Money making apps can be useful tools for those looking to earn some extra cash or freelancers hoping to find new clients. And if you’re new to freelance work, diversifying your income with different streams can be helpful while you build up a strong client base.
So whether you’ve got some free time to spend taking paid surveys or are looking for ways to break into the gig economy, here’s our guide to:
Freelancing and gig economy platforms
For freelancers and side hustlers in today’s gig economy, money-making apps have become invaluable tools. These platforms act as digital marketplaces, connecting individuals with specific skills to work opportunities.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, here are some of the most popular freelancing and gig economy platforms to try.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest global freelancing marketplace platforms, connecting businesses with freelancers for a variety of services. You can choose from both hourly and fixed-price projects – with inbuilt tools for communication, time tracking, and secure payments.
Freelancers create detailed profiles, showcase their portfolios, and submit proposals to jobs posted by clients – allowing for a more traditional job application style within a freelance context.
Who is it best for?
Upwork is ideal for experienced freelancers looking for long-term projects or higher-value contracts. It’s good for those who want to to build a strong professional reputation and secure consistent work with multiple clients.
Upwork may be a good choice for you if your work includes:
- copywriting
- web development
- graphic design
- UI/UX
- marketing
- IT
- virtual assistant tasks
Fiverr
Fiverr works in the opposite way to Upwork, allowing freelancers to offer pre-defined services at set prices. Clients then browse these services and buy them directly.
This platform emphasises speed and simplicity, making it easy for both freelancers to offer their skills and clients to find quick solutions to their problems.
Who is it best for?
Fiverr is excellent for freelancers specialising in highly specific and repeatable services. It’s a great starting point for new freelancers to build a portfolio and gain experience, as the fixed pricing and defined deliverables can simplify the process of attracting initial clients.
You might enjoy Fiverr if your work includes things like:
- logo design
- social media work
- short writing pieces such as blog intros and ad copy
- voiceover work
- small marketing tasks
Guru
Guru is a freelancing marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers across various industries. It has a flexible approach to hiring, allowing clients to post jobs and receive quotes from freelancers, as well browse freelancer profiles directly.
Guru encourages direct communication and transparency between clients and freelancers, and provides tools for project management and secure payments.
Who is it best for?
Guru is a solid choice for freelancers with a strong skill set, offering both short-term gigs and longer-term projects. It’s also beneficial for those who want to set their own terms and pricing – and prefer a platform that supports various payment models including hourly, fixed-price, and task-based rates.
Skills that are popular on Guru include:
- web development
- programming
- design
- copywriting
Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is one of the world’s largest freelancing marketplace and crowdsourcing platforms. It uses a competitive bidding environment where clients post projects and freelancers submit bids to win the work. It often attracts clients looking for cost-effective solutions.
The platform covers an incredibly wide range of categories including:
- data entry
- copywriting
- software engineering
- scientific research
Who is it best for?
Freelancer.com is best for freelancers who are comfortable with a highly competitive bidding system and are looking for a high volume of potential gigs. It can be particularly useful for those in entry-level positions or those looking to gain diverse experience quickly, as there are many projects available across almost every imaginable skill set.
It’s good for freelancers who are proactive in marketing their skills and are willing to compete on pricing to win projects.
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects users with ‘Taskers’ to complete local, everyday tasks. Unlike the other platforms that focus on online freelance work, TaskRabbit primarily deals with in-person services. It allows individuals to offer services like furniture assembly, moving help, handyman work, cleaning, and personal errands.
Who is it best for?
TaskRabbit is ideal for individuals looking for local, flexible gigs that involve physical labour or in-person services. It’s perfect for students, part-timers, or anyone seeking to earn money on the side by using their skills. It suits those who are reliable, enjoy hands-on work, and want to set their own hours and pricing for tasks local to the area.
Jobs available on TaskRabbit include:
- furniture assembly
- home cleaning
- minor repairs
- delivery services
- personal assistance
Airbnb Services
Airbnb Services connects business owners with people travelling and booking stays through Airbnb. While not a ‘money-making app’ in the traditional sense, it can be a great option for those in niche industries.
This is a newer option on the app, with the goal of making a guest’s trip more convenient by providing on-demand local expertise.
Business owners list their service, set their pricing, manage availability, and communicate with guests all through the app. Airbnb provides the platform, secure payment processing, and host protection insurance.
Who is it best for?
Airbnb Services is perfect for skilled professionals and service providers who can deliver in-person services directly to guests. It’s ideal for:
- beauticians
- caterers
- private chefs
- masseuses
- fitness instructors
- photographers
Selling and reselling apps
Another popular way people are using online platforms and apps to make money is by selling and reselling. This is primarily clothing but can be homeware, accessories, or anything else currently popular.
