I tested McMoney, an Android app that pays you for receiving text messages. It is legit and takes no effort, but it pays only a few cents per message, and you have to install it manually. Below is what I found, and which apps I recommend instead.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He tested McMoney himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit and effortless, but it pays very little
A few cents per text message, PayPal only, Android only, and a manual APK install.
On this page
The short answer
McMoney is legit. You really get paid to receive text messages, and once the app is set up, you do not have to do anything.
But it does not pay that well: only a few cents per message, and in many countries you get very few messages. On top of that, you have to download an APK file and install the app manually. McMoney is not a bad app, but it is also not that good. If you want to earn passively, there are better ways to do it.
- A passive way to earn: no work after setup
- Pays through PayPal
- Available more or less worldwide
- Low rewards: a few cents per message
- You have to install the app manually from an APK file
- Android only
- Few messages outside countries like the US, UK and Canada
- Unclear referral requirements
My experience with McMoney
I installed McMoney, registered my number and looked at how it pays. This is what I tested, and what I did not.
- First tested
- September 2023Review first published Sep 18, 2023
- Latest retest
- Checked: messages, payout, support
- Pay per message
- A few centsBased on my experience. It varies by country.
- Device
- Android phone with a SIM cardThe app is not on Google Play
- Installing the app from the APK file on the McMoney website
- Registering a mobile number and receiving test messages
- The start screen that shows your payout threshold
- A payout. My review does not show a cashout from McMoney.
- The referral program
Inside McMoney: my video
The video below explains exactly how the McMoney app works.
Screenshots from my phone
McMoney pays only a few cents per message. These apps and sites let you earn more, without a manual install.
See the best alternativesMcMoney at a glance
| What it is | Android app that pays you for receiving test text messages, to help mobile networks improve their service |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Receiving text messages, referral program |
| Pay per message | A few cents, in my experience. It varies by country. |
| Payout method | PayPal only |
| Minimum cashout | Depends on your country. You see it on the start screen of the app. |
| App | Android only, as an APK file from the McMoney website. Not on Google Play, and no iOS app. |
| Where you can join | More or less worldwide. The website does not list countries. |
| Support | FAQ, email (hello@mcmoneyapp.com), WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger |
Is McMoney legit and safe?
Yes, McMoney is legit, because you do get paid to receive text messages. But that does not make it worth it. Here is what you should know before you install it.
- You install it from an APK file
McMoney is not on Google Play. You download an APK file from the website and install it manually. Personally, I do not feel safe downloading APK files. If you do not like installing apps manually, this app is not for you.
- Very low earnings
You earn a few cents per message. In some countries you can consider yourself lucky if you receive five messages a month. It takes a long time to earn a decent amount.
- Unclear referral requirements
Your referral must receive a minimum number of messages before you get the referral reward, but the app does not say how many. I do not like apps that are not transparent about how their opportunities work.
- It needs your mobile number
You register your phone number, and the app receives test messages on it. You need an Android phone and a SIM card. You cannot use it on a desktop.
My takeIn my opinion, McMoney is not a bad app. However, it is also not that good. It simply does not offer enough reasons to use it. Number one, it does not pay that well. Secondly, you have to install the app manually. If you want to earn passively, there are better ways to do it.
How you earn on McMoney
There are 2 ways to earn. Receiving text messages is the main one. Tap one to read more.
Receiving text messagesA few cents each
Install the app and register your mobile number, and you are all set. Every test message you receive by SMS adds money to your balance. You can even delete the message after you receive it, and you still earn the reward.
The app is not clear about how much you earn per message. Based on my experience, it is only a few cents, and it can vary from country to country.
Referral programUnclear
Share your referral code. Your referral must enter it after they set up the app and register their number, or they do not become your referral.
Before you get the referral reward, your referral must receive a minimum number of messages. The app does not say how many.
How much can you make?
If you expect to earn a lot from McMoney, you will be disappointed. How many messages you get depends on your country. Countries like the US, the UK and Canada receive more. In other countries, you can consider yourself lucky if you receive five messages a month.
So I would say the earning potential of McMoney is very low, and it takes a long time to earn a decent amount. The one good thing is that it is effortless: you can install it and leave it until you have enough to cash out.
How you get paid
| Method | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Depends on your country | The only payout method. You see your threshold on the start screen of the app. |
McMoney says the threshold differs per country to account for the fees involved in transferring the money.
Overall, the payment system is relatively straightforward, and I like that it uses PayPal. For more options, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
What readers told me
This review has 4 comments since 2023: 2 from readers and 2 replies from me. This is the experience a reader shared.
A reader in the US explained the referral rules and said messages slow down close to the threshold, and the payout takes a month.
“The referral person needs to receive 4 messages. And then in the US you have to get to 6 dollars before you can get paid the referral. And it takes a year to get to that. … Then the payout takes a month. Definitely not worth it.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences. I agree it is not worth it.
McMoney alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawns | Passive income from your unused internet, plus surveys | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Honeygain | Earns in the background without you doing anything | $20 for PayPal | 3.7 / 5 |
| PacketStream | Pays through PayPal for sharing your bandwidth | $5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| EarnApp | Earns in the background from your unused internet | $2.50 for PayPal and Wise | 3.1 / 5 |
If you want to earn passively, see the best passive income apps. On an iPhone? See the best money-making apps for iOS. To earn a decent amount quickly, see the top survey and GPT sites in your country.
How I scored McMoney
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
McMoney scores 38 out of 100. If you want to earn more, see these sites and apps first.
See the best alternativesMcMoney FAQ
Is McMoney a scam?
No. McMoney is legit and pays you for receiving text messages. But it pays very little.
How much does McMoney pay per message?
The app is not clear about it. Based on my experience, only a few cents, and it can vary from country to country.
How does McMoney pay?
Only through PayPal. The minimum depends on your country, and you see it on the start screen of the app.
Is McMoney on Google Play or the App Store?
No. McMoney is Android only, and you download an APK file from its website and install it manually. There is no iOS app.
Can I use McMoney on a desktop?
No. You need an Android phone and a SIM card, because the app receives text messages on your number.
Which countries can use McMoney?
The website does not say, but it seems to work more or less worldwide. Countries like the US, the UK and Canada get more messages.
How do I contact McMoney support?
Check the FAQ on the website first. Otherwise, email hello@mcmoneyapp.com, or contact them through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Who tested McMoney for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with McMoney, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Thanks for sharing you experience
You are welcome.
The referral person needs to receive 4 messages. And then in the US you have to get to 6 dollars before you can get paid the referral. And it takes a year to get to that. Also once you are .01 cents close to the 6 dollars you won’t receive another message until 1 to 2 months later. Then the payout takes a month. Definitely not worth it.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I agree it is not worth it.