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How To Make Money Online for Beginners [2026]: 3 Ways To Earn

Making money online as a beginner can take a little trial and error, but there are lots of apps and sites that can help you earn some spare cash.

By Kate Daugherty , Edited by Steve Miller

Updated Feb. 26, 2026

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Curious about how much money you can make without much effort? Aren't we all?

Unfortunately, there's not a get-rich-quick scheme out there that actually works, but thanks to the wonders of modern technology, there are plenty of options for earning a few extra bucks online, even if you're totally new to the side hustle game.

Some beginner-friendly ways to earn money online are super easy, like taking surveys or playing games, but truth be told, it will take a while to earn any significant amount. I've found that these are most useful for offsetting the cost of annoying but necessary expenses like toiletries or public transit fares.

More involved options like completing tasks, testing products, and freelancing generally require more effort but can be more lucrative depending on your skills and how much time you devote to them. I recommend starting out small, trying out a few apps and websites to get a feel for which methods prove most valuable for you.

Some of our favorite ways to make easy money online

4.6

Earn Up to $120 Per Task on This App

Earn cash testing apps, games, products, and more.

4.7

Get Paid Up to $225 a Month Doing Simple Tasks

Get paid to take surveys, play games, read emails ... even to go grocery shopping.

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 Testerup and Cash Giraffe, also offer product and app testing, which some people might find more engaging.

Testerup

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.

Minimum withdrawal threshold: 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

4.6

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Earn Up to $120 Per Task on This App

Earn cash testing apps, games, products, and more.

Register for free

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.

Minimum withdrawal threshold: 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.

Minimum withdrawal threshold: 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

Earn Money Online by Taking Surveys

Get your share of $55,000 paid out daily to Survey Junkie users.

4.7

Get Paid Up to $225 a Month Doing Simple Tasks

Get paid to take surveys, play games, read emails ... even to go grocery shopping.

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.

Fees: 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.

Fees: 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. 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.

Fees: TaskRabbit charges a $25 registration fee, but Taskers take home their full asking rate, though the platform does add on fees that get charged to the client.

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.

Earn Great Pay Working From Home

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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 complete get-paid-to tasks from sites like 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

The bar for entry is very low when it comes to earning money online. Most anyone can do it. You just need an internet connection, the right device, and the patience to complete some surveys or test some games.

But if you're down to commit to bigger projects or make a significant financial investment, freelancing and gig sites may be the way to go. If that sounds more up your alley, think about what skills you have to offer and check out some of the best side hustles to find one that fits.