Find the Right App to Make Money Now
It’s no secret that the gig economy is booming. More and more people desire flexibility in their work and people are taking on side gigs to increase their earning potential. Gig economy apps help facilitate the connection of workers and individuals or businesses. With so many apps to choose from it’s hard to decide which is the best fit for you. Below is a list of the best gig economy to help determine your best side hustle.
Table of Contents
1. GigSmart Get Gigs
Get Gigs connects you to local work opportunities. You can browse temporary shift gigs along with full/part-time positions. Opportunities are available in a variety of industries including food and beverage, construction, customer service, landscaping, professional services, warehousing, security, and more.
A Quick Rundown
- Find Shift Gigs fast, you can even work same-day
- Browse the Job Board and apply for full/ part-time opportunities
- Track your earnings in the app
- Customer support team available for assistance
The Pros of Get Gigs
- Every eligible worker is protected by Occupational Accident Insurance (OAI)
- Fast payment with Rapid Pay
- Access to benefits through Stride Health
- Convert temporary work into permanent employment. Many businesses hire workers off GigSmart as full-time employees
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2. Amazon Flex
Deliver packages for one of the largest online retailers with Amazon flex. Set your own schedule and make $18-$25 an hour.
A Quick Rundown
- Must be 21+
- Have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance
- Own a mid-size sedan or larger car or truck with an enclosed bed and smartphone
- Must pass a background check
The Pros of Amazon Flex
- Can accept or decline times you want to work
- Drivers keep 100% of their tips
- Easily track earnings using the app
- Amazon pays drivers twice a week
The Cons of Amazon Flex
- Must be 21+ to drive.
- Drivers pay for parking, gas, and car maintenance.
- Delivery blocks are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
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Download the app from the get started page.
3. Care.com
Care.com is an online marketplace that connects caregivers with families in need of their services. While people typically associate Care.com with babysitters, they actually support a much larger category of caregivers. Care.com connects individuals and families with nannies, tutors, senior care specialists, house-sitters, pet-sitters, and even people to help you run errands.
A Quick Rundown
- Manage your profile, calendar, and jobs in one place
- Search and apply for jobs
- Create an engaging profile by adding photos
- Accept payments within the platform
The Pros of Care.com
- It’s the largest online marketplace for care
- Educational resources available about caregiving
- Get paid easily by signing up for direct deposit
The Cons of Working at Care.com
- Pay is relatively low for the industry.
- Caregivers are charged for an initial background check.
- Schedules can be unpredictable.
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4. Dolly
Dolly is an on-demand delivery company based in Seattle, Washington. Dolly connects movers and those needing help moving items.
A Quick Rundown
- Must be 18 years or older, pass a background check, and lift up to 75 lbs
- Can apply to either be a helper or a hand depending on the type of vehicle you drive
The Pros of Dolly
- If you have a truck you get paid a minimum of $30/ hour
- See a guaranteed payment amount before deciding to request a job
- Get once each week for the previous week’s activity
- Receive 100% of customer tips
The Cons of Working at Dolly
- Physically demanding work.
- Work may not be consistent.
- Driver support is not always available or helpful.
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5. DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery service for nearby restaurants. Once a customer places an order, the nearest DoorDash driver is alerted to pick it up and deliver it with their own car.
A Quick Rundown
- A clear and concise pay model that lets you know how much you will make before accepting any order
- You can deliver with your car or bike
- Drivers must be 18 or older
- Cannot have any major driving violations in the last 7 years
- Must pass a background check and an individualized assessment
The Pros of DoorDash
- Flexible schedule
- Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia
- DoorDash updated their payment model and Dashers are now guaranteed $2 an hour plus tip averaging $5 – $12 per hour
The Cons of Delivering With DoorDash
- The driver is responsible for vehicle wear and tear.
- Drivers must drive in rush hour traffic.
- Destinations can be hard to find.
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6. Postmates
Postmates offers delivery jobs, bringing food and alcohol from grocery stores and restaurants to customers in major cities.
