Let’s be honest — we’ve all seen the TikToks, YouTube shorts, and blog posts claiming that you can make hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a week using side hustle apps. It sounds almost too good to be true, right?
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| I Tried 3 Side Hustle Apps for 7 Days — Here’s What I Made |
As someone curious (and a little skeptical), I decided to test this for myself. For 7 days, I downloaded and actively used three popular side hustle apps that promised real money and fast payouts — all without requiring any upfront investment or special skills.
So, how much did I actually make in a week? Was it worth the effort? And which app was the most rewarding?
Let’s break it down.
Why I Took on This Challenge
With inflation on the rise and side income becoming almost a necessity, I wanted to see if everyday people like you and me could really make money with just a smartphone and a little free time.
For this experiment, I selected three side hustle apps based on the following:
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Popularity and user reviews
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No upfront costs
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Ability to cash out quickly (ideally via PayPal or gift cards)
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Variety in task types
The Apps I Chose
1. Swagbucks
Category: Get-paid-to (GPT) app
Tasks: Surveys, videos, games, shopping
Cashout Method: PayPal, gift cards
2. DoorDash (Driver App)
Category: Gig economy / delivery
Tasks: Food delivery in my local area
Cashout Method: Direct deposit or Fast Pay (instant)
3. UserTesting
Category: Website/app testing
Tasks: Reviewing websites/apps and giving feedback
Cashout Method: PayPal
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1: Setup & Strategy
Most of my first day was spent signing up, verifying accounts, and learning how each platform works.
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Swagbucks was quick and easy; I earned my first 100 SB (equivalent to $1) within an hour.
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DoorDash required approval and a background check, which took about 24 hours.
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UserTesting had me take a sample test to qualify. I passed!
Earnings: $1 from Swagbucks
Hours Spent: ~2 hrs
Thoughts: A slow start, but promising.
Day 2-3: Building Momentum
Now that I was fully onboarded on all platforms, I could start stacking up earnings.
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Swagbucks: I focused on high-value surveys (50-200 SB each) and earned ~$4/day.
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DoorDash: I completed 5 deliveries over 3 hours, earning $41 total (including tips).
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UserTesting: I got my first real test — 20 minutes of app feedback for $10!
Total for 2 Days:
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Swagbucks: $8
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DoorDash: $41
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UserTesting: $10
Running Total: $60
Hours Worked (2 Days): ~7 hrs
Thoughts: DoorDash was the clear money-maker. UserTesting felt efficient, while Swagbucks was steady but slower.
Day 4-5: Mid-Week Hustle
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Swagbucks: Earned another $5 across 2 days with a mix of surveys and watching video playlists (passive).
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DoorDash: Delivered for 4 hours across two days, made $52 total. Not bad, though tips varied.
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UserTesting: Got 2 more tests, both $10 each. These were super simple and required 15 minutes each.
Earnings (2 Days):
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Swagbucks: $5
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DoorDash: $52
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UserTesting: $20
Running Total: $137
Hours Worked: ~6.5 hrs
Thoughts: I was starting to see which side hustles paid best for time spent. UserTesting had the best hourly return, but availability was limited.
Day 6-7: The Final Push
Wanting to end strong, I dedicated more time on the weekend.
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Swagbucks: Knocked out a high-paying offer ($10 for signing up for a free trial) and more surveys — made $9 in one day.
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DoorDash: Did a 3-hour dinner rush on Saturday and made $47 in one night.
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UserTesting: No new tests available — it’s hit or miss.
Final 2 Days:
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Swagbucks: $9
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DoorDash: $47
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UserTesting: $0
Running Total: $193
Total Time Spent (7 Days): ~20 hours
Final Results: How Much Did I Make in a Week?
| App | Total Earned | Hours Spent | Avg Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | $23 | ~7 hrs | ~$3.29/hr |
| DoorDash | $140 | ~10 hrs | ~$14.00/hr |
| UserTesting | $30 | ~3 hrs | ~$10.00/hr |
| Total | $193 | 20 hrs | ~$9.65/hr |
What I Learned (Pros and Cons)
1. Swagbucks
Pros: Great for passive income (videos, games, offers)
Cons: Low hourly rate unless you find high-value tasks
2. DoorDash
Pros: Highest overall payout, tips can boost earnings
Cons: Requires a car, gas money, and can be physically draining
3. UserTesting
Pros: High pay for short tasks, fun and interesting
Cons: Limited availability of tests, especially for beginners
Tips If You Want to Try These Side Hustles
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Time block your hustle. Setting 1-2 hour windows helps you stay consistent without burnout.
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Use referral programs. Most of these apps pay you to refer friends. I made an extra $5 that way.
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Start with low-payout tasks to boost credibility. Especially on UserTesting and Swagbucks.
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Track your time. It helps you understand your real hourly rate and adjust accordingly.
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Stack apps. Try multitasking — watch Swagbucks videos while waiting for DoorDash orders.
Is It Worth It?
If you're looking for a side hustle that fits into your schedule, these apps are a good place to start. You won't become a millionaire overnight, but you can realistically earn $100–$200/week in your spare time.
Of all the apps, DoorDash offered the best hourly rate and payout speed. UserTesting was the easiest, and Swagbucks provided a low-effort way to earn during downtime.
If you’re ready to earn some extra cash on the side without needing a special degree, expensive equipment, or a boss breathing down your neck, give these apps a try. Just remember: consistency beats intensity.
Final Verdict:
Yes, you can make money with side hustle apps — just not always as much or as fast as internet hype suggests. But with smart choices and time management, your phone could actually become your second paycheck.