Best Side Hustle Ideas 2025

Here are the best side hustle ideas in 2025 that I use. But first, a little introduction

💸 Want to make extra money in 2025? Whether it’s £10 here, £50 there, or even a few hundred per month, building small side hustles can really add up. Over the past few years, I’ve earned thousands of pounds through surveys, focus groups, mystery shopping, cashback apps, and referral programmes — all in my spare time.

I’ve tried loads of different jobs — nursery nurse, dental nurse, café worker, teaching assistant, retail assistant, admin at a prison, and self-employed crafting. Some weren’t sustainable for my health, but side hustles have allowed me to earn money flexibly. Here’s my ultimate guide to the best side hustles in 2025, complete with tips, links, and estimated earnings.

💻 Paid Focus Groups: Share Your Opinions for Cash

Focus groups are a great way to get paid for your opinions. Many can be done from home via Zoom, so you don’t even need to travel.

• Focus Force – Get email notifications for new Zoom focus groups. Beginner-friendly and reliable.
• Angelfish – Well-paid focus groups. I’ve taken part in several and loved them.
• Respondent – Get paid to help researchers with studies. Most can be done from home on your computer.
• Paid Focus Group – Simple app-based focus groups. Newer platform, so earnings build slowly.
• People for Research – High-paying groups via Zoom. Sign up and wait for invites.
• Code Research – Fresh platform with multiple focus groups to apply to.
• I Thoughts Research – Answer screening questions, then earn £30–£125 per event.
• Focus 4 People – Easy applications, decent payouts, and emails notify you about new projects.

💰 Estimated earnings: £30–£125 per session, depending on the group.

🛒 Mystery Shopping: Earn While You Shop

Mystery shopping apps are perfect for earning small amounts of cash during regular shopping trips.

• Field Agent – Complete small tasks like photographing products. Jobs pay £4–£12 each.
• ESA Retail – Snap receipts and get refunded purchases + extra cash. Perfect for local shops, chocolate, food shopping, or train tickets.
• Amber Arch – Web-only platform, slower but worth checking occasionally. Check Amber Arch
• Market Force – My personal favourite! Earn points at shops, restaurants, bowling alleys, and more. Points unlock more jobs as you complete tasks.

💰 Estimated earnings: £5–£50/week depending on tasks and visits.

💳 Referral Programmes: Make Money by Sharing

Some programmes reward you for referring friends and family. My top pick in the UK is American Express (Amex):

• Referral Bonuses – Earn bonus points for every successful referral.
• Tiered Bonuses – Different Amex cards offer different reward levels.
• Annual Limits – There’s a cap on referral bonuses, but it’s generous.
• New Member Rewards – Your friends can get welcome offers, too.

💰 Estimated earnings: Varies, but some users make hundreds of pounds per year from referrals alone. I have a full blog post dedicated to the Amex Reward Card, which I love. You can read it here.

📱 Paid Survey Apps: Easy Money Online

Paid survey apps are one of the easiest ways to earn money from your phone in 2025. Here are my favourites that are verified for UK users:

• Viewsbank – Share opinions on products, lifestyle, and current events. PayPal payouts start at £12. Sign up for Viewsbank
• Appinio – Quick polls, exchange coins for vouchers. Use code 3c746f for a bonus. Join Appinio
• Survey Spin – Redeem points for PayPal or gift cards. Sign up for Survey Spin
• Qmee – Instant cash for surveys, offers, and online searches. Withdraw as little as 10p. Download Qmee
• Swagbucks – Points for surveys, videos, games, and shopping. Redeem for Amazon vouchers or PayPal. Sign up for Swagbucks
• MSR – High-paying UK surveys, product testing, use code xETVijVx for double bonus. Join MSR
• Influence – Answer surveys via short videos. PayPal payout min £10. Sign up for Influence
• Eureka – Quick surveys + signup bonus ~80p. Join Eureka
• Pureprofile – UK survey platform, points redeemable for PayPal. Sign up for Pureprofile
• AttaPoll – Short surveys on your phone, min £5 withdrawal. Join AttaPoll
• Mobrog – Global survey site with fast PayPal payouts. Sign up for Mobrog
• Opinion Exchange – Share views on brands and products. Convert points to PayPal cash. Join Opinion Exchange
• OnePulse – Micro-opinions, fast surveys. Use code FRUDKJ. Sign up for OnePulse

✅ Extra Tips for Side Hustlers in 2025

• Be consistent – Check apps and emails daily for new opportunities.
• Combine multiple side hustles – Earnings add up faster when you mix surveys, focus groups, mystery shopping, and referrals.
• Track your time vs earnings – Quick tasks may pay little, but consistency adds up.
• Use cashback apps – Shop online, upload receipts, and earn extra money passively.

✨ Side hustles aren’t about getting rich overnight — they’re about building a steady, flexible income. A little effort each day adds up, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can earn just from your spare time and smartphone!