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Budgeting apps aren't the only way to manage your money and track your spending. Here are some alternatives to budgeting apps to consider.
Budgeting SoftwareWhile mobile apps are convenient for day-to-day budgeting, you might prefer software for a more robust money management experience. Software programs like QuickBooks or Quicken offer expanded capabilities beyond budgeting, like tax software integration and payment management. However, these added features often come at a higher price tag than mobile apps, so consider what you can afford to spend.
Spreadsheet BudgetingSpreadsheet budgets are highly customizable, making this method ideal for anyone who needs something more hands-on than budgeting apps. With a spreadsheet, you can record your income, keep track of your expenses and see where your money goes each week or month. Excel and Google Sheets are popular choices.
The 50/30/20 budgeting method lends itself well to budgeting with a spreadsheet because you can divide expenses, discretionary spending and savings into categories within the sheet and allocate individual expenditures to each category. To get started, use our 50/30/20 budget calculator.
Expense Tracking AppsFor some, building a detailed budget might not be necessary or might feel too advanced. When this is true, just tracking your spending could be a good place to start. You can do this by looking through your bank or credit card statements periodically or using an app. Expense tracking apps like Mint give you a snapshot of your spending by category. While you can use Mint to budget, you can also just use it to sync your different bank accounts and see your activity more clearly.
Cash Envelope BudgetingIf a mobile app isn't your style, you might prefer manual budgeting. Budgeting without the help of technology is a good way to hold yourself accountable for your spending. Envelope budgeting or cash stuffing is a tried-and-true system for visualizing your budget that can be done manually.
When you get paid, you'll distribute portions of your paycheck into envelopes. Each envelope will be designated for a specific category, such as rent, food or gas. With this system, you give every penny of your paycheck a purpose and cannot spend beyond what's in your envelopes.
Best Apps To Make Money In July 2024: Earn Money From Your Smartphone
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Money-making apps allow you to earn a small amount of cash in exchange for making purchases, filling out surveys, or playing games. If you're interested in earning a bit of extra money with apps, whether for savings goals or something else, we found four of the best apps to make money on your phone in 2024 to consider.
Introduction to Money-Making AppsMoney-making apps might be a good choice for you if you're interested in making a bit of extra money from anywhere using just your phone. This extra money can help you when deciding how to budget, as it makes stretching your paycheck easier.
There are several types of money-making apps; some types include ones that focus on helping you earn cash back, ones that give you surveys to answer for money, and ones that let you play games for money, and ones that offer several different ways to earn money. The best money-making app for you will likely depend on what you like to do.
Top Money-Making Apps of July 2024These are our top picks for the best money-making apps:
If you're looking for additional tools to help you with your financial goals, you also might want to look through our guides on the best budgeting apps.
Money-making apps may offer cash-back when making everyday purchases or let you earn money by taking surveys or fulfilling tasks. Money-making apps are generally free on Apple and Google Play stores.
Compare the Top Money-Making AppsThe best apps for earning money are those that make it easy to earn and redeem money. The best app for you will depend on how you want to earn money, whether that's through cash-back, surveys, gaming, or some other way. For other ways to make money through an app, you might consider using one of our best investment apps.
Here are the best apps for earning money as picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.
Best for Getting Cash-Back on Purchases Online: RakutenBest for getting cash back on purchases online
Rakuten
Insider's RatingA five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.25/5Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum Opening Deposit
None
ProsRakuten is a strong option if you'd like to earn cash-back on your online purchases. Rakuten is a rewards app and website that lets you get cash-back at over 3,500 stores.
Here's how it works: You'll go to the Rakuten website or app and choose the store you'd like to shop at. When you make your purchase, the cash-back offer will automatically be added to your account.
Rakuten is easy to use and intuitively designed. If you have questions about the app, there's also a help center that addresses commonly asked questions.
You'll receive cash-back through a check or your PayPal account every three months. If you'd prefer to earn money more frequently, you might prefer one of our other top picks.
Rakuten also lets you shop in a store, but you'll need to take a couple of steps. First, you'll have to select the "In-Store" tab when you open the app. Then, once you find an offer you like, you'll have to select "Link Offer" and include your credit card information. At the store, you'll need to use that credit card to obtain the offer. Other apps may have a simpler process for in-store purchases.
Minimum amount needed to redeem cash: $5
Download: Google Play StoreApple Store
Best for Getting Cash-Back on Purchases in Stores: IbottaBest for getting cash back on purchases in the store
Ibotta
Insider's RatingA five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4/5Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum Opening Deposit
None
ProsYou might like Ibotta if you do a lot of in-store shopping. This cash-back app stands out because it's partnered with over 1,500 popular brands and lets you save at stores in a variety of ways. You can link your loyalty account to the app, submit receipts (Ibotta will scan them for any qualifying purchases), or buy gift cards through the app. Typically, you'll see cash-back earnings within 24 hours.
