How to Make Money on Acorns (2025): Complete Guide

Are you trying to figure out how to make money on Acorns without learning the stock market? You’re in luck — Acorns turns spare change into smart investments automatically. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how Acorns works, what strategies help you earn, and how to potentially grow $2,500 or more in passive income over time.

We’ll cover what Acorns is, how much money you can make, and all the realistic ways to profit using it — even if you’re just starting. Whether you want to invest, earn bonuses, or build a portfolio without stress, this guide is for you.

By the end, you’ll have a roadmap to confidently grow wealth using Acorns’ hands-off tools and know exactly which money-making methods work best.

Key Takeaways

• Earn While You Spend – Acorns lets you invest spare change from everyday purchases with its automated Round-Ups system.
• Flat Fee, Full Access – Monthly plans start at just $3, giving you access to investing, banking, retirement, and family tools.
• Stack Found Money Bonuses – Shop through Acorns partners to receive investment rewards (up to 10% back) into your account.
• Passive Wealth Growth – You can realistically grow $1,000–$5,000+ in 1–3 years just from auto deposits and round-ups.
• No Experience Required – Acorns handles the portfolio, rebalancing, and investing — all you need is consistency.

How to Make Money on Acorns?

Acorns is designed to make investing — and by extension, earning — extremely easy, even for total beginners. You don’t have to study the stock market, buy individual stocks, or know any technical strategies. Just link your card, spend like normal, and Acorns does the rest.

The platform shines by automating micro-investments, encouraging financial growth through passive saving. Acorns builds ETF-based portfolios, auto-rebalances them, and helps you gradually accumulate wealth over time.

What makes it unique is how effortless it feels. With recurring deposits, round-ups, and Found Money offers, your money works for you quietly in the background.

Even if you only round up $0.50 per purchase and make a $10 weekly recurring deposit, that could grow into a few thousand dollars annually with compounded returns. It’s not fast cash — but it’s reliable wealth-building.

What do you need to get started?

To start making money on Acorns, you’ll need:

• A smartphone and Acorns app (iOS or Android)
• A valid SSN (U.S. only), bank account, and debit/credit card
• At least $5 to begin investing
• A basic Acorns Lite or Personal subscription ($1–$3/month)
• Willingness to let the app automate investing via round-ups or recurring contributions

No financial knowledge is required. Acorns builds your portfolio for you.

How much money you can make on Acorns?

On average, casual users earn $500–$2,500+ per year, mostly through a combination of automated deposits, Found Money rewards, and portfolio growth. Power users — those who refer friends, use bonus offers, and contribute regularly — report returns in the $5,000–$10,000+ range within a few years.

For example, a Reddit user shared that by combining recurring deposits of $50/week, round-ups, and referral bonuses, they grew their account to $8,100 in 3 years, earning over $2,000 in total returns during that time. Acorns is not for day trading — but it absolutely works for compounding passive income over time.

13 Proven Strategies to Make Money on Acorns

Whether you’re new to micro-investing or ready to optimize every dollar, here are 13 proven, low-effort strategies to make money on Acorns—combining Round-Ups, recurring deposits, Found Money, referrals, and tax-advantaged accounts for steady, compounding growth.

1. Use Acorns Round-Ups to Automate Investing

Acorns’ signature Round-Ups feature is the simplest and most popular way to make money. Whenever you make a purchase with a linked debit or credit card, Acorns rounds the amount to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into your portfolio. Over time, these micro-investments compound into meaningful growth without any effort.

Even small spending habits can lead to impressive results. For example, if you make 40 purchases a month averaging $0.50 in round-ups, that’s $20 invested monthly. Combine that with occasional Found Money bonuses, and you’ll watch your account grow steadily over months and years. Many users treat it like an automatic savings account that also earns market returns.

Round-Ups are ideal for people who don’t want to think about investing but still want their money to grow in the background. The more transactions you make, the more spare change gets invested.

How to use Round-Ups on Acorns?

