60 proven ways to make money online [2025]

Looking to make money online in 2025? You're joining millions of people who are discovering that earning income from home isn't just possible—it's profitable.

Nearly half of Gen Alpha teens already have online side hustles, and over half of Gen Z plan to leave traditional jobs to pursue full-time digital income. The question isn't whether you can make money online—it's how to make money online.

We're going to walk you through realistic, beginner-friendly ways to make money online — from selling digital products and services to flipping content, teaching skills, and more.

Let’s dive in.

Quick answer: 5 best ways to make money online

Want to start immediately? Skip to these proven methods:

• UGC content - Earn your first $50 this week
• Cashback apps - Start earning on purchases today
• Online surveys - Make $20 in your first session

How to start making money online

It's easy to get carried away, but before throwing yourself into a new business idea take a moment to step back and think about your skillset and resources. Taking a little time to assess what you’re working with now will help you choose smarter, faster, and more sustainable ways to earn.

Here’s what to consider:

• How much time do you have?
  Got a free afternoon every day? Or just squeezing this in after work? Your schedule will influence what’s realistic — and how fast you can scale.
• Do you already have an audience?
  If you’ve built a following online, you’re ahead of the game. You can start promoting right away to people who already know you.
• What are you good at?
  Play to your strengths. Whether it’s organizing, designing, writing, or coding—some money-making methods will fit you better than others.

Figure this stuff out first, and the rest gets way easier.

How to make money online: Ideas for beginners and experts

How to make money online fast (even if you're a total beginner)

Looking for fast and easy ways to make money online? These beginner-friendly methods are perfect if you want to start earning right now—no experience, upfront investment, or special tools required.

1. Getting paid as a clipper: $200-$1500 monthly

Clipping is one of the newest ways to make money with content — and you don't even need to create the content yourself.

As a clipper you take existing long-form content (like visual podcasts and vlogs) and clip the best parts into short, viral videos. Clipping is a hot market right now — creators want more eyes on their content, and clippers are happy to make money online creating viral reels.

Best for

Anyone who understands what it takes to make clips go viral, and has the skills and equipment to do so (computer, phone, and software).

Effort needed

Some effort at first to trial and test different formats. Once you've figured out what works, then it's a matter of copying this method for new clips daily to grow your audience.

How to start

• Choose a niche and find long-form content in this niche (usually on YouTube).
• Use software like Capcut and Canva, and AI tools like Opus and Descript.
• Create your clip with a hook, closed captions, and optimize for different platform standards. Publish, rinse and repeat.

2. Cashback apps: $50-$500 annually

You're already shopping — why not get paid for it?

Cashback apps help you earn money back when you make a purchase. This can be on small ticket items like groceries or big tech purchases.

Don’t worry, you’ll still be buying directly from the stores that you know and love — but how good does 5% cash back on Walmart flash deals sound? Or 7.5% on Lowe's? A massive 15% on Temu?

These are the kinds of figures you can start claiming back if you sign up for a solid cashback app.

Best for

Anyone who makes regular purchases — the more you spend, the more money you will make. So if you're the main purchaser for a household, then cashback apps can be a great way to make money on the side.

Effort needed

Minimal effort— once you've downloaded the cashback apps, all you have to do is shop through the app or upload your receipts.

How to start

• Download a cashback app like Ibotta.
• Shop at supported stores.
• Claim your earnings as cash or gift cards.

3. Watching videos: $20-$150 monthly

How many hours a day do you spend scrolling through video content?

Whether it's reality tv, indie movies, or TikToks, mindlessly watching videos can make us feel guilty and unproductive. But not anymore. Now you can actually get paid to watch videos.

Depending on the app or platform you choose, you’ll be given different types of videos to watch. Zynn, for example, focuses on TikTok videos and rewards you with points for every 20-second clip you consume.

InboxDollars, meanwhile, serves up slightly longer videos that you just play in the background while you do other stuff.

Now, watching videos for money won't make you rich, but it is an easy way to earn a little extra cash.

Best for

People who have the time to watch video content regularly (or at least have it playing the background).

Effort needed

Minimal effort to watch the videos, some effort needed to find paying tasks.

How to start

• Pick a platform that pays in your region (try FreeCash, InboxDollars, and MyPoints).
• Automate your video-watching—whether it’s short ads or full-length movies you’d watch anyway.

4. Play-to-earn gaming: $10-$400 monthly

If you're a gamer, then you've likely spent countless hours grinding levels, collecting loot, and mastering card decks.

Now imagine if that time actually paid off — literally. That’s exactly what play-to-earn (P2E) games are all about: giving players real rewards, like cryptocurrency or NFTs, just for playing.

Unlike traditional games packed with microtransactions or pay-to-win mechanics, P2E works differently. Instead of constantly asking for money, these games reward your time and skill with assets that hold real-world value, and can often be traded or sold freely.

Play smarter, and your gaming habit could become your side-hustle. Just bear in mind the income from this is usually very low.

Best for

Gamers and anyone with the time to play games on a daily basis.

Effort needed

To make money playing games you need to dedicate some time every day, because this side hustle doesn't pay a huge amount.

How to start

• Choose a play-to-earn game that rewards skill over spending.
• Look for titles like Gods Unchained where you can earn tradable assets and tokens just by playing.

5. Microtasks: $100-$400 monthly

Watching videos or playing games for money are fun examples of microtasks — quick and easy online jobs that pay small amounts for each task. These are some of the easiest ways to get started, but they’re just a small part of the much bigger microtask world.

On more specialized platforms, microtasks can include things like data entry, text translation, tagging images, content moderation, transcription, and data verification. These tasks are often used to help train AI systems, organize large datasets, or support tech and research projects behind the scenes.

So whether you're casually watching videos or contributing to AI development, microtasks offer a flexible way to earn online.

Best for

People who have time to dedicate to tasks on a regular basis, and have basic computer literacy skills. If you are skilled in AI or data, then you can take on higher-paying tasks.

Effort needed

Up to you— tasks are usually paid on a 'per task' basis rather than hourly.

How to start

• Sign up for microtask platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk.
• Fill out your profile.
• Filter tasks according to your experience and preferences.
• Check regularly for tasks, as it's usually first-come first-served.

6. Sign-up bonuses: $2-50 per sign-up, bank bonuses $100-$500

If you’ve checked out any of the apps we’ve mentioned — like InboxDollars or Ibotta — you might’ve noticed a little extra incentive: the sign-up bonus.

These bonuses give you a small boost when you join, typically ranging from a couple of dollars to as much as $20.

Another place you’ll see lucrative sign-up offers is in the online betting world. These often work as deposit matches, For example, deposit $50 and get an extra $50 to play with. For this, keep in mind that you’ll need to wager real money, and there may be terms like minimum odds or rollover requirements.

So while betting bonuses can be tempting, make sure you read the fine print and only participate if you're comfortable with the risk.

Best for

Anyone who has an email address.

Effort needed

Minimal— all you have to do is sign up to a platform and enter your payment details.

How to start

• Grab a sign-up bonus on platforms you plan to use, like banks and betting apps.
• Complete a few tasks or purchases to hit the minimum payout before cashing out.

7. Referral programs: $5-$100+ per referral

Very similar to sign-up bonuses, many apps and websites offer some really interesting bonuses for referrals. Instead of rewarding you for joining, they reward you for getting other people to join.

This Redditor collects as many bank bonuses as they can, saying "I'm on my third bank now for this, after this bonus i will have earned over $1,000 in about 5 months. I also have my GF doing this now. It's like the easiest side hustle you can do when looking at value for time."

Referral bonuses are more common than you think. Ecommerce websites, trading platforms, banking apps, VPN services, online clothing retailers, Airbnb — you name it, referrals are everywhere.

Best for

Anyone with friends and family willing to sign up using your referrals and earn some cash.

