How to Make Extra Income with Your Phone in 2025: The Complete Guide to the Best Apps

The Digital Work Revolution and Opportunities to Make Money

The job market in 2025 is no longer limited to traditional offices. The exponential growth of digital platforms has radically transformed how people earn money, opening doors for those seeking flexibility, autonomy, and extra income. With just a smartphone, it is entirely feasible to build significant revenue streams — whether as a content creator, investor, service provider, or digital entrepreneur.

This guide provides a detailed analysis of 10 apps that stand out in the market in 2025, categorized by type of opportunity. The goal is to help you identify which path makes the most sense for your profile, skills, and available time.

Category 1: Investment and Trading Platforms

For those looking to multiply their assets through financial market trading, there are sophisticated apps that democratize access to assets previously restricted.

Mitrade: CFD Trading with Security and Regulation

Mitrade emerges as a modern and accessible solution for investors wanting to explore market volatility. The platform allows trading with gold (priced at R$ 4,331.88 with a 0.31%) variation, silver (R$ 72,786 with 1.82% fluctuation), platinum (R$ 2,142.01 with a 3.91%) fluctuation, as well as Brent and WTI crude oil, international indices like NASDAQ and NAS100, and cryptocurrencies.

The differential lies in its regulatory structure — Mitrade is supervised by international agencies such as ASIC, CIMA, and FSC, ensuring legitimate operations. Real-time charts, advanced technical analysis tools, and an intuitive interface make the platform suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. The minimum deposit is just US$5, and withdrawals are processed on business days via multiple options (Visa, Mastercard, Worldpay, Poli, Skrill, Neteller, or bank transfer).

Technical Information:

• Category: CFD Investments and Trading
• Main Advantage: Unlimited earnings potential, real-time trading
• Platform: Android and iOS

IC Markets: Professional Trading for Experienced Operators

IC Markets positions itself as the choice for traders seeking ultra-fast execution and competitive spreads. The platform offers access to currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, stocks, indices, and commodities, supporting automated strategies and manual trades.

It’s important to note that this type of investment involves high volatility and requires strict risk management. Withdrawals are processed directly to the linked bank account.

Technical Information:

• Category: Professional Trading
• Differential: Real-time monitoring, ideal for short-term strategies
• Availability: Android and iOS

Category 2: Monetizing Video Content

Creating audiovisual content and turning it into income remains one of the most effective ways to make money via mobile.

TikTok: Going Viral with Creativity on a Global Scale

The platform has reached billions of active users worldwide, establishing itself as the main ecosystem for short video creators. TikTok’s Creator Program rewards views and engagement, while TikTok Shop allows product sales through affiliate links and commissions on transactions.

The requirement of 10,000 followers to start monetizing may seem like an initial barrier, but it’s achievable within weeks with strategic content. Withdrawals are made via PayPal or bank transfer within 30 days.

Technical Information:

• Category: Social Media and Entertainment
• Key Metric: Rewards based on views and engagement
• Minimum Withdrawal: Requires 10,000 followers
• Platform: Android and iOS

YouTube: The Long-Form Monetization Giant

With over 2 billion active users, YouTube offers multiple revenue streams integrated within the same ecosystem. Besides the traditional AdSense program, there are Super Chat and Super Stickers during live streams, channel memberships, and robust affiliate marketing opportunities.

Eligibility criteria — 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months — require consistency, but once achieved, the platform provides a diversified and more stable income flow compared to other social networks.

Technical Information:

• Category: Social Media and Videos
• Income Sources: Ads, memberships, donations, affiliates
• Payment: Via Google AdSense, up to 30 days after monthly closing
• Platform: Android and iOS

Category 3: Written Content and Publishing

For creators who prefer working with text, the market offers specialized platforms that pay based on engagement and reading time.

Medium: Monetizing Articles and Analyses in Portuguese

Medium Brazil has become a viable alternative for independent writers, journalists, and specialists wanting to earn money with textual content. The Partner Program pays according to reading time and subscriber engagement.

Topics like finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and digital culture tend to generate higher engagement and, consequently, higher income. Besides direct financial compensation, the platform functions as a tool for building professional authority.

Technical Information:

• Category: Publishing and Writing
• Payment Model: Based on reading time
• Payment Frequency: Monthly via Stripe or PayPal
• Platform: Android and iOS

Category 4: Affiliate Marketing and E-commerce

The affiliate model remains one of the most accessible ways for beginners to generate extra income — simply promote and receive commissions for completed sales.

