In today’s fast-paced digital world, earning extra money has never been easier. Thanks to side hustle apps, you can now turn your spare time into extra income without committing to a full-time job. Whether you’re looking to supplement your salary, save for a big purchase, or just want to make extra cash, there are plenty of apps to make extra money in 2025.
From gig apps like Uber and DoorDash to survey apps and online side hustles, this guide covers the top side hustle apps that can help you earn extra money with minimal effort. Whether you’re interested in delivery apps, freelancing, or investing, there’s something here for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- You’ll discover the best side hustle apps available in 2025.
- Learn how each side hustle app works and what makes it an excellent side hustle option.
- Find apps for making money in different categories, including gig work, freelancing, and online side hustles.
- Get tips on maximizing your earnings from these hustle apps to make extra money.
- Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, or someone with a full-time job, these side hustles can help you earn some extra money.
20 Best Side Hustle Apps
Finding the best side hustle app can help you make extra money in 2025, whether you’re looking for gig work, freelancing, or passive income opportunities. The apps listed below provide flexible ways to earn extra cash in your spare time. Whether you want to work on-demand, invest, or monetize your skills, these side hustle apps can help you achieve your financial goals.
Gig Economy Apps
1. Uber – Drive and Earn on Your Schedule
Uber is one of the best side hustle apps for those looking to earn money through ridesharing. As an Uber driver, you can work whenever you want, making it a flexible gig for those with a full-time job or other commitments.
- How It Works: After signing up as a driver and passing a background check, you can start accepting ride requests from users. Drivers use their own vehicles and are paid based on the distance and time of the trip, with additional bonuses for peak hours and surge pricing.
- Earnings Potential: The amount you make depends on location, time of day, and the number of trips completed. Some drivers earn between $15 to $30 per hour, and Uber offers an instant payout feature to cash out earnings whenever needed.
- Pros: High flexibility, potential for high earnings in busy areas, and the ability to work independently.
- Cons: Vehicle maintenance costs, fuel expenses, and fluctuating demand can affect earnings.
2. DoorDash – A Top Food Delivery App
If you want to make some extra money by delivering food, DoorDash is a great option. As a food delivery app, it connects drivers (Dashers) with restaurants and customers.
- How It Works: Dashers use their vehicle to pick up food orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers. The app provides navigation, estimated earnings, and tipping information before you accept a delivery.
- Earnings Potential: Dashers can earn between $10 to $25 per hour, depending on the time of day and location. Tips from customers can significantly boost earnings.
- Pros: No need to transport passengers, flexibility in scheduling, and potential for high earnings during peak meal times.
- Cons: Fuel costs, vehicle wear and tear, and occasional long waits at restaurants.
3. Instacart – Shop and Deliver Groceries
Intacart is a delivery app that allows you to earn extra cash by shopping for and delivering groceries.
- How It Works: Shoppers receive grocery orders through the app, go to partnered stores, and pick up the listed items. There are two types of workers: full-service shoppers who shop and deliver, and in-store shoppers who only prepare the orders for pickup.
- Earnings Potential: Shoppers can earn between $10 to $25 per hour, with the opportunity to receive customer tips.
- Pros: Choose which orders to accept, work at your own pace, and receive tips.
- Cons: Requires physical effort, limited availability of orders in smaller cities, and unpredictable demand.
4. TaskRabbit – Get Paid for Odd Jobs
If you enjoy handyman work, cleaning, or assembling furniture, TaskRabbit is a great way to make extra money.
- How It Works: After creating a profile and listing your skills, you can browse available tasks and set your rates. Customers hire Taskers for services such as furniture assembly, moving assistance, home repairs, and cleaning.
- Earnings Potential: Taskers can set their own rates, with some earning over $50 per hour depending on the complexity of the task.
- Pros: High earning potential, ability to choose jobs that fit your skills, and no upfront costs.
- Cons: Requires in-person work, competition from other Taskers, and the need to travel to job locations.
5. Rover – Earn by Walking Dogs
Love animals? Rover lets you make money online by offering pet sitting, dog walking, and boarding services.
- How It Works: Sign up as a pet sitter or dog walker, set your rates, and accept bookings from pet owners in your area. Services range from short walks to overnight pet sitting.
- Earnings Potential: Dog walkers typically earn $15 to $25 per walk, while pet sitters can earn between $20 to $100 per night, depending on the services offered.
- Pros: Work with animals, flexible hours, and the ability to set your rates.
- Cons: Requires experience with pets, irregular bookings, and customer reviews affecting job opportunities.
Online Side Hustle Apps
6. Fiverr – Freelance Your Skills
If you have a marketable skill like graphic design, writing, programming, or marketing, Fiverr is an excellent side hustle app to earn money online. It’s one of the most popular apps for making money through freelancing.
