The 9 Best Gig Apps That Pay You Extra Cash Today

Gig apps have exploded in popularity in recent years. An estimated 40% of Americans now have some kind of side hustle to supplement their income, up from 34% just two years ago according to research from Zapier. Driving for rideshare services, delivering food, renting out assets peer-to-peer, and more allow you to leverage your existing resources to make money on your own time.

But with hundreds of gig apps to choose from, it can be paralyzing to know where to start. That‘s why we‘ve compiled the nine best gig apps across different categories that can pay you extra cash today.

What Exactly Are Gig Apps?

Before diving into the top names, let‘s level-set on what defines a gig app. At their core, gig apps revolve around flexible independent contract work rather than traditional full-time employment. This means that:

You choose when/how much to work – Unlike a 9 to 5 job, gig apps let you toggle your availability and schedule. Decide if you want to work 10 hours this week or 30.
You use your own resources – Most gig jobs utilize resources you already have like a vehicle or spare room rather than requiring extensive training or credentials. Apps connect you with customers.
You get paid quickly – Many gig jobs feature almost instant pay options rather than biweekly pay cycles. As soon as the work is done, the money hits your account.
You operate independently – There‘s no boss to report to. Client interaction is facilitated through the app.

This balance of independence and leverage of existing assets is why gig work is appealing for those looking to supplement income or have alternative employment.

Ranking the Top 9 Gig App Money Makers

Now let‘s get to the main event – a breakdown of the nine best gig apps spanning categories like transportation, delivery, rental, services and more.

1. Uber: Best for Rideshare Driving

Background: Since launching in 2009, Uber has become synonymous with rideshare apps and the sharing economy. Available in over 700 cities globally, it dominates the ride-hailing market.
Requirements: Must have 4-door vehicle in good condition, driver‘s license, insurance, and clear background check. Vehicle should be newer than 15 years old.
Pay: Earnings per ride vary by city based on time/distance rates. Uber takes a service fee from each ride, but 100% of tips go to the driver. Surge pricing during high demand results in higher fares. Average hourly earnings range from $12-$22.
Perks: Set completely flexible schedule, drive when/where you want. Instant pay available rather than weekly payouts. 24/7 support via app. No long-term commitment required.
Considerations: Need to own qualifying vehicle. Wear and tear + gas costs come out of earnings. Pay can fluctuate substantially week to week.

With no application or interview, Uber provides easily accessible rideshare income using your own car on your own schedule. Over 4 million drivers are on the platform.

2. DoorDash: Top Food Delivery

Background: DoorDash pioneered the concept of delivering meals from restaurants that did not otherwise offer delivery service. Customers order through the app from an extensive range of options. Dashers then drive to restaurants and deliver food orders.
Requirements: Must be 18+ years old with vehicle/bicycle for deliveries + smartphone to run courier app + pass background check. No interview.
Pay: Earnings = Base Pay per delivery + 100% of tips. Base ranges from $2-10+ per delivery based on factors like time, distance, desirability. Average overall income reports range from $15-$25 hourly.
Perks: Instant sign-up without needing prior delivery experience. Flexibly toggle availability whenever you want. Cash out immediately after each Dash. Bonus challenges provide incentives for hitting goals.
Considerations: Need reliable vehicle and phone. Pay depends heavily on tips and area demand. Scheduling peak dinner times yields highest delivery volume/earnings.

With 600,000+ Dashers on the platform, DoorDash offers easy entry into delivery work with independence to control the hours.

3. Instacart: Top Grocery Delivery

Background: Instacart pioneered personal grocery shopping and delivery. Customers order groceries on the app, which connects them with a shopper that goes to preferred stores, shops carts, delivers items.
Requirements: Must be 18+ years old with vehicle + smartphone + ability to lift 40+ lbs. Pass background check. No interview required.
Pay: Earn money through delivery commissions per order + tips. Typical earnings equal $15-$25/hour depending on speed/efficiency + tips which equate to 50%+ of income.
Perks: See exactly what you‘ll make per batch before accepting. Cash out earnings instantly. Set own schedule week to week. Establish regular customers through excellent service. Promos and bonuses incentivize pickups during busy times.
Considerations: Work is physically demanding including shopping, driving, hauling and handling groceries. No guaranteed income or hours. Slow days still require availability.

