8 Best Apps to Pick Up Shifts in January 2026

Regardless of the type of work you do, there are several benefits to using one of the best apps for picking up shifts:

• More flexibility: Apps for picking up shifts generally let you set your own availability and choose which hours you want to take. You can find part-time work that fits around your other commitments, and, generally, enjoy way more control and freedom than you would working shifts as a regular employee.
• Less commitment: Working on a freelance basis, if you pick up a shift with a particular company and decide you don’t like the work environment or the people, you never have to go back. You can simply pick up different shifts elsewhere.
• Chance to test out different jobs: Shift work apps allow you to try out different jobs before you commit to working regular hours as a full-time or part-time employee. You can test the waters with different competing companies or even try out new types of work altogether.
• Potentially higher earnings: Although not always the case, you may be able to earn more when working through apps that let you pick up shifts than you would working the same exact job directly for an employer. This is because businesses pay above-standard rates for the convenience of calling in temporary workers on the fly to fill in shifts.

Naturally, there are also a few drawbacks to shift apps. For example, many shift-work apps take a cut of what you’re getting paid. You also won’t get any of the benefits of working as an employee (health insurance, sick pay, etc.), and you’ll have to deal with the tax implications of being a gig worker.

Nevertheless, using an app where you can pick up shifts may be worth it if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to start a side hustle and supplement your income, or if you’re interested in joining the growing population of gig workers in the US.

What to consider when choosing a shift work app

There is no universal answer to the question of what is the best app to pick up shifts. It all depends on the type of shifts you want and which apps are most popular among employers in your region.

Beyond these central factors, however, there are a few characteristics that make an app more convenient and useful. A well-designed shift app will clearly display key information about each gig, let you communicate with your employers, and send you reminders about upcoming shifts.

Additionally, before signing up, check that the app has safeguards to protect your personal information. Look in the privacy policy section of their website. Ideally, the app should also offer live user support so that you can quickly resolve any issues that may arise.

If you’re looking for the best app to pick up shifts or find work-on-demand jobs, then these apps are well worth trying out. Some will be more prominent in your town or city or have jobs that are more in line with your experience, so it’s worth comparing them to find out which shift app is best for you.

1. Instawork

Instawork was founded in 2015 with the goal of helping workers find hourly jobs in retail, cleaning, manufacturing, and other industries. Instawork provides insurance coverage to all workers who find jobs through the platform.

High-performing workers are awarded “Top Pro” status. This comes with several benefits, including:

• Access to the app’s Instapay feature
• An Instawork-branded card that offers 5% cash back on qualifying gas and public transportation purchases
• More shifts on the platform

Instawork once again gets the top spot in our list this month because most of its current users verify that it pays quickly, and you’ll have decent potential earnings. That being said, just how much work you can find will depend on where you’re located and whether Instawork even operates in your city.

2. Wonolo

Wonolo connects people looking for flexible work with companies in various industries, including retail, food delivery, and warehousing.

Job seekers on the platform (who are referred to as “Wonoloers”) can browse through a list of daily or hourly jobs and apply for the ones that fit their skills and schedules.

Wonolo retains second place this month as it also pays users fairly quickly, and you can find a wide variety of jobs on the platform.

What you need to know about Wonolo

• Fees or commissions: None for the worker.
• Age requirement: 18 years or older.
• Other requirements: You must be authorized to work in the US. You may have to complete a background check, depending on the company or client hiring you.
• Payment schedule: 1–5 business days after completing your job.
• Payment method: Direct deposit to your checking account or debit card (Visa or Mastercard).

3. Upshift

Upshift allows you to apply for and accept shifts in various industries, including food service, catering, and warehouse and manufacturing. It’s considered by some to be the best app for servers to pick up shifts.

You can clock in and out on the app to track your work hours. Note that if you want to work over 40 hours in one week for a single employer or client, you’ll need to get approval from them.

By receiving good reviews and adding relevant professional certifications to your profile, you can build your reputation and potentially get higher-paying shifts. If any of your Upshift clients ever offers you a job outside the platform based on the strength of your work with them, you’re eligible for a $100 bonus on Upshift.

It’s for these reasons that Upshift remains our third-favorite choice for the second consecutive month. However, while Upshift is a legit app for picking up shifts, its onboarding process takes longer than the previous two platforms’, so it’s better for playing the long game, not for earning a quick buck.

What you need to know about Upshift

• Fees or commissions: None for the worker.
• Age requirement: 18 years or older.
• Other requirements: You need to complete an application, which entails answering questions about yourself, passing an online assessment, and going through an onboarding procedure. Upshift claims that this must be done at one of their offices, although there are anecdotal reports of workers doing it online in smaller cities that don’t have their own office yet.
• Payment schedule: You’ll typically be paid every Friday. You may qualify for same-day payments via Earnin after receiving two direct deposits from Upshift.
• Payment method: Direct deposit to your bank account or cash card.

4. shiftNOW

shiftNOW connects people looking for flexible work with businesses in the hospitality industry that need extra staff. To apply for shifts, just click the “Apply Now” button in the app.

You’re allowed to withdraw your application at any time (and can reapply for the same shift if your schedule opens up at the last minute). According to shiftNOW reviews, the app is only active in some cities, and you may need to download it to see if there are any shifts going in your area.

