Side hustle apps
Apps that find the customers for you, and the trade-offs that come with them.
Side hustle apps connect you with paying work without finding your own customers. They are the fastest way to start earning, but the app sets the price, takes a share and can change its terms. Use them to earn now, and to learn what customers want before building something of your own.
Side hustle apps by category
| Category | Examples | What you need | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and grocery delivery | DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart | A vehicle or bike, smartphone, background check | Fuel and vehicle wear; insurance for business use |
| Rideshare | Uber, Lyft | An eligible car, licence, background check | Vehicle requirements vary by city |
| Tasks and odd jobs | TaskRabbit | Tools and skills for the tasks you list | Platform fees and service-area rules |
| Pet care | Rover, Wag | Experience with animals, profile and reviews | Insurance and what the platform covers |
| Reselling | eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace | Items to sell, photos, shipping supplies | Selling fees and payment scams |
| Freelance marketplaces | Upwork, Fiverr | A skill, portfolio, profile | Service fees and price competition |
| Online tutoring | Tutoring marketplaces | Subject expertise; sometimes a degree | Platform takes a share of each lesson |
Requirements, fees and pay structures change often and differ by country. Read each app's current terms before signing up.
How to choose an app
- Fastest cash: delivery and tasks, many of which offer quick cash-out (see side hustles that pay daily).
- Skill-based: freelance marketplaces pay more per hour as reviews build (see online side hustles).
- Uses what you have: a car, a spare room, a closet of clothes to resell.
Avoid scams
Real apps don't ask you to pay to get work, buy gift cards or deposit a cheque and send money back. See FTC: Job scams.
Taxes
Earnings from apps are self-employment income in the U.S., even if you don't receive a tax form. Track mileage and expenses from day one: see side hustle tax and the self-employment tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best side hustle app?
Do I pay tax on side hustle app income?
Sources
- FTC: Job scams consumer.ftc.gov
Checked 21 Oct 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Update history
- : first published; figures checked against the sources listed.