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The Best Gig Apps That Pay Same Day

In the United States, approximately 36% of workers are part of the gig economy. The gig economy, a labor market that is categorized by short-term contracts or freelance work, continues to become more prevalent in modern-day society as workers seek out benefits that are not readily available in traditional jobs.

The Evolution of Gig Work

The gig economy has transformed significantly over the past decade. 

Initially, creative tasks such as freelance writing or design were thought of when gig work was mentioned. However, with the rise of diverse gig apps like Uber and Instacart, the spectrum of gig work has broadened to include driving, shopping, food delivery, and more. 

The accessibility of these apps has democratized gig work, making it possible for anyone with a smartphone and a willingness to work to join the gig economy. This shift has been driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, with more people seeking convenience and personalized services.

Additionally, how people work and earn their living has changed drastically following the Covid-19 pandemic. Workers are increasingly seeking opportunities that not only pay well but offer them the flexibility to choose when, where, and how they work. 

For many, gig apps aren’t just a side hustle – they’re a full-time job and main source of income. Let’s check out why more and more workers are swapping their traditional jobs for gig work.

The Top Benefits of the Gig Economy

Whether you’re a student seeking out some extra cash, a stay-at-home parent exploring flexible work options, or someone who simply enjoys the hustle, gig work offers a convenient solution for you.

Picking up side gigs and odd jobs through gig platforms comes with great benefits, including:

• Flexible schedules
• Limited barriers to entry
• Quick access to earnings

Unlike traditional employment, gig workers have the freedom to set their own schedules, allowing them to prioritize personal commitments and achieve a work-life balance that suits their needs. 

The gig economy also has limited barriers to entry. Anyone can download the respective gig app from their app store, create a profile, and get started in a matter of minutes. Keep in mind, that gig apps differ and some may have specific requirements to continue using the platform, such as minimum age or a valid driver's license.

One of the major draws of the gig economy is the opportunity to make cash fast. As traditional jobs offer weekly or bi-weekly paychecks, people facing financial constraints or seeking immediate income are leveraging gig apps to earn money quickly. There are a number of gig apps that not only pay well but also offer instant payments.

Gig Apps for Every Speciality

Best Gig Apps for Same-Day Pay: Apps like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, GrubHub, and shiftNOW offer same-day pay options. These are ideal for those needing quick access to their earnings, allowing them to cover immediate expenses.

Gig Apps for Specific Skills: For those with specialized skills, Upwork is a versatile platform offering freelance work across various industries. It's perfect for writers, designers, developers, and consultants. Wag! is ideal for animal lovers who want to earn by caring for pets.

Apps with Low Barriers to Entry: Platforms like DoorDash, GrubHub, and Instacart require minimal qualifications, making them accessible to a wide range of people. These apps often only require a vehicle and a smartphone, with minimal background checks.

Let’s explore some of the gig apps that pay same day!

Uber

About Uber

Uber, a ridesharing app, is one of the pioneers of the gig economy and provides gig workers the opportunity to earn income by providing rides to passengers. Uber is available in 72 countries and over 10,000 cities across the world.

Founded in 2009, Uber has grown exponentially over the years bringing its driver and courier base to over 5.4 million as of late 2022.

To get started with Uber, prospective drivers must meet the following requirements:

• Be the minimum age required to drive in their city
• Have at least one year of licensed driving experience, or at least three years if the driver is under 25 years of age
• Must own a reliable four-door vehicle and have vehicle insurance
• Have proof of residency in the city/state/province the driver wishes to drive in
• Upload a driver profile photo
• Pass a driving record and criminal history screening

Earning with Uber

Uber drivers earn money by completing a ride, delivery, or shopping order but the fare earned can vary by city. 

In some cities, drivers earn a base fare plus additional money for the time and distance traveled. The driver’s earnings are not determined until the end of the trip.

In other cities, drivers will be able to view the earnings associated with a trip before they accept. These fares are calculated based on the current driving conditions such as destination and demand. 

Uber offers Instant Pay which allows drivers to cash out their earnings up to six times per day.To leverage Instant Pay, drivers must connect their Uber account to a debit card. A fee of $0.85 is deducted per cashout.  

Uber also offers an Uber Pro Card which is a debit Mastercard and bank account. With the Uber Pro Card, drivers get free automatic payouts after every trip and can earn cash back on gas, EV charging, and more. 

