Side hustles Reddit talks about most
The side hustles that come up most in Reddit discussions, with costs, time to first dollar, and a checklist to vet any idea you read online.
Side hustle subreddits such as r/sidehustle are full of ideas, and the same categories come up again and again: freelance services, reselling, delivery apps, tutoring, content and short-form video clipping. Below we compare those recurring categories on startup costs and time to first payment. We haven't quoted individual Reddit posts here. The categories come from our own reading of the subreddits.
| Idea | Startup cost* | Time to first sale* | Skills needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance writing / copywriting | $0–$300 | 2-6 weeks | Clear writing, research, pitching |
| Virtual assistant | $0–$200 | 1-4 weeks | Organisation, email/calendar tools, reliability |
| Video editing / short-form clipping | $0–$1,500 | 1-4 weeks | Editing software, pacing, captions |
| Online tutoring | $0–$200 | 1-3 weeks | Subject expertise, patience, clear explanations |
| Print-on-demand store | $50–$500 | 1-3 months | Design, niche research, marketing |
| Reselling / thrift flipping | $50–$500 | 1-2 weeks | Product knowledge, photography, negotiation |
| Pet sitting & dog walking | $50–$500 | 1-2 weeks | Reliability, animal handling |
| UGC (user-generated content) creator | $0–$500 | 2-6 weeks | On-camera presence, short video |
| Delivery & gig apps | $0–$500 | Days | A vehicle or bike, time |
| Data entry & research | $0–$100 | 1-3 weeks | Accuracy, spreadsheets |
*Solopreneur.co estimates for a lean, one-person start (equipment you don't already own, software, samples, basic insurance where relevant). Not survey data; your costs will vary by location.
1. Freelance writing / copywriting
Write web pages, emails, case studies or blog posts for businesses that don't have an in-house writer.
- Startup cost
- $0–$300
- First sale
- 2-6 weeks
- Skills
- Clear writing, research, pitching
How to start
- Pick one industry you already understand (e.g. SaaS, dentists, real estate).
- Write 3 sample pieces for that industry and host them on a free portfolio page.
- Pitch 10 businesses a day for two weeks with a specific idea for their site.
- Price per project, not per word, once you have two paying clients.
Watch out: Generic AI-written content is now cheap; you win on research, interviews and results.
Sources: BLS: Writers and Authors
2. Virtual assistant
Handle inboxes, scheduling, bookkeeping prep, travel or customer emails for busy founders.
- Startup cost
- $0–$200
- First sale
- 1-4 weeks
- Skills
- Organisation, email/calendar tools, reliability
How to start
- List 5 tasks you can do well today (inbox triage, scheduling, data entry, Canva graphics).
- Offer a fixed monthly package (e.g. 10 hours) instead of open-ended hourly work.
- Find first clients through your own network and founder communities.
- Document every recurring task as a checklist so you can raise rates later.
Watch out: Low barrier means price pressure; specialise (e.g. podcast VA, real-estate VA).
3. Video editing / short-form clipping
Edit long videos and podcasts into short clips for creators, coaches and brands.
- Startup cost
- $0–$1,500
- First sale
- 1-4 weeks
- Skills
- Editing software, pacing, captions
How to start
- Learn one editor (free options exist) and make 10 sample clips from public-domain or your own footage.
- Offer a weekly clip package to podcasters and YouTubers.
- Agree on turnaround time and revision limits in writing.
- Track which clips perform and use that data to raise rates.
Watch out: 'Clipping' programs that pay per view vary widely; read payout terms before investing time.
Sources: BLS: Film and Video Editors
4. Online tutoring
Teach school subjects, test prep, languages or coding over video.
- Startup cost
- $0–$200
- First sale
- 1-3 weeks
- Skills
- Subject expertise, patience, clear explanations
How to start
- Pick a subject and level where results are measurable (exam scores, grades).
- List on one tutoring marketplace to get first reviews, then move repeat clients to direct booking.
- Sell packages of 8-10 sessions rather than single sessions.
- Ask parents/students for permission-based referrals.
Watch out: Working with minors may require background checks depending on platform or location.
Sources: BLS: Teachers (related occupations)
5. Print-on-demand store
Sell designs on shirts, mugs or posters; a print partner produces and ships each order.
