Most "passive income" apps require more work than they admit. We tested 15 apps to find which ones actually pay with minimal effort — and which waste your time.
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.
These apps work because your attention has real value. Brands pay to reach you, and passive income apps let you monetize time you'd otherwise give away for free.
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 Recurring Income
VISU rewards users for QR scans at places they already visit. Inviting others can unlock additional rewards over time.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
What Makes an App Truly "Passive"?
Let's define terms before diving in.
True passive (zero effort): Install once, earn in background. Bandwidth sharing and data collection apps. Rare but exists.
Low-effort (minutes/day): Occasional actions like scanning receipts or activating cashback. Most "passive" apps fall here.
Front-loaded (effort then passive): Build referral network or complete setup, then earn over time. High effort initially.
Not passive (avoid): Requires 30+ minutes daily. That's a side hustle, not passive income.
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. Set-and-forget apps first, then low-effort apps that still feel passive.
Category 1: Set-and-Forget Apps
1. Honeygain
What it does: Shares unused internet bandwidth with businesses for research. Effort: Zero after install. Earnings: $1-5/month typical. Payout: PayPal, $20 minimum.
A common choice for true passive earnings. Install, forget, collect small amounts. Best on devices with reliable connections and generous data plans. Earnings depend heavily on location and demand.
Best for: Users with unlimited data who want zero-effort income.
2. Pawns.app
What it does: Bandwidth sharing similar to Honeygain. Effort: Zero after install. Earnings: $1-5/month typical. Payout: PayPal, lower minimum than Honeygain.
Similar model but often easier to cash out due to lower minimums. Many users run both Honeygain and Pawns simultaneously on the same device.
Best for: Users who want to stack bandwidth apps for slightly higher earnings.
3. Nielsen Computer Panel
What it does: Market research panel that tracks anonymized usage patterns. Effort: Zero after install. Earnings: ~$50/year in gift cards + sweepstakes. Payout: Gift cards on schedule.
Established brand with reliable payouts. Not high earning, but truly passive and trustworthy.
Best for: Users who prefer established companies over newer apps.
4. MobileXpression
What it does: Mobile research panel that rewards keeping a measurement profile active. Effort: Zero after install. Earnings: $5-10/month in gift cards when available. Payout: Weekly gift cards.
Can be one of the better-paying set-and-forget options when available in your region. Watch battery impact on older devices.
Best for: Mobile users in supported regions who want weekly payouts.
5. Kashkick
What it does: Mix of app install offers, games, and passive-style earning. Effort: Front-loaded, then low. Earnings: Varies widely, $5-20/month if active. Payout: PayPal, $10 minimum.
More of a hybrid between passive and active. Best if you cherry-pick easy offers and ignore the time-consuming ones.
Best for: Users willing to do initial setup for ongoing passive earnings.
Category 2: Low-Effort Apps (Under 5 Minutes Daily)
These require occasional actions but still feel passive. For video-watching options specifically, see our guide to video reward apps.
6. VISU Network
What it does: Rewards for scanning QR codes at partner locations. Effort: Seconds per scan. Earnings: Varies by campaign and region. Payout: In-app balance with multiple redemption options.
The key to keeping VISU passive: only scan at places you already visit. Restaurants, stores, events. Don't go out of your way. Learn more about how VISU rewards work.
Best for: Urban users who eat out, shop, or attend events regularly.
7. Fetch Rewards
What it does: Scan any receipt to earn points. Effort: Seconds per receipt. Earnings: $3-10/month typical. Payout: Gift cards, $3 minimum.
Very low effort. Snap photos of receipts you already have. Works best if you're consistent.
Best for: Anyone who shops and keeps receipts.
8. Ibotta
What it does: Cashback on groceries and online purchases. Effort: 2-3 minutes before shopping. Earnings: $10-30/month if you match offers. Payout: PayPal, Venmo, gift cards. $20 minimum.
Higher potential than pure receipt apps, but requires activating offers before shopping. Less passive but better returns. See our best cashback apps guide for more options.
Best for: Grocery shoppers willing to spend 2 minutes planning.
9. Dosh
What it does: Automatic cashback when you shop with linked cards. Effort: Zero after linking cards. Earnings: Varies by spending habits. Payout: PayPal or bank transfer, $25 minimum.
One of the closest things to truly passive cashback. Link cards once, earn automatically. Only works if you shop at participating partners.
Best for: Users who frequently shop at major retailers and restaurants.
10. Upside (GetUpside)
What it does: Cashback on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Effort: Claim offer before purchase. Earnings: $5-20/month for regular drivers. Payout: PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.
Great for drivers. Check app before filling up gas. If you walk more than drive, consider apps that pay you to walk instead.
Best for: Drivers who buy gas regularly.
11. Swagbucks Watch
What it does: Earn points watching video playlists. Effort: Start playlist, check occasionally. Earnings: $1-5/month from videos alone. Payout: PayPal or gift cards, $3 minimum.
Not high paying but can run in background. Works best combined with other Swagbucks methods.
Best for: Users who want background earning while doing other things.
12. Receipt Hog
What it does: Scan receipts for coins with gamified bonuses. Effort: Seconds per receipt. Earnings: $2-5/month typical. Payout: PayPal or gift cards.
