You’ve got some downtime and want to monetize it? That’s a great initiative, from a productivity standpoint.

For others, it’s a way to fund their dream project.

Either way, you can monetize your free time by completing micro jobs. These are simple tasks that anyone with minimal skill can complete and get paid.

And the good news is there is a growing number of micro job sites that you can sign up for and start earning.

In this article, I list the top 7 reliable online micro job sites to make some quick bucks.

What are micro jobs?

Let’s start with defining what micro jobs are.

Micro jobs aren’t actually jobs but simple, one-time tasks that requires some human capability.

Because these tasks require human capability, they cannot be completed by a robot or software, hence delegated to a real human.

And since these are small tasks, companies don’t put out a job posting and conduct interviews to select the best candidate. Instead, they publish the task on one of the micro job sites and an available contractor completes it.

So what do these micro tasks look like? It can be anything that requires basic skills to complete.

Some of the examples are:

• Data entry
• Data annotation (the practice of labeling data, especially in AI and machine learning projects)
• Transcription (converting speech to text manually)
• Translation
• Writing
• Surveys
• Customer service

Besides the above ones, you may also find physical tasks like conducting one-to-one surveys or interviews in your area, delivering a parcel, or collecting items. Either way, it’s a one-time task that doesn’t require much creative effort to complete.

Ready to work on some micro tasks and earn money?

The next step is to find a reliable micro job site. Because remember, there are a lot of scams out there as well.

You need to discern the genuine from the counterfeit.

Here are the genuine and most recommended 7 micro job sites to find paying small jobs:

Fiverr

Fiverr is the best online micro job site that is also the most reputed and reliable.

It’s a publicly traded company that allows anyone sell their services for as low as $5.

So are you good at data entry? Create a micro gig selling your service.

Here, this person will do 2 hours of data entry work for $5.

Can you write a poem or a blog post? You can create similar gigs to sell your service.

Or are you a writer? Offer one.

There are also gig workers who search and apply for jobs on someone else’s behalf:

The opportunities are endless.

Fiverr is also suited for skilled professionals who code, create animations, or prepare business proposals. And likewise, you can charge upwards of $1,000 for such tasks.

The website caters to business owners and busy professionals who lack time and seek help in completing their day-to-day tasks.

As per stats, there are more than 3.42 million buyers every year. And these buyers collectively spend around $699.3 million. So there’s a lot of work going around.

That being said, there are a few limitations. One of the major ones is you need to wait for a buyer to come and buy your service. You can’t actively apply for gigs like you would on a job board.

Furthermore, there are scams out there on the platform that you need to look out for.

But all in all, Fiverr is a great place to start earning some money online.

👍 Pros

• Fiverr provides access to a global marketplace
• The platform accommodates a wide range of skills and services
• Fiverr’s review system enables clients to leave feedback, helping freelancers build a positive reputation and attract more clients

👎 Cons

• Due to its popularity, Fiverr can be highly competitive
• Fiverr charges a service fee on both ends of the transaction
• There are scams reported on the platform

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a popular online rewards platform that allows users to earn points (called Swagbucks or SB) for various online activities.

Launched in 2008, Swagbucks provides a way for individuals to earn rewards and gift cards by performing tasks, participating in surveys, shopping online, and more.

So far, the company has paid out over $571 million to its workers.

Majority of the tasks on Swagbucks are paid surveys. Companies conduct these surveys to get more information about the masses. Once completed, the SBs are credited into your account.

Then there are also something called ‘Branded Surveys‘ where you’re asked to provide your opinion and feedback on certain brands.

The other way to earn at Swagbucks is by availing deals on the platform. This involves playing online games or installing apps. Some users, as disclosed on Reddit, earn $100-$200 simply by playing games:

The earning potential on Swagbucks varies based on the time and effort invested.

As already mentioned, you earn points for completing tasks. While the points earned for individual tasks may seem small, they can accumulate over time.

The redemption value of Swagbucks points is typically around 1 cent per point, and users can redeem their points for gift cards, PayPal cash, or other rewards.

If that sounds cool, do sign up for Swagbucks. They occasionally have sign-up bonuses too!

👍 Pros

• Large number of legit paid surveys
• Reputed retailers where you can redeem points like Amazon, Macy’s, etc
• Referral program allows you to earn points by referring others

👎 Cons

• Users may not always qualify for surveys
• The value of points earned for individual tasks is relatively low
• While users can redeem points for PayPal cash, the primary focus is on gift cards

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is an online rewards platform that allows users to earn cash rewards for various online activities.

Launched in 2000, it has become a well-established platform for users to make money online. InboxDollars offers a variety of tasks for users to earn cash, including:

• Surveys: Users can participate in surveys on different topics, with varying reward amounts.
• Watching videos: InboxDollars provides a platform for users to watch short video clips and earn cash.
• Reading emails: Users can earn money by reading promotional emails and clicking on provided links.
• Completing offers: InboxDollars features various offers such as signing up for free trials, downloading apps, or participating in special promotions.
• Shopping online: Users can earn cashback for online purchases made through InboxDollars’ partner retailers.

