There are apps that will pay you to walk, lose weight, exercise, or stick to other healthy habits. Some pay cash, while others offer gift cards or similar rewards.
Honestly, none of them will replace a paycheck. The free apps usually pay very little, and some of the higher-paying options require you to pay to join a challenge. Just know what you are signing up for so that you do not lose money you need for something else.
However, earning even a small reward could maybe give you the extra push you need. And if you are already walking or working toward a health goal, it is a nice little bonus for something you are already doing!
Apps That Pay More When You Reach a Set Goal
1. HealthyWage
Available: The U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, Mexico, much of Latin America, and many parts of Europe and Asia.
Cost and pay: You choose your wager, goal, and deadline. The cash prize can be as high as $10,000. HealthyWage pays by PayPal or mailed check after your final weigh-in is approved.
HealthyWage is definitely the first one I would look at if losing weight is already your goal. You can use the prize calculator to try different goals and payment amounts before agreeing to anything.
Note that the full prize is not profit because some of it is your own money coming back. HealthyWage also has a strict no-refund policy, so you should be sure before you join. If you choose monthly payments, you still owe the full wager after starting.
You will need verified starting and ending weigh-ins. Read the instructions so you know exactly what must appear in your video, especially at the final weigh-in.
Use the HealthyWage prize calculator here, or read my HealthyWage review and winner success story first.
2. DietBet
Available: Many countries. PayPal is the usual payment choice.
Cost and pay: The average bet is about $35. Winners split the game's cash pot after DietBet takes its fee.
DietBet has four-week games for losing 4 percent of your starting weight and six-month games for losing 10 percent. I saw that the company currently takes 10 to 25 percent of the pot, based on the starting bet.
If most people win, you might only get your original bet back. Of course, you still met your weight-loss goal, but this is not always a big money-maker.
Sign up for DietBet here, or read my full DietBet review.
3. StepBet
Available: Varies by location. Make sure your fitness tracker is supported before joining.
Cost and pay: Most games require a bet, often $30 or more. Winners receive their bet back and could earn a small profit.
StepBet connects to supported trackers and gives you step goals based on your past activity. If you reach every required goal, you share the pot with the other winners.
They normally keep 15 percent of the gross pot. An optional membership gives you access to member-only games where winners receive the full pot, but the membership renews automatically.
This one might be ideal for you if putting money behind a step goal really does motivate you.
4. WayBetter
Available: Mainly aimed at U.S. users.
Cost and pay: Membership and game costs vary. Eligible winnings can be withdrawn through PayPal.
WayBetter has challenges for walking, exercise, food choices, sleep, stress, and other healthy habits. Some ask for a cash commitment, while others do not.
This could maybe be a better fit if you want choices beyond weight loss. The membership and small game profits may not be worth it for everyone. The current terms also include a $5 fee on withdrawals under $50.
Free Apps That Pay for Healthy Habits
5. Evidation
Available: U.S. residents age 18 and older.
Cost and pay: Free. Every 10,000 points is worth $10. Choices may include PayPal, bank deposit, prepaid Visa, gift cards, or a charity donation.
Evidation was once called Achievement, so note that older links and reviews may still use that name. You can connect supported health apps and earn points for tracked activity, health questions, offers, and some research studies.
This is definitely a slow earner. I saw that many recent users said reaching $10 took several months. Still, it is free and mostly passive, so that may not bother you.
Sign up for Evidation here. You can also see more ways to get paid for losing weight.
6. WeWard
Available: The U.S. and many other countries.
Cost and pay: Free. Rewards can include PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, merchandise, discounts, or donations, depending on your location.
WeWard turns verified steps into points called Wards. You may also earn through challenges, games, and partner offers.
Note that you need to open the app and confirm your steps before its daily deadline. Reward rates change by country, so check the Rewards screen just so you know how long a cash-out could take.
7. Macadam
Available: iPhone and Android users in many countries.
Cost and pay: Free. PayPal is offered outside Europe, while bank transfer is the main cash choice in Europe and the UK. Other rewards may also be available.
Macadam pays coins when you reach daily step goals. You can maybe earn more through games, surveys, ads, challenges, and partner offers.
Keep in mind that you must open the app and validate your steps before the day ends. The cash value of coins can vary based on your location and the reward you choose.
8. WinWalk
Available: iPhone and Android. Rewards vary by country and device.
Cost and pay: Free. It offers gift cards for stores such as Amazon, Walmart, and Google Play rather than direct cash.
WinWalk gives you one coin for every 100 steps, up to 100 walking coins per day. You could also earn more from ads, surveys, games, and weekly challenges.
This is another slow earner, but maybe you will not mind if your phone is counting the steps anyway. Make sure you claim your coins when required so that you do not lose credit for the day.
Sign up for WinWalk here. You can find more choices in my list of apps that reward you for walking.
A Few More Health Reward Apps
Sweatcoin, Optimity, and Paceline can also reward healthy activity. I did see that that their rewards lean more toward marketplace offers, discounts, loyalty points, or prize drawings instead of steady cash.
They could still be worth checking, especially if you like the brands currently offered.
How Much Can You Really Earn?
The free apps may take months to produce a $5 or $10 reward. The challenge apps can pay more, but part of the prize may be your own payment coming back to you.
Keep in mind that these apps may collect step counts, weight, location, device details, and other health information. You should read the permissions before connecting an account, especially when the reward is small.
You should also choose a health goal that is safe for you. If you are pregnant, take medication, have a health condition, or have a history of disordered eating, talk with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a weight-loss or exercise challenge!
The Bottom Line
HealthyWage definitely has the largest possible individual prize, but it also comes with slight risk since you put up your own money.
Evidation is the simplest free cash option for adults in the U.S. WeWard and Macadam can reward everyday walking, while WinWalk is a gift-card option.
None of these will earn a lot, of course. But if a few dollars or a gift card helps you stay consistent, that is still something!
For more ideas, see my lists of free apps that pay you for things you already do and smartphone apps that pay.
Good luck with whichever ones you try!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.