Last Updated on July 16, 2025
In today’s fast-paced digital economy, the concept of earning without constant hands-on work has evolved from a dream into a practical reality. Whether you’re aiming to pad your savings, pay down debt, or simply enjoy greater financial freedom, passive income opportunities are more accessible than ever before. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to the Best Passive Income Apps to Earn Extra Money, carefully researched and curated to help you make informed decisions and grow your income stream with minimal effort.
From micro-investing apps that build your portfolio in the background to platforms that reward you for everyday activities like shopping, teaching, or even walking your dog, these passive income apps are designed for people of all backgrounds and lifestyles. What sets them apart is their ability to help you earn without clocking into a traditional job or sacrificing your time and energy.
This guide breaks down each app based on how it works, what you can earn, and why it’s worth considering. We’ve also included tips for getting the most out of your passive income strategy, ensuring that even your downtime can be profitable.
Investment & Financial Apps That Work While You Sleep
One of the most straightforward ways to generate passive income is through investing. Whether you’re new to the market or looking for smarter tools to grow your wealth, these apps automate the process and work in the background while you go about your day. Here are the top investment and financial apps from our list of the 20 Best Passive Income Apps to Earn Extra Money.
1. Acorns – Invest Your Spare Change Automatically
How it works:
Acorns links to your debit or credit card and rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar. That “spare change” is then automatically invested in a diversified portfolio.
Why it’s passive:
You literally invest without thinking about it. Acorns does everything—from transfers to investing—on autopilot.
Potential earnings:
Returns vary depending on market conditions, but many users find it a low-risk way to start building wealth.
2. Robinhood – Trade Stocks with No Commission
How it works:
Robinhood is a commission-free investment platform that lets you trade stocks, ETFs, and even cryptocurrencies.
Why it’s passive:
While it can be used actively, long-term investors benefit passively through dividend-earning stocks and market growth.
Potential earnings:
Dependent on your portfolio. Plus, new users get a free stock, making it an easy starting point.
3. Fundrise – Real Estate Investing Without Owning Property
How it works:
Fundrise lets you invest in professionally managed real estate portfolios. You buy into a pool of projects and receive returns through dividends and appreciation.
Why it’s passive:
No landlord responsibilities. Fundrise handles the properties while you collect a portion of the profits.
Potential earnings:
Fundrise advertises average returns between 8%–12% annually, depending on market performance.
4. PeerStreet – Real Estate-Backed Loans
How it works:
PeerStreet allows you to invest in real estate-backed loans. Essentially, you fund loans that are secured by real estate and earn interest as borrowers repay.
Why it’s passive:
You don’t manage properties or tenants—just select the loans that fit your criteria, and PeerStreet does the rest.
Potential earnings:
Returns typically range from 6% to 9%, depending on loan terms and borrower risk.
5. Honeygain – Get Paid for Sharing Internet Bandwidth
How it works:
Install Honeygain on your devices and let it run in the background. It sells your unused internet bandwidth to trusted partners for market research and web intelligence.
Why it’s passive:
Once installed, you don’t have to do anything. It’s “set it and forget it.”
Potential earnings:
Up to $30 per month, depending on how much bandwidth you share and your location.
6. Turo – Rent Out Your Car Like an Airbnb
How it works:
Turo lets you rent your personal vehicle to others when you’re not using it. Think of it as the Airbnb of cars.
Why it’s passive:
Once your car is listed and bookings are automated, you can earn while you’re at home or even traveling.
Potential earnings:
Some users report earning $500+ per month, depending on vehicle type, location, and availability.
7. Cashback Apps – Rakuten, Dosh, Drop
How it works:
These apps give you cashback when you shop at partner stores, either online or in-store.
- Rakuten: Offers cashback when shopping through their portal.
- Dosh: Links directly to your card and automatically gives cashback at participating merchants.
- Drop: Rewards you for shopping and completing offers.
Why it’s passive:
Once your cards are linked, you earn cashback without lifting a finger—just shop like usual.
Potential earnings:
Up to hundreds per year for frequent shoppers. Some users report $20–$40/month with consistent use.
8. Slidejoy – Turn Your Lock Screen into Ad Space
How it works:
Slidejoy displays ads on your phone’s lock screen. You earn ‘carats’ for swiping and viewing, which can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards.
Why it’s passive:
Ads show up automatically, and you earn whether you engage with them or not.
Potential earnings:
Roughly $5 to $15 per month, depending on your activity and device use.
9. ShopTracker – Earn for Sharing Your Purchase Data
How it works:
ShopTracker pays you to share your Amazon purchase history with a focus on market research.
Why it’s passive:
Once you link your Amazon account, ShopTracker collects anonymous data and pays you monthly.
Potential earnings:
Around $3 per month, or $36 per year—not huge, but completely hands-off.
10. HealthyWage – Get Paid to Lose Weight
How it works:
Make a bet on your weight loss goal. If you hit your target in the time you set, you win real cash.
Why it’s (semi-)passive:
While it involves physical effort, the income potential is passive once the bet is placed.
Potential earnings:
Users can win $100 to $10,000 based on their wager and progress.
11. Udemy – Teach Once, Earn Forever
How it works:
Udemy is a popular online course marketplace. Instructors upload pre-recorded video lessons, set a price, and start earning whenever students enroll.
Why it’s passive:
Once your course is live, it can generate sales for years with little maintenance.
Potential earnings:
Some instructors earn thousands monthly, though even smaller niche courses can bring in a few hundred dollars regularly.
12. Skillshare – Get Paid for Every Minute Watched
How it works:
Skillshare rewards instructors based on how many minutes their videos are watched by premium members. You earn royalties plus referral bonuses.
