28 Best Side Hustle Apps (Make Quick Money on the Side)
This article is reader-supported and contains affiliate links. We get a small commission for specific actions or purchases made through them. Read more on the disclaimer page.
Life can be so easy if you have a side hustle app on your phone that you can rely on. It would mean that you can easily make quick money on the side anytime you need it and not worry a lot about your financial situation.
There are numerous apps that come with lots of different ways to generate some income while free. You could get a part-time job, start a business, or sell some stuff you no longer need. In some cases, you don’t even have to leave your house!
If you need help earning some extra cash in your spare time, this blog post discusses over 20 of the best side hustle apps out there that anyone can use.
Top Side Hustle Apps for Quick Cash
If you’re ready to explore, here are the most legit side hustle apps you can use to get extra money.
1. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is an app for easy side hustles online where you simply answer survey questions for money. Many companies use platforms like Branded Surveys to source people for market research. And so, this app pays you for your opinion on various products and services from a variety of brands with which it has partnerships.
Simply go to the Branded Surveys website (for the best experience) or install the app, create an account, and start earning rewards. You will receive surveys based on your location, age, and gender.
Be honest while answering and don’t be in a hurry to ensure everything is accurate. Once you complete a survey, you’ll be rewarded with points that can be redeemed for free PayPal cash or gift cards from popular brands like Amazon and Walmart. The minimum number of points for redeeming is 500.
2. Survey Junkie
Another side hustle app for online surveys that rewards you for your opinion is Survey Junkie. It’s one of the most popular survey platforms with millions of members earning worldwide.
When you sign up, you’ll be asked to complete a profile survey to help Survey Junkie understand which surveys are best suited for you. Once that’s done, start taking surveys and earn points.
You could also get paid to share your browsing data with Survey Junkie. This is an optional way to get additional earnings. You can cash out your points for PayPal cash or e-gift cards when you have a minimum of 1,000 points (equivalent to $10).
Not only is Survey Junkie one of the most popular platforms, but it’s also very user-friendly. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
3. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is an all-in-one platform that gives you different ways to make money. It has a website and mobile app where you can take surveys, shop online, watch videos, play cash games, and more to earn points called SB.
Once you have enough SB, you can redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards from popular brands such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and eBay. Swagbucks also has a low redemption limit of just 500 SB.
There are many activities you can do on Swagbucks to earn, so there’s definitely something for everyone. You can even earn by referring your friends. For every friend that joins and earns points, you get 10 percent of the earnings!
4. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is just like Swagbucks. You can take on a variety of quick tasks and earn rewards. These include doing survey jobs, watching video ads and promos, and playing games on your phone.
However, InboxDollars gives you real money any time you complete a specified paid activity. While most daily activities pay some cents to a few bucks, you could get as much as $50 from one well-paying task like a survey. You can either request PayPal money or Visa or convert your earnings to gift cards you like. You require at least $15 for the first-ever withdrawal you make from InboxDollars.
5. Nielsen Mobile Panel
This is an app that runs in the background of your phone or computer and collects data on your Internet usage. The information it gathers is used to help brands better understand consumer behavior.
You don’t need to do anything special to start earning with this app. Once you install the Nielsen Mobile Panel app, it will automatically collect anonymous data about your location, apps you use, and online activity. So, there’s nothing to link you with the information.
In return for letting it run in the background, you’ll be rewarded with points that can be redeemed for gift cards from popular brands like Amazon or converted to cash deposited directly into your PayPal account. You can earn $50 or more by year-end depending on the number of devices you connect. There’s an opportunity to take part in sweepstakes and get huge prizes.
6. LifePoints
LifePoints is a survey company that pays you for your feedback on various brands and other topics. It partners with some of the world’s biggest brands to improve their products and services by understanding the opinions of real consumers.
You can sign up on the website or download the app to start taking paid surveys. Surveys on LifePoints usually take between 5 and 20 minutes to complete. Upon completing a survey, you’ll be rewarded with points that can be redeemed for money through PayPal or e-gift cards.
7. Instacart
Have you ever wished you could make money by going grocery shopping? Well, with Instacart, you can.
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that hires shoppers to shop for and deliver groceries to customers. You either sign up to be a full-service shopper or an in-store shopper. As an in-store shopper, you’ll shop for groceries based on customer orders available on the Instacart app. Full-service shoppers earn more money because they do the shopping and delivery.
You get paid on a schedule, that is, weekly. But in some cities, you can request payments anytime. The payout method is direct deposit.
8. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that pays you when you shop for things like groceries, clothing, and more. In this case, you get rewards for using Ibotta to make purchases. So, it’s some of your cash coming back!