You'll need to earn at least $20 before you can withdraw your earnings. Other money-making apps may let you make withdrawals at $5.
Minimum amount needed to redeem cash: $20
Download: Google Play StoreApple Store
Best for Making Cash Through Surveys: Survey JunkieSurvey Junkie
Insider's RatingA five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4/5It indicates a confirmed selection.
PerksAnnual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum Opening Deposit
None
ProsSurvey Junkie emerged as our top picks in survey apps because it almost always has ample surveys available, and the process for redeeming points is a lot simpler and easier than other apps.
You only need to earn a minimum of 500 points (the equivalent of $5), and you can redeem them through PayPal or online gift cards. In most cases, the rewards can be redeemed instantly. For example, if you get an online gift card, the code will be sent to your email for you to use on the same day.
You may not qualify for every survey that's available. Usually, you'll have to answer a set of questions to determine your eligibility. Based on the information you give, you'll either be redirected to the survey or told you aren't eligible (you'll get a few points for your time).
When you're taking surveys, you'll need to have patience. You might be asked the same question repeatedly or you might answer a handful of questions before realizing you do not qualify for a particular survey.
Minimum amount needed to redeem cash: $5
Download: Google Play StoreApple Store
Best for Earning Cash Through a Variety of Ways: SwagbucksBest for earning cash through a variety of ways
Swagbucks
Insider's RatingA five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.75/5It indicates a confirmed selection.
PerksAnnual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum Opening Deposit
None
ProsSwagbucks might be an appealing option if you are looking for an app that has a variety of ways of earning cash. Swagbucks is a versatile money-making app where you'll earn points (referred to as SB) by completing surveys, playing games, scanning your receipts for qualifying cash rewards, and finishing other activities.
You'll be able to redeem SB for gift cards or transfer money through a PayPal account. Generally, 500 SB is the equivalent of $5.
The amount of SB you'll earn for different tasks can vary greatly. The value can be anywhere from 2 SB to up to 250,000 SB. Usually, higher-value tasks require substantially more effort or are more difficult to qualify for. Also, keep in mind it may take up to 10 business days until gift cards are processed and sent to your email.
Minimum amount needed to redeem cash: $5
Download: Google Play StoreApple Store
Features to Look for in a Money-Making App User-Friendly Money-Making App InterfaceWhen looking for a money-making app, you'll want to consider if the app itself is easy to use. If you're constantly struggling against the app to earn money, it's unlikely you'll stick to using it regularly. Hard-to-use apps could also keep you from using the cash you earn, if it isn't clear how to redeem your money. Check to see if the app you're using is considered an easy-to-use money making app for beginners before committing.
Low Money-Making App Payout ThresholdMost apps won't let you withdraw the money you've earned unless you earned a certain amount. The lower the threshold is, the easier it is to actually use the money you earn. A $5 payout threshold is low and easy to reach; a $100 payout threshold is not.
Multiple Money-Making App Earning OptionsMoney-making apps with multiple options for how you earn cash can be helpful if you're not sure how you want to use the app. Some apps might only let you earn cash by shopping at one specific place, while some will let you earn cash back from a variety of stores while also letting you answer surveys or play games for cash. Consider what you'll use the app for and whether the earning options it offers are actually useful to you when deciding on an app.
Reliable Money-Making App Payment MethodsIf a money-making app doesn't pay out your money reliably, then it's not useful to you. Consider how you want to receive your money when deciding on an app: depending on the app, you might be earning points to later redeem for gift cards or prepaid debit cards, or you might even have money deposited directly into your account, although that's rare. Check the app's website and terms of service to see how quickly the money will get to you, and check user reviews to see if people struggle to get money out of the app.
How to Choose the Best Money-Making App for You Assessing Your Skills and InterestsConsider what you're actually most likely to stick to when deciding on a money-making app. If you want to earn cash back on purchases but don't want to get a cash-back credit card, then you might be interested in money-making apps that focus on cash-back. And if you're a student, you might want to consider checking what the best money-making apps for students are.
Evaluating Money-Making App Features and BenefitsConsider what the app has to offer before committing. If it's a cash-back app, check what brands it works for to make sure you're going to be able to use the deals it offers. If it offers surveys or games, check out how long the surveys are and how many surveys it will give you in a day. You'll also want to check if it's one of the highest paying money-making apps, or if it doesn't let you make much money. And always check the security policies of whatever app you're interested in to make sure the app will be responsible with your data.
Considering Money-Making Payment Methods and FrequencyMost apps put a limit on how frequently you can withdraw the money you make, whether that comes in the form of a payout threshold, a payout schedule, or both. Check what requirements your app has and how it pays out money; some apps let you earn gift cards, some give you a prepaid debit card, and a few put money directly into your account.
