Secret websites to make money online

Secret websites to make money online

The internet is flooded with “make money online” advice, but let’s be honest most of it’s either outdated or unsuitable. If you’re just starting out and want realistic ways to make money, you need trustworthy websites, not scams.

The digital gig economy keeps expanding but with it comes a jungle of low-quality offers and outright scams. Below is an in-depth 17site guide updated with 2024-25 data live case studies, pay ranges and success tips showing beginners and side hustlers where the real money still is. Underlined hyperlinks send you directly to sign up pages earnings calculators or proof of payment posts so you can verify everything for yourself.

In the fast evolving digital landscape opportunities to make money online have multiplied offering people from all walks of life flexible and lucrative income streams. However with so many options comes the risk of scams and low quality platforms that lower your efforts. Finding secret websites to make money online lesser known but trusted platforms can maximize your earnings while minimizing risks.

Overview

Whether you want a coffee money side hustle or a serious second income start small validate a platform’s pay policy then scale up. Earnings quoted below represent realistic averages distilled from recent salary databases, user interviews and company FAQs. All pay is stated in USD and assumes you meet basic quality metrics.

1. Rev : Make Money by Transcribing Audio

What it is
Rev is a long running marketplace for transcription, captioning and subtitling gigs that pays weekly via PayPal.

How it works

1. Pass a short grammar test.
2. Choose jobs in Rev’s dashboard; each audio minute displays its own pay.
3. Submit work; human reviewers grade accuracy.

Pay

• Standard: $0.30–$1.10/audio minute (≈$18–$27/hour for fast typists).
• Top 5% earn ~$1,495/month working flexible hours.

Real-life example
Stay-at-home parent Jennifer H. averages $1,000–$1,200/month after ramp-up.

Tips to earn more

• Specialize in legal or medical audio (higher CPM).
• Accept “rush” files that pay bonus rates.
• Maintain 4.5-star internal rating to unlock priority projects. rev.com/freelancers

https://www.rev.com/freelancers/transcription

2. Respondent : Get Paid for Giving Your Opinion

What it is
Respondent.io matches you with UX interviews, focus groups and diary studies often for Fortune 500 clients.

How it works

1. Build a profile that highlights work history, tech stack, income bracket, etc.
2. Apply to studies; answer screeners.
3. Join Zoom or in-person session; payouts appear within 5 days through PayPal (minus 5% processing fee).

Pay

• Average incentive: $100/hour.
• Range: $50–$300/30–60 min session.

Real-life example
YouTuber Karynn Snow earned $190 for a 2-hour banking-app interview—payment proof shown on video.

Max-out strategy

• Connect LinkedIn to auto-verify job title (boosts invite rate).
• Niche expertise (e.g., cloud architecture) yields $200+ studies. respondent.io/projects

https://www.respondent.io/become-a-participant

3. Steady : Find Local Side hustle & Remote Work

What it is
A free mobile app curating gig listings, cash-boost challenges and emergency grants co-founded by Shaquille O’Neal.

How it works

1. Link a checking account (optional) so Steady can track income and suggest higher-paying gigs.
2. Browse local or remote tasks; complete “Income Boosters” for bonuses.

Pay snapshot

• Reported user average: $5,500/year extra income.
• One reviewer notes earning cash-back bonuses plus gig matches that paid his teens’ allowances.

Why it’s valuable
Steady functions as an aggregator; you save hours hunting disparate gig boards. steadyapp.com https://hellosensible.com/steady-app-review/

4. Textbroker : Get Paid to Write

What it is
A content mill where businesses purchase blog posts, product descriptions and white papers.

How it works

1. Submit a 250-word sample.
2. Receive a 2–5-star quality rating.
3. Pick “Open Orders” or negotiate direct orders.

Pay

• Open Order: $0.013–$0.055/word (star-tiered).
• Experienced 4-star writer clocks ~$30/hour by drafting 700 words in 20 minutes.

Caveats

• Clients can request revisions; late delivery hurts rating.
• Redditors warn of 1–2 ¢ “race-to-the-bottom” gigs.

Pro move
Use Direct Orders: set your own floor (e.g., $0.07/word) and keep loyal clients. textbroker.com https://www.textbroker.com/authors-payments-conditions

5. Cambly : Teach English Online

What it is
An on demand video-chat platform connecting English learners with native or near native speakers—no TEFL required.

How it works

1. Create a tutor video intro.
2. Open “Priority Hours” or wait for student calls.
3. Chat; Cambly tracks minutes and pays weekly via PayPal.

