I Tried 5 Popular Side Hustle Platforms — Here’s What Actually Made Me Money

These days, everyone seems to be searching for extra income. Whether it’s TikTok videos promising fast money or blog posts These days, everyone seems to be searching for extra income. Whether it’s TikTok videos promising fast money or blog posts titled “10 Side Hustles That Made Me Rich,” the idea of making money outside a 9-to-5 job is more popular than ever. I’ve always been curious—do these so-called side hustles actually work for normal people? Can you really earn money online without experience, followers, or startup capital?

So I decided to put them to the test. I gave myself one week to try five of the most talked-about side hustle platforms. My goal was simple: figure out which platform could help a complete beginner make real money. I didn’t spend a dime upfront, and I didn’t use any special skills or connections. Just a laptop, internet, and willingness to try.

The five platforms I chose were: Swagbucks, Upwork, TaskRabbit, Etsy (digital products), and Fiverr. They were all frequently recommended in online “best side hustle” lists, and they each claimed to be beginner-friendly. I documented every step, every failure, and every dollar earned.First up was Swagbucks. It's probably the easiest platform to start with. You earn points by completing surveys, watching videos, playing games, or signing up for offers. Within five minutes, I was taking my first survey. But after about an hour of clicking through endless questions—some of which disqualified me halfway—I had earned just $1.12. Yes, it was technically money, but it felt like a complete waste of time. Most surveys were repetitive, and it became clear that you'd need hours each day to make even $5. It’s a mindless grind, not a hustle. Unless you’re extremely bored and don’t mind wasting time, I wouldn’t recommend this platform for serious income.

Next, I tried Upwork. This platform is more professional—it’s for freelancers looking for real gigs. I spent time polishing my profile, adding skills, and submitting proposals. Over three days, I applied to twelve jobs. I only got one response, but I landed a $25 proofreading job that took me less than two hours. It wasn’t life-changing money, but it was real, fast, and fair. The catch is that competition is high. Clients often receive 30+ proposals. Still, if you’re willing to pitch yourself, build a profile, and do solid work, Upwork can turn into a long-term income stream. Out of all five platforms, it felt the most professional and scalable.

Then I moved on to TaskRabbit. This one connects you with people in your area who need help with small tasks. Think IKEA furniture assembly, TV mounting, or tech setup. After a background check and approval process, I saw a gig in my city asking for Wi-Fi router help. I completed it in under an hour for $35. The work was simple, and the person even gave me a tip. This was the fastest, easiest cash I made all week. The downside? TaskRabbit is very location-dependent. If you live in a small town, you might not see many tasks. But if you're in a busy city and don’t mind manual work, it’s absolutely worth trying.

First up was Swagbucks. It's probably the easiest platform to start with. You earn points by completing surveys, watching videos, playing games, or signing up for offers. Within five minutes, I was taking my first survey. But after about an hour of clicking through endless questions—some of which disqualified me halfway—I had earned just $1.12. Yes, it was technically money, but it felt like a massive waste of time. Swagbucks might work if you're doing it during your lunch break or watching Netflix, but it’s not something that can seriously contribute to your income.

Next, I tried Upwork, a freelance platform that connects professionals with clients around the world. The sign-up process was longer than I expected—setting up my profile, verifying my identity, and writing proposals for gigs took the better part of a day. I applied to 11 jobs and only heard back from one, but that one turned into a $25 proofreading gig. It took two hours, and the client was happy enough to leave a 5-star review. Upwork showed me that while it’s competitive and slow to start, there’s real money to be made if you’re patient and persistent.

Then came TaskRabbit, which focuses on local physical jobs like moving help, assembling furniture, or tech setup. After submitting my background check and getting approved two days later, I found a gig helping someone install a Wi-Fi router. The task took 40 minutes and paid me $35. Not bad at all. But TaskRabbit has two caveats: it’s location-dependent, and most jobs involve physical labor. If you're in a major city and willing to get your hands dirty, it’s a quick way to earn. Otherwise, it may be hit or miss.