Loads of apps claim to pay you. Most are not worth your time.
Some pay in points you can never cash out. Some ask for a fee before you earn a penny. Others pay so little that you give up before you reach the payout.
The ones worth keeping have two things in common. They are free to join, and they are genuinely legit.
This guide lists the best free money making apps in the UK, one by one. It is honest about what each one really pays. And it starts with the rarest kind of all: the apps that earn while you do nothing.
How to spot legit money making apps in the UK
A real money making app never charges you to join. If an app asks for a joining fee, a deposit, or payment to "unlock" your earnings, that is the first sign of a scam.
Legit apps make their money from advertisers, brands, or business clients, not from you.
So how do you tell a legit free app from a scam? A few simple checks sort the good from the bad.
- It pays in real money, not just points. Be careful with apps that only pay in points or vouchers, especially when the cash-out target keeps moving further away. The best apps pay real money to PayPal, your bank, or crypto.
- There is a real company behind it. Look for a named company, an address, and a clear privacy policy. Apps run by an established business are far safer than one made by an unknown developer.
- The reviews are real and recent. Check Trustpilot and the app store for a large number of reviews over a long period, not a handful of five-star ratings posted in the same week.
- The payout threshold is low and clear. A low minimum lets you cash out a small amount first and prove the app pays before you commit more time.
One more habit keeps you safe: cash out a small amount first. A legit free app with a low minimum lets you withdraw a pound or two early on, so you can prove it really pays before you spend more time on it.
If an app makes that first small payout hard, treat it as a warning sign.
Best money making apps in the UK
The list starts with the rarest kind: apps that earn in the background after a one-time setup. These five get a full breakdown, since they are the closest thing to truly free money.
After them is a quick list of the other free apps worth your time. Some pay more, but they all ask for your time or your things in return.
1Honeygain
Honeygain pays you to share a small slice of your spare internet data, which companies use for market research and price checks. You install it, leave it running, and it earns in the background with no tasks to do.
The pay is small, but you barely notice it is there. You cash out in money or crypto once you reach the minimum.
2Money SMS
Money SMS is an Android app that lends a small slice of your phone to a regulated EU telecom company. The company uses it to check that mobile networks work in different countries, and you collect €0.01 to €0.03 each time. It runs quietly on its own, and your own messages stay private.
The background tests are only the start. You can also join call testing for a bit more, or share your link through the referral program and take a cut of what your friends earn. You can withdraw from €2 by PayPal or crypto, and with over €1M paid out to more than 900,000 users, it is one of the more proven apps of this kind.
3Pawns.app
Pawns.app works much like Honeygain: it pays for a slice of your unused internet data, used for legitimate research. You can run it alongside other background apps to stack a little more.
It also offers paid surveys on top, so you can add a bit more when you have a spare minute. Payout is in cash by PayPal or crypto.
4EarnApp
EarnApp pays you to share spare internet data, much like Honeygain. It is run by Bright Data, an established company, and the data is used for legitimate business research.
You set it up once and leave it running in the background. The pay is small, and you cash out in real money through PayPal or a gift card once you reach the minimum.
5Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel
The Nielsen panel pays you a fixed reward just for keeping the app installed and running. You join a panel that measures how people use the internet, and the reward arrives on a set schedule.
There are no tasks at all, which makes it one of the most hands-off apps here. You also get entered into regular prize draws on top.
6Outlier
Outlier pays you to train AI models. You rate answers, fix mistakes, and write example responses, often using skills you already have.
The hourly pay is good for online work, and you are paid in cash by PayPal. You need a computer and some focus, so it is active work, not passive.
7UserTesting
UserTesting pays a flat fee for each website or app you try. You speak your thoughts out loud while you use it, and companies use your feedback to improve their product.
Each test is short, often 10 to 20 minutes. Tests do not arrive every day, so treat it as spare-time money rather than a steady wage.
8Prolific
Prolific connects you with research studies run by universities and companies. You answer questions or take part in short tasks, and the pay per hour is set in advance.
It pays better than most survey apps and always in real cash. Studies come and go, so how much you earn depends on how many you can take.
9Swagbucks
Swagbucks gives you points for surveys, watching videos, and small tasks. You swap the points for cash through PayPal or for gift cards.
The pay per task is low, but it is easy to fit into spare minutes. It works best as one small app among several, not your main earner.
A free app that earns for you
Money SMS earns while you do nothing. Free to start, with a low €2 minimum to cash out.
10YouGov
YouGov pays you to share your opinion in short surveys about news, politics, and brands. It is one of the most trusted survey panels in the UK.
You earn points that turn into cash once you reach the threshold, which takes a while. The pay is slow, but the surveys are quick and easy.
11Shoppix
Shoppix pays you for scanning your shopping receipts, from any shop. You snap a photo after you buy, and the app turns it into points called tokens.
