No skills? No problem. These side hustles require zero experience and you can start earning today.
Everyone has to start somewhere. The problem is most "make money" guides assume you already have skills, a car, equipment, or savings to invest. What if you have none of that? What if you're a student with nothing but a smartphone and some free time?
Good news: some of the best side hustles for students require absolutely no experience. No resume. No interview. No training. Just sign up and start earning. Here are the ones that actually work.
Your First Side Hustle Starts Here
VISU pays you for real-world attention. No experience needed, no deposits, no skills required. Just quick rewards for showing up.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
Why "No Experience" Is Actually an Advantage
Here's something nobody tells you: having no experience means you have no bad habits to unlearn. You're flexible. You're willing to try things. And in 2026, the gig economy doesn't care about your resume.
The side hustles in this guide share three things: no upfront investment required, no skills or training needed, and you can start within 24 hours. Some pay less than skilled work, obviously. But they're the perfect bridge to build experience, savings, and eventually move up to higher-paying opportunities. For a broader look at student earning options, check our complete guide to making money as a college student.
| Side Hustle Type | Startup Time | Monthly Potential | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reward Apps | 5 minutes | $50-$200 | Smartphone |
| Delivery (Bike/Walk) | 1-3 days | $200-$600 | Smartphone, bike optional |
| Task Apps | Same day | $100-$400 | Smartphone |
| Local Services | Same day | $150-$500 | Basic supplies |
| Online Tasks | Same day | $50-$300 | Computer/Phone |
Reward Apps (Zero Skill Required)
The absolute easiest starting point. Download an app, do simple tasks, get paid. No interview, no application, no rejection. If you can tap a screen, you qualify. For a deep dive, see our apps that pay real money guide.
1. Cashback Apps
You're already buying things. Might as well get money back. Rakuten gives you cashback on online purchases, typically 1-10% back. Ibotta and Fetch pay for scanning grocery receipts. Dosh connects to your card and gives automatic cashback. No skill, no effort beyond what you're already doing. Expect $20-$60/month from normal spending. Our cashback apps guide covers the best options.
2. Survey Apps
Companies pay for your opinions. Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars pay $0.50-$5 per survey. It's not exciting, but it's mindless. Do surveys while watching Netflix, waiting for class, or during boring Zoom calls. Realistic earnings are $30-$100/month for casual effort.
3. Passive Earning Apps
These literally pay you for doing nothing extra. Sweatcoin pays for walking (which you're doing anyway). Honeygain pays for sharing unused internet bandwidth. VISU pays for real-world attention at locations you visit. Stack a few passive apps and earn $30-$80/month without thinking about it. Check our walking apps guide for step-tracking options.
4. Microtask Apps
Amazon Mechanical Turk, Clickworker, and Appen pay for tiny tasks like data labeling, image tagging, or short transcriptions. Each task pays cents to a few dollars, but they add up. Good for filling random 10-minute gaps. Expect $20-$80/month from casual use.
Gig Economy (Start Today)
The gig economy was built for people without experience. Sign up, pass a background check, start working. Your only "interview" is downloading an app.
5. Food Delivery (No Car Needed)
DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub all allow bike delivery in many markets. Some even allow walking delivery in dense urban areas. You control when you work. Peak dinner hours (5-9pm) and weekends pay best. Bike couriers typically earn $12-$20/hour including tips. No car, no insurance costs, no gas expenses.
6. Grocery Shopping
Instacart and Shipt hire shoppers to pick groceries and deliver them. You literally shop and get paid for it. Most markets accept shoppers with bikes or even public transit for smaller orders. Earnings range from $15-$25/hour during busy periods.
7. Task Rabbit & Odd Jobs
TaskRabbit connects you with people who need help with random tasks: moving boxes, assembling furniture, waiting in line, cleaning. You set your own rates and accept only jobs you want. No experience required for most categories. Taskers earn $20-$40/hour depending on the task type.
8. Package Delivery
Amazon Flex and similar services hire people to deliver packages. Some routes work with bikes in urban areas. Pay is typically $18-$25/hour. Shifts are flexible and you can grab them when your schedule allows.
Add Passive Income to Your Gig Work
While you're out delivering or running tasks, VISU earns you extra rewards just for being at certain locations. Stack passive earnings on top of active work.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
Local Services (Your Neighborhood)
Sometimes the best opportunities are right around you. These require no apps, no platforms, just you offering help to people nearby.
9. Dog Walking & Pet Sitting
Apps like Rover and Wag make this easy, but you can also just post on local Facebook groups or Nextdoor. Dog walking pays $15-$25 per walk. Pet sitting pays $25-$75 per night. If you love animals, this barely feels like work. Build regular clients and you have steady weekly income.
