Making money online in 2026 is not what it used to be. New platforms are emerging on the internet every day, but amidst this crowded landscape, there are some hidden websites that allow you to quietly earn a substantial income, and most people don’t even know about them.
If you’re looking to earn some extra money from home, searching for a part-time side hustle, or dreaming of building a full-fledged online career, this list could be a goldmine for you.
Get ready to see the world of making money online from a whole new perspective! Here, I will tell you about 24 secret websites for earning money online.
From mystery shopping and freelancing to sharing your opinion and selling your creativity, these platforms are changing the way people make money online, without needing any upfront investment.
In this guide, you’ll discover 24 powerful yet underrated platforms that can help you earn real money from the comfort of your home.
Let’s learn more about this in detail.
24 Best Secret Websites to Make Money Online (Without Investment)
There are countless ways to make money online, and while some platforms are household names, others remain hidden gems.
Websites like Upwork, Swagbucks, and TaskRabbit cater to freelancers, casual taskers, and gig workers looking to earn on their own terms.
Meanwhile, platforms such as Shutterstock, UserTesting, and Teachable provide creative and educational income opportunities from selling stock photos and providing user feedback to building and selling online courses.
TL;DR (Quick Takeaways)
Freelancers can earn a regular income on platforms like Upwork and ClearVoice, while sites like Decluttr let you quickly sell your old gadgets for cash.
Pet lovers can earn money through Rover, and creative individuals can monetize their designs and skills on platforms like Shutterstock or Skillshare.
For passive income, Honeygain runs quietly in the background, and if you enjoy sharing your opinions or study notes, platforms like Wynter, Prolific, and Studypool will pay you for it.
| Platform | Website | Approx Earning | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fiverr | fiverr.com | $150 – $2,500+ | Freelancers with any digital skill |
| 2. Upwork | upwork.com | $200 – $3,500+ | Long-term freelance projects |
| 3. TaskRabbit | taskrabbit.com | $10 – $100 | Local errands & remote tasks |
| 4. Shutterstock | shutterstock.com | $20 – $600+ | Selling photos, illustrations & videos |
| 5. Swagbucks | swagbucks.com | $5 – $50 | Surveys, offers & small rewards |
| 6. Rover | rover.com | $100 – $800+ | Pet walking & pet sitting |
| 7. Studypool | studypool.com | $70 – $600+ | Selling notes/answering homework |
| 8. ClearVoice | clearvoice.com | $300 – $2,000+ | Premium writing clients |
| 9. Prolific | prolific.com | $30 – $150 | Academic surveys |
| 10. Honeygain | honeygain.com | $5 – $30 | Passive income using unused data |
| 11. Wynter | wynter.com | $15 – $50 | Marketing & UX feedback |
| 12. Cambly | cambly.com | $120 – $400+ | Teaching English conversationally |
| 13. Skillshare | skillshare.com | $50 – $1,000+ | Course creators (royalties) |
| 14. Decluttr | decluttr.com | $20 – $500+ | Selling gadgets & used tech |
| 15. JustAnswer | justanswer.com | $200 – $1,000+ | Experts answering questions |
| 16. UserTesting | usertesting.com | $10 – $60 | Testing websites/apps |
| 17. Redbubble | redbubble.com | $20 – $800+ | Selling print-on-demand designs |
| 18. Printify | printify.com | $100 – $2,000+ | Running your POD store |
| 19. InboxDollars | inboxdollars.com | $5 – $40 | Surveys & micro-tasks |
| 20. Etsy | etsy.com | $50 – $2,000+ | Handmade + digital products |
| 21. Teachable | teachable.com | $100 – $3,000+ | Selling your own courses |
| 22. Toptal | toptal.com | $1,000 – $6,000+ | Top-tier freelance careers |
| 23. Remotasks | remotasks.com | $40 – $300+ | AI training & data labeling |
| 24. ClickWorker | clickworker.com | $30 – $200+ | Microtasks & UHRS |
Now that you’ve seen what each platform offers and how much you can potentially earn, it’s time to understand how they actually work in real life.
Each website on this list has its own system; some pay you for specific skills, some for simple tasks, and others even reward you passively without requiring daily effort.