Effort needed

Very low effort — just grab your referral codes and pass them along.

How to start

• Find the best referral bonuses in your region — research bank bonuses and business promotions.
• Tap into your audience or personal network to boost referrals.
• Make sure your referees meet any requirements, like depositing funds, to unlock the rewards.

8. Online sweepstakes: Highly variable and luck-dependent

Online sweepstakes and giveaways can be a fun way to earn extra cash, or even score prizes worth thousands. From gaming gear to real money, there’s value on the table if luck’s on your side.

A word of warning: you’ll lose 99.9% of the sweepstakes you enter. But that’s still better than 100% if you never try.

Sweepstakes won’t make you rich, but play it smart and you just might hit the jackpot (or at least walk away with something worthwhile like a PS5).

Best for

People who aren't desperate for extra cash but would love the chance to win money or prizes.

Effort needed

Some effort needed to trawl through sweepstake sites and communities and fill out details. This is not a guaranteed way to make money, so it could mean effort spent for no return.

How to start

• Use sweepstakes aggregator sites and follow trusted brands on platforms like Facebook.
• Enter legit giveaways for gear or cash, using a separate email to stay organized.

9. Chatting online: $8-$35 per hour

Let’s take care of the elephant in the room right away: no, we’re not talking about becoming a chatter for an account on an NSFW platform (although that’s definitely a thing if you weren’t aware, and people to do it are often actively sought out and compensated adequately).

There are a lot more sites out there where you can get paid to chat with people. Yes, there's usually an element of companionship, but this can vary from giving advice to chatting about gaming.

Some chatting sites can get very, very specific. Needle, for instance, is a service where you can chat with indecisive shoppers and help them make decisions. And, if you’ve got mental health qualifications, you can try platforms like Ginger.io and HeyPeers.

Best for

Outgoing people who love to need new people and have a chat.

Effort needed

Depends on how you chat. You could be talking on the phone for hours, or you might be sending a few chat messages back and forth.

How to start

• Choose a chat platform that fits your style — just make sure it protects your privacy and keeps your info secure.
• Start chatting and earning money.

10. Answering questions: $10-$100+ monthly

This one sounds a bit like chatting online, but we’re getting a lot more specific here.

People often search the internet seeking answers to certain questions, and there are a lot of ways in which these questions get answered — videos, blog posts, entire websites, forums, and platforms like Reddit, Quora, and JustAnswer.

Reddit is free (for now), but Quora pays people who answer questions via its Partner Program. Then, there's 'JustAnswer' — a site that connects searchers with 'experts'. Chris Pyle, a former Ford mechanic who transitioned into full‑time expert work on JustAnswer. By 2023, his annual earnings reached about $170,500 (according to CNBC).

Chris says: “I have zero plans to go back for a real job, unless I’m the boss. Between my work attire and the environment that I work in, [life] is pretty good.”

Best for

Anyone who is a bit of a nerd! If you've got a special interest or set of skills, then you can make money online by answering questions.

Effort needed

Low to medium, since some methods of getting paid for answering questions require either a lot of research or involvement.

How to start

• Find platforms where you can monetize your knowledge, like JustAnswer.
• Sign up and create your profile.
• Leverage what you already know—pick a niche you’re confident in and start building your reputation from day one.

11. Taking online surveys: $100-$300 monthly

If you live in the U.S. or another major consumer market, online surveys can be a simple and accessible way to make money — no special skills required.

Why? Because brands are constantly trying to understand how consumers think. Surveys are one of their favorite tools, and they’re willing to pay real money for honest feedback that helps them shape products, ads, and experiences.

Now, surveys won’t replace a full-time job — but if you’re looking to make an extra $100–$300 a month, they’re a solid side option.

Best for

Anyone with a phone or laptop and opinions to share.

Effort needed

Low to medium— some surveys are quick multiple-choice forms, others are more in-depth tasks that require lengthy answers.

How to start

• Sign up for reputable survey sites like Survey Junkie or Swagbucks.
• Stay consistent and focus on high-quality surveys to turn your opinions into steady monthly earnings.

12. Online focus groups: $50-$300 per session

Online surveys are one of the most widely-used market research strategies out there, but focus groups aren’t that far behind.

Surveys provide a lot of information about consumers, specifically quantitative data. Focus groups, on the other hand, provide more qualitative information, and are paid very well to do so.

Keisha has taken part in a lot of online focus groups, and here are her tips to make extra money: "Fill out your profile as fully as you can. Sign up to multiple platforms so you can get invited to as many focus groups as possible. Also, when you are sent that invite link to apply for a new group, register your interest as soon as possible so you are ahead of the crowd".

Best for

Anyone with a laptop and free time in their days, as focus groups are usually held during business hours.

Effort needed

Medium — some focus groups are just an hour long, but some go on for weeks at a time (for a couple of hours each day).

How to start

• Look for legit online focus group platforms and apply broadly.
• Fill out your profile so that you can be matched with the right groups.
• Check daily — slots can be competitive, but the payouts are usually worth the effort.

13. Selling data: $5-$50 monthly per device

FYI: we’re not talking about selling your own personal data, or acquiring other people’s data and selling that (which would be illegal in most jurisdictions, just saying).

We’re talking about internet data, or bandwidth.

You pay your internet provider for a set amount of data at a certain speed. But chances are, you’re not using all of it. That’s where this clever money-making method comes in: sell your unused bandwidth to someone who needs it.

In places like the U.S. and Europe, where demand for bandwidth is high, some platforms will pay you up to $50 per month just for letting them tap into your excess data.

Best for

Literally anyone with unused data.

Effort needed

None at all. Once you've signed up, you're all set.

How to start

• Choose a trusted platform with solid reviews—since you’ll be installing software that routes traffic through your device, privacy and security should be your top priorities.
• Sign up to the platform and start making money with your data.

14. Online mystery shopping: $5-$50+ per task

You may have heard of mystery shopping (physically going into stores to test their service, aesthetics, and everything in between), but have you heard about online mystery shopping?

With online mystery shopping gigs, companies pay you to test their websites, evaluate their customer service, and sometimes even place real orders (which they reimburse you for).

All you have to do is shop online and give feedback through a report, questionnaire, or screen recording.

Payment can range from $5 to $50+ per task, depending on how involved it is.

Best for

People who enjoy shopping and can pay upfront and be reimbursed.

Effort needed

Medium— you need to apply for tasks and shop online then provide feedback.

How to start

• Sign up with legit mystery shopping platforms — just make sure they don’t charge fees or ask for sensitive info upfront before you get started.
• Complete your profile and apply for tasks.

15. Sports betting: Highly variable and risky

Let’s get the disclaimer out first — betting is risky, and should be done responsibly. That said, it can be an extremely quick way to build a stack of cash.

The secret to success with betting is to link up with other bettors and expert tipsters in order to learn all of the stats and information that’s at work. The numbers aren’t always right of course, but tied to your own sporting instincts, you’re increasing your chances of success.

Best for

Sports lovers who can risk losing money.

Effort needed

If you're researching and placing bets yourself then you need to pay close attention to the markets, performance history, odds, and more. But, if you tail sports cappers (like those on Whop) then all the hard work is done for you.

How to start

• Join a trusted sports picks community to learn from expert bettors.
• Focus on stats, follow smart tips, and always manage your bankroll to balance fun with financial caution.
• Sign up to a sportsbook.
• Place your bets!

16. Mobile app testing: $10-$25 per test

A lot of the entries on this list so far have involved downloading or using apps. These apps have to be developed and tested exhaustively before being released to the paying public — and that testing isn’t free.

Which means, you can get paid to test apps and make money right from your phone. Easy, right?

