When it comes to side income apps, there are usually requirements to sell something or actively do work for a payout. Very few apps are passive, as in you set things up and let them operate with very little input from you.
However, now there is a newer category of crypto apps that monetize something else entirely. Your internet connection that you’re likely using at home now, and for the most part is being unused for large portions of the day.
Here’s the thing: there are businesses that need bandwidth for AI data collection, VPN traffic, market research, etc and they pay for access to it. This gives you a small cut in crypto for supplying it. All you do is install an app, let it run in the background, and it does the rest. Simple
Here are five of the leading options in this space.
MystNodes
MystNodes, part of the Mysterium Network ecosystem, works by turning a device you already own into a node that shares your unused internet bandwidth. That bandwidth, be it from your phone, your computer, a router, or Raspberry Pi, then feeds into Mysterium’s decentralized network of residential IPs, and in return, node runners earn MYST, the network’s native token.
Coverage right now spans 135 counties with 31,547 participating IPs, and so far payout has reached $568,019. A browser extension is available too alongside the standard service options, and there’s no minimum balance to clear before you can cash out either, meaning earnings can be withdrawn whenever you like and swapped into other crypto or straight to cash. And getting started is relatively easy too. You install the free app and link the device to it. From there, MYST accumulates automatically with no disruption to normal internet use.
One detail that does set MystNodes apart is control. Users can choose who their bandwidth gets shared with — VPN traffic, data streams, public access, or scraping — rather than having it pooled indiscriminately. It’s worth being clear on what MystNodes actually is, though. It’s a different product than for people paying to route traffic through the network; rather, it’s for those who want to actively contribute to it.
Grass
Grass works through a lightweight browser extension that routes idle bandwidth to a network used by AI companies and data firms to scrape publicly available web data at scale. Users earn Grass Points based on uptime and bandwidth contribution. This then converts into GRASS tokens through periodic reward distributions rather than instant on-demand payouts. The project has grown to millions of users globally and runs on the Solana blockchain, keeping transaction costs down. It’s one of the more well-known names in this space, though its reward systems run on scheduled distributions tied to network milestones rather than a continuous withdraw-anytime model.
Nodle
Nodle uses smartphones rather than routers or computers as the primary device. What’s different here, though, is that once the app is installed, the data is used to help with asset tracking, i.e., locating stolen vehicles, tracking pallets and parcels through supply chains. The app uses Bluetooth beacon scanning that earns individual users who have the app rewards alongside tasks like content authentication. It requires no additional hardware, and users earn NODL tokens based on app time, and rewards are calculated every 15 minutes and paid out every 4 hours.
Roam
Roam is built around Wifi hotspot sharing rather than general bandwidth. The network spans more than 190 countries and over 2.3 million registered users and nodes. Users earn Roam points by adding Wifi nodes, checking in, and inviting others, which can be converted into ROAM tokens or redeemed for other rewards like airline miles. Roam also sells dedicated mining routers built for the network, giving it a hardware option most competitors in this list don’t offer.
Nodepay
Nodepay shares unused bandwidth to support AI model training and data services. It is reported to have over 2 million downloads with backing from investors including Animoca Brands and Jump Crypto. Rewards are earned as Connectivity Points that convert into NC tokens with uptime, referrals, and optional in-app AI training tasks all factoring into payout size. The project has expanded beyond pure bandwidth sharing now and into a broader data and predictions platform.
How to Choose
These platforms all rely on the same core trade: your idle bandwidth for their crypto token. But the details that actually affect whether it’s worth your time do vary a lot. Withdrawal terms matter; some platforms let you cash out anytime while others require hitting a threshold or waiting for scheduled distribution events.
Token stability matters as well here. Since crypto rewards are only as valuable as the token itself, this category has seen some steep price swings since launch.
It’s also worth checking exactly what your bandwidth gets used for and whether you have any control over that since “share your unused internet” covers a wide range of actual uses.
Final Words
Every app here solves the same basic problem. They’re turning unused resources into a small crypto payout, but they all have specific trade-offs that are not suitable for all users. And the difference matters, be it device compatibility, use case control, or withdrawal terms. But honestly, for a resource you’re not likely using anyway, it’s well worth booking into.
FAQs
Is sharing my bandwidth for crypto actually safe?
Reputable platforms use encryption and don’t access your personal browsing data, but you’re still routing traffic through your IP address for a third party’s use. This does carry risk, and it’s worth reading exactly what a platform’s traffic is used for before installing anything.
Will this slow down my internet connection?
Most platforms are designed to use only truly idle bandwidth, which means they pause during times of heavy use like streaming or gaming.
How much can I realistically earn?
This varies enormously by platform, location, and how much bandwidth you have to spare. Treat any of these as a small supplementary income stream rather than a meaningful replacement for any other income.