Over 600,000 shoppers complete orders through Instacart. Easy entry into grocery picking/delivery with perks like choosing batches and instant payouts makes it a top gig app choice.

4. TaskRabbit: Top App for Odd Jobs

Background: TaskRabbit provides a marketplace matching skilled workers for everything from handyman services to cleaning to moving help and more. Customers post jobs, taskers bid on them.
Requirements: Pass background check. Specific skills/experience required varies by category of tasks selected. Physical ability also varies by category – for example, moving help versus virtual assistance.
Pay: Taskers set their own rates for services based on experience, job complexity, client budget and other bidder rates. Hourly rates typically range from $20 to $50+. TaskRabbit fee of either 30% or 15% charged on top.
Perks: Choose your own work opportunities based on skills, experience, availability and more. Build repeat clientele through excellent service.
Considerations: Income not guaranteed. Need to be proactive in bidding on tasks and competing with other workers. Customer ratings tied to ability to continue working.

With 50+ categories like furniture assembly, cleaning, handyman services and more, Taskers leverage skills into flexible income. The platform makes it easy to translate existing capabilities into paid work.

5. Amazon Flex: Top for Delivery Drivers

Background: Amazon Flex leverages gig economy couriers to provide last-mile package delivery from Amazon distribution points to customers. Available in over 50 major metros across the U.S.
Requirements: Must be 21+ years old with midsize or large 4-door vehicle, valid license and insurance. Pass background check. Smartphone to run proprietary app.
Pay: Earn between $18 to $25 per hour on average. Specific blocks show dollar amount based on expected hours, mileage, number of stops. Tips not included or expected.
Perks: No interview or resume required. Choose delivery blocks fitting your availability through easy-to-use app. Consistent base pay for scheduled blocks.
Considerations: Package delivery can cause more vehicle wear and tear. Amazon uses extensive monitoring and metrics to evaluate driver performance and continued eligibility.

Flex is among the most accessible delivery driver gig platforms. However, Amazon‘s monitoring of efficiency and accountability leads some drivers to characterize the delivery workload and expectations as high.

6. Rover: Best Pet Gig App

Background: Rover provides on-demand pet sitting for dog walking, boarding, drop-in visits and housesitting. Customers book and pay for services provided by independent contractors on Rover‘s platform.
Requirements: Must be 18+ years old, pass background check, have experience caring for pets. If boarding animals, your home must meet criteria like cleanliness, safety and space requirements.
Pay: Pet caregivers set their own prices for services. Rover takes 20% fee from sitters. Income realizes $1,000+/month for highly rated boarders willing to take 2-3 dogs at once. Dog walking earns ~$15-25/walk.
Perks: Work directly with pet owners in your neighborhood for convenience. Bond with animals. Set your own schedule. Build repeat clientele over time.
Considerations: Income takes time to build and relies heavily on customer reviews. Profit is reduced due to fees; can be labor intensive. Requires extensive pet handling experience.

Rover offers flexible opportunities for those passionate about pets. However, the platform facilitates substantial competition in major markets, making income growth challenging despite pet care demand.

7. Lyft: Rideshare Alternative

Background: Operating similarly to Uber, Lyft also enables peer-to-peer rideshare utilizing personal vehicles. Available in over 650 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
Requirements: Drivers must be 21+ years old with 4-door vehicle newer than 10 years old + valid license/registration/insurance + clear background check.
Pay: Earnings are 75-80% of ride total shown to customer, with Lyft collecting remaining as a brokerage fee. Ride prices based on time length + mileage. Surge pricing boosts prime time fares. Average $15-25/hour.
Perks: Cash out instantly. Set schedule flexibility. Ride challenges provide incentive bonuses.
Considerations: Significant competition with Uber established network makes independent contractor income unreliable. Loose screening standards in some markets lead to driver oversaturation.

