The 21st-century gig economy is quite different from the traditional work era with structured timing and physical office spaces. Gig work apps have changed how people make extra cash or entirely replace traditional employment. Whether you want a few hundred extra dollars per month from another stream or a full-time income, gig apps can come in handy. Most of them do not require specialised skills and dont require the typical job application process.
The best gig economy apps connect you with paid work quickly, without a long hiring process. They range from delivery and rideshare apps like DoorDash and Uber to freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Delivery and driving apps are location-dependent in the US. Freelance apps are open to workers anywhere with an internet connection.
This article explores 11 of the best gig economy apps for earning money in the US, ranked based on pay, flexibility, and the ease of getting started.
Location-dependent vs remote gig apps: what is the difference?
Before we delve into the gig apps, it is important to clarify whether the work requires you to be physically present in the US.
- Location-dependent apps: These connect workers with tasks that require physical presence: delivering food, driving passengers, assembling furniture, or walking dogs. DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, TaskRabbit, Rover, Amazon Flex, and Wonolo all fall into this category. If you are not based in or near a US city where these services operate, these apps will not generate income for you.
- Remote gig apps: These apps connect workers with digital tasks that can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection. Upwork, Fiverr, Appen, and Steady (as a job aggregator) fall into this category. International workers can sign up and start earning on these platforms without a US presence.
The 11 best gig economy apps
Here are some of the best apps to make money, whether location-dependent or remote.
1. DoorDash
DoorDash is the largest food delivery platform in the US by market share. The platform delivery workers are called Dashers and they pick up food from restaurants and deliver it to customers. Hence, it is a flexible location-dependent role with no fixed schedule.
- Available in most US cities and suburbs
- Instant pay is available after each delivery for a small fee
- No vehicle type restriction: car, bicycle, and scooter all qualify in eligible areas
- Typical earnings: $15 to $25 per hour, including tips (before vehicle expenses)
- Sign-up requirements: Valid driving licence, vehicle insurance, clean background check, smartphone
- Best for: US residents wanting flexible delivery income with immediate payout options
2. Uber (Uber Eats and rideshare)
This is another location-dependent gig. Uber operates both a rideshare service and an Uber Eats food delivery service, making it one of the best apps to make money. Drivers can work across both through the same app. There are surge pricing and bonuses during peak hours, which can significantly increase your earnings.
- Operates in hundreds of US cities
- Weekly or instant pay available
- Customers rate drivers and dispatchers via a star rating system, which can affect trip allocation. So, maintaining a high rating matters. You can also get tips from customers.
- Typical earnings: $18 to $25 per hour before vehicle expenses for rideshare; $14 to $20 per hour for Uber Eats, including tips
- Sign-up requirements: Valid driving licence, insurance, background check, vehicle meeting age and condition requirements, smartphone
- Best for: US drivers who want income from both rideshare and delivery through one app
3. Instacart
There are times you wish someone could help you grab some groceries while you work on other things. That’s basically what Instacart does. The platform links shoppers with customers who want grocery delivery, so it is location-dependent. As a shopper, you help customer with the order and deliver it to them or prepare it for pickup within the store.
- Operates across the US and Canada
- Instant cash-out available for a fee; weekly direct deposit also available
- Full-service shoppers are independent contractors; in-store shoppers are part-time employees
- Typical earnings: $15 to $20 per hour, including tips
- Sign-up requirements: Smartphone, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, background check; a vehicle is required for full-service shoppers
- Best for: US residents who prefer grocery delivery over restaurant delivery
4. TaskRabbit
If you’ve ever needed help moving to another appartment, assemble furniture, do some home repairs, clean, and general handyman tasks, then TaskRabbit does the job. It is a platform that connects clients with "Taskers" who complete hands-on jobs including .
- Operates in major US metropolitan areas
- Workers set their own rates, typically by the hour
- A one-time registration fee of $25 applies when signing up
- Typical earnings: $25 to $75 per hour, depending on the task and the Tasker's rates
- Sign-up requirements: Smartphone, $25 registration fee, background check, relevant skills for listed task categories
- Best for: US residents with practical skills such as carpentry, plumbing, moving, or assembly who want to earn above-average hourly rates
5. Upwork
Remote. Upwork is the largest general freelance marketplace globally. Workers submit proposals to posted jobs across development, design, writing, marketing, data entry, and dozens of other categories. No US presence required.
