Looking for legitimate ways to make money online? Whether you're a teenager looking for your first paid opportunity, a student wanting flexible income, or a young adult building your CV, there are plenty of websites that can help you earn.
But not every money-making website is suitable for young people. Some require you to be 18+, some have specific rules for under-18s, and others offer rewards rather than cash.
So we've done the legwork and rounded up 10 websites and platforms worth knowing about in 2026, including options for freelancing, user research, surveys, selling items and even gaming.
We've also included the things that matter before you sign up: age requirements, what you can actually do, how flexible the opportunity is, and whether you're building useful skills along the way.
Last checked: September 2026
Platform rules, availability and payment arrangements can change, so always check the provider's current terms before signing up.
| Website | Suitable for | Main opportunity | Skills needed? | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyPocketSkill | Young people aged 13–24 | Everything from tutoring, music coaching to photography, business admin and babysitting | Depends on the opportunity | High |
| Fiverr | 13+ with parent/guardian arrangements for under-18s | Freelancing | Usually | High |
| Ipsos iSay | UK residents aged 16+ | Paid surveys | No | High |
| Swagbucks | UK residents aged 13+ | Surveys and online activities | No | High |
| PlayTestCloud | Eligible gamers and families with children | Playtesting games and giving feedback | No specialist skills | High |
| UserTesting | 18+ | Testing websites and apps | No specialist skills | High |
| Depop | 13+ | Selling clothes and other items | No | High |
| Vinted | Primarily adults; under-18s require parent/guardian involvement | Selling pre-loved items | No | High |
| Rover | 18+ | Pet sitting and dog walking | Pet-care skills helpful | Medium |
| MyPocketSkill research opportunities | Young people aged 13–24 | Giving feedback and opinions | No specialist skills | High |
The key thing to remember is that earning potential, availability and eligibility vary. A website that works well for an 18-year-old freelancer might not be appropriate for a 14-year-old looking for their first opportunity.
If you're aged 13–25 in the UK, MyPocketSkill is designed specifically around helping young people find paid opportunities while developing useful skills. The platform connects young people with opportunities including tutoring, music coaching, creative and digital work, events help, research and other paid tasks.
That makes it different from general gig platforms where young people are competing with an adult workforce.
Depending on the opportunities available, young people can find work involving:
The benefit isn't only the money.
A paid project can also help you:
And if you're trying to turn a skill into something you can eventually earn more from, getting real experience can be much more useful than completing endless low-paid tasks.
Best for: Young people aged 13–25 who want to earn while building skills and experience. Note that young people under the age of 18 need to have a parents account connected and will need parental consent to complete any face to face tasks.
Fiverr is one of the better-known freelance marketplaces, where people offer services such as graphic design, writing, video editing, programming, translation and more.
It's worth knowing about if you already have a skill you'd like to turn into paid work.
There is an important age rule, though. Fiverr says users must generally be 18+, while people aged 13–17 can use the platform only through an account owned and managed by a parent or legal guardian, with permission.
Depending on your skills, you could offer services such as:
Fiverr is a global marketplace, so competition can be significant.
You'll also need to make your profile and portfolio stand out. Having a useful skill is only part of freelancing; you also need to communicate clearly, meet deadlines and provide a good service.
Best for: Young people who already have a marketable skill and, if under 18, have the required parent/guardian arrangements.
If you're looking for something that doesn't require a specialist skill, paid surveys can be an option.
Ipsos iSay is a market research panel where members answer surveys and give their opinions on products, services and other subjects.
In the UK, Ipsos iSay's current terms state that panel members must be 16 or older and resident in the UK.
Surveys can be:
Surveys shouldn't be treated like a replacement for a job.
You may not qualify for every survey, and the amount you can earn depends on how many relevant opportunities you're offered and the rewards available.
Think of surveys as small supplementary rewards, rather than a route to a large income.
Best for: UK residents aged 16+ who want flexible, low-barrier opportunities.
Swagbucks is another rewards platform available in the UK.
It offers points for activities including surveys and other online tasks, with points redeemable for available rewards.
Swagbucks says residents of the UK aged 13 and over can use the service, and it encourages younger users to seek parental or guardian permission.
The appeal is variety. Instead of relying on one type of task, you can choose between different activities depending on what's available.
Again, this is more of a small-reward opportunity than a serious income stream.
If your goal is to develop a skill and eventually charge more for your time, freelancing or paid work related to a skill you already have is likely to offer more useful experience.
Best for: Young people looking for flexible rewards from simple online activities.
If you love playing games, PlaytestCloud is one of the more interesting ways to turn that interest into paid feedback.
