Gigs and Side Hustles

These platforms pay you to chat with, write prompts for, and grade artificial intelligence models to help them improve. If you have strong writing skills, enjoy research, or know how to code, this is currently one of the highest-paying flexible remote niches.

• Data Annotation
  • The Vibe: Train AI models across a huge variety of tasks. You might evaluate chatbot responses, write creative prompts, fact-check research, or review code.
  • The Pay: Starts at $20/hr (coding and specialized fields start at $40–$100+/hr). Fast PayPal payouts.
  • The Catch: Requires passing a pretty difficult entry assessment to get any work.
• Alignerr
  • The Vibe: Specialized AI training based on your expertise. They look for "Task Authors" in coding, general writing, language translation, and marketing.
  • The Pay: $20–$30/hr for generalists; $40–$120+/hr for highly technical or niche subjects.
  • The Catch: Requires passing automated skills tests to qualify, and project availability fluctuates.
• Outlier
  • The Vibe: Teach AI how to write, think, and solve problems. Projects cover everything from basic English and creative writing to advanced math, science, and coding.
  • The Pay: Varies by background and project. Generalists start around $15–$25/hr; specialists can hit $40–$50+/hr.
  • The Catch: The platform is known for being chaotic. Projects can end abruptly, leading to dry spells with no work.
• Telus International
  • The Vibe: Telus is a massive, established company. They hire for AI training, search rating, and annotation tasks.
  • The Pay: Can pay by task or hourly, it depends on the project.
  • The Catch: The application and onboarding process can be slow.
• OneForma
  • The Vibe: A huge global platform featuring a mix of AI training, translation, transcription, and simple data collection projects.
  • The Pay: Usually project-based, paying a flat rate per completed task or milestone.
  • The Catch: You have to read through a guide and pass a certification test to qualify for almost any project.

Every platform listed below is personally vetted—I have used and earned money from all of them. They are perfect for making extra cash in your spare time by playing phone games, doing surveys, or scanning receipts.

• Swagbucks
• • The Vibe: You earn points (called SB) for doing surveys, playing mobile games, or watching videos.
  • The Pay: 100 SB points equals $1. You can cash out for gift cards or PayPal cash.
  • The Catch: Survey disqualifications can get annoying, so it's usually best to stick to the games and high-paying offers to make the most of your time.
• InboxDollars
• • The Vibe: Run by the same company as Swagbucks, but they show your earnings in actual cash instead of points. You get paid to take surveys, play games, search the web, and scan your shopping receipts.
  • The Pay: Paid in real USD. You can cash out via PayPal, prepaid Visas, or gift cards.
  • The Catch: You need $15 in your account for your first cash out, after that cash outs only require $10.
• KashKick
• • The Vibe: Best known for phone games. They pay you real cash to download and reach specific levels in different games, plus some surveys and shopping cashback.
  • The Pay: Direct cash sent straight to your PayPal.
  • The Catch: Game offers have strict time limits, so you have a certain number of days to reach levels and get the reward.
• Freecash
• • The Vibe: A highly popular platform for testing apps and playing mobile games.
  • The Pay: Super low cash out minimums. Withdraw almost instantly via PayPal, crypto, or gaming gift cards.
  • The Catch: Some of the higher paying game offers require a lot of active playtime to complete.
• Qmee
• • The Vibe: A super simple app for quick surveys and casual games.
  • The Pay: No minimum cash out limit. If you make 50 cents, you can send it straight to your PayPal immediately.
  • The Catch: Surveys are on the shorter side, so they don't pay as much as larger platforms.

Heads up: The links above are my personal referral links. If you sign up using them, I might get a small bonus or commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. I’ve personally used and earned money from every single one of these sites, and using my links is a great, free way to support this board!

If you are a native English speaker, you can get paid just to chat with people who want to practice their English. You don't need a teaching degree for these, but getting 120-hour TEFL certificate online will help you get approved way faster.

• Cambly
• • The Vibe: Easiest way to start. No lesson planning or grading. You just log on, answer video calls from people around the world, and have casual conversations.
  • The Pay: Flat $10.20/hour (paid weekly via PayPal).
  • The Catch: The pay is low, but there are zero requirements, no degree or experience needed.
• italki
• • The Vibe: A huge global marketplace. You sign up as a "Community Tutor," make a short intro video, and students book sessions with you directly.
  • The Pay: You set your own rates. Most start around $10–$15/hour and raise it as they get good reviews.
  • The Catch: You have to compete with other tutors, so a friendly, solid intro video is extremely important.
• Engoo
• • The Vibe: You teach 25-minute individual lessons. They provide all the lesson plans and materials on the site, so there is zero prep work.
  • The Pay: Around $10/hour plus occasional bonuses.
  • The Catch: Most students are in Asia, so peak booking hours are usually early mornings or late nights.
• PalFish
• • The Vibe: Completely app based. You teach English right from your phone or tablet, mostly to young kids using their provided slides.
  • The Pay: Around $10–$17/hour depending on how much you work.
  • The Catch: You need a TEFL/TESOL certificate to get hired, and you have to be able to keep kids engaged.

If you are detail-oriented and know your way around standard office tech working as a remote Virtual Assistant (VA) is a solid option. These agencies match you directly with regular business clients.

• BELAY
• • The Vibe: A highly respected agency that matches you with corporate executives, small business owners, or organizations needing dedicated administrative support.
  • The Pay: Typically starts around $18–$24/hour as a 1099 contractor.
  • The Catch: They have a highly selective vetting process and require availability during normal business hours.
• Time etc
• • The Vibe: A popular platform that connects you with ongoing freelance clients for task management, data entry, email organization, and scheduling.
  • The Pay: Starts around $13–$17/hour, paid monthly.
  • The Catch: They strictly look for people who already have at least 5 to 8 years of previous office administration or professional assistant experience.
• Boldly
• • The Vibe: A premium agency focusing on long-term executive support. Unlike most gig sites, they hire you as a W-2 employee, meaning you get paid training and standard employment protections.
  • The Pay: Excellent starting rates, usually around $22–$26/hour based on experience.
  • The Catch: They require a minimum of 7 years of professional corporate experience to get through the hiring process.
• Fancy Hands
• • The Vibe: A casual, on-demand platform. Instead of having a dedicated client, you log in whenever you want and claim quick, bite-sized tasks.
  • The Pay: Paid per task, usually ranging from $3 to $7 per quick request.
  • The Catch: It won't replace a full-time income, and you have to move fast to claim open tasks before other assistants grab them.