Boost Your Income from the Comfort of Your Couch: 14 Lesser-Known Ways to Earn Online
Looking for ways to boost your income without leaving your couch? You’re not alone. Students juggling classes, small business owners seeking extra revenue streams, and anyone wanting to pad their bank account can find real opportunities online—if they know where to look.
The challenge isn’t finding money-making websites (there are thousands). It’s discovering the ones that actually pay well and fit your schedule. While everyone talks about the obvious platforms, some of the best earning opportunities fly under the radar.
We’ve uncovered 14 lesser-known websites and apps that can help you generate real income in your spare time. From quick surveys that pay within minutes to creative gigs that turn your skills into cash, these platforms offer genuine ways to learn—often with nothing more than your smartphone.
Our 14 Top Picks for Earning Extra Income Online
Swagbucks: Earn Rewards for Online Activities
InboxDollars: Get Paid for Surveys and Tasks
Google Opinion Rewards: Share Your Opinion for Cash
UserTesting: Provide Feedback on Websites and Apps
Second to None: Become a Mystery Shopper
Shutterstock: Sell Photos and Videos
Printful: Design and Sell Custom Products
Rover: Earn Money as a Pet Caregiver
TaskRabbit: Get Paid for Completing Local Tasks
Upwork: Find Freelance Opportunities
Teachable: Create and Sell Online Courses
Wrapify: Get Paid to Advertise on Your Car
Studypool: Earn Money Helping Students with Homework
Prolific: Get Paid to Participate in Academic Research
Ready to explore these secret side hustles? Here’s what each platform offers and how to get started:
1. Swagbucks: Earn Rewards for Online Activities
Swagbucks has paid more than $500 million to members who complete simple tasks. You can earn money online by:
Watching videos
Taking surveys
Playing video games
Each task pays anywhere from a few cents to several dollars, depending on complexity and time required. Use the app for 10 to 25 minutes daily, and you could earn $100 to $200 per month, according to Swagbucks. You can redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers or convert them to cash through PayPal.
2. InboxDollars: Get Paid for Surveys and Tasks
InboxDollars works similarly to Swagbucks, paying you for surveys, games, videos, app testing, and online shopping. Tasks typically pay between 25¢ and several dollars, with most surveys paying up to $5. You can cash out via check, gift card, or PayPal once you reach $15 for your first payment.
3. Google Opinion Rewards: Share Your Opinion for Cash
The Google Opinion Rewards survey app pays you for quick tasks like sharing purchase history and answering opinion polls. These micro-surveys take under a minute and pay 10¢ to $1 each. You can cash out through Google Play credit or PayPal once you hit the $2 minimum.
4. UserTesting: Provide Feedback on Websites and Apps
UserTesting pays you to share your thoughts on websites, apps, and prototypes through recorded video or audio feedback. Tests typically take 10 to 20 minutes, and earnings vary by project complexity. Payments arrive via PayPal two weeks after completing tests.
5. Second to None: Become a Mystery Shopper
Second to None connects you with mystery shopping assignments where you evaluate customer experiences at various businesses. Create a free account to access assignments that pay between $5 and $100, depending on complexity.
6. Shutterstock: Sell Your Photos and Videos
If you enjoy photography, Shutterstock offers a way to earn passive income from your images. You earn 15% to 40% of the licensing fee each time someone downloads your photos. Payments are made monthly once you reach a $25 minimum balance.
7. Printful: Design and Sell Custom Products
Got design skills? Printful lets you create and sell custom products like t-shirts and hoodies without upfront costs. You design the product, and Printful handles printing and shipping. You keep the profit after Printful’s base costs.
8. Rover: Earn Money as a Pet Caregiver
Rover connects you with pet owners needing dog walking, pet sitting, or boarding services. Rates range from $15 to $40 per hour, and payments appear in your account two days after completing services.
9. TaskRabbit: Get Paid for Completing Local Tasks
TaskRabbit connects you with people who need help with various tasks. As a “Tasker,” you set your own rates and choose which jobs to accept. Payments process within five days after submitting your invoice.
10. Upwork: Find Freelance Opportunities
Upwork connects freelancers with clients needing specific skills. Most gigs pay $15 to $40 an hour, with technical roles reaching $100 or more. Payment timing depends on your contract type.
11. Teachable: Create and Sell Online Courses
Turn your expertise into income by creating online courses on Teachable. You set the price and keep control of your content. The downside? Upfront costs and time investment.
12. Wrapify: Get Paid to Advertise on Your Car
If you drive regularly, Wrapify pays you to display ads on your vehicle. You can earn $200 to $450 monthly, with payments every two weeks via direct deposit.
13. Studypool: Earn Money Helping Students with Homework
Studypool connects tutors with students needing help across various subjects. Tutors can earn up to $7,500 monthly, with top earners making over $60,000 annually.
14. Prolific: Get Paid to Participate in Academic Research
Prolific pays you to participate in university research studies. The platform offers higher pay rates, with an $8 minimum hourly rate. You can withdraw earnings once you reach $6.
How to Choose the Right Money-Making Website
Not all earning opportunities fit every person or schedule. Here’s how to find the platforms that work best for you:
Consider Your Skills and Interests
Building sustainable income takes time and consistency. You’re more likely to stick with platforms you enjoy using. Look for opportunities that match your interests and existing experience.
Evaluate Time Commitment vs. Earning Potential
Most platforms promise “easy money in your spare time,” but earning significant income often requires substantial time investment. Be realistic about your availability.
Understand Payment Methods and Thresholds
Fast earning doesn’t always mean fast payment. Some platforms have significant delays, so check minimum withdrawal amounts and factor in platform fees.
Assess Website Legitimacy
Online earning scams are everywhere. Ensure the website is legitimate by checking reviews on independent forums and looking for clear explanations of how you’ll earn money.
Build Your Own Income Stream with Shopify
The most sustainable way to earn money online? Create your own business. With an online store, you control your products, pricing, and customer base completely. Shopify makes launching an e-commerce business straightforward, with built-in payment processing and inventory management.
Secret Websites to Make Money FAQ
How can I make $1,000 fast online?
Focus on higher-paying platforms like Upwork for freelancing or create digital products through Teachable.
Are there actually legitimate websites where you can earn income?
Yes, platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and UserTesting offer genuine earning opportunities.
Can I earn money by creating a website?
Yes, creating a website can be a lucrative way to earn money through various methods like affiliate marketing or selling products.
Which website is best for earning money?
The best platform depends on your skills, time availability, and income goals.
Which site or app pays you instantly?
Swagbucks and InboxDollars offer relatively quick payouts, though both have minimum threshold requirements.
With these 14 platforms at your fingertips, you can start earning extra income from the comfort of your home. Whether you prefer quick tasks or long-term projects, there’s something here for everyone. Happy earning!
