In search of the best secret websites to make money online in 2025? You’re certainly not alone. Whether you’re a student managing class schedules, a small business owner eyeing additional income streams, or anyone eager to boost your savings, there’s a world of opportunities online waiting for you.
While there are endless websites claiming to help you make money, the real challenge lies in identifying the platforms that genuinely compensate well and align with your lifestyle. Everyone knows about the usual suspects, but many lucrative avenues remain undiscovered.
Discover 14 well-curated, lesser-known platforms that offer legitimate ways to generate income at your convenience. From surveys that yield immediate cash to creative gigs monetizing your talents, these sites offer genuine avenues to earn—often with just your smartphone.
Top 14 Secret Websites for Making Money Online in 2025
- Swagbucks: Get Rewards for Simple Online Tasks
- InboxDollars: Earn Through Surveys and Tasks
- Google Opinion Rewards: Cash for Your Opinions
- UserTesting: Feedback on Websites and Apps
- Second to None: Mystery Shopping Adventures
- Shutterstock: Profit from Your Photography
- Printful: Design and Sell Personalized Merchandise
- Rover: Make Money as a Pet Caregiver
- TaskRabbit: Earn by Completing Local Tasks
- Upwork: Explore Freelance Opportunities
- Teachable: Sell Your Expertise in Online Courses
- Wrapify: Advertise on Your Car for Earnings
- Studypool: Earn by Assisting Students
- Prolific: Get Paid for Academic Participation
Excited to dive into these intriguing side hustles? Let’s explore how each platform can make a difference and get you started:
1. Swagbucks: Get Rewards for Simple Online Tasks
Swagbucks has paid out over $500 million to its community members for completing various simple activities. You can make money online by:
- Watching videos
- Completing surveys
- Playing games
Tasks pay from a few cents to several dollars based on complexity and time. Spend just 10-25 minutes daily, and you could pocket $100-$200 monthly, per Swagbucks.
Redeem points for gift cards to popular stores like Walmart and Starbucks, or convert them to cash via PayPal with a verified account.
Enjoy cashback up to 16% when shopping at retailers like Amazon and Macy’s. If you’re already shopping at these outlets, it’s an effortless way to earn back on purchases.
2. InboxDollars: Earn Through Surveys and Tasks
InboxDollars offers a similar experience to Swagbucks, rewarding you for engaging in surveys, games, and more. Companies value your feedback, which helps them fine-tune their products, so you earn while assisting big brands.
Tasks generally pay between 25¢ and multiple dollars. Most surveys offer up to $5.
Cash out through check, gift cards, or PayPal with a minimum balance of $15 for your first payout and $30 afterwards.
3. Google Opinion Rewards: Cash for Your Opinions
The Google Opinion Rewards app rewards you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, from reviewing local businesses to quick opinion polls.
These short surveys take under a minute, offering 10¢ to $1 each. Cash out once you hit $2, via Google Play credits or PayPal.
While survey frequency is limited, notifications are sent when tasks match your profile. It’s an effortless way to earn money from your phone during downtime.
4. UserTesting: Feedback on Websites and Apps
UserTesting compensates for insights on websites and applications using video or audio recordings. Each session typically lasts 10-20 minutes, requiring you to articulate your experience as you navigate tasks.
Sign up, complete the application, and link your PayPal account for payments. After approval, opportunities will match your demographics and profile.
Earnings vary; simpler tasks earn $10, whereas more intricate testing offers higher payouts. No minimum balance is needed to cash out; payments disburse two weeks post-test completion.
5. Second to None: Mystery Shopping Adventures
Through Second to None, become a mystery shopper reviewing experiences at stores, eateries, and online services. Your detailed reviews aid companies in service quality enhancements.
Create a free profile and access tasks paying $5-$100 based on complexity. Activities might include dining reviews, store evaluations, or assessing customer service.
Payments are transferred monthly, so patience is required. The work offers flexibility, though payouts are less frequent due to the monthly schedule.
6. Shutterstock: Profit from Your Photography
Enjoy taking photos? Shutterstock allows you to generate passive income by licensing your images. The platform has paid over $1 billion to contributors for licensed photos to marketers and creators.
Earn 15%-40% of each licensing fee, depending on your download history. More downloads increase potential earnings, with each photo contributing to your success.
Payments take place monthly, with a $25 minimum threshold. Choose between PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill for withdrawals.
7. Printful: Design and Sell Personalized Merchandise
If design is your forte, Printful empowers you to concoct and vend custom trendsetting products with no initial costs—a boon for creativity turning.
Design one-of-a-kind items, with Printful handling order fulfillment and delivery. Use the Shopify app for seamless selling, allowing you to focus on marketing and enhancing profits.
“Printful helps connect everything” notes Raven Gibson, Legendary Rootz, in Shopify Masters. “It’s perfect for bringing ideas to life.”
8. Rover: Make Money as a Pet Caregiver
If animals are your passion, Rover pairs you with pet owners needing services like dog walking and pet sitting.