Selling usually involves you selling items you already own, whereas reselling will involve you scouting out potential stock and selling them for a profit. The difference between the two is important as it will affect the tax you pay. Here are just some of the most popular apps out there.
Vinted
Vinted is a popular reselling app designed for buying and selling pre-loved fashion items – including clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Sellers list items for free and keep 100 per cent of their earnings, as buyers typically cover shipping costs and a small buyer protection fee. The app provides prepaid shipping labels, streamlining the postage process.
Who is it best for?
Vinted is great for sellers looking to declutter their wardrobe and make extra cash from their used clothing. It’s particularly well-suited for casual sellers and those with a good collection of high street or mid-range designer fashion in good condition.
eBay
eBay is a massive global online marketplace where individuals and businesses can buy and sell a wide range of new and used items through auction-style or fixed-price listings.
From electronics and collectibles to vehicles and fashion, almost anything can be found and sold on eBay.
Who is it best for?
eBay suits casual sellers clearing out household items as well as serious resellers building a business. It’s excellent for selling electronics, vintage items, unique collectibles, and general household goods.
Individuals who are comfortable with managing auctions, responding to bids, and handling shipping logistics will find success here. Its vast audience means a higher chance of finding a buyer for niche items, but it often involves listing fees and a percentage of the final sale.
Depop
Depop is a social shopping app blending online shopping with social media. It’s particularly popular with sellers and buyers specialising in vintage and streetwear styles.
Sellers create profiles that resemble social media feeds, showcasing their items with stylised photos and item descriptions. It’s a popular app with young people and emphasises community interaction, allowing users to follow their favourite sellers and discover trends.
Who is it best for?
Depop is ideal for fashion-forward individuals, small boutiques, and creatives. If you enjoy photography, have an eye for trending styles, and want to engage with a community of fashion enthusiasts, Depop can be a highly profitable side hustle. It’s also suitable for those looking to resell thrifted finds or sell custom design pieces.
Read more: 8 best apps for selling clothes online
Survey and task-based earning apps
If you’re just starting out in your business journey and are looking for other ways to earn extra cash, survey and cashback apps could be a good way to boost your income as a fun and flexible freelance side gig.
Ibotta
Ibotta is primarily a cashback app that rewards users for their everyday shopping. It partners with a vast network of brands and retailers (both in-store and online) to offer cash back on specific products or everything you’ve bought.
Users typically earn by adding offers to their list, then either linking a loyalty card, submitting a receipt photo after shopping, or buying items directly through the app. They often have additional ways to earn, such as watching short videos or taking quick polls.
Who is it best for?
If you don’t have a particular skill to offer clients but are looking for more ways to earn income, Ibotta is a great way to earn passive income on products you’d already be buying.
You’ll need to be proactive and organised, checking for offers before shopping and consistently uploading receipts.
Premise
Premise is a task-based app that pays users for completing real-world and opinion-based tasks. These tasks can include taking photos of local landmarks or businesses, checking product availability or prices in stores, or answering surveys.
The app aims to gather real-time, ground-level data for businesses, researchers, and organisations.
Who is it best for?
If you need an additional income stream that’s flexible alongside your other commitments, Premise could work for you. It’s particularly good for those who have some spare time during their commutes or other work.
It suits people who are detail-oriented and enjoy exploring their surroundings. The income isn’t consistent like freelancing, but it offers flexibility and can be a good way to earn small amounts of cash in your spare time.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a versatile ‘get-paid-to’ (GPT) platform that offers different ways to earn points – which can then be redeemed for gift cards or cash via PayPal. Earning opportunities include taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, and shopping online for cashback.
If you’re looking for a flexible way to earn small amounts of extra money online in your free time, you should consider Swagbucks. It’s popular with students, stay-at-home parents, or those who spend a good amount of time on their devices.
It’s not a replacement for a full-time income but can be a consistent source of additional funds or gift cards for everyday expenses.
Scaling up
After using these money making apps for a while, you may be able to establish a steady income stream and build a reliable client base. From there, the next step is scaling up and diversifying your reach.
The projects you’ve completed on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, or the experiences you’ve hosted on Airbnb, are invaluable assets. Document these successful gigs in your portfolio – and remember to include client testimonials, project outcomes, and the skills you’ve gained.
This evidence will be crucial when you start pursuing direct clients outside of these apps – which will allow you to avoid platform fees and build stronger, more independent relationships.
By showcasing your best work, demonstrating your reliability, and highlighting your expertise from app-based successes, you can confidently transition to more opportunities to boost your income potential and solidify your brand as a skilled freelancer.
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