Pay

• Adults: $10.20/hour.
• Cambly Kids: $12/hour; top tutors make ~$1,300/month consistently.

Insider tips

• Keep a regular schedule so subscribers book recurring slots.
• Earn referral bonuses by bringing new tutors. cambly.com/english/teach

https://betweenenglandandiowa.com/how-much-earn-online-esl-tutor/

6. UserTesting : Test Websites for Money

What it is
Companies crowd-source usability feedback; contributors record screens while narrating tasks.

How it works

1. Take a sample test.
2. Accept tasks that fit your demographics.
3. Speak thoughts aloud; submit 10- to 20-minute video.

Pay

• Standard 20-min test: $10.
• Live Conversation (30–60 min moderated): $30–$60.

Volume realities
Work is sporadic; keep dashboard open in a browser tab for instant grabs. usertesting.com/get-paid-to-test https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/usertesting-review/

7. PeoplePerHour : Freelancing for Beginners

What it is
A UK based marketplace popular for small fixed-price “Hourlies” logo tweaks, data scrapes, quick landing pages.

How it works

1. Publish a service (price + delivery time).
2. Send 15 free proposals monthly; buy more “credits” if needed.
3. Client funds escrow; you deliver and invoice.

Pay

• Freelancers set their own rates; common gigs range $1.5 – $9/hour in India and $15–$100/hour globally.
• Platform fee: 20% on first £250 with a buyer, dropping to 7.5% after volume.

Edge
Lower competition than Upwork, so new profiles rank faster. peopleperhour.com https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salary/PeoplePerHour-Salaries-E632276.htm

8. SliceThePie : Get Paid to Review Music

What it is
Since 2007, SliceThePie has paid micro-cents for 45-word critiques of unsigned tracks, ads and fashion items.

How it works

1. Listen to 90 seconds of audio.
2. Write a structured review.
3. Cash out at $20 via PayPal or Revolut—funds arrive within 24 h for verified users.

Pay

• Base: $0.02–$0.12 per review; <em>average</em> ~$2/hour.

Is it worth it?
Good for killing time on commute but not a serious income stream—expect 30–40 ¢/h if you rush. slicethepie.com https://www.sidehustlenation.com/slicethepie-review/

9. WeLocalize : Translation Gigs for Beginners

What it is
Enterprise localization firm offering freelance linguist, QA and transcription roles.

How it works

1. Pass a language assessment.
2. Accept tasks in CAT tools provided.
3. Get paid via Payoneer, PayPal, or direct deposit.

Pay

• Glassdoor median: ₹1 million/year India (~$12,000) or $26–$30/hour US translator rate.

Bread-and-butter projects
App-store string reviews, audio transcription, search-engine quality rater gigs welocalize.com/careers https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salary/Welocalize-Translator-Salaries-E105833_D_KO11,21.htm

10. trymata : User Testing for Beginners

What it is
A competitor to UserTesting, rebranded as Trymata; desktop and mobile UX tests.

How it works

1. Record a sample test.
2. Accept 15- to 30-min tasks; submit video + written answers.
3. Payment via PayPal within 24 h of approval.

Pay

• Flat $10/test (≈20 min).
• Live “moderated” sessions may reach $30–$60, but availability limited.

Pro tip
Focus on tasks tagged “survey + video”—they pay the same $10 but take half the time. trymata.com https://www.capterra.com/p/178072/TryMyUI/pricing/

11. PlaytestCloud : Test Mobile Games

What it is
Berlin-based platform paying gamers to record play sessions while narrating feedback.

How it works

1. Complete an unpaid qualification test.
2. Receive invites that match device + demographic.
3. Play 15 min; upload recording; answer post-survey.

Pay

• 15-min playtest: $5–$9.
• Longer multi-session studies (full campaigns) pay up to $60.

Reality check
Invites are sporadic; consider it a fun supplement, not a wage. app.playtestcloud.com/signup https://app.playtestcloud.com/signup

12. Field Agent : Complete Micro Tasks in Your Area

What it is
Mystery shopper app paying for shelf photos, price checks and product trials.

How it works

1. Accept a job in the app; drive to store.
2. Snap UPC, answer questions, upload.
3. Funds clear 5–6 days after approval then instant cash-out to bank.

Pay

• $3–$15/task, usually 5–30 min.
• App states $20 million+ paid to agents since launch.

