25 Best Side Hustles to Make Money in 2026

More people than ever are looking for side gigs to make money because a single salary doesn’t always cut it. Around 36% of U.S. adults earn extra income from a side hustle, and average earnings sit in the $800–$1,100/month range for active side hustlers. For most people, that’s a good enough reason to start a side hustle.

The good news: the best online side hustles are easier to start than a few years ago. Most can be run from home in your spare time, with low upfront costs and real upside if you treat them like a business instead of a hobby.

Below, I’ll walk you through 26 of the best side hustles from home, high-paying gigs, creative side hustles, and simple offline jobs. I’ll also show you how platforms like Sellfy can help you turn your skills into real products, subscriptions, and merch. If you’re mainly here to figure out which side hustle pays the most, jump straight to the “Side hustles that pay well” section.

Quick overview of the best side hustles in 2026

Here’s a quick look at my top 10 picks for the best side hustles from home and offline gigs before we dive into the details.

Best side hustles and gigs to make money

Okay, let’s be real. There’s no one-size-fits-all “best” side hustle. The best side hustle for you is the one that fits your time, skills, and cash timeline.

To keep this simple, I’ve grouped ideas into four categories: Best side hustles from home, Side hustles that pay well, Creative side hustles, and Simple side gigs to make money.

Best side hustles from home

The best side hustles from home are the ones that give you flexibility and a decent income without making you crash.

1. Sell digital products

Selling digital products means you create something once (template, guide, presets, mini-course) and sell it over and over, with no shipping and no inventory. On Sellfy alone, for example, 75,000+ creators have sold $165M+ worth of products, which should tell you this stuff works. If you want a practical answer for how to make more money on the side without adding more client calls, this is usually it.

Here’s what makes this hustle actually enjoyable: the boring parts can run on autopilot. You upload the file, Sellfy handles checkout and automatic delivery, and you can add basic protection like download limits and PDF stamping so people don’t casually forward your work to their cousin’s WhatsApp group.

Also, you don’t need a Frankenstein stack of tools just to sell one PDF. Sellfy bundles the stuff you’ll end up needing anyway, like upsells, cart recovery, email marketing, and affiliate marketing (depending on plan), plus it’s no transaction fees from Sellfy itself, you just pay your plan and standard Stripe/PayPal processing. It’s so easy that travel photographer Sorelle Amore made $25K in her first month of selling photo products on Sellfy.

If you want ideas, steal from this list of digital product formats and examples: Sellfy’s digital products guide.

Example

Blogger Zara Simon-Ogan sells her successful haircare recipe e-books and other products on her Sellfy store.

Upfront cost

$29–$300

Time required

5–15 hours/week

Income potential

$500–$5,000+/month

Required skills

Content creation, basic design or writing, basic marketing, and audience building.

Challenges

Standing out in crowded niches, driving traffic to your store, and staying consistent with promotion.

Create an online store for your digital products

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How to start

Pick a clear niche (e.g., Notion templates, Lightroom presets, workout programs). Create 1–3 simple products first. Set up a Sellfy store, upload your digital files, and connect your social channels. This is one of the simplest ways to learn how to start a side hustle with low risk.

2. Online tutoring

Online tutoring is getting paid to teach one skill or subject through video calls, async feedback, or small groups. On O*NET, tutors have a median wage of about $19.72/hour, which makes this one of the cleanest “time-to-money” plays from home.

You can get creative with it, too. Just look at longtime tutor and teacher Melissa Maribel. Melissa extended her profession into a creative side hustle by selling chemistry notes and study guides as digital downloads on her Sellfy store.

Example

Katya Held Gallery sells instructional painting, drawing, and sculpture guides alongside impressive art prints on her online store.

Upfront cost

$0–$150

Time required

3–15 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$3,000+/month

Required skills

Subject expertise, clear communication, patience, basic video call skills.

Challenges

Finding regular students, managing scheduling, avoiding burnout during peak exam seasons.