You swap the tokens for PayPal cash or gift cards. The pay is slow and small, but it costs you nothing but a few seconds per receipt.
12TopCashback
TopCashback pays you back a slice of money you spend on shopping you would do anyway. You click through the app to a shop, buy as normal, and a percentage comes back to you.
It is not income from nothing, since you have to spend first. But over a year it can add up, and you can withdraw the cash to your bank.
13Vinted
Vinted lets you sell clothes and items you no longer use, with no seller fees in the UK. You list a photo, set a price, and post it once it sells.
It can pay the most on this list, but only while you have things to sell. Once your wardrobe is clear, the earnings stop.
14TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit pays you for local jobs like deliveries, cleaning, and flat-pack furniture assembly. You pick the tasks that suit you and set your own rate.
The hourly pay is good, but this is real work and the least passive option here. It suits people who have free time and do not mind hands-on jobs.
15Roamler
Roamler pays you for small jobs in shops near you, like checking prices, taking photos of displays, or mystery shopping. You pick the tasks you want from a map and complete them on your phone.
Each task pays a set fee in real cash. The work is active and tasks depend on your area, so treat it as spare-time money rather than a steady wage.
Best apps to make money in the UK: comparison table
Here are the best money earning apps in the UK side by side. Use it to match an app to what you have: spare time, spare data, or things to sell.
| App | Effort | How fast paid | Realistic £/month | Pays real cash? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeygain | ⚡ None | Weeks | A few £ | Yes |
| Money SMS | ⚡ None | Weeks | A few €, hands-free | Yes |
| Pawns.app | ⚡ None | Weeks | A few £ | Yes |
| EarnApp | ⚡ None | Weeks | A few £ | Yes |
| Nielsen panel | ⚡ None | On a schedule | ~£4 | Cash / prize draws |
| Outlier | 📈 Active | Days–weeks | £10 to £30+ an hour | Yes |
| UserTesting | ⚡ Light | Days | £4 to £8 per test | Yes |
| Prolific | 📈 Active | 1–2 weeks | £6 to £9 an hour | Yes |
| Swagbucks | 📈 Active | 1–2 weeks | £10 to £40 | Cash / gift cards |
| YouGov | ⚡ Light | Slow, builds up | £2 to £4 | Yes |
| Shoppix | ⚡ Light | Slow, builds up | £2 to £5 | Cash / gift cards |
| TopCashback | ⚡ Light | Weeks | £5 to £50 | Cash / gift cards |
| Vinted | 📈 Active | 1–3 days | £20 to £300+ | Yes |
| TaskRabbit | 📈 Active | 1–2 weeks | £10 to £25 an hour | Yes |
| Roamler | 📈 Active | Weeks | £2 to £8 per task | Yes |
How much can you earn making money from apps in the UK?
Be realistic. Making money from apps is top-up money, not a salary. Most apps that make you money in the UK pay a few pounds to a few tens of pounds a month each.
The trick the best earners use is stacking. They run several apps that earn you money in the UK at once: a couple of background apps, a cashback app on their normal spending, and a survey or testing app for spare minutes. No single app pays much, but a handful together can add up to a useful amount each month.
As a rough example, two background apps might bring in a few pounds, cashback another £10 to £20, and an hour of surveys or app tests £15 to £30. Stack those and £30 to £60 a month is a fair target for light effort. The people who earn more are usually selling things or doing gig work, which takes real time.
Apps are just one way to top up your income. If you want more options beyond them, here are other ways to make extra money in the UK.
- Free should mean free. A legit money making app never charges you to join. A joining fee is the clearest sign of a scam, so skip any app that asks for one.
- Background apps are the rare win. Apps like Honeygain, Money SMS, and the Nielsen panel pay little, but they ask nothing of you after setup, which makes them the only truly hands-off options on this list.
- Stack a few, in real cash. Favour apps that pay real money over points or vouchers, and run several small ones together rather than chasing one big earner.
Frequently asked questions
Which free apps pay in real cash instead of points or vouchers?
Background data-sharing apps and SMS-testing apps usually pay real cash to PayPal or crypto. Selling, gig, and AI-task apps also pay cash. Cashback often comes as account credit, and many survey apps pay in a mix of cash and gift cards. If real cash matters to you, check the payout options on the app's own page before signing up.
How many money making apps should I use at once?
Most people who earn a useful amount stack three to five apps. A good mix is one or two background apps, a cashback app, and a survey or testing app for spare minutes. Keep it to a number you can manage, and watch your phone's battery and data use if you run several background apps together.
Do these apps work on both iPhone and Android?
Most survey, cashback, selling, and gig apps work on both iPhone and Android. Background and data-sharing apps vary, so check each one. Some apps are Android only, including certain SMS-testing apps such as Money SMS, because of how they work with the phone system. Always check the app store listing for your device before you rely on an app.
