Looking for legitimate ways to make money online, but don’t know where to start? Whether you’re seeking a full-time income replacement or just some extra cash on the side, the digital economy offers more opportunities than ever before.
We’ve researched and ranked some of the best ways for how to make money online for beginners and experienced entrepreneurs alike.
From creative pursuits like content creation and AI art to technical skills like freelancing and e-commerce, we’ve included options for every skill level, interest, and income goal. Get ideas for bringing in extra cash!
Turn your spare time into spare cash! Explore side hustles you can do on your phone, paid referrals, and more – MoneyLion’s made it easier than ever to make money online.
1. Freelance on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr
Leverage your existing skills to work with clients around the world on your own schedule. Popular options include writing, design, programming, marketing, and consulting.
How to get started: Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, or other specialized platforms for your industry. Start by creating a portfolio (even if you’re not paid) and then offer your services at competitive rates to build your network, enhance your expertise, and gain reviews. Gradually increase your prices as you gain expertise and land bigger clients.
Effort level: Medium (requires consistent client acquisition and project management)
Earning potential: Varies by niche. Some popular niches include writing (between $0.01 to $1+/word), design (from $15 to $150+/hour), and programming (average earners make from $21 to $55+/hour).
2. Sell AI-generated art and digital creations
Description: Create and sell unique digital artwork, illustrations, or designs using AI tools like Midjourney or DALL-E, then market these creations to individuals and businesses looking for visual content.
How to Get Started: Learn to craft effective prompts that generate high-quality AI images or graphics. Develop your own artistic style or theme that sets your work apart, then set up shops on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or Creative Market to sell your AI artwork online. You can also partner with a print-on-demand company to create and sell custom posters with your artwork.
Effort Level: Medium (requires creativity and understanding of AI tools)
Earning potential: $10 to $50 per digital download or $50+ for custom commissions (depending on quality, uniqueness, and marketing)
3. Earn money playing games with MoneyLion
Turn your gaming time into actual cash through MoneyLion’s free-to-play mobile games platform. Complete in-game milestones to earn rewards that convert directly to real money.*
How to get started: Download the MoneyLion app, create an account, and navigate to the Games section. Play regularly to reach milestones and redeem your cash into your MoneyLion account once you’ve accumulated enough.
Effort level: Low (perfect for turning downtime into earning opportunities)
Earning potential: Up to $50 per game
4. Sell digital products on Gumroad
Create and sell downloadable digital products like templates, presets, planners, or software tools that solve specific problems for your target audience.
How to get started: Identify a pain point you can solve with a digital product, create a high-quality solution, set up on platforms like Gumroad, and develop a simple marketing plan focused on showing the specific benefits of your product.
Effort level: Medium (front-loaded work with passive income potential)
Earning potential: $0 to $10,000+/month (varies by product quality, niche, and marketing)
5. Create content for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram
Create videos or photos for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, or Instagram. This isn’t limited to being an on-camera personality; many successful creators earn substantial income by crafting compelling product stories and demonstrations without ever showing their face, such as through user-generated content (UGC).
You can monetize by creating and selling either professional-quality or UGC content directly to brands, which will then feature your work across their marketing channels. You could also earn through brand sponsorships or affiliate marketing, where you earn commission on sales.
The key is focusing on delivering genuine value and high-quality content. Monetization opportunities will tend to expand as you build a portfolio and reputation for excellence.
How to get started: Choose a specific niche you’re knowledgeable about, research trends in that space, and start creating consistent content. Once you have a portfolio of content, start reaching out to brands.
Effort level: High (requires consistent content production and audience building)
Earning potential: The average UGC creator can earn from $150 to $300 per piece of content. Content creators can earn from $0 to up to $3000+ per sponsored post. (widely variable; takes time to build)
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6. Launch paid niche newsletters and communities on Substack
Create a subscription newsletter or online community focused on a specific topic where you provide exclusive insights, analysis, or connections.
