Sick of the feast-or-famine roller-coaster of freelancing? You’re not alone. Freelancers like us constantly try to figure out how to keep a steady paycheck. And in between projects, or Netflix binges, it’s just essential. And here’s the kicker: passive income apps for freelancers are revolutionizing the game by 2025. AI-fueled platforms and the gig economy are ascending.
These apps earn while you freelance, pick up coffee, or sleep.
No matter your gig — be it a creator, designer, developer, or any freelancer — the following apps will help you generate passive income. The best part? They require little maintenance once established!
Are you also set to make your smartphone a passive generator of income? Let’s dive in! 🚀
Best Passive Income Apps For Freelancers
1. Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards is a fast, easy way to make extra money or Google Play credit through short surveys. You receive surveys to fill out based on what you’ve been doing and where you’ve been, and each pays between $0.10 and $1. It is one of the best passive income apps.
Most surveys here are super quick, often 30 seconds or less. The app’s innovative technology will push you surveys that align with your shopping habits and use of Google services.
Usually, you can make between $50 and $150 a year. Payments are made via PayPal or as Google Play credit.
To do so well, keep your answers truthful and your location services on.
2. Nielsen Mobile Panel
This app works discreetly in the background, monitoring all internet and app activity.
You can make up to $50 a year just by having it installed, and you get entries into monthly sweepstakes with prizes that top out at $10,000. You can do nothing once you set it up — it’s a straightforward way to earn passive income.
Nielsen ensures the safety of your data with robust security measures. The information it gathers is anonymized for market research. If you stick with Nielsen for a long time, you might be rewarded with bonus perks or special incentives.
3. SavvyConnect
SavvyConnect allows you to get paid to share your digital behavior data. You can download the app on a maximum of three devices and earn up to $5 per device per month, which means you could earn up to $180 a year!
The app works well and doesn’t bog down your gadgets. You’ll also get access to exclusive, higher-paying surveys.
The real secret is using it regularly over the long term. Many users boost their earnings with loyalty bonuses and special research opportunities.
4. UpVoice
UpVoice allows you to earn tokens by browsing regularly. When on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Amazon, you create tokens.
These tokens can be exchanged for gift cards or plain old cash. You made as much as $75 in your first year.
It is a browser extension that runs quietly in the background and requires no additional effort. This is a plus, especially for freelancers on the internet 24/7. It’s an easy way to earn some extra cash.
Allow me to introduce you to the other apps in the same way.
5. Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the big guns in the cashback world. They partner with more than 3,500 stores around the world. You can get kickback rates between 1% and 40%. Some stores also pay special event bonus rates. Get cash back for shopping online or in a store.
Link your credit card and start earning.
Earn cash back while you shop online with Rakuten’s quick-click browser extension. Its best feature is the “Big Fat Check” system. It pays out your earnings every quarter through PayPal or via a printed check after you’ve scored $5. New users often are eligible for welcome bonuses of $30 or more after a qualifying purchase.
Veteran shoppers increase their earnings by timing for double cashback events and using special store promotions. And the Rakuten referral program is also great, coming in at $30 per new person referred.
Many savvy users earn a few hundred dollars a year, which they accumulate by cross-referencing shopping with referrals.
6. Drop
Drop makes reward shopping excursions even sweeter. Just link the app to your credit or debit cards. Shop from your go-to brands like Starbucks, Target or Uber. Points accrue automatically whenever you purchase—no scanning of receipts or activation of offers required.
Drop likes to host special events and challenges to allow you to stack up even more points. The points you earn can be redeemed for gift cards at retailers you love, from a minimum of $5.
The best part? You can earn points once you add your cards without lifting a finger.
Most users earn $15 to $30 a month simply by shopping as usual. You can make even more during bonus times. There are additional rewards for successfully completing specific shopping challenges and for staying engaged with the app.
7. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie doesn’t take a commission on users’ earnings; members keep 100% of the rewards they earn from completing surveys. The platform makes money by working with market research firms, not by cutting users’ points.
Other tips to increase your income:
- Fill Out Your Profile. Completing your profile will qualify you for many more similar surveys.
- Check on it: Log in regularly, because survey opportunities can go quickly.
- Turn on Notifications: Let the app or email tell you so you don’t miss high-paying surveys.
- Join Focus Groups: Survey Junkie occasionally offers focus groups or product testing that can pay much more than regular surveys.
- Be Honest and Consistent. Answering honestly, responsibly, and consistently can improve your chances of getting more invitations.