A Quick Rundown
- Must have a method of transportation (can walk, drive, bike, etc.), be over the age of 18, have a valid ID and SSN
- Postmates occasionally offers additional pay in exchange for completing a certain amount of deliveries
The Pros of Postmates
- Drivers always keep 100% of their tips
- See how much you earned after each delivery and exactly how your earnings were calculated
- Postmates couriers get paid weekly via direct deposit for deliveries made the previous week. There is an instant payment option if you need to get paid sooner
The Cons of Delivering With Postmates
- Low pay compared to other gig jobs.
- Drivers pay for their own gas and repairs.
- No consistency in delivery gigs.
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7. Fiverr
Fiverr provides freelance services. Freelancers on the platform include designers, developers, copywriters, digital marketers, video editors, and more.
A Quick Rundown
- On Fiverr, you set your pricing anywhere from $5 – $995 and offer three versions of your service at three different prices
- It’s free to join Fiverr. There is no subscription required or fees to list your services. You keep 80% of each transaction
- Must be over the age of 13 and have an email address to sell services on Fiverr
The Pros of Fiverr
- You can earn extra cash by doing something you’re good at and enjoy
- You don’t need to bid your services, Fiverr sends you interested clients
- Opportunity to challenge yourself and broaden your skills by working on a variety of projects and working with different clients
The Cons of Working at Fiverr
- Hard to get your first gig as a beginner seller.
- Sellers must pay 20% of every order to Fiverr.
- Low income compared to other freelancer sites.
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8. Freelancer
Freelancer is the largest freelance platform. They specialize in creative and computer-related skills, example of roles include social media manager, audio and video editing, as well as web design. Once you create a profile you can bid on a variety of projects that match your skills.
A Quick Rundown
- Freelancer’s job alerts system will keep you updated once new projects that fit your skills and expertise become available
- Work from home and anywhere you choose
- Support representatives are available 24/7 to assist you with any issues
The Pros of Freelancer
- Flexible work schedule
- Work from wherever you want
The Cons of Working at Freelancer
- Scam jobs waste freelancers’ time.
- Freelancers must pay at least 20% of their income to Freelancer.com.
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9. Grubhub
GrubHub is a food delivery app. Become a Grubhub driver and deliver customers the food they love from their favorite restaurants. With the largest restaurant and diner network, Grubhub offers more opportunities to make money on your own schedule.
A Quick Rundown
- Must be 19+ years old, 2+ years of driving experience, valid license (or ID for bikers), pass a background check, have a smartphone, have a checking account to receive payment direct deposit
- Grubhub prepaid card to pay for orders placed by the driver
- Create your own schedule
- App provides specific delivery instructions
The Pros of Grubhub
- Scheduling flexibility set your own hours
- Grubhub promises many of its drivers a guaranteed minimum hourly pay while they’re on the clock
- Grubhub has the largest restaurant and diner network of any other food delivery platform providing more opportunities to earn
The Cons of Delivering with Grubhub
- Vehicle wear and tear.
- The Grubhub app can be unreliable at times.
- Driver support can be difficult to obtain due to language barriers.
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10. Handy
Handy connects independent service professionals with customers in the cleaning and handyman industries.
A Quick Rundown
- Must be able to pass a background check, have a smartphone, own or be willing to buy the tools of your trade, have reliable transportation
- Payments are issued weekly
- Ability to create your own schedule
- Online orientation in the U.S.
The Pros of Handy
- Higher than average pay rates: Make up to $22/hour as a cleaner, $45/hour as a handyman, or $62/hour as a lawn care pro.
- Flexible schedule, work when you want
The Cons of Working at Handy
- Pay is not competitive.
- Cancellation fee when a cleaner can’t complete the job.
- Lacking customer support.
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11. Airbnb
Airbnb is an online marketplace that connects people renting out their homes with people who are looking to stay in that location. You can monetize your extra space and earn some extra income as a host.
A Quick Rundown
- Share your space or home and earn money
- Airbnb has expanded its offerings to include experiences and restaurants
- Ability to block off dates your property is unavailable
- Add housing rules to your listing to help guests understand expectations
- Add unique details and photos of your property
The Pros of Airbnb
- With free listings, hosts don’t have to pay to list their properties
- Hosts can set their own price for their property rental
- Airbnb’s Host Guarantee program “provides protection for up to $1,000,000 in damages to covered property in the rare event of guest damage, in eligible countries.”
- Message guests and manage reservations all securely within the app
The Cons of Hosting with Airbnb
- Cleanup may be extensive.
