Passive income apps promise money while you sleep. The reality is more nuanced. Most apps require some upfront effort, but the best ones can create recurring value with minimal ongoing work.
We spent time testing a range of passive income apps to separate options that are commonly reported as legit from the ones that waste your time. This guide focuses on practical choices, with realistic expectations and clear tradeoffs.
No hype. No inflated numbers. Just practical apps that can add extra income with minimal daily effort.
Turn Your Attention Into Low-Effort Income
VISU can reward users for scanning QR codes at places they already visit. Reward size, payout timing, and cashout options depend on campaign rules and regional availability.
What Makes an App Truly "Passive"?
Let's define terms. True passive income requires zero ongoing effort after initial setup. In the app world, that is rare. Most so called passive apps fall into three categories:
Set-and-forget apps: Install once, then earn in the background. These often share unused bandwidth or collect anonymized usage data. Effort is near zero after setup.
Low-effort apps: Require occasional actions like scanning receipts, activating a cashback offer, answering quick prompts, or scanning QR codes. Effort is usually a few minutes a day.
Front-loaded apps: Significant upfront work, like building referral networks or creating content, that can pay off later. Effort is high initially and lower over time.
This guide focuses on the first two categories. We excluded options that require ongoing content creation or heavy daily time, since those are closer to side hustles than passive income.
15 Passive Income Apps That Actually Pay (2026)
We organized these by effort level, starting with the most passive and moving toward low-effort apps that still qualify as mostly passive. Availability, rates, and cashout rules can vary by region, so always confirm current terms inside each app.
Category 1: Set-and-Forget Apps
1. Honeygain
What it does: Shares unused internet bandwidth with businesses for research use cases such as data collection and network access.
Earnings: Varies by location and demand. Many users report earning a modest amount per month.
Payout: Options can include PayPal or other methods depending on region and current policies. Minimums often apply.
Effort: Install and let it run in the background.
Our take: A common choice for set-and-forget earnings, but payouts tend to be small. Best on devices with reliable connections and generous data plans.
2. Pawns.app
What it does: Similar model to bandwidth sharing platforms. You earn when the app uses your unused connection.
Earnings: Varies by region and connection usage.
Payout: Often includes PayPal and other redemption options, with minimums that can be lower than some alternatives.
Effort: Install once and keep it running.
Our take: Easier cashout can make it feel more rewarding, but results still depend heavily on location and demand.
3. Nielsen Computer Panel
What it does: Market research panel that tracks usage patterns in an anonymized way to help research companies understand behavior.
Earnings: Usually steady but modest, often structured as gift cards and sweepstakes entries.
Payout: Commonly gift cards or rewards distributed on a schedule.
Effort: Install and leave it running.
Our take: Established brand, generally reliable for low-effort rewards, though not a high earner.
4. MobileXpression
What it does: Mobile research panel that rewards users for keeping a measurement profile installed.
Earnings: Some users report weekly gift cards when active and eligible, but this varies by region and availability.
Payout: Often gift cards.
Effort: Install and keep it active.
Our take: Can be one of the better-paying set-and-forget style options when available, but you should watch battery impact on older devices.
5. Kashkick
What it does: Mix of app install offers, games, and occasional passive-style earning options.
Earnings: Varies widely by offers and completion rules.
Payout: Often PayPal with a minimum.
Effort: Front-loaded for the best offers, then lower ongoing effort.
Our take: More of a hybrid between passive and side hustle, but it can complement a passive stack if you cherry-pick easy offers.
Category 2: Low-Effort Apps (Usually Under 5 Minutes Daily)
6. VISU Network
What it does: VISU offers QR experiences at partner locations. Depending on the campaign, scanning a QR code can trigger a short brand experience, and users may receive rewards for completing that engagement.
Earnings: Varies by campaign and region. Some scans may be small, while special activations can be higher. Your results depend on local availability and how often you visit participating places.
Payout: In-app balance with redemption options that depend on campaign rules and regional availability.
Effort: Scan codes at places you already visit. Most interactions take seconds.
Our take: The low-effort angle is that you can earn from routines you already do, like eating out, shopping, or attending events. To keep it “passive-feeling,” do not go out of your way just to scan.
7. Fetch Rewards
What it does: Scan receipts from many stores to earn points. Bonus points can apply for specific brands or promos.
Earnings: Points-based and varies by receipt and promotions. Many users report modest monthly totals.
Payout: Usually gift cards with minimums.
Effort: Photo receipts. Seconds per receipt.
Our take: Very low effort. Works best if you consistently scan every receipt you already get.
8. Ibotta
What it does: Cashback on groceries and online purchases. Often requires activating offers before shopping and submitting proof after.
