How to Make Free Money Online: 10 Legit Ways to Earn Cash with Minimal Effort

Making money online without any upfront investment sounds too good to be true, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach. From taking surveys to earning cashback rewards, there are several ways to earn free money online without spending any money upfront. Whether you’re looking for extra cash or building savings, the internet offers plenty of opportunities to get started.

In this article, we’ll explore legit ways to make free money online, some of which require minimal effort and can be done from the comfort of your home.

1. Sign Up for Cash Back and Rewards Programs

One of the easiest ways to make free money online is by using cashback apps and rewards programs. These platforms allow you to earn money or points on purchases you’re already making. By simply signing up, you can earn a percentage back on shopping or get gift cards for your favorite retailers.

Popular Cash Back Apps:

• Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Earn cashback from hundreds of online retailers. New users often receive a $10 bonus after their first purchase.
• Honey: Automatically applies coupon codes when you shop and gives you Honey Gold, which can be redeemed for gift cards.
• Ibotta: Earn cashback on groceries and everyday purchases both in-store and online.

How Much You Can Earn:

Cashback apps can earn you $50 to $200+ per year depending on how often you shop.

2. Take Online Surveys

Taking online surveys is a simple way to earn money in your spare time. While you won’t get rich from surveys, they offer an easy way to make money online by sharing your opinions. Companies use survey data to improve products, marketing strategies, and customer experiences, so they’re willing to pay for your input.

Popular Survey Sites:

• Swagbucks: Earn points (called SB) for taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online. You can redeem your points for cash or gift cards.
• Survey Junkie: Get paid to complete surveys, and cash out through PayPal or gift cards once you reach the minimum threshold.
• InboxDollars: Get paid to take surveys, read emails, and play games. New users typically receive a $5 signup bonus.

How Much You Can Earn:

You can make $1 to $5 per survey, with the potential to earn $50 to $200+ per month depending on the time you invest.

3. Earn Cash by Watching Videos

Believe it or not, you can actually make free money online by watching videos. Several platforms pay users to watch movie trailers, short clips, or advertisements in exchange for points or cash. While the payouts are small, it’s an easy and low-effort way to earn extra cash in your downtime.

Popular Platforms:

• Swagbucks: In addition to surveys, Swagbucks allows you to earn points by watching short video clips. These points can be exchanged for gift cards or PayPal cash.
• InboxDollars: Watch video ads and TV clips to earn cash rewards. You can also earn money for doing other simple tasks like playing games or reading emails.

How Much You Can Earn:

You can earn $5 to $50+ per month just by watching videos, depending on how much time you dedicate to it.

4. Earn Sign-Up Bonuses from Banks and Apps

Many banks, credit card companies, and apps offer sign-up bonuses when you create a new account. These bonuses can be easy, free money if you meet the conditions, such as making a deposit or completing specific transactions. Signing up for these promotions doesn’t cost you anything, and the rewards can be quite generous.

Examples of Sign-Up Bonuses:

• Chime: Earn up to $100 for opening a new account and setting up direct deposit.
• CIT Bank: Earn a cash bonus by opening a savings account with a minimum deposit.
• Robinhood: Get free stocks worth up to $200 when you sign up and start investing.

How Much You Can Earn:

Sign-up bonuses can range from $10 to $200+, depending on the bank or platform.

5. Use Cashback Credit Cards

If you have a credit card and regularly pay off your balance, you can make free money online by using a cashback credit card. These cards offer cash rewards for everyday spending, often providing bonuses for categories like groceries, gas, or dining.

Popular Cashback Credit Cards:

• Chase Freedom Flex: Earn 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter and 1% cashback on all other purchases.
• Discover it® Cash Back: Earn 5% cashback on select categories each quarter and unlimited 1% cashback on other purchases.
• Citi® Double Cash Card: Earn 2% cashback on all purchases—1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off your balance.

How Much You Can Earn:

Cashback credit cards can earn you $100 to $500+ per year, depending on how much you spend.

6. Earn Money from Referral Programs

Many online platforms, apps, and services offer referral programs that reward you for referring friends or family members. Typically, you earn a cash bonus, gift cards, or free services when someone signs up using your referral link.

Popular Referral Programs:

• Rakuten: Earn $25 for every friend who signs up and makes a purchase of at least $25.
• Swagbucks: Get 10% of what your referrals earn for life, plus bonuses when they sign up.
• Cash App: Earn $5 to $15 for each person you refer who signs up and sends their first payment.

How Much You Can Earn:

Referral programs can earn you $5 to $100+ per referral, depending on the platform.

7. Sell Your Data

Some companies are willing to pay for your anonymous data, such as browsing habits or app usage, in order to improve their services or develop new products. You can sign up for programs that automatically collect and sell your data in exchange for payment or rewards.

Popular Data Collection Programs:

• Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel: Earn rewards by allowing Nielsen to track your internet usage. You can receive points that can be redeemed for gift cards.
• MobileXpression: Earn gift cards by sharing your mobile browsing activity with the app.

How Much You Can Earn:

Data collection programs can earn you $10 to $50+ per year for participating, depending on the program.

8. Test Websites and Apps

User testing is a simple way to make free money online by providing feedback on websites and apps. Companies want to know how real users interact with their platforms, so they pay for testing services to identify usability issues and improve the user experience.

Popular Testing Platforms:

• UserTesting: Get paid to test websites, apps, and digital products. Testers typically complete a series of tasks and provide feedback.
• Userlytics: Earn money by testing websites, mobile apps, and prototypes, and sharing your thoughts through recorded feedback.
• TryMyUI: Test websites and apps, completing tasks while your screen and voice are recorded.

How Much You Can Earn:

Website and app testers can earn $10 to $30 per test, with the potential to make $100 to $500+ per month depending on how many tests you qualify for.

9. Participate in Focus Groups

Focus groups allow companies to gather in-depth opinions from consumers about products, services, and advertising. These sessions can take place online and pay well for your participation. Focus groups often involve answering questions or discussing your opinions with a group of other participants.

Popular Focus Group Platforms:

• Respondent: Offers high-paying focus groups on a wide range of topics, from consumer products to technology.
• User Interviews: Participate in interviews, surveys, and focus groups to share your thoughts and earn money.
• Vindale Research: Participate in focus groups and surveys to earn cash rewards.

How Much You Can Earn:

Focus groups pay anywhere from $25 to $200+ per session, depending on the topic and duration.

10. Get Paid for Fitness Apps

If you love to stay active, you can actually make free money online by using fitness apps that reward you for meeting your exercise goals. These apps offer cash, gift cards, or discounts in exchange for logging steps, completing workouts, or participating in fitness challenges.

Popular Fitness Apps:

• Sweatcoin: Earn “Sweatcoins” for walking, which can be redeemed for gift cards, products, and services.
• HealthyWage: Earn money by participating in weight loss challenges, where you can win cash prizes for meeting your goals.
• Achievement: Connect your fitness tracker to earn points for physical activity, which can be converted into cash rewards.

How Much You Can Earn:

Fitness apps can earn you $10 to $100+ per year depending on how active you are and the specific rewards offered.

Conclusion: How to Make Free Money Online

While none of these methods will make you rich overnight, they’re all legitimate ways to earn extra money online without any upfront costs. From taking surveys to earning cashback on everyday purchases, you can take advantage of these opportunities to make free money in your spare time. By combining several of these methods, you can maximize your earnings and enjoy the benefits of passive income streams.