15 Ways to Work Online from Your Smartphone in 2020

Apps are incredible little phone tools that make it possible to do virtually anything with just a few taps of the screen.

They’ve come such a long way over the past few years that they actually give you an opportunity to work using them, paving the way for some extra income in your life.

There are apps for freelancing, completing quick tasks, delivery driving, tutoring, survey taking, and just about anything else under the sun that can make you some extra cash.

So, if you’re looking to boost your earnings each month to pay bills, get out of debt, or get some extra spending money, then read on!

Mobile Phone Apps That Pay You to Work

Want to get paid to use your phone?

Then you’re not going to want to miss the following apps, which will pay you for various types of work, from quick gigs to legitimate side hustles.

1. InboxDollars

The InboxDollars app disappeared for a while, I’m assuming so that the developers could make some fixes and bring it back to InboxDollars members in a brand-new working form.

It’s now back on the iOS and Android market with all the features you love from the website, like paid searches, surveys, cash back shopping, and offers.

Actually, the Android app is currently more robust with access to just about anything you can do on the site, while the iOS app is mostly for surveys.

Still, either app offers a quick and easy way to boost your earnings even when you’re on the go.

If you’re not familiar with InboxDollars, here’s the gist.

It’s a rewards site with a bunch of different tasks you can do for cash online.

When you reach your first $30, they’ll send you a check.

After that, you only need $20 to cash out and you’ll have more payment options available to you, including PayPal and a VISA prepaid card.

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is very similar to InboxDollars, and its app is probably even more comprehensive.

You can do just about anything on its app that you could on the site, including cash shopping, games, watching videos, and referring your friends.

On Swagbucks, you earn SBs, which are the Swagbucks points system.

Turn in your SBs for PayPal cash or gift cards to places like Amazon and Walmart.

You only need as little as 300 SBs to exchange for some gift cards, which gives you about $3.

Swagbucks seems to always have special events and promotions going on, too, which can pay you even more for stuff you do on the site.

3. Upwork

Upwork is a freelance marketplace that put its app on the market a couple of years ago.

The app has come a long way since its debut, essentially letting you do everything that you would on the website.

That means that you can search for jobs, update your profile, see the details of your job milestones, and even get your payments right through the Upwork app.

On Upwork, you can apply for a free account with the skills you have.

Build your portfolio of previous work to show clients.

Then, you’re ready to browse the gigs and start getting work.

Depending on the work you do, you may need a computer (you can’t do the actual work through the Upwork app, in other words), but the app offers a convenient way to look for gigs whenever you want.

You’re in charge of your rate on Upwork.

4. Fiverr

Fiverr is similar to Upwork in that you set your rates and can find people to work with based on your skills and reviews.

However, on Fiverr, you set your own gigs rather than browse ones posted by clients, so you actually have a bit more control in how you work here.

The app gives you the information you’d find on the Fiverr website, like your gig details and your earnings, and you can transfer your payments using it.

You’ll also be able to respond to potential clients who want to work with you, which is helpful when you’re on the go and away from your computer but still want to be able to get back to people quickly.

5. Toluna

Toluna is both a website and app that lets you share your opinions for some extra cash.

It’s also known as one of the highest-paying survey sites where you can usually find surveys that pay more than others for the same length of time.

The Toluna app is especially helpful for people who travel frequently.

Allow it to track your location, and you may end up getting surveys based on the places you visit, which can boost your earning potential.

There are occasionally some product review and focus group opportunities available to the most active members, too.

6. Shipt

Shipt pays up to $22 an hour for you to deliver stuff to customers in your area.

Use the app to find people who need your help, locate them, and deliver their stuff.

You set your hours for whenever you’re available, so you can work around your job schedule, kids’ sports practices, and whatever else you have going on.

To join the team, you’ll need to apply and have an interview.

Then, you can start using the app to find work near you and check your earnings.

Shipt pays shoppers every week.

7. Instacart

As a shopper for Instacart, you can use the app to find local customers who order food from grocery stores and need it delivered.

You, of course, get to be the shopper and/or delivery person!

You can choose to just deliver to customers or to also be their shopper at local stores they order from.

You’ll choose the hours you can work right in the app and can view the customer’s order and delivery information in the app as well.