• Download and install the Acorns app on iOS or Android.
• Link your primary debit and credit cards to Acorns.
• Enable Round-Ups and confirm automatic transfers when they reach $5.
• Spend normally; every purchase triggers an automatic investment.
• Monitor your growth in the Acorns dashboard weekly.
• Optionally, turn on “Round-Ups Multiplier” to invest 2x–10x your spare change.
• Combine with recurring deposits for faster portfolio growth.

Quick Tip: Use Round-Ups Multipliers to grow your account 2x–3x faster without changing your spending habits.

2. Set Up Recurring Investments

Recurring investments are one of the most reliable ways to make money on Acorns, especially if you want consistent account growth. By scheduling daily, weekly, or monthly contributions, you’re adding fuel to your portfolio without relying only on Round-Ups.

For instance, a $10 weekly recurring deposit adds up to $520 annually, and when combined with Found Money rewards and market growth, can yield $600–$800 in returns depending on market performance. This method is key for reaching bigger goals like $5,000 or $10,000 in your account.

Recurring investments also train financial discipline. They ensure that even in months with fewer purchases, you’re still building your portfolio steadily.

How to set up recurring investments on Acorns?

• Open the Acorns app and log in to your account.
• Go to the “Invest” tab and select “Recurring Investment.”
• Choose the frequency: daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Decide how much you want to invest automatically.
• Confirm and review scheduled transfers in the app.
• Combine with Round-Ups for maximum account growth.
• Track your investment balance and adjust contributions as needed.

Quick Tip: Even $5/week adds up over time — start small, then increase your recurring amount as your budget allows.

3. Maximize Acorns Found Money Rewards

Found Money is Acorns’ built-in cashback program that invests rewards directly into your portfolio. When you shop at one of 200+ partner brands, like Walmart, Sephora, or Nike, a percentage of your purchase is automatically invested in your Acorns account. This lets you grow your portfolio just by shopping as usual.

Users who consistently leverage Found Money can add hundreds to their portfolio yearly. For example, shopping through partner brands for essentials can yield 5–10% in bonus investments, turning regular spending into automatic wealth-building.

This method is particularly powerful when combined with recurring deposits and Round-Ups, creating three streams of automated growth.

How to maximize Found Money on Acorns?

• Open the Acorns app and tap on “Earn” or “Found Money.”
• Browse the list of partner brands and their current offers.
• Click “Shop Now” to activate an offer before making a purchase.
• Complete your purchase as normal using a linked card.
• Wait for the bonus to be deposited into your Acorns portfolio.
• Check your transaction history to track earned rewards.
• Stack with Round-Ups and recurring deposits for greater returns.

Quick Tip: Always start your online shopping in the Acorns app to activate Found Money bonuses automatically.

4. Earn Referral Bonuses

Acorns regularly offers referral bonuses that reward you with cash investments for inviting friends to join. Promotions often include a base bonus (e.g., $5 per friend) or limited-time campaigns offering $50–$1,000 for multiple successful referrals.

These campaigns can significantly boost your account if you share your link during peak promotions. For example, inviting five friends during a $1,000 promo period could result in each person receiving free investments — compounding your portfolio instantly.

Referral bonuses are one of the fastest ways to see large deposits without any spending or market risk.

How to earn referral bonuses on Acorns?

• Open the Acorns app and tap on “Invite Friends.”
• Copy your unique referral link or share it via text/email.
• Encourage friends to sign up using your link and invest at least $5.
• Check active promotions to see if there’s a multi-referral bonus.
• Track your progress toward bonus thresholds in the app.
• Combine with social media or family groups to boost sign-ups.
• Enjoy automatic cash investments from referral bonuses.

Quick Tip: Wait for seasonal promotions (like $600 or $1,000 bonuses) before inviting friends to maximize earnings.

5. Leverage Acorns Earn for Passive Growth

Acorns Earn combines Found Money with broader offers, surveys, and cashback deals that can accelerate your portfolio growth. It’s like an in-app shopping portal and rewards system rolled into one.