One 'beer money' Redditor says this about app testing: "After trying a few things out I've landed on doing app and website testing for sites like usertesting.com. The work is straightforward enough, and it looks like I can make enough doing it to make it worthwhile (maybe $10,000 in a year if I really try)."

Best for

People with a keen eye for detail who love finding flaws in products.

Effort needed

Medium. You'll need to test apps and report on errors, bugs, and UX concerns.

How to start

• Sign up for platforms like UserTesting or Testbirds.
• Find paying tasks.
• Give detailed, thoughtful feedback to stand out and turn app testing into a steady source of extra income.

Make money through online content creation

17. UGC content: $300-$3,000+ monthly

When you hear "content creator," you might picture big names like Marques Brownlee or Dude Perfect — and sure, it’s great to aim high. But what if you could start making money from your very first post?

With User-Generated Content (UGC), you can.

UGC is all about authentic, everyday content — short videos, reviews, photos, or even tweets — that brands can use in their marketing. It doesn’t need to be fancy. In fact, brands prefer lo-fi content that feels real. If you’ve got a smartphone, you’ve got everything you need.

There are plenty of UGC platforms. But, to get going fast, check out Whop Content Rewards. You’ll find paid UGC opportunities you can apply for right away — create content, rack up views, and get paid. No followers required.

Best for

Creative people who are comfortable filming. You don't even have to be in front of the camera — you can try faceless accounts if you're shy.

Effort needed

Medium to high — you need to dedicate time and effort to filming, editing, and testing what works.

How to start

• Get your equipment ready — camera or camera phone, mic, and editing software.
• Build a starter portfolio by reviewing games, products, or local spots.
• Pitch brands with content that feels authentic and speaks directly to their audience.
• Find UGC work on platforms like Whop.

18. Blogging: New blogs earn $50-$200 monthly after 6-12 months

Blogging has been a popular online business idea for decades now (bloggers are the OG online content creators), and it’s a great option if you’re comfortable writing.

While it's not easy to make money with a blog from the get-go, it is easy to get started. And once you have a good online presence, opportunities to make money will begin to flood in.

The best blogs tend to focus on particular niches (like these great ecommerce niche blogs), and bloggers tend to have some level of expertise or authority over that specific area of interest.

For example, The Tiny Canal Cottage is a blog all about designing and living in small spaces:

It takes some effort upfront, but blogging can evolve into a powerful income stream.

Best for

People who have a way with words. You don't have to be a professional or experienced writer, but you do need to know how to write in a way that connects with your target audience.

Effort needed

Medium. Like all content creation, blogging requires consistent effort— it's not a way to get rich quick.

How to start

• Choose a niche you’re passionate about—even something obscure can attract a loyal audience.
• Set up your blog on a reliable platform, then focus on creating high-quality, SEO-friendly content that ranks and resonates.
• As traffic builds, explore blog monetization options like AdSense, sponsorships, or selling your own digital products to turn your blog into a real income stream.

19. YouTube: Top creators earn $10,000+ monthly

If writing’s not your thing but you’re comfortable on camera, YouTube is a powerful platform to build and monetize a content brand — especially if you’re passionate about a specific niche.

Watching a quick video often beats reading a blog, especially for “how-to” content. Even if the host isn’t polished, seeing a process play out can be far more useful than just reading about it.

While YouTube’s monetization system favors the platform itself, you can still earn substantial income once you reach the YouTube Partner Program threshold (currently 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours). From there, revenue can come from ads, sponsorships, memberships, merch, courses, and more.

Best for

Big personalities who can engage an audience online.

Effort needed

To really succeed at YouTube you need to put in a lot of work at first, trying out different styles and formats until you find what your audience likes.

How to start

• Buy your hardware and software, including portable cameras and mics (depending on your niche) and editing programs.
• Pick a niche and start creating consistent, high-quality videos using decent audio and visuals.
• As you grow, use YouTube not just for ad revenue, but as a launchpad to promote digital products, services, or communities for multiple income streams.

20. YouTube thumbnails: $5-$150 per thumbnail

Another way to make money with YouTube is by creating YouTube thumbnails. Good thumbnails are needed to stand out from the crowd.

If you have graphic design skills, you can easily find creators on freelancing platforms looking for thumbnail creatives.

Since most YouTube channels have a consistent content schedule, once you start working with one, there's a chance that you'll have a steady flow of work.

Best for

People with illustration/graphic design skills.

Effort needed

Medium level of effort here — most thumbnails are simple but eye-catching.

How to start

• Make sure that you have the equipment and software that you need.
• Learn what makes a YouTube thumbnail click-worthy by studying trends and top performers.
• Sharpen your design skills and stay updated, so you can consistently create high-performing visuals that help creators grow (and scale your own business in the process).

21. TikTok: Creators with 1M+ monthly views earn $500-$2000 monthly from the program alone

If YouTube owns long-form content, TikTok dominates the short-form world. With over 2 billion downloads globally, it’s a prime platform for turning quick, engaging videos into real income.

TikTok’s monetization ecosystem has grown fast. The main gateway is the TikTok Creativity Program, which replaced the old Creator Fund. To qualify, you’ll need 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days. Once you’re in, you can start earning based on performance.

As creator Patryk Karwasz puts it in the video above:

“This is my TikTok Shop studio, and this is something anyone can do. All you have to do is get a product, get in front of the camera, and boom — start talking.

You can talk about the product — discounts and things like that — but the main point is to sell something and make money. This is going to become a huge business in the future.”

Best for

Creatives who know what it takes to make content go viral. You don't necessarily need to be in front of the camera — you just need to know how to make something trend.

Effort needed

Medium to high. TikTok videos can be as complex as DIY tutorials or as simple as filming a morning routine.

How to start

• Choose a niche that aligns with your strengths.
• Get the equipment you need — a phone with a camera is a minimum. You might need a mic and editing software.
• Post consistently, and focus on content that plays well with TikTok’s algorithm.
• Layer in a digital product or offer to start building a full-time income stream.

22. Streaming: Top streamers earn $10,000+ monthly

Streaming shares a lot of the same skills as running a successful YouTube or TikTok channel, but if short-form videos are a sprint, streaming is a marathon. It’s all about live, long-form content, with no editing.

One big plus: you can start making money earlier than with other platforms. Viewers often send donations in real time, especially when streamers respond with shout-outs or answer questions live.

Platforms like Whop, Twitch, and YouTube Live all support streaming, but Whop stands out by letting you monetize from day one. You can host free or paid livestreams, and charge a membership fee to your whop.

If you're ready to show up live and build a loyal audience, streaming could turn your time, personality, and skills into a steady source of income.

Best for

Gamers, artists, musicians — anyone creative with a cool skill to share.

Effort needed

Low to medium. If it's a hobby of yours then you would be doing it anyway, but to make money as a streamer you need to post consistently, build a brand, and be business-minded.

How to start

• Pick a niche that works well live—whether it’s gaming, crafting, or chatting.
• Invest in high-quality streaming equipment and software. Check out our list of the best streaming platforms.
• Create a schedule and start streaming.

23. Streamer overlays: $20-$150 per set

If you've ever visited streaming platforms like Twitch or Kick, there's a high chance you've seen people having unique visual overlays on their streams.

While some streamers create those overlays themselves, most of them pay graphic designers to make overlay sets for them.

These sets include camera outlines, chat backgrounds, ad placement boxes, and more. If you have graphic design skills, you can create all kinds of overlays for all kinds of streamers.

Best for

Graphic designers.

Effort needed

Low to medium. You can create overlays once and sell them over and over again.

How to start

• Learn the basics of graphic design software like Photoshop, and understand how stream overlays are structured.
• Then offer your services on freelance platforms or through your own site or whop —and if you want to stand out even more, build up your animation skills for custom animated overlays.

