Looking for legitimate ways to earn money that pay directly to your M-Pesa account? You're in the right place. As a Kenyan who has tested dozens of online earning platforms, I've narrowed down the 12 best apps and websites that actually pay to M-Pesa in 2026.
Whether you're a student looking for extra income, a professional seeking a side hustle, or someone wanting to earn from home, this guide covers everything you need to know about making money with M-Pesa.
Why M-Pesa Matters for Online Earners in Kenya
Let's be honest: many international platforms pay via PayPal, Payoneer, or bank transfers that can be complicated or expensive for Kenyan users not forgetting how paypal randomly limits your account. M-Pesa changes the game by offering:
- Instant payments - Money hits your account within minutes
- No bank account required - Just your phone number
- Low fees - Minimal transaction costs compared to international transfers
- Universal acceptance - Use your earnings immediately for bills, shopping, or savings
- Accessibility - Works on any mobile phone, no smartphone needed
The challenge? Finding legitimate platforms that actually support M-Pesa withdrawals. That's exactly what this guide solves.
12 Legitimate Platforms That Pay to M-Pesa
1. BountyCore - Best GPT Site for Kenyans
What it is: BountyCore is a Get-Paid-To (GPT) platform where you earn money by completing surveys, downloading apps, playing games and performing simple online tasks.
Why it's #1: Unlike many GPT sites that don't support African countries, BountyCore was built with Kenyan users in mind. M-Pesa is a direct withdrawal option - no middleman services required.
How much you can earn: KES 500 - 5,000 per month depending on your activity level. Power users who complete daily tasks can earn significantly more.
Payment proof: Members report receiving payments within 24-48 hours of requesting withdrawal. Minimum payout is just KES 390.
How to get started:
- Sign up at BountyCore.com
- Complete your profile (takes 5 minutes)
- Start with high-paying surveys
- Cash out directly to your M-Pesa number
Pro tip: Complete tasks daily and take advantage of bonus offers to maximize earnings. The platform rewards consistent users with higher-paying opportunities.
Best for: Anyone looking for flexible online work, students, stay-at-home parents, or side hustlers
2. Upwork - Freelance Your Skills
What it is: Upwork is one of the world's largest freelance marketplaces connecting skilled professionals with clients worldwide.
M-Pesa support: Kenyan freelancers can withdraw earnings directly to M-Pesa through Upwork's payment options.
How much you can earn: KES 10,000 - 200,000+ per month. Your earnings depend entirely on your skills and how much work you take on.
Best services to offer:
- Writing and content creation
- Graphic design
- Web development
- Virtual assistance
- Data entry
- Social media management
How to get started:
- Create a detailed profile highlighting your skills
- Take Upwork skill tests to boost credibility
- Start with smaller projects to build reviews
- Gradually increase your rates as you gain experience
Reality check: It takes 2-4 weeks to land your first client. Don't get discouraged - persistence pays off.
Best for: Skilled professionals, freelancers, anyone with marketable expertise
3. Fiverr - Sell Your Services
What it is: A marketplace where you create "gigs" (services) starting at $5 that clients can purchase.
M-Pesa support: Withdraw via Payoneer, then transfer to M-Pesa (2-step process but reliable).
How much you can earn: KES 5,000 - 150,000+ per month. Top sellers earn six figures monthly.
Popular gigs for Kenyans:
- Logo design
- Video editing
- Voiceovers
- Writing articles
- Social media posts
- Transcription services
Success strategy: Create 5-7 different gigs to increase visibility. Use clear images and detailed descriptions.
Best for: Creative professionals, designers, writers, voice artists
4. Premise - Get Paid for Tasks Near You
What it is: A mobile app that pays you to complete location-based tasks like taking photos of stores, checking prices, or answering surveys about your area.
M-Pesa support: Direct withdrawal to M-Pesa - one of the easiest payment processes.
How much you can earn: KES 50 - 500 per task. Active users report KES 2,000 - 8,000 per month.
Why it works: Tasks are location-specific, so there's always demand in major Kenyan cities.
How to maximize earnings:
- Check the app daily for new tasks
- Complete tasks in high-demand areas (CBD, malls)
- Build your reputation score for access to higher-paying tasks
Best for: People who move around the city, students, anyone with spare time during errands
5. Picha - Earn Money From Your Photos
What it is: A Kenyan platform where you earn money by taking and uploading photos of specific locations, products, or events.
M-Pesa support: Yes, direct M-Pesa payments.
How much you can earn: KES 20 - 100 per photo. Photographers report KES 1,500 - 6,000 monthly.
What makes it unique: It's locally focused, so tasks are always relevant to Kenya.
Pro tip: Quality matters. Clear, well-lit photos get accepted faster and earn you better ratings.
