8+ Best Driving App Jobs: Ranked & Reviewed (2024)

Are you looking for a side hustle that can be done using just your car and a valid driver’s license?

Finding a lucrative side hustle in this gig economy that doesn’t require a huge upfront investment could be challenging. It can be done, though.

Working ridesharing or delivery app jobs is an excellent way to make money with your car as a side hustle. Most of these jobs don’t require any previous experience and can be done during your downtime.

They also have the benefit of allowing you to be entirely independent, not relying on bosses or work colleagues to make more money or achieve higher rankings.

Here are our top picks for driving app jobs that cover food delivery services, package delivery, and ridesharing services.

An Overview of Driving App Jobs

Making money by driving your car used to be a full-time job back when people could only work for taxi companies.

With the genius invention of ridesharing and delivery apps, anyone could start earning money by driving their personal vehicles on their off time, as well.

If you’re thinking about supplementing your income by becoming a rideshare or delivery driver, this comprehensive guide should answer all your questions.

Why Are Driving Apps Important?

Ridesharing apps have become part of the modern way of life, especially in crowded metropolitan areas where driving and parking aren’t feasible for many.

Having the safety and comfort of a new, clean car is an excellent draw for users and a perfect opportunity to thrive in today’s gig economy.

As for delivery apps, when the pandemic changed everyone’s lifestyle, forcing them inside, the 2020s became the era of relying on delivery apps for everything.

From grocery and restaurant delivery apps to package and even alcohol delivery service apps, convenience became the name of the game.

They’re currently some of the fastest-growing business ventures in the US, with the food delivery app industry revenue exceeding $17 billion in 2023.

Should I Try Working for a Driving App?

If you’ve got a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and insurance, as well as a squeaky-clean driving record, then working for a driving app is a side hustle you should try.

Consider applying for a delivery service app if you’re not enthusiastic about interacting with other people in ridesharing scenarios.

Most delivery drivers can choose contact-free delivery, which minimizes social interaction while maintaining all the perks of a driving app job.

The Best Driving App at a Glance

What Is the Best Driving App?

It’s hard to mention a driving app without Uber (and Uber Eats!) coming to mind. This industry pioneer has offered ridesharing and delivery services since the late 2000s and early 2010s.

The extensive experience this company has in the driving and delivery service app game should be enough to make you consider working for it.

Uber recently rolled out a program that incentivizes its drivers to accomplish more with the company. The new Uber Pro rewards program allows drivers to earn points for completing rides and showing great customer service skills.

Features to Look for in a Driving App Job

Here’s what to look for when you’re picking which driving app to sign up for:

1. Hourly Pay

How much money you make an hour with a driving app consists of base pay, which is determined by the distance and estimated time of each order, plus tips.

You can also make use of peak pay, which boosts any ride fare or delivery fee during rush hours.

2. Frequency of Requests

Some apps are more popular with customers than others, which means that you’re more likely to get requests if you’re driving for one app than another.

For example, Uber is more popular than Lyft, so you can make more money working for it.

3. Driver Support Call Center

Working for a ridesharing or food delivery service, you’re likely to run into issues with customers or technical difficulties.

Having a solid driver support call center for the app you’re working for can make the job so much easier!

4. Area Availability

Depending on where you live, you can find local driving apps that are popular with the community other than the big names mentioned here.

These tend to offer comparable rates and aren’t as inundated with poor customer service.

These regional delivery apps include delivery.com in NYC and Favor in Texas.

5. Reward Programs

Some driving apps incentivize their drivers by offering them rewards if they earn enough points by completing rides or getting consistently positive reviews.

These rewards include discounts on gas or EV charging, Costco memberships, and access to area preferences for their rides or delivery trips.

Related: 10+ gas apps that pay you back – save today!

Best Driving App Jobs: Our Top 3 Options [Ranked & Reviewed]

Our top 3 picks for the best driving apps you can work for are Uber (and Uber Eats), DoorDash, and Lyft. Here’s a detailed look at each of them, complete with a list of pros and cons and estimated hourly income:

1.1. Uber – Our Pick for Best Ridesharing App

Uber was founded in 2009, ushering in the era of peer-to-peer ridesharing and changing the way people viewed transportation.

