Interested in making money, whether in your spare time or just to generate some more income to supplement your financial goals?
Then utilizing some gig economy apps to get some paying working might be the way to go.
With the increased accessibility of technology, the internet, and our phones, you can start earning extra money directly with just a few clicks — no matter where you are.
And there is no shortage of apps you can try, jobs that you can take on, and there are various forms of work to do.
Below, you’ll learn a bit about the gig economy as well as the best gig economy apps that you might want to consider using to start making money today.
What is the Gig Economy?
The gig economy describes a type of work that involves short term, no commitment “quick” jobs. These jobs are usually managed through various apps and platforms, and are a good way to make an income on the side or to make some money when out of work.
And the gig economy first started with well-known companies like Uber, Airbnb and Fiverr, and now includes jobs that offer deliveries, tutoring, moving furniture, and much more.
Why you might want to make money in the gig economy
Gig economy jobs allow people to have more flexibility to work on their own schedule, with the customers they want and wherever they want. They also benefit businesses, since they can hire workers without having to commit to a full-time employee.
As a gig economy worker, you can test and try various jobs and pick the ones that appeal to you the most. Naturally, the gig economy is not for everyone and some are highly against the business practice. However, it is up to you to decide if trying these is worth it or not.
Completing gigs may be right for you if you’re looking for small jobs that don’t require a large amount of skill, time or pressure. They are also right for you if you are looking to make some extra money on the side to improve your financial situation.
Now, if what you’re looking for is a full-time income, working gigs can be stressful and tiring. You also have to be fiercely independent and good at managing your time effectively.
Even then, many people love the idea of their own work freedom and flexibility. Personally, I think using some gig economy apps on the side gives you a feel for contract and independent work.
Best Gig Economy Apps
With the gig economy you can do simple and easy tasks for extra money on a freelance or “independent contractor” basis.
Some of the options below may be good side hustles whereas others could just be helpful if you’re looking for ways to make extra money fast.
Best Food Delivery Apps
1. Postmates
Postmates is a delivery app that pays you to deliver everything including office supplies, groceries and meals to customers. You must be over 18, have a vehicle or bicycle and pass a background check.
With Postmates you should be able to earn anything between $8 to $15 per hour, although this does depend on where you’re doing deliveries and what type of vehicle you’ll be using.
2. DoorDash
DoorDash is another delivery app that focuses only on delivering food from restaurants to customers in the area.
As a “Dasher” you will need to go through background checks, learn how to manage the app and choose whether to work during breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. Instacart
Instacart pays you to shop and deliver groceries to people who order through the app. You can help people with the entire shopping process: from accepting the order, gathering items and delivering.
You can also sign up if you already work in a supermarket and want to make some extra cash assembling an order and offering it to an Instacart deliverer.
With Instacart you can expect to earn around $13 per hour.
4. Grubhub
Grubhub is a delivery app that focuses solely on restaurants. Like DoorDash, you need to schedule the various times you are going to work, and work as an independent freelancer – meaning you are responsible for your own taxes.
You can expect to make about $11 per hour with Grubhub.
Best Ridesharing Apps
5. Uber
Uber is one of the original gig economy apps. With over two million drivers, Uber is also one of the largest gig apps. All you need to get started is an insured car, a driver’s license and clean record.
You’ll be able to pick the time you work and will earn a lot more if you work during peak hours.
Uber is a great choice if you need some quick money and can work a few extra hours per week. Having said that, expect to earn $10 per hour after all car expenses.
6. Lyft
Lyft is similar to Uber: you drive people to their destinations with your own car. You’ll also work on flexible hours, with the main differentiation being that you get to keep 100% of all the tips you earn.
You’ll also get additional insurance policies and can earn more money if you work during peak times.
7. HyreCar
Instead of driving yourself, why not rent your car out to others? With HyreCar, your car is rented only to Uber and Lyft drivers, no one else.
This means that it’s likely your car will be rented out quickly, but you may also make less per month.
Additionally, if you are utilizing Uber or Lyft, you can rent a car to use. So maybe you don’t have a car currently but like the ridesharing gigs or you don’t want to use your personal vehicle — that’s where HyreCar becomes valuable.
Best Dog Walking Apps
8. Rover
Rover connects pet owners with pet-sitters and dog walkers. All you need to do is sign up for the app and create an account. You can quickly start taking care of dogs and getting paid to do it.
However, you must be over 18, pass a background check and be good with dogs.
But with Rover you can earn anything from a few hundreds to more than $1,000 per month (if you’re super active).
9. Wag
Wag is similar to Rover: you make money by walking and taking care of dogs. You need to create an account, set your own schedule and then start walking or taking care of dogs.
Wag takes a higher commission than Rover, so you may not earn as much with this app. But might be worth trying to get a feel for the differences between the two.