24. Podcasting: Successful podcasters earn $3000-$10,000 monthly

If blogs are for writers and YouTube is for visual storytellers, then podcasting is the go-to medium for creators who prefer audio-first content.

Podcasts typically center on a specific topic and follow a recurring schedule, whether that’s weekly interviews, educational deep dives, personal stories, or even actual play sessions of tabletop games. You can go solo or host guests, and cover broad or ultra-niche topics — the format is totally up to you.

When it comes to podcast monetization, podcasters have plenty of paths:

• Sponsorships and in-episode ads
• Listener donations
• Paid communities on platforms like Whop, where you can offer bonus content, Q&As, or early access for your most loyal fans.

If you've got something to say and the consistency to say it well, podcasting can turn your voice into both influence and income.

Best for

Storytellers with a good voice who know how to ask the right questions and engage an audience.

Effort needed

Making money from a podcast takes a lot of effort. A one hour podcast can take 10 hours of work (ideas, research, recording and editing).

How to start

• Invest in a good mic and editing setup—clear, professional audio is essential.
• Choose a podcast hosting platform that fits your goals.
• Focus on strong presentation and consistent marketing to grow your audience, since discoverability is tougher than on blogs or YouTube.

25. Monetize your community: $1000-$250,000 monthly

Once you start creating content — whether on YouTube, TikTok, or another platform — it might take time, but your audience will grow. Hitting monetization milestones like 1,000 YouTube subscribers or 10,000 TikTok followers is a big achievement, but it's really just the beginning.

The next step is figuring out how to turn that community into income.

One of the best ways to do this is by creating your own whop. With Whop you can create a private community and sell digital products like courses, launch your own merch, and monetize your existing fanbase.

We spoke to Bravo Six Picks about how they make money with their online community, and this what they had to say:

We built Bravo Six Picks with the idea that clarity and consistency win in the long run. It’s not about shouting the loudest—it’s about showing up, delivering value, and letting the results speak for themselves.

Best for

Anyone can make an online community, but it will be easier to start if you already have a following of some kind on TikTok, Instagram, X or even a newsletter.

Effort needed

Your online community needs consistent attention to keep paying members and get more, but as you grow you can hire a team to help you out,

How to start

• Think about your current online presence — do you have an audience you can move to a community, or are you starting from scratch?
• Choose the right platform for your community (hot tip — it's Whop).
• Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that builds trust and community first—then, once your audience is engaged, choose the right moment to scale up monetization without losing that connection.

26. Moderate a community: $200-$2000 monthly

If you don’t think you’re quite ready to create a paid community of your own, there’s an intermediate step — find someone else’s community and sign up to be a moderator.

You don’t even have to be a creator in your own right to do this, but it’s a good one if you are since you’ll learn valuable lessons and make great contacts that you can then utilize in your own community once you’re ready.

Moderation is very much a gig and it may not necessarily pay incredible amounts of money, but it’s often flexible work - and given the global nature of the internet, you should be able to fit it into your existing schedule with ease.

Best for

People who are great at communicating online and taking action when needed (like blocking or removing someone from a chat channel).

Effort needed

Low. The only real effort is your time— otherwise it's a pretty easy gig.

How to start

• Join communities that align with your interests and values.
• Apply to moderate for creators you genuinely support.

27. Email newsletters: $100-$10,000 monthly

Newsletters are a great way to make money, and it’s an extremely scalable and highly creative model as far as online businesses go.

You’re probably used to a newsletter being a marketing tactic and know that most businesses have one, so how can a newsletter on its own make money?

Well, there are two ways in which newsletters are becoming a business.

Firstly, you can simply offer a premium newsletter. Create a newsletter that offers unique value worth paying for, and you earn money through your subscribers.

Secondly, you can run a free newsletter but monetize it in other ways. Your newsletter could point people toward your digital products, a premium community, affiliate marketing, and contact ads (or be sponsored in its entirety).

Best for

Writers, entrepreneurs, anyone with a skill to share and a love for the written word.

Effort needed

You need to work hard to make money with a newsletter, as you have to not only write the content but find subscribers and then grow your audience enough to monetize it,

How to start

• Choose a niche where you can offer unique value.
• Decide on a newsletter platform like beehiiv or Substack.
• Build trust through consistent, high-quality emails.
• Give people a compelling reason to subscribe to a premium version—or monetize a free newsletter through sponsorships, affiliate links, or product tie-ins.

28. Self-publish ebooks: $50-$5000+ monthly

The internet has transformed publishing. You no longer need a traditional publisher’s approval to release a book — especially if you’re focused on digital formats.

Self-publishing gives you full creative control over your ebook’s content, design, length, and distribution.

That said, the quality of your manuscript still matters. There’s no gatekeeper, so it’s up to you to make sure your writing is clean, well-edited, and polished. Professional editing services are a smart investment, especially if you want your work to stand out.

This Redditor was surprised by the success of their ebook hustle: "Selling E-Books, specifically Children’s books on Amazon KDP, has been a surprisingly good side hustle that brings in long-term passive income for me."

Best for

Anyone with a skill or experience to write about. Ebooks aren't just for creative writers— you can share trading tips, career advice, sales hooks.

Effort needed

High to start, but once it's made you can make passive income.

How to start

• Map out your content and write your ebook, either by yourself or with the help of AI writing tools.
• Design a professional, eye-catching cover that stands out in crowded marketplaces—it's often the first thing readers notice.
• Then choose a publishing platform that fits your goals, whether it’s Amazon KDP or a creator-friendly option like Whop. Read our guide to making money with ebooks.

29. Create faceless content: $200-$3000 monthly

Faceless content is blowing up right now — and it’s super beginner-friendly.
Thanks to platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, more and more people are making money online without ever showing their face. And with all the AI tools available, it’s easier than ever to create this kind of content.

One big reason for this is that not everyone is comfortable sitting in front of a camera and talk to their audience. Faceless content solves this problem.

You can earn money with faceless content in a few ways. You can join programs like TikTok's Creator Rewards Program, monetize your channel through YouTube, and do affiliate marketing once your account is big enough.

Best for

People who love short form video content but don't want to show their face.

Effort needed

Medium effort— not as much as if you were in front of the camera, but you still need to know how to film at the right angles and make content that trends.

How to start

• Choose a niche you can consistently create for.
• Use the right tools to streamline production (this might be a camera if you're filming your hands or video cutting software if you're making clips).
• Focus on making unique, engaging faceless content—but remember to keep some human touch, since platforms still reward authenticity.

30. Selling digital templates: $1000-$10,000+ monthly

Digital templates are pre-made tools that help people complete tasks faster and more easily. They can be Canva or Photoshop templates for social media graphics, Excel or Google Sheets templates for budgeting or project management, or even Notion templates for productivity and organization.

One of the biggest advantages of selling digital templates is that they’re low-cost to produce. You usually don’t need any upfront investment beyond the time it takes to design them. Plus, once you’ve made a template, it can be sold again and again with no extra work.

Best for

Literally anyone— selling digital products is an extremely easy way to make money online.

Effort needed

You can sell digital products with almost no effort if you resell PLR products, or make your own quickly and easily with tools like Canva.

How to start

• Identify a niche you know well and a platform you're comfortable with.
• Design templates that solve real problems in a clean, user-friendly way.
• Upload your templates to Whop.
• Promote your templates on Whop and on your own social channels.

31. Photo presets: $5-$50 per set

Rather than a general template, we’re talking about a specific set of custom filters and presets here that photographers and Instagram influencers (among others) would happily pay for.

Creating a photo preset takes a finite amount of work - but once it’s listed for sale, you can just sit back and watch the cash coming in.

Best for

Photographers and designers who know what it takes to make a beautiful preset.

Effort needed

Low – create once, sell over and over again.

How to start

• Use apps like Lightroom or VSCO to develop your own photo presets.
• Tailor the presets to the needs of specific audiences like influencers or photographers.
• Upload your presets to Whop.

