Apps like Honeygain, Pawns.app, EarnApp and Repocket pay you to leave them running on your computer or phone. They're about as passive as income gets. But what they sell is your home internet connection, so it's worth understanding exactly what that means before you install one.
How bandwidth sharing works
These apps add your device to a "residential proxy" network. Businesses pay the app company to send web requests through real home internet connections instead of data centers. Common uses include checking prices in different regions, verifying that ads display correctly, and gathering public web data.
When a customer's request goes through your connection, the website they visit sees your home IP address. The app pays you a small amount for the data that passes through, usually measured per gigabyte.
What you can expect to earn
Most people earn a few dollars a month per app. Earnings depend on your country, how many hours your devices are online, and how much demand there is in your area. Most of these apps only pay for one device per internet connection, so adding more devices at home usually doesn't multiply your earnings. Running two or three different apps on the same connection is common.
The risks
- Your IP address is used by strangers. If someone misuses the network, the activity traces back to your IP address. Reputable apps screen their customers, but you're trusting them to do it well.
- CAPTCHAs and blocks. Some websites flag IP addresses that send lots of automated traffic. You may see more "are you a robot?" checks, or occasional blocks on certain sites.
- Your internet provider's terms. Some providers don't allow reselling or sharing your connection. Read your plan's terms. A violation is usually handled with a warning, but it's your account at risk.
- Data caps. If your plan has a monthly data cap, shared traffic counts against it.
- Software you install. Only download these apps from their official websites or the official app stores. Copies from elsewhere can carry malware.
How to use them more safely
- Stick to established apps with a long payout history and clear terms. Newer apps that pay in their own crypto tokens carry extra risk.
- Don't install them on work computers or devices connected to a work network.
- Check your internet provider's terms and your data cap first.
- Cash out regularly rather than letting a large balance build up.
- Uninstall if you notice problems, like constant CAPTCHAs or a slower connection.
So is it worth it?
For a few dollars a month with no effort, many people decide it is. If you share an internet connection with others, have a strict data cap, or your provider forbids it, it probably isn't. Either way, it's your call to make with the risks in view.
See the set-and-forget apps →