Lyft

About Lyft

Like Uber, Lyft offers a platform for individuals to provide ridesharing services. 

Founded in 2012, Lyft operates in nearly 650 cities in the U.S. and 12 cities in Canada. As of late 2023, Lyft had a driver base of 1.4 million drivers across the U.S. and Canada.

To become a Lyft driver, individuals must:

• Be 25 or older
• Pass a criminal background check
• Possess auto insurance and vehicle registration
• Have access to a 4-door vehicle or be willing to rent one through Lyft’s Express Drive

Earning with Lyft

Before taking a gig, Lyft drivers in most cities will be able to view the potential earnings as well as the ride details.

Ride fare varies and is based on factors such as the estimated time to complete the ride, the estimated distance to complete the ride, and the distance to the pickup location. Other factors such as the number of ride requests, the number of drivers on the road, and the busyness of a destination can affect the fare.

In addition to the ride earnings, drivers can earn more through the following Lyft challenges:

• Turbo: Offered during busy times and provides the opportunity for drivers to earn 10% to 40% more per ride.
• Bonus Hours: Allows drivers to earn extra for every ride given during these times.
• Ride Challenges: Provides the chance to earn a bonus by giving a set number of rides within a set time frame.
• Bonus Zones: Makes bonuses accessible by driving in certain zones.

Lyft drivers are eligible for tips and keep 100% of all tip earnings.

Drivers can receive their earnings through one of the following options – Lyft Direct, Express Pay, and Weekly Pay. 

Lyft Direct is a debit card and bank account accessible by Lyft drivers. All earnings are transferred at no extra cost and give drivers access to instant payouts, mobile banking, and cashback rewards.

With weekly payouts, driver earnings are transferred to their bank account directly. Weekly transfers begin every Tuesday morning and account for the previous week’s earnings (Monday 5AM to Monday 4:59AM).

Lyft offers drivers Express Pay to cash out their earnings anytime. 

For drivers in most states, drivers need a minimum of $5.85 in earnings to take advantage of Express Pay. Drivers can cash out up to five times a day and Express Pay cannot be used to transfer $3,000 or more at a time.

Instacart

About Instacart

Instacart connects customers with personal shoppers who fulfill their grocery orders. Shoppers can cash out their batch earnings within minutes of a delivery and their full earnings - including tips - two hours after a delivery.

Instacart operates in more than 14,000 cities in North America and works with over 1,400 retail banners across 80,000+ stores. The platform has over 600,000 shoppers who serve its nearly 10 million active users. 

To become an Instacart Shopper, individuals must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be eligible to work in the United States
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Connect a bank account to their Shopper profile
• Have consistent access to a reliable vehicle
• Own a recent smartphone
• Be able to lift 40+ pounds on their own without assistance

Earning with Instacart

Instacart Shoppers are paid for each batch that is completed. The amount earned per batch can vary based on the size of the order, the driving distance covered during the delivery, and the effort the shopping and delivery involve (ie: stops at multiple stores, heavy items, etc.).

In addition to the earnings from completed batches, Shoppers can also earn through customer tips and Instacart promotions. Shoppers keep 100% of the tips they earn,

Shoppers can receive their earnings through Instacart in two ways – direct deposit or instant cashout. 

Direct deposits are received weekly for the services the Shopper provided the previous week. Instant cashout makes a Shopper’s earnings accessible faster by allowing the Shopper to cash out their wallet in as little as two hours after a delivery. Shoppers who avail of instant cashout will incur a $0.50 fee.

DoorDash

About DoorDash

DoorDash is a food delivery service that allows individuals to deliver food from local restaurants to customers’ doorsteps. 

DoorDash is available in over 7,000 cities in the U.S., including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Internationally, the platform is available in 80 cities in Canada as well as select cities in Australia and New Zealand. There are more than 2 million DoorDash drivers, known as Dashers, on the app who service users. 

Getting started with DoorDash is simple and requires prospective Dashers to:

• Own a car, bike, or scooter to make deliveries with
• Own a smartphone that is compatible with the DoorDash app
• Have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance

Earning with DoorDash

Dashers earn money from the base pay associated with a delivery. Base pay is calculated based on the delivery’s estimated time, distance, and the desirability of the offer. 