Best for: Anyone with a smartphone camera, photographers, people who enjoy exploring their city
6. Swagbucks - Multiple Ways to Earn
What it is: Complete surveys, watch videos, shop online, and search the web to earn "Swagbucks" (SB) redeemable for cash.
M-Pesa support: Cash out via PayPal, then transfer to M-Pesa using PayPal's M-Pesa service.
How much you can earn: KES 1,000 - 5,000 per month for casual users.
Earning methods:
- Daily polls (quick SB)
- Surveys (50-500 SB each)
- Watch videos (passive earning)
- Shopping cashback
- Web searches
Time investment: 30-60 minutes daily for consistent earnings.
Best for: People who already shop online, survey takers, anyone wanting passive income
7. Toloka by Yandex - Micro Tasks
What it is: Complete small digital tasks like image labeling, data categorization, and content moderation for AI training.
M-Pesa support: Via Payoneer or PayPal, transferable to M-Pesa.
How much you can earn: KES 2,000 - 10,000 per month depending on available tasks.
Task examples:
- Identify objects in images
- Classify website content
- Verify addresses
- Compare search results
Key advantage: Tasks are simple and require no special skills.
Best for: Detail-oriented people, anyone who can dedicate 1-2 hours daily
8. Honeygain - Passive Income From Internet
What it is: Get paid for sharing your unused internet bandwidth. The app runs in the background while you use your device normally.
M-Pesa support: PayPal withdrawal, then transfer to M-Pesa.
How much you can earn: KES 500 - 2,000 per month per device. Run it on multiple devices for more.
Requirements:
- Stable internet connection
- Device that stays online
- 10GB minimum monthly sharing
Reality check: Earnings are passive but modest. Best combined with other methods.
Best for: Anyone with unlimited internet, passive income seekers
9. Shutterstock Contributor - Sell Your Photos
What it is: Upload photos, videos, or illustrations to Shutterstock's marketplace. Earn royalties when people download your content.
M-Pesa support: Via Payoneer or Skrill, transferable to M-Pesa.
How much you can earn: KES 5,000 - 50,000+ per month for serious contributors with large portfolios.
What sells:
- Business/office scenes
- Kenyan landscapes
- Local culture and people
- Technology/lifestyle images
Long-term potential: Build a portfolio once, earn passively for years.
Best for: Photographers, graphic designers, videographers
10. Google Opinion Rewards - Quick Surveys
What it is: Google's official survey app that pays you for answering short questions about your opinions and experiences.
M-Pesa support: Via PayPal (select countries including Kenya).
How much you can earn: KES 10 - 50 per survey. Typically KES 200 - 800 per month.
Survey frequency: 1-4 surveys per week, each taking 10-60 seconds.
Best strategy: Keep location services on to receive more local surveys.
Best for: Anyone wanting effortless micro-earnings, complementary income
11. Wowzi - Social Media Micro-Influencing
What it is: Complete brand campaigns by posting about products on your social media accounts.
M-Pesa support: Yes, direct M-Pesa payments.
How much you can earn: KES 50 - 500 per campaign. Active users earn KES 2,000 - 8,000 monthly.
Requirements:
- Active social media presence (even 500 followers works)
- Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter account
- Authentic engagement
Campaign types:
- Post a photo with product
- Share brand content
- Write product reviews
Best for: Social media users, micro-influencers, young professionals
12. ySense - Surveys and Offers
What it is: A GPT platform offering surveys, offers, tasks, and cashback shopping opportunities.
M-Pesa support: Via Payoneer or Skrill to M-Pesa.
How much you can earn: KES 1,500 - 6,000 per month for regular users.
What sets it apart: Higher survey payouts than many competitors and daily bonuses for activity.
Earning methods:
- Paid surveys ($0.50 - $5 each)
- Offer walls
- Daily checklist bonus
- Referral commissions
Best for: Survey enthusiasts, people with 1-2 hours daily to dedicate
How to Maximize Your M-Pesa Earnings
Now that you know the platforms, here's how to earn more:
1. Use Multiple Platforms Simultaneously
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. I recommend:
- 1 primary platform (BountyCore or Upwork) - 60% of your time
- 2-3 secondary platforms (Premise, Picha, Wowzi) - 30% of your time
- 1-2 passive platforms (Honeygain, Shutterstock) - 10% setup, ongoing passive income
2. Create a Daily Routine
Morning (30 minutes):
- Check BountyCore for new high-paying surveys
- Complete Premise tasks on your commute
- Answer Google Opinion Rewards surveys
Afternoon (1 hour):
- Work on Upwork/Fiverr projects
- Upload photos to Picha
- Complete Toloka micro-tasks
Evening (30 minutes):
- Finish any pending tasks
- Check for Wowzi campaigns
- Review earnings and cash out if you've hit minimums
3. Track Your Earnings
Create a simple spreadsheet:
- Platform name
- Time spent
- Amount earned
- Hourly rate
This helps you focus on the most profitable platforms for YOUR situation.
