So you want to earn your own money without working traditional employment. Well, good on you. These days, there are dozens of ways for teens to make money. We’ve rounded up a list of apps that pay teens cash, plain and simple. Every item on this list is available to those under the age of 18. However, some may require your parent’s approval to get started.
Once you start making money, remember to save some. Let’s get to it.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is an app for people that love engaging with brands. It pays you for shopping, surveys, donating, and more. It’s available on iPhone or Android, and cashouts happen via PayPal. You can also get gift cards instead of money. All in all, it’s got options and flexible ways to earn.
Humanatic
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but this call may be recorded for quality assurance. Anyone that’s ever dialed a call center has been told their convo will be recorded and reviewed. Here’s the catch – someone has to review those calls, and that someone can be you. Get started in quality assurance with Humanatic. Review as many calls as you want and get paid to do it.
Shopkick
Shopkick pays you to shop, visit stores, submit receipts, and much, much more. So if you’re an around-the-town shopper or just want to check out new places, download Shopkick. And no, buying items isn’t the only way to earn money with this app. Find out more here.
Fiverr
Fiverr lets you sell your skills to people that need them. Do you draw? Write? Sing? Or something else entirely? Fiverr has a marketplace for anyone. You can sell your skills for as little as $5.00 or put together a skills package and charge more.
Mistplay App
Mistplay is great for gamers because it pays you to play phone games. You can also get paid with other forms of engagement. The only drawback to Mistplay is that it’s only for android users. Check it out.
Ibotta
Ibotta is great for teens who frequently shop and want to save and make actual money from doing so. It’s a simple app that highlights retailers in your area. Once you shop at any of the retailers it highlights, Ibotta gives you cashback on your purchases. Unlike some of the other apps on this list, you can’t start a business using just Ibotta. But it can help you save money and for any frugal teens, you might even turn a profit from time to time. Check it out.
Care.com
Care.com takes finding a babysitter to a whole new level. If babysitting interests you and you want to stay local, then this site is for you. It’s trusted by countless parents and offers more than just traditional babysitting. It also has pet-sitting. (As though you need to pay us to watch an animal.) check it out.
YouTube
An oldie but a goodie, YouTube has been turning teens into entrepreneurs for years. This option takes a little more work than other entries on this list. You’ll need content, cameras, and consistency before seeing a dime. But as some of your favorite influencers can tell you, it’s worth it in the end.
Toluna
Toluna is a survey company in which you choose topics that interest you. From there, Toluna connects you with brands that view you as their target customer. Next, fill out surveys and make cash. Simple, right?
Depop
Need to get rid of last year’s clothes? Want to make room for new shoes? Check out Depop. You can sell your clothes and items to make a few bucks. As the saying goes, one person’s last season kicks are another person’s vintage streetwear.
Poshmark
Sell clothes, make cash, and even purchase clothes cheaper than their store counterpart. Poshmark helps you make money or save it, whichever you prefer. Take it for a trial run.
Etsy
Etsy is a website that allows teens to sell goods, crafts, art, etc. You’ll be able to set up your storefront, view others, and expand your business with ease. And It offers buyers from all over the world.
TeenEyes
Let’s get one thing straight, Teens are the future. Maybe more so than any other generation. And corporations know it. That’s why TeenEyes centers its surveys on and around teens. You’ll get paid for your opinion, experience, and more.
YouGov
YouGov is a survey-based app devoted to culture and government. It serves to record the will and wants of the people – that’s you. You can also find yourself in slightly higher-paid focus groups. Try it and see what you think!
Uhaul Customer Service
You can work as an online rep for Uhaul. This is great if you love conversation, human interaction, and solid pay. Plus, customer service is a growing field. That means Uhaul could be the first step into a new customer service career. Or just to make some spare cash for the next few months. Find out and see what you think.
Slice the Pie
This site pays you to review new music. So grab your headphones and make money passively while you relax, study, or even while you’re working another hustle. Plus, you can review fashion on the site too!
Qmee
Qmee lets you get paid for your opinion. Plus, it has no minimum for cashing out, so you can do as little or as much as you want. Earn your rewards in real-time and bend the ear of your favorite brands. Download Qmee to get started.
Decluttr
Decluttr helps you make money off the everyday stuff that you never use. Simply scan the barcode and find the buyer. That includes old DVDs, clothes, random items, books, and so much more. You can turn it into a small business by going to yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops, etc., and finding items worth more than their asking price. Resell them and profit. Decluttr is great for teens that like a bit of bargain hunting.
Bookscouter
Bookscouter lets you resell old textbooks. Now keep in mind the textbooks still have to be desired by the student population. You won’t make much selling textbooks that are 30 years old. But if you live near a college, you may be able to buy a few books from surrounding stores and resell them for a profit. Plus, you can get paid via PayPal or check. Try it out!
What Will You Download?
Don’t be afraid to try a few of these apps until you find the right ones for you. It’s a good idea to start by saving towards a goal. Find out how much you need to make per week to meet your goal, and then figure out which of these apps lets you do it quickest. It’s easier to make money at a job or with an app you can enjoy.
And if you’re curious about what your peers are saving their money for, you can check out our other articles on common teen savings goals.
Whatever you decide to do, just remember to stick with it. Consistency is always going to b key to any form of financial freedom.