Fun interface with slot machine bonuses. Best as a secondary receipt app alongside Fetch.
Best for: Users who want gamified receipt scanning.
13. Shopkick
What it does: Points for store visits, product scans, and purchases. Effort: Few minutes during shopping. Earnings: $5-15/month if consistent. Payout: Gift cards.
Good if you already visit participating stores. Don't make extra trips just for points. See our guide to store visit apps for more options.
Best for: Regular shoppers at Target, Walmart, and similar stores.
14. Mistplay (Android Only)
What it does: Points for playing mobile games. Effort: Time spent gaming. Earnings: $5-15/month if you game regularly. Payout: Gift cards, $5 minimum.
Only passive if you already play mobile games. If you don't, this becomes active work.
Best for: Android users who already play mobile games.
15. Coinout
What it does: Scan any receipt for small cash rewards. Effort: Seconds per receipt. Earnings: $1-3/month typical. Payout: PayPal or gift cards, low minimums.
Very low friction but also very low earnings. Best used alongside Fetch or Receipt Hog.
Best for: Users who want to triple-stack receipt apps.
Best Bandwidth Sharing Apps for Passive Income
Bandwidth sharing apps are the closest thing to truly passive income. Install once, earn forever (in theory). Here's how they compare:
| App | Typical Earnings | Minimum Payout | Payment Methods | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeygain | $1-5/month | $20 | PayPal, crypto | Most established |
| Pawns.app | $1-5/month | $5 | PayPal, gift cards | Lowest minimum |
| Peer2Profit | $1-3/month | $2 | PayPal, crypto | Very low minimum |
| PacketStream | $1-3/month | $5 | PayPal | Simple interface |
Pawns.app vs Kashkick: Different models. Pawns is true passive (bandwidth sharing), Kashkick requires completing offers. Pawns pays less but needs zero effort. Kashkick can pay more but isn't passive after setup.
Note: Running multiple bandwidth apps simultaneously is possible but may slow your connection. Test and adjust based on your internet speed.
Realistic Monthly Earnings Breakdown
Here's what a realistic passive income stack looks like. These are ranges, not guarantees — your results depend on location, consistency, and eligible offers.
| Stack | Apps | Monthly Effort | Realistic Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| True Passive | Honeygain + Pawns + Nielsen | 0 minutes | $5-15/month |
| Receipt Stack | Fetch + Receipt Hog + Coinout | 2-3 min/day | $5-15/month |
| Cashback Stack | Dosh + Ibotta + Upside | 5 min/day | $15-50/month |
| Location Stack | VISU + Shopkick | During shopping | $10-30/month |
| Full Stack | All of the above | 10-15 min/day | $40-100/month |
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.
Are Passive Income Apps Safe?
Common concern, valid question. Here's the reality:
Bandwidth sharing apps: Share your unused internet connection. Legitimate apps (Honeygain, Pawns) use it for market research and price comparison. Risk: your IP may be used for web scraping. Mitigation: use on secondary devices, not work computers.
Data collection apps (Nielsen, MobileXpression): Track anonymized usage patterns. Established companies with clear privacy policies. Risk: behavioral data collection. Mitigation: read privacy policy, use if comfortable with the tradeoff.
Receipt/cashback apps: Generally safe. Only access camera and purchase data you submit. Major apps (Fetch, Ibotta) are widely trusted.
Red flags to watch:
- Apps requesting excessive permissions (contacts, messages, calls)
- No clear privacy policy or business model
- Extremely high earning claims ($100+/month passive)
- Unknown developers with few reviews
Bottom line: Stick with established apps mentioned in this guide. The tradeoff is small earnings for small data sharing. If that's uncomfortable, focus on receipt and cashback apps instead.
Add VISU to Your Passive Stack
Earn from places you already visit. Scan QR codes at restaurants, stores, and events. Takes seconds, pays instantly.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
How to Maximize Passive Income From Apps
Stack by category, not by quantity. Pick 1-2 apps from each category (bandwidth, receipts, cashback, location). More than 6-8 total becomes hard to manage.
Run bandwidth apps on secondary devices. Old phones or tablets with WiFi work well. Avoid running on your primary phone if battery life matters.
Never throw away a receipt. Scan through Fetch first (accepts everything), then Receipt Hog. Double-dipping is where receipts become worth it.
Link all cards to Dosh. Set and forget. Automatic cashback when you shop at partners.
Check Upside before every gas fill. Takes 10 seconds. Can save $0.10-0.30 per gallon.
Use VISU only where you'd go anyway. The moment you drive somewhere just to scan, it stops being passive.
Cash out early and often. Apps can change terms or shut down. Don't let balances sit for months. For apps that reward referring friends, see our referral apps that pay guide.
Passive Income Apps to Avoid
Not every app is worth your time. Red flags:
Impossible thresholds: $50+ minimum payout with $0.01 per action. You'll never cash out.
Excessive battery drain: If your phone overheats or dies fast, the $2/month isn't worth replacing your battery.
No clear business model: If you can't explain who pays and why, skip it. Legitimate apps monetize data or attention transparently.
Requires constant attention: If you need to check every 30 minutes, it's not passive. It's a bad hourly job.
Too-good-to-be-true promises: No app pays $500/month passively. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying.
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.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.