If you struggling to complete your financial goals and have a hand-to-mouth job side hustle is the best option for you. Side hustle provides the best opportunity to add an extra income to your current salary while staying in your current job, and helps you in achieving your goals.
Table of Contents
15 Best side hustle apps to earn extra cash:
1. Upwork:
Upwork is a freelance platform that provides opportunities to gig workers to provide their services in what they are good at. This platform is best for writers, designers, developers, and digital marketers. Before starting a side hustle on Upwork, you need to do some homework.
- Make a portfolio and effectively express your skills so that the client can get attracted to you and, ultimately, you receive more and more orders.
- Bid on the projects that match your skills and abilities only
- Provide the highest and best quality services to your clients so that they want to come back to you next time.
2. peopleperhour
peopleperhour is similar to Upwork. Here, you also make your account first, define your expertise, and start bidding on the projects after receiving an order you complete it once you done it the buyer will pay the amount that you have agreed, and the project will be done. Here you offer your services on an hourly basis. Some examples of hourlies
- logo designs
- custom photoshoots
- writing services for content writers
3. guru.com
Guru.com is considered one of the best side hustle apps or websites all over the world. It was founded in 1998 and is one of the most renowned freelance platforms in the world. On Guru, you can find plenty of services in which you don’t require a skillset, such as taking surveys, transcription work, and posting advertisements etc.
4. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the easiest and best side hustle apps that pay for the completion of surveys, viewing videos, or playing games. You receive SB points in exchange for completing these tasks, which you can exchange for PayPal cash. The potential earnings on Swagbucks are 1 to 5 dollars a day, depending on how many projects or tasks you can complete. The more tasks you complete, the more you earn. Once you reach level 25$, you can cash it out in your PayPal account.
5. Doordash
Doordash is a platform where you provide riding services. Whether you want to drop restaurant orders or offer transportation services to customers. This is one of the flexible side hustles in which you can choose your working hours and receive all the orders at that time. If you want to earn more money through DoorDash, you should work in the high-demand periods, such as lunch and dinner. Providing high-quality services to your clients can give you the chance to get better tips. The earning potential on DoorDash is 10 to $25 a day, depending on the area in which you provide your services.

6. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is an app that allows you to become a tasker. It can be any type of task, mostly handy work like cleaning, car washing, moving furniture from one place to another, and so on. All you need to do is create an account, set your rates, area of work, and services that you are offering. To get more work and more money, you will have to create an excellent profile that can differentiate you from others because many people offer the same services as you.
7. Etsy
If you love to make things like designs, paintings, handbags, and many more, Etsy is one of the best side hustle apps for you. All you need to do is create an account on Etsy, list your products, which you want to sell, but remember Etsy charges $0.20 on every item you list as well as a 6.5% fee on the final sale price. It can be difficult to come up with a new idea on Etsy and sell an item which is not already listed, but the most selling products are on Etsy, digital products like planners, budget templates, spreadsheets, home decor, and so on.
8. uber & lyft
Uber and Lyft are side hustles for those who have a car or taxi because you have to work as a paid driver and take passengers to their destinations. This is one of the flexible side hustles for beginners because you can work when you want, but its earnings also depend on when you work. The earning potential in this side hustle is $9 to $23 per hour. Uber and Lyft also charge a fee on every ride they take around 30% on each ride, and the remaining 70% is yours.

9. Airbnb
If you have a spare room in your house or an extra property that you want to rent out, Airbnb is one of the best side hustles in this regard. There are a few steps that you need to take to make an account on Airbnb first, then list your property that you want to rent out its location, charges, how many people can stay, and all the other necessary information. The earning potential on Airbnb depends on the condition of the property, its location, and other factors.
10. youtube
YouTube is also one of the best side hustle apps all over the world. If you are keen on making content and enjoying while creating it, YouTube is the best option for you. It gives us convenience and flexibility to work whenever we want to work or when we get free from our primary job. YouTube is one of the most profitable side hustles for beginners as well as for professionals. You just need a good mobile phone and some knowledge about the content that you are going to make.
11. studypool
If you have a passion for teaching and have expertise in a specific subject, you can offer it on a website like StudyPool. The first thing you need to do on StudyPool is to create a profile in which you tell about yourself and your expertise, and in which subject you are interested in teaching. Once your profile is complete now you are now eligible on StudyPool and can make money by answering the questions. Another way to earn money on Studypool is through uploading study materials like class notes, assignments, exam prep, quizzes, and other study materials. This is one of the best side hustles for students during their studies.
12. 99designs
If you have expertise in graphic design, you can earn in a lot of ways on 99designs, such as participating in a design contest, completing projects for clients, and joining the affiliate program. Now the question is how much I can earn on 99designs, which depends on the service you pay whether you are a web designer, or logo designer, or you have expertise in other types of designs. Your income also depends on the rates you set for every project.
13. Amazon Flex
To earn on Amazon Flex, you should have your car because you will have to deliver the Amazon packages to the doors of customers. You can work on Amazon Flex in the block of time that you choose. All you need to do is download the app, reserve delivery blocks, make deliveries, and get paid directly.
Step-by-step process:
- Download the Amazon Flex app
- Create an account
- search for the available blocks
- Reserve a block
- make deliveries
- Get paid into your account

14. Inboxdollars
Inbox Dollar is another one of the best side hustle apps that pays you to do some easy tasks like taking surveys, playing games, or reading emails. Inbox Dollars gives you a $5dollar signup bonus, but you can’t withdraw it until you reach $15. Through Inbox Dollar, you can earn money in your free time, like sleeping at night, in waiting rooms, or line at the grocery store. Surveying is one of the highest-paying jobs on this app.
15. Toptal
Toptal is another freelance platform where you can offer your services in which you are good. The requirements are to sign up and create your profile, and apply for projects that match your skillset. The abilities that you need to earn more income are good communication skills and a grip on your skills.
Conclusion:
In brief, in today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to earn extra cash is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a creative freelancer, a savvy shopper, or simply someone with free time and a smartphone, these 15 best side hustle apps offer countless opportunities to boost your income. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal empower skilled professionals to monetize their talents, while apps such as Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Doordash provide flexible ways to make money during your downtime.
The beauty of side hustling lies in its flexibility — you can work on your own terms, choose gigs that match your schedule, and scale up your efforts over time. From freelancing and tutoring to ridesharing and passive income through platforms like Airbnb or YouTube, the options are endless. If you are a beginner and want to go long-term, I have written about 10 side hustles for beginners which fully guide you how to start and from where.
Start small, be consistent, and focus on delivering value — that’s the key to turning your side hustle into a steady stream of income. So, pick the app that suits you best, take the first step today, and turn your spare time into extra cash and greater financial freedom. If you are a beginner and want to go long-term, I have written about 10 side hustles for beginners