13 Best Passive Income Apps for 2024

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Passive income apps are an easy way to generate extra income or gift cards with little effort. From data sharing to investing and participation in the sharing economy, various apps allow you to earn on autopilot (or close to it). 

Our top passive income apps include:

• Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel. Pays you in exchange for access to your anonymized internet usage data.
• Swagbucks. A rewards platform offering semi-passive income opportunities such as cash-back shopping, and a browser extension that will alert you to opportunities to earn on websites you currently browse.
• M1 Finance. Investment app perfect for passive investors, offering automated management, ready-made model portfolios, and regular rebalancing.

We’ve categorized the best passive income apps into four main categories:

Note: The rating data below was collected on 9/10/2024. We update these numbers periodically throughout the year to keep them current.

Best Data Collection and Sharing Apps for Earning Passive Income

Data collection apps gather anonymized information from your device and reward you with small payments once installed. They offer a passive income stream but may slow down your device, especially older ones.

#1. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel

The Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel app is our top choice for truly passive income. 

Nielsen is a publicly traded global research company (known for its TV ratings) that studies consumer behavior in over 100 countries. By joining their panel, you’re contributing to understanding how people use the internet.

You start by installing the Nielsen app on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Once installed, the app works silently in the background, gathering data on the websites and apps you visit. 

It does not collect sensitive information like user IDs or passwords, ensuring your privacy is maintained. For more information, see our in-depth review of the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel app.

By installing the mobile app, you earn points that can be redeemed for prizes and gift cards. The maximum you can earn is $50 annually. 

If you also install the desktop application, you can earn additional rewards by participating in sweepstakes and games such as scratch-offs and spin-the-wheel. The top earners can win up to $500 each, with over 500 winners each month.

Download Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel

#2. MobileXpression

MobileXpression, owned by the internet technology company comScore, is a data collection app similar to the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel.

Its primary function is to monitor mobile data usage to uncover patterns in online behavior. After being installed on an Android device (no iOS version is available), the app runs silently in the background collecting anonymized data about browsing history and app usage. 

The app does not collect sensitive information like phone calls, personal emails or text messages, and the data collected is never linked to user identities.

As a sign-up bonus, MobileXpression offers users a $5 Amazon gift card in return for data contribution after just one week of use. There are also opportunities to win up to $5,000 in periodic sweepstakes.

Note that MobileXpression limits the number of new users it accepts each month. If it’s not available at this point in time, check back at the beginning of the next month.

Download MobileXpression

#3. SavvyConnect

Owned by Luth Research, SavvyConnect offers users the opportunity to earn passive income by sharing their online behavior data. 

SavvyConnect collects anonymized data about your online activities, such as searches, shopping and entertainment. In return for this data, you’ll get paid up to $15 per month ($3 per device type, including your computer, phone and tablet). 

To maintain this monthly incentive, users must frequently use their devices with SavvyConnect installed, providing at least seven days of actual usage data per calendar month. 

Currently, SavvyConnect is only available to U.S. residents. The payment method provided is paper check via mail, and users can request payment after accruing just $1.

Sign up for SavvyConnect

Best Passive Investment Apps

#4. Acorns

Acorns tops our list of passive income investing apps and best micro-investing apps thanks to its ability to grow a properly balanced portfolio over time and with little effort. The app is well known for its feature that rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and automatically invests the difference in low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

You can choose from five portfolios ranging from conservative to aggressive based on your risk tolerance and goals. 

Acorns also has a feature called Earn, which allows you to earn cash-back from over 300 partner brands when you shop with a linked credit or debit card. The cash-back is then automatically invested on your behalf. 

Acorns charges a monthly fee, with plans starting at $3 a month.

• Bronze Plan: $3/month – Basic brokerage accounts and financial education.

• Silver Plan: $6/month – Adds IRA (Acorns Later) and premium education with expert Q&As.

• Gold Plan: $12/month – Full suite of family-saving and investing tools.

Download Acorns

#5. M1

While Acorns serves as an excellent springboard to getting started investing, M1 Finance takes things a step further by offering advanced tools and greater versatility.

