Earn money while you walk: the best apps to get paid to walk

Want to get paid to walk? We test the best UK walking apps and share how they work, what they pay, and which ones are worth your time.

Walking is one of the cheapest ways to stay healthy, clear your head, and get out of the house. What makes it even better is that a growing number of apps now pay you for your steps. Some offer proper payouts. Some only give discounts. A few take a long time to reward you.

This guide keeps things simple and shows which walking apps are worth downloading today, how much you can actually earn, and the honest pros and cons of each one.

Whether walking the dog, taking the kids to school, or just getting in your daily steps, these apps can help you earn a little extra cash or rewards.

Earn money while you walk

Here’s a round-up of the best apps that pay you to walk.

Macadam

Macadam has become one of the strongest choices because it pays in real money.

Every day the app turns your step count into coins, and once you collect enough coins you can cash out through PayPal or swap them for gift cards. The only thing you need to remember is to open the app before midnight, because if you forget to “claim” your steps, that day’s coins disappear.

Macadam also rewards streaks, so you earn a bit faster if you walk every day. It feels more straightforward than many older apps, and the lower cashout level makes it easier to reach your first reward.

Most normal walkers earn between £1.50 and £4 a month, while people who regularly hit more than 10,000 steps a day usually reach the £5 to £7 mark.

The rewards take time to build, but the fact that the app pays real money makes it worth keeping on your phone.

Some users (me included) also get the option of small surveys, playing games for points, and challenges like a real life hunt and seek, which can add a few extra coins on top.

Download: Google Play | Apple app store

Use the code EJC8HC to get 1,000 coins to get your started.

WeWard

WeWard has grown quickly because it gives you several ways to earn. Your steps are turned into “Wards”, which you can exchange for cash, vouchers, charity donations, or discounts. To make your steps count, you need to open the app at some point during the day so it can register them.

A typical user can earn around £1 to £3 a month just from walking. People who walk a lot and take part in the small tasks or daily challenges can reach £4 to £6 a month fairly comfortably.

The big appeal with WeWard is that you aren’t limited to steps. You can check in at places, complete offers, or join step challenges, which brings in rewards a little faster.

Download: Google Play | Apple app store

Win Walk

WinWalk keeps things simple by giving you coins for your steps. You earn one coin for every hundred steps you take, up to a daily limit of 10,000 steps. When you have enough coins, you can swap them for gift cards from shops like Amazon, Costa, Primark, and others.

Because of the step cap, rewards build slowly. To reach a £10 gift card you need 21,000 coins, which means most people only cash out every few months.

Even so, it’s easy to run WinWalk in the background, and many people use it as a slow but steady top-up alongside other apps.

Get Win Walk: Android | iPhone

BetterPoints

BetterPoints gives rewards for walking, cycling, and using public transport, but only in places where a local council or organisation is running a live programme. If your area is included, your everyday journeys earn points that you can swap for vouchers or donate to charity.

If there’s no active programme where you live, the app will still track your activity, but you may only get prize-draw entries rather than guaranteed rewards.

Most people keep it installed just in case a scheme launches nearby, as it can become one of the better earners when it’s supported locally.

Sweatcoin

Sweatcoin was one of the first big walking apps, but it does not pay as well as it once did. You usually earn about 0.95 Sweatcoins for every 1,000 steps, and while this sounds good on paper, most of the rewards are now discounts or free trials instead of cash or vouchers.

There are still ways to earn a little more, such as opening daily bonus chests, watching ad videos, or using the “boost” feature for a short burst of double earnings.

In reality though, even active walkers only earn about £1 to £2 worth of value per month, and casual walkers earn much less. It’s still fine to leave running in the background, but it’s no longer a main earner.

Download Sweatcoin: Android | iPhone

Vitality (for insurance customers)

Vitality is different because you can only use it if you already have a qualifying Vitality insurance policy. If you do, the rewards can be very generous compared to normal walking apps. The app tracks your daily movement, gym sessions, cycling, swimming, and even things like Parkrun. As you earn points, you unlock rewards such as free Caffè Nero drinks or monthly cinema tickets.

People who hit their activity targets regularly often get £5 to £15 worth of freebies each month, sometimes more.

It’s not a money-making app in the usual sense, but if you already have the insurance, it’s one of the most rewarding fitness schemes available.

Get Vitality: Apple store

Biscuit – for dog owners

Biscuit gives rewards for walking your dog and looking after their wellbeing. Each hour of walking earns you biscuits, and smaller walks still count as long as the time adds up. If you complete three one-hour walks in a week, you also get a bonus. You can swap your biscuits for vouchers from places like Asda, Amazon, and Caffè Nero.

Dog owners who walk daily usually earn around £1 to £3 a month, and people with very active dogs can sometimes earn a little more. You can also build points by doing simple pet-care tasks, which makes it a bit quicker to reach a reward.

Get the Biscuit app: Android | iPhone

MoveSpring

MoveSpring is mainly used for group challenges, such as step competitions with friends, workplaces, or public teams.

The prizes and challenge setups can vary, and not every challenge offers a reward, but some people enjoy it for the motivation rather than the money.

Download: Android | iPhone

Charity Miles

Charity Miles doesn’t reward you personally, but it turns your walking, running, or cycling into donations for charities.

You choose the charity in the app, start your activity, and your miles help raise funds. It’s simple, steady, and a nice way to support causes without spending anything.

Get the Charity Miles app: Android | iPhone

How much can you realistically earn each month?

If you use the best three apps together, the numbers stay fairly small but steady:

Macadam + WeWard + WinWalk

• Most people earn around £3 to £7 a month
• Very active walkers can reach £8 to £12 a month

If you have a dog, Biscuit can add another £1 to £3.

If you have a Vitality insurance plan, the value of the freebies can easily reach £10+ a month, which is higher than any walking app on its own.

Are these apps worth your time?

If you’re already someone who enjoys walking or staying active, these apps can be a great way to earn a little something extra for what you’re doing anyway.

They can also be an excellent motivator to help you stay on track with your fitness goals or be more eco-conscious by walking instead of driving.

And, you don’t just need to use one but can use them all together, giving you more rewards.

While the perks are a nice bonus, they can take time to accumulate, so it’s best to view them as an added benefit to improving your health rather than the main attraction.