- Accepts workers from most countries
- Payment via direct deposit, wire transfer, PayPal, or Payoneer
- Strong profile and reviews system rewards investment in early reputation
- Typical earnings: $15 to $100+ per hour depending on skill category and experience
- Sign-up requirements: Account creation, identity verification, portfolio or skill description
- Best for: Skilled remote workers anywhere who want access to US and international clients paying in USD
6. Fiverr
Fiverr allows freelancers to list their service and stipulate the prices. This listing is called gigs, and client requiring those services can purchase directly. It doesn’t require bidding or sending proposals like most other freelancing platforms. Fiverr accepts remote workers from most countries of the world and link them with international clients within and outside the US.
- Accepts workers from most countries
- Payment via bank transfer or PayPal
- 20% commission on all earnings
- Typical earnings: Varies widely; entry-level gigs at $15 to $30, experienced sellers with reviews earn $100 to $500+ per project
- Sign-up requirements: Account creation, gig setup with description and portfolio
- Best for: Creative and digital professionals who can package services clearly and build a review-based reputation
7. Rover
Rover connects pet owners with sitters, dog walkers, and boarders, so it is location-based. Workers create profiles with services and rates, and are booked directly by pet owners.
- Operates in the US, UK, Canada, and several European countries
- Payments are released 48 hours after service completion
- Rover takes 20% of each booking
- Typical earnings: $15 to $25 per hour for dog walking; $25 to $50 per night for boarding
- Sign-up requirements: Rover profile with photo, background check, pet experience description, smartphone
- Best for: US residents who enjoy working with animals and want flexible schedule control
8. Appen
Appen is a data and AI company that hires remote contractors for tasks including search engine evaluation, social media rating, audio transcription, and translation. It is a remote role, so you don’t need to be in the US.
- Accepts contractors from most countries; some projects are US-only
- Payments via PayPal or local bank transfer
- Work availability varies by project; not always consistent
- Typical earnings: $9 to $15 per hour depending on the project type
- Sign-up requirements: Application, skills assessment relevant to the role, language proficiency
- Best for: Remote workers with language skills or analytical abilities looking for supplemental income from flexible micro-work
9. Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex hires independent drivers to deliver Amazon packages directly to customers. It is location-dependent and requires drivers claim delivery blocks. Drivers are paid by number of blocks worked.
- Operates across major US metro areas; coverage expanding
- Direct deposit paid weekly; no instant pay option
- Block availability varies by location and time of day
- Typical earnings: $18 to $25 per hour
- Sign-up requirements: Smartphone, valid driving licence, reliable vehicle, background check, Amazon Flex app
- Best for: US drivers who prefer Amazon's consistent parcel delivery over food delivery
10. Wonolo
Wonolo connects businesses with on-demand workers for warehouse, retail, food production, and event staffing shifts. Workers browse and accept shifts through the app.
- Operates across major US cities and regions
- Same-day or next-day pay available after shift completion
- No long-term commitment required: accept shifts when you want them
- Typical earnings: $15 to $20 per hour depending on the shift and location
- Sign-up requirements: Smartphone, eligibility to work in the US, background check
- Best for: US residents who want flexible shift-based physical work with fast payment
11. Steady
Steady is not a gig platform itself but a gig job aggregator, which can be remote or location-dependent. It connects users with job opportunities from DoorDash, Instacart, remote freelance platforms, and other income sources based on their location and skills.
- Available across the US
- Free to use; premium membership available
- Tracks all income across multiple gig sources in one place
- Typical earnings: Depends entirely on which apps the user connects through Steady
- Sign-up requirements: Smartphone, US-based (for location-dependent jobs), account creation
- Best for: US gig workers managing income from multiple apps who want a single dashboard to track earnings and find new opportunities
How to maximise your earnings across multiple gig apps
The most effective gig workers use more than one app simultaneously. Signing up for two or three complementary apps, such as DoorDash alongside Instacart, or Upwork alongside Fiverr, reduces income gaps when one platform is slow and increases total earning potential.
Practical tips for managing multiple side hustle apps:
- Track all income from day one. Gig income is taxable in the US and requires quarterly estimated tax payments for most workers earning above $400 per year. Using a spreadsheet or an app to track income by platform from the start avoids a stressful tax season.