Set up your profile, specify types of services, and list your availability. Rates range based on services, with Rover charging a 20% fee per booking.
Payments appear two days post-service, with bank transfers taking 3-5 business days—a swift schedule compared to most platforms.
9. TaskRabbit: Earn by Completing Local Tasks
TaskRabbit connects you with neighbors needing help with home-related tasks like furniture assembly and repairs. Set your rates and cherry-pick jobs that appeal to you.
After passing an ID verification, provide requisite tools for services like furniture setup. Rates vary from $15 to over $100 per hour, supplemented by TaskRabbit bonuses like “Complete 10 Tasks and Earn $100.”
Payments issue within five days post-invoice submission to your bank account.
10. Upwork: Explore Freelance Opportunities
Upwork serves freelancers by linking them with projects that utilize skills such as web development and copywriting. Register for project bids and begin earning.
While competition is stiff, an optimized profile and a robust portfolio improve odds. Most roles offer $15-$40 per hour; technical jobs may pay $100+ hourly, though Upwork retains 10%-15% fees.
Payment timing hinges on the contract type. Hourly tasks disburse weekly after a 10-day cycle, while fixed pays in five days.
11. Teachable: Sell Your Expertise in Online Courses
Monetize your knowledge by creating online courses on Teachable. Retain content control and pricing, building potentially substantial passive income.
Be prepared for upfront costs, as creating content requires time. With the Starter plan at $29 per month and 7.5% transaction fees, aligning with Shopify for digital product sales could mean avoiding platform fees and enjoying extra features.
12. Wrapify: Advertise on Your Car for Earnings
Frequent driver? Wrapify gives you the opportunity to earn by displaying ads on your vehicle.
Download the app, share your details, and when a campaign aligns with your commute, place ad decals on your car. Earn $200-$450 monthly based on distance and location, with bi-weekly payments via direct deposit.
13. Studypool: Earn by Assisting Students
Studypool connects tutors with students needing help with subjects from math to law. Top tutors earn up to $7,500 monthly, with earnings over $60,000 annually being possible. Studypool retains a 20% service fee per job.
Create a secondary income by selling study materials too. Tutors earn up to $10 per document view, withdrawing funds once reaching $50 via direct deposit or PayPal
14. Prolific: Get Paid for Academic Participation
Prolific pays participants for engaging in university research studies. Activities range from behavioral games to product opinions.
Apply, verify your identity and start receiving study invitations. Prolific boasts higher pay rates, offering an $8 minimum hourly rate. Withdrawals can be processed daily via PayPal or direct deposit with a $6 minimum.
Choosing the Right Platform for Making Money
Everyone’s perfect platform varies. Consider the following when searching:
Reflect on Your Skills and Interests
To maintain long-term earnings, choose platforms that align with your interests. If your talents lie in tutoring, Studypool might suit you. Enjoy assembly projects? TaskRabbit can make them profitable.
Weigh Time Commitment vs. Earning Potential
While “easy money” resounds, substantial income often demands significant time—applying for jobs, completing tasks, and cultivating a reputation.
Evaluate your availability. With a full-time job, freelancing could be daunting. Explore simplified routes like Wrapify to make the most of your commute.
Comprehend Payment Methods and Minimums
Earning rapidly doesn’t imply fast payments. Some platforms, like Second to None, pay monthly, meaning earnings for May come in June.
Check payout minimums too. If surveys earn $1 but require $20 minimum withdrawals, anticipate delays. Platform fees impact net earnings, affecting even the most solid rate projections.
Verify Platform Authenticity
With scams prevalent, ask, “Is this legitimate?” Look for diverse reviews on forums like Reddit and Trustpilot. Leading websites highlight clearly outlined earnings methods and offer genuine user testimonials.
Be wary of red flags like:
- Lack of support
- Upfront joining fees
- Unclear payout terms
- Suspicious domain names
- Too-good-to-be-true claims
Create Your Income Stream with Shopify
For sustainable online income, consider building your own business. An online store offers complete control over your products, pricing, and clientele.
Shopify simplifies launching an e-commerce venture with integrated payment systems and inventory management tools. Whether selling handcrafted items or dropshipping, you build a lasting income asset.
Secret Websites to Make Money FAQ
How can I make $1,000 fast online?
Focus on top-paying options like Upwork, TaskRabbit, or create engaging digital products through Teachable. Selling stock photos on Shutterstock offers a continuous income stream.
Are there really legitimate websites for earning income?
Absolutely. Platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, UserTesting, and Second to None offer genuine earning opportunities, though income varies by time spent.
Can I earn money by creating a website?
Which website is best for earning money?
It depends on your skills, availability, and goals. Choices like Swagbucks, UserTesting, Upwork, TaskRabbit, Printful, and more offer diverse opportunities.
Which site or app offers instant payment?
Swagbucks and InboxDollars are known for quicker payouts, though a minimum threshold applies. Most platforms have some delay in processing payments.
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