Earnings: Varies by offers and shopping habits.
Payout: Commonly PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards with minimum thresholds.
Effort: A little planning plus receipt submission.
Our take: Higher potential than pure receipt apps if you match offers, but it is less “passive” because you need to activate deals.
9. Dosh
What it does: Automatic cashback when you shop at participating partners using linked payment cards.
Earnings: Varies by partner stores and promotions.
Payout: Often PayPal or bank transfer with a minimum.
Effort: Link cards once. Earnings can be automatic.
Our take: One of the closest things to truly passive cashback, as long as you actually shop at supported partners.
10. Upside (GetUpside)
What it does: Cashback on gas and sometimes groceries or restaurants, depending on the region.
Earnings: Varies by offer and location.
Payout: Often PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards with minimums.
Effort: Claim offers before purchase.
Our take: Can be very worthwhile for drivers, but offers depend heavily on where you live.
11. Swagbucks Watch
What it does: Earn points watching video playlists, sometimes while you do other things.
Earnings: Usually modest. Works best when combined with other Swagbucks methods.
Payout: PayPal or gift cards depending on region.
Effort: Start playlists and check occasionally.
Our take: Not high paying, but it can be low-effort background earning for some users.
12. Receipt Hog
What it does: Scan receipts to earn coins. Some gamified bonuses may apply.
Earnings: Points-based and varies by receipt type and bonuses.
Payout: PayPal or gift cards with minimums.
Effort: Quick receipt photos.
Our take: Fun interface. Often best as a secondary receipt app if you already scan receipts anyway.
13. Shopkick
What it does: Earn points for store visits and certain actions, like scanning products or completing tasks.
Earnings: Points-based and varies by action and campaign.
Payout: Typically gift cards.
Effort: A few minutes during shopping trips.
Our take: Good if you already go to participating stores. Do not make extra trips purely for points.
14. Mistplay (Android Only)
What it does: Earn points for playing mobile games.
Earnings: Varies by game and how long you play.
Payout: Usually gift cards with a minimum.
Effort: Time spent gaming.
Our take: Works best if you already play games. If you do not, this becomes active time, not passive.
15. Coinout
What it does: Scan receipts for small cash rewards.
Earnings: Usually small per receipt, but easy to use.
Payout: Often PayPal or gift cards, sometimes with low minimums.
Effort: Snap receipt photos.
Our take: Low friction. Best used alongside a higher-value receipt app.
Realistic Monthly Earnings Breakdown
Here is a realistic way to think about stacking. These ranges vary by location, eligibility, and how consistently you use the apps, so treat them as guidance rather than guarantees.
| App / Stack | Type | Monthly Effort | Typical Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeygain + Pawns | Bandwidth | 0 minutes | Often a modest monthly amount |
| MobileXpression | Data sharing | 0 minutes | Can be stronger when available |
| VISU | QR experiences | Low | Depends on local campaigns |
| Fetch + Receipt Hog | Receipts | Low | Usually modest but consistent |
| Upside | Cashback | Low | Depends on offers in your area |
| Dosh | Auto cashback | 0 minutes | Only if you shop at partners |
The big idea: stacking a few low-effort apps can add up over time, especially when your routine already includes shopping, driving, and visiting places with promotions.
How to Maximize Passive Income From Apps
Stack background apps carefully
You can run one or two background apps on devices you do not rely on for performance. If you notice overheating or battery drain, remove the app.
Never throw away a receipt
Scan receipts through a primary app first, then optionally through a secondary app. Double-dipping is where receipts become worth the effort.
Use VISU at places you already go
The key to making VISU feel “passive” is not going out of your way. Scan codes at restaurants, stores, and events you would visit anyway. If notifications are available in your version, enable them for nearby campaigns.
Link cards to automatic cashback
Apps like Dosh can be truly passive after setup, but only if you actually shop at participating partners.
Check cashback offers before gas or groceries
A quick offer check can add savings over time, but results vary by location and participating stations or stores.
Use referrals responsibly
Referral bonuses can help, but only recommend apps you personally use and trust. Terms can change, so confirm the current referral program before promoting it.
Passive Income Apps to Avoid
Not every app is worth your time. Here are common red flags:
Impossible thresholds: huge minimum payouts paired with tiny earnings often mean you will never cash out.
Excessive battery drain: if an app overheats your phone or drains the battery fast, the small earnings are rarely worth it.
No clear business model: if you cannot explain who funds rewards and why, skip it.
High daily time requirements: if it needs lots of active time, it is not passive income, it is a low-paying task.
Start Your Passive Income Stack Today
VISU can be a strong add-on to a low-effort income strategy when campaigns are available in your area. Rewards and cashout options depend on campaign rules.