If you’re looking to make a little extra cash or even turn your phone into a full-time source of income, you can find plenty of opportunities. Thanks to the gig economy and mobile apps, there are now many ways you can work from home or on-the-go. Some of these options involve working for companies that pay you to complete short tasks, while others offer more long-term earning potential. If you have language skills, you can provide translation and interpretation services via your smartphone, a growing industry for on-demand workers. In addition, there are numerous other app-based ways to earn money, such as taking surveys and using investment apps like Robinhood.
Survey apps that pay you to answer questions or share your shopping or web browsing habits are a great way to earn some extra cash on the side. Some of these apps link to your payment cards and reward you with cash back while others require you to upload receipts or answer questions about the store you shopped at. Some of these apps, such as Receipt Hog and Nielsen’s Computer & Mobile Panel, may feel like an invasion of privacy, but they are generally safe to use.
Similarly, on-demand language services are a great way to leverage your skills and work from home. Apps like TutorJob and Gigwalk connect you with clients seeking language lessons, which you can provide remotely in exchange for a fee. These types of jobs tend to have a higher hourly rate than other mobile work, but they can provide you with steady, reliable income.
Some mobile apps allow you to earn money by completing simple tasks, like watching videos or playing games. These apps often have multiple tasks available, allowing you to choose the ones that best fit your interests and skill set. You can also download apps such as Rakuten and ibotta to earn cash back when you shop or make in-person purchases. You can also use investment apps, such as Robinhood, to invest in stocks and mutual funds with minimal fees.
If you have a camera on your smartphone, you can upload photos or video to apps such as Foap, Snapwire and EyeEm and earn a percentage of any sales that the content generates. In addition, there are several photo- and video-editing apps that will pay you for your work.
Many of the same apps that allow you to earn cash or rewards by doing things you normally do on your phone will also let you get paid for completing more traditional jobs, such as customer service. Many of these apps, such as Instacart, DoorDash, TaskRabbit and Rover, pay you for food delivery, ridesharing, dog walking and other duties.
Another great option is to sign up for a freelance marketplace such as Upwork or Fiverr, which connects you with clients who need freelance workers for everything from writing and graphic design to web development and social media management. You can also work as a virtual assistant or translator via these platforms.