While balancing high school and a job can be tough, there are apps that’ll make it easy for you to start the new year with a fresh income stream.
From apps that provide quick gig work to those that will help you land a traditional part-time role, we’ve rounded up the best money-making apps for teens.
You can find our top picks as of January 2026 in the first 3 entries of the table below:
| Gig App | Category | Minimum Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job board | 16 years old | ||
| Surveys | 13 years old | ||
| Games | 18 years old | ||
| Surveys | 13 years old | ||
| Cashback | 14 years old | ||
| Job board | 16 years old | ||
| Surveys | 16 years old | ||
| Freelancer platform | 13 years old (with parental permission if under 18) | ||
| Surveys | 16 years old | ||
| Data entry and processing | Unspecified | ||
| Surveys | 18 years old | ||
| Freelancer platform | 16 years old | ||
| Job board | None (parent/guardian consent required if under 16 years old) | ||
| Care work | 18 years old | ||
| Selling | 13 years old | ||
| Freelancer platform | 18 years old | ||
| Home services | 18 years old | ||
| Job board | 16 years old | ||
| Cashback | 18 years old | ||
We rated these apps based on online chatter and reviews from current users. We selected the top 3 based on the minimum age to sign up, how easy it is to get started, how quickly you can cash out your earnings, and how much you can realistically expect to make as a teen on one of these platforms.
How can you earn money as a teen?
In this article, we’ve looked principally at money-making apps and job boards that teens can browse.
Money-making apps vary drastically. You could be taking paid surveys, getting paid to play games, or doing other small tasks for money. Some have particular age requirements or pay via gift cards, not cash. In most cases, the pay is low—but at least you’ll be making money. What’s more, some of these apps offer signup bonuses, giving an immediate boost to your earnings.
You can also use online apps and job platforms to find jobs open to teenagers. You might even come across remote jobs you can do with no experience or platforms that will allow you to start freelancing.