Instawork vs. Gigpro: Comparing On-Demand Job Platforms

The gig economy only continues to reshape how businesses tackle workforce fluctuations. And if you haven’t found the right on-demand staffing partner, you may end up paying for it. You’ll likely see lower: 

• Productivity
• Service quality
• Cost-efficiency

The reality is that today, approximately 36% of U.S. workers identify as independent (gig) workers. 

Clearly, when nearly one in three workers is engaged in non-traditional employment, your business may struggle to secure the high-quality, reliable shifts you need. 

And the wrong platform choice can leave you understaffed and overpaying.

Or you might just have staff that don’t fit well. 

It’s a mess.

In this blog, we’re comparing two major on-demand staffing platforms: Instawork and Gigpro. 

We’re going to unpack their strengths, their drawbacks, and their suitability for your specific business needs.

Key Takeaways

1. Platform fit depends on your staffing complexity: If you need workers across multiple industries, with flexibility and geographic reach, Instawork may be more suitable. If your needs are concentrated in hospitality (food & beverage, events, hotels), Gigpro may offer a tighter vertical fit.
2. Cost structures and direct-hire fees matter: While both platforms charge service fees, Instawork’s direct-hire placement fee and higher markup (35%) mean you’ll need to budget carefully. Gigpro’s model (no placement fee, pay-per-gig) may offer more predictability for short-term shift needs.
3. Specialization and vetting affect quality and speed: Instawork offers thorough vetting and broader reach, but may involve longer worker activation times; Gigpro allows faster access within hospitality but may lack the depth of skill-validation for specialized shifts. Match the platform to how critical the role, skill / certification, and industry specialization are for your business.

The Gig Economy: Why Adaptability Matters

When you’re managing a business, adaptability is the cornerstone of success.

Of course, no two days are the same. 

But how can you find a workforce that’s as adaptable as your business needs to be? 

That’s where the gig economy comes into play. 

The gig economy is a labor market that relies on temporary and part-time positions. These are filled by independent contractors rather than full-time employees. 

Temporary workforce gig apps enable businesses to create flexible staffing plans for their everyday needs. 

Now let’s look at the two major on-demand workforce spaces,  Instawork and Gigpro, and the nuances of each. 

What is Instawork?

Instawork is a platform designed to connect businesses with on-demand workers. The platform’s mission is to create economic opportunities for local businesses and hourly workers on a global level.

The Instawork app allows hourly workers to pick up open shifts with businesses across various industries. This includes food and beverage, warehousing, retail, dining facilities, and live event centers.

In addition to the web-based platform, you’ll get a separate Instawork app. It’s designed for businesses to post shifts and find the help they need.

The Pros and Cons of Instawork

Pros

• Workers You Can Trust: The Instawork platform puts every worker through a vetting and activation process. This includes checking references, validating work history, and understanding any relevant skills or useful certifications.‍

• The Potential for Full-Time: Instawork’s Pro Search allows businesses to search, connect with, and hire from their network of 6 to 8 million professionals.‍

• Broader Geographical Reach: Instawork has a broad geographical reach for businesses and pros on its platform. Currently, it serves 50+ U.S. and Canadian markets.

Cons

• Hires for a Fee: Unlike some of its competitors, Instawork charges a direct hire fee when businesses decide to hire a pro from the Instawork app.‍

• Less Specialized Workforce: Instawork serves multiple industries in need of hourly workers. This includes hospitality, live events, warehousing and manufacturing, and retail. Businesses on the platform may find themselves struggling to find highly specialized workers within a specific industry.‍

• Verification Time Takes a While: Pros interested in skilled positions must complete a “coach call.” This is to obtain approval from the Instawork team to apply for those types of shifts. It can take up to 48 hours for a pro’s application to be approved and have their status updated on the Instawork app.

What is Gigpro?

Gigpro is a platform that connects experienced food and beverage workers with hospitality businesses that need shifts filled on demand.

Businesses can use Gigpro’s web-based platform to post their hourly needs. Workers use the Gigpro app to view hourly shifts in their area.

The Pros and Cons of Gigpro

Pros

• Workers Get a Background Check: Businesses on the Gigpro platform can require background-checked workers for gigs. Under these circumstances, any applicant will have to pass the background check requirement before they can apply.‍

• Diverse Job Opportunities: The Gigpro app offers work opportunities with various types of businesses within the hospitality industry. This includes restaurants and bars, catering, events, and hotels.‍

• Quick Payment Processing: Gigpro typically facilitates fast and straightforward payment processing. Workers can receive their earnings through the Gigpro app quickly after completing a gig. This gives them financial flexibility and timely compensation for their services. 

