5 Best Online Side Hustle Platforms: Earn Extra Income (2026)

Best Online Side Hustle Platforms: Earn While You Job Hunt

5 Legit Side Gig Platforms to Earn Extra Income

Searching for a full-time job can take time, particularly when you’re applying for multiple positions and waiting for responses. In the meantime, a flexible side hustle can provide a way to earn some extra income while keeping your skills active.

At KLB Recruitment, we’ve selected several online platforms that offer different ways to earn, from freelance projects and professional services to surveys, app testing, and simple online tasks.

The right option depends on your skills, available time, location, and how much you’re hoping to earn. Some opportunities are better suited to professionals with marketable skills, while others are designed for people looking for simple tasks they can complete in their spare time.

Best Online Side Hustle Platforms

Microtasks & Online Work

1. Lootup

Games, Videos, Offers & Rewards

Looking for more ways to earn than just completing surveys? LootUp offers several earning options, including playing games, watching rewarded videos, completing offers, taking surveys and earning cashback. You can redeem your rewards for options such as PayPal cash and gift cards.

Explore Lootup →

2. Clickworker

Microtasks & AI Training Work

For people who would rather earn from completing actual online tasks than spending their time answering endless consumer surveys, Clickworker offers microjobs including AI training, data-related tasks, recordings, photos and surveys.

Check out Clickworker →

3. Freecash

Surveys, App Testing & Online Tasks

Freecash offers a range of ways to earn rewards online, including surveys, app testing, offers, and other tasks.

It can be an option for job seekers looking for something flexible that they can do in their spare time without committing to fixed working hours.

The amount you can earn will depend on the offers available to you, your location, and how much time you spend completing them.

Start with Freecash →

4. TimeBucks

Surveys, Tasks & Flexible Online Activities

TimeBucks offers several ways to earn online, including surveys, social media-related tasks, content engagement, and other activities.

It may suit people who want to experiment with different types of online tasks and earn small amounts during their spare time.

As with other reward platforms, available activities and earning opportunities can vary depending on your location and profile.

Join TimeBucks →

5. GrabPoints

Surveys, Videos & Reward Offers

GrabPoints allows users to earn rewards by completing surveys, watching videos, and participating in various promotional offers.

It is geared towards relatively simple online activities and may be suitable for beginners looking for a flexible way to earn rewards in their spare time.

Try GrabPoints →

Freelance Platforms

If you have a skill you can offer online, freelancing can be a useful way to earn additional income while you’re looking for permanent employment. These platforms allow you to find freelance projects or offer your services directly to clients.

Freelancer.com

Find Freelance Projects & Build Your Portfolio

Freelancer.com allows you to browse freelance projects, submit proposals, and work with clients on projects that match your skills. It’s an option worth exploring if you want to turn skills such as writing, graphic design, administration, marketing, development, or other professional services into freelance income.

Join Freelancer.com →

Upwork

Freelance Jobs Across Multiple Industries

Upwork connects freelancers with clients looking for help across a wide range of professional services. You can search for projects that match your skills and apply directly to opportunities.

Explore Upwork →

Fiverr

Offer Your Services to Clients

Fiverr works differently from traditional freelance job boards. Instead of primarily applying for posted projects, freelancers create service listings that clients can browse and purchase.

It’s worth considering if you have a specific service you can package and offer to clients.

Explore Fiverr →

Which Side Hustle Platform Is Right for You?

Different side hustles suit different goals. If you already have professional skills, freelance work may offer more value per project. If you simply want something flexible that you can do in your spare time, survey and task platforms may be easier to get started with.

If you want to…	Consider…
Play games and/or watch videos	Lootup
Complete surveys, app testing and online tasks	Freecash
Try a variety of flexible online activities	TimeBucks
Earn rewards through surveys and offers	GrabPoints
Do microjobs like, data-related tasks, recordings, photos, etc.	Clickworker
Browse projects and submit bids for work	Freelancer.com
Browse opportunities and submit proposals to clients	Upwork
Offer services for specific skills that you have	Fiverr

Why Consider a Side Hustle While Job Hunting?

A side hustle isn’t necessarily just about earning extra money. Used strategically, it can also help you stay active and productive while you’re looking for permanent employment.

A flexible side hustle may help you:

Generate some additional income while you search for work
Keep your professional skills active
Build experience that you can potentially add to your CV
Explore freelance or remote work
Create a more flexible source of income
Stay productive between applications and interviews

If you’re using your side gig to build professional experience, keep a record of projects completed, clients worked with, or measurable results. These can sometimes provide useful examples to discuss during future interviews.