Shopee Affiliate Program: High Commissions and Reliable Structure

Shopee’s affiliate program offers commissions of up to 28% per sale made through the affiliate link. Registration is free and can be done directly in the app, allowing promotion on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.

The structure is transparent and trustworthy, with a proven track record of punctual payments. Withdrawals via Pix are processed in 3 to 5 business days. The earning potential is proportional to engagement and conversion capacity of the affiliate.

Technical Information:

• Category: E-commerce and Affiliates
• Average Commission: Up to 28% per sale
• Payment: Pix in 3-5 business days
• Ideal For: Creators with engaged audiences

Temu: Affiliate Program with Dynamic Bonuses

Temu has recently gained traction in Brazil through competitive prices and a robust affiliate program. Users can share personalized links and discount coupons, earning cash or app credits for each purchase made through their referral.

Temporary campaigns offer extra rewards based on clicks or new registrations, significantly increasing earning potential during strategic periods.

Technical Information:

• Category: E-commerce
• Commissions: Per sales and campaign bonuses
• Payment: Pix, PayPal, or app credits
• Platform: Android and iOS

Category 5: Freelancer Platforms

For autonomous professionals, freelancer platforms connect service demand with talent supply in a structured and secure way.

Workana Brazil: Established Marketplace with Escrow Protection

Workana is one of the largest freelancer marketplaces in Latin America, specializing in connecting design, writing, digital marketing, translation, IT, and customer service professionals with hiring companies.

The escrow system protects both parties in the transaction, reducing risks. Payments are processed via Payoneer, bank account, or PayPal, making the platform accessible for Brazilian professionals.

Technical Information:

• Category: Freelance and Remote Work
• Differentials: Escrow system, projects in Portuguese
• Withdrawal Methods: Payoneer, PayPal, bank account
• Platform: Web and Android

99Freelas: 100% Brazilian Platform in Portuguese

Developed specifically for the Brazilian market, 99Freelas offers a fully Portuguese interface and local support. Freelancers can offer services in writing, design, translation, programming, marketing, and customer service, negotiating prices directly with clients.

The transparent system and payments in reais (via Pix) eliminate currency exchange barriers for Brazilian professionals.

Technical Information:

• Category: Digital Services
• Advantage: Payments in reais, local support
• Processing: Via Pix after client approval
• Platform: Web and Android

Category 6: Short Video Creation (Regional Alternatives)

Kwai: Brazilian Short Video Platform with Multiple Monetizations

Kwai has established itself as a viable alternative to TikTok, especially in the North and Northeast regions. The Creator Program pays for views, while promotional campaigns and viral challenges offer additional rewards.

Daily bonuses, brand partnerships, and a structured reward system create multiple revenue streams simultaneously. Payments are made via Pix and digital wallets within 7 business days.

Technical Information:

• Category: Videos and Entertainment
• Main Revenue Sources: Views, paid challenges, partnerships
• Withdrawal: Pix within 7 business days
• Platform: Android and iOS

Essential Criteria for Choosing Your App

1. Align with Your Skills

Choose platforms that leverage your natural strengths. Visual creators thrive on TikTok and Kwai, while writers find a better fit on Medium. Technical investors benefit from Mitrade and IC Markets.

2. Prioritize Reputation and Security

Check for a history of punctual payments, reviews from real users, and regulation. Platforms like Shopee, Mitrade, and Workana have proven operational histories.

3. Analyze Cost Structures

Different apps retain varying percentages. Shopee offers up to 28% commission, while YouTube and Mitrade have less transparent models initially. Compare the effective return after deductions.

4. Test Before Scaling

Dedicate 2 to 4 weeks testing different platforms. Monitor results, conversion rates, and satisfaction with the process. Only after validation, focus efforts on the most profitable channels.

5. Diversify Your Income Sources

Avoid dependence on a single platform. Combine, for example, content on TikTok with affiliates on Shopee and investments on Mitrade to reduce risks and maximize opportunities.

Conclusion: Turning Time into Income

In 2025, making extra income via mobile has ceased to be a distant possibility and has become a tangible, accessible reality. The 10 apps presented cover everything from sophisticated investments to simple content creation, offering paths for different profiles and goals.

The key to success lies in consistency, strategic choices, and willingness to test different models. Some can generate immediate revenue (affiliates on Shopee), while others require gradual audience building (TikTok, YouTube, Medium) but offer greater long-term potential.

With dedication and creativity, it is entirely possible to turn your free time into a significant income stream — and for the most ambitious, to build a genuinely profitable digital business during 2025.

Next Steps: Choose 2 to 3 apps aligned with your profile, create accounts today, and start monitoring your results within 30 days. The opportunity is available; the action depends on you.