Lyft lets those with vehicles access flexible transportation income similar to Uber. However, smaller market share makes reliable bookings less consistent without full-time hours.

8. GrubHub: Food Delivery Alternative

Background: GrubHub provides restaurant food delivery services utilizing delivery partners as contractors to pick up and drop off orders. It‘s considered UberEATS top competitor in restaurant delivery.
Requirements: Independent contractors must be 19+ years old with 2+ years valid driving experience + auto insurance + ownership/leasing of qualifying vehicle + clearing GrubHub background checks.
Pay: Pay calculated using base rate per order + mileage + scheduling availability per market. Minimum pay is $5+tips per delivery. Average hourly pay reports range from $15-25/hour.
Perks: Cash out instantly after each day. Scheduled blocks and ability to toggle availability provides flexibility. Surge and promo pay incentivizes peak dinner rushes.
Considerations: Lots of quick stops and driving in traffic. Overscheduling drivers in some markets makes getting blocks difficult. Rating systems require maintaining high service levels.

GrubHub provides flexible restaurant delivery gigs quickly. But driver oversaturation in some cities leads to hours and income reliability challenges.

9. Turo: Best Car Sharing App

Background: Turo pioneered the concept of vehicle sharing rather than selling. Vehicle owners list cars, trucks, and SUVs on the app for peer-to-peer rental booking. Over 14 million members engage in short term rentals.
Requirements: Must own vehicle free of liens, with clean title and pass eligibility/safety inspection. Meet minimum driver eligibility standards like license history and age (varies by state).
Pay: Earn 65% – 85% of total trip price listed, with Turo taking 15% – 35% as a finder‘s fee. Extras like delivery, cleaning, MileagePlus provide additional income opportunity. Average $715/month according to Turo.
Perks: Set own pricing and availability calendars. Complete trip management through intuitive dashboards and messaging. Rental vehicle insurance included.
Considerations: Listing standards limit eligibility of vehicles to late models in good shape. Wear and tear impacts resell value. Need to handle guest interactions and cleaning.

Turo allows those with extra vehicles lying around to leverage this excess capacity to generate solid rental income each month. However, lots of hands-on coordination with guests is required.

Gig Work Considerations

When evaluating the gig apps pay opportunity, keep a few important considerations in mind:

Unpredictable income: Unlike a salary or hourly job, gig pay fluctuates substantially week to week. You must remain diligent in finding lucrative opportunities even with a platform like Uber or Instacart.
Self-employment tax: You are responsible for paying ~15% self-employment payroll taxes rather than receiving a W2 with withholdings. Factor this into planning.
Expenses hit earnings: Costs for gas, vehicle wear and tear, tools + supplies all come out of your pockets additionally impacting net income. Run the math to see profitability.
Ratings matter: Gig jobs rely heavily on 5 star ratings systems that dictate whether you continue receiving offers and opportunities. Excellence in operations becomes mandatory.

However, the pros like flexibility and accessible entry provide appeal despite drawbacks. Utilizing multiple apps simultaneously enables income diversification, security and maximization as well. With smart planning, top performing gig workers consistently earn $25+ hourly equivalent in many metro areas.

Start Making Money With Gig Apps Today

Gig apps provide updated digital ways to leverage existing assets and skills into extra income. With smart planning around strategically picking opportunities, timing block scheduling efficiently, driving during peak demand, and focusing on providing 5 star service, it‘s possible to meet financial goals through essential gig roles spanning delivery, transportation, pet services and more.

Evaluate your resources and skills to choose one or more of the highest paying gig apps to start with. As you establish your workflow, seek times and contexts ideal for your market, then layer on additional apps to fill in income gaps. Before long, you can replace an unreliable hourly job or supplement household earnings to reduce financial pressures.

With flexible scheduling control and fast payouts, say yes now to gigs: yes to making ends meet, yes to building savings without suffocating work schedules, and yes to opening up new possibilities for progress.