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Last Updated on December 22, 2025 by Katie
Need an extra $500 this month, without committing to a second job that takes over your life? You’re not alone.
The good news is that side hustle apps can help you start earning this week, even if you only have evenings, weekends, or short gaps in your day.
The catch is that your pay depends on your city, demand, tips, your ratings, and how many hours you can actually work.
A great week in Chicago won’t look the same as a slow week in a smaller town. That’s normal.
Here’s the simple plan: pick one or two apps, work the busy times (lunch, dinner, weekends), track your costs (gas, supplies, platform fees), then scale what pays best for you.
If you’re consistent and a little picky about which gigs you accept, $500 in a month is realistic.
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Do you need extra money to pay off debts or just to buy a few extra treats?
Either way, the following side hustle apps are a great place to start to pick up easy side jobs for quick cash.
Let’s take a look.
1. DoorDash (food delivery)
As a DoorDash delivery driver, you will deliver restaurant orders to customers.
Earnings are made per delivery, plus tips, plus promos like peak pay, and you keep all tips.
How to start
- Download the app and apply
- Complete the background check
- Choose your vehicle (car, bike, scooter where available)
- Start dashing during busy zones and hours
- Cash out when you’re ready
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $20 to $50 (part-time shifts)
- Monthly: $600 to $1,500 (consistent peak hours)
Pros: Very flexible, quick to start
Cons: Gas and wear on your car, slow times happen, weather and app issues can slow you down
Right for: Evening and weekend workers who want fast-start income
Learn more about how to make money with DoorDash in your spare time.
2. Fiverr (complete freelance tasks)
Fiverr freelancers sell a service (called a “gig”), like writing, design, resume edits, voiceovers, or simple admin tasks.
If you decide to give this a go yourself, you need to set up your packages, wait for clients to contact you and deliver work online.
How to start
- Create a profile and pick 1 to 2 services
- Build one sample for each service (even self-made)
- Write clear gig titles and fast turnaround options
- Respond quickly to messages
- Deliver on time, ask for reviews
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $15 to $80 (once you get traction)
- Monthly: $200 to $1,500+ (depends on skills and reviews)
Pros: Work from home, you can raise prices as you improve
Cons: Fiverr takes a commission, competition can be tough at first
Right for: Anyone who can deliver a clear outcome (writing, design, editing, admin)
Check out these easy gigs to make money on Fiverr without skills.
3. Instacart (get paid to shop for groceries)
Instacart workers accept “batches,” shop items in-store, manage substitutions, and deliver (or sometimes just shop, depending on role and market).
Tips can make a big difference, and knowing your local stores helps.
How to start
- Apply in the app and verify your ID
- Complete any required background check
- Accept batches that fit your time and distance
- Shop carefully, communicate substitutions
- Deliver and protect your rating
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $30 to $60
- Monthly: $450 to $1,200
Pros: Can tip well, steady need in many areas
Cons: Heavy items, crowded stores during peak times, ratings matter
Right for: Fast shoppers who already run errands
Learn more about how to become an Instacart shopper here.
4. TaskRabbit (local tasks like furniture assembly and errands)
Another way to earn side hustle cash is to work as a freelancer on Task Rabbit.
You can offer multiple different services like furniture assembly, mounting TVs, moving small items, waiting in line, or running errands.
You set your rate, availability, and service area and can earn money in the hours that suit you.
How to start
- Create your profile and choose categories
- Complete any required checks
- Set competitive starter rates
- Respond quickly to requests
- Show up on time, communicate clearly
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $15 to $100+ (skill and bookings)
- Monthly: $500 to $2,000
Pros: Higher pay for skilled work, you control pricing
Cons: Tools and skills needed for some tasks, competition in some cities
Right for: Handy people and reliable problem solvers
Learn more about how to become a tasker here.
Uber is one of the best side hustle apps to make extra cash on the side if you have your own vehicle.
You can drive passengers, or switch to delivery through Uber Eats when rides are slower.
