One passive income app earns you pocket change. The right combination of apps? That's real money with almost no extra effort because your attention has real value, you should stack it smartly.
We spent 6 months testing different app combinations to find the stack that maximizes earnings while minimizing time. Here's exactly what works.
Add Attention Rewards to Your Stack
VISU lets you earn for visiting places you already go. Another layer that stacks with everything else.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
The Perfect Passive Income Stack (7 Apps)
This stack is designed for maximum earnings with minimum effort. Each app serves a specific purpose and doesn't conflict with others like in our guide to apps that pay real money.
| Layer | App | Purpose | Monthly Earnings | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rakuten | Online shopping cashback | $15-$40 | Zero (browser extension) |
| 2 | Ibotta | Grocery cashback | $20-$50 | 5 min/week |
| 3 | Fetch Rewards | Receipt scanning | $8-$15 | 30 sec/receipt |
| 4 | Sweatcoin | Walking rewards | $5-$15 | Zero (automatic) |
| 5 | Dosh | Card-linked cashback | $5-$20 | Zero (automatic) |
| 6 | Amazon Shopper Panel | Receipt uploads | $10 | 5 min/month |
| 7 | Cashback Credit Card | Base layer on all spending | $30-$80 | Zero (use your card) |
| TOTAL | $93-$230 | ~30 min/month | ||
Key insight: These apps don't compete; they stack. You can earn from all 7 on a single shopping trip.
How the Stack Works Together
Here's what happens when you go grocery shopping with this stack active:
- Before shopping: Check Ibotta for offers on items you need (2 min)
- At checkout: Pay with your cashback credit card (2% back)
- After shopping: Scan receipt with Fetch (30 sec) and Ibotta (1 min)
- Upload to Amazon Shopper Panel: Monthly batch (5 min total)
- Automatic: Dosh triggers if you shopped at a partner store
- Background: Sweatcoin tracked your steps walking through the store
One grocery trip. Six earning sources. Under 5 minutes of "work."
Layer 1: Online Shopping (Rakuten)
Rakuten is the foundation of passive online earnings. Install the browser extension once, then forget about it.
Why it works:
- 3,500+ partner stores
- Extension activates automatically
- 1-10% cashback (up to 40% during promotions)
- $5 minimum payout
Monthly earnings: $15-$40 depending on online shopping habits
Setup time: 2 minutes (install extension, create account)
Ongoing effort: Zero; it runs automatically
See our full Rakuten vs Ibotta comparison for more details.
Layer 2: Grocery Shopping (Ibotta)
Ibotta rewards you for grocery shopping you're already doing. The key is checking offers before you shop.
Why it works:
- Per-item cashback ($0.25-$5 per product)
- Works at 300+ retailers
- Link loyalty cards for automatic tracking
- Bonus offers multiply earnings
Monthly earnings: $20-$50 for weekly grocery shoppers
Setup time: 5 minutes (download app, link loyalty cards)
Ongoing effort: 5 minutes/week checking offers
Pro tip: Link your store loyalty cards and many offers credit automatically, with no receipt scanning needed.
Layer 3: Receipt Scanning (Fetch Rewards)
Fetch is the easiest receipt app. Scan any receipt from any store with no offer selection needed.
Why it works:
- Works with ANY receipt (groceries, gas, restaurants, etc.)
- No pre-selection of offers required
- Bonus points for specific brands
- $3 minimum redemption
Monthly earnings: $8-$15 with regular receipt scanning
Setup time: 2 minutes
Ongoing effort: 30 seconds per receipt
Learn more in our receipt apps guide.
Layer 4: Walking (Sweatcoin)
Sweatcoin converts your daily steps into currency. It runs entirely in the background.
Why it works:
- 100% automatic; just walk
- ~1 coin per 1,000 steps
- Redeem for cash, gift cards, or products
- No daily check-ins or tasks
Monthly earnings: $5-$15 depending on activity level
Setup time: 2 minutes
Ongoing effort: Zero; completely passive
See more options in our walking apps guide.
Layer 5: Card-Linked Cashback (Dosh)
Dosh gives you cashback automatically when you use linked cards at partner stores.
Why it works:
- Link once, earn forever
- No activation or receipt scanning
- Works at thousands of retailers and restaurants
- Stacks with other cashback (credit card, Rakuten, etc.)
Monthly earnings: $5-$20 depending on where you shop
Setup time: 3 minutes (link your cards)
Ongoing effort: Zero; completely automatic
Layer 6: Guaranteed Income (Amazon Shopper Panel)
Amazon pays you $10/month just for uploading 10 receipts. Guaranteed, predictable income.