M1 Finance’s unique blend of low fees, automated investing and customizable portfolios makes it the ideal platform for those who not only seek to make their first investment but also aspire to build and manage their wealth in the long run. 

You can start investing in individual stocks and ETFs, following a set-it-and-forget-it strategy that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

The platform’s standout feature, “Model Portfolios,” allows you to choose from various professionally designed portfolios that cater to different investment goals, risk levels and sectors. Each “Pie” represents a portfolio with a collection of stocks and ETFs, and you can also customize your own. Once you select or design a Pie, M1 Finance will automatically manage and rebalance your investments to maintain your desired asset allocation.

For a comprehensive understanding of M1 Finance’s features, potential returns, risks and fees, read our detailed M1 Finance review.

Download M1 Finance

Best Passive Cash-Back and Reward Apps

Passive cash-back and reward apps typically involve minimal effort, such as clicking a button in a browser extension or using a specific browser to earn rewards. Some offer linked rewards, where connecting a card automatically earns you cash-back, making them worthwhile for the little effort required. To learn more, check out our article on the best cash-back apps.

#6. Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards is a free program that allows you to accumulate points by using Microsoft products, including its Microsoft Edge browser and other services. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and other rewards.

It works by using Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, as your default search engine (doing so will earn you points automatically). To earn additional points, you can complete a daily set of tasks, which usually involves simple activities like clicking on quizzes or polls.

If you have an Xbox, you can link your Xbox account and earn points for gaming.

As someone who uses Bing (especially Copilot) for work, and is a casual Xbox gamer, I joined Microsoft Rewards and was able to cash out a $20 gift card with little to no effort. See my reward confirmation below:

If you use Bing, or don’t mind using Bing over Google, it’s worth signing up for.

#7. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a comprehensive rewards site offering users over a dozen ways to earn. The most popular options include cash-back for shopping online, earning money for answering surveys, and getting rewarded for playing games.

For a more semi-passive approach, consider installing the Swagbucks browser extension. This tool notifies you whenever you’re on a website that has a Swagbucks offer. With just a single click, you can take advantage of these deals. 

While most often you’ll get notified of a cash-back shopping deal, there are also offers for specific apps, where you don’t have to make a purchase and all you have to do is sign up to earn. 

Rewards are sent as gift cards or cash via PayPal, with a minimum payout of $3 for certain gift cards and $5 for cash payouts via PayPal.

Download Swagbucks

#8. Rakuten

Rakuten makes our list of the top passive income apps thanks to its lucrative cash-back offerings. The app operates on a simple concept: you earn money back on purchases you’d make anyway. 

Rakuten works at over 3,500 online and brick-and-mortar retailers, and consistently offers among the best cash-back rates available.

To start earning, simply sign up and begin your online shopping trip through the Rakuten app or website. 

You can also link your credit or debit card for in-store purchases for a more passive approach. When you purchase at a participating retailer, a percentage of your total is credited to your Rakuten account. 

The percentage you can earn back varies by retailer but can be as high as 20% — though you should expect closer to 2% to 6%. There are also daily deals and promotions where certain stores increase their cash-back percentages.

Rakuten issues payments every three months, with a minimum of $5 in cash back earned before a paper check or PayPal payment is issued.

Read our in-depth Rakuten review to learn more about how the app works.

Download Rakuten

#9. Fetch

What sets Fetch Rewards apart from similar receipt scanning apps is that it does not require you to buy specific products or brands. Every receipt counts, making this app one of the easiest for passive income.

To earn with Fetch Rewards, you simply take a picture of your receipt after shopping. 

Points are given for every scanned receipt, regardless of what you bought. You can then redeem those points for Visa gift cards, gift cards for various online stores, or entries into sweepstakes for cash prizes.

On average, regular Fetch Rewards users can expect to earn up to $5 to $10 per month, although actual earnings may vary based on the frequency of your shopping and the number of receipts you scan.

For a more detailed analysis, see our in-depth Fetch Rewards review.

Download Fetch Rewards

#10. Drop Rewards

Drop Rewards, while not as passive as in the past, still remains a decent option for those looking to earn passive income. 

The app works by allowing users to link their credit and/or debit cards, enabling them to earn cash-back in the form of points that can be redeemed for gift cards.

