These platforms are not get-rich-quick schemes. They take time and consistency. But they are real, and South Africans use them every day.
Most of these platforms are free to join. Where a cost applies, it is clearly noted below.
The platforms are split into two groups. Passive platforms earn money in the background with little ongoing effort. Active platforms pay you for tasks you complete.
All links in this post are referral links from Lungelo Shandu. When you sign up through a referral link, you and Lungelo may both receive a small bonus. If a link does not work, you need help, or you want to report one of the links, email lungelo@ak035.co.za.
Passive Income Platforms
Set these up once and let them run. They work best with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Share Your Internet Connection and Get Paid
Three platforms below pay you to share your unused internet bandwidth. Companies pay to access this shared data for checking website prices, testing apps, and gathering online information. You earn while doing nothing extra.
Important: Run a maximum of two of these apps on the same network at any one time. Good pairings are EarnApp + Honeygain or EarnApp + Pawns.app. Running all three on one connection at the same time reduces your earnings and may slow your internet.
EarnApp
Who is it for? Anyone with a phone, laptop, or tablet and a stable internet connection. It works in South Africa.
What does it do? It runs quietly in the background and shares your unused internet connection with paying clients. You earn in US dollars for every gigabyte shared.
Where do you sign up? Here: earnapp
Why use it? It is transparent about how your data is used and is one of the most widely trusted bandwidth-sharing platforms available.
Honeygain
Who is it for? South Africans with home Wi-Fi or a data-rich mobile plan.
What does it do? It pays you for sharing your internet connection in the background. You receive a $2 starter gift when you join through the referral link.
Where do you sign up? Here: honeygain
Why use it? The $2 bonus puts money in your account from day one. You can install it on more than one device to increase your earnings.
Pawns.app
Who is it for? Anyone with a smartphone and a valid email address.
What does it do? It shares your unused bandwidth and pays you for completing surveys. Signing up with the referral link adds $1 instantly to your balance. You also get a $1 boost on your first and second withdrawals.
Where do you sign up? Download from Google Play or the App Store. Referral link: Pawns.app
Why use it? You earn from two sources at once: bandwidth sharing and surveys. The sign-up bonus gives you a running start.
Sweatcoin
Who is it for? Anyone who walks. No gym, no equipment, no special fitness level required.
What does it do? It uses your phone to count your steps and converts them into Sweatcoins, a digital currency. You redeem these for products, vouchers, or cash. If you have an online following, you can apply to become a Sweatcoin Influencer and earn more.
Where do you sign up? Here: Sweatcoin
Why use it? Your daily walk already earns you nothing. Sweatcoin changes that without any extra effort.
EasyEquities
Who is it for? South Africans who want to invest but do not have much money to start. You can begin with as little as R5.
What does it do? It lets you buy shares in South African and international companies. Over 2 million investors have already joined.
Lungelo personally uses Money Markets (also called unit trusts) and ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). A Money Market is a type of investment fund that keeps your starting amount safe while earning a small return. It can also pay a monthly income if you select the right one. An ETF is a basket of different company shares bought as one investment, which spreads your risk automatically.
Where do you sign up? Here: EasyEquities. You receive R50 on registration. (Terms and conditions apply.)
Why use it? It is regulated by the FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority), South Africa’s financial regulator. EasyEquities makes investing accessible to ordinary South Africans without high broker fees.
Important: Speak to an accredited financial adviser before you invest. Investments carry risk. Never put in money you cannot afford to lose.
Active Income Platforms
These platforms pay you for completing tasks. The more you do, the more you earn.
PaidWork
Who is it for? Anyone with a phone who wants extra income. Lungelo highly recommends this platform for people who are unemployed.
What does it do? It offers six types of earning tasks, including watching adverts, completing surveys, testing apps, and more. You pick what suits your time and device.
Where do you sign up? Here: PaidWork
Why use it? Six different task types mean six different ways to earn. You are never limited to one method.
Clickworker
Who is it for? Anyone with a phone or computer who wants flexible extra income with no fixed hours.
What does it do? It pays you to complete small online tasks, including taking photos, recording your voice, testing apps, and completing surveys. You choose when and for how long you work.
Where do you sign up? Here: Clickworker
Why use it? Thousands already use Clickworker as a regular side income. You set your own schedule.
TaskPulse
Who is it for? Anyone who uses social media and wants to earn from simple online tasks.
What does it do? It connects advertisers with real people who complete tasks like visiting websites, following social media pages, or testing online content. You earn for every valid task completed.
