sign up for Rakuten here and you’ll receive a generous sign-up bonus.
5. Savvy Cooperative Health Survey Site
Many survey sites pay small amounts of money so you have to do heaps of surveys to make a lot of money.
Savvy Cooperative is different in that it is a high income survey site.
The surveys are health surveys on a variety of topics. It’s a patient-owned co-op that lets people share their health experiences with companies and researchers, and get rewarded for it. Some surveys are for caregivers as well.
The surveys offered change all the time, but when I checked there was a survey for people who have had cancer that pays $110 usd for an hour.
There is also an offer to speak at a health conference in Los Angeles that offers $1300 usd compensation, plus meals and hotel will be provided.
You can make great almost passive income by answering some quick survey questions.
Sign up here and look for something you qualify to participate in and start making good money participating in surveys!
6. Survey Junkie
While you can take surveys for cash with Survey Junkie, there is an even more passive way to make money with Survey Junkie.
It’s called SJ Pulse, and with it you can choose to automatically share your digital browsing behaviors in exchange for rewards.
You can either add the SJ Pulse browser extension to your laptop or opt-in via the SJ mobile app.
The kinds of digital activities that are shared through SJ Pulse are things like:
- What you search
- The content you engage with
- Ads you see
- What websites you visit
- Your shopping activity
This option is one of the easiest passive income apps because you literally just go about your regular business online, while collecting passive income.
Some people will love this idea while it will creep other people out. If this isn’t your cup of tea, for a small amount of effort you can take online surveys instead.
7. Housesitting
One of the best passive income apps has to be Housesitters. You can get paid to kick back in someone else’s cozy digs, maybe even with a pool or a killer view. Sounds like a dream, right?
So, people have these awesome homes, but every now and then, they need someone to water the plants, collect the mail, and just keep an eye on things.
That’s where you, the housesitter extraordinaire, come into play. It’s like a vacation for you, but you’re also doing someone a solid.
And here’s the cool part—it’s passive income.
You’re not hustling at a desk. You’re living in someone else’s pad, enjoying the perks of a new neighborhood or city.
It’s a win-win situation. They get peace of mind knowing their place is in good hands, and you get a sweet spot to crash.
You might have to take out the trash, maybe water some plants, but it’s minor stuff compared to the benefits.
You could be living the good life in a beachfront house or a downtown apartment, and all you have to do is make sure everything is A-OK.
If you’re a responsible person who doesn’t mind playing caretaker, housesitting is a low-key way to make passive income. It’s like a vacation that pays you. Sign me up!
8. Passive Income Apps for Petsitting
One of my favorite passive income apps is Rover. With minimal effort you can make money while you have a purring cat in your lap or dog buddy to watch Netflix on the couch with.
Imagine getting paid to hang out with someone’s adorable furball or feathered friend. You’re basically getting paid to give and receive love from pets—how awesome is that? Plus, it’s not like you’re pulling a 9-to-5; you get to set your schedule.
The best part? It’s kinda like passive income because once you’ve built a good reputation and a network of pet-loving clients, they’ll keep coming back. Happy pets mean happy owners, and happy owners mean more gigs for you. It’s word-of-mouth marketing, pet edition.
Sure, you might have to scoop a litter box or two, and there could be the occasional 3 AM emergency walk, but you’re getting paid to hang out with animals. That’s like, the dream job for many.
And bonus, you might get some exercise in if you’ve got a hyperactive doggo on your hands.
So, if you’re an animal lover looking to make some extra cash, pet sitting is like the gig that keeps on giving. You get paid, pets get love, and everyone’s happy. It’s a win-win, paws down!
9. Sell Your Hair
You can’t get much more passive income than getting paid to grow your hair!
There is a market for selling natural hair, for making wigs and hair extensions, among other things.
Longer hair in general commands more money, as does hair that has never been colored or chemically straightened or permed.
This is one of the easiest passive income apps for extra income. It’s also one you can make money from over and over again as you grow your hair!
For other weird ways to make money, read this post.
10. Passive Income Apps for High-Yield Savings Accounts
If you store your money in a regular savings account or checking account, you are losing money over time.
With the U.S. inflation rate at over 3% and the majority of savings account rates being much less than a percent, your money can’t keep up.
It’s an easy switch to move your money to a high-interest savings account and start making better interest.
This is a way to make free money from your own money.
You can sign up today here and start having your saved money actually make money.
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11. Flippa
Let’s dive into the world of passive income through the Flippa app. It’s like the treasure chest for digital entrepreneurs, where you can buy, sell, and trade websites and online businesses. Think of it as the stock market, but for websites—pretty cool, huh?
So, here’s the deal: you can scout out websites or online ventures that are up for grabs on Flippa. Maybe someone’s got a blog, an e-commerce store, or a niche website that’s just waiting for a new captain to steer the ship.
That’s where you come in.
You can snag these ready-made online businesses. Give them a little TLC or a fresh perspective, and then boom—you’ve got a potential money-making machine on your hands.
It’s like buying a fixer-upper house, but in the digital world.