4. Cash Out Strategically
- High-frequency platforms (BountyCore, Premise): Cash out weekly
- Freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr): Withdraw when you hit KES 5,000+
- Passive platforms (Honeygain, Shutterstock): Monthly withdrawals
This minimizes M-Pesa transaction fees while keeping money flowing.
5. Build Your Skills
The difference between earning KES 5,000 and KES 50,000 monthly? Skills.
Invest time in:
- Online courses (many free on YouTube)
- Practice projects for your portfolio
- Learning in-demand skills (writing, design, coding)
Common Questions About Making Money With M-Pesa
Q: Do I need to pay to join these platforms?
A: No. All legitimate platforms listed here are 100% free to join. If any platform asks for upfront payment, it's likely a scam.
Q: How quickly will I receive money in my M-Pesa?
A: It varies by platform:
- BountyCore: 24-48 hours
- Premise/Picha: 1-3 days
- Upwork/Fiverr: 3-7 days (via Payoneer)
- Survey sites: 3-10 days
Q: What's the minimum I can withdraw?
A: Minimums vary:
- BountyCore: KES 100
- Premise: KES 200
- Most survey sites: $5-10 (KES 650-1,300)
- Upwork: $1 (no minimum, but $100+ recommended for fees)
Q: Are these platforms available countrywide?
A: Yes! As long as you have internet and M-Pesa, you can earn from anywhere in Kenya - Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or rural areas.
Q: Do I need a smartphone?
A: For most platforms, yes. However, BountyCore and some survey sites work on basic internet-enabled phones.
Q: What if I don't get paid?
A: Stick to the platforms listed here - they're all verified. Always screenshot your earnings and withdrawal requests. Most have customer support if issues arise.
Q: Can I do this full-time?
A: Yes, but start part-time. Many Kenyans earn KES 30,000-100,000+ monthly by combining freelance work (Upwork/Fiverr) with GPT sites and micro-tasks.
Red Flags: Avoid These M-Pesa Scams
As you explore online earning, watch out for:
Avoid these warning signs:
- Platforms requiring upfront fees - Legitimate platforms never charge to join
- "Get rich quick" promises - Real earning takes time and effort
- Pyramid schemes - If you must recruit to earn, it's not legitimate
- Requests for sensitive info - Never share M-Pesa PIN or ID photos
- Too-good-to-be-true offers - "Earn KES 50,000 in one day" is always fake
Green flags of legitimate platforms:
- Clear contact information and support
- Positive user reviews (check Reddit, Facebook groups)
- Transparent payment terms
- No upfront fees
- Realistic earning expectations
Your Action Plan: Start Earning Today
Here's your step-by-step plan to start making money with M-Pesa this week:
Day 1: Setup (2 hours)
- Sign up for BountyCore
- Create Upwork profile
- Download Premise and Picha apps
- Set up PayPal account (for international platforms)
Day 2-3: First Earnings (3-4 hours)
- Complete BountyCore beginner tasks
- Take high-paying surveys
- Complete 2-3 Premise tasks
- Upload 10 photos to Picha
Day 4-7: Consistency (1-2 hours daily)
- Develop your daily routine
- Track what works best for you
- Request your first M-Pesa withdrawal (BountyCore at KES 100)
Week 2+: Scale
- Add 1-2 more platforms
- If skilled, focus heavily on Upwork/Fiverr
- Reinvest some earnings into skill-building
Final Thoughts: Your M-Pesa Earning Journey
Making money with M-Pesa in 2026 is more accessible than ever. Whether you're earning an extra KES 5,000 for airtime and data, or building a KES 50,000+ monthly income stream, these platforms offer real opportunities.
My recommendation: Start with BountyCore today. It's the easiest entry point, has the lowest payout minimum, and pays directly to M-Pesa with no complications.
Once you're earning consistently there, expand to 2-3 other platforms that match your skills and schedule.
Remember: every successful online earner started exactly where you are now. The difference between those earning and those wishing? They started.
Ready to make your first M-Pesa withdrawal?
[Join BountyCore Now - Start Earning Today]
About This Guide
This guide is updated regularly to ensure all platforms remain legitimate and functional. Last updated: January 2026.
Have you tried any of these platforms? Drop a comment below sharing your experience or questions. We read every comment and update our guides based on community feedback.
Related articles you might find helpful:
- BountyCore Complete Review: Is It Worth Your Time?
- Online Jobs Kenya: 25+ Ways to Earn Money Online
- Survey Apps That Pay to M-Pesa: Complete Comparison
Disclaimer
Earnings mentioned are based on user reports and personal experience. Your actual earnings will vary based on time invested, skills, location, and platform availability. Always do your due diligence before joining any platform.
