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Extra Income

20+ Legitimate Ways to Earn Money Online & From Home in 2025

No gimmicks—just honest, practical ways to boost your income from home. Whether you need £50 to cover rising costs or want to build a significant second income, these 20+ ideas are genuinely working for people right now.

Looking for flexible work that fits around your schedule? Whether you’re between jobs, need extra income alongside your current role, or want to work from the comfort of your home, there are numerous legitimate opportunities available. This guide covers proven methods that real people are using to earn anywhere from £50 to £1,000+ per month.

No get-rich-quick schemes here—just honest, practical ways to boost your income while maintaining the flexibility you need.

Before You Start: Essential Tips

Protect Yourself Online

  • Create a dedicated email address for online earning activities to keep your main inbox organised.
  • Never pay upfront fees for legitimate earning opportunities—if they’re asking for money, it’s likely a scam.
  • Withdraw earnings promptly—these platforms aren’t banks, so don’t let large sums accumulate.
  • Check tax implications—earnings may need to be reported to HMRC, even for small amounts.
  • Read reviews from real users before signing up to any platform.
Important: Be wary of opportunities that promise unrealistic earnings, require personal financial information upfront, or ask you to recruit others. Legitimate opportunities pay you for work completed, not for signing up.

Quick Wins: Easy Money for Minimal Effort

Online Surveys & Market Research

Earning potential: £50–£300+ per month Time commitment: 15 minutes to 1 hour per task

Companies need consumer opinions to improve their products and services. By sharing your views through online surveys, you can earn cash, vouchers, or rewards. While you won’t get rich, it’s an easy way to earn during downtime.

How it works:

  • Sign up to multiple survey sites to maximise opportunities.
  • Complete your profile honestly to receive relevant surveys.
  • Typical surveys pay £1–£5 and take 10–30 minutes.
  • Cash out via PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.

Top platforms:

  • Prolific
  • Swagbucks
  • Qmee
  • YouGov
  • Toluna
Pro tip: Sign up to 5-10 survey sites simultaneously. Not every site will have surveys available daily, so having multiple accounts ensures a steady stream of opportunities.

Focus Groups & Market Research Sessions

Earning potential: £40–£250 per session Time commitment: 1–3 hours per session

Focus groups pay significantly more than online surveys because they require more engagement. Companies want to dive deeper into consumer opinions through group discussions or one-to-one interviews.

How it works:

  • Sessions typically run online via Zoom or in-person in major cities.
  • Discuss products, services, advertising, or consumer trends.
  • Payment usually made within 2–4 weeks after participation.
  • May need to fit specific demographic criteria.

Top platforms:

  • QMR
  • Trend Market Research
  • Saros Research
  • Angelfish Opinions
Pro tip: Apply immediately when you receive invitations—popular sessions fill up within hours. Being honest in screening questions increases your chances of being selected.

Cashback Sites & Apps

Earning potential: £100–£500+ per year Time commitment: Two minutes per purchase

If you’re shopping online anyway, why not get paid for it? Cashback sites earn commission from retailers and share a portion with you. It’s essentially free money for purchases you’d make regardless.

How it works:

  • Always check cashback sites before ordering online.
  • Stack with cashback/points credit cards for double benefits.
  • Compare rates across multiple sites.
  • Look for special offers and increased rates.

Top platforms:

  • TopCashback
  • Quidco
  • Airtime Rewards

Flexible Remote Work Opportunities

Freelance Writing & Content Creation

Earning potential: £15–£100+ per hour Time commitment: Flexible, project-based

If you have a way with words, freelance writing can provide steady income. Businesses constantly need blog posts, website copy, product descriptions, social media content, and more.

Getting started:

  • Build a portfolio with 3–5 sample articles (even unpublished ones).
  • Start with lower rates to gain experience and reviews.
  • Specialise in a niche (tech, finance, health, travel) to command higher rates.
  • Create profiles on freelance platforms.