Survey Junkie is great for making a few bucks a week, but not much more if you’re going to take it seriously as a full-time opportunity.
8. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a legit rewards platform on the internet that lets you earn money by doing some simple tasks like surveys, watching videos, shopping, and playing games. Users are rewarded points, or “SB,” which can be exchanged for money through PayPal or for gift cards.
Commissions and Fees: Swagbucks doesn’t charge a fee for your earnings. You 100% keep all of the SB you earn. However, a few redemption choices, such as PayPal transfers or specific gift cards, may have minimum thresholds or processing times.
Ways to Maximize Earnings from Swagbucks:
- Reach Your Daily Goals: Swagbucks has a daily goal meter that rewards you with bonus SB if you complete a set number of tasks or earn points.
- Earn in More Ways: Earn with surveys, cash-back shopping, and searching the web. You can also earn SBs for watching videos.
- Special Offers: Swagbucks often posts deals and bonuses for signing up for services or purchasing items through its site.
- Refer Friends: Earn extra SB by referring friends who register and begin earning.
- Stay Active: Just like with any account, the more you use it, the better condition it remains in, and opening it may do you good.
Swagbucks is a great way to make extra cash in your free time as you have fun and diversify your tasks with tasks across dozens of categories.
9. BigCash
BigCash gives more money than usual for simple activities. You can try out apps, play games, or complete surveys. The pay is between $0.50 and $20 per task.
The app has a tier system. The more you spend, the more you make back. Occasionally, they’ll run special events that allow you to earn double or extra rewards. You can cash out with as little as $10 via PayPal or gift cards.
Regulars tell me they can make $50-$100 monthly by cherry-picking tasks and attending events. And the referral program is strong. Some make decent money as referrers, building a network of participants.
10. HeyCash
HeyCash offers fast-paying micro-tasks and immediate rewards. It’s ideal for quick tasks such as testing apps, watching videos, and taking surveys. It’s one of the best apps for making passive income.
HeyCash is unique here because it pays out instantly and lets you withdraw with only $5. You earn bonus points by maintaining daily activity streaks and tackling special challenges.
The app has a super user-friendly interface that makes it easy to see high-paying gigs and keep track of your earnings. Stay active and choose tasks wisely, and you can typically earn between $20 and $50 a week.
And there’s a leaderboard where top earners rake in extra bonuses weekly.
11. Pi Browser Extension
With the new Pi Browser Extension, your regular web browsing could make you earn some money. It pays you for browsing habits, and rewards you for visiting partner websites, performing “jobs,” and participating in targeted marketing campaigns.
The extension is lightweight and won’t slow down your browsing. Typically, you can make between $15 and $40 a month, although you may make more during special promotions.
It also provides helpful data on your browsing habits and shows you how much you could save with partner retailers.
12. Fundrise
Fundrise has reinvented real estate investing and opened it up for everyday investors at low $10 entry level.
The platform allows you to invest in a combination of real estate managed by pros. You can invest in commercial or residential real estate all across the U.S.
You earn income via quarterly dividends and potential property value appreciation. Historically, returns have been, on average, between 8% and 12% per year. Specific portfolios do even better when the market is strong.
There are a few reasons Fundrise is a standout here, but it’s because of its easy-to-understand fees and easy-to-use website. Not only does it manage the properties, but it also deals with tenants and handles maintenance, letting you sit back and collect your passive income. Every day, investors adore the detailed reports and ability to check in live through the mobile app.
13. Acorns
Acorns has made micro-investing incredibly convenient with its cool round-up and automatic investment features. Just add some credit or debit cards, and the app will round up the change from your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the spare change in diversified ETF portfolios.
The Found Money feature is also pretty great. It provides additional investments when you shop with its partner brands. Grow Magazine has techniques to help you become a savvy investor.
The average Acorns user accrues roughly $300-$500 yearly from round-ups. And that’s not even considering the additional dough from regular contributions and market gains!
14. Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin found an interesting way to monetize movement. They have a lovely movement-tracking algorithm. The app converts your steps outside into a digital currency. Take a walk, and you’ll be rewarded with about one sweatcoin for every 1,000 steps.
You can exchange your sweat coins for a variety of rewards, including physical goods, digital services, money deposited into your PayPal account, and charity donations. The app continues to add new things and special deals to its marketplace. Sign up for marathon challenges and special events to earn extra sweat coins.
If you are active, you might earn 5-10 sweat coins a day. Keep at it and participate in special challenges to earn more. There’s a social element, too, so you can challenge friends and share victories.