Why it works:
- Flat $10/month for 10 receipts
- Any receipts work (not just Amazon)
- Bonus surveys for extra earnings
- Credits to Amazon balance
Monthly earnings: $10 guaranteed
Setup time: 5 minutes (invite-only, join waitlist)
Ongoing effort: 5 minutes/month uploading receipts
Note: This is invite-only. Apply and wait for acceptance.
Layer 7: Base Layer (Cashback Credit Card)
A good cashback credit card is the foundation everything else stacks on top of.
Why it works:
- 2% back on everything (or 3-5% in categories)
- Stacks with ALL other cashback apps
- No extra effort; just use your card
- Often has signup bonuses worth $150-$200
Monthly earnings: $30-$80 on normal spending
Recommended cards: Citi Double Cash (2% flat), Chase Freedom (5% rotating categories), Capital One SavorOne (3% dining/groceries)
Add Attention Rewards to Your Stack
The apps above work great for shopping. VISU adds earnings for visiting locations, another layer that stacks with everything else.
Real Results: 6-Month Stack Test
We ran this exact stack for 6 months with normal spending habits. Here's what we earned:
| App | 6-Month Total | Monthly Avg | Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback Card | $412.50 | $68.75 | 0 min |
| Rakuten | $127.45 | $21.24 | 0 min |
| Ibotta | $168.30 | $28.05 | 30 min |
| Fetch | $62.00 | $10.33 | 15 min |
| Amazon Panel | $60.00 | $10.00 | 30 min |
| Dosh | $48.75 | $8.13 | 0 min |
| Sweatcoin | $52.00 | $8.67 | 0 min |
| TOTAL | $931.00 | $155.17 | ~75 min total |
Effective hourly rate: $744.80/hour for the "active" time spent
Key takeaway: The majority of earnings came from zero-effort sources (credit card, Rakuten, Dosh, Sweatcoin). The "active" apps (Ibotta, Fetch, Amazon Panel) added about $50/month for ~12 minutes/week of effort.
Scaling Up: Adding Active Income
Want to go beyond $150-$200/month? Add these to your stack:
| Addition | Monthly Potential | Time Required | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey apps (Prolific) | $40-$100 | 3-5 hrs | Survey guide |
| Location rewards | $50-$150 | During errands | Store visits guide |
| Gig work | $200-$600 | 10-20 hrs | Side hustles guide |
With these additions, you can realistically hit $500/month or more.
Common Stack Mistakes
Using too many apps: More apps doesn't mean more money. Stick to apps that don't overlap and don't require constant attention.
Forgetting to activate: Rakuten's extension and Dosh's card linking only work if you set them up. Do this once, properly.
Chasing small bonuses: Don't buy things you don't need just because there's a cashback offer. The goal is earning from normal spending.
Ignoring the credit card layer: A good cashback card earns more than most apps combined. Don't skip this foundation.
Not batching receipts: Scan receipts once per week instead of after every purchase. More efficient.
Quick Setup Checklist
Get your stack running in under 30 minutes:
- ☐ Apply for a 2% cashback credit card (if you don't have one)
- ☐ Install Rakuten browser extension
- ☐ Download Ibotta, link store loyalty cards
- ☐ Download Fetch Rewards
- ☐ Download Sweatcoin, enable background tracking
- ☐ Download Dosh, link your credit/debit cards
- ☐ Apply for Amazon Shopper Panel (waitlist)
Once set up, you'll earn passively with almost no ongoing effort.
FAQ: Passive Income App Stack
Do these apps conflict with each other?
No. Each app tracks different things: Rakuten tracks online purchases through links, Ibotta tracks specific products, Fetch scans any receipt, Dosh tracks card transactions, and Sweatcoin tracks steps. They all stack without conflict.
How much can I realistically earn?
With normal spending habits ($1,500-$2,500/month total spending), expect $100-$200/month from this stack. Higher spenders or those who add active earning methods can hit $300-$500+.
Is this worth the phone storage?
The full stack uses about 500MB of storage. If that's tight, prioritize: Rakuten (browser only), cashback card (no app needed), Fetch, and Sweatcoin. These four cover most earnings with minimal space.
Do these apps drain battery?
Sweatcoin uses some battery for step tracking. The others only run when you open them. Overall battery impact is minimal on modern phones.
Can I use these apps outside the US?
Rakuten, Fetch, and Sweatcoin work in multiple countries. Ibotta, Dosh, and Amazon Shopper Panel are US-only. Check each app's availability in your region.
What's the minimum time investment?
If you only use the automatic apps (Rakuten extension, Dosh, Sweatcoin, cashback card), literally zero ongoing time. Adding Ibotta and Fetch requires about 10-15 minutes per week.
Ready to Build Your Passive Income Stack?
Start with the apps above, then add VISU for location-based rewards. Every place you visit can earn.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.