7 legit ways to get paid for your data

Big tech companies have been profiting from your data for years. Now, you can flip the script.

The mobile apps and websites you visit collect information from you. Today, you can get paid for that everyday data you generate, without giving up your privacy.

That’s correct, you can earn money through sharing non-sensitive data on secure platforms. It’s a safe way to make money from home or from anywhere you are.

We’ll dive deeper into secure data-sharing in this guide, plus explore other active and passive income sources. 

Key takeaways

• Getting paid for your data usually means sharing unused internet or anonymous usage data, not selling personal details like messages, photos, or browsing history.
• Data-sharing apps work quietly in the background and do not require daily effort or active tasks once set up.
• Earnings are modest and depend on factors such as location, internet quality, and the app’s continued activity.
• Platforms like Honeygain focus on privacy and security by using encrypted connections and clear data-use rules.
• Earning money from your data works best as an additional income source alongside other online earning methods, rather than as a full-time job.

1. Try sharing data to start earning passive income

Some good apps pay users for sharing unused internet bandwidth and anonymized data. You won’t even notice it, especially if you’re using an internet plan with unlimited data. It doesn’t affect the performance of your computer or mobile hardware.

You sell internet data and earn money in exchange. Safely and securely, that is.

Your shared data helps with market research. Moreover, you help researchers test networks or verify global content access.

One example of these bandwidth-sharing apps is Honeygain. How does this work? First, you download Honeygain. Then, you just have it run continuously in the background and track earnings as you go.

This is a great starting point if you’re curious about this kind of passive income setup.

For instance, you’re watching Netflix on your laptop. You fall asleep, leaving your laptop running. Even if you’re asleep, you’re earning passively.

Moreover, you can install the app on multiple devices. The more data or internet bandwidth you share, the more money you start earning.

2. Share your shopping habits through receipt and rewards apps

Is shopping the name of your game? Why not turn your favorite recreational activity into a profit-earning one?

Some apps reward users for uploading shopping receipts or connecting their loyalty cards. This data collection practice helps them understand purchase trends. Thus, you help optimize their marketing strategies and product development.

For your quick reference, we curated a list of apps that give cash or points for shared purchase data:

• Fetch Rewards: Snap a picture of a receipt from any store, and earn points. You can redeem your points via PayPal or an Amazon gift card.
• Ibotta: This app lets you earn cash back on grocery purchases, gas, and general shopping. You can choose gift cards to redeem points. Alternatively, you can withdraw your earnings when you reach the $20 threshold.
• Receipt Hog: Scan receipts for buying even the most mundane items, including rice, shampoo, and soap. What’s more fun in Receipt Hog is that it gamifies the whole experience. You can spin on virtual slots and collect coins.

You can also connect your loyalty cards to these receipt scanner apps. This way, it will be easier to accumulate points for gift cards and cash back.

3. Earn points for answering data-driven surveys

When using social media or Google, do you notice targeted ads that perfectly fit your interests? That happens because companies collect anonymized data about people’s shopping preferences and habits.

Take note of that keyword: anonymized. It means that your personal details are not divulged.

These companies do surveys to collect information about online behavior and shopping trips. Here are the top apps that compensate you for answering a few product-related questions:

• Survey Junkie: Answer questions about your experiences with products like streaming services. Each survey could pay a dollar or two, or you can redeem points for gift cards.
• Swagbucks: This isn’t just a survey website. You can create a Swagbucks account and play games, watch videos, or shop. Each online activity comes with free points that you can exchange for gift cards.
• Google Opinion Rewards: There are occasional Google surveys that let you earn Google Play credits or PayPal cash. These surveys range from opinion polls to product satisfaction and hotel reviews.

These sites offer a flexible way to earn extra money. And most importantly, these surveys pay instantly. You could see your points or rewards right after you complete a survey.

4. Link your browser extensions (with consent)

Imagine browsing the Internet as you normally do, but you’re earning a little something on the side. You just have to activate a browser extension on your desktop.

Some extensions and apps pay users for sharing browsing activity anonymously. Their data collection practice is anonymized, and they will always ask for your consent. This way, you offer value to their market research without risking your privacy.

Here are some trustworthy business platforms that do consumer research with clear privacy policies:

• Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel: Collects information about online usage without using consumers’ personal information. Users earn points that they can redeem for gift cards. You can install the Nielsen app on your phone, computer, and tablet. There is also a browser extension, but it’s not as extensive as the app.
• Brave Browser Rewards: This browser extension rewards Brave users for opting to pop-up ads. It keeps location-tracking localized and anonymized. You earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) that you can use in Web3 apps and other currencies.
• Slice: Slice is a browser extension that allows monetization for viewing non-intrusive ads. It’s important to know that the Slice account you create won’t be linked to your identity. 

These apps offer a passive income idea for users like you. You can control the privacy settings on both your phone and desktop. It’s a great way to take advantage of your computer and high-speed internet.

5. Join research studies that analyze digital habits

Universities and research firms have a required number of studies they need to complete. The thing is, they often need participants to gather data for their research.

This is where you can provide value and earn cash along the way.

Research panels ask users to have their habits and opinions expressed. You might be asked about your phone’s screen time, app usage, or online behavior. 

You can scan this list to see if you qualify for their research panels:

• CloudResearch: Asks users to complete digital-behavior tasks for research purposes. You can pick studies that fit your habits. 
• Prolific: Hosts academic and research studies about users’ digital habits. It will connect users to relevant studies, and even asks them about their preferred compensation.
• Academic panels: Check in with your university’s research department if they’re looking for respondents or participants. For instance, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Behavioral Lab pays $15/hour for research participants.

6. Sell anonymized location data through reward apps

You can also earn money for going on the road, driving around, or commuting to a destination. 

There are apps that pay you for activating your GPS tracking in the background. You provide information to a business about trend mapping and test routes. Of course, your data patterns are anonymized, so it won’t track you personally.

These apps pay users with data dividends for allowing GPS tracking: 

• Quadrant: Pays for long-term participation on GPS data sharing. This is a research app often used by governments and retailers.
• Reklaim: Allows users to choose which data they want to share on their computer or phone. You have control of your personal information and can earn cash from it.

Both these apps allow you to make money with Google Maps. One tip, though: you can pause or limit tracking if you need to. These options are typically found within the app’s settings.

7. Join data-for-research programs from big tech companies

Big tech firms like Google or Microsoft pay users to share usage from their devices and apps. Users help provide data for companies to improve their products.

However, these programs are only offered on an occasional basis. Users go through a pre-approval process, and specific studies may be based on demographics and devices.

Some examples of these programs include the following:

• Google User Experience Research: Users get access to new apps and test their features. Studies might also require you to share general usage patterns on your devices.
• Microsoft User Research: You can also provide feedback on Microsoft’s products and services. You directly help the teams who are building Microsoft’s products. 

Google and Microsoft are always upfront about what data they’re collecting. You can also join and leave anytime. Users are given full control, and they’re compensated fairly.

Is it safe to earn money for your data?

Yes, it is safe to get paid money or gift cards for your data, as long as you’re using legitimate platforms. 

You should see clear privacy policies and strong reviews on trusted sites like Forbes, Wired, or Reddit. Moreover, there should be an option where you can pause or limit data-sharing when you want to.

For instance, you can find these privacy and opt-out options on Honeygain. Honeygain lets you share unused internet bandwidth, without divulging any personal information. It’s a safe and beginner-friendly way to earn passive income. 

These data-sharing platforms might not cover a full-time job, but you can still earn money in your spare time. Still, we recommend verifying a site’s trustworthiness through review platforms. You can’t be too careful.