Get Paid to Walk: 8 Apps That Actually Pay in 2025
TL;DR: Real Earnings Data
Walking 8,000+ steps daily for 90 days across multiple apps, we earned $38-52/month total. Best apps: MoveTogether ($10-15/month in gift cards), WeWard ($8-15/month), StepBet ($5-15/month but requires betting). Sweatcoin earned ~$12 in marketplace value. No app pays "$100/day" despite TikTok claims.
Reality Check
Walking apps are motivation tools with bonus rewards, not income sources. Expect $15-50/month combined, not the $500+ some social media influencers claim. The real value is staying healthy—the rewards are a nice bonus.
Side hustle content about "getting paid to walk" has exploded on TikTok and YouTube. But how much can you actually earn? We tested the most popular apps for 90 days with 720,000+ steps. Here's the honest truth.
How Walking Apps Make Money (And Pay You)
Before diving into specific apps, it helps to understand how they actually work. Walking apps generally make money through:
- Brand partnerships: Companies pay to feature products in the app's marketplace or offer rewards
- Data licensing: Anonymized health data is valuable for research and advertising
- Premium subscriptions: Some apps charge for enhanced features
- Advertising: In-app ads generate revenue
They share a portion of this revenue with users as rewards for engagement. The more you walk (and use the app), the more they earn, so they incentivize your activity.
90-Day Earnings Test Results
We walked 8,000-10,000 steps daily for 90 days using multiple apps simultaneously. Here's exactly what we earned:
| App | 90-Day Earnings | Monthly Est. | Payout Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MoveTogether | $35 in gift cards | $10-15/mo | Amazon, Nike, Starbucks gift cards |
| WeWard | $28 in gift cards | $8-15/mo | PayPal, gift cards, bank transfer |
| Evidation | $18 PayPal | $2-6/mo | PayPal cash (slow earner) |
| Sweatcoin | ~$12 marketplace value | $3-5/mo* | Crypto, marketplace discounts |
| Winwalk | $14 in gift cards | $4-6/mo | Gift cards ($5 minimum) |
| StepBet | $51 (invested $40) | $5-15/mo** | PayPal, check (requires bet) |
*Sweatcoin value varies based on marketplace items and SWEAT crypto price
**StepBet requires betting $20-40 per game; you can lose your stake
Top 8 Apps That Pay You to Walk (Detailed Reviews)
1. MoveTogether — Best for Gift Card Rewards + Weight Loss
MoveTogether
Unlike pure step-counting apps, MoveTogether combines real gift card rewards with weight loss tracking and community support. You earn points for steps AND hitting goals, which you redeem for 50+ brand gift cards.
Our 90-day result: $35 in gift cards redeemed (Amazon and Starbucks). The community support kept us motivated on days we didn't feel like walking.
2. WeWard — Best for Cash Payouts
WeWard (20M+ users) offers the most flexible payout options: PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards, or charity donations. You earn "Wards" for steps, with bonuses for visiting partner locations.
- Earning rate: 25-88 Wards/day depending on level
- Cash out minimum: ~3,000 Wards for $5
- Best feature: Gamified challenges and treasure hunts
- Our 90-day result: $28 in gift cards
3. Sweatcoin — Most Popular (But Read Fine Print)
Sweatcoin (120M+ downloads) pioneered walk-to-earn but has evolved confusingly. You earn both "Sweatcoins" (for their marketplace) and "SWEAT" cryptocurrency.
Sweatcoin Reality Check
- • SWEAT crypto is worth ~$0.003/token (down from $0.05 at launch)
- • Takes 5,000+ steps to earn 1 SWEAT (was 1,000 steps originally)
- • Most "free" marketplace items have $6-20 shipping fees
- • Direct cash-out requires recruiting 20+ users
- • Battery drain is higher than other apps
Our 90-day result: 684 Sweatcoins + ~6 SWEAT tokens. Marketplace value: approximately $12.
4. Evidation — Best for PayPal Cash
Evidation (formerly Achievement) is the most straightforward for actual cash. Connect fitness trackers and earn points for walking, sleep, and healthy activities. 10,000 points = $10 PayPal.
- Earning rate: Up to 80 points/day for walking
- Cash out: $10 minimum via PayPal
- Best feature: Syncs with 20+ health apps
- Our 90-day result: $18 (cashed out twice)
Downside: Very slow earning. Expect $2-6/month even with consistent activity.
5. Winwalk — Best Simple Step Counter
Winwalk is basic but reliable. No GPS (saves battery), just pedometer-based tracking. Earn 1 coin per 100 steps, redeem for gift cards starting at $5.
