/images/2018/01/23/navina-side-hustle-mid_MPfEDfV.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
/images/2025/10/27/person_on_couch_using_tablet_device.png)
/authors/kate_daugherty_updated.png)
/authors/steve-miller-headshot.jpg)
If you need extra cash, want to start a low-key side hustle, or are just curious about how much money you can make online without much effort, there are plenty of options, especially if you get creative.
Some ideas for making money online for beginners are easy, like taking surveys or playing games, but they might not earn you much. Others, like completing tasks, testing products, and freelancing, generally require more effort but can be more rewarding depending on your skills and how much time you devote to them.
Below, we explore five ways for beginners to make money online.
Take online surveys for money
One of the easiest ways to make money from home, especially for beginners, is to sign up to take surveys online. Many sites will pay you to share your opinion with brands looking for feedback.
Consider these legit sites:
Survey Junkie
I like Survey Junkie the most for taking surveys because it offers a large selection with an uncluttered dashboard. It also occasionally has a few focus groups and product testing opportunities.
Survey Junkie's Surf to Earn program is another way to earn online through a browser extension that tracks your browsing activity and helps you qualify for higher-paying surveys.
Survey Junkie generally doesn't pay much per survey, but it has a relatively low payout threshold of just $5 (500 of the platform's points currency) and pays out via PayPal, bank deposit, or an online gift card.
Visit Survey Junkie | Read more in our Survey Junkie review
InboxDollars
While Survey Junkie has a relatively simple, straightforward interface, InboxDollars is the opposite. It offers a wide range of task options, including paid surveys, downloading and playing games, online shopping, reading emails, and more. I use it when I want variety without hopping between platforms.
However, you must earn at least $15 with InboxDollars to reach your first cash out. After that, the minimum drops to $10. You can request payment via prepaid Visa, American Express, or Mastercard, store gift cards, or via PayPal.
Visit InboxDollars | Check out our InboxDollars review to learn more
/images/2024/12/04/survey-junkie_logo_t_copy.png){kind=logo}
/images/2024/09/24/inboxdollars-notagline.jpg)
Use game apps that pay real money
Some game sites make you watch unending ads or never let you earn enough to reach a payout. That's why it's essential to read game reviews and know you're signing up for legit games that pay money. Three of my favorite legit game sites are:
Bingo Cash
Bingo Cash is available for Apple and Samsung Galaxy devices. You can play for fun or earn money by entering tournaments with cash prizes if your state allows cash games.
Playing Bingo Cash is free, but you can enter the higher-paying tournaments faster if you deposit money into your game wallet. Most tournament entry fees range from $1 to $5, with prize pools ranging from $5 to $30.
Bingo Cash requires a $5 minimum and charges a $1 processing fee for every withdrawal. Players receive a refund to their original deposit method first, and any remaining balances are paid via PayPal, Apple Pay, or Venmo.
Download Bingo Cash | Learn more in our Bingo Cash review
Solitaire Smash
Solitaire Smash is available through the Apple App Store and Samsung Galaxy Store. It's a classic Klondike Solitaire game with a tournament structure similar to Bingo Cash. However, there is a bigger range when it comes to entry fees and prize pools in Solitaire Smash, which means you may earn more, depending on how you place. You can cash out via PayPal once you earn $5, though each withdrawal has a $1 processing fee.
Download Solitaire Smash | Learn more in our Solitaire Smash review
Solitaire Cash
Solitaire Cash looks and functions like Bingo Cash and has the same entry fees from $1 to $5. The prize pools go from $5 to $30.
And just like in Bingo Cash, you have to have at least $5 in winnings before you can make a withdrawal. You'll pay a $1 processing fee and receive a refund to your original deposit method with any additional balance sent via PayPal.
Download Solitaire Cash | Read more in our Solitaire Cash review
/images/2022/05/31/bingoicon_01_1.png)
/images/2024/04/22/solitaire_smash_ScZjyod.png)
/images/2021/07/26/solitairecashlogo.png)
Get paid to complete tasks
If you want more variety, consider using get-paid-to sites like Scrambly and Freecash that offer a variety of ways to make money.
Scrambly
Scrambly is a get-paid-to site available on Android, but iOS users can access it through a web browser. Scrambly primarily offers games, but it also has other tasks like downloading apps or signing up for services like a subscription to the Wall Street Journal or an AARP membership.
Scrambly requires a $1 minimum withdrawal (1,000 points), and you can cash out via store gift cards, PayPal, or bank transfer. Scrambly also lets you donate your earnings to charity, which is a nice feature I don't see often.
Download Scrambly | Learn more in our Scrambly review
Freecash
Freecash is another of my go-to sites for multiple tasks since it typically offers higher earnings than other sites. I primarily like it for its variety of games. However, Freecash also offers surveys and pays you for activities like watching ads. Users can cash out of Freecash in multiple ways, including crypto, direct bank deposit, PayPal, gift cards, and more.
It's legitimate and consistent, but Freecash requires $5 to $20 before you can cash out for the first time, depending on your location. Freecash also charges a 5% processing fee on all withdrawals made via PayPal or bank transfer.
Download Freecash | Learn more in our Freecash review
/images/2024/04/09/horizontal_black_1.png)
/images/2023/12/08/freecash_-_logo.png){kind=logo}
Get paid to test products
Finding free apps for making money is relatively easy, but it's good to have options across platforms. While most platforms rely heavily on downloading and playing games, some, like Cash Giraffe and Testerup, also offer product and app testing, which some people might find more engaging.