- Income is not always consistent.
- Hosting can make home living less comfortable.
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12. Instacart
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service. Customers can download the app, order groceries from local stores, and get them delivered in a desired delivery time window.
A Quick Rundown
- There are 2 types of shoppers, get started as a full-service shopper and shop and deliver fresh groceries to customers’ doors, or sign up as an in-store shopper and shop for groceries in-store
- Shoppers get a company card to pay for grocery orders
- Create your own schedule
- Get paid weekly or full-service shoppers cash out every day with Instant Cashout]
- In-app incident reporting for shoppers
- In-app customer order issue review for shoppers
- Rating forgiveness for shoppers
- New “Customer Default Tip” feature
The Pros of Instacart
- Full-service shoppers keep 100% of their tips
- Work weekends to maximize your hours and pay
- Get paid weekly. Full-service shoppers cash out every day with Instant Cashout
The Cons of Working for Instacart
- Limited work hours.
- Pay is low.
- Wear and tear on the vehicle.
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13. Lyft
Lyft is a platform that connects drivers with passengers that need rides.
A Quick Rundown
- Busy zones show you where it’s busy in real-time, and high-demand areas increase your chances of getting a ride
- In the Earnings tab, you’ll get an overview of the best times to drive, based on demand
- Cash-out whenever you want with Lyft’s Express Pay feature
The Pros of Lyft
- Can start as soon as the day after signing up in some cities
- Flexible schedule
- Earn more during peak demand hours
- Drivers keep 100% of their tips
The Cons of Driving for Lyft
- Drivers are required to purchase commercial rideshare coverage.
- Inconsistent work during certain seasons.
- The cost of vehicle upkeep and gas eat into profits.
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14. Uber
Uber is a rideshare app. You can earn money by giving people rides in your car.
A Quick Rundown
- Get alerts about busy areas
- Easily track your progress toward your daily and weekly earning goals
- With the trip planner feature, you can see hourly trends, set preferences, and view promotions
The Pros of Uber
- Earn tips
- Flexible hours
- Instant pay
- You can earn more for the rides during surge pricing times
The Cons of Driving for Uber
- Riders may be dangerous.
- Excessive car wear and tear and repairs.
- May have to travel long distances to find riders.
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15. Rover
Rover allows you to provide a wide array of animal care services, from dog-walking to pet and house-sitting.
A Quick Rundown
- Control your rates, services, and schedule
- Secure payments
- Dog insurance is provided
- Educational resources for growing your walking business
- There is 24/7 support available
The Pros of Rover
- You get to set your own rate
- On-demand dog walking is offered on the app
- Designed to promote rebooking with past clients
The Cons of Working for Rover
- Risk of being injured by the animals.
- Consistent work may be hard to find.
- Income potential is low.
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16. Wag
Wag is a platform where pet caregivers are connected with pet owners.
A Quick Rundown
- Schedule and manage services within the app
- Secure payments
- After signing up you must complete a Test Walk is for you to get acquainted with the features within the app
The Pros of Wag
- On-demand services available
- Flexible schedule
The Cons of Working for Wag
- Risk of being attacked by animals.
- Caregivers must pay for background check
- Caregivers cannot set their own prices.
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17. Shipt
Shipt is a grocery delivery service. Shipt pays you to shop for and deliver groceries.
A Quick Rundown
- Flexible scheduling
- Make up to $25 / hour
The Pros of Shipt
- Easy way to make money
- Work on your own schedule
- Weekly pay
The Cons of Working for Shipt
- Pay is relatively low.
- Wear and tear on your vehicle.
- Drivers pay for gas.
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18. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects residential users with handymen who help tackle home projects from furniture assembly to moving assistance and more.
A Quick Rundown
- Decide when you want to work, create your own work schedule
- Get notifications when tasks are posted near you
- Submit an invoice at the end of the job
The Pros of TaskRabbit
- You pick the rates that work for you
- Variety of tasks to match your skill set
The Cons of Working for TaskRabbit
- Handymen must pay a fee to use the platform.
- Competition is rife on the platform.
- TaskRabbit may not operate in your area.
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19. VRBO
VRBO is an American vacation rental online marketplace known as Vacation Rentals by Owner.
