23 Excellent Side Hustle Apps to Make Extra Money

If you want to start making money online look not further than your smartphone! There is a growing list of legit side hustle apps that make it easier than ever to put a little extra money in your pocket.

There are easy side cash options like taking surveys, more lucrative options for delivering food, and even an app where you can watch videos and make money. Now let’s get to it — here are the best ways to make money with a cell phone in 2023!

1. DoorDash

DoorDash is hands-down, one of the most popular food delivery apps in the U.S., and DoorDash controls nearly 60% of the food delivery market. What drivers like about DoorDash is the flexibility, and the fact that you can make $15-$25/hour. Plus, you can even bring a friend while you’re on delivery. 

If you’re interested in signing up, the requirements are fairly straightforward. You must be at least 18, have a reliable vehicle, and pass a background check. For more information, read our full DoorDash driver review.

DoorDash Disclaimer: Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from peak pay, tips, and other incentives.

2. Instacart

Instacart shoppers shop for groceries and deliver them to their customers. You're paid order and keep 100% of your tips, and Instacart shoppers average $15 to $20/hour. 

Shoppers can pick the markets they work in and schedule the hours that fit their availability. You can also multi-app like many food delivery drivers do and deliver for both Instacart and DoorDash to make the most money possible. Learn more in our full Instacart Shopper Review.

3. Upside

The Upside app (formerly known as GetUpside) pays users cash back when they buy gas or groceries, and it’s currently partnered with over 500,000 locations nationwide. This is one of the best passive income apps because you’re already buying gas, so there’s virtually no extra work to make money.

Our team was excited to find out how Upside works, and here’s what our software engineer, Tom, earned on his first tank of gas — $6.04 back! Learn more in our comprehensive Upside review.

Check out Upside

4. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is one of the best side hustle apps if you’re looking for a mindless way to make money. That’s what’s so great about online surveys — they require very little effort on your end, and they’re an excellent alternative to scrolling through social media or playing games on your phone.

The Branded Surveys sign-up process takes 5 minutes or less, and then you’re immediately matched with surveys based on your demographic information. Once you have $5 worth of points, you can cash out of this side hustle app. Read our Branded Surveys review for more information.

Join Branded Surveys

5. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the most well-known and best survey sites, and it’s a great app to download to make easy side cash. Survey sites collect valuable market research data so companies can design better offerings and marketing campaigns. It’s 100% free to sign up for Survey Junkie, and you can start making money ASAP.

No one is going to get rich taking surveys alone — they pay around $1-$3 per survey — but it’s easy money. Surveys take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, and they’re mindless enough to do while watching Netflix. You’re paid in points that convert to PayPal cash, bank transfer, or gift cards. Check out our detailed Survey Junkie review for more information.

Sign up with Survey Junkie

6. Neighbor

Neighbor is a free side hustle app that you can use to rent out extra space in your house. It’s like Airbnb but for storage. The idea is that regular homeowners can provide an alternative to self-storage units, and here’s how much you can make renting out different spaces:

• Bedroom $36 to $140/month
• Closet $13 to $153/month
• Garage $125 to $600/month
• Self-Storage Unit $21 to $80/month
• Parking space $50 to $300/month

You can also rent out space in your basement, shed, warehouse, attic, and much more. It's 100% free to list on Neighbor, and they take a 4.9% + $0.30 fee for every reservation. Learn more in our full Neighbor review.

7. Robinhood

Robinhood is one of the most well-known investment apps, and it’s an excellent option for newbie investors who are looking for a low-cost and easy way to start investing in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and cryptocurrency.

If you’re concerned about the state of the stock market, remember that investing is a long-term way to build wealth. A bear market means stock prices are low, so now is the perfect time to start investing. Robinhood has a $1 minimum investment, and every new account holder receives a free stock. Read our full Robinhood review for more information.

Invest with Robinhood

8. Ibotta

Since you’re already grocery shopping, then you might as well earn cash back on your purchases with the Ibotta app. Ibotta will give you up to 30% cash back at thousands of top retailers, like Walmart, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Meijer, Kroger, and more.

Ibotta pays you cash back for both in-store and online shopping, and you can cash out your earnings once you have $20 in your account. Learn more in our full Ibotta review.

Check out Ibotta

9. Decluttr

Do you have old cell phones, DVDs, tablets, or other used tech sitting around your house? Then you should see how much Decluttr will pay you for it! This is one of the best side hustle apps because it makes selling easy. You simply scan the barcode or browse Decluttr’s database, see how much they’ll pay you, and then send your item off if you agree with Decluttr’s valuation.

Decluttr sends you a prepaid shipping label so you don’t need to pay for shipping, and they pay one day after receiving your items.

Make Money with Decluttr

10. Trim

Trimis a side hustle app that cancels unused subscriptions and negotiates for lower rates on your cable, internet, phone, and medical bills. Think of Trim as a personal assistant for your finances.

You’re not exactly making money with Trim, but it’s helping you put money back in your pocket. 

11. Rover

Rover is one of the best side hustle apps for animal lovers because it connects you with people in your area who are looking for pet sitters and dog walkers. There is a one-time $35 fee to create a profile as a pet care provider, and you can start connecting with pet owners in your area as soon as you’ve created your profile.

