Best freelance, gig and earning platforms in the United States
DoorDash, Instacart, Grubhub and Gopuff pay couriers per order plus tips, Lyft pays drivers per ride, and GoShare, Lugg and Curri pay for moving and delivery jobs done with your own vehicle. Angi, Handy and Bark connect tradespeople and cleaners with local customers, Care.com lists caregiving jobs, Field Agent and Observa pay per short field task, and Neighbor lets you rent out storage space. Money is in US dollars (USD). Payment apps and marketplaces file Form 1099-K only when you receive more than $20,000 across more than 200 transactions in a year, but the IRS says all gig income must be reported. Self-employment tax of 15.3% applies once net earnings reach $400. For 2025 through 2028, workers in eligible tipped occupations, including self-employed gig workers whose tips appear on a 1099, can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips. Tip: PayPal standard bank transfers are free, while instant transfers cost 1.75%, so use instant only when needed.
Updated · how we verify platforms
The United States at a glance
Platform types: 4 shipping gig platforms, 4 delivery platforms, 3 task platforms, 3 field work apps, 2 rental platforms, 2 beauty booking platforms, 1 care platform, 1 payment receiving platform, 1 ticket resale platform and 1 ride platform
How they pay out: Bank transfer (15), PayPal (2), Instant Cashout (2)
Compare at a glance
| Platform | Type | Fees / commission | Pays via | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Angi
|
Home services marketplace | Pay-per-lead + advertising fees | Client pays pro directly, pre-priced jobs direct deposit | 1995 |
BabyQuip
|
Baby gear rental marketplace | 22% commission - providers keep 78% + tips | Direct deposit | 2016 |
Bark
|
Local services marketplace | Pay-per-lead credits | Client pays pro directly | 2014 |
Booksy
|
Beauty booking marketplace | Subscription $29.99/mo + processing | Direct payment from clients | 2014 |
Care.com
|
Care marketplace | Caregivers keep their full rate | Direct payment from families | 2006 |
Cash App
|
Payment app | Free P2P, 0.5-1.75% instant deposit | Bank transfer, Debit card | 2013 |
CitizenShipper
|
Specialty transport marketplace | $39.99/month driver subscription - keep 100% of quote | Direct payment from customers | 2008 |
Curri
|
Construction delivery platform | Paid per delivery by vehicle type | Direct deposit | 2018 |
DoorDash
|
Food delivery company | Paid per offer: $2-10+ base + 100% tips | Bank transfer, Fast Pay debit card, DoorDash Crimson account | 2013 |
EasyShift
Closed |
Field work app | — | PayPal | — |
Fat Llama
Merged |
Peer rental marketplace | — | — | 2016 |
Field Agent
|
Field work app | $2-12 per task | Direct deposit | 2010 |
Gametime
|
Ticket marketplace | Seller fee via in-app price guidance | Payment 48h after event | 2012 |
Gigwalk
|
Field work app | — | PayPal | 2010 |
GlossGenius
|
Beauty business software | From about $24 per month | Bank transfer | 2016 |
GoShare
|
On-demand moving platform | Advertised $52-$68 per hour | Direct deposit | 2015 |
Gopuff
|
Delivery platform | Paid per order + hourly guarantees + tips | Weekly direct deposit, Instant Cash Out $1.99 | 2013 |
Grubhub
|
Food delivery company | Paid per delivery (mileage + time) + tips | Bank transfer, Instant cashout | 2004 |
Handy
|
Home services marketplace | Platform sets fixed hourly rates, commission per booking | Direct deposit weekly | 2012 |
Instacart
|
Grocery delivery company | Paid per batch ($4-10 base) + 100% tips | Bank transfer, Instant Cashout | 2012 |
Kidizen
Closed |
Resale marketplace | — | — | 2012 |
Lugg
|
On-demand moving platform | Free to join - paid per move + 100% of tips | Direct deposit | 2014 |
Lyft
|
Ride-hailing company | Service fee varies by ride | Bank transfer, Express Pay debit card | 2012 |
Neighbor
|
Storage marketplace | 4.9% + $0.30 host processing fee | Bank transfer | 2017 |
Observa
|
Field work app | $3-25 per gig | PayPal | 2016 |
AngiA US home-services marketplace (formerly Angie List) where pros connect with homeowner jobs.
angi.com69 viewsBabyQuipA marketplace where providers earn renting and delivering clean baby gear to traveling families.
babyquip.com69 viewsBarkA global marketplace where local professionals buy leads and win service jobs.
