Gig apps have experienced a surge in popularity among both consumers and workers.
Did you know that as of 2021, 16% of Americans have earned money on gig platforms? Now, in 2025, that number is probably even higher.
In the past week or month, you’ve probably participated in the gig economy at least once, getting groceries delivered through Instacart or taking a Lyft to meet a friend.
Have you considered becoming a gig worker yourself, but haven’t taken the plunge?
Some of the biggest advantages of gig apps are that you can easily create your own schedule and enjoy a lot of flexibility.
This can be great whether you have a full-time job, are a freelancer, or need a little extra money to help pay the rent.
As you get started, remember that gig apps have fees, so keep this in mind, especially if you’re using an app where you set your own rate.
How Do I Choose a Gig App?
Having more options is not always good. Sometimes it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unable to make a choice. Here are a few things to consider when selecting a gig app.
- What am I interested in?
- What is available in my location?
- What is best for my skills or experience?
You don’t need experience for most of these gig apps, but work experience in customer service is useful.
What You’ll Need:
Depending on the app and type of work, you’ll likely need either a bank account or a PayPal account.
You’ll also need a smartphone to get the app on iOS if you have an iPhone or the Google Play Store if you have an Android device.
Now, let’s discuss some of the top gig apps so you can start earning some quick cash!
1. TaskRabbit
If you are handy, becoming a “tasker” with TaskRabbit could be a good option for you! Some of the jobs you can do through TaskRabbit are:
- Appliance installation and repairs
- Babyproofing
- Moving
- IKEA assembly
- Painting
- Laundry and ironing
- Organization
- Yard Work
You can click on become a tasker to get started and see how much you’ll earn in your city for different tasks.
Once you click on become a tasker, you’ll fill out some info with your email, name, phone number, and password. After that, they’ll text you a link with the app to finish your application. In some cities, a $25 registration fee is charged to taskers to help cover the cost of your background check.
Depending on the city and task, you can earn anywhere from $15 to $50 per hour or more.
2. DoorDash
DoorDash is a good choice if you’re looking for a gig with a food delivery service. To become a dasher, there are a few simple requirements, which are:
- 18 years or older (some states require you to be 19, so consult this list)
- Have a car or scooter. Some cities allow bikes, too.
- A driver’s license if you are using a motorized vehicle.
- Some form of ID if you are only delivering via bicycle.
- Social security number (for the background check)
You can usually get started within a couple of days.
If you are outside the US, DoorDash is available throughout Canada and in some parts of Australia and New Zealand.
With DoorDash, you’ll earn a base pay plus tips. There are also various promotions, such as peak pay, challenges, and delivery streaks. According to Glassdoor, drivers can make $17-$23 per hour.
I also recommend reading an in-depth review from a Doordash driver.
3. Lyft
Ride-sharing apps like Lyft are a great side hustle if you have a valid driver’s license, like to drive, and consider yourself a good driver.
To get started:
- You can sign up here to create your driver account. This should take about 30 minutes or less.
- Pass the Lyft vehicle inspection.
- Complete a background check (can take a few days).
Some of the advantages of Lyft include the ability to earn bonuses, the pay transparency, the Women+ Connect feature for women and nonbinary drivers, and 24/7 assistance.
According to Lyft, in the second half of 2023, the median U.S. driver earned $30.68 per gross hour of engaged driving time. This included tips and bonuses.
You can read this article to learn more about earnings and expenses with Lyft.
4. Upwork
Upwork is a great option to get gigs if you want to find project-based or freelance work using your existing skills or if you want to try something new.
As a freelance writer, I found one of my favorite clients using Upwork, even when I didn’t have much experience.
You can find work in a variety of categories, including:
- Admin & Customer Support
- Development & IT
- AI Services
- Design & Creative
- Writing & Translation
- Sales & Marketing
- Finance & Accounting
- Work & Career
- Hiring & Management
To get started as a freelancer on Upwork, you’ll start by creating an account.
Before you start looking for clients, read this beginner’s guide to Upwork. This will teach you everything you need to know to create your account, set up a profile, and find your first client.
5. Rover
Rover is a pet lover’s dream! If you love animals, getting paid for dog walking, dog sitting, etc., probably sounds like a dream job. On Rover, you can provide a variety of services, including:
- Boarding
- Dog walking
- Doggy daycare
- House sitting, Drop-in visits
- Dog training
Becoming a sitter is simple. First, you’ll create a profile for pet owners to view (depending on your location, there is a $49 to $79 profile review fee). Take a look at other pet sitters or dog walkers to see what stands out in a profile.
Once you have a profile, you’ll be able to receive requests based on your availability. Finally, once you complete your first gig, you can withdraw your payment within 2 days.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for dog sitting on Rover is $22 per hour.