How to get started: Choose a focused niche where you have expertise or are willing to do deep research, set up on Substack or Circle, and consistently deliver valuable content that subscribers can’t easily find elsewhere.
Effort level: Medium to High (requires consistent content creation)
Earning potential: $10 to $50/subscriber (lifetime revenue) (takes time to build)
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7. Start an online store with dropshipping
Sell products online without handling inventory by partnering with suppliers who ship directly to your customers after you make a sale.
How to get started: Research product niches with good margins and demand, set up a store on Shopify, find reliable suppliers through platforms like AliExpress or domestic wholesalers, and focus on creating a cohesive brand rather than selling random products.
Effort level: High (requires marketing skills and customer service)
Earning potential: Anywhere from $50 to $100,000+/month in net profit, depending on your product, margins, ad spend, and more.
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8. Start an online store with print-on-demand
Sell custom-designed products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters that are printed and shipped only when a customer places an order. Unlike dropshipping, where you sell existing products from manufacturers, with print-on-demand, you’re creating unique items featuring your own designs that only exist because of your creative input.
How to get started: Choose a specific niche audience with passionate interests, create designs that speak to them (or hire designers), use platforms like Print Bind Ship or set up Printful integrated with Etsy or Shopify. Consider testing multiple designs to see what resonates.
Effort level: Medium (requires design skills or ability to work with designers)
Earning potential: $200 to $5,000+/month (takes time to build)
9. Social media management for businesses and brands
Help businesses build their presence and engage with customers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
It can be helpful to start by choosing 1 to 2 platforms to specialize in, learning their algorithms and best practices. Then, look for businesses that could really shine on social media, like that local restaurant with delicious food but no Instagram presence, or the boutique shop with beautiful products but only 10 followers.
Create simple, clear packages that show exactly what you’ll deliver and the results they can expect. When you focus on specific industries you understand, you’ll find it much easier to show the value you bring
Effort level: Medium (requires creativity and consistent posting)
Earning potential: $1,000 to $5,000+/month (takes time to find clients and gain traction)
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10. Freelance media buying for small businesses
Help businesses spend their advertising budgets effectively across platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok to generate leads and sales.
How to get started: Learn the fundamentals of digital advertising through free courses from Meta Blueprint or Google Skillshop, then offer to manage small campaigns for local businesses to build up case studies before targeting larger clients.
Effort level: High (requires analytical skills and staying current with platform changes)
Earning potential: Average rates between $50 to $100/hour
11. Virtual assistance for entrepreneurs and small businesses
Provide remote administrative, technical, or creative support to entrepreneurs and businesses who need help but aren’t ready to hire full-time employees.
How to get started: Identify your strongest skills (email management, calendar scheduling, social media, etc.), create packages based on these services, and find clients through platforms like Upwork or by directly approaching small business owners in your local area or network.
Effort level: Medium (requires organization and communication skills)
Earning potential: $12 to $75+/hour
12. Build and monetize a blog or niche website
Create a blog or a content-focused website around a specific topic that generates income through affiliate marketing, advertising, or digital products.
How to get started: Choose a niche you’re knowledgeable about with commercial potential, set up a simple WordPress site, create helpful content that addresses specific questions, and focus on building search engine traffic through SEO before implementing monetization.
Effort level: High (requires consistent content creation and promotion)
Earning potential: Successful bloggers can earn $1,000 to $50,000+ monthly (typically can take 6 to 12 months and 100+ posts to gain traction)
13. Sell AI prompts and automation templates
Create and sell specialized prompt templates that help others get better results from AI tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney.
How to get started: Develop expertise with specific AI tools, identify common use cases where better prompts yield significantly improved results, then package and sell your templates on Gumroad or dedicated marketplaces like PromptBase.
Effort level: Medium (requires experimentation and documentation)
Earning potential: $0 to $5,000+/month (depends on quality of prompts, demand, and other factors)
14. Start a self-published eBook empire on Amazon
Write and sell eBooks directly to readers through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or other platforms, potentially creating passive income streams.
