The gig economy is well alive and thriving. Anyone can work as a freelancer or contractor for multiple companies simultaneously. Even better, you don’t have to wait a week or two to get paid. You can work and get paid on the same day.
These opportunities are available across multiple industries. Whether it’s food delivery, rideshare, or running errands, there are plenty of gig apps where you can put in a few hours when your income needs an instant boost. All it takes is to sign up for an account, provide your payment information, and in some cases, pass a background check to start earning.
Lime, Qwick, Instacart, SitterCity are some of the best gig apps. However, the best gig app that pays the same day is Wag! The app has a great coverage providing services all across the US. You can draw payments the same day post fulfilling their requirements.
Let’s find out what these apps have to offer.
Best Gig Apps That Pay Same Day
1. DoorDash
This one probably doesn’t surprise you. The brand is available in over 7,000 cities across the US and Canada. It is the largest food delivery company in the United States and part of popular culture, thanks to several viral stories.
Its founders have successfully built a $32 billion business, and you can earn a slice out of it daily by becoming a Dasher. Up to $1000 a day if you are a hard worker.
DoorDash’s same day payment is not available right out the gate. The standard company payment for delivery drivers is weekly, via Direct Deposit every Monday at 6:30 a.m EST. It takes four days to hit your bank account.
But you can speed that up by signing up for its Fast Pay system. You must have completed at least 25 deliveries and been on the platform for two weeks (14 days) since activation.
The sign-up process has a 7-day processing period and requires linking your debit card and bank account details to the app.
Once this elapses, you can withdraw your earnings to your debit card account once per day every day for a $1.99 fee for every withdrawal.
If you are an active Dasher, you can avoid this fee by signing up for the Dasher Direct Card. Your earnings from each day are transferred directly to the card free of charge, and you don’t have to worry about monthly maintenance fees.
The card also has practical uses. It is a prepaid Visa debit card, and you can use it to pay for goods and services wherever Visa is accepted online or in person.
Find out platforms similar to DoorDash.
2. Wag!
Wag! is a fantastic same day pay job app if you are a bonafide dog lover or at least dog-agnostic.
The business is available in 8000+ cities across all 50 states in the US, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a gig in your area. Furthermore, becoming a dog walker or sitter on the platform is straightforward.
You need to submit your ID (legal name, email address, and phone number) and set up a Stripe account to accept payments.
You also have to make an easy pet care quiz. It includes questions about collar/harness safety and basic pet care. After passing the test, Wag! conducts a standard background check that costs $25 and takes up to 5 days.
Once your application is approved, you can start earning. Walkers make an average of $12 + tip for a 30-minute walk. Boarding or sitting service is $26 per night, and all the tips go to you.
Wag!’s standard payment cycle is Tuesday through Monday, but you can collect your earnings the same day, every day, via Instant Pay once you meet specific requirements.
The payment appears on your debit card within 30 minutes, and there is a 3% transaction fee for each Instant Payment. It is steep, but it is manageable if you use the Instantpay option occasionally.
The cool thing about using Wag! as a same pay gig app is satisfied past clients can book you directly repeatedly on the platform.
You can build a clientele that provides a reliable daily source of income, all while setting your own rates and offering additional services.
Related: Best Jobber Alternatives
3. Lime
Electric vehicles might be the future, but you can start earning from the technology today as a scooter charger via Lime, an electric scooter and bike rental company.
It doesn’t yet have the widespread presence of other gig jobs in the US, but you can find it in major cities like New York, Denver, San Francisco, etc.
The gig itself is pretty straightforward. Locate a scooter, pick the scooter up, charge the scooter, and release it for use in designated hubs. It is an excellent way to earn money on your schedule while contributing to the environment.
To become a Lime Scooter Charger (or Lime Juicer), apply through their website or app and fill in a few details, including how many Lime scooters you can charge. There will be an orientation process over the phone or in person, but that’s pretty much it.
The requirements are pretty lax too. You should be at least 18 years of age, and you don’t need to own a car. However, having one will improve your earnings.
Speaking of money, Lime pays a base amount of $5 per scooter, but it can be up to $12, depending on the location and demand. Earnings are usually higher on weekends.
This might seem small, but it is not unusual for Lime Juicers to make $20 to $30 an hour. You can also pick up scooters to charge along your commute each day.
Whatever you make, Lime pays out 365 days a year, including Sundays and holidays, as long as you use a debit card as your payment method.
4. Qwick
If you have restaurant experience or don’t mind acquiring one, fast food chains and restaurants now offer temporary shifts to gig workers using Qwick.
Like every same day gig app, you only have to give up a small fraction of your wages to collect your payment before the official payday.
Once you download the app, the sign-up process is equally similar. Create your profile and share your experience. Don’t worry if you have limited experience. From dishwashing to general labor, food runner, and prep cook, there are many roles to choose from based on your skill level.