Cons

• ‍Vetting Isn’t Great: The Gigpro app doesn’t require its Pros to have a minimum number of years of experience in the hospitality industry. It also doesn’t appear to validate workers' certifications.‍

• The Workforce Isn’t as Specialized: One of the advantages of Gigpro is its diverse job opportunities. But this can be a drawback. The platform covers a broad range of business types. This means it can lack the specialization found on industry-specific platforms. ‍If you’re posting highly specialized gigs or require a specific skill set, a more focused platform might be better for your needs.

• Pros Can’t Clock-In and Out of Gigs: The Gigpro app operates on the “honor system” and doesn’t have a clock-in/clock-out feature on its platform. This can make it difficult for Pros and businesses to maintain accurate records of time worked. This then makes it tough to facilitate accurate payouts.

Associated Costs

Both Instawork and GigPro operate on a model where businesses pay for the services and workers receive their earnings.

The specific cost structure varies between the two. So make sure you review the terms of service for each platform.

How Much Does Instawork Charge?

• Service Fee: Instawork charges a 35% markup on all shifts. This includes applicable taxes and fees, OAI coverage, live platform support every day of the week, and free cancellations with a 24-hour notice.

• Placement Fee: Instawork charges a direct hire fee of $2,500 for businesses that bring on a pro from the platform full-time. If the hired pro has worked at least 320 hours with the same business, the direct hire fee is reduced to $1,000. 

• Cancellation Fee: According to Instawork’s cancellation policy, if a business cancels a shift with less than 24 hours' notice, the business may be charged for up to four hours of pro pay.

How Much Does Gigpro Charge?

• Placement Fee: Gigpro does not charge any signup, subscription, posting, recruiting, or placement fees. The company only charges businesses for any gigs completed on their platform. 

• Cancellation Fee: Gigpro’s cancellation policy states that if a business cancels a gig within 24 hours of the start time, the business may be required to pay up to 50% of the stated gig payout. Additionally, if a business instructs a pro to stop working earlier than the stated gig end time, the business may be required to pay the pro for the amount of time they worked plus 50% of the charges for the time remaining in the gig.

• OAI Coverage Fee: Pros on the Gigpro platform pay $0.38/hr to be covered by Occupational Accident Insurance during their gigs. This amount is automatically deducted from their gig earnings.

Gigpro vs. Instawork: Features Comparison

Exploring Instawork Reviews and Similar Apps

When evaluating on-demand platforms, it helps to go beyond features and pricing. You can do this by studying each Instawork review and comparing feedback from real users. Many businesses highlight the platform’s reliable customer support and its ability to scale quickly during peak seasons. However, some reviews also mention occasional mismatches in skill level. This is something to consider when balancing speed with precision hiring.

If you’re exploring similar apps, start with those consistently ranked among the best gig apps for hospitality and event staffing. Options like shiftNOW and GigSmart emphasize verified profiles, streamlined onboarding, and transparent payout systems. These are key factors for maintaining workforce quality.

Both employers and every gig worker benefit from platforms that make gig work predictable and rewarding. Whether you’re filling shifts at a busy restaurant or staffing an event venue, modern platforms allow for more flexible work schedules. Meanwhile, they preserve accountability. The right technology bridges talent gaps and builds dependable, repeatable staffing workflows. These help businesses grow without sacrificing service quality.

Making The Right Decision Based On Your Needs

The landscape of on-demand workforce solutions is constantly evolving. As a result, the gig economy platform you choose will always boil down to individual priorities and preferences. 

As you try to figure out the best solution for your business, consider the nuances of both platforms. Weigh the pros and cons outlined in this comparison. 

Ultimately, your decision will rest on aligning each platform’s strengths with the nature and specific goals of your business. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use both platforms concurrently for different staffing needs?

Yes. Many businesses layer multiple gig platforms depending on their use case. For example, use Instawork for general hourly labor across retail/warehousing, and Gigpro for event–or hospitality-specific shift needs.

What happens if a worker doesn’t show up or leaves mid-shift?

On Instawork, cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice may result in the business being charged. For example, this can be up to four hours of pro pay. On Gigpro, cancelling within 24 hours may require payment of up to 50% of the stated gig payout. Make sure you understand each platform’s cancellation and replacement policies.

Are the workers on these platforms eligible to be hired as full-time employees?

With Instawork, yes. The “Pro Search” feature allows businesses to convert gig workers into full-time hires, albeit with a placement fee ($2,500 reduced to $1,000 if the worker has logged 320 hours). Gigpro does not prominently highlight a full-time hire pathway. Its model is optimized for short-term gigs.

Which platform offers better geographic coverage and scale?

Instawork currently serves 48 cities across the U.S. and Canada (broad reach across industries). Gigpro is focused on hospitality and operates in around 30 U.S. cities. If your business serves multiple states or needs broad staffing across non-hospitality sectors, Instawork may provide greater scale. If you’re concentrated in hospitality in a region where Gigpro operates, its vertical focus may be a better fit.

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