You do not always need a traditional job to start earning. These platforms connect people with local errands, grocery-shopping assignments, retail deliveries, package routes and everyday tasks that can be completed on a flexible schedule.
Gig-work platforms can give people a way to begin earning without waiting for a traditional employer to hire them. You register with the platform, complete its onboarding requirements and choose eligible tasks or offers available in your area.
These platforms are designed for people who want a wider variety of local assignments rather than only grocery or package delivery.
TaskRabbit connects local customers with independent Taskers who perform errands, delivery, furniture assembly, moving help, mounting, cleaning and other everyday services.
Airtasker lets customers post tasks and allows eligible workers to browse local opportunities and submit offers for work they want to complete.
These platforms are designed for people who are comfortable shopping for customer orders, communicating about substitutions and delivering purchases to the customer.
Instacart shoppers select available orders, shop for the requested groceries and deliver them to customers.
Shipt shoppers and delivery drivers fulfill customer orders from participating retailers and deliver them locally.
The Spark Driver platform connects independent drivers with offers to shop for or deliver eligible Walmart and retail customer orders.
Package-delivery work may be a better fit for people who prefer scheduled delivery blocks and a defined route rather than shopping for individual customer orders.
Amazon Flex delivery partners use their own qualifying vehicles to deliver packages and other eligible orders during available delivery blocks.
A delivery offer is not automatically profitable. Look beyond the amount shown in the app and calculate what remains after the expenses required to complete it.
Use this chart to identify which type of flexible work may fit your vehicle, schedule, physical ability and preferred working style.
| Platform | Primary Work | Vehicle Usually Needed? | Schedule Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| TaskRabbit | Errands, delivery and local services | Depends on the selected task | Set availability and accept eligible tasks |
| Airtasker | Open local tasks and service assignments | Depends on the posted assignment | Browse tasks and submit offers |
| Instacart | Grocery shopping and delivery | Generally yes for full-service delivery | Choose available orders |
| Shipt | Shopping and local delivery | Generally yes | Flexible availability and available offers |
| Walmart Spark | Walmart and retail shopping or delivery | Yes | Choose available offers |
| Amazon Flex | Package and route delivery | Yes, qualifying vehicle required | Accept available delivery offers or blocks |
Treat gig work like a small business. Apply carefully, track every dollar and learn which types of work produce the best return in your local market.
Apply to several platforms that match your vehicle, schedule and preferred work.
Prepare your identification, driving information, banking details and any required insurance documents.
Record mileage, fuel, tolls, parking, supplies and other business-related expenses.
Compare gross pay with total time and expenses before deciding which opportunities to continue.
Requirements differ by platform and location, but applicants should generally be prepared to provide the following.
A platform may show the amount paid for an assignment, but that number does not automatically represent what you earned after completing the work.
Most of the featured opportunities are flexible local gig jobs rather than traditional work-from-home positions. They involve errands, shopping, delivery or local service assignments.
Many platforms classify participating workers as independent contractors. Review each platform’s current worker agreement, tax treatment, insurance requirements and local rules before accepting work.
In many cases, yes. Joining several platforms may give you more opportunities to compare assignments, schedules and market demand. Follow each platform’s policies and do not accept overlapping work you cannot complete properly.
Earnings vary significantly by platform, city, customer demand, accepted assignments, tips, expenses, taxes and time required. No platform or SSBS can guarantee a particular income.
Personal auto policies may not cover every type of commercial or delivery activity. Contact your insurer and review the platform’s current insurance requirements before beginning delivery work.
Availability varies by city and demand. You may be placed on a waitlist or told that the platform is not operating in your market. Apply to other suitable platforms and check back later.
The links on this version of the page lead to official worker signup pages. Unless separately disclosed beside a specific link, SSBS is not claiming compensation from these platforms.