Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world — but it is also one of the most connected, tech-savvy, and opportunity-rich. Whether you are a full-time employee looking to supplement your income, a polytechnic or university student wanting to earn while studying, or someone between jobs, Singapore's gig economy offers dozens of legitimate ways to make extra money.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the best platforms available in Singapore, realistic earning expectations in SGD, tax implications under IRAS, and strategies tailored to the unique Singapore market.
The State of the Gig Economy in Singapore (2026)
Singapore's gig economy has grown rapidly. An estimated 200,000+ workers now participate in platform-based gig work, and the government's Platform Workers Act (effective January 2025) has brought new protections including CPF contributions, work injury insurance, and representation rights for platform workers. This makes Singapore one of the most regulated and worker-friendly gig markets in Asia.
Key trends shaping Singapore's gig economy in 2026:
- Rising cost of living: HDB prices, food costs, and transport expenses continue climbing. More Singaporeans are turning to side hustles to maintain their lifestyle or build savings.
- Strong digital infrastructure: Near-universal smartphone penetration, excellent 5G coverage, and high digital literacy make app-based gig work seamless.
- Global trade uncertainty: The US-China trade war and global tariff escalations are affecting Singapore's export-dependent economy. Companies are hiring more contractors and freelancers instead of full-time staff.
- AI disruption: Singapore's push to become a Smart Nation means AI adoption is accelerating. Workers who can leverage AI tools have a significant earning advantage.
Delivery and Rideshare
Grab (Ride-hailing and Delivery)
Grab is the dominant platform in Singapore for both ride-hailing and food delivery. As a GrabFood delivery rider, you can earn $8-$15 per hour during regular hours and $15-$25 per hour during peak periods (lunch 11am-2pm, dinner 5pm-9pm, rainy days). GrabCar drivers typically earn $20-$35 per hour gross before expenses.
Requirements: For GrabFood, you need a bicycle, e-bike (PAB), or motorcycle with valid Class 2B license. For GrabCar, you need a PDVL (Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence) from LTA, which costs around $200 and requires passing a test.
Tip: Rainy weather is your best friend as a food delivery rider. Demand spikes and bonuses kick in. Position yourself near hawker centres and popular food courts in areas like Orchard, CBD, or Tampines during peak hours.
foodpanda
Singapore's second-largest food delivery platform. Earnings are comparable to GrabFood at $8-$14 per hour, with incentive bonuses for completing a certain number of orders. The advantage of foodpanda is its strong partnership with grocery stores (pandamart), giving you access to grocery delivery orders which tend to have higher per-order payouts.
Deliveroo
Operates in specific zones across Singapore. Deliveroo riders report earnings of $9-$16 per hour. The platform is known for slightly better per-order payouts than Grab or foodpanda, but with less order volume in some areas. Best in the CBD, Bukit Timah, Holland Village, and Tanjong Pagar zones.
The top-earning delivery riders in Singapore run GrabFood, foodpanda, and Deliveroo simultaneously — accepting the best-paying order from whichever app pings first. This can push earnings to $18-$25 per hour consistently. Just make sure you can complete deliveries within the estimated time to maintain your ratings.
Gojek
Gojek offers ride-hailing in Singapore. Drivers can earn $18-$30 per hour gross. Gojek sometimes offers better incentives than Grab to attract drivers, especially during off-peak periods. Worth signing up for both platforms and switching based on who offers better bonuses that week.
Lalamove
Lalamove focuses on delivery of larger items — parcels, furniture, and business logistics. If you have a car or van, Lalamove orders pay significantly more than food delivery — $15-$40 per job depending on the item size and distance. Great for evenings and weekends when businesses need urgent deliveries.
Freelancing and Online Work
Fiverr and Upwork
Singapore-based freelancers have a strong reputation on global platforms. Your advantages: excellent English proficiency, strong work ethic, and a timezone that overlaps with both Asian and Australian business hours. Popular categories for Singaporean freelancers include:
- Content writing: $30-$80 per article for Singapore-quality English content.
- Graphic design: $50-$200 per project for social media graphics, logos, and marketing materials.
- Web development: $50-$150 per hour for WordPress, Shopify, or custom development.
- Video editing: $50-$300 per video depending on complexity.
- Virtual assistance: $15-$30 per hour for admin, email management, and scheduling.
Carousell Services
Carousell is not just for selling second-hand goods. The Services section lets you list freelance offerings to a local Singapore audience. Popular services include photography ($100-$500 per session), home cleaning, tutoring, and handyman work. The advantage over global platforms: no currency conversion, local trust, and you can meet clients in person.
99.co and PropertyGuru Content
If you have writing skills, property platforms in Singapore regularly hire freelance content creators for blog posts, property descriptions, and market analysis. Pay ranges from $50-$150 per article. Knowledge of the Singapore property market (HDB, condo, EC, landed) is a significant advantage.
