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Freelancing and independent contract jobs have become quite common in the modern world as a response to the need for a stable income.
Such jobs, often grouped together under the term ‘gig economy jobs,’ can encompass a variety of fields. This can include delivery gigs, service gigs, on-demand gigs, and more, and anyone interested in them can partake in them through online or offline postings.
Enter gig economy apps, a host of mobile software produced by various companies to be a source of passive income for freelancers. The ability to access these apps easily opens up many gig opportunities for gig economy workers, enabling them to sustain a cash stream.
Let’s take a look at our list of the best gig economy apps and see which ones can be a sustainable source of income. These gig apps can help you sustain a steady side income, which can be beneficial in the growing modern market.
Gig Economy Apps
By its very definition, a gig economy contains several temporary jobs that are common, where hiring companies choose freelancers and independent contractors. This benefits both the freelancers and the companies in multiple ways.
For one, freelancers have a greater chance of being hired due to a net increase in the number of gigs online. This is facilitated through the online space, as high-speed internet and a plethora of mobile apps have made accessing work easier than ever. Additionally, the gigs usually pay decently well, making them quite lucrative in the long run for freelancers.
And next, gigs can serve as both a cost-management benefit for the company, as well as a way to scout potential hires. Companies can save resources as they don’t need to pay employee benefits to an independent contractor. Moreover, companies can choose to hire a particular freelancer or independent contractor should their performance exceed company expectations.
Delivery Gig Apps
Delivery gigs are some of the most popular freelance work available on the market. Several corporate giants have apps dedicated to this very purpose, as they constantly need more drivers.
These apps calculate your earnings based on the distance covered and the time taken per delivery. Additionally, you may earn a little extra income in the form of tips, should the recipient choose to offer some.
Here are a few of the most popular delivery gig economy apps.
1. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is one of the fastest-expanding food delivery apps around the world. And to sustain its growth, the service needs more delivery drivers every day in exchange for a commission fee.
The pay you receive depends on the region and market you deliver food in, as well as the number of completed deliveries. Moreover, Uber Eats drivers get to keep the tip they receive, making its earning potential quite decent as a side hustle.
There is a slight catch to this, however. As a driver for this gig, you will have to arrange for transportation at your expense. Meaning, the company will not reimburse you for the gas or transportation costs.
2. DoorDash
DoorDash is another popular food delivery service that delivers products to customers’ doorsteps in more than 5,000 cities.
One of the biggest advantages of being a DoorDasher is the flexibility that the service affords the drivers. After a brief sign-up process, you can start delivering by accessing gig jobs from the smartphone app. You can set your own hours and the distance to cover, making it flexible gig work.
If you work for a decent number of hours as a DoorDasher, you can reach up to $200, depending on the market. Additionally, you keep any tip received during deliveries without having to pay a fraction to the company.
Much like Uber Eats, DoorDash doesn’t compensate you for the cost of gas or vehicle used as you deliver food, which can be an issue.
3. Instacart
If you’re looking for simpler delivery gigs, you may consider grocery delivery jobs like the ones offered by Instacart. When you work for Instacart, you will get paid to shop for groceries and other goods from the shops and leave them at the customers’ residences.
The company pays about $13 to $25 per hour, depending on the market and the rate of Instacart batches you receive. You have a flexible work schedule as an Instacart shopper, and the tip potential is generally decently high.
And like the other delivery gig apps, you get to keep all the tips you receive in a day’s work.
4. Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex is a gig economy app that has its drivers deliver all types of packages, such as products, groceries, and more. Drivers must claim “blocks” in order to make deliveries and earn money, which vary based on the timing and delivery type.
The company offers an hourly pay that ranges from $15 to $19 per hour, making it one of the most well-paying gig apps in the industry. All you need to get started is to download the app, be over 21 years old, have a qualifying vehicle, and pass a background check.
There are a couple of hiccups associated with Flex, namely the frequency of hiring and its “blocks” system. The company doesn’t hire very frequently, so those looking for the gig must keep their eyes peeled for when it does.
And secondly, the block system it uses makes the Flex delivery scene quite competitive. Amazon Flex assigns the blocks on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that the most well-paying and time-efficient blocks are claimed very quickly.
On-Demand Gig Apps
1. Fiverr
Fiverr is a platform where people can hire gig economy workers for creative or professional work. No matter the skill, you may start looking for buyers looking to hire your services.
The skills you may offer potential clients include, but are not limited to:
- Graphic designer
- Web developer
- Voice actor
- SEO Specialist
The baseline pay per gig is $5, but you can set your own prices based on the current skill level and preferences. Some professionals who offer top-of-the-line services may charge up to a few hundred dollars for their services.
But since the number of services offered on the gig app is so high, finding a niche to work in becomes a simple matter. It’s worth noting that the marketplace is extremely competitive, so it may take a while to get consistent hires.
2. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a task-based marketplace where you can hire “Taskers” for their skills or be a Tasker yourself to perform the job for a fee. As a Tasker, you can offer the following services:
- Home cleaning
- Painting work
- Furniture assembly
- Yard work
Think of this gig app as a marketplace for handymen that allows you to earn money on the side. It offers up to $40 per hour based on the market, allowing you to potentially earn more than minimum wage through some dedication.
While the pay rate is high, the demand for TaskRabbit isn’t quite as high as some of the other on-demand apps. As a result, you may find a little trouble getting work on a steady basis when you first start out.
3. Handy
Like TaskRabbit, Handy is a gig economy app that pays for handyman-related services. It is currently operational in 20+ cities in North America, the UK, and Canada.
Once hired by Handy, the app pays you for performing tasks like home cleaning, wall mounting, furniture assembly, and more. Typically, this will net you more than the minimum wage, making it a decent side hustle. Expect the average pay range to be between $20 and $50 per hour.
Just like TaskRabbit, it can be difficult to find clients, especially when you’re first starting out.
Other Notable Gig Economy Apps
1. Uber
You can consider becoming an Uber driver and drive clients to their destination or as a rideshare app to earn a decent side income. The pay varies based on the time you spend driving clients to their destination and the distance you travel while doing so.
Uber drivers get paid weekly, with their fares being deposited automatically. Moreover, they can take advantage of surge hours and earn a little extra income when there is a high demand for drivers.
2. Wag
Dog lovers can take up jobs walking their clients’ dogs through the gig economy app Wag.
If you’re up for the job, simply download the app, create a profile, set up a schedule, and become a pet sitter or a dog walker. The pay offered by Wag can vary based on the number of clients, which can reach up to a few hundred dollars per month.
It’s important to note that the company takes a 40% cut in all the completed jobs as a commission. Additionally, it can take a little while to find clients as a dog walker through Wag, which can affect the income.
Final Words
Gig economy apps have created a revolution for the freelancing industry. As such, freelancing is more accessible than ever, enabling people to save up more money for the future.
Earning a side income is an appealing idea, especially if your primary job consists mostly of remote work. And since many gig apps pay higher than minimum wage, signing up for them can be quite lucrative.
As far as choosing between them goes, you have several options to choose from. The freelancing world is yours to explore, so feel free to check it out!
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