How to Generate Passive Income with Your Raspberry Pi

Got a Raspberry Pi sitting around collecting dust? What if I told you it could be quietly making money for you while you sleep? I recently dove into the world of passive income generation with single-board computers, and I'm here to share what actually works.

The beauty of this approach is simple: you set it up once, and it runs in the background without demanding your constant attention. No complicated setups, no technical gymnastics—just a straightforward way to monetize your existing hardware.

What Is EarnApp and How Does It Work?

EarnApp is an application that pays you for sharing your unused internet bandwidth. That's it. You install it, let it run, and earn money without lifting a finger.

The app is owned by BrightData, a company that specializes in collecting and providing structured web data through proxy networks and web scraping solutions for businesses. To improve their service, BrightData developed EarnApp to tap into unused bandwidth from everyday users like you and me.

Think of it this way: your internet connection is like a water pipe. Most of the time, you're only using a fraction of what flows through it—checking emails, scrolling social media, watching a video here and there. EarnApp opens a small tap on the side of your pipe and lets trusted companies send a few drops through when you're not using it. You still get all the water you need, and you barely notice the difference. For allowing that "small tap" to run, EarnApp pays you.

If you're looking for reliable ways to monetize your internet connection, platforms that share bandwidth have become increasingly popular. 👉 Discover how Honeygain can help you earn passive income by sharing your unused bandwidth, offering another straightforward option alongside EarnApp.

The shared bandwidth helps companies collect public data from the internet more safely and reliably. It's a win-win: they get the network access they need, and you get paid for something that would otherwise go to waste.

Understanding EarnApp's Payment Model

Here's where things get interesting. Before August 20, 2025, EarnApp paid users based on data consumption—specifically, per gigabyte (GB) of traffic that passed through your device. If your device shared X GB of data, you earned a certain amount per gigabyte. Rates varied by location, with users in the United States typically earning more per GB.

Since August 20, 2025, BrightData switched to a time-based payment model. Now you're paid based on how long your device stays online and meets traffic and speed requirements, rather than how much bandwidth is actually consumed.

As of now, EarnApp pays $0.0138 per hour in the United States (with a minimum speed of 100 Mbps) and $0.0069 per hour in the rest of the world (with a minimum speed of at least 10 Mbps).

Is this new model better? From my experience and research across various forums, it depends on how you use your internet connection. For most casual users, the new model is actually more predictable and reliable.

Setting Up EarnApp on Raspberry Pi

Let me walk you through the entire setup process. It's straightforward, and you'll be up and running in minutes.

What You'll Need

• Raspberry Pi (any model, but Pi 3/4/5 recommended)

• MicroSD card with OS installed (any Linux distribution works—I'm using Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)

• Reliable internet connection (Ethernet recommended for maximum uptime)

• Reliable power supply (ideally with UPS or surge protection)

Creating Your EarnApp Account

First, open your browser and head to EarnApp.com to create your account. You'll see two main signup options: Sign up with Google or Sign up with Apple. Pick whichever you prefer and create your account.

After successfully creating an account, visit the EarnApp dashboard and log in with your credentials. You'll see a popup or section to download EarnApp for your device.

Installing EarnApp

Launch the terminal from your desktop, or connect to your Raspberry Pi via SSH like I did. Run the following command, which downloads the EarnApp installation script from the Bright Data website:

wget -qO- https://brightdata.com/static/earnapp/install.sh > /tmp/earnapp.sh && sudo bash /tmp/earnapp.sh

Linking Your Device to Your Account

After EarnApp installs successfully, you'll see a line at the end of the terminal that says "Open the following URL in the browser." Copy the entire URL and paste it into your browser—use the same browser you used to create your EarnApp account so you don't have to log in again.

You'll see a message on your dashboard saying "Device successfully linked."

At this point, you should have accomplished three things:

• Created an EarnApp account

• Installed EarnApp on your Raspberry Pi

• Linked the EarnApp application to your account

Head to your EarnApp dashboard and scroll to the Lifetime earnings section. If you just set this up, your dashboard will display zero earnings. Don't worry—wait an hour or two, and you'll start seeing numbers appear.

How Much Can You Actually Earn?

Let's be realistic here. EarnApp pays roughly $10 per month if you're in the United States and $5 if you're outside the US, assuming your device stays online 24/7 and meets speed requirements.

These are ideal figures based on:

• United States: Up to $0.0138 per hour (about $10/month if online 24/7) with a minimum speed of 100 Mbps

• Rest of the world: Up to $0.0069 per hour (about $5/month with 24/7 uptime) with a minimum speed of 10 Mbps

Several variables affect your earnings:

Country or region – Traffic demand varies. Countries with more advertisers or research needs (like the US or parts of Europe) typically pay higher rates.