Make money online with freelancing and online services

Tameem Rahman — aka The SaaStronaut — has this advice for anyone starting an online business:

I think one of the best ways to make money online is through a service-based business. I truly believe this because I myself tried dropshipping, I tried FBA, but as someone who was short on cash at the time, I realized that these were very cash-dependent businesses.

But where a lot of people don't have funds, they do have a lot of time.

Watch this video to hear the rest of what he has to say:

Keep reading to find the best freelance and serviced-based business ideas.

32. Freelancing: rates vary by skill

Freelancing lets you offer your skills on a project-by-project basis, on your own schedule, from anywhere. Whether you’re a writer, designer, developer, or video editor, there’s a freelance market for nearly every talent, making freelancing a popular small business idea.

Freelance copywriter Rachael Pilcher, who’s worked with Amazon and Stripe, puts it best:

“Success comes from treating your work like a real business… mastering your skill, setting boundaries, charging enough, and being just as committed to marketing and client relationships as you are to the work itself.

The writers who thrive long-term aren’t necessarily the ones with the most talent — they’re the ones who are disciplined, strategic, and relentless about improving their business skills and systems.”

Finally, be sure to stay on top of legal and tax requirements where you live.

Best for

People who are organized, confident, have a skill that they can sell, and know how to market themselves.

Effort needed

It can take a lot of effort to land your first freelancing gig, and even then you have to consistently apply for work to keep the money coming in,

How to start

• Build a simple portfolio showcasing your best work—even a single-page site will do to start.
• Look for freelance gigs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or pitch directly through job boards and social media.

33. Online coaching: $50-$300 per session

If you have deep knowledge or formal qualifications in a particular field, online coaching is a great way to turn your expertise into income. It’s often freelance-based, but focused on helping people grow personally or professionally — whether that’s in fitness, business, mindset, or another coaching niche.

Whop makes it easy to coach online by giving you everything you need in one place: a private space for clients, chat and video call features, and built-in payment processing.

All you really need to get started is a reliable internet connection, decent audio and video gear, and a clear idea of who you can help.

Best for

Anyone with either qualifications, experience, or deep knowledge of a field or subject, from astrology to astrophysics.

Effort needed

Coaching is a huge industry so you need to put a lot of effort into not just the work you're doing during sessions but also your personal branding and business.

How to start

• Get certified or highlight your experience to build credibility.
• Create a polished online presence with a website and professional social profiles.
• Create your coaching whop to meet clients and take payments.
• Focus on marketing your services clearly, delivering real value, and building trust to attract and retain coaching clients.

34. Online consulting: $75-$500 per hour

If you have deep experience in a specific industry, online consulting is a highly profitable way to work with clients remotely. Unlike coaching, which often targets individuals, consulting usually involves providing strategic guidance or specialized services to businesses.

Consultants have a lot of experience in a specific business area — and they know there’s more money to be made when you’re the one writing the invoices.

Tools like Whop let you run your consultancy online, with chat, video, and payment processing built into your own private space. It’s everything you need to deliver value from anywhere.

Best for

Anyone who has a lot of experience in a specific industry. Coaching can be for individual people, but consulting is used more within businesses.

Effort needed

Medium to high. If you have the experience, then consulting can be a pretty sweet gig once you have a client base.

How to start

• Showcase your expertise and credentials clearly on your website, pitches, and profiles—clients need to see that you’re qualified and reliable.
• Then focus on strong communication and consistently high-quality work to win and keep high-value clients.

35. Virtual assistant: $15-$50 per hour

Many busy professionals — executives, entrepreneurs, scientists — need help managing their daily tasks, but hiring a full-time, in-person personal assistant can be costly and inconvenient. That’s where virtual assistants (VAs) come in.

As a VA, you can work remotely from anywhere — even a different country. Unlike a traditional PA, there’s no need to be on-site. You just need a good internet connection and you can work from home.

You might manage schedules, handle emails, track appointments, or even assist with business tasks like bookkeeping or research. Some VAs focus more on marketing support, creating social media posts, managing newsletters, or maintaining content calendars.

If you're organized, reliable, and comfortable managing digital tasks, becoming a virtual assistant can be a highly flexible and profitable way to work online. You can even set up your own virtual assistant business on Whop.

Best for

Organized people with a good internet connection and basic digital skills.

Effort needed

Up to you, you can work as much or as little as you want.

How to start

• Clearly define the services you offer and highlight any additional skills that set you apart.
• Focus on strong communication and proactive outreach to start attracting your first clients.

36. Voice acting: $100-$1000 per project

Voice acting has been around for decades, but it's never been more in the spotlight. Recent hits like Baldur’s Gate 3 have shown just how central voice actors can be to a project’s success — earning some performers the kind of fame usually reserved for movie stars.

The industry is booming. While video games are a major player, voice actors are in demand across advertising, YouTube content, audiobooks, TV, radio, and more. The dubbing industry also offers opportunities, especially in countries like Germany where specific actors consistently dub the same international stars.

Best for

People with a clear speaking voice, great diction, and who know how to be theatrical.

Effort needed

To succeed as a voice actor you need to spend a good amount of time landing gigs, and dedicate time to perfecting your art through practice.

How to start

• All you need to begin is a quiet space and a decent mic—your phone can even work with the right setup.
• Create your portfolio or landing page and start reaching out to clients through sites like Voices.com.
• To take things further, consider basic voice acting classes to sharpen your delivery and stand out in a competitive market.

37. Resume writing: $75-$800 per resume

Resume writing is a small niche within the writing world, but one that can be surprisingly profitable if you do it well and market yourself right. Most people aren’t great at crafting resumes or selling themselves to employers, which makes your skillset highly valuable.

The job market evolves constantly, and so do resume trends. While the average person updates their resume once every few years, you’ll be staying current by writing resumes and cover letters regularly. That edge is a huge selling point.

If you already have writing experience, the skills transfer well. Resume writing is all about crafting a clear, compelling narrative — plus, understanding how to use the right keywords for HR screening tools is a lot like SEO.

Best for

Writers who know what it takes to get past AI screeners and impress recruiters.

Effort needed

As a resume writer you need to put a good amount of effort into not only knowing your client but understanding what the recruiter wants and how to tailor a resume to that.

How to start

• Create your personal brand — set yourself up across different freelancing platforms and on LinkedIn.
• Begin by offering resume and cover letter services while learning what recruiters and hiring managers look for.
• As you build experience, expand into interview prep or job search strategy—just make sure to position yourself clearly and focus on acquiring early clients to grow your reputation.

38. Online courses and webinars: $5000-$50,000+ monthly

If you have knowledge to share, selling online courses and webinars is a great way to educate others and make money while doing it. Unlike coaching or consulting, which involves hands-on guidance, this approach lets you reach a broader audience with structured, high-quality content.

Courses are typically pre-recorded and downloadable, while webinars are live presentations — but with Whop, you don’t have to choose. You can create one whop for your course content and another for live sessions, keeping everything organized and monetized in one place.

Courses also offer the benefit of passive income. Once made, you can sell courses and webinars over and over again. And if you build a community around your course — offering extras like group chats, Q&As, or follow-up sessions — you unlock even more revenue potential.

Best for

Anyone with knowledge, experience, or a skill to share.

Effort needed

You can make a course with very low effort if you're reselling a premade course or using AI. Webinars can take more time and effort, especially if you're hosting live.

How to start

• Choose the right platform for your webinar or course.
• Focus on creating high-quality, well-structured content that delivers real value—whether it's a course or a webinar.
• Market it effectively to reach the right audience, even if you're starting small.

