37 Best Gig Economy Apps to Make Extra Income in 2023

The gig economy has created opportunities for people looking to make extra income through platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Uber.

The great part is that you can get started without much investment, and most of these gigs don’t require any technical knowledge or advanced skills.

If you’re interested in making money by leveraging your skills and capabilities, read on for 37 of the best apps for side hustles to help you make an extra income in 2023.

What is the Gig Economy?

The gig economy is a popular term for the expanding sector of workers picking up short-term jobs or side gigs to make extra money.

These freelancers often juggle multiple jobs, going from project to project, without being tied down to one employer.

Gig economy workers can be found throughout the U.S. and across the globe, and they are employed in a wide variety of fields.

Gig economy examples include a freelance graphic designer who might work on a few different projects each week, while an Uber driver could offer rides around town after his day job.

The possibilities are endless when you’re a part of the gig economy — but so are the options for finding gigs.

Here are some of the best gig economy apps and the best gig economy companies around today to help you decide which platform is right for you and your business goals.

Best Gig Economy Apps To Make Money

DoorDash

DoorDash is a food delivery app available on both Apple and Android.

The app gives you access to restaurants that don’t offer their delivery services, and you can deliver that food to customers and make extra cash.

To get started, you need a car, scooter, or bike and a smartphone with the DoorDash app loaded. You must also pass a background check and present your I.D. when signing up on the platform.

With Doordash, you can earn around $10-$15 per hour.

Upwork

Upwork is a great place to find online gig jobs and run and grow your own freelance business.

 If you have skills in digital marketing, writing, design, web development, sales, or any other freelancing gig, Upwork is the place for you.

Upwork connects businesses of all sizes to freelancers, independent professionals, and agencies for their hiring needs.

Instacart Shopper

Instacart is a great way to make money fast.

All you do is shop for people online and then hand-deliver their items.

You can make up to $25/hour. Plus, you can set your schedule since you are working from home.

Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the best gig economy platforms and an online marketplace for freelance services like Upwork.

With Fiverr, you can make money doing everything from graphic design to voice-over work and more.

Payment on Fiverr depends on what service you do and how much the buyer pays for your gig.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a website and app you can use to make money in various ways.

You can get paid to watch videos, play games, search the web, answer quick questions, etc.

It’s free to sign up for an account, and you can start earning money right away.

Every time you complete a task on the app, you’ll earn “Swagbucks,” redeemable for gift cards and cash. One S.B. is worth 1 cent.

Get a $10 bonus with Swagbucks here.

TaskRabbit

If you’re handy around the house or love working with computers, you can use TaskRabbit to pick up small jobs in your area.

From assembling furniture to cleaning out garages, TaskRabbit connects people with work and those willing to do it.

Taskers earn anywhere from $20 to $1,000 per task, depending on the job’s complexity.

Shopify

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that lets anyone sell goods in their online store.

Thanks to Shopify’s drag-and-drop features and simple user interface, you can create your brand and sell your products with ease.

You can set up your own Shopify store for free, though you’ll pay a fee to process payments and use third-party apps.

Your earning potential is limitless if you can find a product or service people need and can sell it.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is an online gig job that allows users to sign up for free and earn cash rewards, points, and prizes by taking surveys.

Users can earn anywhere from $1 to $40 per survey with Survey Junkie.

Some surveys pay more than others, but there are plenty of opportunities to make money here.

Grubhub

Grubhub is a popular food delivery app that will pay you to drive around and deliver food to people who have ordered from the app.

The app is easy to use, and you can make money whenever you want.

Signing up is easy – you’ll need to pass a background check first and present your I.D. and your license.

After, you can earn anywhere between $10 and $15 per hour.

Mistplay

Mistplay is one of the best new gig apps that rewards you for playing games on your Android device.

It’s free to download and install, and the more you play, the more you earn.

On average, you can earn about $50 per month.

Turo

Turo is like Airbnb for cars. It lets you list your car for rent and set your own daily or weekly rates. According to their site, you can earn up to $700 per week renting out your car.

You’ll need to create a profile and upload details and pictures of your car to get started. You’ll also need to provide a valid driver’s license.

Wag

Wag is a dog-walking app that will match you with potential dog owners in your area. It is available in 4,600 cities across all 50 states in the U.S.

With Wag, you can earn anywhere between $17-$27 by walking a dog for 30 minutes.

Nielsen Mobile Panel

Nielsen Mobile Panel is an app that lets you earn money just for having it on your phone.