Be Careful When Looking for Online Side Gigs

Unfortunately, job seekers are also targeted by online work and side-hustle scams. Be particularly cautious of opportunities that promise unusually high earnings for very little work, ask you to pay upfront to access a job, or contact you unexpectedly through social media or messaging apps.

Before signing up for any platform or accepting an online opportunity:

Check how and when you will be paid
Look for minimum withdrawal requirements
Read the platform’s terms and conditions
Check what personal information you are being asked to provide
Never pay someone simply to receive a job
Be cautious about opportunities that require you to recruit others before you can earn
Keep records of your earnings for tax purposes

For more advice, read our guide on How to Spot Fake Social Media Side Gigs and Job Scams.

Are Online Side Hustles Legitimate?

Some online side-hustle platforms (like these mentioned here) offer legitimate ways to earn supplemental income, but the opportunities and earning potential vary considerably. Before joining any platform, research how it works, what users are required to do, how payments are made, and whether it is available in your country. Be particularly cautious of websites or individuals promising guaranteed income.

Can I Do a Side Hustle While Looking for a Full-Time Job?

Yes. Many side hustles offer flexible schedules, allowing you to work around job applications, interviews, and other commitments.
However, your job search should remain the priority if you’re looking for permanent employment. Choose opportunities that don’t interfere with attending interviews, completing applications, or developing your professional skills.

Are These Side Hustle Platforms Available in South Africa?

Yes. The platforms featured on this page are available to users in South Africa. However, the number and type of tasks, surveys, offers, games, and other earning opportunities can vary depending on your location and profile.
Some platforms may have more opportunities available than others at different times.

Which side hustle is best if I don’t have specialist skills?

If you don’t have a specific professional skill to offer, platforms such as LootUp, Freecash, TimeBucks, and GrabPoints offer a range of surveys, rewards, games, offers, and other online activities.
Clickworker is another option if you’d prefer to complete microtasks and online work rather than mainly taking surveys.

Which platform is best for microtasks?

Clickworker is the most suitable option on this list if you’re specifically looking for microtask work. Depending on your eligibility and available projects, tasks can include AI training, data-related work, surveys, recordings, photos, and other online tasks.
Task availability can change, so you may not always find the same type or amount of work.

Can I earn money by playing games or watching videos?

es. Some rewards platforms offer games, videos, app testing, and other activities that allow you to earn points or rewards.
LootUp is particularly useful if you want more options than traditional surveys, while Freecash also offers games, offers, app-related activities, and other ways to earn.
The amount you can earn varies considerably between activities, so it’s worth comparing the time required with the reward offered.

How do these platforms pay you?

Payment and reward options vary between platforms. Depending on the service, you may be able to receive cash through PayPal or another payment method, or redeem your earnings for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other rewards.
Always check the current withdrawal requirements, available payment methods, and minimum payout before spending significant time completing tasks.

Do I have to pay to join these platforms?

The platforms featured on this page are intended to provide ways for users to earn or receive rewards rather than requiring payment simply to access earning opportunities.
Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay an upfront fee to unlock a job, task, or guaranteed income opportunity. A legitimate earning opportunity should not require you to hand over money simply to receive work.

How much money can I make from online side hustles?

There is no guaranteed amount. Earnings can range from small amounts from occasional tasks to more substantial supplemental income for people who spend more time on higher-paying opportunities.
Your results will depend on the platform, your location, available tasks, your eligibility, and how much time you invest.
Treat these platforms as a way to earn extra income, not as a guaranteed replacement for a full-time job.

Is it safe to use online side hustle platforms?

Using established platforms can be a legitimate way to earn extra income, but you should still protect your personal information and remain alert for scams.
Never pay someone to receive a job, be cautious of unrealistic income promises, and check the platform’s terms and payment requirements before getting started.

Why do I get screened out of so many surveys?

Survey platforms often screen participants before a survey begins to determine whether they match the researcher’s target audience. This means you may answer several qualifying questions and still be told that you don’t match the requirements.
This is one reason we recommend looking beyond surveys. Platforms offering microtasks, games, app testing, videos, and other activities can give you more ways to earn when survey opportunities are limited.

A Side Hustle Can Be a Stepping Stone, Not a Destination

A side hustle can provide useful flexibility while you’re searching for your next full-time opportunity, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Use these platforms as potential ways to supplement your income, build experience, or explore different types of work while continuing your job search.

And if you’re ready to apply for your next position, make sure your CV is up to date and your interview preparation is ready before you start submitting applications.