Get Paid For Your Data | 11 Best Data Collection Apps for 2023

Want to get paid for your data instead of just giving it away? The companies on this list will pay you for access to data about how you shop and use the internet, and some will even pay for your unused mobile data. 

My team and I researched the best apps that pay you for data, and you’re going to learn how they work and how much you can expect to make with each. Let’s get started!

Can you really get paid for your data?

You might not realize it, but many apps are already collecting personal data about you. Some of the data is used to create a better user experience, fix bugs, and target advertisements. 

While data collection may come as a shock to some of you, the reality is that there are apps that actually pay you for your data.

You’re not going to earn a ton of money— most apps pay in the range of $5-$15/month — but it’s a fairly passive way to earn some extra cash or gift cards.

All of the apps on this list are a little different, but the way they work is really similar. You download them to your desktop or mobile device, and they run in the background. Some sell unused data and some pay you for data about shopping, location tracking, or even how you use your phone.

My team has researched each app to verify that they’re 100% legit. We’ve also found several companies that are no longer in business, like DataCoup and Pei, which are advertised in other lists of apps that pay for data.

Not that you understand that you can get paid for your data, here are 11 apps to check out:

1. Honeygain

Earn $6-$64/month for your unused data, and get paid with PayPal cash or Bitcoin

The Honeygain app pays you for your unused data, and your devices create a gateway for companies to run search queries. It’s kind of like renting out your internet access. 

The kinds of things companies will use your data for are SEO stats, brand protection, ad verification, app testing, content delivery, and price comparison.

You get paid for your data in credits that you can redeem for cash. Honeygain pays approximately 1 credit for 10 MB of traffic, and 10GB = $1. You can cash out once your account hits $20, and Honeygain pays via PayPal or Bitcoin.

Both Android and iOS users can download and earn money with Honeygain.

How much you can expect to earn:

You can expect to earn $6-$64/month with Honeygain. That’s a wide range, and it’s because your earnings are based on location, network ping/speed, and the number of IP addresses (the more devices connected the more you can earn).

2. MobileXpression

Earn a $5 gift card after one week with MobileXpression

MobileXpression is a market research company that will pay for data. It works by downloading it to your phone, and it runs in the background collecting data on network performance and how you use your phone.

This app is for both Android and iOS devices. MobileXpression pays you in credits each week as long as the app is downloaded and active on your phone, and you can redeem your credits for gift cards.

How much you can expect to earn:

MobileXpression will pay you a $5 Amazon gift card after your first week, and you can expect to earn a $5 gift card every few weeks after that. 

3. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel

Make up to $50/year in passive income

Nielsen is a global market research company that has a super straightforward way to get paid for your data. It works by downloading the app and letting it passively collect data about your internet data. 

All you need to do is use your phone like you normally do, and Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel will pay you in points that you can redeem for cash. You’ll need to accumulate 800 points (equivalent to $5) before you can cash out. Your points are redeemable for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, and Target.

How much you can expect to earn:

The average user can make up to $50/year in passive income. Most users just let the app run in the background and accumulate points. You can download the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel on your mobile devices and computer, but there’s still a $50 cap on your annual earnings.

4. National Consumer Panel

Earn $25/year sharing data about how you shop

National Consumer Panel will pay for data about your purchases. Once you’ve signed up for the app, you use it to scan the barcodes on all the items you buy, and then you provide some basic details about the purchase. Every time you share your shopping data you earn points to redeem for prizes or sweepstakes drawings. 

It’s worth mentioning that this app isn’t as passive as others on this list. So you’re doing a lot of work scanning barcodes and sharing info, but you’re not getting paid a ton for your time.

How much you can expect to earn:

You’ll earn more by being more active on this site, but earnings are still minimal — most users estimate that they earn about $25/year from National Consumer Panel. 

5. Mobile Performance Meter

Earn $3-$12/month in Amazon gift cards

The Embee Mobile Performance Meter is another data collection app and it runs in the background and passively collects data on network performance and how you use your phone. 

It collects data for everything like duration of your phone calls, time and date of text message, battery life, duration of your internet browsing sessions, and network speed. Pretty mundane stuff, but you can get paid for sharing it.

The Mobile Performance Meter only works on Android devices.

How much you can expect to earn:

You can make anywhere from $0.10 to $0.40 a day on average. That’s not a lot, but it equals $3-$12 extra a month. You can withdraw your earnings in the app via Amazon gift cards and other major retail and restaurant chains.

6. Reklaim by Killi

Earn up to $10/week in cryptocurrency or gift cards

The Relklaim app by Killi is an app that lets you take control of your data and earn points that you can redeem for cryptocurrency, gift cards, and charitable donations. The app has many different ways to get paid:

• Sharing your demographic profile
• Sharing information about your device
• Downloading and browsing through the Reklaim Chrome Extension
• Shopping through the app
• Answering surveys

You can also refer your friends and earn a percentage of their earnings.

