31 Best Ways To Make Money Online Without Paying Anything
Last Updated: August 05, 2024 • 16 min read
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Making money online without an upfront investment is entirely possible. With the rise of online jobs and businesses, you can earn extra cash or even build a full-time income from home.
Whether you're experienced or a beginner, there are ways to start earning without any initial costs. Leverage your creativity and skills in content creation, digital services, and online sales to generate steady income.
I've personally earned money online in various ways without any startup costs, proving it's not just a pipe dream.
31 Legit Ways To Make Money Online Without Paying Anything
- Blogging
- Online Store
- Graphic Designer
- Podcast Host
- Survey Taker
- Printables
- Playing Games For Money
- Influencer
- Social Media Manager
- eBook
- Proofreading
- Affiliate Marketing
- Data Entry
- Freelance Writing
- Voice Actor
- Online Course Creator
- Online Tutor
- Stock Photography
- Bookkeeper
- Book Reviewer
- Livestreamer
- Transcriptionist
- Print On Demand
- Virtual Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
- Website Tester
- Market Research
- App Tester
- Online Community Moderator
- YouTuber
- Watching Videos For Money
1. Blogging
Blogging is how I started making money online, without spending a dime upfront.
If you’ve got a laptop, this is where I suggest you begin.
Over time, you’ll have some costs if you want to grow and increase your earnings. However, the expenses are minimal compared to the potential income.
So, what is a blog? It’s exactly what you’re reading now—writing on a website. You can blog about your passions, expertise, or even something you’re curious about (people love following someone’s journey).
There are countless niches to explore—travel, personal finance, home, lifestyle, family, food, and many more.
2. Online Store
Starting an online store is a solid way to make money without upfront costs. Platforms like Etsy and Shopify make this easy.
On Etsy, you can sell handmade or vintage items or craft supplies. It’s perfect if you're creative and want to sell unique products. Shopify, however, offers more flexibility. You can sell almost anything and build your own branded storefront.
There are plenty of options for what to sell. Digital products like ebooks or web design templates are ideal because they don't require inventory and can be sold repeatedly. Physical products are also an option, but remember, you’ll need a plan for shipping and might need to invest in inventory.
Dropshipping is another smart approach. You don’t keep inventory or handle shipping. Instead, suppliers take care of that for you.
With the right products, your online store can start generating income with minimal upfront investment.
3. Graphic Designer
As a graphic designer, you can earn money online without any upfront costs. Create designs like logos, social media graphics, and branding materials for clients.
Start by building a simple yet impactful portfolio to showcase your work. Highlight your favorite projects and what reflects your design style.
You can also join freelance platforms like Fiverr, where businesses actively seek designers like you.
4. Podcast Host
As a Podcast Host, you can make money online by creating and monetizing your own podcast.
Start by choosing a niche you're passionate about or knowledgeable in. Then, create engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Monetize through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, listener donations, or even selling your own products or services.
You don't need to spend money upfront to get started—many platforms offer free hosting and editing tools. Just a microphone, an idea, and the drive to share your voice.
5. Survey Taker
As a Survey Taker, you can earn money online by sharing your opinions on various products, services, or topics.
Many companies and research firms pay for consumer feedback, making this an easy way to make extra cash in your free time.
You don't need any special skills or upfront investment—just sign up on reputable survey sites, complete surveys, and get paid.
It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it's a simple way to earn some money on the side.
My favorite survey sites include:
6. Printables
Selling printables is a great way to make passive income from home without any upfront costs.
Printables are digital files that customers can download and print themselves. You only need to create each file once, but you can sell it repeatedly.
Popular printables include grocery shopping lists, invitations, thank you cards, digital art, and gift tags. It’s a low-effort, high-reward way to earn money online.
This free training will give you fantastic ideas on what to sell, getting started, what it costs, and how to sell.
7. Playing Games For Money
There are plenty of money-making apps that pay you to play games on your phone.
These apps generate revenue from ads and in-app purchases, and they share a portion of their earnings with you to keep you engaged.
While these apps won't make you rich, they offer a simple way to earn extra cash without any upfront costs.
Here’s a quick list of the top game apps that pay real money:
8. Influencer
Becoming a social media influencer is a legitimate way to make money online without any upfront costs, and many people start out just as a hobby.
You can begin with just your phone, sharing photos and thoughts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Influencers earn money through sponsored posts, where brands pay you to promote their products. You can also make money with affiliate marketing, earning commissions from sales made through your referral links. Additionally, selling digital products like ebooks or online courses can add to your income.