How to start

Decide on 1–2 subjects you’re confident in teaching. List yourself on tutoring platforms or in niche communities, and offer a short discounted “trial session.” As you grow, package your materials into digital products (worksheets, recorded lessons) and sell them via a simple storefront.

3. Freelance writing/editing

Freelance writing and editing is one of the best online side hustles if you’re good with words. In the U.S., freelance writers often land around $20–$40/hour, with pros charging far more for specialized work.

Example

TrueSix runs a Sellfy storefront that helps freelancers learn copywriting, headlines, formatting, and editing.

Upfront cost

$0–$150

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$4,000+/month

Required skills

Solid writing, research, basic SEO, and client communication.

Challenges

Landing first clients, inconsistent demand at the start, managing scope creep and revisions.

How to start

Pick one “lane” (e.g., SaaS blogs, email sequences for ecommerce, LinkedIn ghostwriting) and build 3–5 samples that look like real client work. Start pitching daily (cold email + LinkedIn + Upwork), and package offers simply (e.g., “4 SEO posts/month” or “weekly newsletter”). Once you’ve got repeatable topics, turn your best frameworks into a small digital product (templates/checklists) you can sell on Sellfy for extra upside.

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4. Affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing works like this: you recommend a product using a tracked link, and when someone buys through that link, you earn a commission. You don’t handle inventory, delivery, or support; the brand does. Your job is to send the right people to the right offer, usually through reviews, tutorials, comparisons, or “best tools” lists, where the buyer already has intent.

EMARKETER estimated that affiliate marketing would drive $210B+ in U.S. ecommerce sales in 2025, which explains why brands keep paying for it.

Upfront cost

$0–$200

Time required

3–10 hrs/week

Income potential

$50–$8,000/month

Required skills

Content creation, SEO or social growth, copywriting, analytics basics

Key challenges

Slow start, platform algorithm mood swings, affiliate program changes

How to start

Start with one channel (SEO blog or short-form video), pick one tight niche, and publish buyer-intent content. Don’t spread links everywhere, build a “top picks” page and drive traffic to that.

Blush Bloom Aesthetics sells a 35-image stock photo collection designed to help entrepreneurs upgrade their social content.

5. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants (VAs) handle admin tasks like email, scheduling, basic research, and inbox cleanup for busy entrepreneurs. A lot of VAs charge $15–$30/hour to start, with specialized VAs (operations, launches, systems) earning significantly more.

Example 

Neat Pages Ph sells a “Client Portal + Project Management | Notion Template”, exactly the kind of client-facing system a VA can build once and reuse across clients (or sell as a product).

Upfront cost

$0–$150

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$2,500+/month

Required skills

Organization, communication, basic tools (Gmail, calendar, spreadsheets), reliability.

Challenges

Time-zone juggling, boundary-setting with clients, switching between different tools and workflows.

How to start

List your services clearly (e.g., “Inbox & calendar VA for coaches”). Create a simple one-page site or Sellfy page to present your offer. Pitch to coaches, consultants, and creators who already seem overwhelmed (DMs and email outreach work well here).

6. Social media management

Social media management is basically the brand’s “posting engine.” You earn money because most businesses want the results of being active online without spending their whole day on Instagram, so they pay you monthly to keep the machine running.

You decide what to post and when… along with a whole list of tasks like planning content, scheduling posts, replying to comments and DMs, and tracking performance. Upwork lists over 5,000 Social Media Manager jobs (at the time of writing), which shows constant buyer demand for this service. 

Upfront cost

$0–$200

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$3,000+/month

Required skills

Content planning, basic design, copywriting, analytics, and social platform know-how.

Challenges

Keeping up with algorithm changes, managing client expectations, and dealing with content burnout.

How to start

Pick 1–2 platforms you know best. Offer a simple package: content calendar + 8–12 posts per month. Use examples or mockups to show your style. Over time, package your frameworks into digital products (content calendars, templates) and sell them.

