10 Best Side Hustle Apps to Make Money in Your Free Time

By Joseph Nyambura                
Last updated on January 7, 2021  
side hustle apps

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Everyone likes to make money; you can never have enough. If you’re looking for a side hustle to undertake to support your main income, read on.

In this article, we’ll discuss easy side hustle apps to make money in your spare time. Making use of these applications does not require a lot of effort when compared with traditional systems.

You also don’t need to make a huge cash investment to start using the apps. 

That’s not all.

Making use of these apps to make money gives you the freedom of choosing when and how to work. You become flexible depending on your schedule.

The apps vary in the work they offer. You thus get the opportunity to choose what works for you. Whether you love hands on, or non-physical jobs- you’ll find a side hustle app!

1. SwagBucks

This is a popular rewards program and app that pays users for everyday activities online. Swagbucks pays in form of their currency SwagBucks. 

You’re then able to redeem and get gift cards. There’s also an option to get cash back through PayPal. 

Renewing the gift cards is possible in a number of popular stores such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Amazon. 

So, how does the app work?

The first step is to create an account which is free. Download the application on Android or iPhone. There’s also an option to utilize the desktop version. 

Then, earn points by carrying out different tasks. 

Tasks that earn you points include; watching videos, taking surveys, playing games, shopping online, discovering deals and inviting other people to the app.

Points you earn vary with the tasks that you do. The minimum cash out is 300 SwagBucks.

2. Lucktastic

With Lusktastic, you earn by playing games similar to the lottery.  It’s a free app, that allows you to pass time and have fun. 

The only downside of it being free is the ads that you have to watch when playing. The amount you make on Lucktastic depends on your luck and the number of games. Playing more gives you the opportunity to win more rewards. 

Your earnings are unpredictable and the possibility of making a significant amount of money is pretty low. 

To start, head over to the play store and download the app. You also need to share your location. 

3. OfferUp

The OfferUp application allows you to make money by selling off items that you no longer use. It works pretty much the same as most of the online selling platforms such as E-bay.

Download the app and create an account that will help identify you. Once you’re set up, take clear images of the items you want to sell and upload them.

Write clear descriptions of the items you intend to sell together with all the necessary details on location and pick-up.

Post the items and wait for a seller to approach you. You’re able to easily do this with your phone. The advantage of this app is the ability to gauge the individuals that you interact with.

Both seller and buyer profiles have ratings that describes whether to engage with them or not. Another advantage is the secure messaging platform of the app.

This eliminates the need to give out your personal information such as phone number and exact location. 

Like any other seller platform, you need to be vigilant to prevent the loss of your items from scammers. 

The prices and the amount of money you make is dependent on you. Target users around your area as the market largely varies with the location. 

4. UserFeel

The app works to connect website and app developers with testers who give feedback on user experience. 

In this case, you’ll be paid to visit websites and apps and give feedback on your experience using it, how it looks etc. 

The aim of UserFeel is to help the owner make the interface better by identifying bits they may have missed that users consider important. 

To make money with this app, you need to be 18 years old and above. Register, download the app and take a qualifications test to show your suitability as a tester.

The app seeks to find users that give actionable feedback to clients. It’ll take about 2 weeks to get the results of the test.

Once you become a tester, tests are sent via email.  However, since the tests are time sensitive, you may not accomplish it if you don’t respond to the emails on time.

The tests set out on the application have specific requirements when it comes to demographics. You may need to answer screening questions to ensure you’re the right fit. 

On average a test may take between 15 to 30 minutes. The screen you use and your voice is recorded. Ensure that your audio is clear and feedback useful. Clients give a rating after a test.

A good rating provides an opportunity for more tests while a negative rating hurts your profile. 

Each test you successful give feedback on earns you $10. Payments are made weekly via PayPal and Payoneer. 

5. Postmates

Postmates is an app that pays you to make deliveries for independently owned businesses such as restaurants, stores and other retailers. 

You work as an independent contractor in a given metropolitan in the United States. To deliver on Postmates, you’ll need a bike, car or scooter.

You also need to be 18 years of age with a driver’s license, a US resident or citizen and be operating in or near a Postmates market.  

Make an application via the app and provide details such as full names, vehicle type, address etc. They’ll also need you to agree to a background check.

When you pas the background check, you’re needed to upload a photo for your profile. Your Postmates debit card and delivery bag is then availed for you to start working.

To make deliveries, indicate your availability, identify orders that are ready for pick up and head on to collect. Pay for the order using your Postmates debit card and deliver to the customer.

In some circumstances, some clients pay in advance. Just confirm the order and make the delivery. 

You can make up to $25 an hour, depending on your order. An advantage is that the delivery fees increase with the distance you cover.

Your earnings are dependent on the hours you work and the deliveries you make. There’s also a Blitz pricing program, an incentive to ensure fair compensation that increases your income on the platform. 

6. TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is a platform that can be accessed on the app or website. You make money by registering as a Tasker to perform various assignments for pay.

