Introduction
Whether it's truly "passive income" or just effortless cash for simple tasks, there are apps designed to reward you for doing what you're already doing — chilling.
"The best passive income is the kind that works while you sleep, walk, or simply exist with your phone in your pocket."
Here are 6 apps that actually pay you to relax:
1. Grindli – Get Paid to Watch Videos
Yes, watching videos can now put money in your pocket. Platforms like Grindli reward users for watching YouTube videos.
How it works:
Open the app, press start, and earn cash
Why it's chill:
No skills required — just press play
💡 Pro Tip
Use during downtime — commuting, background noise while relaxing.
🤔 Verdict: Easy Money
Requires a little time investment, but minimal effort
2. Honeygain – Sell Your Unused Internet
Honeygain pays you for sharing your unused internet bandwidth. Once installed, it runs in the background — you literally don't have to do anything.
How it works:
Install, connect to Wi-Fi, and let it run
Why it's chill:
You earn while doing nothing
Earning Potential:
- $20-50 per month per device
- Higher earnings with faster internet
- Multiple devices = multiple income streams
📱 Pro Tip
Use on devices connected to unlimited Wi-Fi for max profit. Avoid using on mobile data to prevent overage charges!
✅ Verdict: True Passive Income
Set it and forget it - earns while you sleep
3. Fetch Rewards – Earn by Scanning Receipts
Fetch Rewards gives you points (convertible to gift cards) when you scan receipts from everyday shopping — groceries, gas, pharmacy, etc.
How it works:
Snap a photo of your receipt and earn points
Why it's chill:
Takes under 10 seconds after each shopping trip
What You Can Earn:
- 25-100 points per receipt
- 1,000 points = $1 in gift cards
- Bonus points for featured brands
- $5-20 per month for regular shoppers
🛒 Pro Tip
Stack with cashback apps for double earnings. Scan every receipt - even small purchases add up!
⚡ Verdict: Easy Money
Low effort required, takes seconds per receipt
Join the Revolution!
Earn passive income by watching YouTube
4. Sweatcoin – Get Paid for Walking
Sweatcoin tracks your steps and converts them into points you can redeem for rewards, gift cards, and even cash (in some regions).
How it works:
Walk with your phone in your pocket — that's it
Why it's chill:
Encourages healthy habits + free rewards
Earning Breakdown:
- 1,000 steps = ~0.95 Sweatcoins
- Daily cap: 5-20 Sweatcoins (depending on plan)
- Rewards start at 20 Sweatcoins
- Premium plans unlock higher earning potential
🚶♂️ Pro Tip
Connect with health tracking apps for better accuracy. The app works best when you're already active!
🚶 Verdict: Passive
Since you already walk anyway, it's truly passive
5. Dosh – Automatic Cashback on Purchases
Dosh links to your debit/credit card and gives you automatic cashback when you shop at participating stores — no scanning or uploading needed.
How it works:
Link your card and forget about it
Why it's chill:
Set it once, earn forever
Cashback Rates:
- Restaurants: 2-10% cashback
- Gas stations: 1-4% cashback
- Online shopping: 1-15% cashback
- Hotels: 4-40% cashback
💳 Pro Tip
Use during everyday spending (gas, food, online shopping). Check the app before making purchases to see available offers!
✅ Verdict: Passive
Fully automatic after setup - true set-and-forget
6. Current – Earn While Listening to Music
Current rewards users for listening to music and doing light tasks like checking the weather, unlocking their screen, or watching ads.
How it works:
Use the app's built-in music player to earn points
Why it's chill:
You're already listening to music — why not get paid?
Earning Methods:
- Listen to music: 1 point per song
- Watch ads: 5-25 points each
- Complete surveys: 50-500 points
- Daily check-ins: 10-50 points
🎵 Pro Tip
Leave playlists running in the background during routines. 1,000 points = $1, so consistency is key!
🎶 Verdict: Easy Money
Semi-passive - minimal interaction required
Maximizing Your Chill Earnings
🚀 Setup Strategy
- Install all 6 apps in one session
- Complete profiles and link accounts
- Set up automatic features first
- Test each app for a week
💡 Optimization Tips
- Use Wi-Fi for data-heavy apps
- Stack multiple apps simultaneously
- Set daily reminders for active apps
- Track earnings to find your best performers
The Reality Check: Earnings Breakdown
Let's be honest about what you can realistically earn:
🥇 Truly Passive (Set & Forget)
- Honeygain: $20-50/month
- Dosh: $5-25/month (depends on spending)
- Sweatcoin: $2-10/month
Total: $27-85/month
🥈 Easy Money (Minimal Effort)
- Video watching: $10-30/month
- Fetch Rewards: $5-20/month
- Current Music: $3-15/month
Total: $18-65/month
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting huge payouts - these are supplemental income streams, not replacements for jobs
- Ignoring data usage - use Wi-Fi when possible to avoid overage charges
- Not reading terms - understand payout minimums and restrictions
- Giving up too early - earnings accumulate over time
- Focusing on just one app - diversification maximizes earnings
Final Thoughts
Not every app on this list will make you rich — but they will make your downtime more rewarding. Some are truly passive, requiring zero effort, while others just need a few minutes of light engagement.
The beauty of these apps is that they work with your existing lifestyle. You're already walking, shopping, and using your phone — why not get paid for it?
"The best passive income streams are the ones that integrate seamlessly into your daily routine. Start small, be consistent, and let the earnings accumulate."
So whether you're lying in bed, out for a walk, or just vibing to music — why not get paid to chill? Download a few apps, set them up properly, and start earning while you live your life.
Remember: consistency beats intensity. A few dollars here and there adds up to meaningful supplemental income over time.