Pros and Cons of Money-Making Apps Advantages of Using Money-Making AppsMoney-making apps can be an easy way to earn a little extra cash. Since they're usually free, they generally don't require you to spend money to save, unless you're using a cash-back app. And since they're on your phone, you can earn money no matter where you are.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations for Money-Making AppsKeep in mind that, when you use a money-making app, you're essentially selling your data. If you don't trust a money-making app with your data, then you might want another way to earn money, such as with a cash-back debit card from your bank. Also keep in mind you won't be earning a lot of money from any of these apps, so they don't work as a primary source of income.
App Trustworthiness and BBB RatingsWe include ratings from the Better Business Bureau to evaluate how companies address customer issues and handle transparency.
Rakuten, Ibotta, Survey Junkie, and Prodege, LLC (the company that operates Swagbucks) received B ratings because all four have received a high volume of customer complaints on the BBB website.
According to the BBB website, scammers falsely used the Survey Junkie name to impersonate the company in 2022. Survey Junkie is not a mystery shopper program nor does have a website named "sjunkie.Co." If you see the mystery shopper scam or scam website, the BBB says to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission.
Money-Making Apps FAQsThe benefits to using money-making apps include flexibility, easy access, and low-to-no initial costs. Generally, you can use them no matter where you are, they let you earn in a variety of ways, and you don't have to pay to use them.
When choosing the best money-making app for you, consider your skills and interests. Choose an app with good features and benefits that will let you make money in a way that plays to your strengths. Also check user reviews, how the app pays you, and how frequently it pays you.
Most reputable money-making apps are safe to use, as they have secure methods for payments and data protection. Always make sure to check out the user reviews, recent lawsuits, and security policies of the specific app you're interested in, though, to make sure you're using a legitimate app to earn extra income.
No, you probably won't make a significant income using a money-making app. Even the best money-making apps don't pay a ton, so money-making apps work better as supplemental money rather than your primary income.
Yes, there are several free money-making apps available. For example, Survey Junkie and Swagbucks are two free money-making apps that we gave high ratings.
Why You Should Trust Us: Experts' Advice on Choosing the Best Money-Making AppsWe consulted financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the best money-making app for your needs.
Here's what they had to say about the best apps for earning money. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)
Are money-making apps worth it?
Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.Com:
"I think cash-back apps are great, especially if you are already a shopper. When it comes to trying to find smaller ways to get a couple of extra dollars, work the current habits you already have. If you're someone who does all the grocery shopping in the house, look for those apps that give discounts and cash-back for your grocery shopping."
Sophia Acevedo, certified educator in personal finance, banking editor, Business Insider:
"Money-making apps might be worthwhile if you want to make a bit of extra money each month by taking quizzes, scanning your receipts for cashback rewards, or performing some other activity. But make sure to manage your expectations. The amount of money you'll earn on an app depends on how much effort you put into the activity."
What should people be mindful of when using a money-making app?
Mykail James, MBA, CFEI:
"Understand what these apps are there they are really paying for — your feedback and data. Most of these are market research companies that are paying for sourcing your data."
Sophia Acevedo, CEPF:
"When you're searching for money-making apps, read through customer reviews to get a better idea of how it works and whether the platform is easy to use. You can also carefully review the app's privacy policy to learn about the information being collected and used."
Methodology: How Did We Choose the Best Money-Making Apps?
Business Insider's editorial standards help us review our products in a clear, fair way. We understand that "best" is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product, we outline the limitations, too.
To choose our favorite apps for earning money, we compiled a list of over a dozen popular mobile money-making apps. We didn't include gig economy apps like TaskRabbit or Uber because your availability to sign up for some of these apps may depend on where you live (there may be paused registrations for some areas). We also didn't include them because your experience with these apps may vary depending on your skill sets.
Most of our top picks had at least 20,000 reviews in both the Apple and Google Play stores. We reviewed each app's sign-up process and user experience by using the apps for two weeks. We also considered whether each app accomplished everything it advertised, and how regular users reviewed the product on the Apple and Google Play stores. Check out our bank account methodologies page to see how we usually rate banking products.
Sophia Acevedo
Banking Editor
Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics.ExperienceSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S.Before joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She's inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia's expertise includes:Kit Pulliam
Personal Finance Insider editorial fellow
Kit Pulliam (they/them) is a banking expert who specializes in certificates of deposit, savings accounts, and checking accounts. They've been reporting, editing, and fact-checking personal finance stories for more than four years.ExperienceKit has spent their career making complicated concepts more accessible to the average person. As a tutor in math and reading comprehension after college, they melded the certainty of numbers with the flexibility of words, a skill that has served them in the personal finance field since. Before Business Insider, Kit was an editorial specialist for Tax Analysts, diving into the tax code to help readers get the best information about a confusing but necessary subject.They find banking similar to taxes in that way: There are some things everyone needs to know because just about everyone needs to work with a bank — and you don't want to end up with an account that doesn't serve your needs.As interest rates change, they enjoy the fast pace of reviewing rates for products like CDs and high-yield savings, which can change daily and have a direct impact on readers' money.ExpertiseTheir expertise includes:Evelyn He
Compliance and Operations Associate
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