Why it’s passive:
Like Udemy, you create a course once and continue earning as long as it gets views.
Potential earnings:
Top teachers can earn $1,000–$2,000/month or more. Passive earning depends on consistent views.
13. Outschool – Teach What You Love to Kids
How it works:
Outschool allows you to create and host live or recorded educational classes for kids (ages 3–18) on subjects like math, art, coding, or even Minecraft.
Why it’s semi-passive:
Pre-recorded or recurring live classes can be reused, minimizing prep time.
Potential earnings:
Some educators report $30 to $100+ per hour. Flexible scheduling makes it a great low-maintenance side income.
14. Patreon – Get Monthly Support from Fans
How it works:
Patreon lets creators earn recurring income from subscribers (“patrons”) who pay monthly for exclusive content.
Why it’s passive:
Once your content strategy and reward tiers are set, income flows in monthly—even while you sleep.
Potential earnings:
Earnings vary greatly, from $50/month to $10,000+ for creators with a large following.
15. Podbean / Anchor – Monetize Your Podcast
How it works:
These podcast platforms help you monetize through ads, sponsorships, premium content, and listener support.
Why it’s passive:
Once episodes are recorded, they continue to bring in revenue through past plays and ongoing subscriptions.
Potential earnings:
From a few dollars to thousands monthly, depending on audience size and monetization methods.
16. YouTube – Videos That Keep Paying You
How it works:
YouTube pays creators through ads, memberships, and Super Chat (for live streams). Once your channel meets the requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours watched), you can apply for monetization.
Why it’s passive:
Videos keep earning for months or even years after publishing.
Potential earnings:
Ranges from $3–$20 per 1,000 views, depending on niche and ad rates. Some YouTubers earn six figures or more.
17. Helium (HNT) – Mine Crypto by Sharing a Wireless Signal
How it works:
Helium allows you to earn HNT tokens (a form of cryptocurrency) by setting up a hotspot that contributes to a decentralized wireless network.
Why it’s passive:
Once your Helium hotspot is installed, it runs continuously and earns tokens automatically.
Potential earnings:
Varies based on your location and coverage demand. Some users report earnings of $50–$100+ per month.
18. Rover – Earn by Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
How it works:
Rover connects pet lovers with pet owners looking for sitters, walkers, or drop-in visits.
Why it’s semi-passive:
Though it requires a service (like walking or sitting), many users find repeat clients, making it reliable and low-effort income over time.
Potential earnings:
Rover sitters can earn $20–$60 per day or more depending on the services offered.
19. Fluz – Cash Back with a Twist
How it works:
Fluz offers cash back for purchases made through its gift card system. What sets it apart is its powerful referral system: when your referrals shop, you earn too.
Why it’s passive:
You earn when both you and your referrals make purchases, creating a chain of recurring income.
Potential earnings:
Fluz users can earn anywhere from $5 to $100+ per month, depending on referral activity and shopping habits.
20. Medium Partner Program – Write & Get Paid for Views
How it works:
Medium pays writers based on how many paying subscribers read their stories. No ads or sponsors required.
Why it’s passive:
Articles continue to earn over time as they get views—especially if optimized for SEO.
Potential earnings:
Some writers earn $100–$1,000+ per month. Consistency and quality content are key.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which passive income apps require the least effort to set up?
Answer: Among the passive income apps, Acorns, Robinhood, and Dosh stand out for their simple setup. Acorns round up your daily purchases and invest the spare change, Robinhood provides free stock trades and a bonus stock for new sign-ups, and Dosh offers cashback on purchases made through linked cards without needing manual coupon redemption. Once these apps are installed and accounts are linked, minimal ongoing intervention is required, allowing users to earn relatively easily.
2. How safe are passive income apps when it comes to user data?
Answer: The safety of passive income apps varies, but reputable platforms prioritize user data protection. They employ encryption, secure data handling practices, and two-factor authentication. Before using any app, it’s vital to check its privacy policy, user reviews, and security features. Established platforms like Acorns, Robinhood, and Rakuten have robust security protocols. Still, users should exercise caution, use strong, unique passwords, and periodically review app permissions.
3. How do passive income apps like Honeygain and MobileXpression work?
Answer: Honeygain and MobileXpression operate by leveraging a user’s internet connection. Honeygain shares a user’s unused net bandwidth with data scientists and businesses, compensating users for shared data. MobileXpression, on the other hand, monitors internet usage and collects data to understand trends and behaviors, rewarding users for their participation. While they provide passive income, potential users should be aware of the data they share and ensure they’re comfortable with the trade-off.
4. Can passive income apps replace a full-time income?
Answer: While passive income apps can supplement one’s earnings, they typically cannot replace a full-time income. These apps are designed to provide additional funds or save users money on purchases. Platforms like Acorns or Robinhood might yield significant returns if investments perform well, but the inherent risk is involved. Viewing these apps as tools for extra cash rather than primary income sources is beneficial.
5. How do cashback apps like Rakuten and Dosh generate revenue for users?
Answer: Cashback apps like Rakuten and Dosh partner with retailers and earn a commission for directing users to shop at these partner stores. When users make purchases, a portion of this commission is passed back to them as cashback. Essentially, these apps incentivize shopping through their platform by offering users a percentage of their earnings. Over time, consistent use can lead to substantial savings, making these apps attractive for frequent shoppers.
Conclusion
The allure of earning money without much effort has made passive income apps increasingly popular. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or build a sizeable savings nest, these apps can provide a helpful boost to your financial goals. Always research and find the best apps that fit your lifestyle and economic aspirations.
Disclaimer: Earnings from passive income apps can vary based on numerous factors. Conducting your research before making any investments or decisions is essential.
