Apps That Make Money in 2025: Discover the Main Ways to Monetize Your Smartphone

The traditional 9-to-6 workday is losing ground. By 2025, millions of people have discovered that it’s possible to generate income using just a smartphone and an internet connection. The growth of the digital ecosystem has opened doors for freelancers, content creators, investors, and entrepreneurs who want to work with flexibility in time and space. This guide presents the main platforms that function as money-making apps, divided by business model to facilitate your choice.

Profitability through Visual Content: Where Creators Earn More

Creating short videos has become one of the most accessible ways to generate revenue via mobile. Platforms specialized in digital entertainment offer different monetization structures for those who produce content regularly.

TikTok remains the absolute leader in this segment, with billions of global users. Creators can access the Creator Program, which pays based on views and engagement, as well as TikTok Shop, which offers commissions on sales through affiliate links. The minimum requirement is 10,000 followers, and withdrawals are processed via PayPal or bank transfer within up to 30 days.

Kwai functions as a strong Brazilian alternative, especially in the North and Northeast regions. This money-earning app offers the Creator Program, promotional campaigns with rewards for invites, daily bonuses, and viral challenges with prizes. Transfers via Pix arrive within 7 business days, making it a quick option for those seeking fast feedback on their work.

For those wanting to build a more solid subscriber base, YouTube offers a more robust monetization structure. With over 2 billion active users, the platform allows earnings through ads via AdSense, Super Chat and Super Stickers during live streams, channel memberships, and affiliate marketing. The requirement is to maintain 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months, with monthly payments via Google AdSense.

Writing and Publishing: Turning Words into Revenue

Professionals working in writing find Medium Brazil a legitimate platform to monetize their writing. Articles on finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and digital culture generate income based on reading time and subscriber engagement. Besides functioning as a money-making app, Medium Brazil helps build professional authority. Payments are made monthly via Stripe or PayPal.

Affiliate Models: Commissions per Conversion

Affiliate marketing continues to be an effective way to create passive income. Shopee Affiliate Program allows promoting any product from the platform on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, earning commissions of up to 28% per sale. Registration is free, and the process is transparent — the higher the engagement, the greater the earnings. Transfers via Pix arrive in 3 to 5 business days.

Temu recently expanded in Brazil and already offers a robust affiliate program. Besides competitive prices on purchases, the platform rewards those who share links and personalized coupons with friends and followers. Temporary campaigns pay extra bonuses based on clicks or sign-ups, increasing the potential of a money-making app with minimal effort. Payment methods include Pix, PayPal, or direct credit in the app.

Online Investments: Financial Operations via Mobile

Those with knowledge or a desire to learn about financial markets find Mitrade a regulated platform by international bodies such as ASIC, CIMA, and FSC. This money-earning app allows trading gold, global indices like NASDAQ and NAS100, Bitcoin, Brent crude oil, and CFDs in real-time. The interface is intuitive, with advanced charts and technical analysis tools, suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. The minimum deposit is 5 USD, and withdrawals can be made via Visa, Mastercard, Worldpay, Poli, Skrill, Neteller, or bank transfer.

IC Markets caters to more technical traders, being one of the most recognized brokers worldwide. The platform specializes in CFDs with ultra-fast execution and competitive spreads for trading currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, stocks, indices, and commodities. Ideal for those seeking short-term variable income, but requiring strict risk management due to high volatility involved. Withdrawals are processed on business days directly to linked bank accounts.

Remote Work: Freelancer Platforms for Professionals

The freelance job market has grown exponentially, creating opportunities across multiple professions. Workana Brazil is one of Latin America’s largest marketplaces, connecting designers, writers, digital marketing specialists, translators, and IT professionals with companies hiring by project. Payments are protected by an escrow system, ensuring bilateral security. Transfers can be made via Payoneer, bank account, or PayPal.

99Freelas offers a 100% Brazilian experience with a Portuguese interface and local support. This money-earning app connects professionals in writing, design, translation, programming, marketing, and direct client communication. The system allows transparent negotiation of prices and payments via Pix after client approval, making it simpler and more straightforward for beginners.

Criteria for Choosing Your Money-Making App

Given the multiple options, follow these practical criteria:

Skills Analysis: Choose platforms aligned with what you do well — creating videos, writing, investing, selling, or providing services. This synergy increases your chances of success and makes the process more sustainable.

Reputation and Reliability: Prioritize apps with a proven track record of punctual payments, active support, and positive user reviews. Research on Brazilian forums and social media before investing time.

Payment Structure: Each platform offers different methods — PayPal, bank transfer, Pix, or digital wallet. Choose according to your convenience and check processing times.

Commission Rate: Compare how much each money-making app retains from your earnings. Some platforms are more generous than others, significantly affecting your final return.

Validation with Real Users: Read testimonials from current users to confirm if the advertised earnings are realistic and if support resolves issues quickly.

Conclusion

In 2025, turning free time into income has become more feasible than ever. Whether creating content on TikTok or Kwai, writing on Medium, operating affiliate links on Shopee, investing via Mitrade, or working as a freelancer on Workana, opportunities from a money-making app are spread across multiple segments.

Success depends not only on choosing the right platform but also on a combination of consistent strategy, dedication to improvement, and smart selection aligned with your profile. Start testing different options, monitor your results clearly, and expand on the ones that best fit your lifestyle and skills. With this disciplined approach, extra income can evolve into a main source of revenue or even an independent digital business.