- How It Works: Users create “gigs” offering services starting at $5, but experienced freelancers can charge hundreds or even thousands per project. Clients browse gigs and place orders based on their needs.
- Earnings Potential: Beginners may earn $5-$20 per gig, while experienced freelancers can make $500 or more per project.
- Pros: No upfront costs, global clientele, and the ability to scale earnings.
- Cons: High competition, Fiverr takes a 20% cut, and it can take time to build a reputation.
7. Upwork – Work With High-Paying Clients
Upwork is another best side hustle app for freelancers looking to work with businesses worldwide. It offers job opportunities in writing, programming, customer support, marketing, and more.
- How It Works: Users create profiles showcasing their skills and bid on job postings. Clients hire freelancers for one-time or long-term projects.
- Earnings Potential: Earnings vary widely, from $10/hour for entry-level jobs to $100/hour for high-skilled freelancers.
- Pros: Access to high-paying clients, multiple job categories, and potential for long-term work.
- Cons: High service fees (Upwork takes up to 20%), bidding can be competitive, and approval is required to join.
8. Teachable – Create and Sell Online Courses
If you have expertise in a particular subject, Teachable allows you to create and sell courses, making it a profitable side hustle that generates extra income.
- How It Works: Users create video courses and sell them to students. Teachable handles hosting, payments, and customer support.
- Earnings Potential: Course creators can earn anywhere from $100 to $50,000+ depending on course demand and marketing.
- Pros: Passive income potential, no technical skills required, and the ability to sell to a global audience.
- Cons: Requires effort to create content, competition with other educators, and a learning curve for marketing courses.
9. Etsy – Sell Handmade and Digital Products
For creatives, Etsy is one of the top side hustle apps to sell handmade goods, vintage items, and digital products.
- How It Works: Users set up an online store and list their products for sale. Customers browse the platform and make purchases.
- Earnings Potential: Profits vary based on product pricing and demand, with some sellers earning thousands per month.
- Pros: Large customer base, passive income from digital products, and creative freedom.
- Cons: Listing fees, competition, and marketing efforts required.
10. Amazon KDP – Make Money With Self-Publishing
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program allows authors to self-publish eBooks and paperbacks, making it a great side hustle for writers.
- How It Works: Writers upload books to Amazon, set a price, and earn royalties for each sale.
- Earnings Potential: Royalties range from 35%-70%, with successful authors earning $1,000+ per month.
- Pros: Passive income, access to a massive audience, and no inventory needed.
- Cons: Requires effort to write and format books, marketing is essential, and competition is high.
Cashback and Survey Apps
11. Swagbucks – Earn Rewards for Simple Tasks
Swagbucks is a popular side hustle app that allows users to earn extra money by completing small online tasks such as watching videos, taking surveys, shopping online, and playing games.
- How It Works: Users complete tasks and earn Swagbucks (SB) points, which can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards.
- Earnings Potential: Most users earn $1 to $5 per day, but heavy users can earn up to $300 per month.
- Pros: Multiple ways to earn, easy tasks, and a low payout threshold.
- Cons: Low earnings per task, some surveys disqualify users, and it takes time to accumulate points.
12. Rakuten – Get Paid to Shop
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a cashback app that gives users money back on purchases from partnered retailers.
- How It Works: Users shop through the Rakuten app or website at participating stores. A percentage of the purchase price is credited back as cashback.
- Earnings Potential: Cashback rates range from 1% to 10%, with occasional special promotions offering even higher returns.
- Pros: Passive income, works with major retailers, and offers sign-up bonuses.
- Cons: Requires upfront spending, cashback is paid quarterly, and some stores have exclusions.
13. Ibotta – Earn Cashback on Groceries
Ibotta is a great way to make extra money by earning cashback on everyday grocery purchases.
- How It Works: Users activate offers before shopping, scan receipts, and receive cashback.
- Earnings Potential: Users can earn $10 to $50 per month depending on grocery spending.
- Pros: Works with major grocery stores, easy-to-use app, and bonus offers available.
- Cons: Limited product selection, must scan receipts, and payout requires a $20 balance.
14. Survey Junkie – Get Paid for Your Opinions
Survey Junkie is a survey app that rewards users for sharing opinions on products and services.
- How It Works: Users complete surveys and earn points, which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
- Earnings Potential: Most surveys pay between $0.50 and $3, with high earners making up to $200 per month.
- Pros: Free to join, easy payouts, and surveys can be done in spare time.
- Cons: Some surveys disqualify users, and earnings are relatively low.
15. Dosh – Automatic Cashback on Purchases
Dosh is a mobile app that provides automatic cashback when users link their credit or debit cards and shop at participating stores.