6. Instacart
If you enjoy shopping for groceries, Instacart might be the right side gig for you.
When you sign up, you’ll notice that there are two types of shoppers.
- Full-service shopper (contractor)
- In-store shopper (Instacart part-time employee)
Here are the differences between the two roles:
Full-Service Shopper:
- Requires a car
- Get paid for every delivery and 100% of tips
- Shop and deliver
- Work whenever you would like to
In-Store Shopper:
- Get paid hourly
- No car required
- Shop and prepare orders at a store for pickup or delivery
- Schedule shifts up to 20 hours per week
Shoppers make an average of $18 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
7. Airbnb
Airbnb can be a great way to utilize a spare room or a mother-in-law suite that you’re not using.
Before you host, talk to friends or family members who have used Airbnb and ask them to describe what they like or don’t like about a home or listing.
You can also go to the site to read reviews and look at popular listings.
If this all seems overwhelming, you can even find a co-host through Airbnb who will help set up your listing, prepare for guests, manage your reservations, and assist guests.
To start, you can either create your listing yourself or find a co-host to help you with this.
There is even a price estimator when you create your listing, so you can get a good idea of how much hosts are charging in your area for similar rooms or homes.
If you don’t have a spare room, you can host an Airbnb experience. Depending on your skills, this could include leading a local tour, taking photographs, teaching a sport like paddleboarding, or other similar activities.
8. Amazon Flex
If you aren’t familiar with Amazon Flex, it’s a program that allows you to deliver Amazon packages using your own vehicle. According to Amazon, most drivers earn $18-$25 per hour.
These are the requirements to be a driver:
- Live in an area where Amazon Flex operates
- Be 21 years old or older
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Have a mid-sized or larger vehicle
- Have an iPhone or Android smartphone
- Have a bank account
You can apply here to get started.
After downloading the app and creating an account, you use the app to find open delivery blocks in your area. You’ll be able to see how much you should earn and how long it should take to complete.
Next, on the day of your delivery block, you’ll head to the Amazon warehouse or pickup location to get your packages. Then, you’ll deliver them.
Finally, once your deliveries are completed, you get paid. You have some flexibility with payments; you can either get paid soon after your delivery or on a specific day each week.
9. Fiverr
Fiverr is another option if you’re looking for a freelancing gig app.
Some of the most popular services you can offer are,
- Vibe Coding
- Video Editing
- Website Development
- Software Development
- SEO
- Social Media Marketing
- Voiceover
- Graphic Design
To create an account, you can click Become a Seller.
Fiverr is slightly different from other freelancing sites, such as Upwork, where you might be used to searching for available jobs, applying, and interviewing with the client.
On Fiverr, you create a “gig” with your services or offerings. Then, you’ll receive a notification when a client or customer requests your service.
With Fiverr, it’s free to join, and there are no fees to list your services. You’ll keep 80% of the cost of the service.
Fiverr has a detailed guide where you can learn more about creating a pricing strategy.
10. Uber Eats
If you’re interested in delivery apps, Uber Eats is another food delivery app to check out.
If you’re already a driver for Uber, you’re in luck. You can go on the app and select “account, work hub, deliver food with Uber Eats.” It’s that simple.
You can learn more about the top cities for working with Uber.
This is a good option if you don’t have a car, as you can also deliver via scooter, bicycle, or on foot. You can look up the requirements for each delivery method here.
The process for Uber Eats is similar to that of most other food delivery companies. You will:
- Log in to see available requests
- Pick up the order and deliver it to the customer
- Get paid for each delivery plus a per-mile rate and optional tips
According to Glassdoor, Uber Eats drivers earn between $17 and $26 per hour.
A Few Tips:
1. Be Professional
Even though it’s a gig work app and not a corporate job, be professional.
If you’re doing delivery-type work, make your deliveries quickly.
2. Be Polite
For most of these gig apps, you’ll need to communicate with customers or clients either in person or through the app.
Keep your tone clear and upbeat, and smile.
3. Be On Time
If you’re doing shift work or working with clients, always show up on time or turn your work in before the deadline.
If you have extenuating circumstances, let your boss or client know as soon as possible.
4. Save For Taxes
Keep in mind that most gig workers are independent contractors. This means you’ll need to set aside money for taxes.
You’ll need to keep track of your earnings and set aside the appropriate amount for taxes. If you’re unsure about this, go here to learn more about paying taxes as a gig worker.
Top-Rated Gig Apps Wrapup
When choosing the best gig apps, consider your location.
If you live in a city or suburban area, you’ll likely have more opportunities, but you might have more competition, too.
Try to find a balance between what sounds interesting to you and what platforms are available where you live.
Overall, gig work is a fantastic way to make some money while maintaining a flexible schedule.
For even more gig economy job ideas, check out these gig economy jobs to make money quickly.
