Sergio is back in your inbox. Last time, he shared his five ways to increase your hourly earnings. This week, he's tackling the question drivers ask him most: Which gig app actually pays the best?
Here's his breakdown and how to know which one is worth your time right now.
Which gig app should you use?
What gig app should I use? Which app pays the most? These are the two most common questions drivers ask me, and I respond by saying… those are the wrong questions. No app is the best or pays the best all the time. Earnings depend on your market, the time of day, demand, promotions, competition, and even the weather.
One driver may make great money with Uber. Another does better on Spark. Someone else makes most of their income during the dinner rush with DoorDash or Uber Eats.
Veteran drivers aren't loyal to one app. They use multiple apps and follow the best opportunities. Every platform has strengths and weaknesses. The goal isn't finding the perfect app. It's knowing which app is worth your time right now.
8 gig apps compared: pros, cons, and who each one is for
The biggest lesson I've learned as a driver is this: My time is for sale to the highest bidder! Every minute I spend on one app is a minute I can't earn on another. That's why optimizing every hour is the foundation of successful gig work.
Here’s a breakdown of the apps worth driving for in my opinion:
Is Uber worth it?
Uber remains the largest rideshare platform with about 75% of the U.S. market share. Because of its size, drivers generally see more ride requests than Lyft, making it a dependable option for many full-time and part-time drivers.
Demand tends to be strongest during commute hours, on weekends, at airports, at concerts, at sporting events, and in nightlife. In many cities, Uber serves as the foundation of a driver's daily strategy, and it should. It’s a solid app that typically offers plenty of opportunities.
Uber pros: | Uber cons: |
|---|---|
Large customer base with strong brand recognition | Earnings vary dramatically between markets |
Generally higher ride volume than the competition | Increased driver supply can reduce opportunities |
Available in thousands of cities globally | Surge pricing can be a hit-or-miss |
Flexible scheduling with no required shifts | Vehicle expenses increase with more miles driven |
Frequent bonuses and promotions in some markets | Passenger ratings and complaints can impact drivers |
Best for: Drivers looking for consistent rideshare demand and maximum flexibility.
Is Lyft worth it?
Lyft may have fewer riders overall, but it still provides strong opportunities in many cities. Some drivers report better promotions, while others appreciate using Lyft to reduce downtime when demand on Uber slows. For many successful drivers, Lyft isn't an alternative to Uber; it's a companion.
Lyft pros: | Lyft cons: |
|---|---|
Additional ride opportunities throughout the day | Smaller rider base than Uber |
Turbo and Flash Turbo bonuses can boost earnings | Lower request volume in some markets |
Strong presence in many metropolitan areas | Long periods of inactivity may occur during off-peak hours |
Best for: Drivers who want another rideshare app option to complement Uber.
Is DoorDash worth it?
DoorDash has become one of the busiest delivery platforms. They're constantly adding new verticals and creating more earnings opportunities for couriers. Lunch and dinner hours often generate consistent order volume, and experienced Dashers (what they call drivers) learn to decline low-paying offers while waiting for better ones. Just know the tradeoff: declining lowers your acceptance rate, which affects priority access in some markets. Strategy matters more than speed.
DoorDash pros: | DoorDash cons: |
|---|---|
Large order volume in many cities | Many offers pay too little to be worthwhile |
Flexible scheduling options | Restaurant delays reduce hourly earnings |
Peak Pay incentives during busy periods | Parking can be difficult in busy downtown areas |
Shorter trips than rideshare in many cases | Tip amounts vary widely |
Don’t need a car to deliver, an E-Bike will do | Slow afternoons between meal periods |
Best for: Drivers who enjoy restaurant delivery and short-distance trips.
Is Instacart worth it?
Instacart combines shopping and delivery into one job. Shoppers (what they call drivers) who know grocery stores well and can shop efficiently often earn significantly more per batch than they do in basic food delivery. However, shopping requires more effort than simply picking up prepared meals.