- Startup cost
- $50–$500
- First sale
- 1-3 months
- Skills
- Design, niche research, marketing
How to start
- Pick a niche with identity and humour (a profession, hobby or fandom you are part of).
- Validate 10 designs with mockups before ordering samples.
- Order samples to check print quality yourself.
- Drive traffic from one channel (Pinterest, Etsy search or your own audience).
Watch out: Thin margins after production and fees; never use trademarked phrases or characters.
Sources: USPTO: trademark basics
6. Reselling / thrift flipping
Buy underpriced items (thrift stores, garage sales, clearance) and resell online.
- Startup cost
- $50–$500
- First sale
- 1-2 weeks
- Skills
- Product knowledge, photography, negotiation
How to start
- Choose one category you know (sneakers, vintage clothing, electronics).
- Check sold (not listed) prices before buying.
- Photograph well and list on 2-3 marketplaces.
- Track profit per item after fees and shipping.
Watch out: Marketplaces report payments to tax authorities above thresholds; keep records.
Sources: IRS: Form 1099-K FAQs
7. Pet sitting & dog walking
Walk dogs or care for pets while owners work or travel.
- Startup cost
- $50–$500
- First sale
- 1-2 weeks
- Skills
- Reliability, animal handling
How to start
- Start with neighbours and local community groups.
- Get pet-care insurance and, if you like, a pet first-aid course.
- Use a simple booking and payment process.
- Build routes so walks cluster geographically.
Watch out: Liability: one bad incident can end the business; get insurance.
Sources: BLS: Animal Care and Service Workers
8. UGC (user-generated content) creator
Make product videos that brands use in ads; you don't need a large following.
- Startup cost
- $0–$500
- First sale
- 2-6 weeks
- Skills
- On-camera presence, short video
How to start
- Make 5 sample videos with products you already own.
- Pitch small brands directly with a short portfolio.
- Price per video with clear usage rights.
- Disclose sponsorships when you post on your own channels.
Watch out: FTC endorsement rules apply when you post; usage rights should be time-limited and priced.
9. Delivery & gig apps
Deliver food or parcels through gig platforms.
- Startup cost
- $0–$500
- First sale
- Days
- Skills
- A vehicle or bike, time
How to start
- Compare platforms in your city.
- Track all mileage from day one (deductible in many tax systems).
- Work peak hours only.
- Treat it as a bridge while building something with more upside.
Watch out: After vehicle costs, net pay can be low; track it honestly.
Sources: IRS: gig economy tax center
10. Data entry & research
Clean data, research leads, or enter records for businesses.
- Startup cost
- $0–$100
- First sale
- 1-3 weeks
- Skills
- Accuracy, spreadsheets
How to start
- Learn spreadsheets beyond basics (lookups, pivot tables).
- Offer lead-research packages to sales teams.
- Automate parts with scripts or AI to raise effective hourly pay.
- Move up to analysis work.
Watch out: Many 'data entry' job ads are scams asking for upfront fees.
Sources: FTC: job scams
A checklist for any side hustle you read about online
- Who pays, and why? If you can't name the customer, it isn't a business.
- Is there an upfront fee? The FTC warns that legitimate jobs don't charge you to start (FTC: job scams).
- Is the income claim typical? Screenshots show best cases. The FTC's Business Opportunity Rule covers earnings claims in many money-making offers.
- What does it pay per hour after expenses? Delivery apps, for example, look different after fuel and wear.
- Does it build something? A skill, a client list, an audience or an asset.
Frequently asked questions
What side hustle does Reddit recommend most?
Are Reddit side hustle income claims real?
Sources
- r/sidehustle reddit.com
- BLS: Writers and Authors bls.gov
- BLS: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants bls.gov
- BLS: Film and Video Editors bls.gov
- BLS: Teachers (related occupations) bls.gov
- USPTO: trademark basics uspto.gov
- IRS: Form 1099-K FAQs irs.gov
- BLS: Animal Care and Service Workers bls.gov
- FTC: Disclosures 101 for social media influencers ftc.gov
- IRS: gig economy tax center irs.gov
- FTC: job scams consumer.ftc.gov
- Business Opportunity Rule ftc.gov
Checked 21 Oct 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Update history
- : first published; figures checked against the sources listed.