10. Lawn Care & Yard Work
Mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow. Basic yard work pays $20-$50 per job. You need minimal equipment (many clients have their own mower). Go door-to-door in nice neighborhoods or post on community boards. Physical work but good hourly rate.
11. Cleaning Services
Basic house cleaning pays $15-$30/hour. Start with friends, family, or neighbors for references. Expand through word of mouth or local Facebook groups. No certification needed. Supplies cost maybe $30 to start. If you're thorough and reliable, clients will keep booking you.
12. Errands & Help
Elderly neighbors and busy families often need help with simple tasks: grocery pickup, pharmacy runs, tech help, organizing. Post on Nextdoor or community boards offering general help. Charge $15-$25/hour. This is often the start of ongoing relationships that lead to more work.
Online Without Skills
Don't have marketable skills yet? These online options require nothing but basic computer literacy.
13. User Testing
Companies pay you to test websites and apps. UserTesting, TryMyUI, and similar platforms pay $10-$60 per test. You just use a website while talking through your thoughts. No expertise needed since they want regular people's opinions. Most tests take 15-30 minutes.
14. Transcription (Entry Level)
Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript hire beginners. Pay starts low ($0.30-$0.80 per audio minute) but requires no experience. You listen to audio and type what you hear. It's tedious but flexible. Good typing speed helps but isn't required to start.
15. Search Engine Evaluation
Companies like Appen, Lionbridge, and Telus hire people to evaluate search results. You check if search results are relevant and helpful. Pays $12-$15/hour. Training is provided. Work is flexible and remote. Good steady income once you're accepted.
16. Reselling (Flip Free Stuff)
Check "free" listings on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor. Pick up free furniture, electronics, or clothes. Clean them up and resell. Zero investment except your time. Some students make $200-$500/month just flipping free items. You learn what sells as you go.
Your First $100 (Action Plan)
Stop reading and start doing. Here's exactly how to make your first $100 with no experience:
Day 1 (30 minutes): Download 3 reward apps. Rakuten or Ibotta for cashback, Swagbucks for surveys, and VISU or Sweatcoin for passive earnings. Complete the signup bonuses, many apps give $5-$10 just for signing up.
Day 2-3: Sign up for one gig platform. DoorDash if you have a bike, TaskRabbit if you're in an urban area, Rover if you love dogs. Complete their onboarding while waiting for approval.
Day 4-7: Do your first gig. It will feel awkward. That's normal. Your first delivery or task teaches you more than any guide. Aim for just $20 in your first week.
Week 2-4: Build consistency. Schedule 3-5 hours of gig work per week. Keep reward apps running passively. By end of month, you should hit $100+ combined.
That's it. $100 in your pocket from nothing. Now you have experience. Now you can optimize, scale, or move to higher-paying methods.
The Upgrade Path
No-experience side hustles are a starting point, not a destination. As you earn, think about what's next. Delivery experience can lead to courier jobs or logistics work. Pet sitting can become a dog walking business. Cleaning can become a cleaning company. Survey apps can teach you about market research.
Track what you enjoy and what pays best. Double down there. Use early earnings to invest in skills or equipment for higher-paying work. The goal is always increasing your hourly rate over time. For more on building sustainable income as a student, see our money apps for students guide.
FAQ — Side Hustles for Students No Experience
What's the fastest side hustle to start with no experience?
Reward apps are fastest since you can sign up and start earning in minutes. For active income, TaskRabbit or food delivery can have you working within 1-3 days after background check approval.
How much can I realistically make with no skills?
Combining reward apps and part-time gig work, most students can make $200-$500/month with 10-15 hours per week. It's not life-changing money, but it's real income while you build skills for higher-paying opportunities.
Do I need a car for gig work?
No. Many delivery apps allow bikes, scooters, or even walking in dense areas. TaskRabbit and pet sitting don't require any vehicle. A car opens more options but isn't required to start.
Are these side hustles safe?
Generally yes. Stick to established platforms with ratings and reviews. For local services, meet in public places first. Trust your instincts and don't take jobs that feel sketchy. The mainstream gig apps have safety features built in.
What if I get rejected from gig apps?
Rejections are usually due to background check issues or market saturation. Try different platforms since each has different requirements. Focus on reward apps and local services while waiting. Reapply to gig platforms in a few months when they need more workers.
How do I balance side hustles with classes?
Start small with 5-10 hours per week. Use passive apps that require no active time. Schedule gig work during natural breaks like evenings and weekends. Be realistic during exam periods. Flexibility is the whole point of side hustles.
Start Earning With Zero Experience
No skills needed. No deposits. No complicated setup. VISU rewards you for real-world attention starting today. Your first side hustle is one tap away.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.