Earn Extra Income on Your Phone: The Best Apps of 2026

Working in person from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., is still a reality for many, but it’s no longer the only option. Nowadays, with a smartphone in hand, it’s entirely possible to create additional income streams or even turn your free time into a profitable activity. Technology and digital platforms have opened doors for those who want to earn money flexibly, choosing their own schedules and ways of working.

If you’re looking for how to earn extra income using your phone, we’ve gathered the main strategies and apps available on the market. Whether creating content, investing, selling products, or offering services, there are options for all profiles. Check out the most promising options and find out which one fits best into your routine.

Social Media: Turn Your Content into Revenue

Social media are no longer just entertainment spaces. Today, content creators earn money consistently through videos, live streams, and follower engagement.

TikTok remains one of the main platforms for those who create short, creative videos. With billions of users worldwide, it offers multiple monetization options: creator fund (rewards for views), TikTok Shop (sales with commission), and brand partnerships. You only need 10,000 followers to start withdrawing your earnings via PayPal or bank transfer.

YouTube continues to be a reference for more ambitious creators. With over 2 billion active users, the platform allows earning through ads (AdSense), Super Chat during live streams, channel memberships, and affiliate marketing. The requirements are 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months, with payments via Google AdSense.

Kwai, popular in Latin America, is an excellent alternative for those wanting to make money with short videos in Brazil. It offers creator programs, paid campaigns, daily bonuses, and viral challenges. Payments are made via Pix or digital wallets within up to 7 business days.

Financial Investments: Trading via Smartphone

For those who follow markets and want to profit from price fluctuations, there are platforms that allow trading stocks, cryptocurrencies, and commodities safely and regulated.

Mitrade is a modern platform for traders wanting to operate CFDs on gold, oil, Bitcoin, and global indices. Regulated by international bodies (ASIC, CIMA, FSC), it offers advanced charts, analysis tools, and an intuitive system. Minimum deposit of US$5, and withdrawals via Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer, or e-wallets.

IC Markets caters to more technical traders, offering currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, stocks, and commodities with competitive spreads and fast execution. Ideal for short-term strategies but requires strict risk management. Withdrawals are made directly to bank accounts on business days.

Written Content: Monetize Your Texts

If you prefer writing, there are platforms that pay for your articles and reader engagement.

Medium allows writers to publish articles and earn through the Partner Program, receiving payments based on reading time and engagement. Ideal for texts about finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and digital culture. Payments via Stripe or PayPal monthly.

Affiliate Marketing: Commissions on Sales

One of the most accessible ways to make money online is promoting products from big stores and earning commissions on each sale.

Temu, the shopping platform that recently exploded in popularity, offers an affiliate program. Share links or personalized coupons with friends and followers, and earn commissions on each purchase. There are also temporary campaigns with extra rewards for clicks and sign-ups. Payments via Pix, PayPal, or app credit.

Shopee remains one of the most reliable options for affiliates. The program allows promoting products on social media and earning commissions of up to 28%. Free registration on the website or app, with quick approval. Transfers via Pix in 3 to 5 business days.

Remote Work: Freelancers and Digital Services

The remote work market has grown exponentially, offering opportunities for professionals in various fields.

Workana is one of Latin America’s largest freelancer marketplaces, connecting designers, writers, programmers, translators, and customer service professionals with companies outsourcing projects. Create a profile, showcase your portfolio, and receive proposals. Payments are protected by escrow systems, via Payoneer, bank account, or PayPal.

99Freelas is a fully Brazilian platform for freelancers. Interface in Portuguese, local support, and total transparency. Offers categories like writing, design, marketing, programming, and translation, with direct price negotiation. Payments via Pix after client approval.

How to Choose the Right App for You

With so many options, choosing correctly makes all the difference:

Identify your skills: Think about what you do well — creating videos, writing, investing, selling, or providing services. Picking something that matches your talents significantly increases your chances of success.

Opt for reliable platforms: Research reputation, user reviews, and punctual payment history. Established platforms like Shopee, TikTok, and Mitrade demonstrate seriousness.

Check payment methods: Each app has different methods (PayPal, Pix, bank transfer, digital wallet). Make sure they work for you before starting.

Compare commissions and fees: Some apps deduct a percentage of your earnings. Analyze if the return justifies the effort.

Read real reviews: Search for current user experiences to confirm if payments are made correctly and support is efficient.

Get Started Now: Your Next Step

Earning extra income via your phone in 2026 doesn’t require massive investments or prior experience. Opportunities are spread across different platforms — whether creating viral content on TikTok, writing on Medium, trading on Mitrade, or building a client base as a freelancer.

The key is to choose one or two platforms that make sense for you, dedicate yourself consistently, and monitor your results. With strategy, discipline, and creativity, the time you invest can turn into a real source of income — and maybe even your own digital business.

Start testing: try different apps, compare your actual earnings, and identify which ones best fit your lifestyle and skills. The digital job market is constantly evolving, and now is the best time to seize these opportunities.