Earnings vary by city, day, and surge pricing (higher fares during high demand).
How to start
- Sign up and complete background screening
- Confirm your vehicle meets requirements
- Go online in busy zones
- Learn surge times and high-demand areas
- Track gas, maintenance, and miles
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $40 to $120 (a solid shift)
- Monthly: $500 to $2,000+
Pros: Strong demand in many cities, you can mix rides and deliveries
Cons: Insurance, taxes, maintenance, and downtime between trips
Right for: Confident drivers who want flexible hours
It’s smart to remember that driver pay can be inconsistent and expense-heavy in real life.
To make the most money, drive at the times people are most active like morings and evenings week days to take people to and from work and at the weekends when people go out to party.
6. Rover (pet sitting, dog walking, and boarding)
You earn money caring for pets: walks, drop-in visits, house sitting, or boarding at your home.
Repeat clients are where this app really shines. Demand often spikes during travel seasons like summer and the winter holidays.
How to start
- Create a profile with clear photos and details
- Set services, rates, and availability
- Complete any required checks
- Do meet-and-greets to build trust
- Keep communication and reviews strong
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $20 to $80+ (more with boarding)
- Monthly: $400 to $2,000
Pros: Fun work if you love animals, repeat clients can stack up fast
Cons: Reviews and performance scores matter, real responsibility and cleanup
Right for: Pet lovers with a safe, calm home setup (or reliable transport)
Learn more about how to become a Rover pet sitter here.
7. Survey Junkie (surveys, offers, and games for small but steady rewards)
This is not high hourly pay, but it’s one of the easiest ways to pick up small wins from your phone.
One of the top side hustle apps, you answer surveys and sometimes qualify for higher-paying research.
How to start
- Sign up and complete your profile
- Check in daily for new surveys
- Be consistent with answers to avoid disqualifications
- Cash out once you hit the minimum
- Treat it like a filler, not your main plan
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $5 to $15
- Monthly: $120 to $300
Pros: Easy, phone-based, low barrier to entry
Cons: You can get screened out, and low pay per hour
Right for: People who want simple extra money while watching TV
Start earning money with Survey Junkie now.
8. UserTesting (test websites and apps from home)
With this side hustle app, you record your screen and voice while completing tasks and sharing feedback.
You usually need to qualify for each test, so it can be uneven, but payouts per test can be strong.
How to start
- Create an account and pass the practice test
- Keep notifications on
- Use a quiet space and a decent mic
- Speak clearly as you complete tasks
- Take tests fast when they appear
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $10 to $30 per test (when available)
- Monthly: $200 to $600
Pros: Work from home, tasks are usually short
Cons: Not always consistent, qualifying can be hit or miss
Right for: Clear communicators who can explain what they’re thinking
Check these platforms to find work from home website testing jobs.
9. Facebook Marketplace (sell stuff you already own for fast cash)
This is the quickest way to turn clutter into cash and can be a big money spinner if done right.
To get started, you need to list items locally for pickup, or ship if you prefer. Your earnings depend on what you have, and how often you list.
How to start
- Pick items that sell fast (small furniture, tools, electronics, kids’ gear)
- Clean them and take bright photos
- Write honest titles and descriptions
- Meet in safe public places for local sales
- Re-list weekly to stay visible
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $20 to $200+ (deal-based)
- Monthly: $200 to $1,000+
Pros: No special skills, fast payouts, great for decluttering
Cons: Haggling, scams, no guaranteed sales
Right for: Anyone who needs a quick cash boost this month
10. Rev (freelance transcription services)
Freelance transcriptionists listen to audio and type what they hear.
And the good thing about this side job is you can learn how to become a transcriptionist very quickly.
Pay depends on the difficulty of the audio, your speed, and how accurate you are. This can be a solid at-home option if you can focus.
