GigSmart is a staffing platform that connects businesses with on-demand workers for short-term shifts and temporary positions. It operates through two apps: Get Workers (for businesses posting shifts) and Get Gigs (for workers picking up work). The platform handles scheduling, time tracking, payments, and insurance, functioning as a middle layer between companies that need flexible labor and people looking for gig work.
How the Platform Works
GigSmart offers two main ways to find work. The first is Shifts, which are on-demand jobs with specific start times, qualifications, and hourly rates. Businesses can post shifts for immediate pickup or schedule them up to 30 days in advance. When you work a shift, the app tracks your hours automatically and deposits your earnings into a Worker Wallet within the app.
The second option is the Job Board, which lists full-time and part-time positions hiring in your area. These function more like traditional job postings. If you see a role you’re interested in, you apply directly with the company. The Job Board doesn’t involve GigSmart’s payment system or time tracking since you’d be hired by the employer directly.
For most workers, the shift model is the core of the platform. You browse available gigs, accept ones that match your skills and schedule, show up, clock in through the app, and get paid after the work is done.
What It Costs Workers
Downloading the Get Gigs app and browsing shifts is free. GigSmart deducts fees from your earnings for what it calls “Trust and Support.” Beyond that, how quickly you want your money determines whether you pay extra. If you transfer funds from your Worker Wallet using the Rapid Transfer option, you’ll pay a 3% fee with a $1.00 minimum.
There’s also an insurance-related deduction. All shift workers are covered by Occupational Accident Insurance, and the platform charges $1.00 per hour worked to fund that coverage. This fee appears on every shift, and it’s not optional for shift-based work.
What Businesses Pay
Employer pricing depends on whether the worker is classified as a 1099 independent contractor or a W-2 employee. For 1099 workers, the standard fee is 35% on top of the worker’s pay. If a worker earns less than $72 on a given shift, a flat $25 minimum transaction fee applies instead of the percentage. When a background check is requested and the worker earns less than $100, the minimum bumps to $35.
For W-2 workers, the standard fee rises to 45%. The minimum transaction fee is $45 for any shift where the worker earns less than $100. Both worker classifications come fully insured through the platform, which is part of what the markup covers. These rates were last updated in April 2026.
Insurance Coverage for Workers
One feature that separates GigSmart from many gig platforms is its Occupational Accident Insurance. Every eligible shift worker is automatically enrolled through the On-Demand Independent Contractors Association. The coverage only applies while you’re working a shift booked through the app. Job Board applications and other off-platform work aren’t covered.
The policy includes up to $1,000,000 in medical expenses with no deductible or copay, which is substantial for gig work. Other benefits include up to $100,000 for accidental dismemberment or paralysis, up to $500 per week for temporary total disability, a $10,000 accidental death benefit, and up to $90,000 in survivor’s benefits for eligible dependents. For workers doing physical labor like warehousing, event setup, or construction support, this coverage addresses a real gap that most gig platforms leave open.
Eligibility and Background Checks
To work shifts on GigSmart, you need to be at least 18 years old. Background checks are handled through Checkr, a third-party screening service also used by companies like Uber. For 1099 shifts, background checks are optional, meaning some employers require them and others don’t. When a business does request one, passing the check makes you eligible for a wider pool of available shifts.
Workers who clear the screening are labeled as “background-checked” in the system, which can make you more attractive to businesses posting higher-paying or more sensitive gigs. If you plan to use the platform regularly, completing a background check early removes a friction point when better-paying shifts come up.
Types of Work Available
GigSmart positions tend to cluster around industries with variable staffing needs. Common shift categories include warehouse and logistics work, event staffing, food service, general labor, retail support, and light industrial tasks. The platform is particularly popular with businesses that experience seasonal surges or need to fill last-minute gaps without going through a traditional temp agency.
Pay rates vary by gig type, location, and employer. Since you can see the hourly rate before accepting a shift, you can compare options and choose work that meets your minimum. The flexibility to pick up shifts on short notice without a long-term commitment is the main draw for workers who want supplemental income or are between jobs.
How Payments Work
After completing a shift, your earnings land in the Worker Wallet inside the Get Gigs app. From there, you choose when and how to transfer money out. The standard transfer is free but takes longer to process. Rapid Transfer gets you paid faster but costs 3% of the amount (minimum $1.00). For a $200 shift, that’s a $6 fee for faster access to your money.
Because GigSmart handles all payments through its platform for shift work, you don’t need to chase down individual employers for payment or negotiate invoicing terms. The app logs your hours, the employer confirms them, and the money flows into your wallet. For 1099 workers, keep in mind that no taxes are withheld from your pay, so you’re responsible for setting aside money for income and self-employment taxes throughout the year.