7. Sell subscriptions

Selling subscriptions turns your side hustle into recurring revenue: monthly access to exclusive content, downloads, communities, or templates. Subscription products often bring 70–90% profit margins once set up… Who can say no to that?

Learn how to make more money on the side with this in-depth guide on selling subscriptions.

Example

Come Follow Me Toddlers sells a $6/month digital subscription that emails subscribers monthly printable activity packs (10–15 pages + bonuses).

Upfront cost

$29–$300

Time required

5–15 hours/week

Income potential

$500–$5,000+/month

Required skills

Content creation, consistency, basic marketing, and community management.

Challenges

Staying consistent with new content, reducing churn, and offering enough value to justify ongoing payments.

How to start

Pick one subscription format that’s easy to repeat (monthly drop, weekly pack, member-only library, or coaching tier) and define the exact deliverable (“X files every month” or “Y calls + Z resources”). Build your first 2–4 weeks/months of content upfront, then set up the subscription product in Sellfy and launch with a simple “founder price” to your audience. Track retention (who cancels and why) and adjust the deliverables before you scale promotion.

Create an online store for your digital products

See how

8. Get paid to test apps and websites

Testing apps and websites for usability lets you earn from short, structured tasks. It goes something like this: you test a checkout flow, explain what confused you, and get paid for the recording.

Many platforms pay in the $10–$60/session range, often for 15–30 minute tests where you speak your thoughts while clicking through a product.

Example

You might spend an hour or two on weeknights testing new SaaS tools, ecommerce sites, or mobile apps and stacking small payments. Freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr are a godsend for this, and you’ll find no shortage of testing tasks in their listings.

Upfront cost

$0–$100

Time required

2–8 hours/week

Income potential

$100–$600/month

Required skills

Clear communication, following instructions, reliable internet, and mic.

Challenges

Inconsistent test availability, screening surveys, and low pay if you’re not selective.

How to start

Sign up on reputable testing platforms only. Fill out detailed profiles so you qualify for more tests. Treat it as a side gig to make money at the margins of your day (not a full income stream) and combine it with other online side hustles.

9. Remote bookkeeping

Remote bookkeeping is pretty straightforward. It’s your job to manage basic finances for small businesses: categorizing expenses, reconciling accounts, and preparing simple reports. It’s a cool side hustle where you can do monthly bookkeeping for, say, 3 small e-commerce stores, and charge a flat fee per store.

Example

Jeanette Andrada sells a paid home-office deduction spreadsheet on a Sellfy store (a practical accounting worksheet product you could also create/sell alongside client work).

Upfront cost

$0–$400 (courses/software)

Time required

5–15 hours/week

Income potential

$500–$3,000+/month

Required skills

Basic accounting, attention to detail, bookkeeping software (QuickBooks, Xero), and communication.

Challenges

Initial learning curve, staying organized across multiple clients, and handling tax-season stress.

How to start

Take a short online bookkeeping course if you’re new. Offer discounted packages to your first 1–2 clients (think local freelancers or small shops). Once you have a process, turn your checklists and templates into digital products you can sell to other bookkeepers or DIY owners.

10. Remote customer support (chat/email)

Remote customer support is handling tickets, chats, and email replies for online businesses. It’s one of the best online side hustles if you want stable hours and you’re good under pressure. You can get your headstart by applying for a part-time remote shift cover. 

Look for openings at SaaS brands, where you’ll typically handle things like billing questions and some basic troubleshooting.

Example

Breakthru Institute sells training products and structured frameworks for customer loyalty and service quality.

Upfront cost

$0–$100

Time required

6–20 hrs/week

Income potential

$300–$3,500/month

Required skills

Writing, empathy, troubleshooting, speed

Key challenges

Repetitive issues, angry customers, shift schedules

How to start

Apply for part-time remote shifts, then move up by specializing (billing, onboarding, technical support). The money improves when you’re the “calm fixer,” not just a responder.

