The App-Based Platform Economy Hits $414 Billion in U.S. Activity

The report, authored by the research firm Public First, highlights a significant shift in how Americans manage their finances. Approximately 43 percent of U.S. adults reported earning income through platforms, ranging from rideshare and delivery work to freelance tasks like pet sitting or hosting short-term rentals. For many participants, this income serves as a vital bridge between traditional roles or a supplement to primary wages.

Economic impacts extend beyond worker earnings. Local restaurants and businesses saw an estimated $53 billion in additional revenue linked to rideshare and delivery services in 2025, marking a 65 percent increase over three years. Consumer reliance has also deepened, with 61 percent of adults using rideshare services in the past year. Notably, 73 percent of those riders utilized the apps specifically to reach medical appointments, while 37 percent of total users indicated the platforms enabled travel that would have been impossible via traditional transit.

Flex CEO Kristin Sharp noted that the data solidifies the role of flexible work within the national landscape. Looking toward the next decade, researchers project that economic activity tied to these sectors could reach $579 billion annually by 2035. As demand for on-demand services persists, the association argues that maintaining current flexible earning models is essential to sustaining this growth trajectory.