The cool part about Flippa is that once you’ve polished up a site and it’s making some decent cash, you can turn around and sell it on Flippa again. It’s like a cycle of digital entrepreneurship.
You’re not just building an online business; you’re creating assets that can bring in passive income.
Sure, it takes a bit of know-how, but if you’re into online trends, marketing, and maybe a bit of coding, Flippa can be your playground.
It’s like turning the internet into your own little money-making sandbox. Just keep your eyes open for the gems, and who knows, you might be the next digital tycoon! 💻🚀
12. Fundrise
If you’re interested in real estate investments, one of the most fun passive income apps is Fundrise.
The Fundrise app is like Monopoly but without the arguments over who gets to be the thimble.
Fundrise is all about investing in the real estate market without dropping stacks of cash on an entire building.
Instead of owning a single property, you can invest in a portfolio of real estate projects through the magic of crowdfunding. Fancy, right?
You throw in some cash, and they sprinkle it across a bunch of different real estate ventures. This could range from swanky apartments to commercial spaces.
And here’s the kicker: you get a piece of the pie when those properties start making bank. It’s like you’re the silent partner in a bunch of cool real estate deals.
The best part? It’s passive income at its finest.
You’re not fixing leaky faucets or dealing with cranky tenants. You’re just sitting back, relaxing, and letting your money do the work. They handle all the nitty-gritty details.
Plus, Fundrise has this fancy technology that lets you track your investments and see how your money’s doing. It’s like having a front-row seat to the real estate show, and you’re getting paid for it.
If you’re into making money in your sleep and want a piece of the real estate action without the headaches, Fundrise might just be your ticket to financial coolness. Sit back, relax, and let the real estate profits roll in.
13. Micro-Investing Apps: Acorns
Acorns is a micro-investing app that automatically invests for you.
Here’s how Acorns works as a passive income app:
You connect your cards to Acorns, and it does this nifty thing called “round-ups.” Say you grab a coffee for $2.50—Acorns rounds that up to 3 bucks and squirrels away that extra 50 cents into an investment account. It’s like a digital piggy bank on autopilot.
Now, here’s where the magic happens. Acorns takes those little round-ups and invests them for you.
You’re not talking big bucks here, just the spare change from your daily transactions. It’s the kind of money you might not even notice is missing, but over time, it starts to add up.
And the best part? It’s passive as heck.
You set it up once, forget about it, and Acorns keeps growing your money in the background. You can choose your risk level, from conservative to aggressive, depending on how much of a financial thrill-seeker you are.
Plus, they throw in this cool feature called “Found Money,” where you get cashback for shopping at partnered stores. It’s like earning extra leaves on your financial tree.
If you’re into the idea of effortlessly growing your money while you live your life, having an Acorns account is like the chill gardener for your financial garden. Get started with Acorns here.
14. Capital One Shopping
This is one of the passive income apps that will turn your online shopping sprees into a bit of extra cash. It’s like having a shopping buddy that’s also your financial sidekick.
You download the Capital One Shopping browser extension, and it goes to work for you.
When you’re eyeing that killer pair of shoes or the latest tech gadget, Capital One Shopping jumps in, searches for coupons, and tries to find you the best deal possible. It’s like having your own personal deal-hunting superhero.
But wait, there’s more! While you’re saving money, Capital One Shopping is also tossing a little cashback your way. Cha-ching! It’s like getting a bonus for being a savvy shopper. The cashback part is where the passive income magic happens.
You’re not doing anything extra…just going about your usual online shopping spree, and you’re earning a bit of money back.
You can redeem your cashback for gift cards or straight-up cash. So, it’s like treating yourself to a little extra something just for being smart about your purchases.
So, if you’re into the idea of getting paid while you shop online, Capital One Shopping is like your digital shopping wingman. You shop, it saves, and you both come out looking like money-savvy rockstars.
15. Trim
Trim is one of the passive income apps that is similar to Rocket Money.
It works passively to manage your subscriptions and save you money.
Trim is free to sign up and has delivered over $86M in savings to its users.
It’s kind of like a virtual assistant for your finances, finding ways to trim expenses and save you money every month.
The best part is once you set up the Trim app, it works for you with very little effort on your part to put extra money in your bank account.
16. Wrapify
Wrapify is truly one of the most passive income apps. There is minimal effort needed to get started, and then none to keep making money.
You sign up with Wrapify, and if your vehicle fits the bill, they slap some brand-sponsored decals on it. You’re essentially turning your car into a moving advertisement for money.
The fun thing is, you don’t need to change your daily routine. You’re already driving around town, doing your thing. Now, you’re earning money while at it. It’s like getting paid to be stuck in traffic.
The amount you make depends on how much of your car gets wrapped, how far you drive, and the campaign specifics. It’s kind of like a passive income subscription for your wheels.
It’s not just about the money. You might score some sweet perks or discounts from the brands you’re repping on your car.
You can earn hundreds of dollars a month in passive income by having your car wrapped by Wrapify.
17. Current Rewards
The Current Rewards app pays you for doing what you already do—scrolling, listening to music, and being generally awesome.
When you download the Current Rewards app your phone becomes your little money-making sidekick. Just by listening to music, news, or whatever tunes you’re into, you start racking up points. It’s like turning your jam sessions into a cash flow.
