12 Best Money Making Apps for Teens (Turn Free Time Into Extra Cash) [2025]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase something through the links below, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.
I wish these apps existed when I was in high school. Back then, my only option for making money was bagging groceries at the local supermarket for $4.25 an hour. My 16-year-old daughter reminded me just how much things have changed when she made $43 last Tuesday – all while sitting in the car during her brother’s two-hour basketball practice.
“Dad, that’s like two weeks of allowance,” she said, showing me her phone. I had to admit, I was both impressed and a little skeptical. After spending the last few years reviewing money-making apps (and filtering out the scams – there are plenty), I decided to dig deeper into which apps actually work for teens in 2025.
The results surprised me. Most of these apps aren’t the get-rich-quick schemes I expected. Instead, I found legitimate platforms that fit naturally into a teenager’s daily routine. Some work better during school breaks, others are perfect for those dead hours during sports practice or between classes. My daughter even found one that turns her endless TikTok scrolling into a money-making opportunity (though I still think she should spend less time on her phone).
This guide isn’t just a random list of apps – it’s the result of three months of testing with my own kids and their friends, complete with their unfiltered feedback (teens are brutally honest, as any parent knows). I’ve also included the warnings and restrictions I made sure my own kids followed, because let’s face it – the internet can be a sketchy place.
🏆 #1 App that Pays REAL MONEY

💰 FREE $5 WHEN YOU JOIN TODAY!
Sign up today for Freecash and get an instant $5 bonus credited to your account when you play your first game. No deposit needed, no strings attached – just instant cash you can withdraw within 24 hours.
The Changing Landscape of Teen Side Hustles

Remember when earning money as a teen meant mowing lawns or babysitting? While those are still great options, our smartphones have opened up countless new opportunities to earn money during those in-between moments of teenage life.
Whether you’re on the bus to school, waiting between classes, or relaxing after homework, there’s probably an app that can help you earn during those moments.
What Makes an App Teen-Friendly?
After testing dozens of money-making apps with teenage users, I’ve learned that certain features make some apps much more suitable for teens than others:
- Age-appropriate content and tasks
- Flexible scheduling that works around school hours
- Clear, reliable payment systems
- No upfront investment required
- Safe, monitored environments
- Parental oversight options when needed
Survey and Opinion Apps Perfect for Teens
1. Freecash
Let’s start with one of the more versatile options for teens out there. Freecash caught my eye because it’s not just another survey app – it’s more like a mini-marketplace of tasks. You can take surveys, sure, but there’s also game testing, and other activities.
What sets Freecash apart is its robust offerwalls system. If you’re not familiar with offerwalls, think of them as task aggregators – they pull in opportunities from multiple providers. This means you’re not limited to a single source of surveys or tasks, which dramatically increases your earning potential.
What makes Freecash great for teens:
- Variety of task lengths to fit between classes or after school
- Multiple earning methods for different interests
- Mobile-friendly interface
- Quick PayPal payments (with parental permission)
- Game testing opportunities that are actually fun
Teen Pro Tip: Save the longer, higher-paying tasks for weekends when you have more free time. Use shorter tasks during school breaks.
2. Survey Junkie
When my daughter first showed me Survey Junkie, I was skeptical – another survey site? But after watching her consistently earn $5-15 per day during her study hall (she swears she finishes her homework first), I had to include it here. Of all the survey apps I tested, this one had the most predictable earnings.
What really impressed me was their transparency. They tell you exactly how long each survey will take and how much it pays before you start. No more wasting 20 minutes only to get disqualified at the end (though it can still happen occasionally – that’s just how surveys work).
What makes Survey Junkie great for teens:
- Clear points system (1,000 points = $10)
- Upfront time estimates are usually accurate
- Low minimum payout ($5)
- PayPal cash out or e-gift cards
- Desktop and mobile options
- Actually pays for profile surveys (many apps don’t)
Teen Pro Tip: Fill out all profile surveys first – you’ll get matched with better-paying surveys and face fewer disqualifications. My daughter’s friend made this mistake and spent her first week getting kicked out of surveys that weren’t actually meant for her age group.
3. 1Q

This app was my son’s favorite discovery – 1Q sends single questions that pay instantly to PayPal. No long surveys, no complicated point systems. Just answer one question, get paid. During a week of baseball practice, he made $8.50 just answering questions between innings.
What Makes 1Q Great:
- Super quick, single-question format
- Instant PayPal payments
- Location-based questions
- No minimum payout threshold
- Perfect for short attention spans
Teen Pro Tip: Keep notifications on during typical school hours – more questions tend to appear during these times.
4. Slicethepie