It also changed how side hustlers make money with their cars, allowing them to find customers easily and have more flexibility when it comes to working hours.

It’s our best pick for the best ridesharing app to work for because of how popular it is among users. Uber boasts the largest user base of all driving apps, with over 130 million active users worldwide as of 2023.

Even with the stiff competition, it remains the most popular ridesharing application on both iOS and Android, as it operates in about 70 countries and over 10,000 cities around the world.

Requirements to Drive for Uber

• Be of legal age to drive.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Auto insurance if you drive your personal vehicle.
• Proof of residency in your city or state.
• Information for a background check.
• If you don’t have a vehicle, you can get one from the Uber rental program that allows you to rent a car on a weekly or monthly basis.

Pros of Uber

• You get paid weekly via direct deposit, but you can also choose instant cash payments up to 5 times a day if you use Instant Pay.
• Flexible hours, with higher fares during rush hours.
• You can make good money depending on how often you work and where you drive.

Cons of Uber

• Tough competition due to its popularity.
• Gas, maintenance, and car insurance expenses are on you.
• Driving people around requires certain customer service skills, and dissatisfied customers can leave bad reviews that affect your gig.

Uber Income

How much you make driving for Uber depends on where you live and how often you work, but hourly pay is between $15–20 per hour.

Our Take: Should You Choose Uber?

Uber defines the ridesharing app experience. We definitely recommend you give it a try if you want to make money driving people around.

1.2. Uber Eats – Our Pick for Best Food Delivery Service

Uber Eats ties with Uber for the #1 spot but in a different genre. This venture was founded by Uber in 2014 to get a piece of the cake previously shared by the few food delivery services on the market.

Although it’s newer than Grubhub and DoorDash, Uber Eats quickly rose in the ranks of food delivery apps to work for, making use of the vast coverage of Uber ridesharing services.

It’s currently the best food delivery app on the worldwide market, with over 81 million active users as of 2023.

Requirements to Drive for Uber Eats

• Have your own car, scooter, or bike.
• For car delivery drivers: You should be 19, have a valid driver’s license, and submit your Social Security Number to pass a background check.
• For scooter delivery drivers: Same as car requirements, and choose “Delivery by Scooter” under the transportation method.
• For bike delivery drivers: You should be 18, provide a government-issued ID, provide your Social Security Number to pass a background check, and choose “Delivery by Bike or on Foot” under the transportation method.

Pros of Uber Eats

• You can get paid weekly via bank transfers or choose instant cash payments up to 5 times a day with Instant Pay.
• You get to keep all your in-app tips.
• You can see how much you’ll make before you accept the delivery trip, with higher fares during the lunch and dinner rush.

Cons of Uber Eats

• Like with other food delivery jobs, you can find yourself in unsafe neighborhoods.
• You pay for auto insurance for your car or scooter.

Income from Uber Eats

Delivering for Uber Eats, you can expect to make around $10–20 per hour, but you can also make extra money from the in-app tips you keep in whole.

Our Take: Should You Choose Uber Eats?

If you’d rather forgo the customer service skills needed to handle ridesharing and want to work according to your own schedule, then delivering for Uber Eats might be the side hustle for you.

It also has fewer stipulations than other delivery apps and allows you to go back and forth between ridesharing and delivery jobs.

2. DoorDash – Runner-Up Food Delivery Service

Coming in the runner-up position is one of the best food delivery apps to work for, DoorDash. They currently hold the biggest share in the food delivery business in the US, with 32 million active users as of 2023.

DoorDash keeps its delivery app jobs within the confines of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand markets.

This allows for local growth and market domination, where many users opt for it compared to other delivery companies.

Aside from restaurants, you can also deliver groceries and orders from convenience stores and liquor stores.

Requirements to Drive for DoorDash

• Be 18 years or older.
• Have a personal vehicle (car, scooter, or bicycle).
• Provide a valid driver’s license number.
• Provide your Social Security Number.
• Consent to a background check.

Pros of DoorDash

• The largest food delivery company in the United States.
• Peak Pay during busy hours and Challenges that let you earn extra money when you complete a certain number of deliveries within a time window.
• You get 100% of the tips you get in-app.

