14 of the Best Apps That Pay You to Walk
This list started out a long time ago with just five apps, and now there are a TON of different apps coming out that promise cash for steps. A lot of them aren't good, some of them are great.
I tried to find the best ones, but there's a chance I missed some, so feel free to let me know. Also, these apps are being updated all the time, so things may be different when you're reading this. I'll try to keep this article as updated as possible.
1. StepSetGo
About This App
2. SweatCoin
SweatCoin is unique because it only pays you to walk outside. This means treadmills and walking around your house don't count.
Here's how it works:
When you take 1,000 outdoor steps, SweatCoin will reward you with 0.95 SweatCoins. These SweatCoins are similar to crypto-currencies such as Bitcoin, and you can use them to redeem rewards within the app. You can also send them to friends if you want.
The rewards on SweatCoin change daily so I suggest you save your SweatCoins until you see something you really like.
3. Carrot 2.0 (They're Back!)
Carrot is a Canadian app that launched in British Columbia in 2015, expanded to other provinces, only to shut down in 2019 due to lack of funds…
But they're back now!
Carrot Rewards 2.0 is beginning to launch under new ownership and is currently in the waitlist phase.
Assuming the app will work similarly to how it worked before, here's the breakdown:
The main feature of Carrot are the step challenges. When you first sign-up, Carrot will take about a week to analyze your steps and come up with a unique step goal. My step goal in the past was about 6,300 steps/day.
Once Carrot determines your step goal, you'll be able to start earning points! You can earn points for hitting your daily step goal, completing step-up challenges (ie., meet your daily goal 5 times in 7 days), and completing step together challenges (challenge a friend to hit step goals together).
There are also small health surveys you can answer to earn some points here and there.
Here's what you can earn:
- Scene points (free movies!)
- Petro-Points
- More Rewards
- Aeroplan Miles
In the past with Carrot Rewards, I earned over 3,000 scene points with the app, which is equal to three free movie tickets.
Since I'm still not exactly sure how Carrot Rewards 2.0 will work, I'll keep this page as updated as possible!
4. Runtopia
Runtopia focuses heavily on helping you improve your fitness while giving you rewards as a bonus. They allow you to set exercise goals for running, walking and cycling, and you can even have an audio coach play during your workouts.
They also have training programs built into the app to help you get warmed up, stretch, lose weight, and more. Some of the features require a premium membership but most are completely free.
As you exercise with Runtopia, complete daily tasks within the app, and participate in the community, you’ll earn Sports Coins. Sports Coins can be redeemed for products, free memberships, coupons, and even PayPal cash!
One important thing to note is that Sports Coins expire every year on March 1st. Make sure to use them up before then!
There's a lot more to do in Runtopia that I haven't mentioned, so
5. LifeCoin
LifeCoin is almost the exact same as Sweatcoin but with a bit of a different look. It functions basically the same way as well. For example, you can only earn LifeCoins for outdoor steps and as a free user, you can only earn up to 5 Lifecoins a day.
Here's where it gets a bit different from Sweatcoin:
If you want to upgrade and be able to earn up to 10 LifeCoins a day, you can pay $4.33/month. As part of the subscription, you’ll also gain access to Azumio premium which means you’ll have premium access to all of their other top apps as well.
As for the rewards, LifeCoin lets you choose from an assortment of gift cards, or you can redeem your LifeCoins for physical products like Airpods, a quadcopter, or Beats headphones. Rewards change constantly though and they're first come first serve so don't expect the same things to be available all the time.
6. Achievement
Achievement is an app that pays you to walk and do all sorts of other healthy activities.
After you sign up (sign up here for 100 free points), you can start linking any health apps you use to achievement (29 apps to choose from). Once you link an app, you'll be able to start earning points for things you already do!
There are a lot of fun ways to earn money with Achievement besides walking, so download the app and explore!
Once you earn 10,000 points you can redeem them for $10.
7. StepBet
StepBet is a lot different than the other apps on this list because it involves a small amount of risk. Instead of simply getting paid to walk, you must bet on yourself to hit your step goals and then compete against other players.
Here's how it works:
When you sign up to StepBet and connect your fitness tracker, StepBet will calculate your step goals. These goals will challenge you to walk more than you usually do. After you get your goals you can join a game and make a bet (most bets are $40).
You must hit your step goal 6 times a week for each week of the game, otherwise, you lose.
If you win, you get to split the pot with the other winners!
