Gig work can be a great way to make money, especially if the typical 95 isnt your thing.
Several gig apps make it easier than ever to find short-term work.
No more scouring Craigslist or working with a temp agency.
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Youve probably heard of gig apps like Uber and DoorDash.
Others like Instawork and TaskRabbit let you pick the kind of jobs youre interested in.
Gig apps make that process even easier than it used to be.
Want to make even more quick money outside of gig apps?
What Are Gig Apps and How Do They Work?
The app works by pairing the requested service with a willing worker (thats you).
There are different kinds of gig apps.
Some include freelance platforms like Upwork, delivery apps like DoorDash, and task-based apps like TaskRabbit.
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The Best Gig Apps for Freelancers
Ready to start working on demand?
These are the top gig apps that freelancers use to make money today.
Each of these apps is different.
It has separate apps for the clients and the freelancers.
Upworkalso is free to download.
The free-to-download app lets you send proposals and invoices, as well as manage your time and tasks.
It also offers Learn From Fiverr to teach freelancers how to further their careers.
Freelancer
The extensive online marketplaceFreelancerallows clients and freelancers to meet and collaborate.
It claims to have any job you could possibly think of.
This includes internet marketing, data entry, graphic design and local jobs.
It says it has more than 75 million users and more than 24 million jobs posted.
Freelancer also is free to download.
If you already have a car, youre pretty much ready to go, too.
And, if you dont live in a city?
The competition for gigs can get tough.
Here are a few delivery and driving apps to try:
1.
DoorDash
Founded in 2013, DoorDash was one of the first food delivery apps to hit the market.
People have beensigning up to become Dashersand make money delivering food with this gig app ever since.
Overall, driver requirements for this food delivery app are low.
Theres no dress code, and the company provides a hot bag for free.
You get paid weekly, or you might access your funds early through Fast Pay for a fee.
Amazon Flex
Retail giant Amazon operates its own app to connect workers with temporary delivery jobs.
Currently, delivery gigs withAmazon Flexare among the highest paying in the gig economy.
The company says pay ranges are between $18 and $25 per hour, depending on your area.
With high performance and good tips, its possible to earn more.
Flex requires you to sign up for gig jobs, aka blocks, for most deliveries.
Blocks typically run four hours at a time, unless the shift is specifically for Prime Now packages.
Those blocks are shorter.
Insured four-door sedans or SUVs are required for most Flex packages.
For Prime Now blocks, smaller cars are allowed.
To apply, you must be at least 21 years old.
No dress code or special materials are required to start delivering.
Uber
If you like driving, Uber can put extra cash in your pocket.
The process is simple.
Yousign up to drive onlineor through the app, then access when you want to work.
Youll wait for a notification when someone in your area needs a ride.
Pick them up and drop them off at their destination to complete the job.
Youll also need at least a four-door vehicle in good condition and proof of insurance.
You also get to keep 100% of the tips you earn.
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Lyft
Lyftis very similar to Uber, as it connects drivers with riders.
The requirements depend on where you live, and you could find themhere.
Apply to drive at Lyft, and you will earn 70% of the rider fares after external fees.
It also gives you the opportunity to see the best job offered from each service.
To get started, download the Para app, create an account and then link your other gig apps.
With ParaWorks, you’ve got the option to find other high-paying scheduled & on-demand job opportunities.
Instacart
Do you know where everything is in the grocery store?
Youll make money easily with Instacart.
Instacart is a grocery shopping and delivery service that serves over 600,000 shoppers.
Youll keep100% of the tips you earnon top of getting paid per batch.
you’ve got the option to cash out in as little as two hours after completing the job.
Instawork
Founded in 2016,Instaworkis a gig app that helps you find local, hourly professional work.
To get started, youll complete your profile with information about your work history and experience.
Next, youll look for available gigs under Open shifts and find one that fits your schedule.
Review the information, book your gig job and youre ready to start working.
Instawork takes care of all of the paperwork, insurance and payments.
The gig app also lets you see how much youll get paid for the job before you book it.
Payouts usually take place weekly via direct deposit into your bank account.
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbitconnects gig workers with an online marketplace of people who need help with odd jobs.
This can include anything from cleaning houses and watering house plants to standing in line and assembling IKEA furniture.
Jobs are paid at an hourly rate, which Taskers set.
You also get to set your own flexible schedule.
Thats the only fees youll face as a TaskRabbit gig worker; all other costs are paid by clients.
Some require previous experience or expertise, but many dont.
To become a Tasker, you cansign upthrough the TaskRabbit website or download theiOSorAndroid app.
Thumbtack
Thumbtackis another gig economy app with similarities to TaskRabbit.
But its not just odd jobs and manual laborside hustleson Thumbtack.
Its free to create a profile on Thumbtack, and theres no subscription fee.
In other words, you have to spend money to make money on Thumbtack.
Responding quickly to potential customers increases your odds of landing the job.
you could also choose how you want to get paid for bookings.
Many pros on Thumbtack get paid through theirCash App, Zelle or PayPal account.
Its up to you to set up your payment preferences: Customers dont pay you directly through the app.
Rover and Wag
Love animals?
Rover and Wag are two gig apps that let you turn your passion for pets into extra cash.
Its a great time to walk dogs for money, too.
Rover and Wag are sort of like Uber for dog walking in that you take requests in your area.
You also make your own hours and post your availability for dog walking gigs.
How much you’ve got the option to earn depends on how many gigs you accept.
Heres our articlecomparing Rover and Wag, plus a few similar apps.
No marketing, haggling or in-person contact required.
Youll also need to connect aStripe payment systemaccount to get paid.
So how much can you make?
Oneshoveler we spoke tosaid he netted $5,000 in one season by completing 70 jobs.
Bigger gigs like clearing small business parking lots will net you more money.
Handy
Handyis a platform that connects handymen and cleaners to users in need.
From home cleaning to furniture assembly, wood floor installation and kitchen remodeling, everything is there on Handy.
To get started with Handy, youll need tosign up through Angi.
Once you do, your software will need to be approved.
Handy is unique because you get payments sent directly to your bank account quickly after each job is done.
Its a win-win for you and the home or business owner.
Gigwalk
Gigwalkcalls itself the worlds largest brand intelligence platform.
You canbecome a Gigwalkerby downloading the app through the Apple Store or Google Play.
Gigwalk pays through PayPal.
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Consider carefully whats in demand in your local market and what interests you before signing up.
By looking at those factors, narrowing down your gig app of choice will be much easier.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
She focuses on retirement, investing, taxes and life insurance.