Besides your experience, other Qwick requirements include relevant certificates and an internet-enabled cell phone. You also need to set up a Stripe account if you want Instant Pay.
After a five-minute virtual orientation, Qwick will start standing shifts to your phone that match your experience. Accept those that meet your schedule and get paid 30 minutes after clocking out.
You can work two shifts a day or one shift a week. You are completely in control of your time, and Qwick integrates accepted shifts in your calendar to remind you.
The business posting the shift determines the pay rate, but you can expect to make up to $30 per hour or more, with minimum wage being the lowest end.
Qwick’s Instant Pay comes with a 3% transaction fee for each withdrawal to your debit card. When you don’t mind waiting, they pay into your bank account within days.
Besides offering instant pay, Qwick connects you to businesses, improving the chances of securing a better-paying position long-term.
Also Read: Best Thumbtack Alternatives
5. Uber
Uber helped mainstream the gig economy, so it is no surprise that it is a leading option for gig apps that pay the same day. Not only does it offer Instant Pay, but you can cash out up to 5 times a day.
That’s four times more than most gig apps that offer same day payment, and some gig apps don’t even provide the option.
The transaction fee is much easier too. If you choose your personal debit card as your payment method, it costs $0.50 per cashout. This covers most Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards.
You pay nothing if you go with the Uber Debit Card. The transaction fee is $0 per cash out, with additional benefits like cashbacks and zero fees.
Whatever payment method you choose, the funds arrive in your debit card within minutes.
It takes one completed trip to qualify for Uber’s Instant Pay as a new driver. However, you need to complete 25+ deliveries for Uber Eats at least 14 days after your first delivery.
It takes much longer to become an Uber driver, either for passengers or food. Whether you need a few extra dollars or looking to work full-time and earn daily, the application process takes between 3 and 10 days.
Also, depending on your area, the exact requirements to become a driver vary. Make sure to do the appropriate research beforehand.
However, the requirements to become a delivery person for Uber Eats are lower, and you can start earning within a few days.
Explore the best sites like Uber Eats.
6. Instacart
Do you enjoy grocery shopping and want money on your debit card daily? Instacart might be the gig for you. The retail company offers shop and deliver and shop only gigs. Whatever works for you.
Shop and Deliver roles involve shopping in-store and delivering to the customer’s door. Hence, having a car is a requirement. Shop Only involves picking orders in-store, and no car is necessary.
You can work whenever you want as a Shop and Deliver worker. As a Shop Only worker, there is a flexible schedule with up to 29-hour shifts per week.
Shop and Deliver workers (Full-Service Shoppers) get paid per completed batch. You can see the estimated earnings on every order via the app and your total earnings for the week.
The earnable amount per order depends on the number and type of items, driving distance, and effort involved in shopping and delivering. Full-Service Shoppers also get 100% of customer tips and do not have to pay for groceries themselves.
In-store shoppers are considered employees and earn an hourly wage.
Full-Service shoppers get same day payment with a feature within the app called Instant Cashout. Instacart uses Stripe to fund your debit card, and it takes 30-45 minutes on average for it to show up.
However, Instacart Instant Cashout does not apply to tips. You can only withdraw your tips 24 hours after completing a delivery.
Regardless, the default tip is 5% of the total order or the chosen percentage of the customer’s recent order, whichever one is higher. So, the wait could well be worth it.
Looking to explore apps like Instacart? check this post out.
7. SitterCity
The American online marketplace for families and individuals has been helpful for those looking for in-home care.
It is also where caregivers of all stripes, babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, and senior care providers can earn money daily.
The business arrangement is similar to the dog-oriented Wag! discussed earlier. You can find clients who want a sitter, and clients can find you.
You can also set your own rate, build a clientele, connect with other sitters and create a community.
It begins by creating a detailed profile that showcases your skills, including uploading a photo. Once you’ve done that, you can search for jobs near you and apply to those you feel most qualified for.
Earning potential when you use Sittercity depends on a few factors, including the job description, cost of living in your area, and the state’s minimum wage laws. That said, sitters on the platform charge an average of $17.50 an hour.
Whatever you make on any given day though, you can have it in your account on the same day. Unlike Wag! Sittercity does not process transactions.
Instead, your total earnings, how and when you receive payments depend on your arrangement with clients. After completing your shift, you can accept payments directly via check, CashApp, Venmo, etc.
Urbansitter is another babysitting gig app that offers the same services. They handle payments, but instant cashout comes with a $2 fee. Currently, it is only available in select cities across the US.
8. Instawork
Instawork offers all the advantages of working for a temp agency without the hassle of waiting weekly or bi-weekly to get paid. You have the option of getting paid instantly after your shift, and unlike Qwick, you are not limited to one industry.
