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11 Apps That Pay You To Walk (2024): Earn Cash By Strolling

Financial JournalistChristopher Liew, CFA
Christopher Liew is a CFA Charterholder and has held several roles in the finance industry.He’s worked as an investment wholesaler at Sentry and CI Financial, a financial advisor at RBC, and an energy trader at Enmax.He is Alberta-based while he’s in Canada, but spends much of his time working and living in other countries.Christopher speaks English and studied accounting and finance at the University of Alberta.He is one of the founders of Wealth Awesome where he has written articles and created videos for our subscriber base of over 20,000 Canadian investors.

Expertises: finance, investment, stocks, retirement, canada
Apps That Pay You To Walk
 

Over a million Canadians are daily runners, making it one of the top recreational sports in the country.

Running and walking are both excellent ways to stay in shape, as they contribute to your heart health, release endorphins, and can help you manage your body fat levels.

What if I told you that you could get paid to walk (or run)?

Sometimes, all we need to really push ourselves is a good incentive. And what better incentive than cold, hard cash?

Below, I’m going to show you some of the top apps that pay you to walk. It’s time to stroll to a payday!

Can You Really Get Paid To Walk?

I know what you’re probably thinking, “This sounds way too good to be true. What’s the catch?

There really isn’t one. These apps legitimately pay users for walking, running, and completing other activities. All you have to do is sign into the app, enable Bluetooth and GPS (so the app can track your movement), and go on a walk.

The more steps you take, the more money you’ll earn.

Apps That Pay You To Walk: Step Into Savings

I’m not a marathon runner, but I do try to get out and go on a two to three-mile run a few days of the week.

It’s a great way for me to get some fresh air, move my body, and clear my mind. If you want to get paid for the work you put in, here are some great apps that pay you to walk.

1. SweatCoin

11 Apps That Pay You To Walk ([currentyear]): Earn Cash By Strolling 1

SweatCoin is, by far, one of the biggest apps that pay users to walk, run, and move. The platform has over 100 million registered users, is available globally and has a plan to reach a billion daily users.

Once you sign up, you’ll start earning SweatCoins based on your activities, which the app can track based on your location and fitness tracking.

SweatCoin is partnered with over 600 major brands, which is how the company turns a profit.

Here’s another cool fact – SweatCoin is a cryptocurrency token. It operates similarly to coins like Bitcoin, and there is a limited number of 21.3 billion Sweatcoins, with a circulating supply of just under 3 billion SweatCoins.

Unlike mining traditional cryptocurrency, though, SweatCoin isn’t mined using high-powered computers. Rather, SweatCoin can only be mined by its user’s “sweat.”

For every 1,000 steps you take, you will have successfully mined one SweatCoin, which is currently equivalent to $0.0248.

It may not sound like a lot right now. However, since there is only a limited supply of SweatCoin, the value of the coins will only continue to increase as more are mined, and the scarcity increases.

So, what can you do with your SweatCoins?

There are several ways to put your SweatCoins to use on the app:

  • Exchange them for tech, clothing, shoes, or accessories
  • Donate the value to charity groups
  • Exchange your SweatCoins for other crypto tokens or cash value on a crypto exchange

Can you get rich with SweatCoin? Probably not. But it’s a great way to get paid for doing what you already love, and provides an excellent incentive to keep on hustling.

How It Works:

  1. Sign up for SweatCoin and download the app
  2. Allow it to track your movement
  3. Earn SweatCoins for your activity (1,000 steps = 1 SweatCoin)
  4. Redeem your SweatCoins for physical goods or exchange them for another cryptocurrency token

2. LifeCoin

LifeCoin Logo

LifeCoin is probably the closest competitor to SweatCoin and offers a nearly identical user interface and platform.

The app tracks your movements through your device’s GPS functionality, and awards you with incremental LifeCoin every time that you take a step and change location.

It’s worth noting here that you can’t earn LifeCoins by running or walking on a treadmill.

Since the app uses GPS location to determine how much you’ve moved, you must walk or run outside to earn rewards. Currently, a single LifeCoin (LIFE) requires 1,000 steps to mine.

You can spend your LifeCoin on in-app purchases, such as:

  • Amazon gift cards
  • Apple products
  • Spa treatments
  • DJI products
  • PayPal credit
  • And more

The one drawback I will mention is that LifeCoin is currently only available for iOS. The platform recently had some major issues with its app crashing and had to remove the app from the Google Play Store to redesign the app.

The iOS app has been successfully updated, though, so Apple users can go ahead and start earning.

How It Works:

  1. Sign up for LifeCoin and download the iOS app
  2. Start running to earn LifeCoin tokens
  3. Redeem your LifeCoin tokens for real prizes or trade them on an exchange

3. Runtopia

Runtopia

Unlike SweatCoin and LifeCoin, which operate on blockchain-based tokens, Runtopia uses a more traditional fiat currency model. The app is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms. It offers both a free and a premium subscription.

With a free subscription, the amount of money you can earn every day is limited. With a paid membership, you’ll be able to earn more (and quicker).

As you earn tokens, you can spend them on items listed on the Runtopia store. The platform offers physical rewards, such as:

  • Gym bags
  • Phone holders
  • Sweatbands
  • Socks
  • T-shirts

Runtopia also recently released its own brand of GPS fitness-tracking watches. These watches monitor your heart rate, GPS track you, and count your steps. You can use them alongside the Runtopia app for more accurate tracking, so you can stay on top of your rewards.