Connection type – A residential IP is preferred because companies want real consumer traffic. Hosting providers, VPNs, or mobile hotspots may reduce or block earnings.

Consistency of uptime – The longer your Raspberry Pi stays connected, the more you earn. Using a UPS or stable internet connection helps maintain 24/7 availability.

For those exploring multiple passive income streams, combining different bandwidth-sharing platforms can maximize your earnings potential. 👉 Check out Honeygain as an excellent companion to EarnApp, allowing you to run both services simultaneously on the same device and multiply your monthly income.

Tips to Maximize Your Earnings

When you do the math, EarnApp will pay you about $10 per month if you're in the United States and $5 if you're outside. However, there are ways to increase your earnings.

Stay Online Continuously

Since EarnApp now pays based on time online rather than bandwidth shared, the most important factor is staying connected as long as possible. The more your device is active and accessible, the more you earn, whether significant traffic passes through or not.

To make the most of this model, keep your Raspberry Pi running day and night. A Raspberry Pi is perfect for this because it consumes very little electricity and can run silently in the background without interruption.

Use Multiple Devices (The Right Way)

Yes, you can install EarnApp on multiple devices—your Raspberry Pi, Android phone, laptop, or desktop PC—and log in with the same account. However, there's a catch.

If all your devices use the same home Wi-Fi or network, they share the same public IP address. EarnApp sees them as one "source" of traffic. Adding more devices to the same IP won't multiply your earnings; instead, the system distributes available traffic among them.

To increase your earnings, each device needs its own unique IP. This tells EarnApp that each device is independent, so each can receive its own traffic and earn separately. A different IP simply means a different internet connection, such as:

• A second home internet line or router

• A mobile hotspot using cellular data

• A Raspberry Pi set up at a friend's house or office

Choose the Best Network

Your internet connection can make a big difference in your earnings. EarnApp works best on a fast and stable residential broadband network, as these connections are in higher demand and are less likely to be filtered or flagged.

If you have access to more than one internet provider (for example, fiber and mobile hotspot), always choose the one with the highest speed and best reliability. Residential connections are preferred because they appear more natural to the network, while mobile hotspots, corporate Wi-Fi, or public networks may earn less or sometimes not be eligible for traffic.

Even if you already have a good plan, make sure your speeds meet the minimum requirements: at least 100 Mbps in the United States and 10 Mbps elsewhere. Faster download and upload speeds won't necessarily increase the payment rate, but they help you get more consistent traffic, which means more regular earnings.

Monitor Your Dashboard

Don't just set up EarnApp and forget it. Your dashboard is your best friend for tracking earnings. Log in regularly (even once a day) to check:

• Uptime metrics – Make sure each device is online and sharing bandwidth as expected

• Hourly earnings – Keep an eye on how much each device earns

• Payment settings – Verify that your payment method is active

Catching small issues quickly, like a frozen Raspberry Pi or a router that needs rebooting, can prevent days of lost revenue.

What's Not Allowed (Avoid Getting Banned)

EarnApp has strict rules to keep the network safe and valuable. Breaking them means risking losing your account and all your earnings—no appeal, no second chance.

Here's what you cannot do:

• No virtual machines or containers – EarnApp's terms explicitly prohibit running inside VMs, Docker containers, or emulators

• No cloud servers – AWS, Azure, Google Cloud—forget it. Hosting services are considered commercial environments, and EarnApp will block them

• No commercial networks – The local cyber café? The office network? Prohibited. EarnApp only works on personal and residential hardware like your PC, phone, or Raspberry Pi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are other bandwidth-sharing apps?

Other applications that pay you for sharing your unused internet bandwidth include Honeygain (one of the most popular options with desktop and mobile apps), Pawns (formerly IPRoyal Pawns), and Peer2Profit. The good news is you can install them on the same device as EarnApp to multiply your earnings.

Will EarnApp slow down my internet?

No. Since payments are now based on time online rather than bandwidth usage, it has almost no noticeable effect on your internet speed.

Does EarnApp work with any Raspberry Pi model?

Yes, but newer models (Pi 4, Pi 5) handle 24/7 uptime better. Lower-end models (Pi Zero, Pi 3) also work if they stay connected.

Am I exposing my data?

No, only bandwidth is shared.

EarnApp is a simple way to turn your idle internet connection into passive income, especially if you already have a Raspberry Pi or spare device lying around. Just remember, this isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. Your earnings depend on uptime, connection quality, and your location, so view it as a small supplementary income rather than full-time revenue.