- Daily cap: 100 coins/day (10,000 steps)
- Cash out: 16,000 coins for $10 gift card
- Our 90-day result: $14 in Amazon gift cards
6. StepBet — Best for Competitive Types
StepBet is different: you bet money ($20-40) on yourself hitting step goals for 6 weeks. Winners split the pot of quitters' money.
- How it works: Bet on personalized step goals
- Potential return: Get bet back + profit if you win
- Risk: Lose your stake if you miss too many days
- Our 90-day result: $51 returned from $40 invested (2 games)
7. HealthyWage — Best for Major Weight Loss Goals
HealthyWage isn't technically a walking app—it's a weight loss betting platform. Bet $100-500 on losing 10%+ of your body weight in 6-18 months.
- Potential payout: Up to $10,000 for team challenges
- Minimum bet: $100
- Best for: People with significant weight to lose
8. Charity Miles — Best Feel-Good Option
Charity Miles donates money to charity for every mile you walk (you don't earn personally). Great if you want motivation without caring about personal rewards.
- Rate: $0.25/mile donated to your chosen charity
- Charities: 40+ options including ASPCA, Wounded Warrior, St. Jude
How to Stack Apps for Maximum Earnings
Here's the secret: most walking apps don't conflict. You can run 3-4 simultaneously and earn from all of them for the same steps.
Recommended App Stack
MoveTogether (Primary)
Best gift cards + weight loss tracking
WeWard or Evidation (Cash option)
For PayPal cash withdrawals
Sweatcoin (Background)
Passive earning for marketplace deals
Winwalk (Low battery option)
No GPS, reliable gift cards
Combined monthly earnings with this stack: $25-45 in rewards for 8,000-10,000 daily steps
Tips to Maximize Your Walking App Earnings
- Use a fitness tracker: Apple Watch, Fitbit, or Garmin syncs more accurately than phone-only tracking
- Walk during routine tasks: Phone calls, commutes, lunch breaks—steps add up without dedicated workout time
- Redeem rewards regularly: Don't let points expire or crypto values crash
- Focus on consistency: 8,000 steps daily beats 15,000 steps twice a week
- Join challenges: Apps like WeWard and MoveTogether offer bonus rewards for challenges
Walking App Myths vs Reality
Myth: "I made $500 this month just walking!"
Reality: Maximum realistic earnings are $40-50/month using multiple apps. Claims of hundreds are either exaggerated or from referral bonuses (one-time).
Myth: "Sweatcoin pays real cash"
Reality: Sweatcoin primarily pays in crypto (SWEAT) worth fractions of a penny and marketplace discounts. Direct cash requires recruiting 20+ users.
Truth: Stacking apps multiplies earnings
Multiple apps can track the same steps. Running 3-4 apps simultaneously is the best strategy for maximizing rewards.
Truth: The real value is health, not money
Walking 8,000+ steps daily reduces depression risk by 42%, heart disease by 30%, and adds years to your life. The $20-40/month in rewards is a bonus.
The Bottom Line: Is Getting Paid to Walk Worth It?
If you're already walking or want motivation to start, walking apps are absolutely worth it. You're essentially getting paid for something you should do anyway for your health.
Just set realistic expectations: this is bonus money for healthy behavior, not a side hustle that'll pay your rent. The average person walking 8,000 steps daily can expect $15-40/month in combined rewards from stacked apps.
Our Recommendation
Start with MoveTogether as your primary app—it offers the best combination of real rewards and actual health benefits. Add WeWard or Evidation for cash payout options. Run Sweatcoin passively if you want to experiment with crypto rewards.
The best part? All of these apps help you build a walking habit that has massive health benefits beyond any monetary reward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What app pays the most for walking?
StepBet can pay the most ($5-15/month profit) but requires betting your own money. For guaranteed rewards without risk, MoveTogether and WeWard pay $10-15/month each in gift cards or cash for consistent walking.
Can you really get paid for walking?
Yes, but earnings are modest. Expect $15-40/month combined if you walk 8,000+ steps daily and use multiple apps. No legitimate app pays $100/day despite social media claims.
Is Sweatcoin legit or a scam?
Sweatcoin is legitimate but often oversells its value. You earn SWEAT cryptocurrency (worth fractions of a penny) and Sweatcoins for marketplace discounts. It's not a scam, but don't expect significant cash earnings.
Do walking apps drain your battery?
Apps using GPS (Sweatcoin) drain more battery. Apps using just the pedometer (Winwalk, MoveTogether) have minimal impact. Using a fitness tracker instead of phone GPS helps significantly.
Can I use multiple walking apps at once?
Yes! This is the best strategy. Apps like MoveTogether, WeWard, Evidation, and Sweatcoin can all run simultaneously, syncing with Apple Health or Google Fit. The same steps count across all platforms.