Best Apps to Earn a Few Extra Dollars While You’re Bored

Looking for simple ways to make a little extra money in your spare time? Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent, retiree, or just someone with a few minutes to kill, there are legit apps that pay you for easy tasks like surveys, watching videos, or playing games. In this guide, well walk you through the best apps to earn a few extra dollars while you’re bored, explain how they work, and share honest tips for beginners.

Table of Contents

• What Are Earning Apps and How Do They Work?
• Best Survey Apps for Beginners
• Micro-Task & GPT Apps: Earn for Small Tasks
• Cashback & Rewards Apps
• Comparing Different Earning Methods
• Tips for Beginners: Boost Your Earnings Safely
• FAQ: Earning with Apps
• Summary & Next Steps

What Are Earning Apps and How Do They Work?

Earning apps are mobile or web applications that pay you small amounts of money or gift cards for completing simple online activities. These can include answering surveys, watching ads, playing games, scanning receipts, or testing new apps. Most of these apps are free to join and require only basic information to get started.

Its important to know that these apps wont make you rich. Realistically, you might earn a few dollars a week or month, depending on how much time you put in. Think of them as a fun way to make your downtime a little more productive.

Best Survey Apps for Beginners

Survey apps are among the easiest ways to earn extra cash from your phone. Companies need your opinions for market research, and they’re willing to pay for your time.

1. Swagbucks

• How it works: Complete surveys, watch videos, shop online, and more to earn SB points.
• Payout options: Redeem points for PayPal cash or gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, etc.).
• Getting started:
  • Sign up for a free account at Swagbucks.
  • Fill out your profile to get matched with more surveys.
  • Start with the daily poll or short surveys for quick wins.
• Realistic earnings: Most surveys pay $0.50–$2 and take 5–20 minutes. Some days you may not qualify for many surveys.

2. InboxDollars

• How it works: Earn cash for surveys, reading emails, and watching videos.
• Payout options: PayPal, gift cards, or check (minimum $15 to cash out).
• Getting started:
  • Create a free account at InboxDollars.
  • Complete your profile for better survey matches.
  • Check the Surveys tab daily for new opportunities.
• Realistic earnings: Surveys usually pay $0.25–$1.50. Some activities (like reading emails) pay just a few cents, but they add up over time.

3. Survey Junkie

• How it works: Focused only on surveys. Earn points for each completed survey.
• Payout options: PayPal or e-gift cards (minimum $5).
• Getting started:
  • Sign up at Survey Junkie.
  • Fill out your profile honestly for more accurate survey matches.
  • Check your dashboard for available surveys.
• Realistic earnings: Most surveys pay $0.50–$3 and take 10–20 minutes.

Micro-Task & GPT Apps: Earn for Small Tasks

Micro-task and GPT (Get-Paid-To) apps pay you for a variety of small online tasks. These can be a fun way to earn a few bucks when you’re bored, especially if you like variety.

1. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)

• How it works: Complete Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs) like data entry, image labeling, or surveys.
• Payout options: Amazon gift cards or direct bank transfer (U.S. only).
• Getting started:
  • Apply for an account at MTurk (approval may take a few days).
  • Browse available HITs and choose tasks that interest you.
  • Submit completed tasks for review and payment.
• Realistic earnings: Most tasks pay $0.01–$0.50, but some pay more. It can take time to find higher-paying HITs.

2. Appen

• How it works: Offers micro-tasks like data collection, rating search results, or voice recording.
• Payout options: PayPal or direct deposit (varies by country).
• Getting started:
  • Sign up at Appen and complete your profile.
  • Apply for available projects that match your interests and skills.
  • Follow instructions carefully to maximize approval and payment.
• Realistic earnings: Most micro-tasks pay $0.05–$1 each. Some longer projects pay more.

3. Mistplay (For Gamers)

• How it works: Earn points for playing and testing new mobile games.
• Payout options: Gift cards (Amazon, Google Play, etc.).
• Getting started:
  • Download Mistplay from the Google Play Store (Android only).
  • Browse the list of available games and install one to start earning.
  • Play the game for a set amount of time to earn points.
• Realistic earnings: Most users earn $5–$10 in gift cards per month with regular play.

Cashback & Rewards Apps

If you shop online or in stores, cashback apps can help you earn rewards or small amounts of cash back on your purchases. These arent work in the traditional sense, but they’re easy ways to earn back some money on things you already buy.

1. Rakuten

• How it works: Shop through the Rakuten app or website to earn a percentage of your purchase back as cash.
• Payout options: PayPal or check (paid quarterly).
• Getting started:
  • Sign up at Rakuten.
  • Browse stores and click through Rakuten before shopping online.
  • Earn cashback automatically on qualifying purchases.
• Realistic earnings: Most cashback rates are 1%–10%. Great for regular shoppers.

2. Ibotta

• How it works: Earn cash back for grocery and retail purchases by scanning your receipts or linking loyalty accounts.
• Payout options: PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards (minimum $20 to cash out).
• Getting started:
  • Download the Ibotta app and create an account.
  • Browse offers before you shop.
  • After shopping, upload a photo of your receipt to earn cash back.
• Realistic earnings: Typical users earn $5–$20 per month, depending on shopping habits.

Comparing Different Earning Methods

• Surveys: Best for quick, low-effort tasks. Earnings are small but steady if you qualify for surveys.
• Micro-tasks: More variety, but some tasks require attention to detail. Pay per task is often low, but can add up.
• Cashback: No work required, but you need to spend money to earn. Great for regular shoppers.
• Game apps: Fun for gamers, but payouts are usually in gift cards and require consistent play.

For most beginners, its smart to try a mix of apps and see which ones fit your lifestyle and interests best.

Tips for Beginners: Boost Your Earnings Safely

• Set realistic goals: Expect to earn a few dollars here and there, not a full-time income.
• Use a separate email: Sign up for earning apps with a dedicated email to keep your main inbox tidy.
• Cash out early: Don’t let points or cash sit in your account too long—redeem as soon as you hit the minimum.
• Watch for scams: Legit apps never ask for money upfront or sensitive info like your Social Security number for basic tasks.
• Check reviews: Look up app ratings and reviews before signing up. Stick with well-known, established platforms.
• Be honest: Always answer surveys truthfully. Inconsistent answers can get you disqualified or banned.

FAQ: Earning with Apps

• Are these apps safe to use?
  Most popular earning apps are safe, but always check reviews and avoid apps that ask for unnecessary personal information or upfront payments.
• How do I get paid?
  Most apps offer PayPal, gift cards, or direct deposit. Each app has its own payout minimum and options.
• Can I use more than one app?
  Yes! Many people use several apps to maximize their earnings, especially since some apps have limited daily opportunities.
• Do I need special skills?
  No special skills are needed. Most tasks are simple and only require basic reading or clicking.
• How much time does it take?
  You can spend as little as 5–10 minutes a day or as much time as you want. The more time you invest, the more you can earn (within reason).
• What if I don’t qualify for surveys?
  Its normal not to qualify for every survey. Keep your profile updated and try multiple apps to increase your chances.

Summary & Next Steps

Earning a few extra dollars while you’re bored is totally possible with the right apps and a realistic mindset. Start with one or two apps from this list, set aside a few minutes when you have downtime, and see what works best for you.

Ready to explore more ways to earn? Check out more tips, reviews, and guides here on Survey Donut to find the perfect side-earning opportunity for your lifestyle!