Apps to Make Money in 2025: The Complete Guide to the Best Extra Income Apps on Mobile

The reality of working in person from 9 am to 6 pm is no longer the only option for many. In 2025, the best money-making apps have opened doors for a generation of professionals seeking flexibility, autonomy, and the possibility of earning extra income without leaving the safety of home. Technological advancements have democratized access to digital work platforms, allowing anyone with a smartphone to turn their available time into real revenue.

This guide gathers the 10 most promising apps to make money in 2025, organized by income category: creative content, investments, freelance work, and digital commerce. Regardless of your profile — creator, investor, seller, or service provider — there is an app that fits your business model.

Section 1: Online Investment and Trading Platforms

If your goal is to monetize financial resources through market operations, investment apps offer real-time access to assets such as cryptocurrencies, commodities, and contracts for difference.

Mitrade: Accessible Trading for Beginners and Professionals

Mitrade stands out as a modern trading platform that allows operations with gold, global indices (NASDAQ, NAS100), Bitcoin, Brent oil, and various CFDs under international regulation (ASIC, CIMA, FSC). The proposal is attractive for investors wanting to explore market volatility without acquiring physical assets.

The interface offers advanced charts, intuitive technical analysis tools, and a practical execution system. The initial deposit is low (minimum of 5 USD), and profits are potentially unlimited depending on the risk strategy adopted. Withdrawals and deposits work on business days via Visa, Mastercard, Worldpay, Poli, Skrill, Neteller, or bank transfer.

Minimum requirements: experience is not a prerequisite. The app works for both beginners and experienced traders. Available on Android and iOS.

IC Markets: Short-term Trading with Competitive Spreads

For those seeking technical operations and ultra-fast execution, IC Markets is recognized worldwide among CFD brokers. It allows trading currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, stocks, indices, and commodities with competitive spreads.

The platform is geared toward short-term strategies, offering high return potential. However, it requires rigorous risk management due to the level of volatility involved. Real-time monitoring of trades, quick withdrawals to linked bank accounts. Available on Android and iOS.

Section 2: Creative Content and Social Media Monetization

Social media has evolved from entertainment channels to true sources of income. Short videos, live streams, and engaging content generate revenue through views, donations, and commercial partnerships.

TikTok: Rapid Monetization of Short Videos

TikTok has gained billions of users worldwide and offers multiple conversion methods: Creator Program (rewards for views and engagement), TikTok Shop (sales via affiliation with commissions on transactions).

To start earning: need to reach 10,000 followers. Withdrawals are processed via PayPal or bank transfer within 30 days. The platform rewards viral and consistent content. Available on Android and iOS.

YouTube: Diversified Income with Multiple Sources

YouTube remains the most robust ecosystem for video creators with 2 billion active users. Income sources include: AdSense (partner program), Super Chat and Super Stickers (during streams), channel memberships, affiliate marketing.

Entry requirements: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months. Payments via Google AdSense within 30 days after monthly closing. Available on Android and iOS.

Kwai: Brazilian Alternative for Short Videos

Kwai is the most widespread short video app in Brazil, offering Creator Program (payment per views), promotional campaigns (rewards for referring new users), daily bonuses, viral challenges with rewards, and brand partnerships.

Strong presence in North and Northeast regions. Payments via Pix or digital wallets within 7 business days. Available on Android and iOS.

Medium Brazil: Monetization of Writing and Essays

For independent writers and journalists, Medium offers a Partner Program that pays articles based on reading time and subscriber engagement. Ideal for content on finance, technology, entrepreneurship, or digital culture.

Additional benefit: building authority as an expert. Monthly payments via Stripe (international) or PayPal. Available on Android and iOS.

Section 3: Affiliate Marketing and E-Commerce

Affiliate marketing remains an accessible strategy with low initial investment to generate extra income. You promote products and earn commissions on sales made via your personalized link.

Temu: Affiliate Program with Dynamic Campaigns

Temu, a shopping platform with discounted prices, offers an affiliate program allowing profit by promoting products to contacts and followers. Share links and personalized coupons; each purchase generates commissions in cash or app credit.

Temporary campaigns pay extra bonuses for clicks and sign-ups, increasing earning potential. Payments via Pix, PayPal, or app credit depending on the campaign. Available on Android and iOS.

Shopee: High Commissions with a Reliable Structure

Shopee’s Affiliate Program offers commissions up to 28% per sale. Promote any product on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook; registration is free on the website or app.

After approval, generate affiliate links and share on networks. The higher the engagement and conversions, the greater the monthly profit. Bank transfers via Pix in 3–5 business days. Available on Android and iOS.

Section 4: Freelance Work Platforms

Remote work has solidified in 2025. Freelance marketplaces connect independent professionals with clients, offering security and flexibility.

Workana Brazil: Largest Latin American Marketplace

Workana connects professionals (design, writing, digital marketing, translation, IT, customer service) with hiring companies. Create a profile, showcase your portfolio, receive proposals quickly.

Escrow system ensures bilateral security. Payments via Payoneer, bank account, or PayPal. Suitable for beginners and experienced. Available on Web and Android.

99Freelas: 100% Brazilian Platform

Connects freelancers with clients in writing, design, translation, programming, marketing, and customer service. Interface in Portuguese, local support, payments in reais.

Negotiate prices directly with clients. Transfers via Pix after client approval. Available on Web and Android.

Criteria for Choosing the Ideal App

Given the variety, selecting the right app requires a structured evaluation:

1. Align with your skills: choose a platform that demands your natural abilities — video creation, writing, technical analysis, or sales. Compatibility increases success chances.

2. Prefer established platforms: apps with a solid reputation, active support, and a history of punctual payments reduce risks. Mitrade, Shopee, TikTok, Workana are references.

3. Compare payment methods: each app offers different options (PayPal, Pix, Stripe, bank transfer). Choose one compatible with your account. Read terms to avoid surprises.

4. Assess retention fees: some retain a percentage of earnings. Compare commissions and see if the return justifies the effort invested.

5. Investigate user comments: research real experiences about payments, reliability, and support quality before committing.

Conclusion

In 2025, earning money via cell phone through specialized apps has ceased to be a future promise and has become an accessible reality. Whether creating viral content on TikTok, writing analyses on Medium, trading financial markets on Mitrade, or promoting products on Shopee, opportunities multiply daily.

The key lies in consistent dedication, strategic choices, and continuous adaptation. Test different platforms, measure results, and keep the apps that best fit your routine. In 2025, turning free time into real income is a matter of discipline, creativity, and smart use of the technology available on your phone.

Practical tip: start with one platform, master its mechanisms, then diversify as you gain experience. Multiple income sources increase financial stability and reduce dependence on a single channel.