Cons of DoorDash

• You have to wear a uniform, called Dasher Gear, that you also have to pay for with your money.
• Low base pay doesn’t add up if you have to drive a long distance to deliver the food.
• The app can get lags, which can make you miss out on delivery opportunities.

Income from DoorDash

Base pay for DoorDash is between $2–10, depending on your location, not counting peak pay rates.

Our Take: Should You Choose DoorDash?

Many users consider DoorDash one of the best food delivery services, but it could be better for the average delivery driver. The competitive edge of the low delivery fee balances out the high number of orders due to the app’s popularity.

3. Lyft – Also Great for Ridesharing

Founded in 2012 to compete with Uber, Lyft chose the DoorDash limited market business model and only operates in 95% of the United States and select cities in Canada.

It’s the second most popular ridesharing app in the United States, with 26% of the market share after previously holding a peak of 38%.

Requirements to Drive for Lyft

• Pass the state’s minimum age for driving a rideshare vehicle (usually 21 to 25 years old).
• Have personal auto insurance.
• Have a compliant vehicle model or rent one from the Express Drive rentals program.
• Pass a background check and a driver’s screening test.

Pros of Lyft

• Additional insurance policies that the driver doesn’t have to pay for.
• Hourly ride predictions to know where the highest number of ride requests are.
• You get paid weekly, but you can have instant cash access with a small $0.85 fee per transaction.

Cons of Lyft

• You have to pay for gas, maintenance, and car insurance expenses.
• You have to maintain a certain rating to keep driving for Lyft.
• Since it’s not as popular as Uber, the income from Lyft isn’t consistent because of fewer ride requests.

Income from Lyft

Lyft drivers make between $12–20 per hour, depending on the local minimum wage laws and the average income in the city or state. Most of this is from the base fare determined upfront, but some bonus incentives can boost your earnings driving for Lyft.

Our Take: Should You Choose Lyft?

Many drivers prefer the experience of working for Lyft because it retains an indie, startup vibe that contrasts with Uber’s corporate rigidity. If Lyft is in high demand with good base pay in your city or state, go for it.

Notable Mentions: Other Driving App Jobs To Check Out

If you’d rather deliver packages, be a full-service shopper for delivering groceries, or drive around children or the elderly, check out these driving app jobs you can work for as an independent contractor:

4. Amazon Flex – Best Package Delivery App

Amazon is an e-commerce monolith that dominated the online shopping experience for users in the past decade.

That’s why it’s not at all surprising that it came up with a delivery app,Amazon Flex, which you can sign up for as an independent contractor package delivery driver to make extra money on the side.

Why is Amazon Flex a Great Option?

Amazon Flex makes delivery driver jobs less restricted by full-time positions. You don’t have to work for UPS or drive a van to deliver packages and make some cash on the side.

Drawbacks to Amazon Flex

It’s currently only available in select cities throughout the US, and the number of available delivery jobs is limited.

That said, you can download the app, sign up, and see if they’re recruiting in your location and if any delivery job comes up to stay on top of the game.

Amazon Flex Income

Drivers for Amazon Flex make $18–25 per hour, which is great compared to other delivery app jobs.

5. Instacart – Best for Delivering Groceries

The business model for Instacart is a little different from other food delivery services.

Instead of getting to-go orders from local restaurants or even prepared grocery delivery orders, you work as a full-service shopper for the app, making the whole run from start to finish.

You can also become one of their “in-store shoppers” who prepare orders but don’t have to deliver them to customers.

Why is Instacart a Great Option?

If you want to avoid the hassle of working with restaurants and would rather deliver groceries, then Instacart is the best food delivery app you can work for.

Drawbacks to Instacart

This is a physically demanding job, with the Instacart website asking for adults who can carry “up to 40 lbs. unassisted” because of the large orders you might receive.

You’re also an independent contractor, which means you have to file your own taxes and get no benefits from full-time employment.

Instacart Income

The pay for full-service shoppers ranges from $7–25 per hour, depending on where you’re working. This is a wide range but is considered normal for food delivery app jobs.

6. Postmates – Best Restaurant Delivery App

Postmates is one of the best delivery apps to deliver restaurant meals to customers. It’s been around since 2011 and started off as a smaller restaurant delivery service in the UK, then expanded to become its current operation size.