Instacart pros: | Instacart cons: |
|---|---|
Higher earning potential on larger grocery orders | Shopping takes longer than restaurant pickup |
Tips can significantly increase payouts | Heavy grocery orders require physical effort |
Less vehicle mileage compared to rideshare | Tip baiting: customers can lower the tip after delivery |
Out-of-stock items and substitutions require constant communication |
Best for: Drivers comfortable shopping for groceries.
Is Walmart Spark worth it?
Spark has grown rapidly as grocery delivery continues to expand. Many drivers appreciate the steady demand generated by Walmart's customer base. Strong Spark markets can provide consistent work throughout the day rather than relying solely on meal rushes.
Walmart Spark pros: | Walmart Spark cons: |
|---|---|
Steady demand from Walmart's customer base | Limited availability in some areas |
Opportunity for larger payouts | Bots and fake accounts snatch up the best offers in some markets |
Consistent daytime activity | Heavy grocery orders can be physically demanding |
Strong potential in busy Walmart markets | Store delays occasionally occur |
Best for: Drivers located near busy Walmart stores.
Is Curri worth it?
Curri specializes in commercial deliveries for contractors, suppliers, and businesses rather than consumers. Although it's available in fewer cities than mainstream gig apps, it can provide valuable opportunities for drivers equipped to handle larger deliveries.
Curri pros: | Curri cons: |
|---|---|
Commercial delivery niche with less competition than consumer apps | Limited market availability |
Business-focused customers | Many jobs require larger vehicles |
Ideal for trucks and cargo vans | Long waits at warehouses and supplier counters, with no compensation for wasted time |
Diversifies income beyond food and grocery delivery | Delivery volume is too inconsistent to rely on full-time |
Best for: Drivers with pickup trucks, cargo vans, or larger vehicles.
Is Uber Eats worth it?
Uber Eats allows drivers to remain within the Uber ecosystem by delivering restaurant orders rather than passengers. Many drivers alternate between rideshare and food delivery depending on demand. Uber Eats has been expanding into various verticals, such as grocery, alcohol, and pharmacy items.
Uber Eats pros: | Uber Eats cons: |
|---|---|
Large restaurant network | Lower-paying delivery requests are common |
Customer tips increase earnings | Parking challenges in busy areas |
Wide geographic availability | Earnings fluctuate throughout the day |
Best for: Drivers who want food delivery alongside rideshare.
Is Amazon Flex worth it?
Amazon Flex differs from many gig platforms by assigning delivery blocks rather than individual orders. Some drivers enjoy the predictability of knowing their workload before leaving home. Others prefer the flexibility of on-demand apps.
Amazon Flex pros: | Amazon Flex cons: |
|---|---|
Scheduled delivery blocks | Blocks can be difficult to secure |
Predictable routes | Routes may cover long distances |
Consistent package volume | Delivering many packages can be physically demanding |
Less waiting between deliveries | Work cannot easily be paused mid-block |
Straightforward delivery process | Vehicle wear increases with heavy package loads |
Best for: Drivers who prefer scheduled delivery blocks instead of waiting for requests.
Multi-apping: How veteran drivers actually earn more
Loyalty doesn't pay the bills in the gig economy. The app paying best today might be the worst one tomorrow. Demand shifts, bonuses come and go, and surge pricing can disappear in minutes. That's why experienced drivers run more than one app. They go where the money is.
The hard part is doing it safely. Bouncing between Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Spark means a lot of screen-tapping, and every second you're looking at your phone is a second you're not looking at the road.
This is the exact problem Mystro was built to solve. It manages your active apps in one place, so you're not juggling screens while you drive. You catch the good requests without taking your eyes off traffic.
Remember what I said earlier: my time is for sale to the highest bidder. Multi-apping is how you make sure yours is too.
Want to keep the conversation going? Join our driver’s Discord and let us know what apps you think pay the best. Keep an eye on your inbox; we’ll be back next Friday to dive into a whole new topic.