For many young people across the UK, making ends meet has never felt tougher. With youth unemployment rising to 14.1%, leaving more than 634,000 16-24-year-olds out of work, and a quarter of under-35s having less than ยฃ500 in savings, side hustles are becoming more than just a trend: theyโre a lifeline.
Enter the fintech startups setting out to help young people make some extra money.
1. Prograd
Prograd has quickly become one of the UKโs hottest money apps, giving young people a clear path to building side hustles online. Users sign up, answer a few questions, and get a personalised โdropโ of earning opportunities, from testing apps to completing tasks worth up to $100 a day.
What sets Prograd apart is its double-earning system. Not only do you earn cash from tasks, but you also collect ProPoints that can be cashed out, spent as vouchers, or invested. Add to that a built-in Money Academy (that pays you to improve your financial skills), and itโs easy to see why Prograd is leading the charge.
2. Fiverr
A classic for anyone with digital skills, Fiverr lets you sell services ranging from graphic design and copywriting to video editing and voiceovers. Young people can set their own prices, and with millions of active buyers worldwide, thereโs no shortage of demand.
For Gen Z, itโs a way to turn hobbies into income, whether thatโs TikTok content creation or podcast editing.
3. UserTesting
Companies are desperate to know how people experience their websites and apps. UserTesting pays people to record their thoughts while completing short tasks online. Each test takes around 20 minutes and typically pays ยฃ10-15.
Itโs easy, accessible, and ideal for students or anyone wanting to top up their savings without committing to a long-term gig.
4. Redbubble
If youโve got an eye for design, Redbubble is one of the easiest ways to turn your creativity into cash. Artists upload their work once, and Redbubble handles the rest, printing it on everything from T-shirts and stickers to phone cases and tote bags.
Every sale earns you a commission, and because the fulfilment is all handled for you, itโs a true form of passive income.
For young people testing the waters of creative entrepreneurship, itโs a low-risk, high-reward way to build a portfolio and start making money from art that might otherwise sit on a hard drive.
5. Ko-fi
Ko-fi has grown into a global platform where creators, freelancers, and hobbyists can get paid directly by their supporters. Originally designed as a virtual โtip jar,โ it now supports everything from subscriptions to selling digital downloads and offering micro-services.
For Gen Zers, itโs a flexible way to monetise skills, whether thatโs photography, writing, or even just offering advice. With no platform fees on one-off payments, Ko-fi makes it easy to start earning straight away without worrying about big overheads.
6. Swagbucks
Itโs been around for years, but Swagbucks still makes the list thanks to its sheer accessibility. Users earn points for completing surveys, watching videos, or even just shopping through the platform. Points can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
While the payouts are smaller than those of other platforms, itโs a no-brainer for anyone wanting low-effort pocket money.
Making money online
The days of waiting tables or stacking shelves as the only side hustle options are long gone. Todayโs young people are earning on their own terms, whether thatโs selling vintage clothes, freelancing skills, or testing out new apps.
Whether itโs testing apps on Prograd, selling fashion finds on Depop, or freelancing on Fiverr, young people now have more ways than ever to supplement their income online.
Leave a Comment