Tutoring and Teaching
Private Tuition
Private tutoring is one of the highest-paying side hustles in Singapore. Parents in Singapore spend an estimated $1.4 billion per year on private tuition. Rates vary by level and subject:
- Primary level: $25-$40 per hour
- Secondary level: $30-$55 per hour
- JC/IB level: $45-$80 per hour
- University level: $50-$100 per hour
- MOE teachers (current/former): $60-$120 per hour
How to get started: Register with tuition agencies like SmileTutor, Tutor City, or SuperProf. You can also post on Carousell or join Facebook groups like "Singapore Tuition Teachers" and "Home Tuition SG."
Online Tutoring (Regional)
Platforms like Preply and Cambly let you teach English to students across Asia. Singaporean tutors are in high demand because of the country's bilingual education system and neutral English accent. Expect $15-$30 per hour for English conversation, and more for business English or exam prep.
If you have an NIE degree or MOE experience, your hourly rate as a private tutor can easily hit $80-$120. Parents in Singapore pay premium rates for qualified teachers, especially for O-Level, A-Level, and IB exam preparation.
E-Commerce and Reselling
Carousell Reselling
Carousell is Singapore's go-to marketplace. Successful resellers buy items from Taobao, clearance sales, or warehouse sales and flip them on Carousell. Popular categories: electronics, sneakers, luxury goods, and branded clothing. Some resellers earn $1,000-$3,000 per month doing this part-time.
Strategy: Focus on items with high demand and limited Singapore availability. Japanese skincare, Korean fashion, and limited-edition sneakers do particularly well. Use Carousell's "Bump" feature strategically to keep your listings visible.
Shopee Seller
Shopee is Southeast Asia's largest e-commerce platform. You can dropship products from China or sell handmade goods. Shopee's low barrier to entry (no listing fees) and built-in traffic make it ideal for side hustlers. Top Shopee sellers in Singapore earn $2,000-$10,000+ per month.
Amazon SG
Amazon launched in Singapore and is growing. Early movers who list products on Amazon.sg face less competition than on Shopee or Lazada. If you can source unique products, this is worth exploring.
Service-Based Side Hustles
Home Cleaning
Platforms like Helpling and Surge connect cleaners with homeowners. Rates are typically $20-$28 per hour, with the platform taking a commission. If you build your own client base (via Carousell or word of mouth), you can charge $25-$35 per hour with no platform fees.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
PetBacker and Pawshake are popular in Singapore. Pet sitting pays $30-$60 per night, while dog walking pays $15-$25 per walk. With Singapore's growing pet ownership (especially post-HDB pet-friendly policy expansion), demand is strong.
Photography
Event photography, portrait sessions, and product photography are in demand. Weekend wedding photography assistants earn $150-$300 per event. Product photographers working with Shopee and Carousell sellers can charge $20-$50 per product shoot.
Handyman and Home Repair
Platforms like Kaodim and Carousell Services connect handymen with homeowners. Rates for basic repairs (plumbing, electrical, furniture assembly) range from $50-$150 per job. If you are skilled, you can earn $300-$500 on a busy weekend.
Survey and Micro-Task Sites That Work in Singapore
- Toluna: Singapore-focused surveys. Earn $1-$5 per survey. Consistent availability.
- Swagbucks: Works in Singapore for surveys, watching videos, and cashback. Expect $50-$100 per month with moderate effort.
- UserTesting: Pay $10-$60 per test. Tests are less frequent for Singapore-based users but still worth signing up.
- Prolific: Academic surveys. Singapore users get $5-$15 per study. Quality over quantity — always honest answers.
- Rakuten Insight: Asia-focused surveys. Consistent availability for Singapore residents. $2-$8 per survey.
Tax Implications for Singapore Side Hustlers
Good news: Singapore has no capital gains tax, no GST registration required until you hit $1 million in annual revenue, and relatively low personal income tax rates. However, you still need to report your side hustle income to IRAS.
- Employment income + side hustle: Declare your side hustle income under "Trade, Business, Profession or Vocation" in your annual tax filing.
- Deductible expenses: You can deduct business expenses like fuel, phone bills (proportional to business use), equipment, and platform fees.
- CPF for platform workers: Under the Platform Workers Act, delivery and ride-hailing workers now receive CPF contributions from platforms. This is automatically handled — you do not need to make voluntary contributions separately.
- GST: Only required if your annual revenue exceeds $1 million. Most side hustlers are well below this threshold.
Even if your side hustle income is small, failing to report it to IRAS can result in penalties. Keep records of all earnings and expenses. Use a simple spreadsheet or our Expense Tracker to stay organized.
How to Choose the Right Side Hustle in Singapore
Consider these factors unique to Singapore:
- Your location: Living near the CBD, Orchard, or university areas gives you an advantage for delivery and rideshare gigs. Living in the heartlands? Focus on tutoring and local services.
- Transport: Do you own a car, motorcycle, or bicycle? Delivery and rideshare require wheels. No vehicle? Focus on online freelancing, tutoring, or survey work.
- Time availability: Peak delivery hours are 11am-2pm and 5pm-9pm. Tutoring is typically 3pm-9pm on weekdays, mornings on weekends. Freelancing is fully flexible.
- Skills: Strong English? Freelance writing and tutoring pay well. Tech skills? Web development and AI services. Good with people? Service-based gigs.
Take our Gig Finder Quiz to get personalized recommendations, or browse all opportunities on our Platforms page.