15. Fiverr
Fiverr isn’t only for working freelancers. Not to mention, it’s a good way to earn some passive income on digital products and gig extras. You can create and sell digital assets, templates, courses and software. Those can earn money without you doing much of anything once they’re produced.
The most successful sellers aspire to high-quality products that solve a problem or fill a gap in the market. Extras and upgrade packages can also help you make extra money.
A ballpark for my freelancer friends is between 500 to 2000 a month on passive sales, they advise. Some make quite a bit more when they do clever marketing and get the product positioning right.
16. Oppy
Oppy is turning the market research world on its head. They blend traditional polling with fun, interactive exercises. You could make more, mainly if you belong to specific demographics or stick with it long-term — some studies pay up to $50 a pop.
Their reward system is also pretty neat. You receive instant payouts with long-term bonuses. Some notable projects may allow you to earn more with focus groups and product tests.
They say they make $80 to $150 a month if they work hard and qualify for high-paying studies.
Getting paid is easy. When you reach $10, you can cash out via PayPal or a bank transfer.
17. Earnin
Earnin has a nifty financial service. It isn’t quite passive income but a supersaver for freelancers. The app allows you to access your earned wages before payday. And, there are no traditional borrowing fees or interest payments!
As a freelancer, you can withdraw a maximum of $500 every pay period. If you responsibly use the platform and demonstrate a good repayment history, this limit increases. The platform verifies your employment and income by reviewing your bank statements and tracking your location.
The app also provides balance alerts, overdraft protection, and assistance negotiating health bills. A frequency of users who tell us the app’s early access features allow them to save hundreds on overdraft fees and payday loans.
BONUS PASSIVE INCOME APPS FROM REDDIT
More apps are often recommended in r/passive_income, r/beermoney, and r/sidehustle and other subreddits in this space.
16. Mistplay
Freelancers can cash out up to $500 per pay period. That limit grows if you’re conscientious with your money and have a good history of paying on time. It verifies your job and income by looking at your bank statements and location using GPS.
The app also provides balance alerts and overdraft protection. And it will negotiate your health bills.
Many users claim to save big on overdraft fees and payday loans by using the app’s early access features.
17. Current Rewards
Lix is a music streaming app that allows you to earn money by listening to music and completing simple tasks. You gain points by streaming tracks, watching videos, and completing surveys.
Many people on Reddit claim they earn $20 to $50 a month from just listening to music in the background while working.
With payment options including PayPal or gift cards, payments are fast.
18. Honeygain
This app will pay you in exchange for sharing some of your unused internet bandwidth.
You can earn up to $20 a month per device just for letting it run in the background. It’s especially popular for those lucky enough to have unlimited internet plans.
They also have a transparent data usage policy, so things will be secure.
19. JumpTask
JumpTask is a colorful way to earn crypto. You may participate in micro-tasks, sell your internet, or contribute to research tasks. I’ve heard people claim that they earn between $30 and $100 a month by performing these tasks.
20. Pi Network
The app promises you can mine cryptocurrency without using up the battery. All you have to do is log in daily to keep mining. It’s still in the pre-launch stage, but many Redditors are staying with it, hoping it will somehow be worth something down the line.
21. UserTesting
They pay users anywhere from $10 to $60 per test. All you have to do is critique websites and apps. Most tests last only 15-20 minutes.
It’s not completely passive income, but some people say they make $100-$200 a month with minimal effort.
22. Dscout
Dscout conducts research missions, and you can earn $50 to $150 if you qualify and complete them. You simply submit video responses to their research questions and participate in long-term studies. Regulars say they earn from $200 to $500 a month.
23. Public
The public is similar to Robin Hood, but with a social element. It is where you can invest in both stocks and cryptocurrencies. And you can also make money through their referral program. Reddit users believe its educational resources and community functions.
24. Yotta Savings
Take a look at this excellent savings app with a gamified twist! It provides prize-linked savings accounts. When you save, you get tickets for drawings. You could be eligible to win weekly prizes of as much as $10 million.
Redditors are talking about it. Because of the prizes, they’re bragging that they make an average APY of 2-4%. That’s a lot higher than traditional savings accounts!
25. Medium
It takes a little getting used to, but the work you put in is well worth the reward of a steady passive income.
Users on Reddit have reported earning from $50 to $500 per month from articles they wrote a long time ago.
The secret to success is selecting the right subjects and generating quality material.
