15 Best Apps to Make $950 Monthly in 2025: Your Side Hustle Guide
Looking to boost your bank account without a second job? With these 15 apps, you can potentially earn up to $950 extra every month. I've personally tested dozens of money-making apps and narrowed down the most legitimate, highest-paying options that actually work in 2025. Whether you've got 30 minutes or 3 hours a day, there's something here that fits your schedule!
What We'll Cover:
- Why mobile apps are the easiest way to make extra money
- 15 vetted apps that can help you earn up to $950 monthly
- How to maximize your earnings on each platform
- Time investment vs. payout expectations
- Tax considerations for your app income
- How to combine multiple apps for consistent monthly income
Why App-Based Side Hustles Are Booming in 2025
Let's face it - traditional part-time jobs are so 2010. The beauty of app-based income is that you can earn money whenever and wherever you want. No boss, no commute, no fixed schedule. These digital money-makers fit around your life, not the other way around.
With inflation still making everything more expensive and job security not what it used to be, having multiple income streams isn't just nice - it's becoming essential. The most successful people I know aren't putting all their eggs in one basket anymore. They're using apps to create mini income streams that add up to serious cash.
What's even better? The barrier to entry has never been lower. Got a smartphone? You're already equipped to start making money. Most of these apps require zero upfront investment and minimal skills to get started.
Pro Tip: Don't just stick with one app. The people consistently making $900+ monthly are using a combination of 3-5 different apps. I'll show you exactly how to stack these opportunities for maximum earnings with minimum effort.
15 Best Money-Making Apps for 2025
1. Upwork: For Freelancers of All Types
If you've got marketable skills, Upwork remains one of the most reliable ways to convert that talent into cash. Whether you write, design, code, translate, or offer virtual assistance, there's a market for your skills here.
Earning Potential: $200-600/month (part-time)
How it works: Create a profile highlighting your skills, bid on relevant projects, and get paid upon completion. The key is to start with smaller jobs to build your reputation quickly. Once you have good ratings, clients will start coming to you.
What sets Upwork apart in 2025 is their improved matching algorithm. The platform now does a much better job of connecting you with clients who need exactly what you offer, reducing the time you waste on applications that go nowhere.
Success Strategy: Specialize in something specific rather than being a generalist. For example, instead of just "writing," focus on "email marketing copy for SaaS companies." You'll face less competition and can charge higher rates.
2. DoorDash: Flexible Delivery Income
Food delivery continues to grow, and DoorDash has maintained its position as a top player. The app now offers improved route optimization that helps you complete more deliveries per hour than ever before.
Earning Potential: $150-400/month (15-20 hours)
How it works: Sign up as a Dasher, select your available hours, and start accepting delivery requests. You'll get paid per delivery plus tips. The new "priority hours" feature lets you lock in higher rates during peak times if you commit in advance.
What many people don't realize about DoorDash in 2025 is that they've expanded beyond just food - now you can deliver everything from groceries to retail products, creating more opportunities throughout the day.
Insider Tip: The hidden gold mine is breakfast deliveries. Most Dashers focus on dinner hours, but morning coffee and breakfast runs (6-9am) often have less competition and surprisingly good tips from business professionals ordering before work.
3. Fiverr: Sell Micro-Services
Fiverr has evolved way beyond the "$5 gig" concept it started with. Today, it's a marketplace where specialists can earn hundreds or even thousands per project.
Earning Potential: $100-500/month (part-time)
How it works: Create specific "gigs" offering services you can provide. Clients purchase these packages, you deliver the work, and get paid. The platform handles all the payment processing and client communication tools.
The 2025 version of Fiverr includes AI-assisted gig suggestions that analyze market demand and your skills to recommend services you should offer. This feature alone has helped many sellers identify lucrative niches they hadn't considered.
Success Strategy: The most successful Fiverr sellers create service packages at three price points (basic, standard, premium). Most buyers choose the middle option, so make sure your "standard" package offers the best value and is priced where you want most of your orders.
4. TaskRabbit: Get Paid for Local Tasks
If you prefer getting out and doing physical work, TaskRabbit connects you with people in your area who need help with everything from furniture assembly to yard work.
Earning Potential: $100-500/month (part-time)
How it works: Create a profile listing your services and rates, set your availability, and respond to task requests. You control your pricing and which jobs you accept. The 2025 update added instant booking options that let you fill last-minute availability.
