Many people search for ways to earn extra money online but often find the same basic suggestions everywhere. The internet offers countless opportunities, yet most articles focus on well-known platforms that everyone already uses.
You can discover lesser-known websites that provide real opportunities to earn money through various skills and activities. These platforms range from creative services and freelance work to simple tasks you can complete in your spare time. Whether you want to sell digital products, offer services, or participate in the sharing economy, multiple options exist to match your interests and schedule.
12 Secret Websites to Make Money in 2026
Many people know about popular sites like Upwork and Fiverr. But there are lesser known options that can help you make money online.
These secret websites offer legitimate opportunities to boost your income from home.
1. Fiverr
Fiverr connects you with millions of buyers looking for digital services. You can sell almost any skill you have on this platform.
The site works on a gig-based system. You create service listings called gigs that buyers can purchase directly.
Popular categories include writing, graphic design, video editing, and programming. You set your own prices starting at $5 per gig. You can offer different service packages at various price points. This lets you earn more from each customer.
Fiverr takes a 20% commission from your earnings. You keep the remaining 80% of what buyers pay. The platform has high-demand gigs you can start even with basic skills. Many sellers earn steady income by focusing on simple tasks.
You build your reputation through customer reviews. Good ratings help you attract more buyers and charge higher prices. Payment processing happens automatically through Fiverr. You can withdraw your earnings once they clear after order completion.
The site provides tools to communicate with buyers and manage your orders. You can track your performance and optimize your gigs for better visibility.
2. Upwork
Upwork connects you with clients who need freelance work done. You can offer services like writing, design, programming, or virtual assistance.
The platform lets you set your own rates. You bid on projects that match your skills and experience.
Your profile acts as your storefront. Include examples of your best work and client reviews to stand out from other freelancers.
Upwork takes a percentage of what you earn. The fee starts at 20% for new client relationships but drops to 5% as you earn more from the same client.
You can find both short-term tasks and long-term contracts. Some projects pay by the hour while others offer fixed prices for completed work.
Competition can be intense since millions of freelancers use the platform. New users often struggle to win their first projects without reviews or a proven track record.
Success on Upwork requires building strong client relationships over time. Focus on delivering quality work and maintaining good communication with clients.
The platform offers payment protection for hourly work through time tracking software. This ensures you get paid for documented work hours.
3. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the best online earning websites you can use to make extra money. The platform has paid out over $300 million to users.
You can earn money through multiple activities on Swagbucks. These include taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online. You also get paid for searching the web and playing games.
The platform offers both a website and mobile app. This makes it easy to earn money from anywhere. You can use your phone during breaks or while waiting.
Swagbucks works as a reward site where you collect points called SB. You can then exchange these points for cash or gift cards. Popular options include PayPal cash and Amazon gift cards.
Taking surveys is a main way to earn on the platform. Survey topics range from products to services and current events.
You can also earn cashback when shopping through Swagbucks. The platform partners with thousands of retailers. This lets you earn money on purchases you already make.
Getting started is free and simple. You just need to create an account and verify your email address.
4. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a well-established platform that pays you for completing simple online tasks. You can earn cash by completing surveys, reading emails, playing games, and shopping through their website.
The platform offers multiple ways to make money from home. You can take paid surveys about products and services. Reading promotional emails also earns you small amounts.
Playing online games through InboxDollars generates cash rewards. Shopping at partner retailers gives you cashback on purchases you already make.
Setting goals helps increase your InboxDollars earnings. Plan how much money you want to make and how many hours you can dedicate to tasks.
InboxDollars pays in actual cash rather than points. You can request payment once you reach the minimum threshold. The site has been operating for many years and has paid millions to users.
You need to be consistent to see meaningful earnings. The tasks are simple but pay small amounts. This makes InboxDollars better for extra spending money than replacing a full income.
5. Redbubble
Redbubble is a print-on-demand platform where you can sell your artwork on various products. You upload designs and earn money when customers buy items featuring your art.
The platform handles all printing, shipping, and customer service. You just focus on creating designs that people want to buy.
You can put your artwork on t-shirts, stickers, phone cases, mugs, and dozens of other products. Each sale earns you a royalty payment based on the product type.
Getting started is free and simple. You create an account, upload your designs, and write descriptions with relevant tags to help customers find your work.
Making money on Redbubble requires creating designs that appeal to specific audiences. Popular niches include funny sayings, pet themes, and trending topics.
Your earnings depend on how many products you sell and your royalty rates. You can adjust your markup to earn more per sale, but higher prices might reduce sales volume.
Success takes time and consistent effort. You need to regularly upload new designs and optimize your product listings to increase visibility in search results.
6. Shutterstock Contributor
You can earn passive income by uploading your photos, videos, and illustrations to Shutterstock. The platform connects your creative work with businesses and marketers worldwide.
Getting started is simple. You need a camera or smartphone to create content. Shutterstock accepts photos, footage clips, illustrations and vectors from contributors globally.
Your earnings depend on downloads. New contributors earn a minimum of 10 cents per download. More popular images generate higher income over time.
Success requires quality content and smart keywords. You need to optimize your descriptions and titles to help buyers find your work easily.
The platform offers global exposure for your creativity. Shutterstock is one of the largest platforms for selling stock content, giving you access to millions of potential customers.
You keep earning from the same image multiple times. Once uploaded, your content can sell repeatedly without extra work from you.
7. Podia
Podia is an all-in-one platform where you can create and sell online courses, digital downloads, and memberships. You don’t need technical skills to get started.