With Instawork, you can work across different industries such as events, food, and warehousing.
You can find all available shifts via the app, book shifts in advance or last minute, and choose your preferred duration and time. You are in total control of your schedule.
Each shift comes with detailed instructions, and Instawork offers occupational accident insurance coverage.
Instawork sends your payment within a few hours when your shift is over. However, this Instapay feature is available only to select gig workers via its Instawork Top Pro rewards and select gigs.
The Instawork Top Pro rewards are for workers who complete a set number of shifts and consistently get good reviews. Aside from access to Instapay, you also get early access to shifts and the ability to become a Shift lead.
If you book an Instapay gig, you will need to enter your debit card information for Instawork to process your payment. There is no transaction fee, and there is a bank account option when you don’t mind waiting a few days for your money.
On Instawork, earning potential ranges from minimum wage to $25 per hour or more. The income per shift depends on the role, and you can make more via referrals, and pure hard work, especially when the shift is in distant locations.
9. Wonolo
Wonolo is another gig app that pays the same day, catering to an even broader range of industries—Warehouse operation jobs, merchandising, manufacturing, event staffing, and more.
As a result, there are always shifts to choose from, ensuring daily income opportunities. Wonolo jobs are also available across major cities in the US, making it an excellent option for cross-country travelers.
Joining Wonolo is as easy as downloading the app, creating a profile, and completing the sign-up process. You don’t even have to submit a resume, but doing so is an advantage.
The app is easy to use, and you can sort through jobs by industry and location. When you complete a shift, you can rate your experience working with the employer and vice versa.
This arrangement allows workers and employers to build long-term relationships, and businesses can pick their preferred high-performing ‘Wonolers.’
Wonolo primarily offers entry-level work, so the expected pay is minimum wage and above. But you do get to keep all your earnings since Wonolo earns money by charging the employer.
The platform has a standard payment cycle of 1-5 days for direct deposits. However, to guarantee same day payment, you can sign up for its Wisley Paycard.
With Wisely, you will receive your payment within 6-12 hours after completing a shift. The card is available for daily use with zero hidden fees.
Explore the best alternatives to Wonolo here.
10. Skipcart
Wrapping up is Skipcart. It’s like Instacart, except drivers can do more than shop and deliver groceries.
Skipcart drivers serve different industries, including food & beverage, automotive, electronics, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, and retail.
You perform last-mile delivery for small and big enterprises. You can deliver items from 7-11 in the morning and help complete an order from Panda Express in the evening.
There is plenty of work on the app to make this a potential source of high income, and you can cash out daily.
On average, drivers on Skipcart make between $16 and $22 an hour and keep 100% of their tips. The app calculates earnings by adding the delivery fee, bonus pricing, and other applicable fees such as cancellation and return fees.
Skipcart gig app has a Get Paid Now feature available for all drivers once a day from Tuesday to Sunday. However, you cannot withdraw your earnings from the current day on the same day.
The available balance for withdrawal is for completed deliveries before the current day. Also, there is no daily pay option on Monday because it is the standard weekly payout day.
If you choose to use the Get Paid Now option, Skipcart charges 1% for transactions over $200 and $1.99 for anything below.
You need to enter a supported debit card attached to a checking account to receive the payment. Skipcart Instantpay does not support prepaid debit cards.
Other delivery-focused gig apps that offer instant payment include Roadie and Shipt.
Also Read: Part-time vs Full-time
Bonus App: Earnin
Maybe none of these apps are for you. Or perhaps you don’t want to take on another job on top of your primary one to earn a few extra bucks to settle emergency bills.
This brings me to my final app recommendation: Earnin. It is an app that lets you access your earned income using your paycheck as collateral.
In a sense, it is a traditional payday loan business, but there is no interest, and their service is free. Earnin makes its money via other means, including voluntary tips from users when they get an advance.
Earnin is accessible to salaried and hourly workers as long as you make at least $4 an hour after taxes. And other than your income information, you only need to provide your name, phone number, and email to set up an account.
You can borrow up to $100 the first time (and only what you’ve earned. The app verifies the hours before lending you money). However, the total accessible amount for subsequent use is up to $500.
Earnin is an excellent alternative to traditional same day gig apps to settle small emergency expenses. It is also great for those who wish to avoid the hefty overdraft fees on their bank account.
Also Read: What Does Work From Home Mean? A Guide
Rounding Up
The gig economy continues to evolve and these are the best gig apps that pay on the same day. Each app has its benefits and downsides, but you will always find one that best suits your circumstance and experience.
But whether you are looking for a side hustle or flexible full-time income, you don’t have to stick with one.
The best thing about using gig apps is you are your own boss. You can work as many or little gigs as you can per day or week.
Whichever app you pick, read all the requirements and user agreements. As an independent contractor, you should know what you are getting into before signing the dotted line.
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