9. Social Media Manager
As a social media manager, you can make money online by managing and growing social media accounts for businesses or individuals.
You don't need upfront costs to get started—just your knowledge of social media platforms and content creation.
Your role will involve creating engaging posts, responding to followers, and analyzing performance metrics to help clients achieve their goals.
You can find clients on freelance platforms, or by reaching out directly to small businesses that need help with their online presence. It's a great way to earn money while leveraging your social media skills.
10. eBook
Creating an eBook is a great way to make money online with no upfront costs.
You can write about a topic you’re knowledgeable or passionate about, whether it's fiction, non-fiction, how-to guides, or educational content.
Once your eBook is written, you can sell it on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Gumroad, or your own website.
Since it's a digital product, there’s no inventory to manage, and you can sell it repeatedly. With good marketing, an eBook can become a steady source of passive income.
11. Proofreading
If you enjoy spotting mistakes in written content and want to start a low-cost business, proofreading might be the perfect choice. This can be a flexible part-time job or even a full-time career from home.
Many proofreaders earn around $40,000 a year or more.
As a proofreader, you'll check for errors in articles, ads, books, student papers, emails, transcripts, and more.
To get started, you only need a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, and a keen eye for detail. You already have everything you need to begin.
Sign up for a free workshop to learn more about becoming a proofreader.
You can sign up for the How To Become a Proofreader workshop here.
12. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing lets you earn money by promoting products or services online, with no special tools needed to start.
Here’s how it works: when someone buys a product through your referral link, you earn a commission. It’s that simple.
Start by choosing products you genuinely love and believe others will benefit from. Then, sign up for the product's affiliate program, which will give you a unique affiliate link. This link tracks who clicks and buys based on your recommendation.
Your task is to share this link with as many interested people as possible. You can write about it on your blog, create videos, or share it on social media. The more you share, the more you can potentially earn.
13. Data Entry
Data Entry is a straightforward way to make money online without upfront costs.
It involves inputting data into spreadsheets, databases, or other digital formats. This can include entering customer information, updating records, or organizing data.
To get started, you only need a computer and an internet connection. Many companies and individuals outsource data entry tasks, so you can find opportunities on freelance sites like Upwork or Fiverr.
It’s a flexible job that can be done part-time or full-time from home, making it an ideal option for earning extra income.
14. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a great way to make money online without any upfront costs. You don’t need expensive equipment to start.
As a freelance writer, you create content for various platforms like websites, blogs, magazines, ads, books, and more. It’s a flexible job that allows you to work from anywhere and get paid for your writing skills.
15. Voice Actor
Voice Acting is a flexible way to make money online without upfront costs.
As a voice actor, you use your voice to bring scripts to life for commercials, audiobooks, video games, animations, and more.
To get started, all you need is a decent microphone, a quiet space to record, and some basic recording software—many of which are free or inexpensive.
You can find gigs on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or specialized voice-over sites. It’s a creative way to earn money while using your voice to entertain or inform others.
16. Online Course Creator
As an online course creator, you can make money by sharing your knowledge with others without needing any upfront costs.
You can create courses on topics you’re knowledgeable about or passionate about, whether it's personal finance, cooking, graphic design, or anything in between.
Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare make it easy to create and sell your courses. You only need to create the content once, and you can earn money every time someone enrolls.
It’s a great way to generate passive income while helping others learn new skills.
17. Online Tutor
As an online tutor, you can teach students from the comfort of your home, sharing your expertise in a subject you know well.
You don’t need to worry about commuting or sticking to a strict schedule—you get to choose when to tutor.
Earnings can range from $20 to $50 per hour or more, depending on the subject’s difficulty and your level of expertise. Plus, there’s no upfront cost, making it an ideal way to earn money online.
Your tutoring sessions might include giving lessons, answering questions, or working one-on-one with students via video calls, typically for 30 minutes to an hour at a time.
18. Stock Photography
Stock photography is a way to make money online with no upfront costs.
If you have a camera or even a smartphone, you can start selling stock photos.
You simply take photos, upload them to stock photo websites, and sell them to individuals and businesses.
Websites like Shutterstock, Getty Images, and Adobe Stock are popular platforms where people buy images for websites, articles, blog posts, ads, and social media.
You can sell photos in various categories such as travel, business, people, food, animals, health, fashion, sports, and more.
Recommended reading: How To Earn Money Taking Photos
19. Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers manage financial records, track expenses, and generate financial reports. This role demands attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
The job typically pays over $40,000 a year, and many types of businesses need bookkeepers, offering great career growth opportunities.
You can work from home using your computer and the internet.