By checking the Acorns Earn section weekly, you can activate time-sensitive deals from online and in-store partners. Some promotions even offer $10–$50 in bonus investments for high-ticket items or recurring subscriptions.

This method requires minimal effort and works best for users who frequently shop online or subscribe to digital services.

How to leverage Acorns Earn?

• Log into the Acorns app and tap “Earn.”
• Browse the list of available cash-back and bonus offers.
• Activate any offers before making qualifying purchases.
• Use a linked card to complete transactions.
• Track rewards as they are automatically added to your portfolio.
• Check weekly for new offers or limited-time promotions.
• Stack with recurring investments for higher returns.

Quick Tip: Check Acorns Earn every weekend — new offers often appear Fridays and disappear quickly.

6. Invest for Retirement with Acorns Later

Acorns Later offers automated IRA accounts (Traditional, Roth, or SEP) that allow your money to grow tax-advantaged. Contributions are invested in diversified portfolios based on your age and goals, making it one of the smartest long-term ways to make money on Acorns.

By using Later, you’re not just growing an account — you’re reducing taxes and compounding wealth. A $50/month contribution could grow to $35,000+ in 20 years, depending on market performance.

This method is ideal for those looking to combine passive saving with retirement planning.

How to invest with Acorns Later?

• Upgrade to the Acorns Personal ($3/month) or Family plan.
• In the app, tap “Later” to set up your IRA.
• Answer the guided questionnaire to select your retirement goal.
• Choose your contribution amount and frequency.
• Watch your portfolio grow with tax advantages over time.
• Combine with Round-Ups or Found Money for faster balance growth.
• Monitor your retirement goal progress in the dashboard.

Quick Tip: Even $20/month into Acorns Later can grow significantly over decades thanks to compound interest.

7. Use Acorns Early for Custodial Accounts

Acorns Early allows you to invest on behalf of your kids through UGMA/UTMA custodial accounts. Money invested grows over time and can later be used for education, housing, or other future expenses. It’s an excellent method to start generational wealth building.

By depositing small amounts regularly, your child’s account can grow steadily over 18 years. A modest $25/month deposit could result in $10,000+ by the time your child turns 18, even without aggressive investing.

How to use Acorns Early?

• Upgrade to the Family plan ($5/month).
• In the app, tap “Early” and create a custodial account.
• Add your child’s information and link your funding source.
• Set up recurring contributions for steady account growth.
• Use Found Money offers to add bonus investments.
• Track account performance and teach kids about saving early.
• Transfer the account to the child when they reach adulthood.

Quick Tip: Combine Early accounts with Found Money shopping to passively boost your child’s future savings.

8. Take Advantage of Acorns Bonus Promotions

Acorns frequently runs bonus deposit campaigns, such as $5–$50 for new deposits or multi-month recurring investment streaks. These promotions reward you for consistent use of the platform and can jumpstart your portfolio.

Limited-time bonuses are ideal for new users or those looking to make a larger lump-sum contribution. Combining them with referrals or Found Money offers can multiply your earning potential.

How to claim bonus promotions on Acorns?

• Watch for emails or in-app notifications about new bonuses.
• Follow the specific instructions (e.g., deposit $100 in 30 days).
• Set up recurring contributions if required to qualify.
• Track your progress in the Promotions section of the app.
• Once the goal is met, your bonus will be automatically invested.
• Repeat during seasonal campaigns to maximize rewards.
• Combine with referrals for large one-time boosts.

Quick Tip: Enable notifications in the Acorns app — many bonus offers are limited and expire in 1–2 weeks.

9. Invest Lump Sums During Market Dips

If you’ve got extra cash sitting in your checking account, investing lump sums during market dips can boost your returns.

Timing the market isn’t necessary —but if you make larger one-time deposits during temporary drops, your money can buy more shares at lower prices. Over time, this increases your potential gains when markets recover. Acorns lets you make one-time investments in seconds, and the money is automatically allocated into your chosen ETF portfolio.