The best part of InboxDollars is the ‘Daily Goals’ feature.

Each day, the company curates a list of tasks for each user. As you login to your dashboard, these tasks are arranged for you to complete and earn cash.

While it’s not a guarantee that you’ll have tasks every day, you can expect a decent volume each month.

You can request payment once you reach the minimum cash-out threshold, typically around $30.

The actual amount users can make varies, and it may not serve as a primary source of income but can provide some supplemental earnings.

Like Swagbucks, it has a joining bonus too. ($5 at the time of review)

👍 Pros

• Variety of tasks available, allowing you to choose activities that align with your preferences
• Bonus cash for hitting consecutive daily goals
• Mobile app to enable you to earn from anywhere

👎 Cons

• Similar to other survey platforms, users may not always qualify for surveys
• Some tasks may have a low payout relative to the time invested
• May not be available in your region (click to check)

Amazon Mechanical Turk

You visit Amazon to buy stuff online. But there’s also a sub-section where you can earn money by doing simple tasks.

And it’s called Amazon Mechanical Turk or MTurk.

MTurk was launched by Amazon in 2005 as a crowdsourcing marketplace, where requesters can post tasks (known as Human Intelligence Tasks or HITs) that require human intelligence to complete.

The platform serves as a bridge between businesses or researchers in need of specific tasks and a global workforce willing to perform those tasks for compensation.

While the pay per task is low, the work volume is excellent. By doing more volume of work, you can make good amount of money.

A 2016 Pew Research revealed that many Turkers in America were earning close to $5 an hour. But that’s not the norm.

The gigs are mainly data entry, data labeling, surveys, and other virtual assistance tasks.

If that’s what you’re looking for, become a Turk today.

👍 Pros

• Reputed company with simple yet high quality work from AI researchers
• Potential for higher income compared to other micro job sites
• Workers from around the world can participate

👎 Cons

• Many tasks on MTurk have low payouts
• Requesters have the right to reject completed tasks
• High competition among workers

ClickWorker

ClickWorker is an online platform that was founded in 2005 by Alexander Linden and Wolfgang Kitza in Essen, Germany.

The platform aims to connect businesses and individuals with a diverse range of online tasks that can be completed by a global workforce of freelancers.

ClickWorker serves as a marketplace for micro jobs, allowing workers to earn money by completing tasks that require human intelligence.

The tasks range anywhere from writing a blog post to data entry to surveys to app testing. Recently, it has started taking AI training projects. Thus, you’ll get to work on data labeling tasks too.

Payment amounts are set by the client posting the task, and workers can increase their earnings by completing tasks accurately and efficiently.

👍 Pros

• Wide range of tasks available
• No restrictions on locations or education (with exception for certain projects)
• Transparent payment terms

👎 Cons

• The availability of tasks may vary
• High competition among workers for high-paying projects
• Clients have the option to reject completed tasks

Appen

Appen is a global company that was founded in 1996 in Sydney, Australia. Originally known as ELANCE, Appen has evolved to become a leader in providing training data for machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The company differs from other micro job sites in that its projects are comparatively lengthier.

For example, one of the tasks Appen specializes in is Search Engine evaluator. Herein, workers are required to rate web page results. This helps search engines function better.

Here’s an overview of the search engine evaluator job at Appen:

As, you can see, there’s potential for long term work, with some users reporting 5 months of continuous work.

Here’s an overview of another work from home task at Appen, social media evaluator:

It promises consistent work each week!

Likewise, there are other tasks like transcription or transcription projects that, at times, run for months. And you get paid month after month.

Thus, Appen is a great place to find long term micro jobs.

👍 Pros

• Better, high-paying tasks for longer duration
• Appen is known for its reliability in paying contributors
• Tasks completed at Appen are valued by other companies

👎 Cons

• The availability of projects vary
• Stringent selection criteria for certain projects
• Certain tasks may be complex, requiring careful attention to guidelines and potential time investment

SEOClerks

SEOClerks is an online marketplace that was launched in 2011, providing a platform for freelancers to offer and sell various digital marketing services.

The platform aims to connect buyers looking for specific online services with sellers who possess those skillset.

SEOClerks primarily focuses on digital marketing and SEO-related tasks. This includes, but is not limited to, on page and off page optimization, backlink building, social media marketing, website audits, SEO writing, graphic design, etc.

The earning potential on it varies for sellers based on factors such as the quality of services offered, pricing strategy, and competition.

Sellers can set their own prices for services, and the platform charges a percentage fee on completed transactions.

All in all, it’s a great platform to earn online if you know and can execute SEO.

👍 Pros

• Continuous well-paying SEO tasks
• The rating and review system helps workers stand out and get high-paying gigs
• SEOClerks is accessible to users worldwide

👎 Cons

• Service fee applicable on each task completed
• Depending on the service category, there may be high competition among sellers
• Disputes and refund resolutions may not always end in your favor

Other notable freelance and micro job sites

The online job market is booming and there’s more companies looking for workers for micro tasks.