How It Works:

  1. Download the Runtopia app on iOS or Android
  2. Turn on your GPS and Bluetooth
  3. Start running to earn credits
  4. Spend credits on the Runtopia store

4. Optimity

Optimity logo

Optimity doesn’t exactly “pay” users to walk or run, but it does offer them the opportunity to earn coupons and other rewards with its partnered brands like Amazon.

Optimity allows you to set fitness and health goals, allowing you to keep track of your performance and optimize your health.

As you meet (and exceed) goals, you’ll be awarded points, which can then be exchanged for coupons and rewards in the app.

How It Works:

  1. Download the Optimity app
  2. Set fitness goals
  3. Meet your goals to earn points
  4. Use points to get coupons and other rewards

5. StepBet

StepBet logo

Have you ever been challenged to a fitness bet? If so, then you’ll love StepBet. This intuitive app allows users to place bets for or against each other, based on the fitness goals they set.

This provides a great incentive to stay on top of your fitness and also gives you the opportunity to profit whenever you win bets. Just keep in mind that you’ll lose your bet if you don’t keep up with your goals!

How It Works:

  1. Sign up for StepBet
  2. Place bets on yourself or other users, based on fitness goals
  3. Earn money by winning bets, lose money by not keeping up with your goals

6. Evidation

Evidation logo

Evidation is nearly identical to Optimity. The app provides a useful platform for its users to create customized fitness and activity goals.

Then, it tracks your performance towards these goals using GPS functionality. As you achieve goals, you’ll earn incremental amounts of money, which can then be cashed out and sent to your account.

How It Works:

  1. Download the Evidation app
  2. Set fitness goals
  3. Get paid to walk, run, or hike
  4. Cash out your rewards with a direct deposit

7. CharityMiles

CharityMiles logo

CharityMiles allows its users to walk, run, or bike to earn money for charities. So far, the company has raised over $2.75 million for charities worldwide and is sponsored by major companies.

As a nonprofit, users won’t be able to “get paid” in the traditional sense. However, the money they earn goes directly to a charity of their choice.

How It Works:

  1. Download the CharityMiles app
  2. Choose a charity to donate to
  3. Get sponsored by the charity group
  4. Earn money for the charity for every mile that you walk, run, or bike

8. PK Rewards

PK Rewards logo

Unlike other apps, which primarily track your GPS movement, PK Rewards tracks your heart rate and uses that to measure your rewards.

The more effort you put in over an extended amount of time, the more rewards you’ll earn. If you like to go hard during your workouts, then this is the perfect app for you.

The coins you earn can be exchanged for gift cards and physical items on the PK Rewards market. If you want real money, you can always sell the gift cards on a gift card exchange.

The only drawback is that PK Rewards is only available to iOS users and requires you to have an Apple Watch to monitor your heart rate.

How It Works:

  1. Download the app on the Apple App Store
  2. Create an account
  3. Wear your Apple Watch while exercising
  4. Earn coins based on your activity level
  5. Exchange coins for gift cards or physical rewards

9. Lympo

Lympo logo

Lympo is a blockchain-based fitness app that works similarly to LifeCoin and SweatCoin. You can earn $SPORT coins by completing fitness challenges. Your $SPORT coins can then be exchanged, used for NFTs, or used to purchase physical rewards.

Unfortunately, the app is a bit buggy and is still in development. So, I recommend sticking with SweatCoin or LifeCoin for now.

How It Works:

  1. Download the Lympo app
  2. Complete challenges to earn $SPORT coins
  3. Exchange $SPORT coins for other cryptos and physical rewards

10. Fit For Bucks

Fit For Bucks logo

I really like the user interface of Fit For Bucks. The app is available for both Android and iOS, and rewards you based on steps taken. Each step counts as a point, and points can be redeemed for perks, such as:

  • High-value coupons
  • Free coffee
  • Free dessert
  • Free fitness classes
  • And more

Fit For Bucks partners with local brands and companies, so it’s a great way to support local businesses and stay in shape.

How It Works:

  1. Download the Fit For Bucks app
  2. Earn a point for every step
  3. Exchange points for coupons and free rewards

11. FitPotato

FitPotato Logo

FitPotato is an Australian app that allows users to earn points for walking, running or biking. It’s very similar to Fit For Bucks, and awards users for every step they take or mile that they ride their bikes.

It is currently only available in Australia, so my Canadian readers won’t be able to take advantage of it.

How It Works:

  1. Download the FitPotato app
  2. Earn points for distance travelled by walking, running, or biking
  3. Exchange points for physical rewards

How Do Apps Like SweatCoin Make Money?

The first thought that came to my mind when I heard about these apps was, “How do these companies make money if they’re paying all of their users?

So, I did a little bit of digging and found out that the majority of these apps partner with select brands, which are featured under the apps’ marketplace sections. For instance, a major shoe brand like Nike or Adidas might pay to be featured.

Alternatively, some of these apps earn money from local governments and cities that fund them to help contribute to a healthier, more active population.

Last but not least, many of these apps feature promotional banners or in-app videos promoting other companies, allowing the app to earn ad revenue.

Conclusion

Apps That Pay You To Walk

You’re not going to get rich using apps that pay you to walk. However, they’re a great way to earn rewards and incentivize yourself to pursue your own physical fitness goals.

I always encourage my readers to take advantage of every bit of “free” money that they can get.

Looking for a more profitable way to invest your time?

I recommend reading my guide on how to start investing in stocks in Canada next!

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