You need to be at least 18 years old, have a reliable vehicle, and have a valid driver’s license to become a shopper or delivery person.

According to Glassdoor, the average delivery driver for Instacart makes about $16 an hour, although this fluctuates with how busy your area is and what hours you can work.

8. NiceTalk

Use the NiceTalk app to talk to people in China to help them learn English through regular conversations.

You work on whatever schedule you want, so you can just hop on the app when you have free time to earn some money.

You don’t need any special certifications to tutor on here, but NiceTalk does prefer tutors that have English language learning credentials or certifications.

The pay is $10 an hour, and you can get your earnings sent to your PayPal account when you reach a minimum of $20.

9. Gigwalk

Gigwalk is a free app for anyone to sign up with and use.

You don’t need any special skills to do the stuff that’s on the app.

Just sign in, browse the gigs, and pick the ones you want to do and have time for.

There are no schedules and no minimum number of tasks you need to complete.

Make sure you turn your location on, though, so Gigwalk can see where you are and send you gigs that are focused on your area.

Tasks can range anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, and some can pay $100 or more.

10. Rover

Love dogs?

You’ll want to try your hand with Rover, an app that connects approved dog walkers with dog owners in their neighborhood who need some help during the day.

Not only can you get paid to walk dogs with Rover, you can also get paid to watch dogs.

You’ll need to go through a strict vetting process to become an approved Rover dog walker or watcher.

Once you’re in, your customers can leave reviews for you, which can help you get noticed by other potential customers.

Some of the best dog walkers and watchers make up to $1,000 with Rover alone.

The best part is that you’re in charge of your schedule and your rate you want to charge others.

11. UberEats

You probably already know about Uber, which is why I didn’t mention it on this list.

But have you heard of UberEats, its yummy side gig?

This app offers as much flexibility as Uber, where you can sign up to work and drive whenever you want.

Actually, you don’t even need to drive.

UberEats even lets its delivery people ride their bikes if they want to, as long as they can get to their customers in a timely manner.

Using the app, you can even get paid every day – up to five times per day – so you don’t have to wait days or weeks to get your money.

12. EyeEm

This one is a little different, but it’s absolutely perfect for photographers (or want-to-be photographers).

Using the EyeEm app, you can sell your favorite photos to people who want to buy them.

You can choose photos one by one to upload or choose a whole batch of photos to upload for sale.

EyeEm lets you keep your copyright to all your pictures and gives you a 50% cut of the sales price, which is similar to what most stock photo sites would pay you in royalties.

The best part is that EyeEm partners with top photo companies like Getty to help even more people see your photos.

You’ll get paid with PayPal.

13. TaskRabbit

If you’re a handy person, then TaskRabbit is for you.

On this app, you can find people near you who need your handy help, like fixing a car, repairing a broken window, or even putting together furniture.

Squeeze in your customers when you have room on your schedule – you’re in control of it – and you can set your rates to make what you want to earn.

You can register for an account online.

Then, complete an onboarding session with the TaskRabbit team and get to work.

14. Steady

Steady is a newer app that lets users browse gigs and jobs that are more flexible than typical jobs.

Once you download the app and sign up, you’ll choose from work from home, part-time or full-time jobs, and anytime jobs.

Steady will then show you a list of everything in your area that matches what you’re looking for, which you can narrow down further to find what you need.

Some of the jobs listed on the app are for other gig apps, like Rover, but others are for jobs that people post or that are listed on other job sites.

It’s a helpful app for curating all the flexible gigs you want to find in one convenient place.

15. Bellhops

Help people in your area move their belongings to their new home with Bellhops.

This app lets you apply to register as a Bellhop.

If accepted, you’ll set your schedule in the app and people can locate you to ask for your help.

You need to be at least 18 years old and able to pass a free background check to get started.

Bellhops is currently only available in select United States cities, but it’s continuing to expand, so you may find it in your city soon.

Final Thoughts: Easy Ways to Work Online from Your Smartphone

See how easy it is to make money with your smartphone?

You don’t need to grab another job or beg people to pay you with your favorite money app.

These apps, instead, let you make money doing things you enjoy doing – from tutoring to driving – to make some extra money in your spare time.

If you have money-making gig apps you enjoy using, feel free to give them a mention in the comments.

Also, let me know what your experiences have been with the apps I listed above!