Quick Tip: Watch financial news headlines — even small dips are good entry points for lump-sum deposits.

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10. Stack Earnings with Linked Bank Features

By upgrading to Acorns Personal or Family, you unlock Acorns Spend, a checking account with direct deposit, Smart Deposit rules, and real-time Round-Ups. Users can allocate portions of every paycheck directly into Invest, Later, or Early accounts — no manual action needed. This feature helps automate wealth building from your income, not just your spending.

Quick Tip: Use Smart Deposit to automatically invest a percentage of your paycheck every time it hits your Acorns Spend account.

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11. Use Acorns Portfolios to Diversify Long-Term Wealth

Acorns offers five managed portfolios ranging from conservative to aggressive. While all are designed for long-term growth, choosing a strategy that matches your risk tolerance can impact how quickly your money grows.

Younger users often pick aggressive portfolios to maximize gains over time, while conservative investors may prefer slower but steadier returns. You can change your portfolio any time.

Quick Tip: Reassess your portfolio every 6–12 months, especially if your financial goals or risk tolerance shift.

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12. Participate in Acorns Educational Content & Surveys

Occasionally, Acorns partners with financial education brands to offer investment bonuses for watching short videos, completing surveys, or finishing financial literacy quizzes.

These aren’t always available, but they provide a fun way to earn extra without spending money. Keep an eye on your inbox or the “Earn” tab for new campaigns.

Quick Tip: Check the “Earn” section monthly for new learning-based investment bonuses — they’re easy to miss but valuable.

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13. Make the Most of Tax-Advantaged Investing

Using Acorns Later for retirement or Acorns Early for custodial accounts lets you take advantage of long-term, tax-friendly investing.

Unlike standard investment accounts, these options may reduce your taxable income or allow investments to grow tax-free. While not fast money, this strategy preserves more of your gains over time and is essential for long-term financial success.

Quick Tip: If you’re self-employed or a freelancer, open a SEP IRA through Acorns Later to lower your taxable income.

Step by Step Guide to Make Money on Acorns

If you’re starting from zero, here’s your complete roadmap to make money on Acorns. Follow these steps in order to build your account, earn rewards, and grow passive income over time.

Step 1: Create Your Acorns Account

Start by downloading the Acorns app on iOS or Android. Sign up using your legal name, SSN, and bank account information. You can choose between the Personal plan ($3/month) or Family plan ($5/month) if you want Early custodial accounts. Once your profile is set, Acorns automatically designs a diversified portfolio for you.

Step 2: Link Your Cards and Bank Account

Linking your debit and credit cards is essential because it enables Round-Ups, Acorns’ signature micro-investing feature. Every purchase you make will round up to the nearest dollar, and the difference is automatically invested. This step is where the magic of passive investing begins.

Step 3: Enable Round-Ups and Multipliers

Turn on Round-Ups in the app and activate Round-Up Multipliers if you want faster growth. Multipliers (2x–10x) help you invest more spare change with every transaction. This is one of the easiest ways to accelerate growth without changing your spending habits.

Step 4: Set Up Recurring Deposits

Next, schedule recurring investments to ensure consistent growth. Even $5–$10 per week adds up over time. Recurring deposits are the foundation for reaching larger portfolio goals like $5,000 or $10,000, especially when combined with Round-Ups and Found Money rewards.

Step 5: Activate Found Money and Acorns Earn

Browse the Found Money section to earn bonus investments when shopping with partner brands like Walmart, Nike, or Sephora. Always start your online shopping in the app to unlock these rewards. Over time, stacking cashback rewards can significantly boost your portfolio without extra spending.

Step 6: Take Advantage of Referrals and Promotions

Watch for referral campaigns and seasonal promotions offering $50–$1,000 bonuses for inviting friends or maintaining recurring deposits. Sharing your referral link on social media or with family can result in substantial free investments, making it one of the fastest ways to grow your balance.