39. SaaS: $2000-$100,000+ monthly

SaaS (Software as a Service) lets people use software through the cloud — no downloads, no installations, just open and go. And while it might sound technical, you don’t need to be a developer to get started. In fact, many successful SaaS products began with someone simply spotting a common problem that didn’t have an easy solution yet.

If you work in any tech-heavy field, you’ve probably run into tasks that feel clunky, repetitive, or outdated. That’s your opportunity. Even if you can’t code, you can team up with a developer or hire a freelancer to build a simple MVP (minimum viable product) and bring your idea to life.

Even with limited resources, it’s possible to bootstrap a SaaS idea into something real — especially if you’re solving a problem people are eager to pay to fix.

Best for

Developers, vibe-coders, anyone with technical knowledge.

Effort needed

A high level of effort is needed, but you can take some pressure off yourself by vibe coding (using AI to help code your SaaS).

How to start

• Make sure you have the equipment (computer) and programs you need to make your SaaS.
• Build your SaaS product with clean, reliable code and a strong focus on UX—then ensure it meets data security and privacy standards, especially if serving global users.
• Launch with a subscription model to create recurring revenue and set the foundation for scalable growth.

40. Creating a whop: $7000-$250,000 monthly

Alright, we’ve already mentioned Whop already as a great choice to host an online store, community, coaching, virtual assistant business, consulting business, course, and more.

If you’re looking to make money online you’ve got that invaluable entrepreneur mindset, and Whop was designed for people just like you!

Developing a SaaS product? List it on Whop. Want to design and sell courses and webinars? Provide online coaching or sell trading signals? Educate traders? Sell your SaaS solution?

Whatever the question, Whop is the answer.

Best for

Anyone! Whop helps everyone make money online— it doesn't matter if you're selling meal plans, sports picks, AI prompt packs or relationship advice, you can do it with Whop.

Effort needed

Totally up to you. You can use your whop to just sell digital downloads like ebooks, or you can use it to create a thriving community with hundreds of thousands of members.

How to start

• Create your own whop for free.
• Customize it to fit your niche and upload a high-quality product or service.
• Let Whop handle the rest, from payments to customer support. Focus on delivering value, and your business will grow with you.

41. Teach ESL online: $10-$35 per hour

English is the most global of languages, and while schools in most countries are doing a good job teaching it today, the previous generation(s) haven’t had it quite as good.

As a result, there’s still a huge demand for English as a second language among tertiary students and professionals looking to advance their residential and career opportunities.

Once you have a good feel of what students need from you as an ESL teacher, you might even expand your business and create online English courses!

Best for

People who are patient and organized, who know how to communicate well.

Effort needed

You need to plan lessons, find clients, and provide homework, so a high level of effort is needed.

How to start

• Join an ESL platform to gain experience (like Preply), then consider freelancing for more freedom and higher rates.
• Strong communication skills are essential, so learn the basics of language instruction to deliver engaging lessons and build a global client base.

42. Online fitness: $50-$250 per client monthly

Fitness is one of those industries that translates perfectly to the online world — you don’t need a gym to teach people how to get in shape.

Whether you’re sharing the workout routines and tips that helped you transform your own body, or building a step-by-step program for others to follow, you can package and sell your fitness coaching entirely online.

Best for

Fitness enthusiasts, but especially personal trainers.

Effort needed

Depends on far you want to go. If you create written routines you can make them once and sell passively, but you will make more money if you host virtual classes and coaching, which requires more effort.

How to start

• If you’re passionate about fitness, use your expertise to launch a personalized coaching offer—then bundle it with a course and community in your whop to create multiple income streams.
• Market yourself on Instagram and TikTok to bring in more clients.

43. Teach cooking online: $25-$75 per person per class

Much like fitness training, teaching how to cook is another business that works perfectly online. From everyday meals to niche cuisines, there’s an endless variety of styles and recipes you can master — and each one gives you fresh, valuable content to share with your audience.

Again, an online cooking business’ success depends very much on how you decide to run and monetize it.

For instance, consider a cooking ebook selling your expertise for an easy win, or a premium newsletter giving subscribers a new recipe every week. Or, you can create an online meal plan service.

Best for

Home cooks, chefs, bakers — anyone who knows how to make food taste great.

Effort needed

This is another side hustle that you can put a little to a lot of effort into. A cooking course can be made once and resold, but virtual lessons mean dedicating time each week or day to hosting your stream, communicating with members, and cooking live.

How to start

• Choose your cooking niche—whether it’s plant-based, meal prep, or cultural cuisine.
• Build a whop where you can host live cooking sessions, sell ebooks, and offer meal plans.
• Use social media to showcase your style and drive traffic to your paid offerings.

44. Launch an online travel agency: $2000-$7,500 monthly

Running an online travel agency isn’t something that might come too quickly to mind but it’s a very profitable business once you get the hang of it.

A lot of costs can be saved when traveling if you know how to do it and start building the right connections, which in turn can create a significant bottom line as your business starts turning over.

Best for

Travel lovers who are organized and creative.

Effort needed

A very high level of effort is needed to understand your client's needs, communicate with them, and build an itinerary based on their budget. You need to do something they can't do themselves.

How to start

• Learn the ins and outs of the travel industry and start building connections with suppliers and partners.
• Focus on crafting a smart marketing strategy to attract the right customers and turn opportunities into bookings and revenue.

45. Selling no-code websites: Simple websites sell for $500-$3000

Creating websites used to be a job reserved for skilled developers — but thanks to recent advances in AI, that’s no longer the case. Today, anyone with strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills can build websites simply by using prompts.

While having some understanding of web development languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript can help, everyone can create websites using AIs like Bolt and Lovable AI.

What you need to create good no-code websites and actually find clients to sell them is good prompt engineering skills.

The amount of money you can make with this method largely depends on your business model and the value you provide. On freelancing platforms like Upwork, no-code developer rates range from $15 to $75.

Best for

Developers, creatives, and tech lovers.

Effort needed

With no-code websites you need to put in some effort, but it's easier than you think.

How to start

• Learn prompt engineering basics so you can build useful no-code websites fast.
• Sell them directly through your own whop to start turning skills into sales.

46. Translation services: $15-$75 per hour

Language barriers are still a major challenge for businesses, creators, and global brands. If you’re fluent in at least two languages, translation and localization can be a highly profitable side hustle — or even a full-time career if you choose to scale it.

Fluency alone is enough to get started, but having specialized knowledge in a niche — like legal, medical, or tech — can give you a real edge when landing clients.

Best for

Anyone who speaks more than one language.

Effort needed

Medium to high. A casual online chat doesn't take much effort, but translating complex fields like medical or legal is much more work.

How to start

• If you’re fluent in more than one language, offer translation services through Whop to keep more of your earnings.
• Build a clear, professional offer and showcase your language expertise to attract clients looking for accurate, high-quality work.

47. Digital business reports: $500-$5000 per report

Businesses and creators are relying on professional reports to guide their decisions more and more each day. These reports include sustainability reports, market research, and more.

While creating these kinds of reports requires a strong understanding of the field, it's a great way to make money online.

Your clients can range from individual creators to large-scale businesses looking to get your professional opinion on the report they're looking for. One of the best ways to succeed is to focus on niche specializations like sustainability reports or consumer behavior.

The most efficient way to do this is to create a whop for yourself and use the Content or Files app to provide the reports.

Best for

Business grads or people who have successfully run their own businesses.

Effort needed

High level of effort needed to not only know how to write a business report but learn all the ins-and-outs of your client's business.

How to start

• Develop expertise in a specific field, then create clear, actionable digital reports that provide real value.
• You can offer custom reports to clients or build a platform—like a Whop—to sell generalized versions to a subscriber base.

48. AI Content Tagging: $12-25 per hour

Content tagging is an important aspect of how content is delivered to people by algorithms — in terms of SEO, ecommerce, and more. This is useful for creators or businesses that are looking to improve their content websites, blogs, ecommerce stores, etc.