PlaytestCloud connects game developers with players who test games and provide feedback about their experience. Playtests can involve mobile games, PC games and other game experiences, depending on the test.
The important distinction is that you're not simply being paid to play games.
You're being asked to test a game and provide useful feedback, often while talking about what you're doing and thinking.
There isn't one fixed amount.
The reward for a particular playtest is shown in the invitation. PlaytestCloud says completed playtests can generally be rewarded within up to three days, with rewards provided through its payment provider, Tremendous. Available options can include PayPal, virtual cards and gift cards.
That means it's best to think of playtesting as a flexible side opportunity, rather than a guaranteed source of regular income.
Best for: Gamers and families interested in testing games and providing feedback.
Ever wondered who tests websites and apps before they launch?
UserTesting pays approved contributors to provide feedback on digital products and user experiences.
It's particularly interesting if you enjoy trying new apps and websites and explaining what you think about them.
However, there's an important restriction: UserTesting requires contributors to be at least 18 years old. Contributors also have to apply and be approved before taking tests.
A typical opportunity may involve:
You don't necessarily need technical expertise. The value is in being able to clearly explain what you notice.
You won't necessarily qualify for every test.
Companies often look for particular types of users, so the number of opportunities available to you can vary.
Best for: Adults aged 18+ who enjoy testing websites and explaining their user experience.
Got clothes sitting in your wardrobe that you never wear?
Selling things you already own can be one of the simplest ways to turn unused possessions into extra money.
Depop is a fashion marketplace where people buy and sell clothing, accessories and other items.
Depop currently allows users aged 13 and over to use the service. However, under-18s can have additional requirements around payments and may need a parent or guardian to help with verification.
Good selling isn't simply uploading a photograph.
Try to:
Keep payments within Depop's approved payment process. Depop specifically advises young users to use the platform's own checkout rather than accepting payments outside the system.
Best for: Young people who want to make money from clothes and other items they already own.
Vinted is another popular option for selling pre-loved clothes and other items.
It's particularly useful if you've got a wardrobe clear-out to do.
One important point for younger sellers: Vinted's current UK guidance says the service is designed for people aged 18+, while a parent or guardian must set up and oversee an account for someone under 18 and take responsibility for its activity.
You can potentially turn unwanted items into money without needing to build a freelance business or learn a new skill.
It can also be a useful introduction to:
Best for: Selling unwanted clothes and possessions, with the appropriate adult involvement for under-18s.
Love animals?
Rover connects pet owners with people offering pet-care services such as dog walking and pet sitting.
There is one major age restriction: Rover says sitters and dog walkers must be at least 18 years old.
If you enjoy working with animals, pet care can offer:
But remember that pet sitting isn't simply getting paid to play with dogs.
You're responsible for someone else's animal, so reliability, communication and safety are essential.
Best for: Adults aged 18+ who are responsible and confident caring for pets.
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Here's something that often gets overlooked in lists of “money-making websites”.
The website itself isn't necessarily the opportunity.
Your skill is.
If you can tutor GCSE subjects, edit videos, take photographs, design graphics, manage social media, build websites or create music, there may be multiple ways to turn that ability into paid work.
For example, a young person who learns social media management could eventually:
That's very different from completing a £1 survey.
Neither is inherently right or wrong. They simply serve different purposes.
If your goal is quick, small rewards, surveys and rewards platforms may be appropriate.
If your goal is earning more while building your CV, developing a valuable skill can be a much longer-term strategy.
There isn't one website that's right for everyone.
Instead, think about what you're actually trying to achieve.
Look at:
Look at:
Prioritise:
Pay particular attention to age requirements and whether a parent or guardian needs to be involved.
Don't simply enter a false date of birth to get around an age restriction. Platforms have these rules for legal, payment and safety reasons.
They can be, but “online” doesn't automatically mean “safe.”
Before joining any platform, check:
Never assume that because a website appears to be aimed at young people, you can use it at any age.
For example, current rules vary significantly between platforms: MyPocketSkill is designed for 13–25-year-olds with strict rules in place to support those under 18, Ipsos iSay UK requires members to be 16+, UserTesting requires contributors to be 18+, and Fiverr has specific parent/guardian requirements for users aged 13–17.
Check:
Be cautious about sharing:
Only provide information when it's genuinely required by a legitimate platform and make sure you're using the platform's official website or app.
Be extremely cautious if someone tells you that you need to:
A legitimate opportunity should not require you to hand over money simply to receive the work.
If you're under 18, there's nothing wrong with getting a parent or guardian involved.
In fact, some platforms like MyPocketSkill explicitly require adult involvement for younger users.