bark.com46 viewsBooksyA booking marketplace for barbers, stylists, and beauty pros - clients discover and book you, you manage the calendar.
booksy.com42 viewsCare.comThe largest marketplace for finding childcare, senior care, pet care, and housekeeping. Caregivers create profiles, set rates, and are hired…
care.com43 viewsCash AppThe US peer-to-peer money app by Block - receive payments instantly to your cashtag, with a free debit card and bank cash-out.
cash.app40 viewsCitizenShipperA marketplace for long-distance specialty transport - especially pets - where busy drivers report 6,000 to 10,000 dollars in monthly earning…
citizenshipper.com41 viewsCurriA construction logistics platform where drivers with cars, trucks, and flatbeds deliver building materials.
curri.com37 viewsDoorDashA food and goods delivery platform where independent couriers (Dashers) sign up, choose their own hours, and earn per delivery plus tips. Re…
doordash.com47 viewsEasyShiftA mystery shopping app where shifts involve price checks and product photos at local stores, paid via PayPal.
easyshiftapp.com50 viewsFat LlamaA peer-to-peer marketplace for renting out almost anything, from cameras to tools.
fatllama.com62 viewsField AgentAn audit and mystery shopping app where agents complete in-store missions - photos, shelf checks, and surveys - for cash.
fieldagent.net56 viewsGametimeA US mobile-first ticket marketplace where sellers list last-minute event tickets.
gametime.co50 viewsGigwalkLocation-based micro tasks at nearby stores, paying 3 to 100 dollars per gig via PayPal - most fall between 5 and 15 dollars.
gigwalk.com55 viewsGlossGeniusBooking and payments software for independent beauty pros, known for polished booking pages from about 24 dollars a month.
glossgenius.com39 viewsGoShareOn-demand delivery and moving for owners of pickups, vans, and box trucks - the platform advertises 52 to 68 dollars per hour.
goshare.co41 viewsGopuffA US instant-delivery service where drivers earn delivering convenience and grocery items.
gopuff.com56 viewsGrubhubA long-running US food delivery marketplace, now owned by Wonder. Drivers schedule blocks or deliver on demand and earn per offer plus tips.
grubhub.com41 viewsHandyA US and UK platform where cleaners and handypeople earn doing booked home jobs.
handy.com77 viewsInstacartA grocery delivery platform where shoppers sign up to pick and deliver orders from local stores. Shoppers choose their own hours and earn pe…
instacart.com51 viewsKidizenA marketplace where parents sell used kids clothing and gear directly to others.
kidizen.com44 viewsLuggAn on-demand moving app matching customers with truck owners and helpers for same-day furniture moves.
lugg.com39 viewsLyftThe second-largest ride-hailing platform in North America, with open sign-up for drivers who meet vehicle and background requirements. Drive…
lyft.com48 viewsNeighborA self-storage marketplace where hosts rent out garages, driveways, and spare rooms for storing items and vehicles. Passive income from unus…
neighbor.com41 viewsObservaA retail insights app paying for quick store visits and product checks, with PayPal payouts.
observanow.com58 viewsFrequently asked questions
What are the best freelance and gig platforms in the United States?
DoorDash, Instacart and Grubhub for delivery, Lyft for rideshare driving, Angi and Handy for home services, Care.com for caregiving jobs, and GoShare or Lugg for moving jobs with your own vehicle. Upwork and Fiverr cover remote freelance work.
How do freelancers in the United States get paid by international clients?
International clients can pay through PayPal, which charges no fee for standard transfers to a US bank. Upwork pays US freelancers by Direct to U.S. Bank (ACH), free with a US tax address, or Instant Pay for $2 per transfer, and Fiverr pays out through PayPal or Payoneer.
Does PayPal work in the United States?
Yes. US accounts can send and receive payments, standard transfers to a bank are free, and instant transfers cost 1.75% with a $0.25 minimum and $25 maximum. Payment apps issue Form 1099-K only above $20,000 and more than 200 transactions a year for goods and services.
Can people in the United States work on Upwork and Fiverr?
Yes. US freelancers must enter tax information before adding an Upwork withdrawal method, and US-only jobs require identity verification plus a 35-Connect badge. Direct to U.S. Bank is free for freelancers with a US tax address. Fiverr may request government ID from any freelancer and requires you to be 18 to withdraw.
Do you have to pay tax on gig and side income in the United States?
Yes. The IRS says gig income must be reported even without a 1099, and self-employment tax of 15.3% applies once net earnings reach $400. For 2025 through 2028, eligible tipped workers, including self-employed gig workers whose tips appear on a 1099, can deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips.