Best apps for side hustles

Are you looking for a way to make extra cash using your phone? Good news! There are plenty of apps designed to help you make extra money in your free time or on the weekends.

If you do not have time to get another job or to have an in-person side hustle going, using one of these apps is the perfect middle ground to help you rake in some extra cash while also working with your schedule.

We have included our top 15 apps for side hustles in 2022 here for you. Each app has a specific purpose, and while some are similar, they each have unique features that may work for your lifestyle. Some allow you to work from home, while others require you to go outside of your home to complete the task. Keep reading to learn more!

Best 15 Apps for Side Hustles

• Uber
• Airbnb
• TaskRabbit
• Mercari
• Fiverr
• Foap
• Lyft
• Instacart
• DoorDash
• Turo
• Wag
• Shovler
• Lime Bike Juicer
• Angi Services
• Amazon Flex

Uber

Uber is one of the more popular side hustle apps out there. It was one of the first ridesharing companies and still has a solid hold on the market today. You can easily sign up from your phone and conduct daily business through the app.

Drivers have a driver app separate from the Uber app, which allows the driver to see traffic patterns, accept rides, track earnings, and plan out their day. Keep in mind that if you want to sign up with Uber, each driver must undergo safety checks periodically.

Airbnb

Airbnb is another app that was a pioneer of its kind. After its launch in 2008, it has grown to be one of the top ways for people to make passive income if they own rental property. Even if you do not own rental property, many people rent out their finished basement, a guest house, or a renovated airstream sitting on their land.

You can sign up through the website or the app to become a host. After safety checks and vetting, you will be on your way to making income off of a space you rarely use! Hosts have access to their insurance program AirCover and many other resources to make hosting a breeze.

TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is another giant in the side hustle industry. TaskRabbit is an app where people sign up to become TaskRabbits to complete tasks like mowing lawns, assembling furniture, moving services, and other handy odd jobs around your office or home.

They partner with Ikea, so you will likely get more furniture assembly jobs through TaskRabbit. As a worker with this app, you get to be your own boss, set your own rate, and set your own schedule. If you are handy with tools, sign up for this side hustle app today!

Mercari

Mercari is a selling app where people sell thrifted finds, pre-loved clothing, household items, and other popular items that are difficult to find in stores like Rae Dunn pottery.

The app is easy to navigate, and you can sign up and sell in the app. No need to go to the website! You can keep the money you earn through selling to use for Mercari credit or transfer it into your bank account.

Remember that you will need to ship everything to the buyer, so you might find yourself at the post office often. Mercari makes this process easy by providing printable labels and options for shipping prices on your items.

Fiverr

Fiverr is geared towards working freelance professionals who have niche skill sets that others may want to use. Many writers, web designers and developers, musicians, videographers, graphic designers, and media editors work through Fiverr.

As a seller, you write a thorough description of your services through the app or website, then create the packages you offer. Once you are registered, you can accept jobs from many people around the world. You get paid once the order is complete.

Foap

Foap is a platform that allows those with photography and videography skills to make money using photos and videos they create on their own time.

Instead of completing a specific brief, sellers on Foap upload photo and video content to the platform that becomes a part of the portfolio. Once a client purchases your work, you split the profits 50/50 with Foap.

If you prefer working with a brief, you can sign up to take part in a Mission, a service where a brand uploads a brief with what they are looking for, and you submit your art there. They can choose to accept your art or not. Large brands use this platform, so there is no shortage of side work here!

Lyft

Similar to Uber, Lyft is a ride sharing platform. It is easy to become a driver through the Lyft driver app. You can also set your own hours, be your own boss, and create a schedule that works for you.

As a Lyft driver, you keep 100% of customer tips. You can also earn bonuses for driving in certain areas at certain times. Lyft is an easy way to make extra cash if you live in a city or other place where people frequently travel around but do not have their own car!

Instacart

Instacart is the original grocery delivery app and is very easy to use as a side hustle. Similar to other delivery services, you sign up through the app and conduct all work in the app.

You can set your own hours, choose to accept or deny batches and get paid each week. Many grocery stores support Instacart, so there is likely plenty of work in your area. Most deliveries are contact-free and quick drop offs, which allows you to make the most of your time.

DoorDash

DoorDash is one of the original food delivery services and continues to be a popular option for food delivery today. Sign up quickly through the app to receive your hot bag and Dasher card, then get to work!

As a Dasher, you get paid per order and have the opportunity to earn bonuses based on peak timeframes or areas of delivery. It is an excellent side hustle option because you can sign up for as little as 1 hour of delivery time per day or multiple hours. You get paid weekly and keep 100% of customer tips.

Turo

Turo is like Airbnb for your car. This platform allows users to list their vehicles for rent, and customers can rent according to the stipulations the seller sets. For instance, you can choose to deliver it to the customer or have them pick it up. You can allow renters a mileage usage per trip and charge extra after they reach the cap. You can also set guidelines on gas levels.

If you have a vehicle that rarely gets used, this is a great way to make money off of it! You must keep your vehicle in top running condition, and Turo requires the vehicle to be of a particular year to ensure there are no cars that will give the renter issues on the platform.

Turo partners with Travelers for insurance and offers 24/7 customer support for any on-the-road needs. Many people like this side hustle because it requires little to no interference with regular work schedules and is low-maintenance.

Wag

Are you a dog lover? If so, Wag is the perfect side hustle for you! Wag is a dog care app that allows customers to schedule someone to walk their pup, drop in on them throughout the day, help train them, and conduct overnight sittings.

Sign up is easy through the app, and you can accept clients in the same manner. When you sign up, you choose to become a walker or a caregiver. Walkers only take dogs on walks, while caregivers are vetted and trusted animal professionals who offer other services beyond walks.

Wag offers property damage protection that you can use as a Walker, and it allows you to make your own schedule and receive instant payment.

Shovler

This app is a great choice for a side hustle opportunity for something you are likely doing anyways. Shovler allows people to schedule snow clearing services for their driveways, entryways, and walkways.

As a snow shoveler, you can use this app to make extra cash during the winter months. The app allows you to choose jobs nearest to you on your time and offers simple pricing tools, so there is no need for negotiations with customers. Shovler is an extremely straightforward app with easy-to-use tools to help you earn money on the side.

Lime Bike Juicer

This cleverly named side hustle is about as easy as it gets to make extra money. If you have seen the Lime scooters throughout your town, you probably have also wondered how they stay charged and ready to use.

Lime Bike Juicers are the people who keep them charged! You can set your own schedule, and you get paid for each task you complete. It is recommended to charge them outside of peak riding hours, but you can do it whenever you have the time.

Sign up online or through the app, and be sure you have a way to transport the scooters from the pickup area to the charging area.

Angi Services

Angi Services is a platform that allows professionals in handiwork areas to pick up extra gigs on their own time. If you are a handyman, cleaning professional, or other home service professional, this might be the side hustle app for you!

You can use the app to manage your schedule at any time, even on the go! The app allows you to view the specifics of the service before you accept and offers an easy-to-use messaging system to communicate with clients.

Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex is a service that allows people to set their own schedules and accept deliveries through Amazon.

You reserve a block of time and can see how much you will get paid for that time before you begin driving. Most of the time you will deliver packages to customers in the area, but you might deliver groceries through Amazon Fresh.

The app also offers a way to track earnings block by block, so you always know how much you are making. Payments are processed Tuesday and Friday. As long as you have a phone, driver’s license, and reliable form of transportation, you are ready to drive with Amazon Flex!

Things to Remember

All of these ideas are supported by an app on your phone. Some have website capabilities that work the same as the app, but most are app supported. Always be sure you have enough charge to be able to work!

When you become a freelancer or independent contractor with these apps, save some of the money you get paid for future taxes. If you make over $600 in a year, you will need to file taxes on the extra income. In most cases, the company will send you a 1099 form at the end of the fiscal year so you can file your taxes.

Lastly, remember that this is a side hustle, so do not feel overwhelmed with the obligation. There are plenty of people on these apps who do this nearly as a full-time job, so do not feel pressure to keep up with these people.

Have fun with it, make a little extra cash, and treat it like the side hustle that it is!

Final Thoughts

We think all of these apps have capabilities that make it easy to run your own side hustle on your own time, with little stress. Each company works hard to be sure their independent contractors are happy and enjoy using the service, so you can expect that they will treat you well in most cases.

With so many to choose from, and plenty more not included on this list, there are many side hustle apps geared towards making you more money. Which app will you sign up for next?