Making money online doesn't have to mean competing with millions of others on the biggest platforms. While most people flock to the obvious choices, there's a world of lesser-known websites where you can earn serious income without fighting the crowds.
Let’s explore the best secret websites to make money through everything from sharing your skills to testing new products.
10 websites to make money you probably didn’t know
If you're looking for the best ways to make money online, these platforms offer some unique (and lucrative!) opportunities. From watching videos for gift cards on Swagbucks to freelancing your skills, let’s jump into some of the best secret websites to make money without investment:
1. Cambly
If you're a native English speaker looking for a
side gig, you can work from home.
Cambly pays you to chat with students learning English. You don't need teaching experience or certifications to get started — just strong English skills and a reliable internet connection.
The platform lets you get paid $10–12 per hour for having casual conversations. You can make money online on your own schedule and log in whenever you have free time.
The trick to earning a steady income is building relationships with regular students who book you repeatedly. It's also smart to focus on peak hours in high-demand time zones to maximize your potential to earn money and being consistent with your availability helps attract regular students who can provide steady income.
2. Dolly
Moving helper platform
Dolly lets you earn money
on the side using your truck and your muscles. "Helpers" with trucks make about $30–50 per hour, while "Hands" providing just labor earn $15–25 per hour helping with deliveries and moves. The best part? Dolly doesn't take a cut from customer tips — you keep every penny.
This
money-making app lets you choose jobs that fit your schedule and location. You can make extra money on evenings and weekends, potentially earning
hundreds of dollars for just a few jobs. To earn more, try combining multiple jobs in the same area and focus on peak moving times at the start and end of each month.
3. Amazon KDP
While
Amazon KDP isn't exactly a secret platform to make money online, savvy writers and publishers can earn some serious cash by writing e-books in less competitive niches. Many authors are making money and earning passive income by finding specific genres or topics where they can stand out rather than competing in oversaturated categories.
Getting started is straightforward. Write your book (or hire a ghostwriter), design a cover, and publish using KDP's user-friendly platform. You earn up to 70% royalty on every sale. Some writers make hundreds or even thousands a month through book sales, especially ones who publish regularly and understand their target market.
4. Upwork
Upwork lets you
earn cash by bidding on jobs across countless categories. Like other freelancing sites like Fiverr, you can get paid on Upwork by looking for secret categories with less competition. Most freelance gigs pay $15–$40 an hour. If you have specialized skills, the sky's the limit for your earning potential.
You can start bidding on jobs as soon as you create your free account. Success on Upwork depends on having the right skills and experience for specific tasks, making it ideal for professionals looking to earn money on the side in their field.
5. Fiverr
Like Upwork, you can earn money on
Fiverr by offering services in specialized niches rather than trying to compete in the crowded markets everyone and their grandma is competing in.
Getting started on Fiverr is free. Just create your profile and list your services. While prices traditionally started at $5 — see the name of the platform — most sellers now earn significantly more.
Build your reputation by starting with competitive prices and over-delivering on your first projects. Focus on creating a niche where people know you as a specialist.
6. Swagbucks
Swagbucks lets you make money today online or earn gift cards doing simple online tasks. All you have to do is
watch a video, take a survey, or play a game. Businesses pay Swagbucks to get their products in front of customers and gather feedback.
You may not get rich with Swagbucks, but it’s hard to beat earning money for watching videos. You make 25 cents to a few bucks depending on how hard the task is. Then, you can turn your points into gift cards at major retailers or get paid cash through PayPal.
Focus on higher-paying surveys and watch for special promotions that offer bonus points. Complete daily tasks consistently to
maximize how much you get paid.
7. Etsy
Etsy is one of the best websites to make money if you have a flair for creativity. You can earn real income on
Etsy by finding the right niche, just like freelancing on Fiverr or Upwork. Successful sellers make money online by offering unique products in less saturated categories, from digital downloads to handmade items.
Setting up your shop is simple and affordable. You pay just 20 cents to list each item and a commission of 6.25% when you make a sale. Many sellers earn hundreds or even thousands monthly, especially those who identify trending products and optimize their listings.
Research successful shops in your niche and study their pricing, photography, and descriptions to boost your income. Focus on creating products with good profit margins that aren't too time-consuming to produce. Digital products (like planner templates or printable party decor) are a great place to start because you don’t have to deal with anything physical.
8. UserTesting
UserTesting lets you make money online by giving feedback on websites, apps, and prototypes through video or audio recordings. Each test takes about 10–20 minutes. Just share your thoughts on navigating websites or using apps.
UserTesting feedback sessions pay up to $10. To start earning, you need to complete the application process, have a PayPal account, and use a good-quality microphone.
To keep your earnings strong, provide detailed, thoughtful feedback. This helps you maintain high ratings and get more opportunities to get paid.
9. Medium
This writing platform lets you earn money online by publishing articles through the
Medium Partner Program. Unlike starting your own blog from scratch, Medium's built-in audience means you can start earning money faster if your content resonates with readers.
Medium pays you based on factors like reading time and member engagement. Some writers earn hundreds monthly writing about topics they know well, while top writers make thousands. Once again, the key is finding less competitive niches where you can stand out.
A good plan of action is to focus on writing a series of related articles to build a following and increase your income. Engage with other writers and publications to expand your reach and make more money from your content.
10. Society6
If you're artistic,
Society6 lets you earn money by turning your designs into products — without having to worry about inventory or shipping. The platform prints your art on everything from phone cases to shower curtains, paying you a commission to earn money for each sale.
You don't need to manage any physical products. Society6 handles all production and shipping. You can make money online passively once you upload your designs, earning anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds monthly depending on your artwork's popularity.
Focus on creating designs that work well across multiple products to maximize your earning potential. Use social media to promote your shop and get more eyes on your work.
What to know before earning money online
It's important to approach any new income opportunity carefully. Start by researching each platform. Read recent reviews from actual users and understand exactly how and when you'll get paid.
Be especially cautious with websites that require upfront fees or promise unrealistic earnings. Trusted online money-making sites typically won't guarantee specific income levels or demand payment. And watch out for opportunities that seem too good to be true. If someone promises you thousands overnight, that's usually a red flag.
Set realistic expectations about how much you can make. While many of these websites offer good earning potential, building up to a serious income takes time and effort. It’s recommended to choose platforms that match your skills and available time and to maintain your day job until you're consistently earning money from your online work.
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Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
Your Pay Period Max is the maximum amount you can access between paychecks, typically ranging from $50 to $1,000, and your Daily Max is the maximum amount you can access in a single day, up to $150. Your specific Daily Max and Pay Period Max are determined by EarnIn based on your income and financial risk factors, as explained in the
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EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed is not available in all states. Restrictions and terms apply; see the
Lightning Speed Fee Table and
Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out Maxes section of our Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed is not available in all states. Restrictions and terms apply; see the
Lightning Speed Fee Table and
Cash Out User Agreementfor details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