There are numerous tasks to perform. They range from handy man work, cleaning, painting, delivery and online tasks etc.  

You can also carry out multiple tasks depending on your skills. This gives you the opportunity to earn a substantial amount of money as you’re paid per hour worked. 

To work on TaskRabbit, you need to be based in the UK, US and Canada. 

Other requirements include; being 21 years or older, having a social security number, a bank account, valid credit card and a smart phone.

You also need to consent to a background check and give personal information. It’s a great side hustle app for making money on your spare time. 

The payout is decent and you have access to a large number of clients that you can offer services to. There’s also a possibility of landing long-term jobs as clients can rehire you. 

A downside of using the platform is the 15% service fee charged and inconsistency of jobs at times. To make up for this, you can earn more by undertaking group tasks.

7. Getaround

When using Getaround, the opportunity is to rent out your car for additional income. When renting out your car, you need to create a profile via the app.

There’s also an option to use their site on desktop. To verify your identity, you’re required to connect to your Facebook account for accountability. 

To qualify to rent out your car, it needs to be a 2005 model or newer. It also needs to have a mileage of less than 125,000 miles. 

You need to give details of your car including the type, size and other specifications that will aid the renters in making a choice.

The app gives renters flexibility to customize and pick vehicles that meet their specific needs. 

You’re also required to name your car. This name is important in sharing your post to attract renters outside the platform. 

Another important information to put in is the address of the pick up and return point of the vehicle. This information is only shared to the drivers who rent out your car. 

It’s privately sent along with the drivers’ rental instructions. Getaround also uses the vehicle location to come asses the car, take images and install Connect- their security system.

The Connect system is charged $99 to install, with a monthly charge of $20. 

This system is crucial when it comes to ensuring the safety of your car. There’s a GPS tracking system and additional functionality.

Additions include; the ability to lockdown the engine, disable the starter, lock and unlock the car from any location. 

These functionalities aid in monitoring and controlling the behavior of the renter. 

An insurance cover is also in place that covers the owner and renter during an active trip.

The amount of money you make greatly depends on the model and make of your vehicle. The average earnings from surveys conducted indicate that most make between $6,000 to $10,000 in a year.

Minimum fee you can charge is $5 an hour. The possibilities are vast as you set the cars’ availability.

Once you list, the app sets a recommended rate while looking at factors such as the demand, location, car model and make.  

You’re free to adjust the settings but it’s recommended to use the rates set to make more money. Payments are made the preceding month, with a monthly report to keep track.

8. Decluttr

Decluttr allows you to make some cash from used unwanted items. You can sell a number of items such as CD’s, wearables, games, books and phones. 

The best part about this app is, you don’t have to wait for a buyer. Decluttr gives an instant offer.

To start off, details on your items condition, weight and carrier are required. You’ll get an offer based on this.

If you accept the offer, you’ll be prompted to add the item to your basket and a ‘Pack and Send Guide’ is sent to your email.

Payment is done via PayPal, check or direct deposit within a business day. You’re free to choose which payment method you prefer. 

9. InboxDollars

This side hustle app pays you to complete various tasks such as watching videos, answering surveys, playing games and reading emails. 

It’s a popular application that offers an opportunity to earn in a number of ways. There are also thousands of payouts made monthly. 

To register, download the InboxDollars app or sign up on their website. Confirm your email and complete your profile.

The application only accepts users from the United States. 

Once you’re done, you’re able to start making money by doing any of the tasks listed.  You can also get special offers to perform tasks if you match the requirements. 

The downside of this app is the low hourly pay and the inadequacy of tasks to perform. This limits your monthly earnings.  

Payments are done via check or gift cards. The minimum payout is $30.

10. DogVacay

Get paid to become a pet sitter on your spare time on DogVacay. It recently merged with Rover, another pet service to expand the pet sitting space.

The app connects pet owners with sitters to care for the animals.

To start, register and create your profile. The app guides you in giving information that owners are looking out for.

Fill in your availability and the type of pets you’re willing to take care of. Wait to get matched. A general background check is done to ascertain safety.

You can choose to walk, board, house-sit or drop in depending on your schedule. According to the website, you can earn up to $1,00 a month if doing it parttime and $3,00 full-time.

Conclusion

Getting a side hustle has become easier while using the mentioned apps. They give you flexibility to make an extra coin to supplement your income.

As the opportunities to make money vary with the apps, opt for those that resonate with your skills and flexibility. 

If done correctly, you may find that you’re able to match your income using any or a multiple of the side hustle apps.

Try them out today and let us know which one has worked for you!

About the author

Joseph Nyambura

I started this website to help bloggers by sharing everything I’ve learned in the past decade working as a professional digital marketer, web designer & developer. I help passionate bloggers like YOU start and supercharge their own glossy blogging journey and enjoy the flexibility to work from home. I will help you master content creation, making money, and build an audience blogging online.


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