Out of all the side hustles that modern smartphones create, apps that pay you to walk are some of the least believable. Fortunately, yes, they aren't scams, and you can earn money by simply walking around your town with the app turned on.
To know how much you'll get paid for such activities requires understanding how they work and which ones are actually worth your time. Before we dive into this, it's important to set your expectations straight – walking apps are a motivation to stay active first and a money source later.
Each fitness app is different in how it counts steps, but all of them use a combination of smartphone sensors and connectivity devices to track and verify the number of steps you take each day.
Apps that pay you to walk collect a lot of your data, and the more you use them, the more of it they gather. Collecting and aggregating data about your activity levels, habits, routes, and anything else related to fitness can be extremely valuable.
Some apps profit from selling anonymized data from their users to data brokers. Others use access to display ads on the app, often from affiliate partnerships with fitness brands. It's up to you to decide whether you want to get paid for your fitness data.
Available for Android and iOS, Sweatcoin rewards users for walking or running by tracking their movements using a smartphone or Apple Watch. The app verifies movements and converts them into cryptocurrency of the same name – Sweatcoin (SWEAT).
Pros: Accurate step counter, pays real cryptocurrency
Cons: Marketplace lacks options, no PayPal or bank transfers
Payout method: Cryptocurrency, gift cards
CashWalk is a straightforward app that pays real cash for steps. Unlike many apps, it doesn't require GPS, making it battery-friendly. You earn coins for walking and can cash out via PayPal or gift cards.
Pros: No GPS required, battery-efficient, simple interface
Cons: Daily earning limits, some users report sync issues
Payout method: PayPal, gift cards
Evidation is a fitness app that pays real cash, not just for walking but also for running, cycling, or even answering health-related surveys. The tasks you need to complete vary each day and allow you to earn up to 40 points daily.
Pros: Supports most fitness trackers, user-friendly apps
Cons: Inconsistent tasks, limited to the United States only
Payout method: PayPal, gift cards, bank deposits
StepBet has an innovative take on motivating users to reach their fitness goals. As the name suggests, you can bet real money to challenge yourself to reach step goals. Once you reach the goals, you split the pot with other users who also made a bet.
Pros: Works well with popular fitness trackers, goal personalization
Cons: No free games, syncing issues might lead to losing
Payout method: PayPal, bank transfer
WinWalk is a free step counter for Android and iOS devices. For each 100 steps, you receive one coin up to a maximum of 100 coins daily. Additionally, there are various "missions" that will challenge you to improve your fitness or answer health surveys.
Pros: Saves battery (no GPS required), Apple Health and Google Fit integration
Cons: No cash rewards, earning cap limits
Payout method: Gift cards only
Macadam is quite a popular walking reward app in the Apple and Android stores. It gives users various challenges and health surveys and rewards them with points that can be exchanged for gift cards or cash.
Pros: User-friendly interface, multiple reward options
Cons: Slower earning rate, limited availability in some regions
Payout method: PayPal, gift cards
The WeWard app allows users to gain points, called Wards, for various rewards. It heavily relies on the pedometer to count steps, which earns you at least 25 Wards per day or up to 88 Wards once you level up.
Pros: Supports most fitness trackers, additional earning methods
Cons: Complicated step-to-dollar conversion, unclaimed Wards disappear after midnight
Payout method: Venmo, PayPal, gift cards
BetterPoints gives points for various exercises that the app can track, including walking. The app advertises as giving one point for every minute of walking. Points can be exchanged for various rewards or BetterTickets prize draws.
Pros: Potentially profitable, variety of gift cards
Cons: Movement tracking issues on some devices, poor integration with fitness trackers
Payout method: Gift cards, prize draws
As you might have guessed, Charity Miles makes your every step count towards a contribution to a charity of your choice. While you won't earn anything for yourself, you can donate around 25 cents per mile walked to your chosen charity.
Pros: Connects well with Strava, accurate activity tracking
Cons: No personal earnings, some Android bugs
Donation method: Donates to charity partners
While many apps can work in a set-it-and-forget-it manner, you are likely to increase earnings by following a few simple practices:
Your motivation for pay-to-walk programs may falter if you expect it to be a get-rich-quick scheme. Most apps will earn you the equivalent of a cup of coffee every once in a while, and that's okay. Motivating you to walk more should be the main goal.
Trying out and sticking to a few trusted apps can double or even triple your earnings. However, be sure to check the terms and conditions of each app you use simultaneously, as they might interfere with one another.
Checking the ongoing challenges and promotions will bolster your earnings. Spend some time proactively using promotions, invite friends to earn referrals, watch ads, answer surveys, and take advantage of other opportunities.
The points you earn in most apps have a tendency to accumulate over time. Ensure that your phone or fitness tracker is always charged and properly paired. Make a habit of walking that your health and wallet can benefit from.
A smartphone alone might not be accurate, so you might need a smartwatch or a fitness band. Providing more accurate tracking for each step you take will give you more rewards.
None of these apps will make you rich, but they reward healthy habits that will help you stay active. They all work differently, but will challenge you to get out and move a little. So set modest earning expectations and try out at least a few of them to see how it goes.
For the best value, consider using Earnne, which combines walking rewards with multiple other earning opportunities including surveys, games, and educational content—giving you more ways to earn money online in one convenient platform.
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