The platform lets you build a professional-looking website for your digital products. You can upload videos, PDFs, and other materials to create courses that people will pay for.
You keep most of your earnings when you make sales. Podia charges a small percentage, but you get to keep the majority of what customers pay.
The site works well for coaches, teachers, and experts who want to share their knowledge. You can sell courses on topics like fitness, cooking, business skills, or hobbies.
Podia also handles payment processing and delivers your products automatically. This means you can make money while you sleep once your content is uploaded.
You can start with their free plan to test things out. The free version has some limits, but it’s enough to see if selling digital products works for you.
Many creators earn hundreds or thousands of dollars per month through Podia. Your income depends on how many products you create and how well you market them to potential customers.
8. Etsy
Etsy connects creative people with buyers who want handmade and vintage items. You can sell crafts, art, jewelry, home decor, and digital products on this platform.
Setting up your shop takes just a few minutes. You add photos of your products and write descriptions that help buyers find what you need.
The site charges a small listing fee for each item you post. When something sells, Etsy takes a percentage of the sale price plus payment processing fees.
Many sellers focus on turning hobbies into income through their Etsy shops. Popular items include custom jewelry, printable wall art, handmade soaps, and vintage clothing.
You need good photos to make sales. Clear, bright images that show your products from different angles work best.
Writing good product titles helps people find your items when they search. Use words that describe what you’re selling, the style, and the materials you used.
Etsy works well for people who like making things with their hands. You can start small and grow your business over time as you learn what customers want to buy.
9. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects you with people who need help with everyday tasks. You can earn money by doing things like moving furniture, cleaning, or running errands.
The platform lets you choose which jobs you want to take. You set your own schedule and work when it fits your life.
TaskRabbit offers a way to earn by performing tasks like assembling furniture, running errands, or doing home repairs. Popular tasks include IKEA furniture assembly, moving help, and home organization.
You need to pass a background check to join. The app shows you available jobs in your area with details about what needs to be done.
Payment happens through the app after you complete each task. Most people earn between $15 to $70 per hour depending on the type of work.
You can build a customer base by doing good work. Happy customers often request you for future jobs, which means steady income.
The best part is you use skills you already have. No special training is needed for most tasks.
10. Amazon Associates
The Amazon Associates Program helps content creators make money by promoting products. You earn commissions when people buy items through your links.
Your commission ranges from 1-10% depending on what you sell. This can add up to significant income over time.
You need a website or blog to join the program. Amazon provides easy tools to create affiliate links for any product.
When someone visits your site and clicks your affiliate link, you earn money if they make a purchase. The process is straightforward and automated.
Amazon affiliate websites work well because Amazon has millions of products. You can find items that match your audience’s interests.
The program works best when you recommend products you know well. Write honest reviews and helpful content about items you actually use.
Many successful Amazon affiliates focus on specific niches. This helps them build trust with their audience.
You can promote anything from books to electronics to home goods. Pick products that fit naturally with your content.
The key is building an audience first. Focus on creating valuable content that helps people make buying decisions.
11. Udemy
Udemy offers a solid way to earn passive income by creating and selling online courses. You can teach almost any skill or subject you know well to millions of students worldwide.
The platform handles all the technical details for you. You just need to create your course content and upload it. Udemy takes care of payments, hosting, and student support.
You earn money every time someone buys your course. Popular instructors can make significant passive income from their courses over time.
Success on Udemy requires choosing topics people want to learn. Research what courses are already popular and look for gaps you can fill with your expertise.
Your course needs good video quality and clear explanations. Students expect professional-looking content that delivers real value for their money.
Building an audience takes time, but earning money on Udemy can become a reliable income stream. Many instructors start with one course and expand their offerings as they gain experience.
The platform works well for people who enjoy teaching and have specialized knowledge to share.
12. Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Experiences lets you earn money by hosting activities and tours for travelers. You don’t need to own property to start making income.
You can offer walking tours, cooking classes, art workshops, or outdoor adventures. The platform connects you with tourists looking for unique local experiences.
Creating your experience listing is free. You set your own prices and schedule when you want to host.
Popular experiences include food tours, photography walks, and cultural activities. You can make money with Airbnb Experiences by sharing your skills or local knowledge.
Airbnb takes a 20% service fee from your earnings. You keep 80% of what guests pay for your experience.
The key is offering something different that tourists can’t find elsewhere. Think about your hobbies, skills, or what makes your city special.
You need to pass Airbnb’s quality standards and background check. This includes submitting your experience idea and getting approved.
Most hosts earn $50 to $200 per experience. Your income depends on your pricing, group size, and how often you host.
This works well as a side income since you control your schedule. You can host on weekends or whenever you have free time.
In Summary
The internet offers real chances to earn extra money in 2026. These secret money-making websites won’t replace your full-time job, but they can boost your income.
Most platforms require:
- Basic computer skills
- Reliable internet connection
- Time and effort
You don’t need special training to start. Many beginner-friendly websites let you earn without experience.
Success takes time. Don’t expect instant wealth from any platform.
Key tips for earning:
- Start with 2-3 websites max
- Read all terms carefully
- Track your earnings
- Stay consistent
Some sites pay daily while others take weeks. Choose platforms that match your schedule and skills.
The best approach is testing different websites. What works for others might not work for you.
These legitimate earning opportunities can help you reach financial goals. Pick the ones that fit your lifestyle and start today.
FAQ
Many people want to know about reliable payment methods and how to spot legitimate platforms. The key concerns include finding sites that pay quickly and avoiding scams while maximizing earnings potential.
