Online Job Ideas
Updated for 2026
Real online work people actually use: side income, skilled freelancing, and longer-term opportunities. No promises, just honest expectations.
Earnings estimates shown in USD
Fiverr
Marketplace where people sell services like admin work, writing, design, voice overs, translation, and more.
Free to start
Upwork
Large freelance marketplace for all kinds of skills: writing, design, programming, admin, marketing, and more.
Free to join, service fees 10-20%
Amazon KDP
Self-publishing platform for ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers sold on Amazon. Popular for books, journals, planners, and niche guides.
Free to publish
Shopify
Platform used to create and run an online store selling physical or digital products.
Monthly fee required
TeePublic
Print-on-demand site focused on apparel and accessories where artists upload designs.
Free to start
Cambly
English conversation tutoring platform with flexible scheduling.
Free to start
Redbubble
Print-on-demand marketplace where artists upload designs that are sold on products like shirts, stickers, and posters.
Free to start
Printful
Leading print-on-demand service for custom apparel, mugs, posters, and more. Integrates seamlessly with Etsy, Shopify, or your own store.
Free to start, pay per fulfilled order
Printify
POD platform with a huge global provider network for apparel, accessories, and home goods. Often the cheapest base prices.
Free (Premium plan optional for discounts)
Amazon Associates
Amazon's massive affiliate program — promote almost any product on Amazon and earn commissions on sales via your links.
Free
Etsy
Marketplace for selling handmade items, vintage goods, and digital products like printables, planners, graphics, and templates.
Listing and transaction fees per sale
Society6
Marketplace where artists sell designs on home decor, apparel, and lifestyle products.
Free to start
Merch by Amazon
Amazon's print-on-demand service for custom t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel. Upload designs and Amazon handles printing, shipping, and sales.
Free to join/apply
Gumroad
Platform for selling digital products like ebooks, templates, courses, art files, and tools directly to your audience.
Free to start, ~8.5% + $0.30 per sale
Shutterstock
Stock media platform where contributors earn royalties from photos, videos, and illustrations.
Free to start
Adobe Stock
Stock marketplace integrated into Adobe software where creators license photos, videos, and vectors.
Free to start
Getty Images
Premium stock photography and video platform with higher licensing fees.
Free to start
Skillshare
Platform where instructors earn money based on student watch time.
Free to start
Teachable
Platform for building and selling your own online courses and coaching programs.
Free plan available, paid plans scale
Udemy
Massive marketplace for creating and selling on-demand video courses.
Free to start
Preply
Marketplace for 1-on-1 online tutoring in languages, academic subjects, and skills.
Free to join, commission on earnings
Survey Junkie
Survey platform where users earn small amounts for sharing opinions.
Free to start
Branded Surveys
Survey platform offering points redeemable for cash or gift cards.
Free to start
Swagbucks
Earn from surveys, watching videos, shopping, and small tasks.
Free to start
UserTesting
Platform where users test websites and apps and give feedback.
Free to start
Freelancer.com
Global bidding platform for all kinds of freelance projects.
Free to join, fees on earnings
Rev
Platform for transcription, captions, and subtitles.
Free to start
FlexJobs
Curated job board featuring vetted remote, part-time, and flexible positions across all industries. Every listing is hand-screened to eliminate scams.
Subscription required (~$15-50/month)
We Work Remotely
One of the largest remote job boards focused on tech, marketing, customer support, and design roles from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Free for job seekers
Remote.co
Remote job board and resource hub featuring positions in customer service, writing, tech, HR, and more from established remote-first companies.
Free for job seekers
AngelList (Wellfound)
Job platform connecting talent with startups. Many roles offer remote work, equity, and the chance to join early-stage companies.
Free for job seekers
Clickworker
Microtask platform offering data entry, web research, AI training tasks, and content creation. Work as much or as little as you want.
Free to start
Appen
AI training and data annotation platform. Work on projects improving search engines, voice recognition, and machine learning models.
Free to start
Lionbridge
Global AI training company offering search evaluation, data annotation, and language-based tasks for improving technology.
Free to start
Belay
Professional virtual assistant placement company connecting skilled VAs with businesses for ongoing administrative, bookkeeping, and social media work.
Free to apply
Time Etc
Virtual assistant service connecting skilled assistants with entrepreneurs and small businesses for administrative support.
Free to apply
Fancy Hands
US-based virtual assistant platform for completing short tasks like making calls, scheduling, research, and data entry.
Free to apply
Toptal
Exclusive network of top 3% freelance developers, designers, and finance experts. Premium clients, premium rates.
Free to apply
Gun.io
Developer-focused freelance platform connecting experienced engineers with vetted companies for contract and full-time remote roles.
Free to apply
99designs
Design marketplace where designers compete in contests or work 1-on-1 with clients on logos, websites, branding, and more.
Free to join
Contently
Content marketing platform connecting professional writers with brands for high-quality articles, blog posts, and content strategy.
Free to apply
Scripted
Content creation platform where vetted writers produce SEO articles, social media content, and scripts for businesses.
Free to apply
Constant Content
Marketplace where writers sell pre-written articles or accept custom orders from clients needing web content.
Free to join
Gengo
Translation platform connecting bilingual translators with clients needing fast, affordable translations in 35+ languages.
Free to apply
ProZ
Professional translator network and job board connecting translators with direct clients and translation agencies worldwide.
Free basic membership, paid premium options
ModSquad
Content moderation and customer support company hiring remote moderators for social media, community management, and chat support.
Free to apply
YouTube Partner Program
Monetize a YouTube channel through ads, sponsorships, memberships, and merchandise once you meet eligibility requirements.
Free to start
Patreon
Membership platform where creators earn recurring revenue from fans who pay monthly subscriptions for exclusive content and perks.
Free to start, 5-12% platform fee on earnings
Medium Partner Program
Blogging platform where writers earn money directly from readers through a subscription model, avoiding reliance on ads or sponsorships.
Free to start
Substack
Newsletter platform allowing writers to publish content and charge readers a subscription fee for premium access.
Free to start, 10% platform fee on paid subscriptions
Instagram/TikTok Sponsorships
Build a social media following in a niche hobby or interest, then earn through brand sponsorships and partnerships.
Free to start
Podcast Sponsorships
Create and monetize a podcast through sponsorships, listener support, and affiliate marketing.
Under $100 for basic equipment
Affiliate Marketing
Promote products or services on your platform (blog, podcast, social media) and earn commissions from sales through your unique referral links.
Free to start
Sell Digital Products
Create and sell digital products like ebooks, templates, courses, guides, or tools that can be sold repeatedly without production costs.
Free to start, platform fees per sale