Where do you sign up? Here: TaskPulse
Why use it? Every task is done by a real person, not a bot. Real effort earns real rewards.
Snap n Save
Who is it for? Anyone who shops at South African supermarkets or retail stores.
What does it do? You photograph your till slip (receipt) and upload it to the app. You earn cashback or rewards on qualifying purchases. Free to download.
Where do you sign up? Here: Snapnsave
Why use it? You are already shopping. A quick photo of your receipt earns you something back at no extra cost.
RouteNote (For Musicians)
Who is it for? South African musicians, producers, and artists who want to earn from their music.
What does it do? It distributes your music for free to Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms worldwide. It protects your music using Content ID, so others cannot use it without you being paid. RouteNote also offers Publishing Admin, which means they help you collect every royalty you are owed from every platform.
Where do you sign up? Here: Routenote
Why use it? Free global distribution with royalty protection. No upfront costs.
You should also register with SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation) and CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of South Africa). These are PROs (Performing Rights Organisations) that collect money on your behalf when your music plays on the radio, TV, in shops, or in any public space.
Note: Do not upload AI-generated music. Platforms will remove it.
Tools to Build Long-Term Income
Webway.host
Who is it for? Students, small business owners, bloggers, photographers, or anyone who wants an online presence.
What does it do? It lets you register a website name (called a domain) and get affordable hosting. You can build a personal portfolio, an online shop, or a blog without any programming background. You learn as you go.
Where do you sign up? Here: Webway.host
Why use it? A website is a long-term asset. It can earn money through adverts, product sales, or services for years after you build it. You can even build them for others.
Note: Domain registration and hosting are paid services. Visit the site for current pricing options.
Alison
Who is it for? Anyone who wants to learn a new skill, strengthen their CV, or move into a new career.
What does it do? It gives you access to thousands of free online courses covering IT, business, health, languages, and more. The Alison app lets you download course content on Wi-Fi and study later without using data. Finishing a course gives you a free Learner Record as proof of completion. Certificates and Diplomas are paid. The learning itself is always free.
Where do you sign up? Here: Alison
Why use it? Skills open doors to better income. Alison removes the cost barrier so anyone can learn.
Your Quick-Start Checklist
- Download EarnApp and set it up on your phone or laptop
- Add one more bandwidth app: Honeygain OR Pawns.app (not both on the same connection)
- Download Sweatcoin and start earning from your daily walks
- Sign up on PaidWork and explore the six earning types
- Download Snap n Save before your next shopping trip
- If you make music, join RouteNote and register with SAMRO and CAPASSO
- If you want to invest, visit EasyEquities and speak to a financial adviser first
- Start a free course on Alison today
- Free Wi‑Fi spots like libraries, community centres, and some McDonald’s outlets can save your data while you download apps or complete tasks.
- Visit AK035.co.za for free CV tools, career guidance, and job searching resources built for South Africans
Share this with someone who needs it. Drop it in your WhatsApp group, post it on your timeline, or tag a friend who is looking for extra income.
All referral links are from Lungelo Shandu on behalf of AK035. For help or broken links, email lungelo@ak035.co.za.
Share this with a friend who is looking for side income. Tap your WhatsApp icon and send it now. The more South Africans who know these things, the stronger we become.
References
EarnApp (2026) EarnApp – Make Money Sharing Your Internet. Available at: https://earnapp.com/i/2cjGcBDK (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
EasyEquities (2026) EasyEquities – Invest in Shares and ETFs. Available at: http://bit.ly/2SKi8ym (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
Honeygain (2026) Honeygain – Get Paid for Unused Internet. Available at: https://join.honeygain.com/LUNGZBDB (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
Pawns.app (2026) Pawns.app – Share Internet, Earn Money. Available at: https://pawns.app/?r=523240 (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
Paidwork (2026) Paidwork – Multiple Ways to Earn Online. Available at: https://www.paidwork.com/?r=lungza7 (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
RouteNote (2026) Free Music Distribution. Available at: https://www.routenote.com/rn/referral/2f867887 (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
SnapnSave (2026) Snap Your Till Slip, Get Cash Back. Available at: https://www.snapnsave.co.za/ (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
Sweatcoin (2026) Sweatcoin – Turn Steps Into Rewards. Available at: https://swcapp.com/i/lungelo219899 (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
WebWay Host (2026) Domain and Hosting Services. Available at: https://portal.webway.host/aff.php?aff=1003 (Accessed: 17 June 2026).