How much you can expect to earn:

You can expect to get paid up to $10 a week in points, and the more you share on the app, the more you can earn. Remember Reklaim doesn’t pay cash or PayPal, but you can convert yoru points for cryptocurrency or gift cards. 

7. UpVoice

Make nearly $100 a year with UpVoice

UpVoice is another passive app that will pay for your data. The way it works is that you download the UpVoice app, and it tracks your activity on social feeds like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Amazon. UpVoice anonymously captures ads on your feeds, and pays you points daily, and the company says it won’t affect your device’s performance.

To get paid for your data, you’ll also need to complete specific actions, such as signing up for the UpVoice panel and participating in surveys.

UpVoice offers a 2000 point sign-up bonus to new users, and you earn at least 20 points every day for visiting each of their supported websites. Plus, you earn extra points for reaching certain increments over time, like earning an additional 1,500 points when you reach 15,000 points.

How much you can expect to earn:

UpVoice says participants can make $93 and up in rewards in their first year of participation, and like other apps that pay you for data collection, UpVoice pays in points that convert to gift cards. 

8. Ipsos Screenwise Panel

Get paid $20 for qualifying, $100 for signing up, and an additional $16/month

The Ipsos Screenwise panel is a consumer research study run by Ipsos for Google — so you know it’s legit. The panel is looking for information about how people use the internet day by day. 

You’ll have to apply to the panel, and not everyone will qualify. If you do, Screenwise will send you a free high-speed wifi router and special meters to collect info on how you use the internet. Anyone 13 years old and up can apply, and multiple household members can apply and get paid.

Screenwise pays in points that you can redeem for prepaid cards, gift cards, or gift choices (like electronics, apparel, furnishing, jewelry, and more.) 

How much you can expect to earn:

You earn $20 just for qualifying, and then you earn $100 for signing up. Additionally, you earn up to $16/month with the Ipsos Screenwise Panel.

9. SavvyConnect

Get paid $5/month per device and earn up to $180/year

If you want to get paid for your data, SavvyConnect is a popular choice. It’s another passive data collection app that runs in the background and collects information about searches, online shopping, entertainment, and how you use other apps.

SavvyConnect pays you for each device you connect, so downloading it on your smartphone, desktop, and tablet will help you earn as much as possible. You earn incentives (like points) each month that you can convert to cash. SavvyConnect only pays via check, so it will take a few days to receive your earnings, but a check is basically cash.

You can also earn money by taking online surveys and referring your friends.

How much you can expect to earn:

You can earn up to $180 per year with SavvyConnect, making it one of the highest-paying data collection apps. You earn around $5/month per device, so installing on your phone, tablet, and desktop is $15/month multiplied by 12 months for $180/year. There’s a $1 cash out minimum, but remember that Savvy Connect only pays via check.

10. OnMyWay

Make $0.05/mile for safe driving

The OnMyWay app pays users for safe driving practices, like not texting and driving. You get paid $0.05 for every mile you drive and don’t text. 

The OnMyWay app works by tracking location data, and the app turns on and disables texts and app alerts once you start driving over 10 MPH. You can still make calls as long as your phone is connected to your car via Bluetooth.

How much you can expect to earn:

OnMyWay pays you $0.05 for every mile you drive over 10 MPH, as long as you’re not texting or using your phone during that time. You can earn even more for referring friends, and you’re paid a one-time $2 for each friend you refer, plus $0.02 for every mile they drive.

Your earnings accumulate in the app, and you’ll have to wait until you have enough to cash out through one of their offers. These offers have varying cashout minimums and can essentially sell out. You’ll need to check the app regularly to qualify for one.

11. Safe 2 Save

Earn rewards at local restaurants and coffee shops

Safe 2 Save is another safe driving app that tracks location data. You earn 2 points for every minute of safe driving over 10 MPH, and the app automatically activates when you reach that speed. 

The app was created after a student lost their life to someone who was texting and driving, and that story inspired this app that incentivizes safe driving. 

To reach as many people as possible, the app lets you create challenges with your family and friends. Safe 2 Save also works with schools to encourage new drivers to drive safely— I can get behind that!

How much you can expect to earn:

You earn 2 points for every minute of safe driving, but it’s hard to estimate what those points are worth because you redeem them for offers at local businesses. You might be able to earn a cup of coffee, an ice cream cone, or a discount on a meal. Most reviews report that it takes a very long time to earn enough points to redeem them for anything substantial.

The final word on how to sell data and earn money

Getting paid for your data is a pretty passive way to make extra money, but it is not going to make you rich. Depending on the app you use, it can take months to even earn $20. 

I highly recommend Honeygain if you’re interested in selling your unused data, and you can earn $6-$64/month depending on your location and how many devices you’ve connected to the app.

If you want even more ways to make money, or if you need to make money quickly, check out 21 Ways to Make $1,000 Fast.