TaskRabbit has seen huge growth in the "tech help" category - helping older adults set up devices, troubleshoot WiFi issues, or organize digital photos. These tasks often pay $25-50/hour with minimal physical labor.
Important Note: TaskRabbit takes a 15% service fee from your earnings. Make sure to factor this into your rates. Also, while most tasks are legitimate, always trust your instincts and prioritize your safety when going to clients' homes.
5. Swagbucks: Earn Through Micro-Tasks
For those little pockets of time throughout your day, Swagbucks lets you earn small amounts that add up through surveys, watching videos, playing games, and shopping online.
Earning Potential: $50-150/month
How it works: Complete small tasks to earn "SB" points that convert to gift cards or PayPal cash. The key to maximizing earnings is focusing on the highest-paying activities like featured surveys and referral bonuses.
What makes Swagbucks worth including in 2025 is their improved survey matching system. Instead of getting disqualified halfway through surveys (which was a common complaint in earlier years), the app now pre-screens more effectively, reducing wasted time.
Maximize Your Earnings: Install the SwagButton browser extension to automatically earn when shopping online, and check the app daily for limited-time high-value offers that often appear on the homepage.
6. Instacart: Grocery Shopping for Others
Grocery delivery remains strong in 2025, and Instacart has refined their model to make shopping more efficient and profitable for shoppers.
Earning Potential: $150-500/month (part-time)
How it works: Shop for and deliver groceries to customers. You can choose to be a full-service shopper (shop and deliver) or in-store shopper (shop only). The earnings come from a base pay per order plus customer tips.
The game-changer in Instacart's 2025 version is the "preferred shopper" feature, where customers can select you as their regular shopper after a good experience. This leads to more consistent work and better tips from repeat customers who appreciate your service.
Insider Tip: The most profitable strategy is to focus on smaller, higher-end grocery stores rather than massive supercenters. Orders tend to be smaller (faster to shop) but customers typically tip better percentages.
7. Rover: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you're an animal lover, Rover lets you get paid for spending time with pets. In 2025, pet services are more in demand than ever with the continued rise in pet ownership.
Earning Potential: $100-600/month (part-time)
How it works: Create a profile detailing your experience with animals and the services you offer (walking, sitting, boarding, etc.). Set your rates and availability, then connect with pet owners in your area.
Rover's 2025 platform now includes health monitoring features that premium clients love - you can track a dog's activity levels, bathroom habits, and behavior through the app, which lets you charge more for this enhanced service.
Success Strategy: Specializing in high-demand niches like caring for puppies, senior dogs, or pets that need medication administration can allow you to charge premium rates. Starting with lower rates to get your first few reviews, then gradually increasing your prices works best.
8. Turo: Rent Out Your Car
If your car sits unused for days at a time, Turo lets you turn that idle asset into income by renting it to verified users.
Earning Potential: $200-800/month (passive)
How it works: List your vehicle with photos and availability, set your rental price (or use automatic pricing), and approve rental requests. Turo provides insurance during rentals and handles the payment processing.
What's new for 2025 is Turo's "usage-based" pricing model that automatically adjusts your rates based on local demand, weather, and events. This optimization has increased host earnings by an average of 24% compared to static pricing.
Important Consideration: Check with your auto insurance provider before listing on Turo, as some policies don't cover commercial use. Also, factor in additional wear and tear on your vehicle when calculating your true earnings.
9. Airbnb: Rent Your Space
Despite more competition, Airbnb remains a powerhouse for turning extra space into extra cash. Even renting out a single room can generate significant monthly income.
Earning Potential: $300-1,000+/month
How it works: List your extra room, guesthouse, or entire home on the platform, set house rules and availability, and welcome guests. Airbnb handles payments, provides host protection insurance, and offers 24/7 support.
The platform's 2025 update includes AI-powered pricing recommendations that analyze over 70 factors to suggest the optimal price for your listing each night, helping maximize your occupancy and revenue.
Insider Tip: The "work-friendly" designation is driving bookings in 2025. Adding a dedicated workspace with fast WiFi, a comfortable chair, and good lighting can increase your bookings by up to 35% according to Airbnb's internal data.
10. Neighbor: Rent Your Storage Space
Have an empty garage, basement, or even just a closet? Neighbor lets you rent out unused storage space to people in your community.
Earning Potential: $50-300/month (passive)
How it works: List your available storage space with dimensions and photos, set your monthly price, and approve storage requests. Neighbor verifies users, provides a host guarantee, and handles monthly payments.