We’ll explain each platform individually so you can understand exactly what it does, who it’s best suited for, and how you can start earning.
Let’s dive deeper into how these platforms can help you generate income.
1. Fiverr – Turn Your Skills into Cash
Got a talent for design, writing, video editing, or anything in between? Fiverr lets you sell your skills as “gigs” to clients around the world-starting at just $5.
Why It’s Great:
- Huge demand for all kinds of services
- Easy setup with custom pricing tiers
- Payments handled securely through the platform
Pro Tip: Focus on a niche and create eye-catching gig thumbnails to stand out in search results and attract premium buyers.
If you’re interested in writing online,
Here’s a simple guide on how to make money blogging even as a beginner.
2. Upwork – Best for Freelancers Across All Niches
Upwork is a well-known freelance marketplace, but few use it to its full potential. Whether you’re a content writer, graphic designer, video editor, or translator, Upwork connects you with clients worldwide looking for your skills.
Why It’s Great:
- Free to join
- Access to thousands of projects daily
- Ideal for long-term clients and recurring work
Pro Tip: Build a strong portfolio and apply to high-value gigs that match your expertise.
Struggling to decide what service to offer? Here’s how to find your perfect niche.
3. TaskRabbit – Get Paid for Local or Remote Tasks
TaskRabbit helps you earn money by completing everyday errands, think moving help, assembling furniture, or even virtual assistance.
Why It’s Great:
- Set your own rates
- Choose tasks based on your schedule
- Make money with hands-on or virtual work
Pro Tip: Start with simple tasks to build positive reviews quickly.
4. Shutterstock – Sell Your Creativity Globally
Got an eye for photography, design, or video? Shutterstock allows you to upload your creative work and earn every time someone downloads it.
Why It’s Great:
- Passive income stream
- Exposure to global buyers
- Great for designers, illustrators, and videographers
Pro Tip: Focus on trending content like business themes, travel, and lifestyle visuals.
5. Swagbucks – Earn Rewards for Easy Online Activities
Swagbucks is a well-established reward platform where you can earn points (SB) for activities like watching videos, answering surveys, shopping online, and even playing games.
Why It’s Great:
- No experience needed
- Easy to use via app or browser
- Redeem rewards as gift cards or PayPal cash
Pro Tip: Install the browser extension to earn passive rewards while browsing.
6. Rover – Earn by Taking Care of Pets
If you’re an animal lover, Rover gives you the chance to make money by pet sitting, dog walking, or even overnight care.
Why It’s Great:
- Flexible hours
- Work from home or locally
- Set your own service rates
Pro Tip: Offer weekend or holiday services to attract more clients.
7. Studypool – Sell Your Notes and Help Students
Studypool is perfect for students and educators who want to monetize their academic knowledge. You can answer questions or upload class notes and get paid whenever students use them.
Why It’s Great:
- Passive earnings from uploaded content
- High-demand subjects: math, science, business
- No formal teaching required
Pro Tip: Use clear formatting and provide sample solutions to increase purchases.
8. ClearVoice – Write for High-Paying Clients
ClearVoice connects talented writers with businesses in need of content marketing services. If you enjoy blogging, copywriting, or ghostwriting, this platform pays well.
Why It’s Great:
- Build a digital portfolio
- Matched with relevant projects
- Seamless payment system
Pro Tip: Upload polished samples and choose niches you’re knowledgeable about.
9. Prolific – Participate in Academic Research
Prolific is a user-friendly survey site where you get paid to share your opinions for real academic research. It’s trustworthy and offers higher payouts than most survey sites.
Why It’s Great:
- Interesting and short studies
- High acceptance rate
- Quick payments via PayPal
Pro Tip: Fill out your profile in detail to receive more targeted and better-paying study invites.
10. Honeygain – For Passive Income
Honeygain is a unique app that lets you share unused internet bandwidth and get paid for it, with no effort required.
Why It’s Great:
- Set-and-forget income model
- Works in the background
- No technical skills needed
Pro Tip: Use on multiple devices for higher earnings (up to $20/month or more).
