10 Apps to Make Money for Teens (With Real Age Rules)

4. Etsy

Sell crafts, art or digital downloads.

💰 Pay: You set prices; Etsy charges listing, transaction and payment processing fees. ⏱️ Time to first sale: Weeks to months. 🎯 Best for: Crafty teens with something people already ask them to make. 📋 Requirements: Etsy allows sellers aged 13 to 17 "as long as you have the permission and direct supervision of your parent or legal guardian," and the parent must own the shop (Etsy help center, checked October 2026). 🔧 What you'll do: Make, photograph, list and ship. 👉 How to start: Your parent opens the shop; you run it with them. Our crafts to sell guide has ideas. ⚠️ Honest catch: Opening your own account before 18 can get it closed permanently, Etsy warns.

5. Fiverr

Sell a skill: logos, video edits, voiceovers.

💰 Pay: You set gig prices; Fiverr takes a service fee. ⏱️ Time to first payout: Fiverr holds earnings for a clearing period after each order. 🎯 Best for: Teens with a real skill like editing, design or animation. 📋 Requirements: Fiverr's minors policy lets users aged 13 to 17 use the site only through an account owned by their parent or guardian. 🔧 What you'll do: Create gigs, talk to buyers, deliver work on deadline. 👉 How to start: Build three portfolio samples before listing your first gig. ⚠️ Honest catch: Competition is global and fierce; reviews take time to build.

6. Depop

Resell clothes and vintage finds.

💰 Pay: Sale price minus fees. ⏱️ Time to first sale: Days to weeks for in-demand brands. 🎯 Best for: Teens into thrifting and fashion. 📋 Requirements: Internet Matters lists a minimum age of 13 to use Depop. Reviews report that payouts for under-18s usually need a parent's details. 🔧 What you'll do: Photograph, list, answer messages and ship. 👉 How to start: Sell from your own closet first. Our upcoming Poshmark vs Mercari vs Depop comparison covers fees. ⚠️ Honest catch: Check the payout setup before you list, or sales can get stuck.

Creator Apps

7. YouTube

Long-term: a channel that earns from ads.

💰 Pay: Ad revenue once your channel joins the YouTube Partner Program. ⏱️ Time to first payout: Usually many months. 🎯 Best for: Teens who love making and editing videos. 📋 Requirements: Google says the minimum age for AdSense for YouTube is 18; under-18 creators must link a parent or guardian's approved AdSense account (Google AdSense help, checked October 2026). 🔧 What you'll do: Film, edit and publish on a schedule. 👉 How to start: Pick one topic you could make 50 videos about. ⚠️ Honest catch: Most channels earn nothing for a long time.

8. Roblox Developer Exchange

Build games on Roblox and cash out earned Robux.

💰 Pay: Earned Robux exchanged for cash; Roblox requires at least 30,000 Earned Robux to cash out (Roblox Creator Hub, checked October 2026). ⏱️ Time to first payout: Long, because you need a game people pay inside. 🎯 Best for: Teens learning to code who already build in Roblox Studio. 📋 Requirements: Age 13+, a verified email, a DevEx account and a tax form. 🔧 What you'll do: Build and update a game, sell game passes or items. 👉 How to start: Roblox's free Creator Hub tutorials. ⚠️ Honest catch: Very few games earn enough to reach the cash-out minimum.

9. TikTok

Build an audience now, monetize later.

💰 Pay: TikTok's creator payouts require you to be an adult; teens build audiences for later or for brand deals managed by parents. ⏱️ Time to first payout: Not until 18 for most programs. 🎯 Best for: Teens who already post consistently. 📋 Requirements: Our guide to making money on TikTok covers program rules. 🔧 What you'll do: Post short videos around one niche. 👉 How to start: Pick a niche and post three times a week. ⚠️ Honest catch: Audience first, money later.

10. Job Search Apps for Local Work

Apps like Indeed and Snagajob list part-time jobs that hire teens.

💰 Pay: Hourly wages set by employers. ⏱️ Time to first paycheck: Your employer's first payday. 🎯 Best for: Teens who want steady hours. 📋 Requirements: Federal law limits 14- and 15-year-olds to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. in summer) (U.S. Department of Labor). State rules can be stricter. 🔧 What you'll do: Retail, food service, lifeguarding, camp counseling. 👉 How to start: Filter by "part-time" and "no experience." ⚠️ Honest catch: It's a regular job, not an app hustle, but it pays the most reliably.

Apps Teens Should Skip

These show up on "money apps" lists but require you to be 18: Mistplay (its terms say 18+), Prolific, delivery apps like DoorDash and Instacart, Rover, and cash tournament games on Skillz. Lying about your age can get your account closed and your balance forfeited.

How to Stay Safe

• Use a parent-owned account where the app requires it. It protects your earnings.

• Never pay to join. Real apps are free.

• Don't share personal details with buyers or strangers outside the app.

• Ignore ads promising big daily earnings for games or tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What apps pay teens real money?

Swagbucks (13+ with consent), Survey Junkie (16+), Freecash (16+) and Roblox DevEx (13+) pay teens directly. Etsy and Fiverr pay through a parent-owned account.

Can a 13-year-old make money online?

Yes, through rewards apps with parental consent, Roblox development, or selling crafts on Etsy through a parent's shop. Most other apps require 16 or 18.

Do teens have to pay taxes on app earnings?

Possibly. If a teen earns money from self-employment, IRS rules may require a tax return once net earnings pass certain limits. A parent should check IRS guidance for dependents.

What is the best money app for a 16-year-old?

At 16, Survey Junkie and Freecash open up, along with part-time jobs found through job apps. For the most money per hour, a local part-time job usually beats any app.

The Bottom Line

The best app to make money as a teen is one that actually allows teens. Check the age rule first, get a parent on board for selling apps, and treat rewards apps as pocket money. For bigger earning ideas, see our list of side hustles for teens.