Jeanette Andrada sells a paid home-office deduction spreadsheet that supports her bookkeeping work.

Side hustles that pay well

If you’re wondering which side hustle pays the most, you’re in the right place. These are side hustles that pay well because they’re harder to do, easier to mess up, and businesses will happily pay to avoid the headache. 

11. Web designer and landing page builder

Web design is building sites that look good and convert, usually for small businesses and creators. BLS lists web developers at $90,930 median annual wage and web/digital interface designers at $98,090.

Example

The Social Style Kit lists a “Customized Website Package” for $697. It’s a perfect example of how your service can be packaged into a ready-to-buy offer.

Upfront cost

$0–$500

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$1,000–$5,000+/month

Required skills

Web dev or no-code tools, problem-solving, client communication, basic UX.

Challenges

Scoping projects, avoiding underpricing, keeping up with tech changes.

How to start

Pick a niche (gyms, dentists, SaaS, restaurants) and build 2–3 sample landing pages with different goals (lead gen, booking, product). Offer one tight package (e.g., “1-page landing + mobile + basic SEO + handoff”) and sell it via Upwork/LinkedIn while collecting before/after metrics. Then productize what you repeat (sections, layouts, full templates) and sell those templates/downloadables on Sellfy for extra scalable income. 

12. Paid ads and performance marketing specialist

Running paid ads (Meta, Google, TikTok) for businesses can be a high-income side hustle if you’re performance-focused. Many freelancers charge flat monthly retainers plus a percentage of ad spend or performance bonuses. Upwork PPC consultants often charge around $29–$51/hour. 

Example

MyB Success Center sells a “Meta Ads Made Affordable” e-book on Sellfy, which is a great use of digital products to target demand for ad know-how.

Upfront cost

$0–$400 (courses/tools)

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$1,000–$6,000+/month

Required skills

Ads platforms, analytics, copywriting, landing page basics.

Challenges

Pressure to deliver ROI, platform volatility, intense learning curve.

How to start

Learn one platform deeply (e.g., Meta or Google Ads). Run small campaigns for your own products or a friend’s business. Collect case studies and pitch “done-for-you” ad management to businesses already spending money but not tracking results well.

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13. High-ticket coaching or consulting

If you have domain expertise (marketing, fitness, career coaching, finance), 1:1 or small-group coaching is one of the side hustles that pays well. Many coaches charge $100–$300+/session or $500–$3,000 per program, depending on niche and outcome.

Example

Monkeypixels sells a productized “1 on 1 Coaching & Consulting” session focused on tools + business (Photoshop/Lightroom/Final Cut/Gear), priced at $300. 

Upfront cost

$0–$500

Time required

5–15 hours/week

Income potential

$1,000–$7,000+/month

Required skills

Deep expertise, communication, empathy, basic sales skills.

Challenges

Imposter syndrome, inconsistent lead flow, delivering results, setting boundaries.

How to start

Define a clear outcome (e.g., “land your first freelance client in 60 days”). Offer a beta program to a handful of people at a discounted rate, collect testimonials, then raise your prices and streamline delivery using templates and digital resources.

14. Short-form video editing for brands

Brands and creators are drowning in video demand. HubSpot’s 2025 marketing research says short-form video delivers the highest ROI, and it’s also the most-used content format (30% of both B2B and B2C marketers use it). Short-form editors who can turn raw footage into TikToks, Reels, and Shorts often charge $300–$1,500+ per monthly package per client.

Example

You might handle 12–20 short videos per month for a coach, plus reuse those assets as content examples in a “short-form hook pack” product.

Upfront cost

$0–$300

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$800–$5,000+/month

Required skills

Basic editing, pacing, hooks, and platform trends.

Challenges

Fast turnarounds, creative fatigue, managing expectations around “viral” performance.

How to start

Edit a few spec videos using free stock clips or a friend’s footage. Reach out to creators and small brands already posting but with weak editing. Offer a starter package, then raise prices as you lock in consistent results.