Originally, Drop had a feature called “Power Offers,” a feature that allowed users to choose up to five retailers from a list and earn continuous cash-back from those stores without taking further action. However, this feature has been discontinued.

Now, the app requires users to manually add offers to earn points. Despite this, Drop still requires minimal effort, making it a fairly passive income option. One simply needs to remember to activate the offers before shopping to start earning points.

For more detailed information, check our in-depth Drop App review.

Download Drop Rewards

#11. Upside

Upside promotes itself as a way to earn cash-back on everything, but in my experience, it’s most effective for getting cash-back on gas. You can learn more about it in our Upside review.

To get started, you link the credit cards you use for gas to the Upside app. Then, when you’re at a participating gas station, you pay with your linked card and activate the offer within the app.

The app lets you see the cash-back rates available at different gas stations, which can vary significantly. I’ve earned as much as $0.25 per gallon and as little as $0.01.

While the savings depend on where you fill up, a few taps at the pump can quickly add up to around $100 annually.

Download Upside

Best Passive Sharing Economy Apps

Most sharing economy apps require active involvement — just ask an Airbnb or VRBO host. However, there are a few semi-passive opportunities that, once set up, can generate income with minimal ongoing effort.

#12. Turo 

Turo is a car-sharing platform often called “the Airbnb of cars.” This platform allows you to list your car for rent when you’re not using it, effectively turning an idle asset into a source of income.

One feature that makes Turo a relatively passive income opportunity is the option for remote keyless entry. This feature allows renters to unlock their car using the Turo app, eliminating the need for a physical handover of the keys. This way, you can rent out your vehicle without meeting your renters in person.

While using the remote entry feature may limit some opportunities, such as airport pickups, it significantly reduces the active work involved on your part.

Remember that as with any other rental service, there will be some initial time investment in setting up your listing and potentially dealing with any issues that arise during a rental. Nevertheless, once your listing is up and running smoothly, Turo can be a solid and largely passive source of income.

Download Turo

#13. Neighbor

Neighbor is a platform that turns your unused space into a source of income. Think of it as Airbnb but for storage. This could be anything from an empty garage, a spare room, or even a portion of your backyard.

One of the advantages of Neighbor is there’s little to no work once you’ve rented out your space. Renters cannot visit you unnoticed, and all interactions and payments are conducted through the platform.

Renting out space does require some initial work to take photos and create a listing, and you’ll need to be available for any necessary communication with renters. But once a renter moves their items into your space, your work is largely done.

For more information, including potential risks and how to manage them, check our Neighbor review.

Download Neighbor

Popular Passive Income Apps That Didn’t Make The Cut

We review and reject many passive income apps, even quite popular ones. Here are a few popular passive income apps that didn’t make the cut and why they fell short.

Honeygain

Honeygain didn’t make our list of recommended passive income apps despite its popularity. While it allows you to monetize unused internet data, the app raises concerns about transparency, particularly regarding how your data is used and the potential risks involved.

You can read more about our concerns in our full Honeygain review.

Sweatcoin

Sweatcoin is often recommended as a top “get paid to walk” app, but it didn’t make our list due to its limited cash-out options and the requirement that you refer people to earn actual cash.

Instead of allowing you to redeem points for cash, Sweatcoin mainly offers discount codes t, or entries into sweepstakes. Some apps truly reward you for walking (but not much). Sweatcoin is more of a fun way to track steps with a social aspect.

Pawns.app

Pawns.app, a newer app from the United Arab Emirates, is similar to HoneyGain.

My main concern is the potential risk to your privacy, because Pawns.app involves sharing not just your bandwidth but also your IP address. If someone using your IP does something shady, it could come back to you. So I don’t feel the risk is worth the reward in this case.

Best Passive Income Apps: Final Thoughts

From data collection and sharing apps like Nielsen to rewarding survey apps like Swagbucks, there is a large variety of passive to semi-passive income apps available. 

These can be a low-effort side hustle, but in the end, your earnings are maxed out pretty quickly.

The ultimate passive income is earning through investing, which does take some time, but it’s worth getting set up.