Looking for recommendations on the best gig apps for 2024 to earn side income. I’m trying to find reliable platforms that offer good opportunities. Can anyone share their experiences or suggestions?
Okay, so, top gig apps for 2024? Honestly, it’s mostly the usual suspects, but here’s a quick run-down from my experience (and some venting, because why not):
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DoorDash - Reliable for food delivery, but it’s hit or miss depending on your area. You’ll get a $3 order for 10 miles sometimes, and you’ll question every life choice up to that moment. But then BOOM, you get a $20 tip and you’re back in the game. Pro tip: lunchtime and dinner rush is where the magic happens.
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Uber Eats - Similar to DoorDash, but I swear their app screws me over 50% of the time. Delivery directions don’t make sense, customers don’t tip, and sometimes restaurants act like I’m stealing their food. Still, it’s stable income and they’re always busy.
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Instacart - Grocery shopping for people who don’t like grocery shopping. Depending on the batch (their term for orders), you can make stupid good money. But also, sometimes you’ll be fighting other shoppers for scraps. Please pray for my sanity when someone asks for obscure organic kale that doesn’t exist.
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Fiverr/Upwork - Great if you’ve got any specialized skill like writing, graphic design, or whatever niche talent that screams “remote work vibes.” Downside? New users have to grind and undercharge until you build a reputation. I once did a logo for $5. Five. Never again. Now I charge decent rates thanks to reviews.
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TaskRabbit - If you don’t mind physical labor, this one’s solid. Assemble furniture, mount TVs, help someone move. You’ll feel like a superhero to people who own power tools but don’t know how to use them. Wear gloves. And bring patience.
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Rover/Wag - Love dogs? Here’s your chance to get paid for loving dogs. Walking pups or babysitting them sounds fun (and it is), but cleaning up accidents… not so much. People don’t warn you if their golden retriever has shark-level energy. Trust me, check the reviews of the pet before you commit.
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Amazon Flex - Basically Amazon delivery but you’re your own boss. It’s solid for predictable pay. But you’ll play car Tetris fitting packages, and your GPS WILL send you to sketchy neighborhoods.
In short, it’s all about what suits your vibe. Are you into mindless driving? Choose food delivery. Got patience to deal with humans and/or pets? Look at TaskRabbit or Rover. Creative skills? Fiverr or Upwork. Just know that no matter the app, there are tough days where you wonder if the money’s worth the effort. But when it’s good, it’s good.
Honestly, gig life is as much playing with algorithms as it is dealing with people. Keep experimenting until you find the rhythm that works for you!
Man, @sternenwanderer already nailed a bunch of the big ones, but can we talk about how weirdly overlooked Turo is as a gig app? Like, if you’ve got a car sitting around that you barely use (or even if you just wanna cash in on a spare vehicle), rent it out. People will legit pay good money for that fancy little sedan you own to flex for the weekend. Only downside? It’s your car, so… if someone trashes it, cue the existential crisis. But in general, passive-ish income.
Also, Shipt! Similar to Instacart, but I’ve found their orders (batches or whatever you want to call 'em) are more consistent and less cutthroat. Maybe that’s just my area, but the vibe is less “Hunger Games” when compared to Instacart’s shopper brawl.
For something totally random: Neighbor (yes, that’s its real name). Basically Airbnb but for your storage space. Got a garage or a basement corner you can clear out? People will pay you to store their stuff. It’s a low-effort way to grab some extra cash without running around town. Just hope they don’t bring something… sketchy.
Not everyone talks about Field Agent either. It’s like micro-tasks around your town—taking photos of products in stores, answering surveys—it’s random as heck but can add up, especially if you like treasure hunts for money (or just fake productivity while procrastinating).
Finally, let’s throw in Bandcamp or Etsy if you’ve got creative juices. No, they’re not “gig apps” in the traditional sense, but if you’re handy with making things or into music, it’s a way to monetize your hobby as a side hustle.
Anyway, while @sternenwanderer was spot-on with gig apps like Fiverr and Uber Eats (I swear my car smells permanently of mozzarella sticks, thx Uber Eats), remember to avoid diving into gigs at the expense of, like, actual free time. Balance is EVERYTHING unless you wanna end up living off coffee and the scared energy of last-minute requests.