What the Gig Workforce Is Telling Us: Top Findings from the Branch + Stripe Gig Workforce Index

The gig economy has grown up: what was once a way to earn a little extra on the side has become how millions of people cover rent, keep the fridge stocked, and build toward something bigger. But the day-to-day reality of this work—how people find it, how quickly they get paid, and what keeps them coming back—is often misunderstood.

So we went straight to the source. The new Branch + Stripe Gig Workforce Index surveys today's flexible workers about how they claim jobs, manage their money, and decide which platforms earn their loyalty. The results paint a picture of a workforce that's savvier, more financially stretched, and more optimistic about tools like AI than the headlines suggest.

We dive into the findings that stood out most, from the relentless role of speed to the surprising optimism around AI and the growing reality that gig work is no longer a side hustle but a primary source of income.

From claiming work to getting paid: speed defines the gig economy

If there's a single word that captures today's gig experience, it's speed. And it shows up at both ends of the job: how quickly workers have to grab an opportunity, and how quickly they need the money once the work is done.

The race starts the moment a gig is posted. More than 60% of workers say they need to claim a gig in under two minutes before it's gone, including 29% who say they have less than 30 seconds to respond. To stay competitive, workers cast a wide net: 46% actively use three or more platforms to find work, hopping between apps to catch the best opportunities first.

That same urgency carries through to payday. Fast payouts ranked as one of the top factors that would keep workers on a platform, second only to higher pay. Nearly 9 in 10 workers (89%) say fast, reliable payouts would make them more likely to choose one platform over another. And, when payouts fall short, they leave. Three in 10 workers (30%) say they've stopped using a platform because of a payment or payout issue.

Why does timing matter so much? Because for most workers, pay is already spoken for. Seventy-two percent put their earnings to work within 24 hours of the money landing—most often to cover bills (45%) or buy essentials like groceries and gas (27%). Only about 1 in 8 are able to move any of it into savings. When someone is waiting on today's pay for tonight's groceries, a payout delay is much more than a minor inconvenience.

AI: friend, not threat

Much of the conversation about AI and work centers on displacement—the worry that automation will squeeze out the very people doing flexible, on-demand jobs. The Gig Workforce Index tells a different story. This workforce doesn't see AI as a threat looming over their work. They see it as a practical tool to do more of it, and to do it better.

More than three-quarters of workers (77%) say AI could help them in at least one area of their work. Dig into where, and a clear picture emerges of workers who think like small business owners:

• 50% say AI could help them find new gigs or clients
• 44% say it could help with scheduling or managing their time
• 32% say it could help with setting prices or negotiating rates
• 32% say it could help with writing messages, listings, or proposals

In other words, the tasks workers most want help with—finding work, managing time, pricing their services, and communicating with clients—are exactly the ones that eat into the hours they'd rather spend earning. For this workforce, AI isn't the competition. It's the assistant they've been waiting for.

More findings that caught our eye

Beyond speed and AI, a few other results reshaped how we think about the gig workforce:

Gig work is becoming primary income. A majority of workers (56%) say gig work accounts for most of their household income. This isn't pocket money anymore—it's how people pay the rent.

It's also a launchpad. Nearly a quarter of workers (23%) see gig work as a stepping stone to starting their own business. Among those who want to, the biggest barriers are startup capital (49%) and inconsistent income (37%)—both financial challenges at their core.

The cost of the job adds up. More than half of workers (53%) spend over a quarter of their gig earnings on job-related expenses like gas, vehicle maintenance, parking, and supplies. Fuel and transportation is the single largest out-of-pocket cost for 61% of workers, far ahead of vehicle maintenance at 22%.

Income is volatile, and cushions are thin. More than three-quarters of workers (78%) say their weekly income varies from week to week, and 68% say they couldn't cover—or weren't sure they could cover—a surprise $400 emergency expense.

Workers want financial tools from their platforms. An overwhelming 84% say financial management tools offered by their platform would be moderately to extremely valuable. That's a clear signal to the companies workers already rely on.

What it means for platforms and marketplaces

The gig workforce rewards speed, including fast access to work and fast, reliable pay, and it's ready to adopt new tools that help it earn more and manage the ups and downs. The platforms that meet workers there won't just move money quickly. They'll build the financial and practical support that turns a one-time earner into a loyal one.

"Gig work has become a meaningful path to income, flexibility, and long-term opportunity for many professionals," said Atif Siddiqi, founder and CEO of Branch. "When gig work becomes someone's primary income, getting paid quickly matters—but so does what happens next. Marketplaces and platforms that go beyond fast, reliable payouts to support workers' broader financial lives will be best positioned to support and retain today's flexible workforce."

"As gig workers increasingly turn to marketplaces and platforms as their primary source of income, they're looking for financial tools that help them manage and grow their earnings," said Sateesh Srinivasan, Product and Business Lead for Money Management at Stripe. "Together, Branch and Stripe give those companies an easier way to deliver those richer financial experiences—earning deeper worker loyalty and accelerating their own growth in the process."

Explore the Gig Workforce Index

These are just the findings that stood out most to us. To dig into the full results and download the report, visit here.