11. Wynter – Get Paid to Share Honest Feedback
Wynter pays users to test and review websites, marketing campaigns, and product messaging. If you enjoy giving feedback, this platform can pay you handsomely.
Why It’s Great:
- Earn up to $50 per test
- Payments via PayPal
- No prior experience required
Pro Tip: Be detailed and professional in your responses to get more invitations.
12. Cambly – Teach English Without Degree
On Cambly, you can earn money just by talking to people who are learning English. No teaching certificate needed, just clear, fluent English and a friendly attitude.
Why It’s Great:
- Work from anywhere
- Paid weekly via PayPal
- Flexible hours
Pro Tip: Be punctual and polite to build a strong student base.
13. Skillshare – Create Online Courses
Have a skill in design, writing, productivity, or marketing? Skillshare allows you to create video-based courses and earn royalties based on watch time. This is one of Secret Websites to Make Money Online.
Why It’s Great:
- Huge audience
- Passive income potential
- No teaching degree required
Pro Tip: Invest in quality audio/video production to make your course stand out.
14. Decluttr – Sell Old Gadgets and Books
Want to turn clutter into cash? Decluttr makes it easy to sell old phones, CDs, DVDs, books, and even game consoles.
Why It’s Great:
- Instant price quotes via app
- Free shipping labels
- Fast payouts via PayPal or bank transfer
Pro Tip: Bundle multiple items to increase your total payout and save shipping time.
15. JustAnswer – Monetize Your Expertise
JustAnswer allows you to earn money by answering questions in your field of expertise, from legal and medical advice to tech troubleshooting.
Why It’s Great:
- Get paid for helping others
- Trusted by professionals
- Flexible schedule
Pro Tip: The more accurate and thorough your answers, the more questions you’ll receive.
16. UserTesting – Get Paid to Review Websites
Do you enjoy exploring websites? UserTesting pays you simply for using websites, apps, and prototypes and providing honest feedback.
You share your experience through screen recording, what you liked, what was confusing, and how the user journey felt.
Why It’s Great:
- High payouts per test (avg $10–$60)
- No skills or experience required
- Payments directly to PayPal
Pro Tip: Speak your thoughts clearly in English, the more detailed feedback you provide, the more tests you’ll receive.
17. Redbubble – Sell Your Designs Anywhere
If you’re good at drawing, doodling, or digital art, Redbubble is perfect.
Simply upload your designs, and the platform automatically prints and sells them on T-shirts, stickers, hoodies, mugs, notebooks, and phone cases, you just keep receiving royalties.
Why It’s Great:
- Zero inventory, shipping, or customer support hassle
- Automatic listings on multiple products
- Global customer reach
Pro Tip: Choose trending niches; memes, quotes, anime, pets, and typography designs sell the fastest.
18. Printify – Create Your Own Print-on-Demand Store
Printify lets you customize hundreds of products and launch your own online store.
You can put your designs on apparel, drinkware, wall art, and accessories, and sell them on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce.
Why It’s Great:
- Price control, you decide your profit margin
- Worldwide print partners
- The best platform for brand building
Pro Tip: Choose US/EU-based print partners for faster delivery and positive reviews.
19. InboxDollars – Earn Money Doing Simple Tasks
If you want to earn money while scrolling on your phone, InboxDollars is a solid option.
Here, you get rewarded for filling out surveys, watching videos, completing small tasks, and even opening emails, which can be converted into cash.
Why It’s Great:
- Perfect for beginners
- Daily rewards and bonus offers
- PayPal cash or gift card payouts
Pro Tip: Aim for daily login streaks and high-paying surveys, your earnings will increase noticeably.
20. Etsy – Sell Handmade or Digital Products
Etsy is a creative marketplace where you can make real money selling handmade products (jewelry, crafts, candles), or digital downloads (planners, printable art, SVG files, templates).
Buyers on the platform pay premium for unique items.
Why It’s Great:
- Long-term income from creative talent
- Digital products = passive income
- Loyal international customer base
Pro Tip: Keep product photos and descriptions professional, Etsy buyers build trust on visuals.