What makes Neighbor particularly attractive in 2025 is the growing number of people downsizing to smaller homes but still needing space for seasonal items or collectibles. The demand continues to outpace supply in most urban and suburban areas.
Success Strategy: Climate-controlled spaces command premium prices, so highlighting features like dehumidifiers or temperature control can boost your rental income. Also, offering 24/7 access (if possible) makes your space much more appealing to renters.
11. Ibotta: Cashback on Shopping
Ibotta has evolved beyond simple grocery rebates to become a comprehensive cashback platform for almost everything you buy.
Earning Potential: $30-100/month
How it works: Before shopping, check the app for cashback offers, make qualifying purchases, then upload your receipt or link your loyalty accounts. The app deposits cash rewards to your account that you can transfer to your bank.
The 2025 version of Ibotta introduced "stacking" capabilities that let you combine their offers with store sales, coupons, and credit card rewards - sometimes even getting items for free or making money on purchases.
Insider Tip: The "pay with Ibotta" feature often offers higher cashback percentages than the receipt scanning method. Link your payment cards to get automatic cashback at thousands of retailers without having to remember to scan receipts.
12. Prolific: Academic Research Studies
Unlike typical survey sites, Prolific connects you with academic researchers conducting studies that are generally more interesting and better-paying.
Earning Potential: $50-200/month
How it works: Fill out your demographic profile, receive study opportunities that match your characteristics, and complete online research studies that typically take 5-30 minutes each. Payment rates are transparent before you start.
What sets Prolific apart in 2025 is their new partnership program with major universities that has dramatically increased the number of available studies. They've also improved their notification system so you don't miss high-paying opportunities.
Maximize Your Earnings: Keep your demographic profile 100% complete and updated, as this directly impacts how many studies you qualify for. Also, check the platform during business hours in the US and UK (where most researchers are based) for the most opportunities.
13. UserTesting: Test Websites and Apps
Companies need real human feedback on their digital products, and UserTesting pays you to provide your honest opinions and experiences.
Earning Potential: $50-200/month
How it works: Complete a practice test to qualify, then receive test opportunities based on your demographics. Tests typically involve recording your screen and voice as you complete tasks on websites or apps, explaining your thought process along the way.
The platform's 2025 update introduced "micro-tests" that take just 5 minutes but still pay $5-10 each. These quick tests make it much easier to earn consistently even with limited time.
Insider Tip: The highest-paying opportunities on UserTesting are the live conversation tests where you video chat directly with a researcher. These pay $30-60 for 30-60 minutes of your time. Make sure your profile is set to accept these invitations.
14. Acorns: Passive Investment Growth
While not an immediate income generator, Acorns helps create long-term passive income through micro-investing.
Earning Potential: Varies based on investment amount and market performance
How it works: Connect your debit/credit cards, and Acorns rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar, investing the difference. You can also set up recurring investments. The 2025 version added AI-powered personalized portfolio recommendations based on your financial goals.
What makes Acorns worth including is their expanded "Found Money" partners - now when you shop at over 12,000 brands through the app, they automatically invest a percentage of your purchase back into your account.
Important Note: This is a long-term strategy, not quick cash. Acorns charges a small monthly fee ($3-5), so make sure your investment level makes this worthwhile. As with any investment, there's risk involved, though Acorns focuses on diversified, lower-risk portfolios.
15. Preply: Teach Languages or Subjects Online
If you're fluent in English (or any other language) or knowledgeable in a particular subject, you can teach students worldwide through Preply.
Earning Potential: $100-600/month (part-time)
How it works: Create a tutor profile highlighting your expertise, set your hourly rate, and define your availability. Students book lessons through the platform, which handles scheduling and payments. Sessions take place through Preply's built-in video classroom.
Preply's 2025 platform now includes interactive teaching tools, ready-made lesson materials, and student progress tracking - making it much easier to deliver professional lessons even if you don't have formal teaching experience.
Success Strategy: Offer a discounted trial lesson to attract your first students and get reviews. Once you have 5+ positive reviews, you can gradually increase your rates. Teaching specialized topics (business English, test preparation, technical subjects) commands higher rates than general conversation practice.