Where to find work:

  • Upwork
  • Fiverr
  • Freelancer.com
  • Contently
  • ProBlogger Job Board
"I started freelance writing as a side hustle while working full-time. Within six months, I was earning enough to go full-time freelance. Now I earn more than my old salary while working from my sofa." – Sarah, Content Writer

Virtual Assistant Services

Earning potential: £12–£35 per hour Time commitment: 5–40 hours per week

Virtual assistants provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely. Tasks might include email management, scheduling, data entry, customer service, social media management, and basic bookkeeping.

Getting started:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
  • Strong written and verbal communication.
  • Organisation and attention to detail.
  • Basic social media knowledge.
  • Ability to work independently.

Where to find work:

  • Belay Solutions
  • Time Etc
  • Upwork
  • VA networking groups

Online Tutoring & Teaching

Earning potential: £15–£40 per hour Time commitment: Flexible scheduling

Share your knowledge by teaching students online. Whether it’s academic subjects, English as a foreign language, or specialised skills, there’s demand for quality tutors.

Options to explore:

  • Teaching English online – high demand from international students.
  • Academic tutoring – help UK students with GCSE, A-Levels, or university subjects.
  • Skills teaching – music, coding, languages, professional skills.

Where to find work:

  • Tutorful
  • MyTutor
  • Preply
  • Cambly

Data Entry & Transcription

Earning potential: £8–£20 per hour Time commitment: Flexible, project-based

If you’re a fast typist with good attention to detail, data entry and transcription work can provide steady income. The work is straightforward and can be done entirely from home.

Types of work available:

  • General transcription – convert audio recordings to text.
  • Data entry – input information into databases or spreadsheets.
  • Specialised transcription – medical or legal (requires training but pays more).

Where to find work:

  • Rev
  • TranscribeMe
  • Clickworker
  • Amazon MTurk

Creative & Specialised Opportunities

Selling Digital Products

Earning potential: £50–£5,000+ per month Time commitment: High upfront, then passive

Create once, sell repeatedly. Digital products require upfront work but can generate passive income for months or years.

  • Online courses on Teachable or Udemy.
  • eBooks via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
  • Printables & templates on Etsy.
  • Stock photography on Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.
  • Graphic design templates on Creative Market.

Website & User Testing

Earning potential: £5–£60 per test Time commitment: 10–30 minutes per test

Companies pay for feedback on their websites and apps. Navigate sites while speaking your thoughts aloud to help them improve user experience.

  • UserTesting – £8–£10 per 20-minute test.
  • Userlytics – some moderated tests pay £50+.
  • TryMyUI – regular testing opportunities.
  • TestingTime – live moderated sessions pay more.

Social Media Management

Earning potential: £15–£50+ per hour Time commitment: 5–30 hours per week per client

Small businesses need help managing their social media presence but can’t afford full-time staff.

  • Creating and scheduling posts across platforms.
  • Engaging with followers and responding to comments.
  • Growing follower counts organically.
  • Reporting on metrics and analytics.

Phone & Computer-Based Tasks

Get Paid to Search the Web

Earning potential: £50–£150 per year Time commitment: Passive

Install browser extensions that reward you for searches you’d perform anyway.

  • Qmee – no minimum payout, instant withdrawal.
  • Swagbucks – earn points for searches & shopping.
  • Microsoft Rewards – earn points using Bing.

App & Game Testing

Earning potential: £1–£10 per test Time commitment: 5–20 minutes per test

Mobile apps need testing before launch. Use apps, identify bugs, and submit feedback straight from your phone.

  • BetaTesting – test apps and websites.
  • Testbirds – wide range of digital products.
  • uTest – large testing community with regular work.

Longer-Term Income Builders

Start a Blog or YouTube Channel

Earning potential: £0–£10,000+ per month Time commitment: 10–40 hours per week

Creating content takes significant time before generating income, but successful creators can earn substantial passive income.

  • Expect 6–12 months before meaningful income.
  • YouTube requires 1,000 subscribers & 4,000 watch hours to monetise.
  • Consistency and niche focus are crucial.

