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  • Good first readBest personal loansCompare lenders and know the catch before you sign.Read it

    Loans and credit

    • Credit cardsMatch the card to how you spend
    • Credit building appsStart a score or repair one
    • Student loan refinancingLenders worth a rate check
    • Auto loan ratesWhat you pay at your score

    Home equity

    • Home equity agreement companiesThe big names, side by side
    • HEI vs HELOCWhich one costs you less
    • Home equity calculatorSee what you could access
    • Home equity with bad creditYour options by credit score

    Cash before payday

    • Cash advance appsCompare them before you borrow
    • Money borrowing appsFast loans and what they cost
    • Buy now, pay later appsSplit a purchase, know the catch
    • Apps like DaveOther advance apps to compare
    See all borrowing guidesJump toPersonal LoansCreditHome Equity
  • Good first readBest money making appsApps that pay, and the catch with each.Read it

    Fast cash

    • Get paid todayWays to get cash in hand fast
    • I need money nowFast cash options when you are stuck
    • Make $100 fastA simple plan to get there
    • Make $500 fastHow to get there in under a week

    Side hustles

    • Side hustle matchA 30 second quiz to find yours
    • Online jobsWork from home, no experience needed
    • Gig economy appsPick up work on your schedule
    • Passive income ideasRealistic ways to earn on autopilot

    Apps that pay

    • Apps that pay real moneyEight picks worth a look
    • Survey appsGet paid for your opinion
    • Which game app pays bestTake the 30 second quiz
    • Reward and cash back appsEarn on spending you already do
    See all ways to earnJump toFast CashSide HustlesApps
  • Good first readBest online savings accountsThe easiest place to earn more on cash you already have.Read it

    Earn more on cash

    • CD ratesLock a rate for a set term
    • Money market accountsHigh rates, easy access
    • HSA accountsSet money aside for medical costs

    Everyday banking

    • Free checking accountsNo minimum balance needed
    • Bank account bonusesWhat new accounts pay and what it takes
    • Business checkingAccounts built for a business

    Budget and save

    • Budgeting appsKeep tabs on every dollar
    • Start an emergency fundYour safety net, step by step
    • Money saving appsCut what you spend
    • Lower your billsEleven realistic ways
    See all banking and saving guidesJump toBankingSave
  • Good first readHow to start with little moneyYou can begin with as little as $5.Read it

    Accounts and platforms

    • Open a Roth IRAHow and where to open one
    • Robinhood alternativesOther apps worth a look
    • Crypto appsWhat each one is good for
    • Stock research sitesWhere to do your homework

    Real estate

    • Invest in real estateWays to get started
    • Real estate investing appsProperty exposure from your phone
    • Mortgage lendersCompare before you apply

    Put a lump sum to work

    • Invest $10KWhere to put your first ten grand
    • Invest $50KSmart ways to use a bigger sum
    • Invest $100KOptions for six figures
    • Cash flow investmentsWays to build income from your money
    See all investing guidesJump toReal Estate
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Borrow smart

Loans, credit and home equity

Good first readBest personal loans

Loans and credit

  • Credit cardsMatch the card to how you spend
  • Credit building appsStart a score or repair one
  • Student loan refinancingLenders worth a rate check

Home equity

  • Home equity agreement companiesThe big names, side by side
  • HEI vs HELOCWhich one costs you less
  • Home equity calculatorSee what you could access

Cash before payday

  • Cash advance appsCompare them before you borrow
  • Money borrowing appsFast loans and what they cost
See all borrowing guides

Earn more

Fast cash, side hustles and apps

Good first readBest money making apps

Fast cash

  • Get paid todayWays to get cash in hand fast
  • I need money nowFast cash options when you are stuck
  • Make $100 fastA simple plan to get there

Side hustles

  • Side hustle matchA 30 second quiz to find yours
  • Online jobsWork from home, no experience needed
  • Gig economy appsPick up work on your schedule

Apps that pay

  • Apps that pay real moneyEight picks worth a look
  • Survey appsGet paid for your opinion
See all ways to earn

Bank and save

Accounts, rates and a safety net

Good first readBest online savings accounts

Earn more on cash

  • CD ratesLock a rate for a set term
  • Money market accountsHigh rates, easy access
  • HSA accountsSet money aside for medical costs

Everyday banking

  • Free checking accountsNo minimum balance needed
  • Bank account bonusesWhat new accounts pay and what it takes
  • Business checkingAccounts built for a business

Budget and save

  • Budgeting appsKeep tabs on every dollar
  • Start an emergency fundYour safety net, step by step
See all banking and saving guides

Invest

Start small and let it grow

Good first readHow to start with little money

Accounts and platforms

  • Open a Roth IRAHow and where to open one
  • Robinhood alternativesOther apps worth a look
  • Crypto appsWhat each one is good for

Real estate

  • Invest in real estateWays to get started
  • Real estate investing appsProperty exposure from your phone
  • Mortgage lendersCompare before you apply

Put a lump sum to work

  • Invest $10KWhere to put your first ten grand
  • Invest $50KSmart ways to use a bigger sum
See all investing guides
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Home/Apps
Smart money · Apps

Money apps: survey, reward and saving apps

Apps can put real money in your pocket or keep it there. These guides cover survey apps, reward apps and apps that help you spend less. Begin with survey apps that pay or reward and cash back apps.

All Apps guides

3 guides, newest first.

  • Best Survey Apps That Pay Real MoneyThe survey apps still worth downloading, with what each pays, the cash-out minimum and which ones hand you a bonus just for signing up.Updated Sep 3, 2026
  • Best Money Saving Apps That Actually Cut What You SpendThe money saving apps worth keeping, split into the ones that cut your monthly bills and the ones that pay you back on spending you cannot avoid.Updated Sep 1, 2026
  • Best Reward Apps and Cash Back Apps That Actually Pay YouThe best reward apps and cash back apps, compared on what they pay, how you get paid and the cash-out minimum.Updated Sep 1, 2026

Explore other topics

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