15. UX/UI or brand design

Brief overview

Good designers are always in demand. You have the flexibility to choose between designing conversion-friendly interfaces (UX/UI) and visual identity (brand) for clients. Brand designers often charge $50–$150+/hour or $1,000–$10,000+ per full branding or product design project.

Example

GameArt2D sells full GUI packs (buttons, HUD, windows) as ready-to-use UI assets for game interfaces.

Upfront cost

$0–$500

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$1,000–$8,000+/month

Required skills

Design tools (Figma, Adobe), user-centric thinking, branding basics.

Challenges

Portfolio building, client feedback cycles, staying creative under deadlines.

How to start

Pick one narrow offer to start (e.g., “Landing page UI + mobile version” or “Brand kit: logo lockups + palette + type + mini style guide”). Build 2–3 strong samples (even mock projects), then sell the same thinking twice: 

1. As a service package
2. As a template/kit on Sellfy for people who can’t afford custom work.

Creative side hustles

These creative side hustles work best when you’re willing to ship imperfect work consistently (and not wait for inspiration like it’s a delivery order).

16. Sell print-on-demand products

Print-on-demand (POD) lets you sell merch (shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters) without holding inventory. You upload designs; the provider prints and ships when orders come in. It’s a classic creative side hustle with 50–70% profit margins on well-priced products.

Sellfy has built-in POD so you can design, list, and sell from the same dashboard. Learn more in this guide to selling merch with print-on-demand.

Example

Canva Greeting Cards & Templates has a dedicated section called “Print-on-Demand T-Shirts, Pants, Bags & More” with items like hoodies, beanies, tees, and home goods. 

Upfront cost

$0–$200

Time required

3–15 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$4,000+/month

Required skills

Basic design, niche understanding, marketing, and social media.

Challenges

Standing out, testing winning designs, dealing with returns, and shipping times.

How to start

Pick one tight niche (community, profession, inside jokes, micro-hobby), then create 10–20 designs that clearly “signal identity” (not generic quotes). Launch a small set of bestsellers first (tees + hoodies), order 1–2 samples to verify quality, then push consistently through one main channel (TikTok/IG Reels or a niche Facebook group) before you scale the catalog.

17. User-generated content creator

UGC creators make short videos and photos for brands to use in their ads and social feeds. It’s one of the fastest-growing creative side hustles, with many creators charging $100–$500+ per content package early on. 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions (and it’s rated more impactful than brand-created or influencer-created content in that survey).

Example

Blush Bloom Aesthetics sells a 35-image stock photo collection aimed at helping entrepreneurs/influencers upgrade their social content.

Upfront cost

$0–$300

Time required

3–15 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$5,000+/month

Required skills

On-camera presence, basic filming, editing, storytelling.

Challenges

Outreach and negotiation, creative briefs, staying authentic while promoting.

How to start

Pick 1–2 niches you can film easily (skincare, fitness, food, apps), then build a tight portfolio of 8–12 sample UGC videos (different hooks, angles, and styles). Start outreach to DTC brands and local businesses with a simple offer (e.g., “3 videos/week” package) and clear usage terms. Once you’re shipping consistently, sell add-ons via Sellfy (rate card template, UGC script packs, content bundles, or a mini-course on your process).

Canva Greeting Cards & Templates has a dedicated section with print-on-demand hoodies, beanies, tees, and home goods.

18. Graphic design

Graphic design side hustles cover logos, social graphics, templates, and more. Digital assets like fonts, icons, and UI kits can hit 80-90% profit margins when sold as downloads. On Upwork, graphic designers commonly price at $15–$35/hr (median $25/hr), and the category has 100K+ reviews, which is a great sign of active buying.

Learn more about the best ways to make money using graphic design in this detailed guide.

Example

Mattovsky sells PSD-based stream overlay template packs for gamers and other streamers, showing how you can turn your design skills into a sellable digital asset.