Earning hack
Stack tasks in the same shopping center to earn $30+ during one grocery run. fieldagent.net https://selfmadesuccess.com/field-agent/

13. ClearVoice : High Quality Writing Gigs

What it is
A premium content marketplace connecting vetted writers with SaaS, fintech and e-commerce brands.

How it works

1. Build a CV Portfolio (samples auto-pulled from links).
2. Set preferred rate in Financial Settings.
3. Editors pitch you to clients; you negotiate scope.

Pay

• Platform average: ~$0.30/word.
• Authority-level projects hit $0.75–$1/word for long-form thought leadership.

Fee structure
ClearVoice keeps 25% service fee; you quote gross so net meets goal. clearvoice.com https://help.clearvoice.com/en/knowledge/setting-your-desired-pricing

14. Spare5 : Get Paid for Simple Microtasks

What it is
Crowd platform paying for image annotation, sentiment tagging, AI training data.

How it works

1. Pass tutorials; tasks surface in dashboard.
2. Complete micro-jobs on desktop or iOS app (Android retired).
3. Weekly PayPal payouts; high-accuracy workers unlock bonuses.

Pay

• Micro-tasks range $0.01–$0.20 each; fast annotators report “several hundred dollars” monthly.

Skill-building
Projects teach you ML labeling workflows—transferable to higher-paying jobs at Scale AI. scale.com https://techcrunch.com/2015/08/25/spare5-raises-10m-series-a-round-for-its-mobile-mechanical-turk-service/

15. Guru : Trusted Freelancing Platform

What it is
A veteran freelance marketplace with lower fees for paid members and built in workroom tools.

How it works

1. Create profile; pick membership plan (Free, Basic, Professional, Executive).
2. Bid on posted projects; escrow via SafePay.
3. Deliver; client approves; withdraw funds.

Cost & Pay

• Commission: 9% on free plan, 5% on $49.95/mo Executive.
• Typical earnings mirror Upwork—$15–$100/hour depending on niche.

Why use it
Less bid competition than Upwork; SafePay protects both parties. guru.com https://www.ncrypted.net/blog/what-is-guru/

16. Clickworker : Crowdworking Platform

What it is
EU-based micro-task hub (partner to UHRS) offering data entry, web research, AI training.

How it works

1. Register; complete assessments.
2. Access tasks in UHRS or Clickworker’s dashboard (“CW Tasks”).
3. Weekly PayPal/SEPA payments once balance hits €5.

Pay

• Typical range: €0.09–€2 per micro-task; top “Search Evaluation” gigs pay €8–€12/hour.

Fast-lane strategy
Level up language assessments to unlock higher pay ranking projects in UHRS. clickworker.com https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Hourly-Pay/clickworker-Hourly-Pay-E445474.htm

17. Ko-fi : Get Paid for Your Creative Work

What it is
A “tip jar + shop + membership” platform letting artists keep 100% of donations (Ko-fi takes 0% on PayPal tips) and sell digital goods.

How it works

1. Launch a free Ko-fi page in minutes.
2. Offer one-off donations, monthly memberships, or a digital shop.
3. Cash hits PayPal or Stripe instantly—no payout delays.

Revenue examples

• Over 1 million creators have earned $150 million+ cumulatively.
• Writers commonly bundle e-books at $5–$15 and retain full margin.

Upgrades
Ko-fi Gold ($6/mo) unlocks custom domains, lower shop fees and email marketing. ko-fi.com https://productmint.com/how-does-ko-fi-make-money/

Conclusion

Legit online income isn’t about magic loopholes it’s about stacking reliable skill aligned platforms. Pick two or three from the list that match your talents (typing speed, language fluency, UX curiosity, local mobility or creative craft). Verify each site’s pay policy with a $20–$50 pilot stint then scale the winners.

With persistence combining Rev transcription, UserTesting sessions and ClearVoice articles could generate $2,000+/month enough to pay rent in many cities while keeping your schedule flexible. Happy earning and remember: always read the fine print back up your PayPal with 2-FA and track your freelance income for tax season.

FAQ’s

1. What is the secret website to earn money?

There’s no true “secret,” but sites like UserTesting and Rev are underrated yet legit for earning extra income.

2. Which website is best for earning money?

Fiverr is one of the best platforms for freelancing and skill-based gigs with global reach.

3. Which is the No. 1 money earning app?

Upwork is often ranked top for freelancers, offering high-paying projects in various fields.

4. How to make $100 a day legit?

Freelancing, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products can help you reach $100/day consistently.

5. Which site is legit for making money?

Swagbucks, Amazon Mechanical Turk, and Toptal are legit platforms depending on your skill level.