15 Best Side Hustle Apps

Allie Coutts
April 21, 2025
5 min read

The 15 Best Side Hustle Apps to Make Extra Cash in 2025

In today’s fast-moving, budget-stretching world, more people are turning to side hustles—not just to make ends meet, but to build a cushion, crush debt, or fund big dreams. And thanks to technology, getting started is easier than ever. Whether you want to earn cash by driving, freelancing, selling stuff, or leveraging your skills in unique ways, there’s an app for that.

We’ve curated this list of the best side hustle apps to help you explore new income streams—without quitting your day job.

1. DoorDash – Best for Food Delivery Flexibility

If you're comfortable behind the wheel and have a few hours to spare, DoorDash offers flexible delivery gigs in most cities. Drivers (aka Dashers) earn money by picking up food orders from restaurants and delivering them to customers. You can work whenever it fits your schedule and get paid weekly.

Pros:

  • No set schedule
  • Instant cashout options
  • Frequent promotions and tips

Cons:

  • Vehicle wear and tear
  • Inconsistent order volume in some areas

2. Rover – Best for Pet Lovers

Animal lovers, rejoice! With Rover, you can earn money by walking dogs, pet sitting, or boarding pets in your home. You set your availability, choose the type of jobs you want, and build relationships with repeat clients.

Pros:

  • Flexible schedule
  • Low startup costs
  • Great for stay-at-home workers

Cons:

  • May take time to build reviews
  • High competition in urban areas

3. TaskRabbit – Best for Handy People

If you’re good at furniture assembly, moving, home repairs, or odd jobs, TaskRabbit connects you with people in your area who need help. You set your own rates and availability and get paid after each task.

Pros:

  • High earning potential
  • Broad category of services
  • Same-day payments available

Cons:

  • Requires background check
  • Must meet clients in person

4. Fiverr – Best for Freelancers with Creative Skills

Fiverr is a popular freelance marketplace for creatives—designers, writers, editors, video editors, marketers, and more. Starting at $5 per gig (though you can charge way more), it’s a great entry point for building a freelance business.

Pros:

  • Global client base
  • Gig templates make setup easy
  • Offers growth tools like subscriptions and packages

Cons:

  • 20% commission fee
  • High competition for new sellers

5. Upwork – Best for Professional Freelancers

If you have marketable skills like writing, programming, marketing, or customer service, Upwork can be a lucrative place to find contract work. Clients post jobs, and freelancers submit proposals—though long-term relationships often follow.

Pros:

  • Higher-paying opportunities
  • Ongoing client relationships
  • Secure payment system

Cons:

  • High service fees
  • Takes time to build credibility

6. Instacart – Best for Grocery Shoppers

With Instacart, you get paid to shop for and deliver groceries. You can work as a full-service shopper (shop and deliver) or an in-store shopper (just shop). It’s ideal if you’re looking for a flexible, active side gig.

Pros:

  • Choose your hours
  • Can be physically active
  • Tips boost earnings

Cons:

  • Needs reliable transportation
  • May involve heavy lifting

7. Poshmark – Best for Selling Clothes

Got a closet full of clothes you never wear? Poshmark makes it easy to turn them into cash. You can list clothes, accessories, shoes, and more—and even run your own virtual boutique.

Pros:

  • Simple mobile app
  • Built-in audience of buyers
  • Seller protection and shipping labels

Cons:

  • 20% commission on sales over $15
  • Requires time for packaging and shipping

8. OfferUp – Best for Selling Locally

OfferUp is a local selling app that lets you list furniture, electronics, tools, and more. You can coordinate local meetups or ship nationwide (for a fee), making it ideal for clearing clutter or flipping items for profit.

Pros:

  • Fast, local transactions
  • No listing fees
  • In-app messaging

Cons:

  • Safety depends on in-person meetups
  • May have to negotiate with buyers

9. Airbnb – Best for Passive Income from Extra Space

Got a spare room or guesthouse? Airbnb lets you list it for short-term rental and earn passive income. You can control the availability, nightly rates, and house rules.

Pros:

  • High earning potential
  • You set your own rules and calendar
  • Protection with host guarantee

Cons:

  • Requires effort to clean and maintain
  • Local regulations vary

10. Turo – Best for Renting Out Your Car

Turo lets you rent out your vehicle when you’re not using it. Think of it like Airbnb—but for your car. It’s a great way to offset car payments or earn money passively.

Pros:

  • Insurance options available
  • You set your own rates and availability
  • High demand in cities and tourist areas

Cons:

  • Wear and tear on your car
  • Seasonal demand fluctuations

11. Gigwalk – Best for Microtasks in Your Area

Gigwalk pays users to complete small tasks for brands and businesses—like checking store displays, taking photos of products, or verifying addresses. Tasks usually take 5-30 minutes and pay $3 to $100.

Pros:

  • Simple to use
  • Pays via PayPal
  • No long-term commitment

Cons:

  • Limited availability in rural areas
  • Tasks may go quickly

12. Neighbor – Best for Renting Out Storage Space

Neighbor is like Airbnb, but for storage. If you’ve got an empty garage, basement, or shed, you can rent it out to people needing extra space—and earn money each month.

Pros:

  • Passive income
  • Safe and insured
  • You choose who rents your space

Cons:

  • Must be accessible to renters
  • Local regulations may apply

13. Sweatcoin – Best for Earning While You Walk

Sweatcoin tracks your steps and rewards you with coins that can be redeemed for goods, services, or donations. You won’t get rich, but it’s a fun way to stay motivated and earn perks passively.

Pros:

  • Totally passive
  • Encourages fitness
  • Free to use

Cons:

  • Rewards can be limited
  • Requires step tracking permissions

14. Freelancer.com – Best for Remote Project Work

Freelancer.com connects professionals with gigs ranging from software development to design and marketing. You can bid on jobs and grow your portfolio over time.

Pros:

  • Global client base
  • Escrow payment system
  • Good for remote workers

Cons:

  • Project competition
  • Monthly plan to unlock more bids

15. Surveys on the Go – Best for Quick Money from Surveys

Surveys on the Go pays you to share your opinions on products, services, and trends. Most surveys pay $1–$5, and some specialized surveys can earn you even more.

Pros:

  • Instant access
  • Pays in real money (not points)
  • Easy way to earn on the go

Cons:

  • Limited number of high-paying surveys
  • Must qualify for each survey

How to Choose the Right Side Hustle App for You

With so many options out there, it helps to ask yourself:

  • What’s your time commitment? Do you want something passive, or are you okay trading time for cash?
  • Do you prefer online or in-person? Some gigs require you to meet customers, while others are 100% remote.
  • What are your strengths? Whether it's writing, organizing, or driving, lean into what you’re good at.

And most importantly: Don’t be afraid to try a few! Many people combine apps (e.g., DoorDash + Instacart, or Fiverr + Upwork) to maximize earnings.

Final Thoughts

Side hustle apps make it easier than ever to earn extra income on your own terms. Whether you’re chasing financial freedom or just want to earn a little extra for your hobbies, these platforms offer something for everyone. As with anything, consistency pays off—and the right app can open doors to long-term opportunities you didn’t even expect.

Written By

Allie Coutts

Content Specialist

Subscribe to the newsletter
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Share