It was recently acquired by Uber in 2020, which decided to keep its branding and run it separately from its Uber Eats flagship.

Why is Postmates a Great Option?

The biggest draw to work for Postmates is the ability to work according to your own schedule without supervision. It’s a good delivery app to work for if you live in the Los Angeles Area since this is where most of its US users reside.

Drawbacks to Postmates

The pay per hour isn’t as high as other delivery apps, and there aren’t many bonuses or driver incentives.

Postmates Income

Hourly pay for Postmates delivery drivers is $12–18. The base pay is divided as follows:

• $0.95 for pick-up.
• $0.95 for drop-off.
• $0.09/minute waiting at pick-up.
• $0.72/mile between pick-up and drop-off.

You also get to keep all of your tips.

7. Grubhub – The Original Food Delivery Service

Founded in 2004, Grubhub is one of the pioneers in delivering food in the US and has had a steady share in the market ever since.

It currently operates in the US and the UK and is considered one of the largest and best food delivery services in both countries.

Why is Grubhub a Great Option?

Grubhub works on an old-fashioned “time block” system to avoid having too many of its delivery drivers on the road at once.

You get to schedule hours before you start your delivery shift every day to reserve this time slot and make sure you get orders when it’s time to start delivering.

Premier Drivers can make use of a feature called “smarter scheduling” that handles time block reservations for them based on their availability.

Drawbacks to Grubhub

Grubhub uses specific delivery locations for its drivers and doesn’t allow them to work outside their specified delivery zone or market.

That means if you’re away on a trip, you can’t supplement your income working as a delivery driver for Grubhub using your driver’s profile.

Grubhub Income

Grubhub delivery service pays about $15–20 per hour based on which market you’re signed up for. Keep in mind that adjacent delivery zones can have different delivery fees.

8. HopSkipDrive – Best for Driving Children

HopSkipDrive is a company that specializes in the transportation of children to their daily activities. It was founded by three mothers who tried to juggle their many responsibilities with their children’s busy schedules.

Why is HopSkipDrive a Great Option?

If you have five years of caregiving experience and would like to work for a company with a great cause, then HopSkipDrive is a solid option.

The Welcome Guarantee promotion ensures you make $500 for the first ten rides you complete with HopSkipDrive. That’s much more money than you can make working for another ridesharing or delivery app.

Drawbacks to HopSkipDrive

The requirements to start working for this company are much more strict due to the sensitive nature of working with children.

You must be at least 23 years old, have five years of caregiving experience, have a four-door car no more than ten years old, pass a background check with fingerprinting, and have an impeccable driving record.

HopSkipDrive Income

Aside from the welcome promotion, you can expect to make about $27 per hour driving for HopSkipDrive.

Other Options Relevant to Driving App Jobs

If you’re looking for a more specific delivery service app, consider checking these out:

• Best Food Delivery Service to Work For: If you want to focus on the food delivery niche of driving apps, then check out this comprehensive list.
• Best Alcohol Delivery Apps to Work For: Delivering alcohol can be a lucrative business venture. Here are apps that specialize in the alcohol delivery service.
• Best Package Delivery Apps to Work For: Working full-time as a package delivery driver is a great side hustle in the current gig economy. Check these apps out to see which one works best for your lifestyle!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about how driving and delivery apps compare to each other:

Wrapping Up

Making money with your car has become easier than ever before. With the popularity of both delivery apps and ridesharing apps, you can find something that works for your schedule and availability. All you need is a car and a valid driver’s license.

The Uber company has knocked it out of the park when it comes to creating the perfect driving apps to work for!

Uber and Uber Eats are our picks for the best driving apps, thanks to the sheer volume of their operation and the opportunities they present.

Both DoorDash and Lyft come as a close second in the delivery app and ridesharing app categories. They both offer a decent experience to their drivers and a chance to get that extra cash.

So are these driving app jobs the right fit for you? You don’t even have to drive people around or deliver food if that’s not something you want to pursue.

You can choose to deliver packages or even booze! It’s all a matter of finding the gig you’re the most comfortable pursuing.

Let us know what you think in the comments below, and share this if you learned something new!