According to our recent side hustle survey, over 34% of side hustlers make more than $500 per month with their side gigs.
There are many side hustle apps that you can use to make extra money each month straight from your phone. Not all side hustle apps are worth your time, but with all the options available, there are app jobs for every lifestyle and financial goal.
Side Hustles Apps to Make Money Online
These apps can help you earn some extra spending money each month. All you need is an internet connection and some free time.
1. Swagbucks
How you make money: Swagbucks is a rewards program that has paid out over $385 million in cash and free gift cards to its users since its start in 2010. Once you create a free account, you can begin earning rewards points. Redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards to places like Amazon, Home Depot, and Target. You won’t get rich with this app, but you can earn free gift cards for completing simple tasks.
You can earn Swagbucks points in several ways:
- Take surveys
- Watch videos
- Get cash back from shopping online
- Use the Swagbucks search engine
- Play games
- Discover deals
- Buy gift cards through Swagbucks
- Refer other people to Swagbucks
How much it pays: Depends on the task you perform and how often you complete them. Depending on what you use the app for, it can take anywhere from days to weeks to earn the 300 SBs needed to cash out.
What you need to start: Download the app (available for both iPhone and Android devices) or use the desktop version to create a profile.
Possible downsides: You only get paid through gift cards, not cash. However, you can choose to get paid with a PayPal gift card. You must have at least $5 in rewards to cash out with this option, which is a fairly low minimum compared to similar sites.
Related: Swagbucks App Review 2020: What is Swagbucks and How Does it Work?
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| Over $300M paid out | Over $59M paid out | Surveys only |
| Multiple ways to earn | Multiple ways to earn | Over 10 million members |
| Avg. $0.40 – $2 per survey | $30 min. to cash out | $10 min. to cash out |
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$10 signup bonus |
$5 signup bonus |
No signup bonus |
2. InboxDollars
How you make money: 
InboxDollars is a paid survey site that you can use to make money at home. It’s free to sign up, and you can start making money today. It’s paid out over $58 million to users since the company began in 2000.
Brands pay InboxDollars for input from real consumers. It recruits regular people to take surveys, watch videos, and provide feedback on products and services.
You can make money with InboxDollars by:
- Taking paid online surveys
- Watching videos
- Shopping online
- Getting paid to read emails
- Earning coupon cash rewards
- Playing games online
You can also make money by referring friends to join. If they do, you’ll get a percentage of the rewards they earn.
How much it pays: Depends on the task and how often you log on.
What you need to start: Download the app or create a profile on the desktop version.
Possible downsides: It can take a long time to earn a significant amount of money. This is a better option if you have free time on the computer, but don’t want to leave your house.
Related: 12 Best Sites for Taking Paid Surveys
3. Lucktastic
How you make money: Lucktastic is an app that lets people play lottery-type games to win money. You have to watch ads every time you play, but otherwise the app is free.
How much it pays: The amounts vary depending on the game and your luck. Some users have won as much as $10,000 on scratch cards, but most diligent users earn less. If you like to play games, then Lucktastic is a fun way to make extra money for something you enjoy.
What you need to start: Download the app and share your location with Lucktastic.
Possible downsides: It’s very hard to make a significant amount of money with this app, and the income is unpredictable. If you just want a fun way to pass the time, then you should download this app. But if you want to make more money, consider other options.
Related: 13 Real Money Earning Games That Pay You Cash to Play
4. Fiverr
How you make money: You can make money on Fiverr by listing special services, such as graphic design, writing, and animation. You can also list less traditional skills on this gig finder app such as celebrity impersonations, writing commercial jingles, or giving relationship advice.
How much it pays: Gigs on Fiverr start at $5, but you can create upsells and charge more. Fiverr takes a 20% commission, so take that into account when building your fees. Customers can also leave you tips for a job well done.
What you need to start: Write a clear, concise description of what you offer and start selling. Start by pricing your services low to get more customers. As you build a solid network, you can increase your rates.
Possible downsides: It can be hard to compete with other people on Fiverr, especially if you don’t have a specialized skillset. Try to come up with an angle that makes your service unique, and market yourself outside of Fiverr so you’re not only competing against other people who are charging low rates.
Related: 7 Things to Consider Before Starting a New Side Hustle
Side Hustle Apps to Make Money with Your Car
If you have a car and time to drive around, you can earn a decent side income with these apps.
5. Postmates
How you make money: Postmates is a food, drink, and grocery delivery service that saves customers time by bringing what they need straight to them. Signing up to drive for Postmates is the perfect side gig for people looking to set their own hours.
How much it pays: As a Postmates driver, you can earn up to $25 an hour. You can work as many or as few hours as you want as long as you make at least one delivery every 90 days. You also get to keep 100% of the tips you earn.
What you need to start: You have to download the app and verify your identity. Once Postmates confirms your identity, it’ll send out a free bag and a card that you’ll use to buy the food with.
Possible downsides: Some users have said that without tips, the hourly rate is much lower than the advertised rate. You’re also responsible for all parking and gas expenses. Be sure to track these and any other expenses. You can deduct them from your earnings to decrease the amount of taxes you have to pay on your side gig earnings.
Related: How to Become a Postmates Driver (Postmates Review)
6. Instacart
How you make money: Instacart is a grocery delivery service. Customers order their products online, and Instacart shoppers prepare their order for pickup or delivery. As a full-service shopper, you’re an independent contractor. You’ll shop for the products your customer wants and deliver them to the address.
If you’d rather do the shopping than the delivery portion, you can apply to be an in-store shopper. This part-time position comes with a flexible schedule and doesn’t require a vehicle. You’ll prepare your customer’s order for them to pick up in-store.
How much it pays: In either position, you can make $10 to $15 per hour and get paid via direct deposit. However, full-service shoppers have the ability to receive tips whereas in-store shoppers do not.
What you need to start: You need to be 18, eligible to work in the US, have access to a car, able to lift up to 50 pounds, and have a relatively new smartphone.
Possible downsides: If you become an Instacart shopper, you won’t be reimbursed for transportation-related expenses. You may also have to transport large loads of groceries, which can be difficult if you’re injured or not used to lifting heavy things on a regular basis.
Related: 13 Ways to Make Money Delivering Food, Packages, and More
7. Getaround
How you make money: Getaround is an app where you can let other people rent your car. If you work at home or rarely drive, then renting out your car may be an easy way to make money. Getaround includes a $1 million insurance policy on its vehicles. It also has a 200-mileage limit per day for most cars.
How much it pays: Depends on how often you can rent out your car, the demand, and the type of car you have. You can earn hundreds of dollars a month if you rent it out frequently, but Getaround will keep 40% of your rental earnings.
You can also share your referral link with friends. They’ll get $20 off, and you’ll earn $20 for each person who signs up and borrows a car. If you refer someone who signs up to rent out their car, you’ll earn $200.
What you need to start: First, you’ll need to create an account with Getaround. The company will reach out to you to get your Getaround Connect® device installed, which allows you to lock and unlock your car straight from the app. Once you’re set up, you can start renting out your vehicle.
Possible downsides: Even though Getaround vets its drivers, accidents can still happen. Another driver could hit your car, which could lead to problems if it needs to be fixed. Getaround is mostly only available in major cities. The company also doesn’t cover regular maintenance, which may accrue faster because of the extra use.
Related: Getaround Review: How Much Can Your Car Earn You Passively?
Side Gig Apps to Make Money Selling Stuff
Whether you have books, tech items, clothes, or anything else not being used, these side gig apps will help you sell your clutter for cash. Put more money in your bank account and simplify your life in one go.
8. Neighbor
How you make money: Neighbor is a side hustle app that helps you find local renters for the unused areas in your home. Options for space you can rent out include your: garage, RV pad, bedroom, closet, warehouse, office space, empty lot, shed, and basement. It offers liability insurance, so you’re not on on the hook if anything happens to your renter’s belongings unless it was intentional or the result of neglect.
How much it pays: Depends on your area and the type of space you rent. You choose your own rates, but you can use Neighbor’s income estimator to get an idea of earning potential in your area.
What you need to start: All you need is extra space to rent and a profile on Neighbor to create your listing.
Possible downsides: Listing your space is free, but Neighbor does charge a small processing fee, which is how the company makes money. The biggest downside is that if you need a renter to vacate your space and they haven’t violated the Terms of Service, you have to give them four weeks’ notice. If you don’t, you’ll be charged a $60 eviction fee.
Related: 7 Ways to Make Money Renting Out Your Space
9. Decluttr
How you make money: Decluttr is a money-making app that pays you to trade in old technology for cash. You can also sell CDs, DVDs, board games, books, and even old Lego sets that are collecting dust. It takes less than five minute to sign up and get estimates on the items you want to sell. Decluttr provides you with a prepaid shipping label to use for sending it your items. After they’re delivered, the cash will be paid to your account via PayPal, check, or direct deposit.
How much it pays: Depends on the item, its condition, age, and other factors. You can make more money selling tablets, laptops, and cell phones compared to DVDs, books, and CDs.
What you need to start: Get a free estimate from Decluttr for any items you want to sell. If the rates look good, you’ll need to create an account so Decluttr can email you a free shipping label.
Possible downsides: You need to sell physical items, so this will only work if you have extra tech stuff lying around or if you can find tech items for cheap or free and resell them on Decluttr. You’ll also need to have shipping boxes and materials on hand. If you have to buy these, it can cut into your profit margins.