What you need to know about shiftNOW

• Fees or commissions: None for the worker.
• Age requirement: 18 years or older.
• Other requirements: You need to create a profile on the app and pass a vetting process to be verified as a “Shifter.”
• Payment schedule: You’ll typically be paid within 48 hours after the completion of each shift. You can get paid immediately with the Instant Payout feature if you’ve connected a supported debit card to your wallet in the app, but this will incur a 3% fee.
• Payment method: Each payment will be sent to your wallet in the shiftNOW app and then delivered to your bank account via Stripe. To transfer your earnings, click the Payout button in the app.

5. Bacon

Bacon is an on-demand staffing app that workers can use to find temp work in various industries, including:

• Warehouse
• Catering
• Events / service industry
• Cleaning
• General labor

As with similar apps, you can browse through a list of shifts and apply for the ones that interest you and fit your schedule. At the end of each shift, your employer will give you a 1–5 star rating, after which the app will pay you.

6. Shiftsmart

Shiftsmart is a pick-up-shifts app that’s been around for a few years now, and though user reviews seem to indicate it’s recently gone downhill a bit, many people are still able to use it to pick up shifts in certain locations.

The types of shifts you can get on Shiftsmart are limited mainly to working retail, doing store audits, conducting phone surveys, and doing product testing. It may be worth trying out to see if there are any shifts available in your area.

What you need to know about Shiftsmart

• Fees or commissions: None for the worker.
• Age requirement: 18 years or older.
• Other requirements: You must be fluent in English, be legally authorized to work in the US, and have a smartphone and bank account.
• Payment schedule: Standard payouts take 2–5 days to reach your bank account, but you can also get instant pay in 30 minutes for a $1.99 fee.
• Payment method: All payments are made via Stripe to your bank account.

7. Shifts.com

Shifts.com is designed for professionals working in the healthcare industry. In particular, it’s a great app for picking up nursing shifts, one of the most common side hustles for nurses who need additional income. As a clinician, you can apply for shifts or per diem jobs that fit your expertise, schedule, and desired pay rate.

Clinicians doing per diem shifts must live within a 1.5-hour drive of the facility (sometimes within 50 miles as well) and have 1–2 years of relevant experience. There are no limits to the number of shifts you can take on, but you’re required to be available for at least 4 days per month.

What you need to know about Shifts.com

• Fees or commissions: None for the worker.
• Age requirement: Nominally 18 years (although since you must also be a qualified clinician, in practice, you have to be older).
• Other requirements: As part of the application process, a recruiter will “credential” you (verify your background and gather any necessary documentation).
• Payment schedule: Every Friday.
• Payment method: Direct deposit.

8. Qwick

Qwick is a staffing platform built for those working in the hospitality industry. Specifically, they target freelance food and beverage workers (e.g., servers, bartenders, baristas, etc.). While Qwick is a decent app for picking up shifts as a food service worker, it currently operates in just 40 cities across the US.

Once you’ve created an account and gone through a virtual orientation, you can begin to pick up shifts. Twice before your shift begins (24 hours before, if you scheduled that early, and then again 4 hours before), Qwick will send you a confirmation text. You must accept both confirmations, or your shift will be canceled.

After each shift, both you and your employer can rate each other. Your ratings will be reflected in your “QwickScore,” which affects your eligibility to find work on Qwick.

What you need to know about Qwick

• Fees or commissions: None for the worker.
• Age requirement: 18 years or older for most jobs. Jobs requiring you to serve alcohol may have stricter standards (e.g., requiring you to be 21+).
• Other requirements: You need to have at least 1 year of relevant experience within the past 1–3 years, have a cell phone with an internet connection, and complete a virtual orientation. Some jobs may also require you to have a food handler’s card or an alcohol certification.
• Payment schedule: 1–2 business days for Standard Pay, and as quick as 30 minutes after the completion of a shift for Instant Pay. Note that Instant Pay has a 3% processing fee.
• Payment method: Via Stripe.

If you have past experience in the service industry (or any of the other industries that you can land shift work in, such as manufacturing), you’re more than qualified to use the apps listed above.

That said, if you’re used to working for traditional employers, there may be a learning curve when you pick up a gig app for the first time. Here’s some advice to help you get started:

• Build a solid profile: Your in-app profile is what you’ll use to introduce yourself to potential employers, so make every section count. Upload a clear and professional photo and list all of your relevant skills. Consider having a friend help you check and proofread your profile—it’s essentially your sales pitch, and you want to make yourself look as reliable and professional as possible.
• Enable notifications: Competition can be fierce on these apps, so remember to turn on notifications to receive real-time updates on open shifts. If you see a gig that you’re interested in, apply for it right away; as mentioned, many apps have a first-come, first-served system in place.
• Do your best on each job: This probably goes without saying, but performing well is extremely important. Most apps have a two-way rating system. Getting good reviews will increase your chances of getting more jobs (and higher-paying jobs) in the future.

Note that, in contrast to regular jobs, you don’t have to commit to working a set number of hours per week on any of the apps we’ve listed. Like working as a delivery driver or rideshare driver, you can pick up exactly as many shifts as you want.

All in all, picking up shifts is one of the most popular side hustle ideas out there, and for good reason. If you create a strong profile, show up with a good attitude, and work as hard as you can, you can turn it into a reliable and flexible second income stream.