You have to install the app, then leave it on your device, and you’ll be entered in monthly drawings for prizes.

If you don’t win any prizes, you can redeem your points for a $5 Amazon gift card after accumulating 5,000 points.

Steady App

Steady is an app that connects workers with part-time and contract jobs, helping them earn extra income.

The app contains listings for local employers looking to hire temporary workers or fill gaps in their current staff.

You’ll need to complete a profile and upload your resume when applying for a job. A Steady representative will contact you if your profile matches an available position and help set up an interview.

Related: Sites that pay you to type.

Dabbl

Dabbl [ iOS and Android ]is a mobile app that offers users the opportunity to earn money or gift cards by watching videos, completing surveys, and undertaking other simple tasks.

To join Dabbl as a member, you need to be 13 years old.

Signing up is straightforward – you download the app, provide your details, and then wait for a confirmation email.

LifePoints

Lifepoints is another work-from-home apps that pays you for taking surveys, playing games, and shopping online.

You can redeem your LifePoints points for gift cards or cash via PayPal.

You don’t need much to get started – just your smartphone and an internet connection.

The average pay for a survey is about $1.50, but some pay as high as $15 per survey.

Shipt

Shipt is an app that lets you become a personal grocery shopper.

It’s free to join, and anyone can join as long as they are 18 years or older and have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. You’ll also need a reliable car and access to a smartphone.

You get paid a certain amount per order, plus a tip! You can expect to earn $15 or more for every order you fill through this app.

Blackout Bingo

Blackout Bingo is a free app for Android phones and tablets that lets you play your favorite bingo game anywhere and get paid.

You can earn money in Blackout Bingo by viewing ads and referring friends with your referral code.

You’ll have to sign up for an account and link a PayPal account to get paid, but the payouts are quick and easy once you do.

Dolly

Dolly is a moving app that lets you earn cash by helping people move their things from one location to another.

You use your vehicle and can help with deliveries, pickups, or simple moves around town.

You can make up to $40 per hour if you have a truck or $25 per hour as a helper without a car.

Bellhop

Bellhop is another app that connects you with people who need help moving.

You don’t need any special equipment or experience to get started. If you’ve got a truck or know how to lift heavy objects, you can potentially earn up to $21 per hour.

Handy

Handy is an app that helps people find a variety of home services.

After you go through their background check process, you can book jobs doing things like washing windows, installing toilets, and putting together furniture.

You can get paid after each job or once per week. Handy takes 20% of each job, but only for the first $1,000 you make. After that, it’s just 10%.

Vrbo

Vrbo is a home rental app that lets you rent out your home to other people.

It’s one of the best gig economy apps to make money if you want to turn your home into an income stream.

List your home and set your price, and then Vrbo will take care of the rest. You can list all or part of your home, and renters can book in advance or on short notice.

GigWalk

Gigwalk lets you earn cash for completing tasks. By signing up, you can become a “gigger” and search for local jobs available for completion during your free time.

Jobs range from taking photos of products to checking prices and writing reviews.

The pay varies depending on the job, but most users report that it pays between $3 and $12 per task.

Lyft

Lyft is a ride-sharing app that connects passengers with drivers. Drivers can get paid daily and earn anywhere between $12 and $17 per hour.

You must be 21 years old and have a newer car than 2004. You’ll also need a valid driver’s license, car insurance, and pass a background check.

Getaround

Getaround is a great way to make extra money if you have car space to spare. With Getaround, you can rent out your car when others do not use it through their app.

Getaround will charge renters up to $5/hour or $50/day for that vehicle and keep 40% of the profits.

Wonolo

Wonolo is an app that helps you find temporary jobs in your area. Its a great place to find lucrative side gigs.

The app is free to download, so it won’t cost you anything to sign up. Once you’ve created an account, you can browse available jobs on-demand in your area.

There are all types of jobs listed with Wonolo, including delivery driver jobs, warehouse work, customer service work, and more.

Amazon Flex

With Amazon Flex, you deliver packages for Amazon. As an Amazon Flex driver, you can make $18 to $25 an hour.

As a driver, you’re picking up packages from one of the company’s local partners and delivering them to customers.

The app is free to download, but specific requirements to be eligible as a driver include your age, a valid driver’s license, and a background check.

Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is a popular online survey community that rewards you for taking surveys. You can complete surveys from home at your own pace to earn money.

You can redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, iTunes, and Starbucks. Each survey pays about $5.