Cash Giraffe
Cash Giraffe is a get-paid-to site available on both iPhone and Android. It offers games and surveys, product and app testing, and other small tasks. However, the tasks you're offered may vary.
As you use Cash Giraffe, you earn gems that you can exchange for PayPal or gift cards. You can also use Cash Giraffe for store discounts instead of cash or a gift card.
Download Cash Giraffe | Learn more in our Cash Giraffe review
Testerup
Similar to Cash Giraffe, Testerup pays users to play games and test apps. I use Testerup because it generally offers higher payouts than other sites.
For example, Testerup offers $300 to new users who test a financial app and set up direct deposit. However, not every offer is that lucrative, and it can take a long time to earn the highest amount.
Testerup also has one of the highest minimum withdrawal thresholds I've seen in an app. You must earn at least $70 before you are eligible to withdraw funds. Once you reach that threshold, you can access your money via PayPal.
Download Testerup | Read our Testerup review to learn more
/images/2022/09/28/cashgiraffe_icon_newspecs.png){kind=icon}
/images/2023/03/24/logo-testerup-color.png){kind=logo}
Use your skills to become a freelancer
Freelancing lets you capitalize on the skills you already have on a schedule that works for you. While this might not be accessible to everyone, if you have marketable, easy-to-monetize skills, I've found that freelancing helped me earn more in the long run compared to using apps and websites.
Two freelancing platforms that I've used often to find gigs are:
Upwork
The Upwork job board connects clients with qualified freelancers who can bid on a project or pitch their own ideas. Upwork offers postings in multiple fields, including AI, graphic design, software development, marketing, business administration, writing, and other creative pursuits.
Creating a profile on Upwork is free, but I had to purchase virtual tokens called Connects to submit proposals and boost my profile visibility. If you win work, Upwork charges up to a 15% fee on all earnings, with the rate depending on the type of contract you have through the site.
Learn more in our Upwork review.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a free platform similar to Upwork that offers a wide range of services, including presentation and website design, writing, coding, transcription and translation, software development, accounting, and customer support.
Once you've completed a few projects and have a high enough ranking, you are eligible to pay to boost your profile through Fiverr Ads. In addition to any ad fees, Fiverr charges freelancers a 20% service fee on all earnings.
Learn more in our Fiverr review.
TaskRabbit
If you prefer to work with your hands and have skills in home repair, painting, or furniture assembly, signing up with TaskRabbit could help you earn money relatively easily. Although TaskRabbit charges a $25 registration fee, you can set your rates and decide when you want to work.
TaskRabbit isn't available everywhere, but if you live in or near a major city, you'll likely find clients who need assistance. To sign up with TaskRabbit, you must be at least 18 years old, live where TaskRabbit is available, and consent to an ID verification check. You'll also need a smartphone, a checking account, and a Social Security Number.
Learn more in our TaskRabbit review.
Other ways to get paid online
If you've thought about making money online, you probably know that there are lots of ways to accomplish your goals. While some are more beginner friendly than others, figuring out what works best for your situation is key.
If you want more of a challenge, but one that's still relatively easy to start with, consider the following:
Create an Etsy storefront: Etsy is an excellent way for crafty people to showcase their creative work, but you can also start an Etsy shop for items you've restored or found at garage sales and thrift stores. Although learning how to resell effectively might take some practice, if you have the skills to clean or repair items and love a good deal, you may have found a lucrative side hustle.
Learn to be a bookkeeper: Many people think of bookkeeping as a full-time job, but it can be a good side hustle prospect, especially if you're self-directed and good with numbers. You don't need an accounting degree, but a bookkeeping certification through a site like Bookkeepers.com can help you learn the basics and set up your business.
/images/2023/08/02/bookkeepers.com-logo-original_8.png){kind=logo}
- Free 3-class intro teaches you how to launch a bookkeeping business
- #1 most profitable business as described by Entrepreneur Magazine
- Supplement your existing income or even replace your current job
- You don’t need to be a math savant or have an accounting degree
FAQs
Can you make $100 a day online from home?
You can make $100 a day online from home, but you'll need to be creative. If you have marketable skills, a site like Upwork or Fiverr can help connect you with clients searching for freelancers. You can combine that with apps like Testerup, Freecash, and Survey Junkie to play games, take surveys, and test apps or other products.
What is the easiest thing to make money online?
The easiest way to make money online is generally to download games and complete other get-paid-to tasks from sites like Bingo Cash, Freecash, Testerup, and Scrambly. Although you'll need to dedicate time to each app to earn more than a few dollars, the work is generally not difficult, and all you really need is a cell phone or computer.
Can I get paid to watch videos?
Yes, some apps like Freecash, InboxDollars, and other get-paid-to apps will occasionally pay you to watch videos and offer your opinion on what you watched. However, these are generally low paying, and you may find a more lucrative side hustle by taking on other tasks.
Bottom line
While making money online as a beginner may seem a little intimidating, there are plenty of easy ways to do it. Starting small with tasks like games, product testing, and surveys can help you earn some money without committing to a big project or making a significant financial investment.
Once you have some experience, think about what interests you and search for the best side hustles that fit your needs and interests.
/images/2023/12/08/freecash_-_logo.png){kind=logo}
- Get paid for testing apps, games, and surveys
- Payouts can go as high as $225 per offer
- “Excellent” Trustpilot Rating (54,000+ reviews, 4.6/5 stars)
- Cash out instantly with PayPal starting at only $5