Step 7: Explore Acorns Later and Early

If you want to grow wealth long-term, set up Acorns Later (IRA accounts) or Acorns Early (custodial accounts for kids). These accounts let you invest tax-advantaged or for your children’s future, compounding your earnings significantly over time.

Step 8: Monitor and Adjust Your Strategy

Finally, check your portfolio at least weekly. Monitor performance, increase recurring contributions when possible, and take advantage of new Acorns Earn offers or promotional bonuses. Consistency is key to maximizing returns.

Tips to Increase Revenue on Acorns

Maximizing your earnings on Acorns requires a strategic approach. Start by combining Round-Ups, recurring deposits, and Found Money for three layers of passive growth. This approach ensures that even small spending habits turn into consistent investments.

Leverage Acorns Earn by shopping through in-app links to access bonus rewards and Found Money. If you frequently buy essentials or online subscriptions, these bonuses can add up to hundreds per year.

Another tip is to watch for referral campaigns and seasonal promotions, which can instantly boost your account. Invite friends or family during a $600–$1,000 bonus period to compound your earnings without additional spending.

Lastly, consider upgrading to Acorns Later or Acorns Early for long-term wealth building. These accounts let your money grow tax-advantaged or for your children’s future, maximizing compounding potential.

Best AI Tools for Making Money on Acorns

AI tools can enhance your investing strategy by automating decision-making and optimizing your contributions. Tools like ChatGPT investment prompts and budgeting apps with AI analytics can help you identify how much to invest without overextending your budget.

Apps like Cleo or YNAB use AI to track spending, find spare cash, and suggest contribution adjustments. Pairing these with Acorns ensures that every extra dollar is invested efficiently.

AI-powered stock and market trackers can also provide insights into how your Acorns portfolio might perform, giving you confidence during market fluctuations. By understanding trends, you can decide when to increase or decrease recurring deposits.

Finally, AI tools make it easier to monitor and analyze your Acorns Earn opportunities. Some can alert you when bonus rewards or Found Money offers appear, helping you maximize every dollar invested.

Best Affiliate Platforms for Acorns

Acorns users can also leverage affiliate marketing to generate additional income outside the app. Platforms like Impact, ShareASale, and Rakuten Marketing often feature brands that also participate in Acorns Found Money, allowing you to double-dip on rewards.

For example, if you promote a cashback deal through an affiliate program and then buy through Acorns Earn, you can earn both affiliate commission and Acorns investment rewards. Bloggers, influencers, or side hustlers can benefit most from this strategy.

Another approach is to join Acorns’ referral affiliate promotions, which are often offered during seasonal campaigns. By promoting Acorns to your audience, you can stack referral bonuses with affiliate commissions for a larger total return.

The key is to track performance carefully and focus on products or offers that align with your audience’s interests. This strategy can supplement your Acorns account and grow your portfolio more quickly.

Best Marketing Tools for Monetizing Acorns

If you want to make money on Acorns by promoting referrals or affiliate offers, marketing tools are essential. Start with social media management tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule referral posts consistently.

Use email marketing tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to share referral bonuses or Found Money opportunities with friends, family, or followers. Tracking open rates and engagement will help you optimize future promotions.

Content creators can also benefit from Canva for designing referral graphics or short tutorials on how Acorns works. Visuals often increase click-through rates, leading to more successful sign-ups.

Finally, use link-tracking tools like Bitly to monitor which campaigns generate the most referrals. This allows you to focus efforts where they’re most effective, helping you capitalize on limited-time Acorns bonus campaigns.

Conclusion

Making money on Acorns in 2025 is easier than ever, thanks to automated investing, cashback rewards, and referral promotions. By combining Round-Ups, recurring investments, and Found Money, even small contributions can grow into $2,500–$10,000+ portfolios over time.

Whether you’re using Acorns for retirement, passive investing, or family savings, consistency is the key to success. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, leverage promotions, and consider tools that optimize your strategy. With patience and persistence, Acorns can become a powerful wealth-building companion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)