If you're serious about earning more over time, don't only ask:
“Which website pays the most?”
Ask:
“Which skill can I develop that people will pay for?”
Some skills that can lead to paid opportunities include:
You don't need to be an expert before you start.
A better approach is to learn, practise and gradually take on more challenging work.
For example:
Learn → practise → complete your first project → get feedback → build a portfolio → take on more work → improve your skills.
That's how a side hustle can become useful work experience.
Instead of saying:
“I want to make loads of money.”
Try:
“I want to earn £50 this month.”
Once you've achieved that, you can set the next goal.
Having a specific target makes it easier to decide which opportunities are worth your time.
If something pays £5 but takes two hours, that's useful information.
Keep track of:
This helps you work out which opportunities are actually worthwhile.
If you're freelancing, don't wait until you've had ten clients before showing what you can do.
Create examples of your work.
You could make:
Your portfolio gives potential clients evidence of what you're capable of.
A £30 project that teaches you how to communicate with a client, manage a deadline and produce professional work can be more valuable long-term than a quick £30 reward.
Your first paid opportunity doesn't have to be your highest-paying one.
It can be the opportunity that helps you get better.
There isn't one universal answer.
The easiest option depends on your age, skills, location and what you're comfortable doing.
For some young people, selling unwanted clothes is an easy starting point.
For others, tutoring a subject they're already good at can be a better fit.
Others might prefer surveys or research because they don't want to find clients.
And if you've already developed a skill such as photography, social media or music, freelancing may be the more natural route.
The important thing is to choose an opportunity that you're actually eligible for and that fits your goals.
There are plenty of ways to make money online in the UK, but the best opportunity for you depends on what you're trying to achieve.
If you want small, flexible rewards, surveys and rewards platforms can be worth exploring.
If you have things you no longer need, selling platforms can turn them into extra cash.
If you're 18+ and interested in user research or pet care, there are specialist platforms that can connect you with those opportunities.
But if you're a young person who wants to earn money, build skills and gain experience at the same time, that's where skill-based work becomes particularly interesting.
At MyPocketSkill, we believe earning your own money can be about more than having extra spending money. It's an opportunity to develop confidence, build useful skills and start understanding how work and money fit together.
Ready to find your next opportunity? Explore MyPocketSkill and discover ways to earn, save and build skills.
The right website depends on your age and what you want to do. Options include MyPocketSkill for young people aged 13–25, Fiverr for eligible freelancers, survey platforms such as Ipsos iSay and Swagbucks, UserTesting for adults, and selling platforms such as Depop and Vinted.
Always check the current eligibility and payment rules before signing up.
Teenagers can use some platforms, but age requirements vary.
MyPocketSkill is designed for young people aged 13–25 with under 18's requiring parental involvement. Swagbucks currently allows UK residents aged 13+, while Ipsos iSay requires UK members to be 16+. Depop allows users from age 13, although under-18s may need parent/guardian involvement for payments.
Yes, there are legitimate opportunities available to some 13-year-olds, but the options are more limited than for adults.
Always check the platform's current minimum-age requirements and involve a parent or guardian where required.
Tutoring, freelance digital work, social media management, creative work, research and selling unwanted items can all be options for students.
The best fit depends on your existing skills, available time and age.
Yes. Some opportunities don't require specialist experience, including certain surveys, research activities and selling items you already own.
However, developing a skill can open up more opportunities over time.
Some are, but you should always check the platform's age requirements, payment process, privacy information and terms.
Never pay someone upfront in exchange for guaranteed work, and don't share sensitive personal information unless it's genuinely required by a legitimate platform.
There's no single figure.
Your income depends on the type of work, your skills, how much time you have, the number of opportunities available and the platform you use.
Be sceptical of websites promising large amounts of guaranteed money for very little effort.
Not necessarily. Many legitimate platforms are free to join like MyPocketSkill, although some may charge fees when you sell something or receive payment.
Always check the platform's current fee structure before starting.
They serve different purposes.
Surveys can be simple and flexible, but they're generally designed for small rewards.
Freelancing can take more effort because you need a skill and may have to find or compete for clients, but it can also help you build a portfolio and professional experience.
Start with something that matches your age, skills and interests.
If you already have a skill, consider turning it into a service. If you don't, selling unused items or exploring legitimate research and reward opportunities can be a starting point.
Most importantly, think beyond the first payment: the best early opportunities can also help you build skills and experience for the future.
Related MyPocketSkill guides:
Platform rules, age requirements, fees and availability can change. Always check the provider's latest terms before signing up or accepting paid work.