No degree is required to become a bookkeeper. Start by learning basic bookkeeping and familiarizing yourself with commonly used software.
20. Book Reviewer
If you enjoy reading and discussing books, you can make money by writing reviews from home.
Authors and publishers value your honest opinions as they help readers decide on their next book. Reviews also benefit other readers by providing insights.
You only need a computer or even just a smartphone to write reviews. Often, the books are provided to you for free, so you don’t have to buy them yourself.
This is usually a side gig that offers extra cash and free books.
Recommended reading: 19 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
21. Livestreamer
Yes, you can make money online with no upfront costs by live streaming, such as playing video games you enjoy.
You can start with just your computer or phone. Upgrading equipment is optional and can come later.
Twitch, YouTube, and Kick are platforms where you can earn money by streaming video games, interacting with viewers in real time, and more.
As your audience grows, you can generate income through ads, subscriptions, and donations.
22. Transcriptionist
Becoming a transcriptionist is a solid way to make money online with no upfront costs.
You can learn the skills needed and start earning around $15 per hour.
As a transcriptionist, you'll convert audio or video files into written documents from the comfort of your home.
Clients can range from marketers and authors to filmmakers, academics, and conference organizers.
23. Print On Demand
Print on demand (POD) is a business model where you sell custom designs on products like T-shirts, mugs, and books, but only print them after an order is placed.
It's a great way to start an online business with minimal upfront costs because you don’t need to handle inventory.
Your role is to create designs and set up your online store.
When a customer places an order, it goes directly to your POD supplier, who prints and ships the product under your brand name.
24. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are in high demand for tasks like emails and scheduling.
It’s a flexible gig—ideal for those avoiding the nine-to-five grind.
With patience and professionalism, you can advance to bigger roles.
It’s a great resume booster and could turn into a full-fledged online business.
Check out Flexjobs, the top platform since 2007 for finding remote jobs that fit your schedule.
25. Customer Service Representative
As a customer service representative, you help customers with their inquiries, issues, or feedback, all from the comfort of your home.
You can start this job with just a computer and a reliable internet connection. No upfront costs are required.
Your tasks may include answering phone calls, responding to emails, or managing live chat inquiries.
Many companies offer remote customer service roles, making it a flexible way to earn money online. It’s an opportunity to work from home while providing essential support to customers.
26. Website Tester
As a website tester, you evaluate websites for functionality, usability, and user experience.
This role involves using a website and providing feedback on issues or areas for improvement. You can do this job from home with just your computer and internet connection.
Website testers often get paid per test or project. Companies use your feedback to enhance their websites and improve user satisfaction.
It's a flexible, low-cost way to earn money online by helping businesses refine their online presence.
27. Market Research
Market research is a way to make money online by sharing your opinions on products, services, or trends.
Companies pay for your insights to understand consumer preferences and improve their offerings.
You can participate in surveys, focus groups, or product tests. Most of these opportunities are flexible and can be done from home.
It’s a simple way to earn extra income without any upfront costs, just by providing your feedback.
28. App Tester
As an app tester, you earn money by testing mobile apps and providing feedback on their performance, usability, and overall experience.
This job involves using the app, finding bugs, and suggesting improvements.
You can start with just your smartphone or tablet and an internet connection.
App testers are paid per test or project, making it a flexible way to earn money online without any upfront costs. Your feedback helps developers create better, more user-friendly apps.
29. Online Community Moderator
As an online community moderator, you manage and oversee online forums, social media groups, or discussion boards to ensure a positive and safe environment.
Your role includes monitoring posts, enforcing rules, and engaging with members to keep the community active and respectful.
This job can be done from home with just a computer and an internet connection.
It’s a flexible way to make money online without any upfront costs, especially if you enjoy interacting with people and maintaining a healthy online space.
30. YouTuber
Becoming a YouTuber allows you to make money by creating and sharing videos on YouTube.
You can start with just a smartphone or basic camera, making it a low-cost way to earn online.
YouTubers make money through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even by selling their own products.
Whether you’re passionate about gaming, tutorials, vlogs, or reviews, YouTube provides a platform to share your content and build an audience. As your channel grows, so does your income potential.
31. Watching Videos For Money
Watching videos for money is an easy way to earn extra cash online with no upfront costs.
You can get paid to watch ads, movie trailers, or short clips on websites like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and instaGC.
These platforms reward you with points or cash for your time.
While it won’t make you rich, it’s a simple way to make money in your spare time, using just your computer or phone.
Recommended reading: 12 Ways to Get Paid to Watch Videos
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