10 Best Side Hustle Apps to Make Money: Cash In On-the-Go!

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Aside from their regular jobs, 50% of millennials (ages 27-42) and 53% of Gen Zs (ages 18-26) currently have side gigs, a sizeable growth from last year’s numbers.

There’s indeed a freelance revolution happening at the moment. With inflation in full swing, it’s only fair to say that the rise in living expenses is felt by anyone wherever in the world they are. As such, in these uncertain times, having one source of income is no longer safe.

If you ask me how you can increase your income and boost your financial stability, expect to hear two words from me: Side Hustles.

Whether you’re simply saving money, trying to pay off debt, or planning to travel abroad – ugh, will those bank loans ever go away? – earning extra money for rainy days through your side hustle jobs can go a long way.

Sure, your primary goal is to earn more, but if you set other goals in mind, I assure you that there are many enjoyable, profitable, and flexible side hustles available for you. Here are the best side money-making apps to help you grow your income.

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1. DoorDash

There’s no way I wouldn’t mention one of the best money-making delivery apps on this page as a side hustle idea!

The food and restaurant business is rapidly growing. Hence, food delivery apps like DoorDash are also expected to grow. In fact, the food delivery market can grow to $810 million by 2027.

So, before that expected year comes, now is the time to be a food delivery rider at DoorDash. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can be a Dasher (DoorDash driver) within a few days at this company. This gig takes little time to start; it pays, offers flexible time, and could be the best second job.

Dashers earn a base rate of $2 to $10 (or more) for every food delivered. Besides the base rate, you can earn customer tips and company promotions like “peak pay” during peak times. Dashers keep 100% of their tips.

I’ve been earning extra money as a DoorDash driver myself, so I can tell you how it works:

You will receive an order through the app
You will go to the restaurant to get the order
You will deliver the food to the customer’s location

As a flexible side hustle, I’ve made as much as $155 a day with this delivery app. I’ve also documented my DoorDash earnings in a more detailed post that answers the question, “How much money can you make in a day with DoorDash?”

Doordash also offers flexibility, making this a promising app for those who only want to work in their free time. You can work one day a week or work whenever you’re available and for how long you want.

And if you ever get sick or want to have a day or week off from being a Dasher, you are free to do so without the hassle of filing a leave. That’s the perk of being your own boss!

Pros: You are in control of your time and money. If you are motivated to work at a specific time, you can do so for as long as you want. If you want to earn more, just sign up as a Dasher, put in extra time and effort, and wait for an order to notify you through the app.

Cons: You are not superhuman, and there are days when food delivery may take time because of app glitches, vehicle wear and tear, and weather conditions.

Want to make some extra cash with DoorDash this week? Sign up to be a Dasher with DoorDash using this page here. No interviews or tricky questions, just check off the boxes to let them know if you’ll deliver with a car, bike, or scooter.

After they check your background, usually within a day, you can start making money. If they approve you super fast, you might even start today!

2. Branded Surveys

This side hustle is a teddy bear’s picnic.

If you want to earn extra income with the least effort required, your best option is to join survey apps like Branded Surveys. Through its name, you can tell how you can earn from this app, and that is to answer surveys from various brands.

Sounds promising, right? There are a few reasons why this is the best survey site to earn more money online. First, you only need to download the app on the App Store or Google Play, make your profile, and start making money from the comfort of your home.

Wherever you are and whenever you’re free, you can get paid by allowing the platform to get your opinion about a specific brand. You don’t need to be online or face your computer screen all day, as you can earn easily through your phone in the comfort of your home.

Secondly, unlike other survey sites that will consume much of your time, this is not the case with Branded Surveys. It has a low payout threshold of 5% which means that you don’t need to complete a hundred surveys to earn a penny.

Lastly, the app has a clean, user-friendly, and easy-to-use dashboard that even the boomers could earn extra income as long as they know how to navigate a smartphone.

If this sounds too good to be true, then I have to reveal it right away. The site is 100% legit and has existing members that they have paid for years including me.

However, I have to say that it may not be the perfect side hustle for you because you will only earn a meager amount of money. But earning money that can cover a meal or two for minimal effort is a sweet deal!

The best thing, though, is that while it may take you a lot of points to enable you to withdraw, there are many daily polls that you can participate in. You are paid through points that are redeemable through cash, gift cards, or charitable donations.

