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Best Ways to Earn More Money in 2026

From earned wage access apps that let you tap your paycheck early, to side hustles that can add hundreds per month — here are the best options we've reviewed.

Best Earned Wage Access (EWA) Apps

Access your earned pay before payday — compared on fees, advance limits, and speed.

#1Most popular

EarnIn

4.7
  • No mandatory fees
  • Up to $750 advance
  • Balance Shield alerts
Fee
Free (optional tip)
Max advance
$750/pay period
Speed
Instant (Lightning Speed fee)
#2

Dave

4.5
  • Low membership fee
  • Side hustle job board
  • Budgeting tools
Fee
$1/month membership
Max advance
$500
Speed
Up to 3 business days (free)
#3Best features

Brigit

4.4
  • Automatic advances
  • Credit builder
  • Identity theft protection
Fee
$9.99/month
Max advance
$250
Speed
Instant
#4

Chime SpotMe

4.6
  • No fees with direct deposit
  • Integrated with Chime account
  • Up to $200 overdraft
Fee
Free (with direct deposit)
Max advance
$200
Speed
Instant
#5Best employer option

Payactiv

4.5
  • Employer-sponsored option
  • No interest
  • Financial wellness tools
Fee
Free (employer-sponsored)
Max advance
Up to 50% of earned wages
Speed
Same day

Best Side Hustles of 2026

Flexible ways to earn extra income on your own schedule.

Freelance Writing

Medium

Write articles, blog posts, or copy for businesses and publications.

Earning potential: $25–$150/hr
Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, direct clients

Rideshare Driving

Easy

Drive passengers in your own vehicle on a flexible schedule.

Earning potential: $15–$35/hr
Platforms: Uber, Lyft

Online Tutoring

Easy

Teach subjects you know well to students of all ages.

Earning potential: $20–$80/hr
Platforms: Wyzant, Tutor.com, Chegg

Selling on Etsy

Medium

Sell handmade goods, digital downloads, or vintage items.

Earning potential: Varies widely
Platforms: Etsy

Delivery Gigs

Easy

Deliver food, groceries, or packages on your own schedule.

Earning potential: $12–$25/hr
Platforms: DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex

Virtual Assistant

Easy

Provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely.

Earning potential: $15–$50/hr
Platforms: Belay, Time Etc, Upwork

Put your extra earnings to work

Once you're earning more, make sure your money is working hard too. Compare high-yield savings accounts and investment platforms.