Making money through apps has become a viable option for many in South Africa.
With a variety of apps available, from ride-sharing to food delivery, selling goods, and freelancing services, there’s something for everyone.
These platforms offer a flexible way to earn extra income or even build a full-time business right from your smartphone.
Whether you’re looking to capitalize on unused items in your home, share your skills with the world, or invest your spare change, there’s an app that can help you monetize your resources and time.
This guide will walk you through some of the top apps in South Africa that can help you start earning money today, without the need for any fluff or complex jargon.
App that Makes Money in South Africa
Bolt
Bolt is a prominent ride-hailing service in South Africa, offering drivers a flexible way to earn money by transporting passengers.
Drivers appreciate the ability to set their own schedules, making it a convenient option for earning extra income or as a full-time job.
Earnings can vary significantly based on location, time of day, and demand, but some drivers report substantial weekly earnings.
The app is user-friendly, providing clear navigation and communication tools between drivers and passengers.
Bolt’s presence in major cities across South Africa ensures a steady stream of potential rides.
Uber
Uber stands as a global leader in ride-hailing, extending its vast network to South Africa.
The platform empowers drivers to earn by providing rides on their schedule, offering significant flexibility.
Earnings are influenced by factors such as the number of rides, time, and area of operation.
Uber’s technology facilitates smooth interactions between drivers and riders, ensuring safety and efficiency.
The app’s widespread usage creates ample opportunities for drivers to find passengers, making it a reliable source of income for many.
Mr D Food
Mr D Food is a leading food delivery app in South Africa, connecting delivery partners with local restaurants.
Delivery partners can earn a consistent income, with earnings dependent on factors like delivery location and hours worked.
The app’s wide restaurant selection increases delivery opportunities.
Mr D Food’s interface is designed for ease, enabling quick acceptance of delivery tasks and efficient route planning.
This app is ideal for individuals looking to supplement their income through flexible delivery work.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats extends the convenience of food delivery in South Africa, allowing delivery partners to earn by transporting meals from restaurants to customers’ doorsteps.
Similar to its ride-hailing counterpart, earnings vary based on location, demand, and hours worked.
The app provides a seamless experience for drivers, from order pickup to drop-off, with real-time updates and navigation support.
Uber Eats’ extensive network of partnered restaurants ensures a high volume of delivery requests, enhancing earning potential.
Junk Mail
Junk Mail is South Africa’s popular online classifieds platform, enabling individuals to sell used items locally.
The site offers a free, user-friendly space for listing a wide range of items, from electronics to furniture.
Sellers retain 100% of their sales proceeds, with no listing fees, making it an attractive option for earning extra cash.
Junk Mail’s vast user base increases the visibility of listings, potentially leading to quicker sales.
This platform is ideal for decluttering while monetizing unused items.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace integrates with the Facebook app, providing a convenient platform for users in South Africa to sell items within their local community.
The service is free, with no fees on sales, allowing sellers to keep all earnings.
Marketplace’s integration with Facebook profiles adds a layer of transparency and trust to transactions.
The platform supports a broad range of categories, from home goods to vehicles, making it versatile for sellers.
Its vast user base ensures high visibility for listings.
Gumtree
Gumtree is a prominent classifieds and community site in South Africa, known for its wide array of listings from jobs to personal items.
Users can post ads for free, selling anything from second-hand furniture to cars.
The platform’s user-friendly interface and broad audience make it an effective tool for individuals looking to earn money by selling unused items.
Gumtree’s active community and efficient search functionality help sellers connect with interested buyers quickly.
22Seven
22Seven is a financial management app in South Africa that helps users track their spending and budget more effectively.
By consolidating financial information from various accounts, it provides a comprehensive view of one’s finances, aiding in better financial decision-making.
While not directly a money-making app, 22Seven can indirectly lead to savings by identifying unnecessary expenses and suggesting smarter financial habits.
Its secure, user-friendly platform makes financial management accessible to everyone.
EasyEquities
EasyEquities is an innovative investment platform in South Africa that democratizes investing by allowing fractional share ownership.
Users can start investing with small amounts, making it accessible to a broad audience.
The platform offers a diverse range of investment options, including local and international stocks.
EasyEquities is designed for both novice and experienced investors, providing educational resources to support investment decisions.
Its user-friendly interface simplifies the investment process, encouraging more South Africans to grow their wealth through the stock market.