If you want to learn more check out the StepBet Rules or FAQ.
8. Charity Miles
Ok, so Charity Miles doesn't quite fall under apps that pay YOU to walk, instead, you'll be earning money for your favorite charities. It's a really nice idea so I had to include it on this list.
Charity Miles members have already earned over 2.5 million dollars for various charities just by walking, running, biking and more!
Here's how it works:
Select 1 of 42 charities you would like to earn money for, and start walking! Charity Miles will measure your distance and donate money based on how far you go. It's that simple.
Where does the money come from?
Charity Miles currently has 8 sponsors who are repurposing their advertising budget for good! This means instead of using the money for ads, they're putting it towards the charities you're walking for.
Check out the Charity Miles FAQ for more info.
9. Lympo
Lympo is interesting because instead of just paying you for steps, they pay you to complete walking or running challenges. New challenges are constantly being added to the app, and after you complete one, you earn LYM tokens, which you can then redeem for rewards.
What’s nice about Lympo is that you can complete the challenges anywhere: inside, outside, on a treadmill, it doesn’t matter. They also allow you to connect a variety of different health trackers to the app for even easier tracking.
As far as redeeming LYM token goes, right now it looks like you can only redeem them for products within the app. Since LYM tokens hold a real cash value, It would be cool to be able to actually withdraw the tokens to a wallet in the future, but I'm not sure when that will be possible.
It looks like Lympo is also starting to do giveaways for Amazon gift cards and other products which is an extra bonus. I'm still waiting for this app to come to Canada so I can try it.
10. PK Rewards
Previously known as PK Coin, PK Rewards will pay you not only to walk but also just to workout and exercise in general. Basically, if you’re moving, you can earn with PK Rewards.
How this works is before every workout (e.g. run, walk, hike, bike, etc.) you’ll have to open the PK Rewards app on your phone or Apple Watch (they also support these Bluetooth trackers) and then hit “Start Earning”. It's a bit of a hassle but it ensures accuracy.
Once you’re finished your workout, end it on the app by hitting the button again and they’ll calculate your time and effort into an “Effort Score” to reward you coins. The harder you work, the better your reward.
Once you save up enough, you can redeem your coins for rewards from various brands like Nike, Amazon, and more.
11. Walgreens Balance Rewards
If you’re a frequent Wallgreens shopper you may already be a part of the Walgreens Balance Rewards program. What you may or may not know is that one of the ways to earn more Balance Rewards Points is by walking!
For each mile you walk, you’ll earn 20 points. You can earn a max of 1000 points a month by walking.
Best of all, these points have a cash value. Every 1000 points = $1 off your purchase at Walgreens.
There are several other ways to earn Wallgreens Points by being healthy and active as well.
12. FitPotato
FitPotato is sort of similar to StepBet. Instead of just allowing you to walk freely for cash, FitPotato requires you to bet on yourself in order to have a chance at a higher reward.
Here’s how it works:
Each week, there’s a cash prize pool up for grabs (usually it’s $1,000). In order to get a shot at winning that money, you must bet $5 on yourself.
Then, in order to actually WIN the money, you must successfully complete 3 walk/run/jog step sessions. The amount of steps required in each session is typically 6,000 steps, but that could change in the future.
At the end of the week, make sure to open the app to sync your steps. If you successfully complete the 3 sessions, you win and you get a share of the money!
I will say, the FitPotato app is a bit clunky at the moment. That's pretty much the only downside.
13. EarthMiles
EarthMiles is a simple to understand, well-designed app that pays you Earthmiles as you walk, run, or bike. What’s unique about this app is that the harder exercises actually pay more Earthmiles.
Here’s what I mean:
- 1km of walking = 1 Earthmile
- 1km of cycling = 3 Earthmiles
- 1km of running = 5 Earthmiles
Once you earn enough Earthmiles, you can spend them on healthy rewards. There are new rewards every week but right now a lot of the rewards are discounts on health products, services, supplements, and classes.
14. Fit For Bucks
Fit For Bucks is another paid to walk app that keeps it really simple. Whether you’re walking, running, hiking, or doing something else that gets you moving, you’ll be earning.
As you rack up more steps, you can redeem them for various rewards. Here are some examples of rewards you might see:
- Free 30-min massage (cost: 30,000 steps)
- Free 16oz. Smoothie (50,000 steps)
- Free cup of coffee (35,000 steps)
The rewards above are from L.A. merchants but Fit For Bucks is working to add other cities as we speak.