A Quick Rundown
- Keep your property’s calendar up to date and manage bookings with a few taps
- Get notifications for new inquiries and reservation requests
- Manage conversations with potential guests and keep their details in one place
- Send payment requests and receive payments securely
The Pros of VRBO
- You can choose between two fee models, subscription and pay per booking
- Combined listings on VRBO and HomeAway and other affiliated sites
The Cons of Hosting with VRBO
- Service fees are high.
- You can’t rent a single room in your home.
- You handle tax matters.
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20. Upwork
Upwork helps freelancers connect with businesses. Upwork gives you the opportunity to connect with more clients to grow your business.
A Quick Rundown
- Get paid securely with their Payment Protection
- Ability to search for projects and accept invitations from clients
- An array of jobs available with high earning potential
- Freelancer fees are based on a sliding scale dependent upon your lifetime billings with clients across all hourly and fixed-price contracts
The Pros of Upwork
- A wide variety of available jobs with high pay
- Often hired fast
- Can work remotely anywhere
The Cons of Freelancing on Upwork
- You have to pay for Connects to bid on client projects.
- You have to pay 10% to 20% of your earnings to Upwork.
- You have to wait 2 years to move a client relationship off of Upwork.
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21. Zeel
Zeel connects massage therapists with clients in the area.
A Quick Rundown
- Secure Messaging and identity verification
- Access to 24/7 support
- Ability to create your own schedule
- Uses GPS to send relevant message requests
The Pros of Zeel
- Guaranteed 18% tip
- Zeel charges customers for late cancellations
- Unlimited referral bonuses
The Cons of Working at Zeel
- Workers end up putting lots of miles on their cars.
- Customer service is lacking.
- Poor management ratings.
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22. OfferUp
Instantly connect with local buyers and sellers on OfferUp. You can buy and sell everything from cars and trucks to electronics, furniture, and more.
A Quick Rundown
- Secure messaging
- Identity verification
- User ratings
- Ability to follow sellers you like
- Can pay to have your item boosted
The Pros of OfferUp
- No fees
- Easy to use
The Cons of Selling on OfferUp
- Buyers haggle incessantly.
- Sellers must meet with buyers, creating a safety issue.
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23. Bellhop
Bellhop connects people moving to professional movers.
A Quick Rundown
- Find, claim, and track moving appointments in the app
- Set preferred service areas from the map to get jobs where you want to work
- Control your max preferred lead time to be informed of and get assigned jobs in advance
The Pros of Bellhop
- Make Up to $21 / hour
- Get paid weekly
- Flexible schedule
The Cons of Working at Bellhop
- Income tends to be unstable.
- Low management ratings.
- Job difficulty is uncertain.
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24. Your Mechanic
Your Mechanic connects people looking for basic repair and maintenance on their car to a qualified, local mechanic.
A Quick Rundown
- Covering the cost of parts
- Ability to choose your own schedule
- Paperwork processed in the app
The Pros of Your Mechanic
- Earn up to $65 an hour
- No overhead of a shop so you get to take home more money
- Referral bonuses
The Cons of Working at Your Mechanic
- No pay for driving to customers to perform services.
- No service vehicle or tools.
- Pay is relatively low.
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25. Gigwalk
Gigwalk is a mobile app that allows you to find quick gigs in your area, whenever you want.
A Quick Rundown
- Gigs available in the U.S. and Canada
- Get paid through PayPal
- No timesheet is necessary, easy reporting done within the app
- You choose when, and how often you want to work
The Pros of GigWalk
- Gigs are not very time-consuming, some could take just 5 minutes
- Earning potential ranges from $3-$100 depending on the Gig
- Once you complete a job and it’s approved money is deposited into your PayPal account
The Cons of Working at GigWalk
- Work assignments are not consistent.
- The app glitches from time to time.
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26. Getaround
Getaround, the world’s largest connected car-sharing marketplace, provides communities with a cost-effective alternative to car ownership.
A Quick Rundown
- The Getaround Connect® device allows drivers to unlock their car with the Getaround app during a trip
- Insurance coverage provided
- Automated pricing
The Pros of Getaround
- Premium parking access
- Contactless sharing
- Driving record check on drivers
The Cons of Renting on Getaround
- The app is not available everywhere.
- Accelerated vehicle wear and tear.