In addition to base pay, Dashers can earn extra cash through tips (Dashers keep 100% of tips) and promotions such as:

• Peak Pay: Pays Dashers more per delivery 
• Challenges: Lets Dashers earn extra money when they complete a set number of deliveries within a specified time frame
• Delivery Streaks: Allows Dashs to earn money by accepting and completing consecutive deliveries within the promotional period

DoorDash offers its Dashers three different payment options – weekly, daily, or instantly. 

With weekly pay, DoorDash will automatically deposit your earnings into your bank account every week. Daily pay - or Fast Pay - allows Dashers to access their earnings once per day for a $1.99 fee. DasherDirect is the platform’s instant pay option and allows Dashers to get instant deposits for no fee and earn 2% cash back on gas.

Unlike other gig economy apps, DoorDash requires its Dashers to meet the following criteria to take advantage of Fast Pay:

• Dasher has completed at least 25-lifetime deliveries
• Dasher has been on the platform for at least two weeks since activation
• Dasher set up Fast Pay and added a debit card at least 7 days prior so that the 7-day processing period is no longer in effect

GrubHub

About GrubHub

GrubHub, similar to DoorDash, is an online and mobile-prepared food ordering and delivery platform.

Currently, GrubHub is available in over 365,000 restaurants across 4,000 U.S. cities. The platform has a 65,000-person driver base that serves more than 28 million active users.

Earning with GrubHub

GrubHub drivers ear a base pay which accounts for the delivery type, mileage, time the delivery will take and the market the delivery is in. In addition to base pay, drivers keep 100% of the tips earned throughout deliveries and can earn extra income through special promotions.

When it comes time to get paid, GrubHub drivers have two different options – direct deposit or instant cash out. With direct deposit, earnings are sent to the driver’s bank account automatically every Thursday. Instant cash out allows drivers to get paid instantly within 15 minutes of a completed delivery for a $0.50 fee (free for Chase Bank customers).

Although instant cashouts typically appear in a driver’s account within a matter of moments, it can take up to three business days for some banks. There is no limit on how many times instant cashout can be used per day, but only $500 can be cashed out daily. 

Upwork

About Upwork

Upwork connects businesses with independent talent from across the globe. Upwork’s talent community offers more than 10,000 skills in categories such as website development, creative and design, customer support, finance, accounting, consulting, and operations.

Upwork is accessible in 180 countries and users must be 18 years or older to become a freelancer.

Earning with Upwork

How much an Upwork freelancer earns depends on the service offered, the experience of the freelancer, and the nature of the project they work on. 

U.S. based freelancers have two ways to access their Upwork earnings – direct deposit or instant pay.

Direct deposits are automatically deposited in a bank account within two to give business days. There is no fee associated with setting up direct deposit.

Upwork freelancers can access their earnings same day with Instant Pay. To leverage Instant Pay, U.S.-based freelancers must have a Visa or Mastercard debit card associated with their account. For security reasons, a new payment method will become active three days after the account is confirmed. There is a $2.00 fee associated with each withdrawal.

Wag!

About Wag!

Wag! is a pet care platform that connects pet owners with independent pet professionals for on-demand and scheduled dog walking, training, and other pet care services.

Wag! is available in 5,300 cities across the United States and has provided more than 12.1 million pet care services to its users.

Getting started with Wag! requires pet caregivers to meet the following criteria:

• Must be 18 years or older to sign up
• Must pass a pet safety quiz
• Complete a background check (can take three to 14 days)
• Pay a sign up fee
• Sign the pet care providers platform use agreement

Earning with Wag!

Wag! offers an Instant Pay option that allows eligible pet caregivers to instantly send the money they’ve earned through the platform to a debit card.

Instant payments typically appear in the caregiver’s account within 30 minutes. A 3% fee (with a $1.99 minimum) is deducted from each Instant Payout.

Roadie 

Roadie is a crowdsourced delivery platform for business and private same-day, urgent, and scheduled deliveries in the United States. Roadie is available throughout all 50 states.

How to Get Started with Roadie

To get started with Roadie, prospective drivers must:

• Have access to an insured vehicle
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have a social security number

Earning with Roadie

Roadie drivers can access their earnings through weekly or instant payouts. 

Weekly payouts are processed every Tuesday. Once weekly earnings are processed, the deposit typically appears in the driver’s bank account within two to three business days. All weekly deposits are for a driver’s earning from the week prior. Drivers will be automatically signed up for weekly payout unless they elect otherwise.