InboxDollars

Inbox Dollars is a perfect example to find gig economy jobs from home that will pay you for reading emails, taking surveys, playing games, shopping online, and redeeming coupons.

It’s free to join, and you immediately start earning.

Some jobs pay as much as $5, and you can request payment when your balance reaches $30. Inbox Dollars pay via check or with a prepaid Visa card.

Rover

Rover is one of the best work apps that connects dog owners with sitters and walkers.

You can earn money by providing dog boarding, house sitting, daycare, and walking services.

Dog sitters typically earn up to $1,000 per month, working 15 hours a week as a Rover dog sitter.

In addition to taking care of dogs, you can make money by house sitting and babysitting on the Rover app.

The Rover app is available for both Android and iPhone (iOS) devices.

Field Agent

The Field Agent app lets you use your iPhone or Android phone to find available tasks in your area.

The app is free to download, and once you’ve found an assignment that sounds good, you can accept it and begin. Payments vary depending on the scope of the scope, and this ranges from mystery shopping to shelf evaluations.

Boatsetter

If you own a boat, you can make money by renting it out through Boatsetter. The app manages payments, insurance, and scheduling for you.

To start earning money from your boat, list it on the platform with some photos and a description of the features. A Boatsetter representative will always be present with renters to help them get the most out of their time on the water.

You can expect $100 or more per half-day you rent out your boat, one of the most lucrative side gigs on this list.

Hyrecar

If you own a car or are looking to rent one, Hyrecar could be the perfect side hustle.

You can sign up and become either a driver or a car owner. You can rent cars to rideshare drivers on Uber or Lyft and earn by the day, week, or month as a driver.

Owners on the platform can earn as much as $500 per month renting out their vehicle.

Neighbor

If you have a storage unit, parking space, or just an extra room in your home, renting it out through Neighbor can be a great way to earn extra money.

You’ll set your rates, determine what kind of space you want to share, and then upload the listing on the app.

The app takes care of the advertising and booking storage space, with Neighbor taking a 15% cut of all transactions.

Zeel

Zeel is an on-demand app that connects you with clients if you’re a licensed massage therapist.

You can choose to work in their home, your own home, or a hotel. It’s an excellent way to earn extra money in your spare time.

Glassdoor says that massage therapists earn about $50 to $150 an hour on average, more than many other gig economy apps pay.

Uber

Uber is one of the most well-known gig economy jobs.

You can apply for a driver position if you’re at least 21 years old and meet the minimum requirements, including having a valid license and reliable transportation.

With Uber, you can earn about $12 to $18 per hour, depending on your location and how busy it is.

This is one of the best driving apps to make money.

UberEats

Uber Eats allows you to deliver food with their app.

You can drive, bike, scoot, or walk — whatever is best for you. With Uber Eats, you can earn anywhere between $11 to $25 per hour.

How Do Gig Apps Work?

Gig economy apps like Uber where you connect with people looking for work when people need things done. You make money by doing tasks that others don’t have time to do or don’t want to do themselves.

These apps use the same general setup: You download an app, register with your details, and then start accepting jobs through the app.

To get paid, you need to sign up for a direct deposit or have a PayPal account linked to your profile in the app.

Pros of Gig Economy Apps

There are several advantages to using gig economy apps to make money.

Gig economy apps are a great way to make extra money when you need them. You can do odd jobs here and there, whenever it’s convenient for you.

You don’t need special skills or qualifications to use most gig economy apps. Whether you’re a college student, mom, or grandparent, there’s something for you!

With most apps, you won’t have any monthly fees or contracts. If you want to skip work for one week, there’s no problem! They make work extremely flexible.

Cons of Gig Economy Apps

While the flexibility and convenience of gig economy apps are excellent, there are some drawbacks.

Here’s what you should consider before making gig economy apps your side hustle:

You won’t get paid vacation or sick leave. While it’s nice to work on your own time, this also means that you don’t get paid if you don’t work. If you’re sick or take a vacation, that’s lost income.

Income also fluctuates wildly depending on season and time of day.

Some gig economy apps pay more than others, but your payment varies wildly depending on what people need and when they need it.

Are Gig Apps Worth It?

Yes, gig apps are worth it.

The idea behind the gig economy is that you work when you want to, instead of being tied down to a job that forces you to perform certain hours each week.

For example, if someone wants to be an Uber driver on the weekends only, they can do so without any problem.

Another benefit is that you don’t have to worry about things like taxes or other issues with traditional employment contracts because your income comes from freelance jobs rather than full-time employment at a company.

Best Gig Apps FAQs