Digital Side Hustles Guide – Money Grows On Trees

Earn Extra Income Online With Flexible Digital Work Opportunities

Digital side hustles are online earning opportunities you can do from your phone, laptop, or tablet. They’re flexible, beginner-friendly, and ideal for anyone looking to make extra money in their spare time.

Whether you want to earn a little passive income, complete microtasks, or answer short surveys, digital side hustles let you earn on your terms – anytime, anywhere.


What Are Digital Side Hustles?

Digital side hustles are online platforms where you earn money by completing simple tasks or letting apps run in the background. These may include:

  • Online surveys
  • Microtasks & AI training jobs
  • Smartphone testing & data tasks
  • Passive earning apps (sharing unused internet bandwidth)
  • Paid research platforms
  • Cashback & reward task platforms
  • App/website usability tests
  • Referral-based reward bonuses

You don’t need special skills – only a device and an internet connection.


Who Are Digital Side Hustles Best For?

Digital side hustles are perfect if you want:

  • Flexible, work-from-home earnings
  • Something to do alongside work, school, or parenting
  • Low-commitment, low-pressure ways to build extra income
  • Opportunities to earn on your phone while relaxing
  • Passive earning apps that run in the background

They are not designed to replace a full-time income, but they can help cover bills, savings, or treats each month.


Realistic Earnings

Earnings vary by platform, time invested, and location. As a general guide:

EffortMethodTypical Earnings
Low effortPassive apps (Honeygain, EarnApp, Pawns.app)£2–£20/every other month
Medium effortSurveys & research platforms£20–£200/month
Higher effortMicrotasks, AI training, usability testing£100–£500+/month

You choose how much you want to do – and how much you earn.


Popular Types of Digital Side Hustles

Survey platforms
Get paid for sharing your opinions and testing products.

Microtask & AI platforms
Complete short digital tasks like categorising data, checking search results, or training AI systems.

Passive earning apps
Earn automatically by sharing unused bandwidth or keeping an app installed.

User testing
Test websites and apps and give feedback.

Cashback task platforms
Earn cashback and bonuses for completing simple online actions – not the same as shopping cashback, but still digital rewards.


Is It Safe?

Most platforms are reputable – but always research first.

Tips for safety:

  • Never pay to join a program
  • Avoid sharing unnecessary personal information
  • Use trusted platforms with real payment proof
  • Read privacy policies for data-sharing apps

All platforms in our directory are vetted for legitimacy.


Tips for Maximising Your Earnings

  • Combine multiple platforms – don’t rely on just one
  • Check apps daily for new tasks
  • Use a spare device for passive earnings
  • Track your cashouts
  • Refer friends for bonus income when available
  • Schedule short earning sessions (5–20 minutes/day)

Consistency beats intensity.


Tax note (UK)

Extra income from digital side hustles may count as self-employed income in the UK.
You can earn up to £1,000 tax-free per tax year under the Trading Allowance before needing to declare it.


Thoughts

Digital side hustles won’t make you rich overnight, but they will help you build consistent extra income with minimal risk and maximum flexibility.

Start small, stay consistent, and stack your earning methods – your future self will thank you.


Get Started With Digital Side Hustles

Browse the full list in our Make Extra Money Online Directory to find options based on your preferences.

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