Each point is equivalent to 1 cent. Hence, 100 points are worth $1. So, in order to have a withdrawable amount of $5, you have to earn at least 500 points.

In my opinion, Branded Surveys is a good site to earn some gift cards and extra cash, and aiming to be the higher membership level can be worth the time and effort because it will open a big possibility for you to earn good rewards per survey.

Pros: The app offers many opportunities for surveys to earn money, which means that it won’t take you long to earn points and redeem them for cash.

Cons: You might not qualify for every survey. I remember waiting for the right opportunities for a higher-paying survey. But don’t worry, once the right chance comes along, it won’t take you long to earn some money.

Branded Surveys is completely FREE to join! In fact, if you sign up for Branded Surveys today using this page here, you’ll instantly get a welcome bonus of 100-points!

Important note: Be sure to verify the email from Branded Surveys in your inbox to secure your free 100 welcome bonus points!

I highly recommend signing up for this survey site, so you can start earning extra money during your spare time!

Other ways to earn free money, gift cards, and other stuff with apps:

3. Instacart

Good news, shopaholics! How does shopping for groceries for others and getting paid for it sound? Instacart is like DoorDash, but instead of delivering food, you’re delivering grocery items to customers.

In short, you’re getting paid to shop. Instacart is a grocery delivery service where part-time workers or independent contractors buy and transport orders. To become an Instacart shopper, sign up on their app and start accepting your first batch (the company’s term for orders).

The platform is a solid side hustle for those looking for extra income for good reasons. It pays. It guarantees a 7% to 10% minimum batch payment after picking, loading, and delivering an order. If you only fulfill the delivery of an item, you are guaranteed to receive $5.

Shoppers who shop but don’t deliver are called part-time employees of Instacart or the local store where you are shopping. In contrast, those who shop and deliver grocery items are independent contractors.

If you want flexible time and to be your own boss, consider working as an independent contractor. It’s important to distinguish between these 2 types of Instacart shoppers to help you optimize your earning capabilities.

It’s a sure thing that you want to earn more as an Instacart shopper. So, here’s a proven tip from me: make sure to be in a place with high demand. These areas have less competition, allowing you to find higher payments per batch.

Pros: You’re given incentives when fulfilling and delivering orders during peak hours. Peak boosts can go up to 8% to 12%, depending on your zones.

Cons: Being an Instacart shopper is not for everyone. It’s meant for people who are familiar with local grocery stores, are quick on their feet, and can lift heavy items.

4. OfferUp

Do you have a stash of things in your room, closet, or office that you no longer use? Good news! You can make money by selling them to someone else with OfferUp.

Offerup is an online marketplace where you can sell used and unused items from your home. In your free time, look around your house and take out some items you don’t use. Here, you can sell shoes for cash and make extra money for clothes you don’t wear, appliances you don’t use, and baby stuff you don’t need.

Take photos of those items and post them on the app. Making some cash at OfferUp is easier than placing them for a garage sale. There’s a wide market, you don’t need an actual place to sell them, plus decluttering is good for your well-being, too!

Pros: Earning extra cash by selling items at OfferUp is fast and easy. It’s also much more reliable, and online transactions are not as creepy as Craigslist.

Cons: With many listings being posted on the app daily, getting sales is not guaranteed. To increase the chances of sales, you need to repost or pay for a “bump and promote” to sell.

5. Rover

Do you prefer taking care of pets to babies and kids? Then working as a petsitter, dog walker, or dog boarder is something you would enjoy. If you’re like me, who melts every time you encounter a cute little pup, you must try Rover.

Rover is an online marketplace where you can earn extra income taking care of pets.

The app will connect you with fur owners for various services for their furry family members, such as pet sitting, dog walking, and dog boarding.

You can be a pet sitter for fur parents who are going on a vacation or traveling abroad for leisure or work. This side gig will require you to cuddle pets, clean up for them, play with them, and take them for a walk.

You can also find a job where you’re getting paid to walk a dog. This gig will allow you to earn around $40 for an hour’s walk or approximately $1000 monthly.

Moreover, dog boarding is the highest-paying job on Rover. You can earn as much as $2000 a month. As dog boarders, it’s your job to take the dog for a walk and allow him to stay with you at home for the night.