- How It Works: Users connect their cards, make purchases, and earn cashback without scanning receipts.
- Earnings Potential: Cashback ranges from 2% to 10%, with bonus opportunities for referrals.
- Pros: Completely passive income, easy to use, and works with many stores and restaurants.
- Cons: Requires linking a card, limited merchant participation, and slow payout processing.
Investment and Passive Income Apps
16. Acorns – Invest Spare Change Automatically
Acorns is an investment app that helps users earn extra money by rounding up their purchases and investing the spare change into diversified portfolios.
- How It Works: Users link their debit or credit cards, and Acorns rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar, investing the difference in low-cost ETFs.
- Earnings Potential: Long-term gains depend on market performance, but users can build a small nest egg over time.
- Pros: Hands-off investing, no large capital required, and great for beginners.
- Cons: Monthly fees, small returns initially, and no control over individual investments.
17. Robinhood – Commission-Free Stock Trading
Robinhood is a mobile app that allows users to trade stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies without paying commissions.
- How It Works: Users deposit money, buy and sell investments, and potentially earn returns based on market trends.
- Earnings Potential: Varies based on investment choices; users have the potential for high gains but also risks.
- Pros: No trading fees, easy-to-use platform, and access to diverse investment options.
- Cons: Market risks, no human advisors, and limited research tools for advanced investors.
18. Fundrise – Real Estate Investing Made Easy
Fundrise is a real estate investment app that allows users to invest in properties without buying or managing them directly.
- How It Works: Users invest in real estate projects through REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and earn dividends or appreciation over time.
- Earnings Potential: Returns typically range from 6% to 12% annually, depending on market conditions.
- Pros: Low entry barrier, passive income, and diversification.
- Cons: Investment is illiquid, fees apply, and market fluctuations affect returns.
19. Honeygain – Get Paid for Sharing Internet Bandwidth
Honeygain is a passive income app that pays users for sharing their unused internet bandwidth with its network.
- How It Works: Users install the app, which securely shares excess bandwidth with businesses conducting web research.
- Earnings Potential: Users earn around $1 per 10GB of shared data, with monthly earnings ranging from $20 to $50.
- Pros: Fully passive income, simple setup, and no effort required after installation.
- Cons: Slow earnings, requires constant internet connection, and potential privacy concerns.
20. Airbnb – Rent Out Extra Space for Profit
Airbnb allows users to make extra money by renting out spare rooms, entire homes, or unique stays.
- How It Works: Hosts list their property, set prices, and rent to travelers. Airbnb handles payments and guest communication.
- Earnings Potential: Income varies based on location, property type, and demand, with some hosts earning thousands per month.
- Pros: High earning potential, flexible schedule, and Airbnb provides host protection.
- Cons: Requires property maintenance, guest management, and compliance with local rental regulations.
Conclusion
Finding the best side hustle app can help you make extra money in 2025, whether you prefer freelancing, passive income, or gig work. The right choice depends on your skills, time availability, and financial goals. With so many side hustle apps available, there’s never been a better time to start your side hustle and boost your earnings.
No matter your expertise or lifestyle, these apps offer multiple ways to earn extra cash, whether through freelancing, investing, or renting out property. By exploring different side hustles, you can find the perfect fit to supplement your income and achieve financial stability.
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FAQs- Side Hustle Apps
1. What is the best side hustle app to make extra money?
The best side hustle app depends on your skills and preferences. For freelancing, Upwork and Fiverr are excellent choices, while Uber and DoorDash are great for gig work.
2. Can I make extra money using side hustle apps in 2025?
Yes! Many side hustle apps offer great earning potential, whether through online work, gig economy jobs, or passive income investments.
3. Are side hustle apps safe to use?
Most side hustle apps are safe, but it’s essential to research each platform, check reviews, and ensure secure payment processing before committing.
4. How much money can I make using side hustle apps?
Earnings vary by app and effort level. Some people make a few extra dollars per month, while others earn thousands, depending on their side hustle.
5. What are the best side hustle apps for passive income?
Apps like Acorns, Fundrise, and Airbnb are great for passive income, allowing users to earn money online with minimal effort.
6. Can I use multiple side hustle apps at once?
Yes! Many people combine different side hustle apps to maximize their earnings and create multiple streams of extra income.
7. Do I need special skills to use side hustle apps?
Some side hustle apps require specific skills (like Fiverr for freelancers), but others, like Uber and DoorDash, simply require a vehicle and willingness to work.
8. What is the easiest way to start a side hustle?
The easiest way is to choose a side hustle app that fits your schedule and start small. Look for apps for making money that match your skills and availability.