21. Teachable – Create Courses and Earn Royalties
Want to share a skill or knowledge? Teachable gives you a platform to create and sell online courses.
You can teach students through video lessons, worksheets, and community support, and once you create the course, sales keep coming in.
Why It’s Great:
- 100% control over pricing & content
- Global student reach
- Passive income potential
Pro Tip: Choose a specific niche, targeted courses convert better than general ones.
22. Toptal – High Paying Freelance Projects
Toptal is an elite freelance marketplace that is open only to top talent. If you are a developer, designer, finance expert, project manager or data specialist, Toptal connects you with world-class companies that pay premium rates.
Why It’s Great:
- Top-tier earnings
- Long-term clients
- Remote work flexibility
Pro Tip: Entry screening test is tough, keep portfolio strong and be interview-ready.
23. Remotasks – Earn by Training AI
Remotasks provides data labeling and model training services for AI companies. You can earn per task by completing image tagging, categorization, transcription, and autonomous vehicle tasks.
It’s easy to get started, even for beginners.
Why It’s Great:
- No experience required
- Weekly payouts
- Flexible work hours
Pro Tip: Unlock Computer Vision and Lidar tasks, their payouts are 2–3 times higher than regular tasks.
24. ClickWorker – Microtasks for Quick Earnings
ClickWorker is a microtask platform where you can earn by completing surveys, data sorting, writing, researching, translation and small AI tasks.
Work becomes less, but remains consistent to add income.
Why It’s Great:
- Signup easy, start same day
- Mobile-friendly earning
- Ideal side hustle
Pro Tip: Enable UHRS access, this is the “gold mine” of hidden project space paying.
FAQ About Secret Websites to Make Money
If you’re thinking about secret websites to make money online, you probably have many questions, such as whether these websites are trustworthy, how they work, how much you can earn, and whether you get paid just for asking questions?
That’s why we’ve compiled all your common questions in one place. This FAQ section will provide you with all the important information so you can choose the right website and start earning money online without any fear or confusion.
What is a secret website that pays real money?
One underrated gem is Prolific, which pays users to participate in academic research surveys. Another unique option is Honeygain, a passive income app that rewards you for sharing your unused internet bandwidth.
These platforms are lesser-known but provide legitimate, low-effort ways to earn online.
Which website actually pays you real money?
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork offer real freelance jobs for writers, designers, marketers, and other professionals, payment is guaranteed after task completion.
If you’re looking for easier tasks, platforms like Swagbucks allow you to earn PayPal cash or gift cards by completing surveys, watching videos, and browsing online.
What site pays you the fastest?
If speed is your priority, check out UserTesting. After completing a test and getting approved, you can get paid via PayPal within days or even hours.
Decluttr is another fast-paying site; once your used items (like gadgets or books) are received and approved, you get paid almost immediately.
My Proof That Online Income Works
How I Earned My First $10,000 Online? If you’ve ever wondered if making money online is actually possible or just a pipe dream, I was in the same boat.
Before I started, I wasn’t sure if freelancing or a side hustle could amount to anything significant.
But when I learned a skill, worked consistently, and built simple systems, things started to take off.
Eventually, blogging became one of my biggest income sources.
In a detailed post about how I made $10,000 from blogging, I shared the exact strategies and steps I used.
So, if you’re looking for proof and a roadmap you can follow, that story will help you get started with confidence, no guesswork, just what actually worked in real life.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a tech genius or an entrepreneur to make money online. In fact, most of these best secret websites to make money in 2026 require little to no experience and are beginner-friendly.
Whether you’re turning your skills into services on Upwork or generating passive income with Honeygain, there’s something for everyone, students, stay-at-home parents, side hustlers, or professionals.
Want to earn through social media too? You can also start making money using Twitter, read this article, How to Make Money From Twitter (X) in 2026
So what are you waiting for? Pick 2–3 of the platforms that fit your lifestyle, take action today, and start building your online income the smart way.
This is exactly the kind of list I was looking for! Most blogs keep repeating the same old sites, but this post introduced me to some real hidden gems. Keep publishing such gold!
Thanks, Rahul! Glad you found it helpful – more gems coming soon! 😊