So as a bonus, I’ll list 13 more micro job sites, including a few freelance sites, that you can consider signing up for.

TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is an online micro job task that allows you to find offline tasks. This includes tasks like plumbing, gardening, painting, grocery shopping, event setup, electronics troubleshooting, etc. Taskers set their own hourly rates, and rates can vary widely based on the type of task and the local market.

Upwork

Upwork is an alternative to Fiverr, although not a like-for-like replacement. It is one of the largest online freelancing platforms that connects clients (businesses, entrepreneurs, or individuals) with freelancers from around the world. The tasks available are endless with varying skillset ranging from data entry to programming.

At Upwork, you can even make a full-time living. Morgan Overhold, a graphic designer by profession, has made over $600,000 in 5 years. But reaching that level requires expertise, dedication, and long-term thinking.

PeoplePerHour

Another alternative to Fiverr, PeoplePerHour is known for its focus on project-based work and hourly engagements. So in most cases, you get paid hourly, although there’s fixed-price projects too. Just like Fiverr and Upwork, there’s a variety of tasks available, including long-term work.

Thus, there’s a potential to make full-time living off of it. But again, this would require long-term commitment.

SliceThePie

SliceThePie is a platform that allows users to earn money by reviewing and providing feedback on music, fashion, and various consumer products. As a reviewer, you can earn anywhere between $0.01 to $0.2 per review. The earnings depend on how detailed, useful, and relevant your reviews are. High quality review equals more money.

NeoBux

NeoBux is a PTC or paid-to-click site that rewards you for clicking on certain ads, links, and watching certain videos. That may sound like a scam, but it isn’t. The ads, links, and videos are actually paid for by advertisers. So when you click on them, NeoBux shares a part of their revenue with you. While the pay is miniscule for each click, you can accumulate more amount over time.

MicroWorkers

MicroWorkers is a micro-tasking platform that connects businesses with a global workforce of freelancers willing to complete small online tasks like data entry, data annotation, and online research. It is suitable for those looking for micro-tasking opportunities and quick, straightforward ways to earn small amounts of income. However, it is not a substitute for platforms like Upwork that focus on larger, more complex freelance projects.

Survey Junkie

Another cool micro job site that pays for answering survey question is Survey Junkie. Launched in 2005, Survey Junkie allows individuals to sign up for free and share their opinions on various products, services, and brands. It follows a points-based remuneration structure and you earn points for answering the surveys. You can then redeem points for cash through PayPal or choose e-gift cards from popular retailers.

Problogger

Problogger is a niche micro job site for writers. Founded by seasoned Australian blogger, Darren Rowse, the blog is about, well, “blogging”. You learn everything about how to blog and how to earn money online. As an extension, Darren has added a job board to his blog. Here, you’ll find micro writing jobs, usually posted by other bloggers and content firms looking for writers to work on small projects. But occasionally, there are long-term writing jobs as well. So if you can write well, consider visiting Problogger’s job board.

TextBroker

Textbroker is an online content marketplace that connects freelance writers with clients seeking written content. As a writer, you can sign up and earn some money writing content in your spare time. Textbroker typically uses a pay-per-word system. The topics varies anywhere from news to product landing page. The pay rate varies depending on the writer’s quality level and the complexity of the content. Higher-rated writers generally earn more per word.

Authentic Jobs

Authentic Jobs brands itself as, “the leading job board for designers, developers, and creative pros”. It has a large pool of talented independent workers, because of which the job board attracts large companies like Microsoft and Nintendo. So if you’re skilled in tasks like web design, copywriting, ad designing, Authentic Jobs is a great option to monetize your downtime. And yes, the pay is great!

Scribie

Scribie is a transcription service that offers human-powered transcription services for audio and video files. As a freelance transcriber, you can sign up and start transcribing the files to get paid. However, there’s a small test you need to pass. Scribie allows transcribers to work from anywhere, providing flexibility for freelancers who prefer remote work. The platform can serve as a source of supplemental income if you have good listening and typing skills.

UserTesting

Companies spend millions and billions of dollars to improve their digital products like apps and websites. And they pay people just like you to test their websites and offer feedback. UserTesting is a website where you can get paid to test apps, web pages, designs, concepts, and processes. The company has over 3,400 clients who are looking for human testers. So if you can do that, consider joining UserTesting’s contributor network.

SolidGigs

SolidGigs isn’t your typical micro job site like others on the list. It is for those who want consistent micro gigs without having to hunt the gigs themselves. Essentially, SolidGigs is a lead generation tool for micro gig workers. It scans the web for micro jobs and alerts the users on those jobs. As a worker, you can apply for those right from SolidGigs’ platform. It’s a great way to find micro work on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Micro tasks are one of the many ways of earning money online.

Make sure to choose a reliable platform and browse Reddit for in-demand services that are generating good income.

While generally pay is not that great, it’s usually a good starting point for those who are just starting their online journey.

But as a final thing, be aware of scams and stay safe. Do not take jobs that sound too good to be true or asks for sensitive personal information.