Before the age of AI, content tagging was mostly done by automated algorithms or humans. Now, you can leverage AI to offer super fast and super accurate content tagging to businesses. You can do this by using tools like ChatGPT's image recognition models.

Best for

People with an eye for detail who understand LLMs.

Effort needed

Low to medium, depending on the complexity of the task.

How to start

• Check out platforms like DataAnnotation to find paid AI content tagging jobs.
• Use AI tools to speed up content tagging, then offer added services like alt text and metadata creation.
• Make sure there’s still a human review step—accuracy and quality control are what set your service apart.

49. Sell AI prompts: $5-$50 per prompt pack

AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Gemini are becoming more popular every day — but for many people, they’re still confusing and hard to use.

Since this technology is still new, there aren’t many clear guides on how to use it well. That’s where you can come in. If you take the time to learn how to get the best results from AI tools, you can unlock a lot of opportunities.

This skill is called prompt engineering — writing clear, specific prompts that get high-quality results from AI. And yes, people are willing to pay for great prompts that save them time and deliver better outcomes.

Not everyone has the time or patience to learn how AI works, so if you do, you can sell your prompts or even offer services to help others get the most out of these tools.

Best for

Regular AI users who can go deeper than surface-level prompting (or anyone willing to learn).

Effort needed

Some effort needed to test out and refine prompts. Then it's all about packaging the prompts up and marketing.

How to start

• Get familiar with AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude if you aren't already.
• Research which types of prompts are in demand—whether for writing, design, coding, or productivity.
• Build expertise in those niches so you can create and sell high-value prompt packs people actually want.
• Create prompt packs as digital files and sell them on Whop.

50. Tweet/X management: $300-$2000 per client

Posting regular, relevant tweets is crucial for brands, but it requires time and effort.

This is why most creators and businesses hire people to handle their Twitter (X) accounts.

The great thing about tweet and Twitter management is that the manager, which would be you in this case, doesn’t need super niche skills that take time to learn. All you need is to be good with people.

Best for

Regular Twitter/X users who understand the platform and it's audience.

Effort needed

A few hours a day per business is all that's needed.

How to start

• Begin by studying high-performing tweet formats and building your own swipe file of styles that consistently get engagement—memes, hot takes, questions, quotes, and punchy commentary.
• Build your personal brand on socials and reach out to potential clients.
• Aim to post at least 5–10 original tweets per day, and make sure you’re also replying, quoting, and interacting with other accounts to stay visible and relevant.
• To succeed long-term, you’ll need a solid grasp of trending topics, internet humor, and the unique tone that makes Twitter content stick.

Make money online with trading and investing

We asked Gold Pips, creator of Gold Pips Forex Trading Signals Group, for their trading advice. This is what they had to say:

Trading's true value lies in helping you grow as a person, because 80% of it is all in your head. It tests your loyalty: will you stick to your plan, or will you jump from one strategy to another?

The big money in trading comes later, as a result of becoming great at what you do. It's like anything in life—if you just chase the money, you're less likely to catch it.

Check out our top trading and investing side hustles below.

51. Passive income from investing: Dividend stocks typically yield 2-6% annually

If you’ve ever looked at a long-term stock market chart and wondered why it trends upward, the answer lies in inflation. As consumer prices rise, so do asset prices — making investing a powerful way to preserve and grow wealth over time.

And thanks to modern trading apps and online brokers, it’s never been easier to start investing from home.

One of the simplest strategies for generating passive income is dividend investing. Many companies share their profits by paying out dividends to shareholders on a regular basis.

With the right strategy, investing online can become a reliable source of long-term income.

Best for

Money makes money. Investing is best for people with large sums of cash to spare.

Effort needed

Very low — invest and watch your assets grow.

How to start

• First go through your finances and make sure you that you afford to potentially lose any money you invest.
• Choose an investment platform you trust, then decide which income-generating assets fit your goals—like dividend-paying stocks for long-term growth, bonds for fixed returns, or proof-of-stake crypto for staking rewards.

52. Trading: $500-$10,000+ monthly

While investing is more passive and long-term, trading takes a much more active approach — and with the right strategy, it can be a serious way to make money online.

The key difference is that traders are constantly making decisions, watching markets, and reacting to price movements in real time.

Successful traders usually have a well-defined structure. One of the first things to figure out is your time frame.

If you're available during market hours and willing to dedicate the day to trading, you might take up day trading, actively buying and selling throughout the session.

Best for

People who have cash to spare and understand the risks of trading.

Effort needed

Low to very high depending on trading style.

How to start

• Decide whether fast-paced strategies like scalping or slower methods like swing trading fit your style.
• Study the basics of technical analysis, risk management, and trade planning.
• Trading takes focus and structure, so join a quality trading Discord community or take a course on Whop to sharpen your skills and start building a strategic income stream.

53. Online real estate investing: REIT investments typically yield 3-8% annually

Renting out property is a classic way to earn income, and it's now easier than ever. Thanks to modern platforms you no longer need to buy, renovate, or manage a building to invest in real estate.

Today, it’s easy to start investing in real estate online, either through REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) or fractional ownership platforms that let you buy into properties without taking on the full cost or responsibility.

These tools allow you to invest with much smaller amounts of money, lowering the risk that usually comes with buying property outright.

Best for

Anyone with money to invest in a long term asset.

Effort needed

Very low, you can earn money passively with real estate if you like.

How to start

• Choose between a passive approach—like earning rental income through fractional real estate platforms—or a more active one, such as flipping real estate-backed assets.
• Use trusted online platforms that lower the barrier to entry, so you can start investing in property without needing huge capital or direct property management experience.

54. Real estate flipping: $10,000-$100,000+ profit per property

This is one of the more ambitious ways to make money online, but if you have the capital and a good eye for spotting undervalued properties, it's entirely doable.

Traditionally, flipping homes involves buying a fixer-upper, renovating it yourself, and selling for a profit. But that’s a lot of time, effort, and hands-on labor — especially if you don’t have the skills or schedule to manage a full renovation.

Fortunately, with today’s tech, you can take a modern, remote-first approach. Start by scanning online listings for undervalued properties in areas with growth potential. Having a solid understanding of demographics and urban development trends can help you spot neighborhoods that are on the rise, where values may climb without much effort.

Best for

People who have a large amount of cash to invest to buy fixer-uppers.

Effort needed

Can be low if you just sit on it and flip, or high if you hire a team to do renovations.

How to start

• Research local and online real estate markets to spot undervalued properties with strong appreciation potential—some flips don’t even require heavy renovations to be profitable.
• Be cautious: this is a high-risk strategy that may involve significant debt upfront. Make sure you understand the financials, legal requirements, and market conditions before jumping in. Strategic planning and due diligence are essential to succeed in online property flipping.

55. Trading card reselling: $200-$2000 monthly

Trading cards are one of the best types of collectible to resell. It’s a lot easier to figure out just how exclusive of a card you have compared to some other products that became collectibles due to popularity or niche appeal.

Generally, you’re going to be buying trading cards either from collectors or from social media box openings, although boxes of new collections can be found here and there. There’s a significant element of luck with the latter given that there’s no guarantee of scoring a really valuable card.

The trick here is going to be finding a way to pick up cards on the cheap and then sell them at a higher rate — and the internet’s what’s going to help.

Best for

Collectors and pop-culture or sports lovers.

Effort needed

High as it may take time to source valuable cards.

How to start

• Scout local shops, events, and marketplaces for valuable trading cards that are hard to find internationally.
• Resell them to collectors abroad through platforms like eBay or your own whop.

56. NFTs and digital collectibles: $100-$10,000+ per drop

NFTs may no longer be the internet’s favorite buzzword, and you're more likely to see them mocked than praised these days — but that doesn't mean they’re useless. In fact, NFTs are much more than digital art or monkey JPEGs.

