Make Money on Your Own Terms By Driving for These App Companies
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Service apps are a great way to make extra money, especially if you have a few hours to devote to them after a shift at your primary job or on your days off. If you have a car in good condition, running errands around your area can be a great way to generate some cash for the holidays, paying off debts, or whatever else you might need. But finding the right company to work for can be a difficult decision these days. Here are our top recommendations.
DoorDash
DoorDash is a particularly reliable app company that saw a swift rise in popularity in 2020, due to its constant details, no-contact delivery of options, and strong real-time tracking services. It’s also really easy for people to adjust tips and pay, including payments with Apple Pay, which can make it easier for drivers to earn money.
As with almost all delivery jobs, you will need to be at least 18 years old – and like many other apps, there are also payment boosts based on busy times, the length you drive, and how weird the order may be (this can vary by city, so take a look at your own for more information). There are no specific vehicle requirements, but it’s a good idea to arrange for a “keep warm” compartment in your car if possible.
Postmates
Postmates is also a food delivery service, but it has broader delivery options that include other various items, active in more than 4,200 cities. The Postmates formula for paying drivers is also pretty friendly, including payment for time waiting in the restaurant and miles traveled for a delivery, with average pay between $10 and $25 per hour. Since Postmates is a bit more urban-focused than our other picks (although all of them are particularly well-suited for cities), it can be a good option for those who have bikes instead of cars.
Instacart
Instacart focuses on grocery deliveries, which means drivers shop for or pick up groceries and delivery (another option that has, for obvious reasons, become popular in 2020 and may pick up steam heading into the colder winter months). This means you can tailor your options to a full-service driver that can make intelligent shopping decisions for customers, or simply a pick-up and delivery driver. Rates can vary greatly based on location, but estimates show that drivers earn between $12 and $19 per hour on average. It’s an excellent choice for those who have a little more time or like the idea of shopping for others.
Grubhub
Grubhub is another immensely popular food delivery app and claims it has the largest selection of restaurants available. Pay for this option tends to be lower than other choices (around $12 per hour), but can also be very reliable, and drivers can block off certain hours of delivery time to help ensure they get a good flow of orders – plus a guaranteed 50 cents per mile driven, or even a guaranteed hourly rate in some cities. It’s a good idea to take a look at apps like DoorDash and Postmates in your city, and see which is more popular and offers more opportunities.
Shipt Shopper
Shipt Shopper isn’t quite as well-known as our other picks, but it’s a great option for those who specifically like to shop for goods, including more complicated shopping jobs. Shipt says you can earn up to $22 per hour, and there is no cap on the number of orders you can shop. You can also choose preferred times for shopping, and talk to the community to find tips on how to make the experience better.
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