How to get started: Research underserved niches with reader demand, outline your first book based on your expertise, set a consistent writing schedule, and learn basic self-publishing skills like formatting and cover design (or outsource these).
Effort level: Medium to High (requires significant writing time and marketing effort)
Earning potential: $5 to $7+/book on average (earnings depend on how many books you sell)
15. Offer online bookkeeping services for small businesses
Help small businesses manage their financial records, track expenses, and prepare for tax season remotely using cloud accounting software.
How to get started: Take a basic bookkeeping course, become familiar with QuickBooks Online or Xero, and look for small businesses in your network who might need help organizing their finances. Consider getting certified to build credibility.
Effort level: Medium (requires attention to detail and basic accounting knowledge)
Earning potential: $11 to $25+/hour on average
16. Start a “done-for-you” course creation business for experts
Build complete online courses for experts who have valuable knowledge but lack the time or technical skills to create professional learning materials. Think chefs wanting to share signature recipes, fitness trainers expanding their reach, successful real estate investors teaching their strategies, and more.
How to get started: Develop skills in instructional design and course platform tools like Kajabi or Teachable, then reach out to industry experts who could benefit from having a course but haven’t created one yet.
Effort level: High (requires strong organizational and production skills)
Earning potential: $500 to $5,000+/month (once you begin to gain traction)
17. Become a reseller through online arbitrage
Buy products at a lower price from one marketplace and sell them at a higher price on another platform, profiting from the price difference.
How to get started: Begin with items you already know well (electronics, clothing, collectibles), research price differences between platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace, and start with a small inventory to test the process before scaling up.
Effort level: Medium (requires market research and inventory management)
Earning potential: $300 to $3,000+ monthly (takes time to build)
18. Live stream on Twitch or YouTube Partner Program
Broadcast yourself playing games, creating art, cooking, or sharing other skills while building a community that supports you through subscriptions and donations.
How to get started: Choose content you’re genuinely passionate about, set up a basic streaming setup, establish a consistent schedule, and focus on interacting with viewers and building community before worrying about monetization.
Effort level: High (requires performance skills and consistent scheduling)
Earning potential: $0 to $10,000+/month (highly variable; takes time to build)
19. Commercial stock media for creative professionals
Create and license photos, videos, or music that businesses and creators can use in their projects.
How to get started: Focus on a specific type of media (photos, videos, music) and niche (business, nature, tech), study what’s trending but undersupplied on platforms like Shutterstock or Envato, then upload consistent, high-quality assets.
Effort level: Medium (requires technical skills and market awareness)
Earning potential: Average revenue per file is between $0.04 and $0.06 per month (earnings largely tied to the large number of high-quality files)
20. Become a travel planner and create custom itineraries
Create custom itineraries and book travel arrangements for clients who want personalized trips but lack the time or expertise to plan themselves.
How to get started: Develop expertise in specific destinations or travel styles, create sample itineraries to showcase your approach, and set up a simple website or profile on popular social media platforms. Network with potential clients in your area or sell digital travel itineraries on Etsy, Gumroad, Payhip, and Creative Market.
Effort level: Medium (requires destination research and attention to detail)
Earning potential: Average rates from $12 to $34+/hour
21. Become a customer service representative for remote companies
Help companies support their customers through phone, email, or chat from the comfort of your home, often with flexible scheduling.
How to get started: Look for remote positions on sites like LinkedIn, FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, and more. Highlight any previous customer service experience and prepare for scenario-based interviews.
Effort level: Low to Medium (requires patience and communication skills)
Earning potential: Average rates from $10 to $27+/hour
22. Offer online coaching in your area of expertise
Share your expertise in business, fitness, relationships, or any specialized skill through one-on-one or group coaching sessions.