While not the best way to earn extra bucks, you’ll be saving a lot if you use Ibotta. So, it’s something any shopper would consider. Besides, the app has lots of deals from brands you may like (or already do).
What happens is, you go to the app, find an offer from a retailer, shop it online or in-store, and submit proof of purchase. You just need to upload a receipt to get the reward attached to a specific item on offer.
9. Airbnb
If you have an extra room in your house or apartment, you can make money by listing it on the Airbnb app. As a host on Airbnb, you’ll be able to set your own price and availability for when guests can come and stay with you.
Guests will book their stay through the Airbnb website or app and pay you in advance. You can also choose to offer additional services like breakfast or airport transfers for an additional fee.
After the guest checks out, Airbnb will release the payment to you, minus a service fee from the previous booking subtotal.
10. Turo
Maybe you have a car that you’re not using all the time. If so, Turo is the side hustle app you need. You can make money on the side by renting it out on Turo.
It’s free to list your car and you set your own rental price and availability. Turo will screen every renter before their reservation is confirmed to help protect you and your car.
Payment initiation can occur in a few hours or days depending on whether it’s a subsequent or a first trip that’s been completed. You get paid through direct deposit to your bank account.
11. DoorDash
If you like to drive and are looking for a flexible side hustle, DoorDash is a good option. It’s an app that allows people to order food from restaurants and have it delivered to them by a Dasher (that’s about to be you).
To become a Dasher, you’ll need to sign up on the DoorDash website or app and complete the application process. When you’re approved, you can start accepting delivery requests in your area.
You can choose when you want to work and how much you want to earn. DoorDash will deposit your earnings into your bank account once a week.
12. Rover
Provided that you love animals, Rover is the app for you to make money from side hustles. It’s an app that connects pet owners with dog sitters, dog walkers, and pet sitters in general.
To become a dog walker or sitter on Rover, you’ll need to create a profile on the Rover website or app and pass a background check. You can then start offering your services to pet owners in your area.
Payments are processed through the app and it varies by the job you do. Some pay more than others, and offering a variety of services to pet owners would be a boost to your earnings.
13. Lyft
In case you may like driving people around the city, Lyft is a great side hustle option for you. You can make extra money by becoming a Lyft driver in your spare time.
Becoming a Lyft driver isn’t hard. You’ll need to submit a quick application on the Lyft website or app. You’ll then have to pass a background check. After that, you can start giving rides to people in your area. The amount you earn depends on how many rides you give and what kind of rides you offer.
14. Uber
Uber is an app that’s similar to Lyft. It’s also a ride-sharing app where users can request to have a car come to pick and take them somewhere.
Uber also offers bike rides in some regions. So, you can join as a rider and not a driver. You simply need to ensure it’s in good condition and have the necessary documents.
Your earnings will depend on how many hours you work. You can also make money using Uber Eats too. This is where people order food from stores and restaurants and you deliver it to them.
15. TaskRabbit
Another great side hustle app to make money on the side is TaskRabbit. It’s an app that allows people to find others who are willing to do odd jobs and tasks in their area.
You can become a Tasker on TaskRabbit if you have some skills and experience in offering a specific type of service to homeowners. It could be cleaning, installing particular equipment, repairs, or any other.
16. Neighbor
Ever heard of Neighbor? If not, the best way to describe it is that it’s like the Airbnb of storage spaces.
You’re free to become a host on Neighbo and list any space you have where people can store stuff or their vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you own a shed, basement, or spare room in your house.
You simply put a monthly price that people can pay to have you keep their valuable items. The app allows you to chat with renters and know them a little before you decide to get into business with them.
17. Upwork
If you’re looking for a side hustle app that allows you to work from home as a freelancer, then Upwork may interest you. It’s a freelancing platform where businesses and entrepreneurs can find talented freelancers to help with their projects.
As a freelancer on Upwork, you can offer your services in various categories such as writing, design, development, sales and marketing, customer service, and more.
To get started, you’ll need to create a profile on the Upwork website and bid on projects that interest you. Once you’re hired by a client, you just need to start working and meet the deadline without compromising on quality. You earn per hour or from an entire project.
18. Fiverr
Fiverr is another freelancing app for online side hustles. The good thing is that even beginners can get opportunities on Fiverr.
Gigs are as low as $5. You could find someone that can you this amount to create a simple logo, write a quick piece, or draw something.
You can increase your prices as you go and start taking on higher-paying projects. Remember, you’ll need a number of good reviews and ratings to appear as someone that is good at what they do.
19. Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex is a great way to make extra money if you don’t mind delivering packages around where you stay. You can deliver for Amazon as well as other local businesses that use the app to outsource their delivery needs.
To start, you’ll need to download the app and then sign up. Once you’re signed in, you can start looking for open delivery blocks in your area. Once you find one, claim it and then start getting the packages ready for delivery. Delivery pay depends on the number of packages you deliver as well as the time it takes you.
20. Gigwalk
Gigwalk is an app that allows you to find one-time or recurring gigs in your area. The gigs can be anything from taking pictures of products in a store to checking if an item is in stock.
Such opportunities are from brands whereby they want to ensure their product prices, as well as display, are right at the stores. It could also be an event where the company needs to know how it happened and whether everything occurred as planned.
Usually, it takes just a few minutes to complete. Some can take hours and would pay more. Expect to earn a couple of dollars to $100 from a gig.
21. Foap
Foap is an app that allows people to sell their photos. If you like taking pictures and are good at it, then this could be a great way to make some money on the side.
To get started, simply download the app, create a profile, and start uploading your best pictures. Once they’re approved, they’ll be available for sale on the app. When someone buys your photo, you earn a commission.
22. Decluttr
It can be that you have a good number of books or electronics to sell. You’ll need a side hustle app like Decluttr to get rid of the items you no longer need while getting paid.
Decluttr requires that your items can be used before you sell them. So, don’t expect to sell defunct stuff or books with missing pages.
You can get a price estimation before the actual sale to help you decide if it’s worth it. It would definitely be a good choice to sell if you aren’t doing anything else with your stuff and there’s a risk they’ll be non-functional in the coming years.
23. Thumbtack
Need an app for side hustles that involve physical activity? You can get the Thumbtack app for such a purpose.
It allows various types of professionals to sign up and offer services like handymen services, personal training, and DJing. You just need your licenses if applicable and work on getting some nice reviews.
Besides the local services, you could offer remote services too such as app development and web design on Thumbtack. Because millions of customers browse the app, you don’t have to worry about never getting a gig.
24. Etsy
Etsy is an app for creative people to sell their arts and crafts. Is this you? If yes, then you could be making a killing on Etsy by selling your creations.
Items that do well on Etsy include jewelry, vintage finds, wedding items, art, and home decor. Of course, you need to do promotions here and there to get your stuff in front of more eyes.
You can start small with just a handful of items to see how it goes. If it’s successful, then you could start scaling up and making more money. Just you at your own pace!
25. UserTesting
Want a side hustle app that pays you to test websites and other apps? You could join UserTesting and become a paid tester working with a wide variety of companies.
These brands are usually looking for insights into how good their digital assets are for consumers. So, they’ll need testers to go check their app or site and give some feedback about the experience.
You may need to give your short responses to some questions, talk while you record your screen as you test, or participate in an optional live interview. A typical 20-minute test gives you $10 and there’s even more from interviews.
26. OfferUp
OfferUp is one of the largest mobile marketplaces for buying and selling stuff locally. It works for everything, starting from cars and trucks to furniture and office supplies. The app is convenient because you don’t have to ship anything and can just do a quick transaction at someone’s house.
OfferUp requires that you take clear pictures of your items, give an honest description, and name a reasonable price. If everything goes well, you could be making some good money from your unwanted or used stuff.
27. Craigslist
Here comes a great app for a variety of side hustles locally. Craigslist allows you to post or apply for all sorts of jobs and list items you want to sell. You can also rent stuff on the platform.
You get a chance to work with local product or service buyers and renters. When you create an ad or act on one, you need to be cautious to avoid scams. As long as you’re careful, you can find a wide range of opportunities to get paid from the app.
28. Anchor
Maybe you’d be interested in doing podcasts as a side hustle. If so, Anchor is one of the best apps to start, grow, and monetize your podcast.
Anchor allows you to host and distribute your new podcast to various listening platforms. Hosting is free and you can create as many episodes as you need.
One podcast monetization method is Ads by Anchor. In this case, you record custom ads in your own voice and put them into your episodes. Also, you can collect fan contributions right from your Anchor account.
What Side Hustle App Pays the Most?
There’s no one app that pays the most than all others. Different users get different earnings depending on their efforts. But some have better hourly or project-based rates when it comes to payment.
Delivery apps, selling apps, and freelance apps are a few of the apps with well-paying gigs. You’ll still need to work a bit harder to generate more earnings than the average user.
Wrapping It up
There are lots of side hustle apps to do tasks online and in person. You can either take on quick tasks that pay a few extra bucks or generate significant income using an app that requires more hours of work. Some apps fall under the same category and you can be a member of a couple of them at once.