Best side hustles UK 2026: 24 ideas compared (pay, costs and tax)
24 side hustle ideas for the UK, compared in one table: how you get paid, what it costs to start, how flexible it is and when HMRC needs to know. With a full guide for each.
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I have been earning outside a normal job since 2016, starting with selling on eBay and Amazon. The side hustles that work are rarely the flashiest. They are the ones you can actually keep doing week after week.
One thing you will not find here is made-up average earnings. Pay for most side hustles depends on where you live, how many hours you put in and how good you get. So the table shows how each one pays, with real figures where they exist, and each full guide goes into detail.
Not sure where to start? Take the quiz first.
Free toolWhich side hustle suits you?Five quick questions, then your three best-matched side hustles with a full guide for each.All 24 side hustles compared
| Side hustle | How you get paid | Start-up cost | Flexibility | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling your own things on Vinted | Sale price; no seller fees on Vinted | None | Very high | Vinted guide |
| Selling on eBay | Sale price; private sellers pay no final value fee on most items | None | Very high | eBay guide |
| Reselling for profit | Your profit on each item you flip | Low, from £20 of stock | High | Reselling guide |
| Car boot sales | Cash on the day | Pitch fee | Weekends | Car boot tips |
| Selling crafts on Etsy | Your profit after Etsy's fees | Low to medium | High | Etsy guide |
| Selling on Amazon | Profit after referral and fulfilment fees | Medium to high | Medium | Amazon guide |
| Paid user testing | About $10 for a 15 to 20 minute test on UserTesting | None | Very high | User testing guide |
| Proofreading | Your own rate, per hour or per word | Low, optional course | High | Proofreading guide |
| Tutoring | Your own hourly rate | Low | High, evenings and weekends | Tutoring guide |
| Freelancing (design, writing, coding) | Your own hourly or project rate | Low | High | Rate calculator |
| Content creation | Platform payouts, sponsors and affiliate links | Low | High | Creator tax guide |
| Matched betting | Profit from bookmaker free bets | Low, a betting float | High | Matched betting guide |
| Dog walking and pet sitting | Your own rate per walk or night | Low | Medium | Dog walking guide |
| Food delivery | Per delivery, plus tips | Low with a bike, higher with a car | Very high | Delivery guide |
| Cleaning | Your own hourly rate | Low, supplies | Medium | Tax for cleaners |
| Mystery shopping | A fee per visit, often plus expenses | None | Medium | Mystery shopping guide |
| Early morning jobs | Hourly wage, at least £12.71 an hour at 21+ | None | Low, fixed shifts | Early morning jobs |
| School-hours jobs | Hourly wage or your own rate | None to low | Medium | School-hours jobs |
| Renting a room | Rent; up to £7,500 a year tax free | Low | Low, a long-term commitment | Rent a Room guide |
| Hosting on Airbnb | Nightly rate, minus Airbnb's fee | Medium, furnishing | Medium | Airbnb guide |
| Renting out your driveway | Hourly, daily or monthly bookings | None | Very high | Driveway guide |
| Christmas temp work | Hourly wage | None | Seasonal | Christmas jobs |
| Paid research studies | A set fee per study, Prolific has a minimum hourly rate | None | Very high | User testing guide |
| Quick cash this week | Selling, gig apps and same-day work | None | Very high | £500 by tomorrow |
Wage figures use the National Living Wage for 2026/27. Platform fees and rates change, so check each one before you start.
How to choose your side hustle
Ask yourself four questions:
- How much time do you really have? Two evenings a week suits tutoring or freelancing. Ten minutes here and there suits user testing or selling.
- What do you already have? A spare room, a driveway, a car, a bike, a skill or a loft full of stuff are all starting points.
- Do you want flexibility or certainty? Gig apps let you work when you like, but pay varies. A part-time job pays a set wage but has fixed shifts.
- Will you enjoy it? You are far more likely to stick with something you do not dread.
For a personal shortlist, see the guides for students, parents, retirees, teachers, nurses, introverts and side hustles you can do from your phone.
Side hustles and tax: the one table you need
| Your side income | What you need to do |
|---|---|
| Selling your own unwanted things | Nothing. It is not trading, however much you sell. |
| Trading income of £1,000 or less (2026/27) | Nothing, it is covered by the trading allowance |
| Trading income over £1,000 | Register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the tax year |
| From 6 April 2027 | The allowance rises to £3,000 |
| Renting a room in your home | Tax free up to £7,500 a year under Rent a Room |
| A second job on a payslip | Taxed through PAYE, usually on a BR tax code |
Online platforms now report sellers with 30 or more sales, or about £1,700, a year to HMRC. Work out what you would owe:
Free toolSide hustle tax calculatorSee how much tax and National Insurance you owe on side income, and what to set aside each month.Read the full guide to side hustle tax in the UK, or see worked examples by amount.
Mistakes to avoid
- Paying to join. Real side hustles do not charge you to start earning. Be wary of "opportunities" that need a fee or a starter kit.
- Ignoring costs. Fuel, fees and stock eat into what you earn. Track what you keep, not what you take.
- Spending the tax money. Put aside 20% to 30% of your profit in a separate account until you know your bill.
- Doing too many at once. One side hustle done well beats five done badly.
- Breaking your job contract. Check your contract for rules on second jobs or working for competitors.
Common questions
What is the easiest side hustle to start in the UK?
Selling things you already own on Vinted or eBay. It costs nothing, you can start today, and selling your own unwanted things is not taxable.
What side hustle makes the most money?
Skilled work you charge for yourself, like tutoring, freelancing or proofreading, usually pays the most per hour. Selling and Airbnb can earn more in total, but need more time or money up front.
How much can I earn from a side hustle before paying tax?
£1,000 a year of trading income is covered by the trading allowance in 2026/27, rising to £3,000 from April 2027. Renting a room in your home is tax free up to £7,500.
Can I have a side hustle if I am employed?
Yes, as long as your employment contract allows it. Your job's tax code does not cover side income, so report it through Self Assessment if it is over the allowance.
This is general information, not personal tax or financial advice. Tax rules change and depend on your circumstances, so check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant before acting.
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