Upfront cost

$0–$300

Time required

5–15 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$4,000+/month

Required skills

Design tools, typography, layout, and visual branding.

Challenges

Crowded marketplaces, pricing, and avoiding endless low-budget requests.

How to start

Create 2–3 small template packs for a specific niche (e.g., real estate reels, coaches’ carousels). List them as digital products on a specialized platform like Sellfy. Use Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to showcase “before/after” and design process clips.

19. Make money with photography

Brief overview

Photography can be both a client service and a digital product business. Photographers increasingly earn from presets, stock packs, and courses, often with profit margins above 70%.

Check Sellfy’s guide on how to make money as a photographer plus the photography ideas in the digital products article.

Example

Underwater photographer Tobias Friedrich sells custom Lightroom presets through a Sellfy-powered store and talks about using automated delivery to earn “passive income” while focusing on shooting/travel. 

Upfront cost

$200–$1,500 (camera gear/software)

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$5,000+/month

Required skills

Photography, editing, basic marketing, client communication.

Challenges

Gear costs, finding a style, balancing client work vs. digital product creation.

How to start

Pick a niche (portraits, product, travel). Start with a mix of small shoots and digital products like presets or stock packs. Use a Sellfy store to host both your digital assets and, if you want, simple bookings or paid guides.

20. Sell handmade crafts

Brief overview

Handmade crafts are physical products you make yourself (candles, crochet, resin, pottery). This works when your style is recognizable, and your production is consistent. Etsy’s marketplaces connected 8.1M active sellers to 95.5M active buyers as of Dec 31, 2024, a strong signal of ongoing demand.

Example

The Backyard Apothecary sells handcrafted products like tallow soaps on a Sellfy storefront, a clean (pardon the pun) example of productized handmade items.

Upfront cost

$100–$800

Time required

5–15 hours/week

Income potential

$200–$2,000+/month

Required skills

Craftsmanship, product photography, basic branding and packaging.

Challenges

Inventory, shipping, pricing time-intensive work properly.

How to start

Start with 3 products, calculate true costs, then raise prices faster than you think you should. Your time is not free.

Simple side gigs to make money

These are side gigs to make money when you want something straightforward and you’re okay trading time for cash.

21. Rideshare driving

Brief overview

Driving passengers around via rideshare apps is a straightforward offline side hustle. Many drivers report gross earnings of $15–$30/hour before costs, with big differences by city and time of day.

Example

You could drive only during weekend nights or airport runs and treat it as a targeted “extra income” window.

Upfront cost

$0–$1,500 (vehicle, maintenance, insurance)

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$2,000+/month

Required skills

Safe driving, customer service, navigation.

Challenges

Fuel and maintenance costs, dealing with difficult passengers, late hours.

How to start

Ensure your car meets platform requirements, complete background checks, and experiment with different time slots. Track real net pay after costs to see if it fits your goals.

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22. Pet sitting and dog walking

Brief overview

Pet sitting and dog walking are classic simple side gigs to make money if you like animals. Many walkers charge $15–$30 per walk, and sitters can earn more for overnight stays.

Example

You build a small roster of local clients and fill your mornings or evenings with regular walks. Sample schedule: You walk two dogs each weekday and do weekend sitting.

Upfront cost

$0–$150

Time required

3–15 hours/week

Income potential

$200–$1,500+/month

Required skills

Reliability, basic pet care, communication.

Challenges

Weather, schedule juggling, responsibility for someone’s pet.

How to start

Start with friends/family referrals, get reviews, then raise rates. Cheap clients are the hardest clients.

23. House cleaning and home organizing

Brief overview

Cleaning and organizing homes trades time and effort for reliable cash. Solo cleaners often charge $25–$60/hour depending on location and scope, with repeat clients providing steady income.

Example

You might focus on “move-in/move-out” cleans on weekends or recurring bi-weekly cleans for a few clients.

Upfront cost

$50–$300

Time required

5–20 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$2,500+/month

Required skills

Attention to detail, physical stamina, organization.