Pros: Animal lovers will find pet-sitting gigs an enjoyable side job. If you do what you love, the job doesn’t feel like a job.

Cons: Rover provides performance scores for pet care providers. The lower your score, the lesser your chance for better placement and getting more offers on the app.

6. Uber

Do you own a vehicle? It might just be your next financial opportunity. Consider becoming an Uber driver and monetizing those idle hours. No car? No worries. Renting a vehicle works just as well since ownership isn’t a strict requirement.

Uber stands out as a consistent supplemental income source, boasting potential earnings of up to $1,000 a week or a handy $200 a day. To illustrate, data from Uber suggests a driver clocking in 40 hours weekly might see earnings nearing $1,309.

However, this estimated income will be substantially reduced or increased depending on demand and your location. As such, expect to earn more if you’re driving in New York and expect to earn less money if you are an Uber driver in San Antonio.

So, even if you’re not working full-time as an Uber driver, say you only work 20 hours per week, it’s undoubtedly easy to earn a thousand through the app.

If you want to boost your earnings, you can take advantage of peak times when demand for a ride is high. If there’s one word that sounds like music to Uber Drivers, it should be SURGE.

When many people are looking for a ride through the app in a certain area, Uber will raise the price for the ride. If you’re driving during this time, you will make a lot of money.

Another way to earn more dollar bills at Uber is to deliver food. Uber rideshare drivers have the option to work as food delivery riders through Uber Eats. You can switch to this side gig on the days when there are fewer potential passengers in the area you’re in.

Pros: You are free to earn big and fast with Uber. You can work as an Uber driver or food delivery rider through Uber Eats.

Cons: Uber drivers’ overall income can be reduced by paying their insurance, taxes, and vehicle maintenance costs.

7. Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the most popular apps for side jobs. If you ask any personal finance expert where one can find side gigs online, this platform is on top of their list.

This site is a freelancer’s haven, allowing everyone to earn extra cash from their knowledge, skills, and talent. Regardless of location, race, and gender, you can enjoy various freelance work, such as digital marketing, writing, photography, graphics design, and whatnot.

If you’re running out of online side hustle ideas, just browse the app’s dashboard. There are about 200 job categories on the platform, and the sky is the limit when it comes to earning capabilities.

Don’t have any skill set or any prior experience? You can earn money by selling pre-loved items and working on jobs like web research, link sharing, and comment posting.

Looking for more manly jobs? Why not utilize your strength by helping renters move into their new place or helping homeowners mow their yards or lawns?

Can you do some home projects? You may be interested in fixing a leaky faucet, re-painting rooms, or light fixture installation. For more side job variations, this is the perfect place to be.

Pros: You can set your desired rate and work as many or as little as you like.

Cons: Fiverr takes a 20% commission from your gig. If you set your rate too low, then you’re doing charity work rather than fulfilling your goal of earning more income.

8. Etsy

Are you passionate about creating crafts? Consider making it a side hustle by making products and selling them on Etsy. Doing crafts is one of the most profitable hobbies that makes money, plus you can pick up business skills that you may need in the future.

When you sell your crafts, you do what business owners do but on a smaller scale. Etsy is an online marketplace where you can sell “unique items.” This can be anything, from jewelry and bath bombs to scented candles, greeting cards, and art pieces.

As long as your items are vintage (at least 20 years old), handmade, or craft supplies, the list of products you can sell is endless. How much money can you earn, you ask?

Well, I’ll just be honest here. The money you earn will depend on how successful you can be as a seller.

Some can make a steady flow of side income of $30 to $40 a month, while others earn enough to quit their full-time job. So, is it worth it to sell on Etsy? It definitely is! With passion, hard work, and some marketing skills, you could make a decent side income.

Moreover, compared to other side hustle apps on this list, this one is where you get to be involved the most. You should learn how to market, package, and ship your products. Not to mention the time spent running your small business.

However, you may find the business skills learned and earning potential worth it!

Pros: You can make your hobby into a money-making venture. Nothing beats a side job that allows you to earn money while doing what you enjoy.

Cons: Unlike other online selling apps, it’s not 100% free to be a seller on Etsy. While you can make a free standard account, you may be compelled to upgrade to an Etsy Plus account, as it will give you more selling features like advertising credits and shop customization.