How to Strategically Combine Apps for $950 Monthly
The secret to reaching that $950 target isn't putting all your eggs in one basket - it's strategically combining several apps based on your skills, available time, and resources. Here's a practical approach:
Strategy 1: The Weekend Warrior
Perfect if you have free weekends but busy weekdays:
- DoorDash or Instacart: $300/month (weekend mornings)
- TaskRabbit: $350/month (weekend afternoons - furniture assembly or tech help)
- Ibotta + Swagbucks: $100/month (weekday evenings, 30 min/day)
- UserTesting: $200/month (1-2 tests per weekday)
- Total: $950/month
Strategy 2: The Asset Utilizer
Perfect if you have property or possessions you can monetize:
- Airbnb (spare room): $500/month
- Turo (weekend car rental): $300/month
- Neighbor (garage storage): $150/month
- Total: $950/month
Strategy 3: The Skilled Remote Worker
Perfect if you have marketable skills and flexible time:
- Upwork or Fiverr: $500/month (10 hours/week)
- Preply: $300/month (3-4 hours/week teaching)
- UserTesting: $150/month (3-5 tests/week)
- Total: $950/month
Time Management Tip: Block specific times in your calendar for each app activity rather than randomly switching between them. Batch similar tasks together for maximum efficiency (like doing all your UserTesting tests in one sitting or completing all your Instacart deliveries in one shopping trip).
Important Tax Considerations for App Income
Before you dive in, understand that income earned through these apps is generally taxable. Here's what you need to know:
- Independent Contractor Status: Most of these apps classify you as an independent contractor, not an employee. This means they don't withhold taxes from your payments.
- Self-Employment Tax: If you earn more than $400 net profit from your combined app work, you'll need to pay self-employment tax (15.3% in 2025).
- Quarterly Estimated Taxes: If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes from this income, you should make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties.
- Tax Deductions: Keep track of expenses related to your app work - mileage, phone costs, internet, supplies, etc. These can be deducted to reduce your taxable income.
- 1099 Forms: Most platforms will issue 1099 forms if you earn above certain thresholds (typically $600), but you must report all income even if you don't receive a form.
Important: Consider setting aside 25-30% of your app earnings for taxes. A dedicated "tax savings" account can help ensure you're prepared when tax time comes around. When in doubt, consult with a tax professional familiar with gig economy work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In my years of testing and using these apps, I've seen people make the same errors over and over. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Jumping between too many apps: Using 10+ apps simultaneously leads to burnout and inefficiency. Focus on mastering 3-5 apps that complement each other.
- Neglecting ratings and reviews: On platforms like Upwork, TaskRabbit, and Airbnb, your reputation is everything. Prioritize maintaining a stellar rating over taking every opportunity.
- Undervaluing your time: Calculate your effective hourly rate for each app. If you're making less than minimum wage, it's probably not worth the effort.
- Ignoring peak times: Apps like DoorDash, Instacart, and TaskRabbit have peak demand hours where you can earn significantly more. Align your availability with these windows when possible.
- Forgetting about expenses: Gas, car maintenance, supplies, and internet costs eat into your earnings. Factor these in when evaluating which apps are truly profitable for you.
Track Your Results: Create a simple spreadsheet to track hours worked and earnings for each app. After a month, calculate your effective hourly rate for each platform. Double down on your most profitable activities and cut those that don't pay off.
Getting Started: Your First Week Plan
Ready to begin? Here's your action plan for week one:
- Day 1: Sign up for 2-3 apps that match your available resources (time, skills, assets). Complete all profile information thoroughly.
- Day 2: Take profile photos, gather any necessary documents, and complete any verification processes.
- Day 3: Set up payment methods and tax information on each platform.
- Day 4: Start with small tasks on each platform to get familiar with the process and build initial ratings.
- Day 5-7: Scale up your activity on the apps that feel most comfortable and profitable for you.
Your First Month Goal: Don't aim for $950 immediately. Set a more realistic target of $300-400 for month one while you learn the ropes. You can scale up in months two and three as you optimize your approach.
The Bottom Line: Consistency Is Key
Making $950 monthly from apps is absolutely achievable, but it requires consistent effort and smart strategy. The people who succeed aren't necessarily working harder - they're working smarter by:
- Focusing on high-value activities during peak times
- Building stellar reputations that attract premium opportunities
- Strategically combining complementary apps
- Tracking performance and continuously optimizing their approach
Remember that building to $950/month takes time. Start small, be persistent, and gradually expand your app portfolio as you discover what works best for your schedule and skills.
The beauty of this approach is flexibility - you can scale up during months when you need extra cash and pull back during busy periods in your life. Unlike traditional part-time jobs, you're in complete control.
Which app will you try first? The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be on your way to that extra $950 in your bank account each month!
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