SnapScan
SnapScan is a mobile payment app revolutionizing how South Africans transact.
Users can make payments with a quick QR code scan, simplifying transactions for both buyers and sellers.
For small business owners and entrepreneurs, SnapScan offers a convenient, low-cost solution to accept payments, potentially increasing sales and improving customer experience.
The app’s widespread adoption across various merchants and services across South Africa enhances its utility as a modern payment solution.
Google Opinion Rewards
Google Opinion Rewards is an innovative app that compensates South African users for participating in brief surveys.
The app sends surveys based on recent shopping experiences or general interests, making each set of questions relevant and easy to complete.
Users earn Google Play credits for each completed survey, which can be used to purchase apps, books, movies, and more on the Google Play Store.
This app is ideal for those looking to earn digital goods without any financial outlay, leveraging a few minutes of their time for rewards.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks offers a versatile platform for South Africans to earn rewards by engaging in various online activities.
Users can accumulate points, known as SB, by completing surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and more.
These points can then be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash, providing a flexible way to earn from the comfort of one’s home.
Swagbucks is known for its reliability and wide range of earning opportunities, making it a popular choice for those looking to supplement their income in their spare time.
FeaturePoints
FeaturePoints rewards users in South Africa for trying out new apps, taking surveys, and shopping online.
After completing tasks, users earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards, PayPal cash, or Bitcoin.
This app stands out for its simplicity and the variety of tasks available, offering more than just survey completion.
FeaturePoints is suitable for tech-savvy individuals eager to explore new apps while earning rewards, providing an enjoyable and profitable way to spend free time.
Acorns
Acorns is an investment app that rounds up users’ everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change.
While it’s more popular in countries where it’s officially supported, the concept can inspire South Africans to seek similar financial tools available in their region.
The app encourages a micro-investing approach, making it easier for individuals to start investing without the need for large sums of money.
Acorns is ideal for beginners in investing, offering a hands-off approach to growing one’s wealth over time.
Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin is an innovative app that converts your steps into a digital currency called Sweatcoins.
It promotes physical activity by rewarding users for walking, running, or cycling outdoors.
In South Africa, users can exchange Sweatcoins for various rewards, such as fitness equipment, services, or experiences.
Although it might not replace a full-time income, Sweatcoin offers a unique incentive to stay active, making health and fitness financially rewarding.
Instagram allows South African content creators and influencers to monetize their presence through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and selling personal products or services.
By building a substantial and engaged follower base, users can attract brands looking for partnership opportunities.
The platform supports various content formats, including posts, Stories, and IGTV, providing creative flexibility.
Instagram is best suited for those with a knack for visual storytelling and community engagement, making it a powerful tool for personal branding and income generation.
TikTok
TikTok has quickly become a lucrative platform for content creators in South Africa, offering various monetization options like brand partnerships, live stream gifts, and the TikTok Creator Fund.
The app’s algorithm provides a unique opportunity for viral content, allowing creators to reach a large audience quickly.
Successful TikTokers often combine creativity, trend participation, and community engagement to build their presence and attract monetization opportunities.
It’s ideal for dynamic, creative individuals looking to earn from short-form video content.
Foap
Foap is a mobile platform that allows South African photographers, both amateur and professional, to monetize their photos by selling them through the app’s marketplace.
Users can upload their high-quality images to Foap, making them available for purchase by businesses and individuals worldwide.
The app also hosts regular missions, where users can submit photos based on specific themes or requirements, with the chance to win cash prizes.
Foap is an excellent platform for photography enthusiasts looking to earn from their hobby.
Airbnb
Airbnb provides South Africans with the opportunity to earn income by renting out their property or spare rooms to travelers.
The platform offers a flexible way to monetize unused space, whether for short-term stays or longer-term rentals.
Hosts have control over their listing, pricing, and house rules, allowing for a customizable hosting experience.
Airbnb’s global reach attracts a wide audience of potential guests, making it a viable option for property owners looking to capitalize on the tourism and travel market.
Upwork
Upwork is a global freelancing platform where South African professionals can offer their skills and services to clients worldwide.
The platform covers a wide range of categories, from writing and graphic design to web development and consulting.
Freelancers can create a profile, set their rates, and bid on projects that match their expertise.
Upwork is ideal for individuals seeking flexible, remote work opportunities, allowing them to build a portfolio and earn income based on their specific skill set.