Related: 6 Ways to Sell Electronics for Cash Before They End Up in a Landfill
10. BookScouter
How you make money: BookScouter is an easy way to make money fast if you have old books lying around. The BookScouter app can save you time by searching which sites are offering the most cash for your books. BookScouter compiles prices from more than 30 sites so you don’t have to search each one individually.
It’s easy to use. All you have to do is sign up and start using the app to scan barcodes of books you own. You’ll then be able to see how many sites are willing to purchase your books and how much you can earn with BookScouter.
How much it pays: Popular textbooks in great condition pay more than well-worn paperbacks. For example, sellers with a copy of “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert will only earn $0.18 as of June 2020.
What you need to start: Create a pile of books you have and download the app or type your barcode into the desktop search. If you get enough offers you like, then you’ll need to create an account to sell your books.
Possible downsides: It can be a hassle to find all the boxes and packing supplies necessary. Try to source these for free, or they’ll cut into your profits.
Related: 19 Best Places to Sell Textbooks for the Most Money
11. ThredUp
How you make money: ThredUp is the world’s largest online thrift store for selling your quality used clothing. It’s one of the best apps to work for if you have clothes in your closet that you never wear. ThredUP may be your best option for turning those clothes into cash.
How much it pays: Depends on the item, brand, popularity, and condition. Designer clothes and accessories pay more than items from Old Navy or H&M.
What you need to start: Create an account and request a free clean out kit. ThredUp will mail you a bag with a prepaid shipping label. Pack up the clothes you want to sell, and drop your kit in the mail. After you send the company your items, it takes photos, create listings with product descriptions, finds buyers, and ships clothes once purchased. It acts as an online consignment shop.
Possible downsides: Once items are sold, you’ll get your share of the sale. It does take a commission, which changes depending on the selling price. The higher the product is priced, the higher your share. You can cash out with store credit or via check or PayPal.
Related: 8 Best Sites to Sell Clothes Online
Side Gig Apps to Make Money in Your Area
If you prefer to get out of the house with your side hustle, you can become a delivery driver, dog walker, or put your handyman skills to work. The best part about these side gig apps is the ability to set your own schedule.
12. Rover
How you make money: Rover helps pet owners find qualified pet sitters and dog walkers to care for their animals. You can offer various services such as overnight pet boarding, dog walking, or doggy daycare. This is an especially great option if you have a work-from-home job.
How much it pays: You can set your own rates. Rover collects a service fee of 20%. So if you charge $20 per walk, you’ll keep $16 and Rover will take the other $4. Once your services are complete, you can redeem your earnings for free via PayPal or pay $2 to receive a check in the mail.
What you need to start: You’ll have to pass a background check and provide references. Once approved, you can start making money fast with Rover. The platform offers 24/7 veterinary support, insurance, and you can accept as many or as few pet sitting or walking jobs as you want.
Possible downsides: You do have to pay Rover a fee. In general, you can make more money boarding pets than dog walking because of travel time.
Related: How to Make Money Dog Sitting with Rover (Advice from an Experienced Sitter)
13. Gigwalk
How you make money: Gigwalk is one of the more unique app-based jobs. It pays people to help them gather data for market research. You don’t need a vehicle and you won’t be making deliveries or filling out surveys. Gigwalk helps companies with a range of small tasks. Many of the gigs involve going to a local business and taking pictures of how certain products are displayed or stocked.
How much it pays: Users can make anywhere from $3 to $100 per gig depending on the difficulty and length. Most take as few as five minutes, but others can take a few hours.
What you need to start: You have to download the app, create an account, and pair it with your PayPal account.
Possible downsides: It can take a few days for your work to be approved and for you to get paid. You also have to follow the instructions carefully to make sure you understand. If you misread it, then you may not get paid.
Related: 17 Best Places to Find Small Task or Micro Jobs
14. Achievement
How you make money: If you need accountability to reach your health goals, try the Achievement app. You’ll be rewarded for exercising and sticking to a meal plan. The app syncs with other fitness apps such as your Fitbit or MyFitnessPal. Users earn points which you can then redeem for cash.
How much it pays: You can redeem 10,000 points for $10 to your bank or PayPal. You can also donate points to charity.
What you need to start: Create an account and sync the Achievement app to your other fitness apps. Make sure to log your activity in those apps.
Possible downsides: It can take a long time to earn enough points to redeem for cash. Think of this as a way to get paid for being healthy and to provide an incentive to stick to your healthy habits.
Related: 5 Apps That Will Pay You to Lose Weight
These Side Hustle Apps Can Help You Make Money
Whether you want to start making money online, get into the gig economy, or resell stuff you no longer need to get some extra cash, something on this list can help you get started.
These side hustle apps provide the flexibility to work around your full-time job. You can manage your own schedule and control your earnings. You can even try a few at the same time to maximize your side hustle income.