How to start
- Apply and complete any entry steps
- Use headphones and a quiet workspace
- Start with easier files to build confidence
- Improve typing speed and accuracy over time
- Choose work that fits your schedule
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $15 to $60 (varies by speed and file type)
- Monthly: $200 to $900
Pros: Home-based, you can work in short sessions
Cons: Hard audio can slow you down, work availability can vary
Right for: Fast typists who don’t mind focused, detail-heavy work
Check out the best remote transcription jobs for beginners.
11. Secret Shopper (Field Agent style mystery shopping and store checks)
Secret shoppers complete small tasks like taking in-store photos, checking displays, answering questions, or testing products at home.
Pay varies a lot by task, and the best jobs get claimed quickly. But, with a little effort, you can make a good bit of extra money with this side hustle.
How to start
- Visit the Secret Shopper website and complete your profile
- Claim tasks near your normal errands
- Follow instructions exactly (details matter)
- Submit proof (photos, notes, receipts if required)
- Get paid after approval
Realistic earnings
- Daily: $3 to $30+
- Monthly: $50 to $300+
Pros: Fits into errands, can feel fun and quick
Cons: Low pay if you drive far, tasks disappear fast
Right for: People who already run errands and want to stack extra cash
Check out the best platforms to find mystery shopper jobs right now.
Simple 2-Week Plan to Earn Your First $500 (Without Burning Out)
The fastest way to hit $500 is to stop spreading yourself thin.
Pair one higher-earning app (driving or local tasks) with one at-home app (testing, transcription, surveys).
You’re building a routine, not trying to squeeze money out of every spare second.
Here’s a simple two-week schedule you can repeat:
Pick your pair
- One “shift” app: DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, TaskRabbit, or Rover
- One “couch” app: UserTesting, Rev, or Survey Junkie
Do 3 peak shifts per week
- Friday night (2 to 3 hours)
- Saturday lunch (2 to 3 hours)
- Sunday dinner (2 to 3 hours)
Add 3 short at-home sessions per week
- 30 to 45 minutes each, on weeknights
Example weekly goal breakdown
- $60 Friday night
- $60 Saturday lunch
- $60 Sunday dinner
- $30 from two at-home tests or transcription blocks
That’s about $210 per week, which is $420 in two weeks. Add one extra shift, a few Marketplace sales, or one strong Rover weekend, and $500 becomes much more comfortable.
To protect your profit, set a gas budget, track mileage, avoid low-pay orders (especially long-distance ones), and stop if you’re too tired to drive safely.
If you want bigger income targets later, check this guide on how to make $500 a day.
Stack two apps on purpose, one high-earning, one easy filler
Good pairs keep your life simple:
- DoorDash + UserTesting
- Instacart + Survey Junkie
- Rover + Facebook Marketplace
Don’t run multiple driving apps at the same time if it makes you stressed or distracted. Keep it safe, legal, and focused, then switch apps between shifts if needed.
Know your real profit, not just payouts
Your payout isn’t your profit. Track gas, tolls, supplies (like insulated bags), and platform fees.
If you’re doing self-employed gig work, set aside a portion for taxes (many people start with 20% to 30%, then adjust based on their situation).
Keep a weekly note of hours worked, miles driven, and earnings, so you can spot what actually pays.
Final Thoughts On the Best Side Hustle Apps
Making an extra $500 this month is doable when you pick side hustle apps that match your schedule and you work the busy hours instead of random ones.
You don’t need 11 apps on your phone. You need one solid choice you’ll actually use, and a backup option for slow days.
Start with one app today, test it for 7 days, then add a second app only if you need more volume or more consistent pay.
Your next step is simple: choose your top two from the list, set a weekly dollar goal, and schedule your next three shifts or sessions on your calendar.
Consistency beats intensity, especially when you want extra cash without burning out.
Want more ideas?
Check these fast start side hustles that make money immediately.
Summary
11 Best Side Hustle Apps to Earn an Extra $500 This Month
Description
11 Best Side Hustle Apps to Earn an Extra $500 This Month
Author
Katie Lamb
Remote Work Rebels
Publisher Logo
remoteworkrebels.com (Article Sourced Website)
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