Pay depends on where you live — busy, urban areas typically pay more — but you can make anywhere from $15-$25 per dog walk and $25-$70 per overnight stay. Read our full Rover review to learn more.

Join Rover

12. Swagbucks

Since it was founded in 2008, Swagbucks has grown to become one of the most popular side hustle apps, and its users have already made over $400,000,000 total.

Swagbucks pays in points that convert to cash, and there are a ton of different ways to earn points, like shopping online, playing games, watching videos, taking surveys, and more. Learn more in our full Swagbucks review.

Get $10 from Swagbucks

13. Facebook

Facebook is one of the best side hustle apps of 2023 because there are two very cool ways to make money with it. First of all, you can use Marketplace to sell anything from clothes, baby equipment, and cars. Or, you can use it to run Facebook ads for small businesses and make an extra $1,000 to $2,000/month per client.

Running Facebook ads can be a very lucrative side hustle as you build your client roster, and it takes 3-5 hours a week to run your client’s ad system. If you’re interested in learning more, we highly recommend the Facebook Side Hustle Course, a comprehensive digital marketing course designed to teach you how to set up Facebook ads, find clients, and get those clients to say “yes” to your services.

Get started with Facebook Ads

14. SlideJoy

Slidejoy is a lock screen app that you get paid to download on your phone, and it’s for Android users only. The way it works is that once you download the app, it runs ads or new stories on your lockscreen — yes, it’s that simple. You’re paid in points (Slidejoy calls them carats), and 1,000 carats = $1. You can also play games or take surveys on Slidejoy to make even more money.

15. MobileXpression

MobileXpression is a market research app that studies the trends and behaviors of people using the internet through their smartphone. Once it’s downloaded, it runs in the background and collects data about how you use the internet, and then it pays you in points that you can redeem for gift cards to Amazon, Home Depot, etc.

16. Steady

Steady is a side hustle app that is like a giant database of side income opportunities, including job listings, grants, and sign-on bonuses. There are over 1.5 million job listings on it at any time, and Steady says the average user makes $5,500/year with the app.

17. Airbnb

Airbnb has disrupted the hotel industry by providing affordable and unique stays all across the world. If you have a spare room or can rent out your entire house, it's a great side hustle app for making somewhat passive income. Veteran hosts will tell you to pay attention to the fees Airbnb takes out and price your property accordingly. 

18. Fiverr

Fiverr is one of several online marketplaces for freelancers to connect with potential clients, and the way Fiverr works is that you list your services, set your prices, and potential clients can browse the listings to find you. This means you need to optimize your listing with relevant keywords, but you can list everything from board game design, to proofreading, to graphic design, and more.

19. Uber

Uber is the quintessential side hustle app, and drivers can set their own hours and get paid weekly. If you're interested, you must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum age to drive in your city
• At least one year of licensed driving (3 years if you're under 25)
• Valid U.S. driver's license
• Proof of vehicle insurance
• Proof of residency
• Consent to a driver screening

Learn more in Is Driving for Uber Worth It in 2023?

20. Turo

Peer-to-peer car rental offers consumers an affordable alternative to traditional rentals, and this side hustle app is an excellent option if you have a car you don't use often. Turo owners set the rates and availability for their vehicles. 

21. Upwork

Over 60 million people freelanced in 2022, and that number will likely continue to grow as freelancing is a flexible side hustle or full-time job. Upwork is one of several freelancing apps where you can list your services and bid on job. It's free to download the app and create a profile, but there are fees to start bidding on jobs, which is the most effective way to market your freelance services.

22. Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex is Amazon's on-demand delivery service, and you can find yourself delivery everything from packages to groceries. Drivers work in three to six hour blocks and make $18 to $25/hour. 

You use your own vehicle to deliver for Amazon Flex, and most drivers say the larger your vehicle the better because you'll be able to deliver more orders before needing to go back to the facility to pick up more. 

23. Poshmark

Whether you want to declutter your closet or resell clothes you've found thrifting, Poshmark is one of the best side hustle apps for selling clothes. You can sell women's, men's, and children's clothing, plus accessories and shoes. Be sure to take clear pictures of what you're selling and be honest about any flaws.

What Are The Best Side Hustles for 2023?

Out of the side hustle apps listed above, DoorDash and running Facebook ads  have the highest earning potential.

There are good-paying side jobs in food delivery, but if you want even more flexibility, we recommend looking through this list of online side hustles. It includes side hustles like:

• Running Facebook ads for local businesses — earn $1,000-$2,000/month
• Blogging — top bloggers easily make 5-6 figure income every month
• Work as a virtual assistant for online business owners — earn $500-$1,000/month extra
• Create an online course — one of our readers makes over $80,000/month selling online graphic design courses

The Final Word: What Are The Best Side Hustle Apps to Make Money?

Technology has made it possible to make money from your phone, and that creates even more opportunities to earn extra money.

You just read about 15 different side hustle apps for 2023, and we can only expect the options to grow in the coming years. Right now, there’s a lot of potential in food delivery, like delivering for DoorDash, but taking online surveys with Branded Surveys or Survey Junkie is one of the easiest options.

Here's the point: there are so many ways to make more money. Find something that interests you and move forward with it. Downloading one of these apps is the first step to paying off debt, saving more, having more room in your monthly budget, etc.