Challenges

Physical work, travel between clients, managing expectations on time and results.

How to start

Offer a first-time deep clean, then move clients to a recurring schedule. Recurring is where the money gets calmer.

Mattovsky sells PSD-based stream overlay template packs starting at $14.

24. Local handyman / odd jobs

Brief overview

If you’re handy, small repairs and odd jobs (mounting TVs, fixing shelves, basic yardwork) could be your perfect weekend hustle. Rates often sit at $25–$75/hour depending on skill and tools.

Example

You might spend Saturdays doing fix-it tasks in your area booked through local apps or word of mouth.

Upfront cost

$50–$500 (tools)

Time required

3–15 hours/week

Income potential

$300–$2,000+/month

Required skills

Basic DIY skills, safety awareness, problem-solving.

Challenges

Inconsistent demand at first, physical strain, liability for mistakes.

How to start

Start with the tasks you can do perfectly (assembly, mounting), get photos + reviews, then expand. Don’t “learn on the client.”

25. Food and grocery delivery

Brief overview

One of the simplest side gigs to make money involves delivering food or groceries through apps. You can make $12-$25/hour before expenses like gas, depending on your city and hours.

Example

Stack deliveries after your day job or on weekends to hit a specific monthly savings goal.

Upfront cost

$0–$800 (if you already own a car, it’s mostly fuel)

Time required

3–20 hours/week

Income potential

$200–$1,500+/month

Required skills

Navigation, reliability, customer service.

Challenges

Vehicle wear-and-tear, variable demand, dealing with weather/traffic.

How to start

Sign up for one or two solid delivery apps. Track hourly earnings after expenses. Focus on high-tip areas and busy times (lunch, dinner, weekends).

Side hustles to avoid in 2026

Some of these side hustles are high-risk, some are overhyped, and all of them are rarely worth your time:

• Get-rich-quick crypto or day trading schemes: High risk, often marketed with unrealistic returns.
• MLM / “recruit your friends” businesses: Revenue often depends more on recruiting than real product value.
• Generic dropshipping with low-quality products: Oversaturated and heavy on ad spend; easy to lose money.
• Expensive “Amazon automation” or done-for-you store offers: High buy-in, very little control, and lots of horror stories.
• Survey-only “income” promises: Fine for pocket change, but not a real side hustle that pays well.

Focus on skills and assets you control instead: digital products, services, and simple, transparent gigs.

FAQ

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is any extra work you do to make money outside your main job. Usually it’s flexible, usually it’s on your terms (or at least that’s the goal). It can be offline, like delivery or tutoring, or online, like freelancing, selling templates, or running a small ecommerce store. The difference is simple, it’s not your full-time job, but it can grow into one if you treat it seriously.

How to make more money on the side?

Pick one thing you can actually stick with, not five half-baked ideas you “might start this weekend.” Go for something with decent margins, services and digital products tend to beat low-paying gigs fast. Set a weekly time block you can defend (even if it’s just 6 hours), get results, then raise your rates before you get “busy” and resentful.

How to start a side hustle?

Pick one idea you can ship fast. Turn it into a simple offer (what you do, who it’s for, price). Block 5–10 hours a week and protect it. Then validate with real people: a basic page or profile, plus 10–20 direct messages to likely buyers. Do the first few jobs/sales, collect feedback, and adjust your offer and pricing based on what people actually pay for.

Which side hustle pays the most?

There’s no “best” side hustle. There’s only what pays you the most based on what you can sell and how fast you can prove it works. The big money usually comes from one of two lanes: you either charge more because your skill is rare, or you build something you can sell without repeating yourself 50 times.

Why start a side hustle?

Because life got expensive, honestly. People start side hustles to cover bills, pay off debt, or build a savings buffer, but also because having one income stream feels like playing life on hard mode. The other reason is autonomy, you get to build something that’s yours, even if it starts as a scrappy weekend project.

And once you see money come in from something you control, it’s hard to unsee it.