Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
25 Legit Ways To Make Some Extra Money Online
Michele Lucato
15th Sep 2025
If your bank balance feels a bit tight, you are not alone. Plenty of people are turning to side hustles and small online gigs to top up their income. The good news is that there are dozens of genuine ways to earn extra money online, many of which you can do in your spare time.
Some of these ideas bring in just a little pocket money while others could grow into something more serious. The trick is to find the ones that fit your lifestyle. Here are 25 tried-and-tested options to get you started.
- Look for online earning platforms
- Do online surveys
- Test websites and apps
- Watch videos
- Take part in focus groups
- Sell clothes online
- Flip bargains
- Freelance your skills
- Sell digital products
- Self-publish an eBook
- Try tutoring
- Earn with your photos
- Start a YouTube channel
- Build a TikTok or Instagram
- Stream on Twitch
- Do transcription work
- Try microtasks
- Become a virtual assistant
- Offer social media management
- Use cashback websites
- Add a coupon extension
- Bank bonuses
- Sell on Amazon FBA
- Try affiliate marketing
- Create an online course
1. Look for online earning platforms
Lots of platforms and apps exist to help you earn some extra money online. They normally do this by working with partners and presenting all the options to you in one place.
If you want an easy place to start, Prograd is worth a look. It is a free platform that connects people with money-making opportunities online, from surveys to playing online games (such as Monopoly Go) for cash and quick side hustles. This means you can earn money by playing online games for free. The clever part is that it learns your preferences and matches you with options that suit your lifestyle, so you are not wasting time on things that do not pay off.
Over a million people are already using it, with some earning a few hundred pounds each month in their spare time. You don’t need to invest any money to get started, which makes it a simple first step into the world of online earning.
2. Do online surveys
It might not be the most exciting way to make money, but survey sites are popular because they are easy. Platforms like YouGov, Swagbucks and Branded Surveys pay for your opinions. You usually earn points which can be converted into cash or vouchers.
The pay is modest, but if you are consistent you could make £20 – £50 a month. It is something you can do while watching TV, which makes it a nice low-effort option.
3. Test websites and apps
Ever been frustrated with a website that doesn’t work properly? Companies pay people to point those issues out. Sites such as UserTesting or TryMyUI let you record your screen while giving feedback. A quick 15-minute test can pay around £10.
Some platforms even run live interviews which pay much more. All you need is a decent internet connection and a microphone.
4. Watch videos
If you are already spending evenings scrolling through funny clips, why not get paid for it?
Inbox Pounds and Freecash both offer cash for watching short videos and adverts. It may not replace your main income, but it can cover small extras like your weekly coffee habit.
Think of it as an easy background task while you relax.
5. Take part in focus groups
Focus groups pay you to share your opinion on everything from new adverts to product designs. Respondent.io and User Interviews are two of the more reliable online platforms. Payments range from £20 to £100 depending on the length and subject.
It can be surprisingly fun to get a sneak peek at products before they launch.
6. Sell clothes online
Vinted and Depop have made it simple to turn your old clothes into cash. Branded or vintage items tend to sell fastest, but even high-street pieces can shift if you take good photos.
If you enjoy thrifting, you can even buy second-hand items cheaply and flip them for a profit.
7. Flip bargains
Car boot sales, charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are full of hidden treasures. From furniture to retro electronics, plenty of people make a side income buying low and selling high.
It does take some hunting around, but once you get an eye for what sells, it can be very profitable
8. Freelance your skills
If you are good at writing, design, coding or marketing, freelancing is a brilliant way to earn extra money online. Websites like Fiverr and Upwork connect you with clients all over the world.
You can start small and increase your rates as you build up experience. Some freelancers end up turning it into a full-time job.
9. Sell digital products
Planners, templates, eBooks and printables are in demand on platforms like Etsy and Gumroad. Once you have created them, you can keep selling with little extra work.
It is not instant money, but if you enjoy design or writing, it can be a nice way to build passive income over time.
10. Self-publish an eBook
Have an idea for a story or a guide? Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing lets you upload your own eBook and earn royalties every time it sells.
The upfront work is writing and editing, but after that, it can keep bringing in money without much effort.
11. Try tutoring
Online tutoring is growing fast. Platforms like Preply and Tutor.com let you teach everything from English to maths, or even music.
If you are confident in a subject, this can be a rewarding way to share your knowledge while making money.
12. Earn with your photos
You do not need to be a professional photographer to sell your pictures. Stock photo websites like Foap or Adobe Stock let you upload snaps that businesses pay to use.
Even everyday shots like coffee cups or office desks can sell if they are well lit and clear.
13. Start a YouTube channel
Plenty of people now make money from YouTube. Once you build an audience, you can earn from ads, sponsorships and affiliate links.
It does take time and effort to grow a channel, but if you enjoy making videos, it can turn into a long-term side income.
14. Build a TikTok or Instagram
Social media is a big moneymaker for those who grow a loyal following. Even accounts with a few thousand followers can land small sponsored deals.
If you enjoy creating content, this could be worth exploring.
15. Stream on Twitch
If gaming or live streaming is your thing, Twitch allows you to earn through subscriptions, ads and viewer donations.
It can take a while to grow, but there are people making a steady income this way.
16. Do transcription work
Sites like Rev and TranscribeMe pay you to type up audio. You will need to be quick and accurate, but it is flexible work you can do at home.
It is a good fit if you have a decent typing speed and attention to detail.
17. Try microtasks
Platforms like Clickworker and Appen pay small amounts for jobs such as tagging images, checking data or transcribing short clips.
Each task only pays pennies, but they add up over time.
18. Become a virtual assistant
Small businesses often need help with admin, emails or scheduling. If you are organised, you can offer your services as a virtual assistant.
It can grow into steady part-time income if you build good relationships with clients.
19. Offer social media management
If you know your way around TikTok, Instagram or LinkedIn, there are businesses that will pay you to run their accounts.
This is especially true for smaller companies who cannot afford a full-time marketing person.
20. Use cashback websites
TopCashback and Quidco are both free to join. Every time you shop online through their links, you earn a percentage back.
It is not huge money, but it is an effortless way to save while spending.
21. Add a coupon extension
Browser extensions like Honey or Capital One Shopping automatically find discount codes for you. It is not direct income, but saving money has the same effect as making more.
22. Bank bonuses
Many UK banks offer cash incentives for switching. These range from £100 to £200, just for moving your account and setting up direct debits.
It is one of the easiest one-off boosts you can get.
23. Sell on Amazon FBA
Fulfilment by Amazon lets you sell products without storing or shipping them yourself. You send items to Amazon, and they handle the rest.
It takes some upfront learning, but it can become a serious side hustle.
24. Try affiliate marketing
If you have a blog, YouTube channel or popular social media account, you can make money recommending products. Each time someone buys through your link, you earn a commission.
Lots of people build steady monthly income this way.
25. Create an online course
If you are an expert in something, create a course on Udemy or Teachable. People will pay to learn new skills, whether it is cooking, coding or even mindfulness.
Once recorded, a course can keep selling without much extra effort.
Making extra money online isn’t as hard as it used to be!
There is no shortage of ways to make money online. Some are quick wins that pay a few pounds here and there, while others could grow into bigger income streams.
The key is to pick a couple, stay consistent and watch the extra money build up.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
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