Driving Apps Are More Popular Than Ever
There are a few reasons driving apps have become popular for making extra money. First, many of these apps allow you to set your own schedule. This is ideal for people who have other commitments during the day or evening but can still squeeze in some driving time here and there. Additionally, driving usually pays relatively well, especially during peak hours. Finally, driving apps are plug and play, so you don’t have to take the time to build your own side hustle.
However, with so many driving apps on the market, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. In this article, we’ll compare some of the most popular driving apps out there so you can make an informed decision.
Uber and Lyft are the two most popular driving apps, but they’re not the only ones. There are also other options like Wingz, Grub Hub, and Instacart. You can also be one of the Amazon Flex drivers. Each app has its own requirements and payout structure, so be sure to research the best option for you.
The Types Of Driving Apps
The driving apps will be broken down into two categories: people transport and goods transport.
People Transport
This category involves driving people around using your personal vehicle. The most well-known driving app in this category is Uber. With Uber, you can make more than average pay by giving people rides in your personal vehicle. You can choose to drive whenever you want, and there’s no minimum number of hours you have to work. Lyft is another popular option in this category.
Goods Transport
This includes driving goods around using your personal vehicle. The most well-known driving app in this category is Grubhub, where you deliver food. With Grubhub, you can make money by delivering food from restaurants to people’s homes. You can choose to deliver food whenever you want, and there’s no minimum number of hours you have to work. Instacart is another popular option in this category.
Once you understand what types of work are available in the driving space, it is time to explore which company or companies you would like to work with.
People Transport
Uber
Uber is one of the most popular driving apps and for good reason. It’s available in many cities across the country and has a user-friendly interface. To drive for Uber, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check.
Once you’re signed up, you can start driving whenever you want. You’ll be able to see how much money you’ve made at the end of each week, and you can cash out your earnings anytime you want. Uber takes a 25% commission from each fare, so your take-home pay will be 75% of the fare. Uber surges are when rates are increased due to high demand. As a driver, you’ll receive 100% of the fare during surges.
Uber may be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a driving app that is widely available and has a user-friendly interface.
Lyft
Lyft is another popular driving app that is available in many cities across the country. To drive for Lyft, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check.
Once you’re signed up, you can start driving whenever you want. You’ll be able to see how much money you’ve made at the end of each week, and you can cash out your earnings anytime you want. Lyft takes a 20% commission from each fare, so your take-home pay will be 80% of the fare. Lyft also has a Prime Time pricing feature which is similar to Uber’s surges. As a driver, you’ll receive an extra percentage of the fare during Prime Time.
Lyft may be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a driving app that is widely available and has a user-friendly interface.
Wingz
Wingz is a driving app that’s available in select cities. To drive for Wingz, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check. Additionally, your car must be less than 5 years old.
Once you’re signed up, you can start driving whenever you want. You’ll be able to see how much money you’ve made at the end of each week, and you can cash out your earnings anytime you want. Wingz takes roughly a 20% commission from each fare, so your take-home pay will be 80% of the fare.
The unique part of Wingz is that it allows for advanced bookings. This means that passengers can book a ride up to 30 days in advance. As a driver, you can plan your driving schedule around your other commitments. Because of the added scheduling convenience for riders, Wingz fares often beat Lyft and Uber.
Wingz may be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a driving app that allows for advanced bookings and has a lower commission fee.
Goods Transport
Grubhub
Grubhub is one of the food delivery apps that’s available in many cities across the country and focuses on food delivery services from restaurants to customers. To drive for Grubhub, you must be at least 19 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check.
Once you’re signed up, you can start driving whenever you want. You’ll be able to see how much money you’ve made at the end of each week, and you can cash out your earnings anytime you want. Grubhub takes a commission from each delivery, so your take-home pay will be almost 70% of the delivery fee.
Grubhub may be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a driving app that is widely available and offers flexible driving hours.
Instacart
Instacart is a driving app that’s available in select cities and focuses on grocery delivery. To drive for Instacart, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check.
Once you’re signed up, you can start driving whenever you want. You’ll be able to see how much money you’ve made at the end of each week, and you can cash out your earnings anytime you want. Instacart takes a commission from each delivery, so around 80% of the delivery fee is paid to the delivery drivers as a take-home. Higher fares are offered if you shop in-store and then deliver the groceries to the customer, though many prefer to simply pick up pre-assembled orders and deliver them to the customers.
Instacart may be a good fit for you if you live in a select city and want a company that offers a higher payout.
Uber Eats
Like Grubhub, Uber Eats is a food delivery app that’s available in many cities across the country and focuses on food delivery from local restaurants. To drive for Uber Eats, you must be at least 19 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You’ll also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check.
Once you’re signed up, you can start driving whenever you want. You’ll be able to see how much money you’ve made in the app, and you can cash out your earnings anytime you want. Uber Eats takes a commission from each delivery, your take-home pay will likely be around 75% of the delivery fee.
Uber Eats may be a good fit for you if you’re looking to drive for a food delivery service that is widely available and offers flexible driving hours.
Picking Your Employer
As you can see each company has slight nuances within each category, though the principle is largely the same. We recommend looking at the commission rates and prevalence of each app in your city before picking an employer. It is likely that you will find one company that has better fares in your city.
Additionally, driving for multiple companies is an option that many people pursue. This can help you make the most money, as you are able to take advantage of peak hours for each app. For example, driving for Lyft from 5-9 pm and then driving for Uber Eats from 9 pm-2 am can be a very profitable strategy.
Do note that driving for multiple companies does require more effort, as you will have to manage each app separately.
Making The Most Money
Once you’ve decided on a driving app, there are a few things you can do to make the most money possible.
First, driving during peak hours will always net you the highest fares. This means driving during weekday rush hour and on Friday and Saturday nights.
Second, taking advantage of promotions can help you make more money. For example, Lyft often offers a bonus for completing a certain number of rides in a week.
Third, driving in areas with high demand can also help you make more money. This includes driving near airports, downtowns, and popular events.
Fourth, driving a fuel-efficient car can save you money on gas, which means more money in your pocket.
Finally, being a safe and courteous driver is the best way to ensure that you’ll keep getting fares and making money, not to mention it will help you earn customer tips.
Note: It is important to check with your insurance company or your employer to make sure you have appropriate auto coverage for the driving you will be performing.
Now You’re Ready To Get Out On The Road!
Overall, driving for a driving app can be a great way to make some extra money. Be sure to do your research to find the best option for you, and remember that driving during peak hours and taking advantage of promotions can help you make the most money possible. Safe driving!