Affiliate Marketing

Earning potential: £50–£5,000+ per month Time commitment: Ongoing content creation

Promote products you genuinely use and earn commission. Works brilliantly alongside blogging, YouTube, or social media.

  • Amazon Associates – 1–10% commission on products.
  • ShareASale & Awin – networks with thousands of merchants.
  • CJ Affiliate – large brands and established companies.

Selling & Renting What You Have

Sell Unwanted Items Online

Earning potential: £100–£1,000+ (one-time) Time commitment: Few hours to photograph & list

Everyone has items gathering dust. Turn clutter into cash through online marketplaces.

  • eBay – electronics, collectibles, branded items.
  • Facebook Marketplace – local sales, furniture, large items.
  • Vinted / Depop – clothing and fashion.
  • Music Magpie – quick sale of books, CDs, DVDs, tech.

Rent Out Your Assets

Earning potential: £50–£500+ per month Time commitment: Minimal ongoing effort
  • Spare room – advertise on SpareRoom or take on a lodger.
  • Parking space – list on JustPark or YourParkingSpace.
  • Car – rent on Turo or Getaround when not in use.
  • Equipment & tools – rent on Fat Llama.
  • Designer clothing – list on By Rotation.

Specialised Skills & Professional Services

Bookkeeping & Accounting

Earning potential: £20–£50 per hour Time commitment: Project-based or retainers

Small businesses often outsource bookkeeping. If you’re comfortable with numbers or can learn software like QuickBooks or Xero, there’s steady demand.

Graphic Design & Creative Services

Earning potential: £20–£100+ per hour Time commitment: Project-based

From logo design to social media graphics, businesses constantly need visual content. Even beginners can find work for simple projects.

  • Fiverr – set packages at various price points.
  • 99designs – design contests and freelance projects.
  • Upwork – build direct client relationships.
  • Dribbble – portfolio that can lead to inbound work.

Proofreading & Editing

Earning potential: £15–£40 per hour Time commitment: Flexible, project-based

If you have excellent grammar and attention to detail, proofreading can provide steady work. Authors, students, and businesses all need editing services.

  • Reedsy – connects editors with authors.
  • Scribendi – ongoing editing jobs.
  • Upwork – general freelance marketplace.
  • Cactus Communications – academic editing roles.

Programming & Web Development

Earning potential: £25–£150+ per hour Time commitment: Project-based

Developers are in high demand, especially those fluent in popular tech stacks. Even junior developers can land remote gigs with a solid portfolio.

  • Learn via freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, or Codecademy.
  • Focus on JavaScript, React, Python, or WordPress.
  • Build portfolio projects to showcase abilities.
  • Start with small freelance projects to gain experience.

Tax Implications

Any income earned—online or offline—may need to be declared to HMRC.

  • If your side income exceeds £1,000 per year, register for Self Assessment.
  • Keep detailed records of income and expenses.
  • You may be able to deduct business expenses.
  • Consider consulting an accountant as earnings grow.

Building a Sustainable Income Strategy

Combine multiple methods: don’t rely on a single stream—many successful earners mix 3–5 different approaches.

Start small and scale: begin with easier options like surveys and cashback, then move toward higher-paying skills.

Invest in skills: writing, design, coding, and marketing command better rates.

Track everything: log time vs. earnings to double down on what works.

Be patient: most people earn £50–£200 per month initially and scale up over 6–12 months.

Ready to Get Started?

Pick two or three methods that align with your skills and availability. Commit to trying them for at least a month, track your results, and iterate. Legitimate opportunities won’t make you rich overnight, but they can provide meaningful supplemental income and, in some cases, grow into full-time careers.

Need Help Presenting Your Skills?

Whether you’re applying for remote positions or building a freelance portfolio, having a professional CV matters. Use Simple CV Builder to craft an impressive, shareable CV in minutes.

Disclaimer: Earnings mentioned are estimates based on typical user experiences and can vary significantly. We’ve done our best to list legitimate opportunities, but always conduct your own research before signing up. Simple CV Builder is not affiliated with any of the platforms mentioned and receives no compensation for including them in this guide.

Last updated: November 2025.

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