How to Make Money with Apps in 2025: The Complete Guide to the Best Apps for Extra Income on Your Phone

The digital opportunity market has exploded in recent years. While many are still stuck in the traditional office routine, millions of people have discovered that their smartphones can be money-making machines for extra income. By 2025, it’s no longer a question of “if” you can make money with apps, but “which app to choose” to maximize your earnings.

Digital transformation has opened doors that previously seemed locked. Whether you’re a creator with a talent for videos, a writer seeking a platform, or someone looking to profit from commissions, there is an app waiting for you. In this guide, we will explore the top 10 platforms to earn money directly from your phone, organized by opportunity type.

Video Platforms: The Fastest Way to Make Money with Apps

Video-based social networks have become the biggest income-generating machines for content creators. The democratization of audiovisual creation means anyone with creativity can start earning immediately.

TikTok: Accelerated Monetization for Creators

TikTok has revolutionized how creators make money with apps. The platform operates with a multi-reward system: you earn from views through the Creator Program, can sell products via TikTok Shop with commissions on sales, and participate in brand campaigns.

What you need to know:

• Initial requirement: 10,000 followers to activate monetization
• Payment methods: PayPal or bank transfer
• Payout period: up to 30 business days
• Availability: iOS and Android

TikTok’s advantage is speed. Many creators report their first earnings within weeks, not months. The network is especially powerful if you can create content that goes viral.

YouTube: The Permanent Giant

While TikTok grows, YouTube maintains its position as the most robust platform for long-term app earnings. With over 2 billion active users, it offers multiple revenue streams: AdSense (advertising), Super Chat during live streams, channel memberships, and affiliate marketing.

Earnings structure:

• Minimum to activate: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in 12 months
• Payment via: Google AdSense (up to 30 days after monthly closing)
• Multiple income sources simultaneously
• Platforms: iOS and Android

YouTube is more demanding than TikTok initially but offers stability and income predictability that few apps can provide.

Brazilian Apps: Earn Money with Localized Platforms

For those who prefer working in Portuguese and with support in their language, there are apps developed specifically for the Brazilian market.

Kwai: The Local Rival to TikTok

Kwai is Brazil’s answer to TikTok and gained strength especially in the North and Northeast regions. The platform allows earning from views, participating in paid viral challenges, receiving daily bonuses, and partnering with brands.

Practical info:

• Category: Short videos
• Payment: Pix or digital wallets (up to 7 days)
• Differential: Strong regional presence, integrated affiliate program
• Access: iOS and Android

Kwai’s advantage is that it is often easier to go viral due to fewer competitors than TikTok, increasing your chances of quick earnings.

Medium Brazil: Monetizing Your Textual Creativity

For those who enjoy writing articles, chronicles, or analyses, Medium offers a different model: you earn based on the time subscribers dedicate to reading your content. It’s perfect for topics like finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Important details:

• Type: Publishing and writing platform
• Earnings: Based on subscriber reading time
• Payment: Stripe or PayPal, monthly
• Language: Portuguese available
• Platforms: iOS and Android

Medium is a strategic choice if you want to build authority while earning money with content apps.

Affiliate Marketing: Earn Money Promoting Products

One of the most accessible ways to earn online is through affiliate programs. You promote products and receive commissions for each sale made through your link.

Shopee Affiliate: The Most Reliable Solution

Shopee’s affiliate program remains a reference in Brazil. You can promote any product from the platform on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Facebook and earn commissions of up to 28% per sale.

How it works:

• Commission: up to 28% per sale
• Registration: Free and straightforward
• Payment: Pix in 3 to 5 business days
• Requirement: Be of legal age and have an active account
• Availability: iOS and Android

Shopee’s structure is so transparent that beginners can start earning in just a few days.

Temu: Emerging Opportunity

Temu recently launched but already offers a robust affiliate program. Share links or personalized coupons and earn commissions or credits for each purchase made through them. There are also temporary campaigns with extra rewards.

Features:

• Type: E-commerce with affiliate program
• Commission: Per sales and clicks
• Payment: Pix, PayPal, or app credits
• Flexibility: Various campaigns with accelerated earning periods
• Access: iOS and Android

Freelance Work: Earn Money with Your Professional Skills

If you have a specific profession (designer, writer, programmer, translator), freelance apps allow you to offer your services without complicated intermediaries.

Workana: The Latin-American Marketplace

Workana is one of the largest freelancer marketplaces in the region, connecting professionals to real projects. Design, writing, digital marketing, translation, and development are some of the available categories.

Essential info:

• Reach: Projects in Portuguese from all Latin America
• Security: Escrow system (protects both parties)
• Payment: Payoneer, bank account, or PayPal
• Model: Based on individual projects
• Platform: Web and Android

Workana is ideal if you already have professional experience and want to escape the traditional employment network.

99Freelas: 100% Brazilian

Created specifically for the national market, 99Freelas offers a pure Portuguese interface and local support. Writers, designers, programmers, and marketing specialists find paid work in reais.

Highlights:

• Environment: Fully in Portuguese
• Currency: Reais (without currency conversion)
• Payment: Pix transfer after client approval
• Interface: Simple and straightforward for negotiating prices
• Access: Web and Android

The platform is especially useful because it eliminates language barriers and foreign currency conversion issues.

Strategy: How to Choose Which App to Use to Make Money

With so many options, the right choice depends on your profile and circumstances. Consider these key criteria:

1. Alignment with Your Skills

Making money with apps works best when the work matches what you do well. If you are naturally creative, bet on videos. If you are a good writer, focus on textual platforms. If you have specific skills, freelancing is your path.

2. Platform Reputation and Reliability

Research reviews from real users. Established platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Shopee, Workana, and 99Freelas have histories of punctual payments and reliable support. Avoid unknown apps without reviews.

3. Payment Structure

Each platform has its method. Some use PayPal, others Pix, digital wallets, or bank transfers. Check which method is most convenient for you before investing time.

4. Commission Rate and Retention

Compare how much the platform retains from your earnings. A 20% fee is common, but some charge 30% or more. Does the return justify the effort?

5. Time to First Earnings

Some apps (like TikTok and Kwai) can generate money in weeks. Others (like YouTube) require months of building. Know your patience for waiting.

Combining Multiple Apps: The Diversified Income Strategy

The smartest way to earn money with apps is not to rely on just one. Test different platforms and see which suit your style best:

• Weeks 1-2: Register on 3 or 4 apps that match your profile
• Weeks 3-4: Start producing content and observe which generate more engagement
• Month 2 onward: Focus on the 2 or 3 most profitable platforms
• Ongoing: Periodically test new opportunities

This approach offers stability (you are not dependent on changes in a single app) and maximizes your time for maximum profitability.

Conclusion: 2025 is the Year to Make Money with Apps

The digital work revolution is real. In 2025, earning money via your phone is no longer a distant dream but a tangible possibility for anyone willing to work with consistency and creativity.

Whether through viral videos on TikTok, monetized articles on Medium, commissions on Shopee, or freelance projects on Workana, opportunities are available. The secret is to choose the right platforms, be consistent, and monitor your results.

Start today: pick one of the mentioned apps, create your account, and take the first step to turn your free time into real income. Making money with apps in 2025 is a matter of action, discipline, and smart choices. The market is open — now it’s up to you.