9. Airbnb

Admit it, most of us have a neglected room in our home. Yes, that room where you put random boxes, old furniture you swear you’ll upcycle one day, and maybe even a collection of novelty socks from holidays past.

What if I told you that once you clear that space out, you’ll find money inside? Okay, maybe not literally, but that neglected room can become extra cash!

All it takes is a little bit of creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and an app: Airbnb.

With just a few swipes, you can start making money by becoming an Airbnb host.

Airbnb matches you with people who are looking for unique and cozy accommodations. As hard as it can be to believe, there’s a market for every kind of space imaginable.

You have a spare bedroom? Someone’s looking for that! A quirky attic loft? That’s unique enough to be a travel destination of its own. Maybe you have a backyard camper van? Someone out there is itching to experience it.

As a host, you have all the flexibility in the world. You set the schedule, the price, and the house rules. It’s all in your hands. But there is a secret to making sure you maximize your earnings: learn the trends, events, pricing techniques, and everything else you need to understand the market. Yes, knowledge is power!

Let me get things straight for you, though. Set realistic expectations. Although you can turn this side hustle app into a passive income stream, you still need to put in some work. You have to attend to your guests, keep your space well-maintained, and respond to inquiries and requests. But trust me when I say that you’ll love the extra money it brings to you!

Pros: Depending on where your Airbnb is located, you can earn more profit and get your desired rate for every listing.

Cons: In determining your rate or profit, you must consider the cost of hosting – taxes, higher utility bills, cleaning costs, and Airbnb host fees.

10. Field Agent

Have you ever imagined yourself in a spy movie, dodging lasers and uncovering top-secret intel? Well, you can ditch the fancy tuxedo. You can feel like a secret agent with your smartphone and the Field Agent app. It may not be as intense as invading enemy bases, but you can still feel the thrill even when doing everyday errands.

Field Agent lets you live your dreams by becoming a mystery shopper. You have to act like any other customer, walking into stores, snapping photos, and gathering info on products and prices. Once you’ve gotten everything you need, you have to share your feedback on your experience.

What’s the point? Well, businesses want to make sure that everything is running smoothly in their stores. They want customers to get nothing but the best service, so they rely on feedback from people like you so they can improve.

Not in the mood to be an undercover agent? No problem. Field Agent isn’t just about mystery shopping. They also have other interesting jobs that you can take on.

In some cases, you will be asked to visit a store like 7-Eleven and take pictures of a sandwich. Along with the photo, you have to provide your feedback on its display and availability.

They also have assignments where you have to try products at home, like testing out a new skincare line or sampling a food product.

If you’re not the type to try out products, you can also answer questions about your shopping behavior and experiences. As you can see, with Field Agent, you can always go for a task that appeals to you.

Don’t expect too much, though. Sure, you can earn extra cash with this app, but the income varies so much. Sometimes, you’ll get a task that pays out big time, but there will be times when it’s more of a small bonus. But every little bit counts, right?

Pros: You can get a handful of jobs that pay extraordinarily well without consuming much of your time.

Cons: A 15-minute drive to work on your task may only pay you $3. If you consider your time, effort, and gas money, the side gig is only worth it if it’s something you’re passionate about.

FAQs

1. How can I make $1000 a month with a side hustle?

Finding temporary job apps where you can quickly gain clients is critical to earning $1,000 as a side hustle. Securing clients is the most crucial part of any side hustle.

You can have all the time and effort for a job, but without someone to offer it to, your job would be useless. Identify the best side hustle app where you can stand out among a pool of clients.

And the best apps where you can easily get clients and earn your $1,000 goal are Uber, DoorDash, and Rover.

These apps never run out of clients, which can also give you more hefty tips. The best way to take advantage of the app is to use it during peak hours when there is a massive surge of clients.

For instance, more clients are likely using the Uber and Doordash apps late at night and during bad weather. On the one hand, Rover is more in demand during travel seasons such as summer and the winter holiday season.

2. What is the Best app to make money on the side?

The best app to make money is the one that fits your schedule and interests while maximizing your income. Find the niche you are passionate about, as finding a platform where you can find jobs related to your interest is easy.

For instance, if you like shopping, you can make money shopping for other people at Instacart. On the other hand, if you love writing, there are many freelancing jobs where you can find clients looking for ghostwriters.

Simply put, there’s most likely a side hustle app for every job.

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