Building passive income in the UK has never been easier, thanks to modern technology.
Today, anyone with a smartphone can build passive income in the UK using free apps that run in the background or automate small tasks.
These apps help you earn money while you sleep, commute, or go about your day.
In this article, we’ll explore 5 free apps that help you build passive income in the UK build real passive income streams in 2025.
1. Plum – Automate Your Savings and Investments
Plum is an intelligent app designed to help you build wealth effortlessly. It works by analysing your spending and automatically saving or investing small amounts.
You can link your bank account, and Plum will round up your purchases and move spare change into a savings pot. Over time, this adds up and becomes a passive income stream through interest or dividends.
Key Features:
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Automatically saves and invests without you lifting a finger
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Offers stocks, ETFs, and easy-access savings accounts
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Set rules like “Save £1 every time it rains” for fun automation
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FCA-regulated and highly secure
By letting your money grow in the background, Plum becomes a solid source of automated passive income in the UK.
2. Sweatcoin – Earn Money While You Walk
The second in the list of 5 free apps that help you build passive income in the UK is Sweatcoin. It is a fitness app that rewards your daily steps with digital currency.
This unique app tracks your outdoor movement and converts your steps into Sweatcoins, which you can redeem for rewards or cash out through crypto.
You don’t have to do anything extra, just keep your phone in your pocket and walk. This makes Sweatcoin one of the easiest passive income apps for health-conscious UK users.
Key Features:
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Earn coins automatically as you walk outside
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Redeem rewards like PayPal cash, fitness gear, and gift cards
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Optional crypto conversion for real money withdrawal
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Encourages better health while earning passively
Walking is something you already do, Sweatcoin turns it into an income source without costing you a penny.
3. Moneybox – Micro-Investing Made Easy
Moneybox is another investment app tailored to beginners in the UK. It helps you invest spare change from purchases or set recurring deposits to build a long-term portfolio.
Over time, your invested money earns dividends and grows through capital gains. This creates a stable stream of passive income that compounds with consistency.
Key Features:
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Round-up spare change and invest it into diversified portfolios
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Offers Lifetime ISAs, General Investment Accounts, and more
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Choose between cautious, balanced, and adventurous strategies
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Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Moneybox makes investing feel effortless, especially for those new to building long-term wealth through passive income.
4. TopCashback – Get Free Cash from Everyday Spending
TopCashback is one of the UK’s most popular cashback platforms, offering money back when you shop online. Once set up, it quietly earns you cash every time you make qualifying purchases.
It’s completely free, and you can withdraw your earnings as PayPal cash or bank transfers. Over time, frequent online shoppers can build a passive income pot without changing their spending habits.
Key Features:
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Earn cashback from thousands of UK retailers
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Offers browser extensions and mobile app for automatic tracking
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Withdraw earnings via PayPal, bank, or gift cards
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Regular “double cashback” promotions for bonus returns
If you shop online, TopCashback is a must-have app to earn passive income effortlessly.
5. Honeygain – Rent Out Your Internet for Cash
The last in the list of best 5 free apps that help you build passive income in the UK is the Honeygain. It is a unique app that pays you for sharing your unused internet bandwidth.
It operates in the background, and you earn money every day without doing anything.
Once installed, Honeygain runs quietly and rewards you based on the amount of data shared. It’s safe, secure, and ideal for those with unlimited Wi-Fi or data plans.
Key Features:
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Runs passively in the background once installed
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Earn points daily that convert to PayPal or Bitcoin
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Safe, encrypted sharing with no access to your files
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Great for desktops, laptops, or phones with unlimited data
Honeygain offers genuine passive income just by being connected to the internet.
How These Apps Work Together to Create Real Passive Income
By combining multiple passive income apps, you can build a stronger, diversified stream. Each app targets a different area of your daily routine, walking, shopping, saving, investing, or using your internet.
For example, Plum and Moneybox automate your wealth building. Sweatcoin and TopCashback reward you for existing habits. Honeygain quietly earns in the background.
This multi-app strategy lets you maximise passive income potential without extra effort. Even if each app generates a small amount, combined they can significantly boost your earnings.
You won’t need to change your lifestyle or take on extra work. Just install, set up, and let the apps do the heavy lifting for you.
Tips to Maximise Passive Income with These Free Apps
If you are serious about growing your earnings passively with the 5 free apps that help you build passive income in the UK, here are a few tips to get the most out of these apps.
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Enable all app notifications so you never miss a reward or opportunity
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Link all relevant bank or PayPal accounts for seamless money transfers
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Use referral codes to earn bonuses and boost your balance quickly
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Set saving rules or targets to automate consistent growth over time
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Combine app features strategically, like investing cashback from TopCashback into Plum or Moneybox
When you use the apps consistently and wisely, you’ll notice your income increasing passively every month.
Are Passive Income Apps Really Worth It?
Yes, especially when you consider that they’re completely free to use. Most users don’t realise how much money they leave on the table by ignoring apps that automate savings, reward habits, or monetise unused data.
Apps like these don’t require investment, special skills, or hours of time. With the right mix, you can realistically generate £20–£100+ per month.
While these apps won’t replace a full-time income immediately, they are excellent additions to your financial toolkit. Over time, they’ll help you build emergency savings, invest for the future, or pay for small luxuries.
FAQs About Free Passive Income Apps in the UK
1. Are these 5 free apps that help you build passive income in the UK really free to use?
Yes, all apps mentioned are 100% free with optional premium features.
2. Do I need to link my bank account to use them?
Only apps like Plum and Moneybox require bank linking for automation.
3. Is my personal data safe with these apps?
All featured apps use bank-level encryption and are FCA-regulated or verified.
4. Can I use all five apps at once?
Yes, they complement each other and can be used simultaneously for best results.
5. How much can I realistically earn per month?
Depending on usage, between £20 and £100+ monthly is achievable.
6. Do these apps affect my phone’s performance?
No, most apps are lightweight and run in the background without draining your battery.
7. Do I need to walk outdoors for Sweatcoin to track steps?
Yes, it only tracks outdoor movement using GPS.
8. How do I withdraw earnings from these apps?
Most offer PayPal, bank transfer, or gift card options for payouts.
9. Is Honeygain legal and safe in the UK?
Yes, it’s legal, encrypted, and does not access personal files or data.
10. Do I have to declare income from these apps to HMRC?
If your earnings exceed £1,000 annually, you may need to declare it under UK tax law.
Final Thoughts: 5 Free Apps That Help You Build Passive Income in the UK
Earning passive income in the UK no longer requires complex investment strategies or risky ventures. Thanks to these five free apps, Plum, Sweatcoin, Moneybox, TopCashback, and Honeygain, you can build income streams that work around your lifestyle. Adopt these tools, stay consistent, and over time, you’ll see your passive income steadily grow.
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