This one’s different – instead of mindless tasks, Slicethepie actually pays for your opinion about new music, fashion, and other products. My daughter’s friend who dreams of being a music producer raves about it (pun intended).
Teen-Specific Features:
- Listen to new music and provide feedback
- Review upcoming fashion trends
- Detailed reviews earn more money
- Learn to give constructive criticism
- Build analytical skills
Teen Pro Tip: Your first few reviews set your “quality score” which affects future earnings. Take time to write thoughtful, detailed reviews at the start.
Turn Your Gaming Skills Into Real Money
5. Bingo Cash

When my kids first mentioned Bingo Cash, I was worried it might be gambling. But after checking it out (and setting some ground rules), I found it’s more like a skills-based game competition platform. You can even practice without spending money.
Best Features for Teens:
- Games can be paused if homework calls
- Practice mode available
- Tournaments for different skill levels
- Optional free entry tournaments
- Parent-approved competition system
Teen Pro Tip: Always use the practice mode first, and stick to free tournaments until you’re consistently winning.
6. Cash Giraffe

Cash Giraffe took me by surprise. What started as a simple game-testing app revealed itself to be a sophisticated platform with multiple earning opportunities. The key insight I discovered? There’s actually a science to maximizing your earnings here, and most users barely scratch the surface.
This app is particularly awesome for teens who enjoy gaming. What’s great about Cash Giraffe is that you can earn money by testing new games – something many teens do for fun anyway!
Best for Teens Because:
- Earn while playing games you might actually enjoy
- Flexible gaming sessions that fit around homework
- Achievement tracking that keeps you motivated
- Safe, age-appropriate content
- No pressure to spend real money
Teen Pro Tip: Use downtime during lunch breaks or after homework to complete quick gaming tasks.
7. Mistplay

I discovered Mistplay through my son’s gaming buddy who swore he earned enough to buy his own PS5 games. Turns out he wasn’t exaggerating (much). The app rewards you for playing new mobile games, which honestly sounds too good to be true, but it actually works.
You won’t earn quickly, but it’s perfect for teens who already play mobile games. My son’s friend typically earns about $10-15 in gift cards per month, though he claims he once made $30 during a school break (I have my doubts about how much studying got done that week).
Teen-Friendly Features:
- Earn points (called “Units”) while playing games
- Clear tracking system shows earnings progress
- Regular bonus point opportunities
- Safe, controlled gaming environment
- Gift cards for popular stores and gaming platforms
- Parents can monitor activity
Teen Pro Tip: Focus on reaching level 5 in each game before moving to the next – that’s where the best points are. Don’t waste time grinding higher levels unless you genuinely enjoy the game.
Turn Your Clutter into Cash
8. Decluttr

After watching my kids outgrow perfectly good electronics, Decluttr has become our go-to app.
It’s not just for phones – they buy old textbooks, gaming consoles, tablets, and even LEGO sets (wish I’d known this before stepping on them for years).
What Makes Decluttr Great for Teens:
- Instant price quotes for items
- Free shipping labels
- Quick payments via direct deposit
- Environmentally responsible recycling
- Clear explanation of item conditions
- Safe alternative to meeting strangers
Teen Pro Tip: Save your original boxes and accessories – they significantly increase resale value. My son got an extra $20 for his old Switch just because he kept the dock and all the cables.
9. Poshmark

When my daughter’s closet cleanup turned into a $200 payday, I had to investigate. Poshmark isn’t just another selling app – it’s more like running your own mini thrift store.
Teens are especially good at it because they understand trends and take better photos than their parents (speaking from experience here).
Best Features for Young Sellers:
- Built-in social network aspects
- Safe, moderated platform
- Prepaid shipping labels
- Clear seller protection policies
- Option to bundle items
- Great for brand-name items
Teen Pro Tip: Take your photos in natural light and style items like you see in Instagram posts. My daughter’s sales doubled when she started staging her photos better.
Get Paid to Shop (Even With Your Parents’ Receipts)
10. Fetch Rewards

After trying numerous receipt scanning apps, Fetch Rewards stands out as my personal favorite. What sets it apart isn’t just its compatibility with virtually any receipt – it’s the sophisticated point system that most users never fully understand or utilize.
Even if you’re not the one doing the shopping, you can still earn points by scanning family receipts (with permission, of course!). My kids now fight over who gets to scan the grocery receipts.
Teen-Specific Features:
- Works with any receipt (even if you’re not the one who paid)
- Extra points for teen-relevant products
- Easy gift card redemption
- Simple to use while shopping with family
- Points add up quickly with regular use
What really amazes me about Fetch is how their scanning technology has evolved. They’ve implemented an AI system that recognizes products across different store formats, but here’s the interesting part – you can actually help it learn and improve its accuracy, which often results in better point awards.
Teen Pro Tip: Ask family members for their receipts before they throw them away – many people don’t use receipt apps, and you can earn points from their shopping.
11. Shopkick