- Set a weekly income target. Without a target, it is easy to accept whatever work comes rather than structuring hours for maximum return. Knowing what you need to earn per week helps you focus on which apps to prioritise.
- Use surge pricing windows deliberately. Rideshare and delivery apps pay more during peak hours and in response to weather events. Structuring your hours around these windows significantly increases hourly earnings.
- Raise rates over time on freelance apps. Upwork and Fiverr reward established profiles with better visibility. After building five to ten reviews, incrementally raising rates is the most reliable path to higher income without working more hours
How to get paid from gig apps without losing money to fees
Location-dependent apps like DoorDash, Uber, and Amazon Flex pay via US bank account deposit. Weekly direct deposit is standard; instant pay is available on most platforms for a small per-transfer fee (typically $0.50 to $1.99). For US workers with a US bank account, this is straightforward.
For freelance gig apps like Upwork and Fiverr, the payment chain is more complex for international workers. Platform earnings accumulate in the app and can then be transferred to PayPal, Payoneer, or a bank account. International bank wire transfers involve currency conversion and potentially SWIFT correspondent bank deductions.
The most cost-effective setup for freelance gig income is a virtual USD account linked to real US bank details. When Upwork initiates an ACH transfer to a US routing number and account number, it processes as a domestic US payment. The full amount arrives with no correspondent bank deductions or in-transit fees. You convert to your local currency at a disclosed rate when you choose.
Grey offers foreign currency accounts in USD, GBP, and EUR that serve as payout destinations for Upwork, Fiverr, and similar freelance platforms. Deposit fee is at 0.8%, capped at 10USD/10GBP/10EUR. Conversion fee varies depending on the corridor and might be capped at $6. Check grey.co/blog/fees-and-charges-on-grey to review charges.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-paying gig app?
On a per-hour basis, TaskRabbit offer high earnings for skilled workers, with rates of $25 to $75 per hour for assembly, home repair, and moving work. Upwork and Fiverr can exceed these rates significantly for experienced developers, designers, and other skilled professionals, but rates on those platforms vary widely by skill and reputation. For delivery work, Amazon Flex and Uber typically pay more per hour than DoorDash or Instacart in most markets.
Which gig app is easiest to get accepted to?
DoorDash, Instacart, and Fiverr are the easiest to get into. DoorDash and Instacart require a background check but no skills assessment. Fiverr allows anyone to create a seller account and list gigs immediately in countries they are available. Appen and Upwork require more detailed applications or skill assessments, and Upwork's marketplace is more competitive for new profiles without reviews.
Do gig apps affect your taxes?
Yes. Gig income is taxable in most countries and considered self-employment income in the US. Workers earning above $400 per year from gig apps are required to file a Schedule C with their annual tax return and may be required to make quarterly estimated tax payments. Most platforms send a 1099-NEC form to workers who earn more than $600 per year from that platform. Tracking all income across every platform is essential for accurate filing. Also, be mindful of double taxation. If you fule
Can you make a full-time income from gig apps?
Yes, though it typically requires using multiple apps and working consistent hours. Full-time delivery and rideshare workers in major US cities report net incomes of $2,000 to $4,000 per month after platform fees and vehicle expenses. Full-time freelancers on Upwork or Fiverr can earn significantly more, but building toward full-time income on those platforms takes longer due to the review-building process. Combining a high-volume delivery app with a freelance platform is a common approach for diversifying income.
What gig apps work outside the US?
Upwork, Fiverr, and Appen all accept workers from most countries and do not require a US location. TaskRabbit, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, Instacart, Wonolo, and Uber's core rideshare service all require physical presence in a US city. Rover operates in several additional countries, including the UK and Canada. For international workers, the freelance platforms are an accessible starting point.
How quickly do gig apps pay?
Delivery and rideshare apps typically offer weekly direct deposit as the standard payment cycle. Instant pay is available on DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart for a fee of $0.50 to $1.99 per transfer. Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr hold funds in escrow until work is approved, then typically transfer them within two to five business days to the worker's linked account. Amazon Flex pays weekly by direct deposit with no instant pay option.
Open a Grey account and consolidate all your gig income in one place, no matter the app it comes from.