Your personal information is gold, and believe it or not, different companies are willing to pay for it. So why give it out for free when you can get paid for your data instead?Â
Search engines, social networks, and a host of other websites you likely use daily won’t give you a dime for your valuable data. Yet, they use it for their research to make billions of dollars.
Your online activity and digital footprint provide these companies with valuable insights to power their online advertising, tailor marketing campaigns, and boost revenue. Therefore, you deserve compensation for providing them with a data source.
Unlike other side hustles or quick ways to make money, selling your online data is a hassle-free form of earning passive income. You only have to install and keep the apps running, and you will earn money on the go with little or no input.
Full transparency – unfortunately, you won’t earn enough money to quit your job and work through your bucket list. Still, you will make a decent amount of cash on the side for minimal effort.
Get Paid for Your Data With These Data Collection AppsÂ
Ready to cash in on your data and earn money online? The best apps will pay you when you download and keep them running on your device in the background without ruining your battery life. Most are available on iOS and Android devices, and some even offer additional bonuses to new users.
The market value of your consumer behavior and anonymous data is exceptionally high for market research companies, big tech companies, and various social media platforms. So, leverage demand and start getting paid for your data with these free apps.
1. Tapestri
Tapestri is a stealth money-making data collection app. It stays active and runs in the background throughout your daily activities. You can choose to interact with the app or not; either way, you’re earning free money for your data.
The app mainly collects location data valuable to shopping companies and others interested in your whereabouts. Tapestri sells this anonymous detailed information to big companies and shares the profits with you.
You can earn more on the app by taking surveys and inviting family and friends. But you don’t have to do it.
2. Dosh
The Dosh mobile app is not only interested in your shopping activities but also rewards you when you make qualifying purchases. Dosh works by awarding cashback automatically instead of requiring you to search for and save individual offers.Â
Ultimately, this process gives you the best experience – earning cashback passively with no effort on your end (after the initial signup). Plus, there is no limit to how much cashback you can earn.
Download the Dosh app and connect it to your credit card accounts. Now, anytime you swipe your card to checkout with a retailer that has an active offer, Dosh swoops in and hands you cash back that automatically goes into your wallet.Â
Dosh doesn’t work on all retail or shopping outlets. Still, it does partner with many of your favorite retailers, including Walmart, Disney+, Sephora, and thousands more.Â
Allowing Dosh to collect your shopping data is an “easy yes” to earn cashback easily; rewards can add up quickly, especially if you’re a frequent shopper.
3. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
If you have access to the internet, watch TV, or use a mobile phone, the Nielsen company is interested in your data. When you sign up on the app, you become a Nielsen panelist, and they use your internet data to analyze internet behavior.Â
Nielsen wants to know how you use the internet because user data is crucial for improving products and services. So, it’s a win-win for you – you get paid for your data and help improve your products and services.
Nielson rewards are multi-faceted and include:
- Install the Neilsen Computer and Mobile Panel app on at least one device to qualify for the monthly sweepstakes
- Access to play games like spin the wheel to win exciting prizes.
- Earn points worth up to $50 a year when you install and keep their app running.
4. Honeygain
Honeygain is a bit different from other data collection apps. Instead of getting paid for your personal information, Honeygain pays you for sharing your internet connection. This arrangement allows you to get paid for your data without actually having to share personal information.
How does it work? Honeygain uses your internet connection to gain information from the internet. Most businesses rely on this kind of information and use the app’s proxy network in different ways.
While that may sound slightly confusing, the bottom line is that you only need to toggle on your internet connection, and Honeygain will pay you.
Follow this simple three-step process to make some extra cash with Honeygain – download, install, and earn.Â
5. Runtopia
Your digital data is not limited to social media and web searches. Runtopia is a free app that will pay you to run. So, if running is part of your daily routine, getting paid for your running data is a no-brainer. This app will not only keep track of every step you take and help you meet your running goals, but it also rewards you with coins you can convert to cash.
The best part is getting rewards will keep you motivated to live an active lifestyle, which is the actual value of Runtopia. In addition, the app will collect your location, personal data, and other relevant information.
6. PK Rewards
PK Rewards offers a unique opportunity to earn extra money, gift cards, apparel, and even trips for working out. In addition, the app pays you for achieving your fitness goals, which you’re already working towards.
The app tracks your workouts and measures how much effort you put into each session. It doesn’t matter where you are or what activity you’re doing; PK Rewards’ technology will pick up on it.
After each workout, you will receive an “effort score,” which converts to coins. You can trade your coins for rewards for Nike, Lululemon, and Amazon gift cards.
The harder you work, the more you can earn with this app, so get moving!
7. Sweatcoin
This app rewards you for doing what most of us could probably stand to do more of – walking and exercising. The more steps you take, the more sweatcoins you earn.
One Sweatcoin equals $0.05, and it takes 5,000 steps to make one coin – which is the maximum you can earn each day. While one coin per day may not seem like a lot, most people walk 5,000 steps in their daily activities, so the coins will quickly add up.
You can use the Sweatcoin in their marketplace, exchange it, or, if you’re only in it for the motivation to get more steps in each day, you can choose to donate your sweatcoin. With over 90 million users, it’s apparent people find Sweatcoin helpful in pushing them to work out – and get paid for doing so.
8. Mobilio
While this app doesn’t reward you for exercising, it still benefits you to use it. In an effort to drastically reduce the rate of accidents and casualties on the roads, Mobilio promotes safe driving by rewarding you for not using your phone while driving. So, using this app will benefit society as well.
Mobilio works by awarding you one point for every minute you drive without handling your phone. The app can tell when you use your phone because it accesses its sensors. So, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, and Mobilio will prove to be a valuable asset for you in multiple ways.
Mobilio is a cryptocurrency with thousands of coin holders. Each coin is worth 3 cents, and you can exchange the points you accumulate over time for MOB.Â
9. Safe 2 Save
This data collection app is another one trying to solve a real problem – drivers using their mobile device while behind the wheel. The vision behind Safe 2 Save came after a student died at College Station. It’s important to note that at least 23% of all car crashes each year involve mobile phone use, and you can help reduce this statistic with Safe 2 Save.
Safe 2 Save app awards points you can redeem at restaurants and local businesses. All you have to do is download and install the app and keep it running in the background. Keep your phone away, preferably in your purse or glove box, and earn points on the go.
Safe 2 Save does not explicitly state the value of each point, but you can be sure that you have to cover several miles to earn a decent passive income.Â
How To Maximize Your Earnings With Data Collection Apps
Admittedly, none of these apps will make you a ton of money in the short term. However, you can significantly earn extra cash by installing and using some of these apps.
For instance, you can use Dosh for shopping, RunTopia for your exercises, Tapestri, and Safe 2 Save for driving. You can even combine multiple apps in the same category.
When you combine apps, your earning potential goes up – from earning welcome bonuses to referral rewards and the actual payments for the apps running and collecting data in the background.
Also, consider signing up for online surveys (on Tapestri) and others like SwagBucks and Survey Junkie if you want additional income.Â
A Passive Income Stream
Creating a passive income stream is a great way to diversify your income, and getting paid for your data is one of the best ways for an average person to earn extra money without requiring a substantial time commitment, significant investment, or learning new skills. In addition, these data apps work in the background, making them a perfect fit for you.Â
It is best to read the fine print to understand how the app collects data before agreeing to the terms. And it should go without saying not to use any apps if you’re uncomfortable with how your own data is collected and used.
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