The available evidence does not establish which five apps an original 2023 roundup selected, so it would be misleading to present a definitive historical “best five” list. Current U.S. App Store listings do surface five examples—Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Paidwork, Eureka and Foap—but their terms are current listing descriptions, not verified 2023 terms. They also represent different ways to earn: rewards for activities, task completion, or selling creative work.
Why this is not a verified ranking of the five best apps in 2023
Apple’s 2023 App Store awards recognized 14 apps and games, while its U.S. top-apps page covered chart categories; neither source ranks the best money-making apps. The sources available for this guide do not identify the five apps an original article may have named or establish what their eligibility and payout terms were in 2023. Apple’s 2023 App Store Awards announcement and the U.S. App Store 2023 charts provide context, not a money-making-app ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $552.01 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $409.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $388.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Rather than invent a historical list or rank unlike services by payout, the comparison below identifies five current examples surfaced in App Store listings. Check each app’s listing and terms before joining: current descriptions can change and do not establish what a user could earn in 2023.
Five current iPhone app examples and how their earning models differ
| App | Activity described in the listing | Eligibility, redemption or important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Survey Junkie | Earn points for completed surveys, profile questionnaires and other rewardable actions. | The current U.S. listing says members must be at least 18 and reside in the United States. It describes redemption through PayPal, e-gift cards or direct bank transfer, subject to a minimum point threshold. The listing does not establish these as 2023 terms. |
| Swagbucks | Surveys, games, shopping deals and grocery-receipt activity can earn points. | The current U.S. listing describes points redeemable for PayPal cash or gift cards, subject to terms. Its welcome bonus requires activation and a qualifying purchase; it is not a guaranteed signup payment. |
| Paidwork | Surveys, tasks, offers and shopping. | The listing includes publisher-stated withdrawal information. Its promotional earnings claims are not independent evidence of what users typically earn. |
| Eureka | Surveys, check-ins and a daily poll. | The listing includes publisher-reported membership and earnings claims; those figures are not a representative measure of typical results. |
| Foap | Sell photos and videos. | This Spanish App Store listing describes a sales-based model. Income depends on making a sale, and the listing does not establish typical sales or earnings. |
How to choose an app without mistaking activity for income
- Match the model to what you will actually do. Survey and reward apps pay for qualifying activities; Swagbucks combines several activity types; Foap requires creative work to sell. These are not interchangeable ways to earn.
- Check location and age rules before spending time. Survey Junkie’s current U.S. listing sets an 18+ and U.S.-residency requirement. Do not assume another app has the same rules, or that this was Survey Junkie’s 2023 policy.
- Read redemption terms, not just the advertised reward. Check the current minimum threshold, available cash-out methods and any conditions attached to points or bonuses. A bonus tied to activation and a qualifying purchase is not equivalent to cash for signing up.
- Separate marketing claims from demonstrated earnings. Paidwork and Eureka display publisher claims, but the available sources do not independently verify them. No representative typical-earnings statistic was established for these apps; user reviews are individual anecdotes, not a reliable average or hourly rate.
- Do not buy a new phone for the promise of app income. Survey Junkie is listed as iPhone-only, but that shows a device compatibility category—not that a new iPhone is necessary or that earnings will repay its cost.
What the available evidence does—and does not—establish
The listings show different earning mechanisms and some current eligibility or redemption details, but they do not prove which apps belonged in a 2023 “best five” list, establish historical terms, or support a ranking by payout. Treat any expected return as uncertain: results can depend on qualifying for activities, completing them, meeting redemption rules, or making a sale. No reliable typical-earnings figure is available here to turn those possibilities into an income estimate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