How to get started: Define your coaching niche based on your expertise, create a simple website or profile on online coaching platforms, and develop a basic coaching program structure with discernible outcomes for clients.
Effort level: Medium to High (requires strong people skills and expertise development)
Earning potential: Average earnings can range from $20 to $45+ an hour. Successful coaches can make $150+ an hour, and even more if they’re able to effectively sell bundle packages.
23. Become a search engine evaluator for tech companies
Help improve search engine results by rating the relevance and quality of web pages for specific search queries.
How to get started: Apply with companies online through job recruiting sites, study their guidelines thoroughly, and prepare for a qualification test, which could evaluate your ability to assess search results.
Effort level: Low to Medium (requires attention to detail and following complex guidelines)
Earning potential: Average annual pay from $15k to $100k+
24. Launch a podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Create audio content around a specific topic, building an audience that you can monetize through sponsorships, premium content, or related products.
How to get started: Choose a specific niche where you have expertise or passion, invest in basic audio equipment, plan your first 10 episodes, and set up on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Focus on consistency and quality before worrying about monetization.
Effort level: High (requires consistent content creation and promotion)
Earning potential: $25 to $50 per 1,000 downloads, top podcasts can earn $10,000+/month (takes time to build, varies depending on popularity)
25. Do website and app testing to gauge user experience
Get paid to test websites and apps, providing feedback on usability issues and sharing your thought process as you navigate through them.
How to get started: Sign up on platforms like UserTesting, Testbird, or Userlytics, complete your profile with demographic details, and practice giving clear, actionable feedback. Start taking available tests regularly to build your rating.
Effort level: Low (perfect for flexible, part-time work)
Earning potential: $1 to $50+/test
26. Take online surveys and participate in market research
Share your opinions on products and services to help companies improve their offerings and marketing strategies.
How to get started: Sign up for legitimate platforms like Prolific, UserInterviews, or Respondent (avoid sites that seem too good to be true), complete your profile thoroughly, and check for available surveys daily. Focus on higher-paying research studies rather than quick surveys to increase your payout.
Effort level: Low (can be done in spare time)
Earning potential: $50 to $100/month (more if you qualify for specialized studies)
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Your Path to Making Money Online in 2025
Remember that most online income streams require consistency and patience before they become truly profitable. The methods with the highest earning potential typically demand more upfront effort, specialized skills, or time investment. Meanwhile, lower-effort options like taking surveys or testing websites can provide immediate, though more modest, income.
The best approach is often to start with one method that matches your current skills and available time, then gradually expand or pivot as you learn what works for you. Many successful online entrepreneurs also combine multiple income streams for greater stability and growth potential.
Whatever path you choose, focus on delivering genuine value, continuously improving your skills, and building authentic connections within your chosen niche. Keep learning and upskilling to stay ahead of market trends and maximize your earning potential.
FAQs
How to make money online for beginners?
Beginners can make money online by starting with low-barrier opportunities like freelancing on Upwork or Fiverr using existing skills, creating and selling AI-generated art, participating in user testing, or offering virtual assistant services to small businesses.
How can I start making money online?
To start making money online, identify your existing skills or interests, choose a specialty that matches your abilities (such as content creation, freelancing, or selling digital products), create accounts on the relevant platforms, and begin consistently producing work or reaching out to potential clients.
How can I make $100 a day online?
You can make $100 a day online by combining higher-paying methods like freelancing ($15 to $50/hour), creating UGC content for brands ($150 to $300 per piece), managing social media accounts for small businesses ($1000 to $5000/month), or scaling up e-commerce operations through dropshipping or print-on-demand stores. Keep in mind that earnings may build over time but aren’t guaranteed.
What are some easy ways to make money online?
Some of the easiest ways to make money online include playing games on MoneyLion for cash*, completing user testing sessions that pay $10 to $50 each, selling digital products like AI art or digital templates, taking online surveys through platforms like Prolific, and providing customer service remotely from home.