Best Side Gig Apps
10. Fiverr
Fiverr has been around for a long time: it first started out as a platform to sell services for $5. Services included writing articles, doing a voice overs or offering Tarot readings.
This has since changed and now freelancers can increase their prices to whatever they want to charge.
Fiverr is great if you have skills that you’re not sure how to market or whether they are in demand. There are all sorts of gigs on there, so there’s no harm in trying!
11. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a platform that earns you money by helping people with small tasks such as setting up a television, helping with moving, doing some handyman work and assembling furniture.
You can pick the jobs you want to work and can even select the rates yourself. You can set a schedule as it fits you best and will get alerts every time there is a job nearby.
12. Handy
Handy is an app that will help you make some extra cash by helping others with small jobs, similar to TaskRabbit.
What is stronger about using Handy is the gig economy app does pay more than a minimum wage and you can earn a pretty good income if you stay active and take on more jobs.
13. Bellhop
Bellhop is an app that will pay you to help others move furniture. You must be able to lift at least 100 pounds, be able to transport yourself from one place to another and complete the Bellhop interview.
You can expect to earn around $15 to $21 per hour, in addition to tips.
14. Freelancer.com
Freelancer is another platform that is similar to Upwork and Fiverr: you can sell your skills on the platform where there is demand for services such as social media management, audio editing, web design and writing.
It’s a good platform to start selling services and make an income as a freelancer. Remember, not all gig economy jobs are focused on just delivery or driving.
15. HelloTech
HelloTech is a gig app that focuses on helping customers who need help managing technology. You can provide tech support to people who need it, on your own schedule.
You’ll get paid per job, ranging from $30 to $90 per job. You get paid twice per week, pick your own jobs and also get to set your own schedule.
Best Apps to Rent Your Stuff
16. Turo
Turo will let you rent your own vehicle through their platform. They will set the price and then offer you 75% of what the renter pays to use your car.
The nicer your car, the more you can charge the renter. Make sure to factor in wear and tear as well as vehicle depreciation into your costs.
17. Getaround
Getaround is just like Turo: you rent your car to others through the platform. Getaround’s differentiator is that it requires cars to install a remote locking device.
This means you can rent your car to others without having to meet them in person. You will also need to factor in any maintenance costs.
18. Airbnb
Airbnb is one of the oldest gig economy platforms out there. With Airbnb, you can rent out one of the rooms in your house and make a nice side-income.
You can also set your own prices, and you’ll have the flexibility to take on as many guests as you want. It’s the kind of gig that allows you to work on other gigs at the same time, which means you can be hosting Airbnb guests and still working full time.
The main issue with Airbnb is that many jurisdictions are making short term rental illegal or more complicated. The most straightforward way to use Airbnb is to live on the property and rent out one of your rooms, instead of purchasing property solely to let out on Airbnb.
19. SpotHero
SpotHero is like Airbnb but for parking spaces. If you have an extra parking spot in the city, you can rent it out and earn a bit of extra cash.
You just need to fill in a form, and you get to set the pricing for your parking spot. No action needed!
Other Gig Economy Apps
20. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a gig app for those who want to make money without taking too much effort. Swagbucks pays users to watch videos, complete surveys and search the web.
You’ll start earning points and once you reach a certain amount, you can then redeem them for gift cards, cash and rewards.
21. SurveyJunkie
SurveyJunkie pays you to complete surveys.
They are more of an aggregator of other survey sites: you’ll find a variety of surveys that cater to your demographic and will then ask you about your experience with brands, products and certain services.
Over time, you accumulate points and can then turn those into rewards.
22. Mistplay
Mistplay is an Android app that pays you to play games! The more games you play, the more points you earn. You can then turn those points into gift cards for Amazon and Google Play.
The games are usually fun and entertaining, and a good way to earn a bit of extra cash when you have nothing else to do.
23. Ibotta
Ibotta is a cash back app that will help you earn cash when you go shopping. As a shopper, you earn cash back by purchasing specific products and completing tasks.
You can also earn money by redeeming coupons, participating in rewards programs and using other money-saving apps. This technically isn’t a “job” but an additional way to put money back into your wallet.
24. Dosh
Dosh is very simple to use: you download an app, add your rewards or travel credit card and then earn cash back every time you go shopping.
You’ll use that card everywhere you shop with an average cashback of 2% to 3%, and even 10% in some stores. You can easily transfer your rewards to your bank account or a Paypal account.
25. Gigwalk
Gigwalk helps you find small gigs by walking around your city. You’ll get a notification every time someone is looking for a gig walker around you, then you can simply help them out and get paid once the work is complete.
You can choose how and when you want to work and won’t need to fill in a timesheet or commit to a contract.
What do you think of the gig economy? Have you used any of these gig economy apps above? Which ones do you like or dislike? Let me know in the comments below!