You can also earn points by answering surveys or trying out some sponsored offers. It’s not rocket science; it’s just getting paid for sharing your opinions or checking out cool stuff. Easy peasy.
You can redeem those points for gift cards or even cold, hard cash. It’s like turning your phone into a little money printer, minus the complicated stuff.
Current Rewards app is pretty darn passive. You set it up, do your thing, and let the points roll in. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or just chilling on the couch, you’re making money on the side without even trying.
So, if you’re down for turning your phone time into a bit of extra pocket change, the Current Rewards app is like the low-key superhero in your pocket. Listen to tunes, answer a few questions, and watch the rewards flow in.
18. MobileXpression Panel
MobileXpression Panel turns your phone into a passive income generator.
The MobileXpression Panel app is similar to SJ Pulse with Survey Junkie. It’s like letting your smartphone do the work while you reap the rewards.
You download the MobileXpression app, and it quietly chills in the background of your phone. What does it do? It gathers data on your mobile internet usage—completely anonymized and stripped of any personal info. No creepy stuff, just numbers and trends.
Now here is the passive income part:
You earn points just for having the app do its thing. You’re not doing anything extra; it’s like having a low-maintenance side hustle that runs itself. The longer you keep the app, the more points you rack up.
And what do these points get you?
Well, you can exchange them for gift cards to your favorite places. It’s like getting rewarded for your normal phone habits. You’re not answering surveys or clicking ads; you’re just letting the app observe, and you’re getting a little treat in return.
19. Personal Capital
This is one of my favorites of the passive income apps because it’s super powerful in how it can help your money grow.
Personal Capital is now called Empower, but it does the same cool stuff to bring in passive income.
Personal Capital is like this all-in-one financial tool that gives you the 411 on your money game.
It links up with your accounts, tracks your spending, and paints a clear picture of your financial landscape. It’s like having a money GPS – you always know where you stand.
Where the passive income magic kicks in is through the investment tracking feature.
Personal Capital keeps tabs on your investments, whether it’s stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts. It’s like having a backstage pass to your investment portfolio, and you can see how your money is performing over time.
Personal Capital can help you plan for the future by analyzing your financial goals and suggesting strategies.
It’s like having a financial advisor in your pocket, but way more chill.
Back to passive income.
As you grow your investments, whether through dividends from stocks or interest from bonds, Personal Capital is there to show you the fruits of your financial decisions. It’s like watching your money work for you, and who doesn’t love the sound of that?
So, if you’re into the idea of making your money do the heavy lifting and want a partner in financial crime, Personal Capital is like the cool, collected friend you want by your side.
Personal Capital/Empower is a really awesome passive income app to track your investments, plan for the future, and watch your passive income grow.
20. HealthyWage
I know that HealthyWage might seem like an unusual choice to add to this list of passive income apps, but hear me out.
HealthyWage is all about incentivizing you to shed some pounds and get healthier. You sign up, set a weight loss goal, and then put your money where your goals are. It’s like a friendly bet with yourself.
While losing weight doesn’t exactly seem like a passive thing to do, the making money part from losing weight is. If you want to lose weight, you don’t usually get paid to do so, except with HealthyWage.
The passive income part is that if you hit your weight loss target, HealthyWage pays you.
It’s not just about looking and feeling better; it’s about earning some extra cash as a reward for your hard work. Your weight loss journey becomes a money-making journey – talk about motivation!
And it’s not just for solo missions; you can even do team challenges with friends or colleagues.
It adds a bit of friendly competition, and everyone gets healthier together. Plus, it keeps you accountable, and the prospect of winning some cash sweetens the deal.
Read my in-depth review of HealthyWage.
It’s kinda like passive income because you’re earning money by achieving your fitness goals. You set the target, put in the effort, and get paid – simple as that. It’s like turning your journey to a healthier you into a financial win.
Find out how passive income you could make with HealthyWage here.
21. Passive Income Apps for Shopping Rebates: MaxRebates
MaxRebates is a similar passive income app to Rakuten.
I haven’t used MaxRebates myself, but it is a cashback site just like Rakuten.
It works like this: you’re shopping online, and you’re not just snagging cool stuff; you’re also earning some cashback with Max Rebates. It’s like getting paid to treat yourself – win-win!
You sign up, do your online shopping through their platform, a browser extension they provide, or the MaxRebates app and voilà, you start earning rebates on your purchases.
It’s not about spending more; it’s about getting a little something back from the money you were already going to spend.
The beauty of it?
It’s passive income.
You don’t have to jump through hoops, answer surveys, or perform cartwheels. Just shop like you usually would, and MaxRebates quietly works its magic in the background, giving you a slice of your spending back in the form of rebates or cashback.
And when you’ve racked up enough rebates, you can cash them in for gift cards or PayPal funds.
MaxRebates is a laid-back way to earn a little extra while doing your regular online shopping. Because who doesn’t love the idea of turning shopping sprees into a bit of passive income?
Next, check out the best budgeting apps to manage your money and the 7 best personal finance apps everyone should be using.
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