If drivers want to access earnings sooner, instant pay is available for a $1.99 processing fee to drivers who meet the following criteria:

• Must have completed their first gig more than seven days ago
• Must have completed at least five gigs
• Must add a valid debit card to their profile

shiftNOW

‍About shiftNOW

shiftNOW is a gig economy platform that connects hourly workers with available shifts in the hospitality industry. shiftNOW serves a variety of hospitality businesses, including restaurants and bars, live and private event venues, catering companies, hotels, golf courses, and country clubs. 

There are a number of shift types available across front-of-house, back-of-house, and event roles, including:

• Bartenders
• Barbacks
• Bussers
• Banquet Servers
• Concessions
• Concierge
• Dishwashers
• Event Assistant
• Event Captain
• Food Runner
• Fry Cook
• Grillmaster
• Groundskeeper
• Host/Hostess
• Janitorial
• Line Cook
• Maintenance
• Pastry Chef
• Prep Cook
• Set Up/Tear Down Crew

How to Get Started with shiftNOW

To start picking up hospitality shifts through shiftNOW, complete the following steps:

• Download to mobile app from the Google Play or Apple App Store
• Create a Shifter profilesome text
  • Upload a profile picture
  • Record a profile video
  • Add relevant work experience and certifications 
  • Write a bio 
• Get verified
• Browse and apply for open shifts in the local area

Earning with shiftNOW

Once a shift is completed, the business pays out the shift and the earnings are deposited into the Shifter’s wallet. It can take up to 48 hours to receive payment following a shift. 

When a shift is paid out, Shifters can access their earnings instantly with instant payout. Instant payout earnings will appear in a Shifter’s bank account within 30 minutes and is available for a 3% fee of the transferred balance.

Comparison of Gig Apps

When choosing a gig app, it's essential to consider factors like the type of work, payment frequency, and additional perks. For instance, Uber and Lyft primarily focus on ridesharing but also offer delivery services through Uber Eats and Lyft's partnerships. These platforms are ideal for those with reliable vehicles and good driving records.

Instacart and DoorDash are excellent options for those who prefer shopping and food delivery. Both apps offer same-day payment options and allow workers to earn tips. GrubHub and Roadie also provide delivery services but cater to different niches—GrubHub focuses on food delivery, while Roadie offers various delivery gigs, including packages and pets.

For more specialized gig work, platforms like Upwork and Wag! are ideal. Upwork connects freelancers with businesses looking for professional services, while Wag! is perfect for pet lovers looking to earn money by walking dogs or providing other pet care services. shiftNOW caters to those interested in the hospitality industry, offering a range of roles across the front-of-house, back-of-house, events, and general labor.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings

To maximize earnings in gig work, consider the following tips:

1. Diversify Your Gigs: Don't limit yourself to one platform. Use multiple gig apps to find the best opportunities. For example, you can drive for Uber or Lyft during peak hours and switch to DoorDash or Instacart during meal times.
2. Optimize Your Schedule: Focus on times with high demand and incentives. For example, both Uber and Lyft offer surge pricing during peak hours, while DoorDash and GrubHub have "Peak Pay" periods.
3. Stay Informed About Promotions: Many gig apps offer promotions and bonuses for completing a certain number of gigs within a specific timeframe. Keep an eye on these offers to boost your earnings.
4. Maintain a High Rating: Providing excellent service can lead to higher tips and more gigs. Most gig apps allow customers to rate their experience, and a higher rating can increase your visibility and job opportunities.
5. Use App Features to Your Advantage: For example, Uber's Instant Pay and Lyft's Express Pay allow you to access your earnings immediately, providing financial flexibility. Similarly, Upwork's Instant Pay offers quick access to funds, which can be crucial for freelancers.

Fast Cash on a Flexible Schedule

Whether delivering food orders, driving passengers to their next destination, or completing tasks for a business in need, gig economy jobs offer a range of possibilities to suit an individual’s various needs, skill sets, and interests.

Gig apps not only provide flexible opportunities for individuals seeking extra income but they also prioritize the financial stability of its users by ensuring timely compensation for their services.

Leveraging gig apps that pay daily is a great way for individuals to take control of their earnings while enjoying the flexibility and autonomy that gig work offers.