At their core, NFTs are a technology for proving ownership and uniqueness in a digital format. This has serious value. Behind the scenes, industries like logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain management are using NFT-like systems to track and verify assets.

Best for

Degens, art collectors, tech lovers.

Effort needed

Very low (for passive income via royalties) to very high (for NFT flipping).

How to start

• If you’re a creator, explore selling your art, music, or digital content as NFTs—these tokens let you reach your audience directly while protecting your work from piracy. Set up royalties in your smart contracts to earn passive income on future resales.
• Prefer to trade? Buying and flipping NFTs can be profitable too, but it’s riskier—so do your homework, track trends, and stay sharp with timing.

Ecommerce and selling products online

57. Start an online store: $1000-$100,000+ monthly

Ecommerce is one of the biggest drivers of income online — and thanks to platforms like Whop, it’s easier than ever to start your own online store and begin selling in just a few minutes. You don’t need technical experience or a big budget to get started, especially if you’re selling digital products like templates, courses, or exclusive content.

An online store gives you access to a global market, whether you're selling digital or physical goods.

Once you’ve nailed your ecommerce business idea, the real opportunity comes in scaling. Whether it starts as a small side hustle or something more ambitious, running your own store can grow into a primary income stream with the right approach and effort.

Best for

Designers, writers, fashion lovers, niche experts — anyone who wants an ecom business.

Effort needed

Very high — you need to create your source your product, make your store, and stand out from the crowd.

How to start

• Decide what kind of product you want to sell—digital or physical—and make sure it’s legally compliant in your region.
• Starting out as a sole proprietor is common, but look into forming an LLC as you grow for extra protection.
• If you’re selling physical goods, be ready to manage inventory, shipping, and support.
• Prefer a simpler route? Sell digital products through Whop, where fulfillment, access, and customer service are all handled for you, letting you focus on scaling your business.

58. Affiliate marketing: $500-$50,000+ monthly

Affiliate marketing is a great strategy if you want minimal involvement in a business but are confident of your ability to market it.

It’s a performance-based model that’s all about the promotion of products or services, and as an affiliate marketer, you can earn a commission for each sale, lead, or even action that your efforts result in.

Many companies of different sizes have affiliate programs, and all you need to do in order to get started is sign up. Once you’re accepted, all you need to do is pick out what products or catalog of services you think you can market, and grab your tracking links!

Best for

Affiliate marketing works best if you already have an audience, but you can still make money from friends and family.

Effort needed

Medium to get started, but very low after — all you need is to get people clicking your links and buying.

How to start

• Create your refine your online profiles.
• Join affiliate programs and start sharing your links on socials and through newsletters and blogs.
• If you want to get started with affiliate marketing, look no further than Whop. Whop affiliates can pick up some serious cash by referring whops, so check out our guide to affiliate marketing on Whop to see exactly how to proceed.

59. PLR digital products: $200-$2000 monthly

PLR stands for private label rights, and it's a concept you’ve likely seen before — like when generic products are rebranded and sold under a store’s label. The same idea works incredibly well with digital products, and it's become a smart way to make money online.

Digital products like ebooks, templates, courses, graphics, or software are easy to duplicate, store, and edit. With PLR, you can buy the rights to use and sell a digital product, then either sell it as-is or customize it to better suit your brand or audience.

You can also flip the model and create PLR products yourself. If you’re skilled in design, content creation, or development, you can package your digital work and sell licenses to others who want to rebrand and resell it.

Whether you’re reselling existing PLR products or creating your own, this model is a low-effort, high-scale way to earn online.

Best for

Anyone can resell PLR digital products.

Effort needed

Low to buy and resell, but high if you’re creating the PLR digital products.

How to start

• Pick a niche and explore PLR (Private Label Rights) products—either by buying digital assets to customize and resell, or by creating your own templates, guides, or tools to license out.
• If you’re skilled in writing, design, or coding, packaging your work as PLR can let others rebrand it while you earn from every license sold.
• Choose a platform (like Whop) to sell your digital products.

60. Start a print-on-demand business: $100-$5000+ monthly

Print-on-demand lets you sell custom products, like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or phone cases, without holding any inventory. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to run a physical product business without the hassle of warehousing or upfront stock costs.

Once you’ve created or sourced your designs, you can upload them to platforms like Printful or Printify, then connect those platforms to your online store. When a customer places an order, the POD service handles everything — printing, packing, and shipping — so you don’t have to lift a finger.

Best for

Graphic designers and artists who can create eye-catching designs, or creators and influencers who can sell their brand to their audience.

Effort needed

Some effort needed to create the designs, then once your storefront is up and running the POD platform takes care of the rest for you.

How to start

• Choose a niche and create unique, eye-catching designs that speak to a specific audience—this is what sets successful print-on-demand (POD) stores apart.
• Use free tools like Canva to design your products, or hire freelance designers if you need help. Once you’ve built a small catalog, launch your store on a POD platform and start marketing your designs to stand out in a crowded market.

How to create multiple streams of income

Once you’ve started making money, the next move is diversifying your income. That means not relying on just one source of income.

As Volky from Digital Nomad Community says:

Anyone who is making money, the next logical step is to teach people how to do what you do and create an additional source of income for yourself.

The goal is simple: monetize your expertise and content in as many ways as possible.

Let's imagine that you make money as a travel blogger. Sure, you could just try to get sponsorships for your travel blog, or you could create multiple income streams.

First, grow your audience

Growing your audience with:

• Travel blog posts
• YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram videos
• A travel-focused podcast

Then, monetize it

Then monetizing that audience with a whop by:

• Running an affiliate marketing program
• Offering a premium paid travel newsletter
• Selling downloadable itineraries, packing lists, and journals
• Charging for premium versions of free content (supercuts, behind-the-scenes)
• Creating a course on becoming a travel blogger
• Selling an ebook about your travel journey
• Launching a paid travel community
• Creating a travel blog
• Uploading videos to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram
• Creating a travel podcast

While this may look overwhelming it is made incredibly simple with Whop.

The key point here is that you don't have to choose one income stream. Ebooks may bring you some money, and affiliate marketing may bring you a little more, but multiple streams will seriously upgrade your earning potential.

Make money online with Whop

Making money online can feel overwhelming, but this list of 60 ideas should spark your next big move.

No matter your time, budget, or skill level, there’s something here that can work for you — and the best part is, you don’t have to stop at just one idea.

With Whop, you can launch multiple income streams from one place. Start building your online business (or businesses) today and turn those ideas into real earnings.

Making money online FAQs

Can you really make money online with no upfront cost?

Yes, many online income methods require little to no investment. Options like paid surveys, user-generated content (UGC), clipping content, and affiliate marketing are free to start and can generate income using just your phone or computer.

What is the fastest way to make money online in 2025?

The fastest ways include sign-up bonuses, cashback apps, microtask platforms, and UGC gigs that don’t require a following. Some methods can pay out within hours or days, depending on the platform.

How can beginners start making money online?

Beginners should start with low-barrier options like surveys, clipping content, video watching apps, or selling simple digital products. These require no special skills and let you build experience while earning.

What is the most profitable way to make money online long-term?

Selling digital products, building a paid community, or creating online courses are some of the most profitable long-term methods. They scale well, require minimal ongoing costs, and can generate passive income.

Are online side hustles legit?

Yes, but always research platforms before signing up. Stick to well-known options like Whop, Upwork, Amazon, or Survey Junkie. Avoid any “opportunity” that asks for upfront fees without clear value.

Do I need a large social media following to make money online?

Not at all. Many platforms — especially those offering UGC, clipping, or freelance work — pay based on the quality of your output, not your follower count. You can earn without ever going viral.