If you are searching for the best apps to make money in South Africa, you are not alone. More South Africans are using their phones to earn extra income through freelance work, paid surveys, local gigs, driving, and selling products online.
If you want a side hustle, a flexible second income, or a way to start earning online full-time, these are some of the top money-making apps in South Africa worth considering.
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the best apps for South Africans looking to make money online using professional skills. If you can write, design, code, manage social media, do admin work, or offer customer support, Upwork can connect you with international clients.
You create a profile, list your skills, and apply for jobs. Over time, strong reviews can help you charge more and land better clients.
Best for: Freelancers with digital skills
How you earn: Hourly contracts or fixed-price projects
Good choice for South Africans because: It gives access to global clients and remote work opportunities.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr works well for South Africans who want to sell services in a simpler way. Instead of applying for jobs, you create a service listing called a gig. Buyers then find and hire you.
It is especially good for logo design, copywriting, voiceovers, CV writing, video editing, and marketing services.
Best for: Beginners and creatives
How you earn: By selling fixed services through gigs
Why it stands out: It is easy to get started and works well if you can package your skills clearly.
3. Freelancer
Freelancer is another well-known platform for online work. It allows you to bid on projects in writing, design, web development, marketing, data entry, and more.
For South Africans who want more ways to find online freelance jobs, Freelancer.com is worth adding alongside Upwork and Fiverr.
Best for: People who want more job volume and bidding opportunities
How you earn: By winning freelance projects
Why it is useful: It gives access to a wide range of international work categories.
4. Toptal
Toptal is a more advanced platform for highly skilled freelancers. It is not ideal for beginners, but if you are an experienced developer, designer, finance expert, or consultant, it can be a strong option.
Its screening process is stricter than most other platforms, but that is also why many professionals use it to access higher-end clients.
Best for: Experienced freelancers
How you earn: Premium remote projects
Why it made the list: It is a serious option for skilled South Africans looking for better-paying international work.
5. SagaPoll
SagaPoll is one of the most relevant survey apps for African users. Unlike many survey platforms that focus mostly on Europe or North America, SagaPoll is built with African users in mind.
If you want a simple way to earn small amounts in your spare time, this is one of the most practical survey apps to consider.
Best for: Paid surveys
How you earn: Completing surveys in the app
Why it is a good local fit: It is specifically aimed at African users.
6. Premise
Premise pays users to complete local tasks like taking photos, answering short surveys, and sharing information about places in their area. It is more hands-on than a normal survey app.
This can be a good option if you move around often and do not mind completing quick field-based tasks.
Best for: Local microtasks
How you earn: Surveys, data collection, and photo tasks
Why it works: It gives users a way to earn from location-based assignments.
7. Paidwork
Paidwork combines several earning methods into one app. Users can make money through surveys, games, ads, and other small online activities.
It is not usually the highest-paying option, but it can be useful if you want an easy, low-skill app to earn small amounts consistently.
Best for: Casual side income
How you earn: Games, ads, surveys, and small online tasks
Why it is worth trying: It offers multiple ways to earn in one place.
8. Userfeel
Userfeel is different from standard survey apps because it focuses on website and app usability testing. You get paid to test digital products and give feedback on your experience.
Because usability testing often requires clear communication, it can be a better fit for South Africans with strong English skills and a good internet connection.
Best for: Usability testing
How you earn: Reviewing websites and apps
Why it stands out: Testing tasks can pay more than standard surveys.
9. ySense
ySense is a popular global rewards platform that also appears in your source list as a platform used in South Africa. It offers surveys, offers, and quick online tasks.
It is a decent option if you want another survey and rewards app to use alongside SagaPoll or Paidwork.
Best for: Surveys and offer-based tasks
How you earn: Paid surveys and small tasks
Why it made the list: It is already recognised as a popular platform among South African users.
10. Field Agent SA
Field Agent SA is one of the strongest local entries on this list because it is specifically tied to the South African market. It lets users earn money by completing short jobs in shops and retail spaces.
Tasks may include checking displays, taking product photos, or confirming stock and promotions.
Best for: Retail checks and mystery shopping
How you earn: In-store tasks and field assignments
Why it is valuable: It is one of the most locally relevant apps in this category.
11. Uber
Uber remains one of the most popular apps to make money in South Africa if you have access to a qualifying car and meet the platform’s requirements.
For many people, it is a flexible way to earn from driving, whether full-time or part-time.
Best for: Drivers
How you earn: Passenger trips
Why it works: It gives flexible earning potential in major cities.
12. inDrive
InDrive is another ride-hailing app worth mentioning for South Africans. It offers drivers another platform to work from, which can be useful if you want more than one earning source in the transport category.
Using multiple driving apps can help reduce downtime and improve your chances of finding rides.
Best for: Alternative ride-hailing income
How you earn: Transport trips
Why it made the list: It was included in your original source as a rideshare option relevant to South Africa.
13. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is one of the easiest ways to make money in South Africa if you already have something to sell. You can list second-hand furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, baby items, or handmade products.
For many people, this is one of the fastest ways to turn unused items into cash.
Best for: Selling items locally
How you earn: By listing and selling products
Why it works well: It is widely used and simple to access through Facebook.
Using Accrue to Receive Payouts
Once you start earning from global platforms, the next challenge is getting paid smoothly. This is where Accrue can be useful in your payout setup.
If a platform supports payout methods that work with your Accrue details or with channels you can connect to Accrue, you can use it to help receive your earnings more efficiently.
A simple way to position this in the article is:
- Earn money through freelance apps, microtask apps, or online work platforms
- Withdraw your earnings using the payout method available on that platform
- Where supported, route or receive those funds through your Accrue setup for easier access to your money
The key point is that Accrue can be integrated into your payout workflow, especially if you want a simpler way to manage international earnings. Because payout options vary from app to app, it is always important to check what withdrawal methods each platform supports before signing up.
FAQ Section
Which app pays the most in South Africa?
Freelance apps like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and Toptal usually offer the highest earning potential because they are based on skills and client work rather than small tasks.
What are the best survey apps in South Africa?
Some of the best survey and rewards apps mentioned in this article are SagaPoll, Premise, Paidwork, ySense, and Userfeel.
Can I make money online in South Africa with just my phone?
Yes. Many apps allow you to make money using only your phone, especially survey apps, selling apps, ride-hailing apps, and some microtask platforms.
Is Facebook Marketplace a good way to make money in South Africa?
Yes. It is one of the easiest ways to earn extra cash by selling second-hand or unused items locally.
Can I use Accrue to receive payouts from money-making apps?
You may be able to use Accrue as part of your payout setup, depending on the withdrawal options supported by each app. Always check the payout and withdrawal methods available on the platform you are using.
I’ve lived many lives, but one lesson ties them all together: money is only as powerful as its utility. Through my work, I share stories about money and create guides for Africans who want to get the best out of theirs.