7 Online Side Hustles That Don’t Feel Like Work (But Still Pay)

Not every side hustle has to feel like a second job. Some feel more like hobbies you just happen to get paid for.

If you’re looking for something you can do online that earns extra income without burning you out, these are 7 of the best low-stress options. No hard selling. No 14-hour grind. Just enjoyable work that quietly stacks cash in the background.

1. Selling Digital Templates

Got an eye for design or organisation?

You can make templates for things like:

• Calendars

• Resumes

• Planners

• Invoices

• Spreadsheets

Once made, you sell them over and over on platforms like Etsy or Gumroad.

Create once, earn passively forever. Bonus: no shipping, no customer support, and zero inventory.

2. Voiceover Work

If people have ever said “you’ve got a nice voice,” this is your sign.

Brands and creators need voiceovers for:

• YouTube videos

• Ads

• Podcasts

• Audiobooks

• Online courses

All you need is a quiet room and a free tool like Audacity to start. Check Voice123 or Fiverr to land your first gig.

3. Writing Product Reviews

Love trying new things and sharing opinions?

You can get paid (or get free products) for reviewing stuff on your blog, social media, or even just Amazon.

Some affiliate programs also pay commissions if your review convinces someone to buy — meaning you earn even while you sleep.

4. Selling Stock Photos (Even With Your Phone)

You don’t need a fancy DSLR anymore.

Sites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock accept phone images as long as they’re high quality.

What works best:

• Nature

• City scenes

• Everyday objects

• Lifestyle and candid shots

Take photos during your daily routine, upload them once, and collect royalties for years.

5. Teaching What You Already Know

You don’t need to be an expert — just a few steps ahead of someone else.

Turn your skills into:

• Simple online courses

• Downloadable how-to guides

• One-on-one video calls

What could you teach?

Knitting, Excel, meal planning, budgeting, public speaking — the list is endless.

People pay to skip the learning curve.

6. Flipping Low-Cost Digital Products

This is the digital version of buying low, selling high.

Buy resale rights to ebooks, design packs, or courses.

Rebrand them, improve them, and sell under your own name.

It’s called PLR (Private Label Rights) — and when done right, it’s one of the easiest ways to make money without starting from scratch.

7. Running a Niche Newsletter

Email isn’t dead — it’s thriving.

You can start a free newsletter about a topic you genuinely enjoy, build a small list, and monetise through:

• Sponsorships

• Affiliate links

• Premium subscriptions

 

Talk about fitness over 50, vintage watches, dog training, budget travel — anything you’re passionate about.

If you can hold someone’s attention every week, you can monetise it.

These aren’t get-rich-quick schemes.

But they are proof you don’t need to suffer through a miserable side hustle to earn extra income.

Start small. Stay consistent. And pick something that doesn’t feel like a chore. You’ll stick with it longer — and that’s where the real results come from.