My daughter and her friends turned their weekend mall trips into a money-making game with Shopkick. Here’s their routine: They hit Target first (500 kicks just for walking in), then American Eagle (usually 200 kicks for scanning new arrivals), then finish at Best Buy (where they scan electronics they’re saving up for anyway).
Last month they each earned enough kicks for $30 in Amazon gift cards – just for walking around stores they were already visiting.
The app is basically a scavenger hunt that pays you. You earn “kicks” (their version of points) for:
- Walking into partner stores (200-500 kicks per store)
- Scanning specific products (100-200 kicks each)
- Linking your credit or debit card (thousands of bonus kicks)
- Submitting receipts (lots of kicks during special events)
- Referring friends (gets you both 250 kicks)
Teen Pro Tip: Download the weekly ads for Target and Walmart – they often match the scan items. My sister’s been doing this for months and says she hasn’t had to randomly search for products since. She just walks straight to them, scans, and moves on. Works especially well during back-to-school season when stores have those huge seasonal displays.
12. QuickRewards

Here’s a platform that constantly surprises me – in a good way! QuickRewards might look simple at first glance, but it’s actually one of the most versatile earning apps I’ve come across.
The name “QuickRewards” actually fits – it’s one of the fastest ways to earn small amounts of money. What makes it perfect for teens is that there’s no minimum payout. Even if you only earn 50 cents, you can cash out.
Perfect for Teens Because:
- No minimum cashout required
- Multiple ways to earn
- Shopping rewards for online purchases
- Video watching options for passive earning
- Compatible with school schedules
What really sets it apart is their no-minimum cashout policy. That’s right – even if you’ve only earned 50 cents, you can cash out right away through PayPal.
Teen Pro Tip: Run videos while doing homework – the earnings are small but add up over time.
Creating Your Teen-Friendly App Stack
The key to success is combining these apps in a way that fits your schedule. Here’s how to organize your app usage around a typical teen schedule:
Before School:
- Check Fetch for any overnight point bonuses
- Quick survey on Branded Surveys during breakfast
- Scan ShopKick offers for after-school plans
During School (Free Periods/Lunch):
- Complete short Freecash tasks
- Quick gaming sessions on Cash Giraffe
- Plan content ideas for TikTok/YouTube
After School:
- Longer survey sessions on Branded Surveys
- Gaming tasks on Mistplay
- Create and post content
- Process any shopping receipts
Weekend Opportunities:
- Longer gaming sessions for higher rewards
- Content creation and editing
- Shopping with ShopKick
- Catch up on missed surveys
Smart Time Management for Teens
Balancing these apps with school and other responsibilities requires strategy:
- Set specific earning times that don’t interfere with homework
- Use app combinations that make sense for your schedule
- Focus on high-value activities during reliable free time
- Don’t let earning interfere with studies or sleep
- Keep expectations realistic – consistency beats intensity
Staying Safe While Earning
Safety is super important when earning online as a teen:
- Always get parent/guardian approval before using earning apps
- Never share personal information beyond what’s absolutely necessary
- Be wary of apps that ask for money upfront
- Use secure payment methods (preferably with parental oversight)
- Watch out for scams or unrealistic earning promises
Looking Ahead: The Future of Teen-Friendly Earning Apps
Update: My daughter just looked over my shoulder and told me this conclusion was “totally cringe.” She’s right – let me be real with you instead.
Here’s the honest truth about these apps: they won’t make you rich. They won’t pay for college. They might not even earn you enough for those AirPods you’ve been eyeing. But they can help. my daughter saved up $287 last month while doing her regular activities. Her friend made enough to fix his broken Xbox controller. Another friend uses the receipt scanning apps to build up gift cards for Christmas presents.
What surprised me most was watching my kids learn about money without realizing it. My daughter now understands tax withholding (thanks to her first PayPal cashout). My son learned about compound interest when he figured out how to maximize his earnings by stacking different app rewards. These aren’t lessons I could have successfully taught them – they had to learn by doing.
Drop a comment below if you’ve tried any of these apps – I’d love to hear what worked for you and what didn’t. And parents, feel free to share your own experiences and concerns. I’m still learning too, and I update this guide whenever my kids show me something new (which happens more often than I’d like to admit).