How & Where to Get Paid To Text Other People In 2024

Do you often have spare time in a week and dream of using it to earn extra money?

Most people do; with commodities and services at an all-time high, earning extra helps boost your cash flow while keeping a comfortable lifestyle.

Sadly, most mainstream gigs are too saturated with aspirants or require technical skillsets you may not have.

Today's article introduces you to how to get paid to text - a straightforward side hustle you can do anywhere, anytime, with sure potential for earnings.

Can You Get Paid to Text?

Earning extra money through texting is possible. The best thing is there are ample avenues to do it, each with unique task descriptions you can try out.

This means you don't have to get stuck texting the same thing to random people.

By exploring multiple platforms, you'll get access to other SMS-related tasks like answering simple questions, working with chat operators, and getting involved in SMS marketing.

Related: How to Get Paid to Chat

How Much Can You Make by Texting?

The exact amount you’ll earn by texting varies depending on the task type and the hours you spend doing it. Some clients also set bulk payments for project-based jobs or pay fixed cents per message sent.

You can earn $0.05 up to $0.25 for a simple SMS-sending task. More advanced texting jobs, like answering questions, can pay $10 to $30 per hour.

Again, these are ballpark figures; many platforms help you earn more.

How to Get Paid to Text (Overview)

1. Steady
2. McMoney
3. JustAnswer
4. Premium.Chat
5. Ginger
6. ChatOperatorJobs
7. 1Q
8. Chat Recruit
9. Talkroom

What You’ll Need to Get Paid to Text

You don’t need any previous experience to start earning through text. However, most platforms have minimum requirements before you can sign up on their app or website.

Here are the basic must-haves you must prepare:

• Mobile Phones: While some texting tasks can be done through an employer’s dedicated software via the web, many platforms require you to use mobile devices. You’ll also need this to download official apps.
• Active Bank Account: The most recommended way to receive payments, especially for freelancers, is through bank transfer. Be sure to have one, preferably separate from your savings account.
• Alternative Payment Option: In case your bank suffers tech glitches, it’s always convenient to have alternative options to receive payments. PayPal, Payoneer, and Stripe are some of the most popular picks.
• Email Address: You’ll need this to sign up for platforms offering chat-for-money services. We recommend you create a separate email address to manage all your side hustle correspondence.

Where to Get Paid to Text

We’ve learned about the basics of getting you ready for setup. Now let’s touch on the specifics.

Here are our top picks of apps, websites, and chat services you can try out to start getting paid.

1. Steady

Steady‘s an all-rounder offering paid texting opportunities and other freelance gigs across various industries. Popular tasks include taking surveys, joining focus group discussions, and doing chat-based customer service jobs.

Joining Steady opens you to in-demand niches that’ll give you fresh ideas, especially if you plan to start an online business from scratch.

How Much You Can Make

Most gigs at Steady can earn you $10 to $15 per hour. Others can pay as high as $26 per hour, depending on the type of task.

What Makes this Option Great

Steady’s a gateway to the gig economy. It gives you access to a vast network of companies that need SMS senders, chat support, and all types of freelance gigs you can think of.

With over four million app downloads and a stellar 4.5 – star average rating, you know you’re in good hands.

Steady app’s download and application processes are also among the most beginner-friendly in our list, making it a great pick if it’s your first time doing mobile side hustles.

• Typical Fees/Commission: Fixed monthly fee of $1.99 for premium versions and a 10% commission rate charged on your earnings regardless if you’re on the free or premium plan.
• Typical Payment Methods: Bank account linked through Plaid, PayPal (employer discretion)

2. McMoney

McMoney‘s the most passive income source we can think of in this list. You only need to download the app using your Android device, complete the registration with mobile verification, and start receiving random SMS.

You get paid by receiving texts—no need to respond. While there might be better choices when starting a freelance business, its passive nature makes it a fine addition to your growth assets.

How Much You Can Make

McMoney pays you $0.05 per text, which can vary depending on your location. Some report receiving $0.013, others $0.06 per text. It’s not much, but it can add up over time.

What Makes this Option Great

McMoney’s one-time setup is a convincing reason to give this a try. Besides, its owners have global partners that participate in sending out text messages to test their marketing campaigns. This opens more chances of receiving texts.

While it’s not much of an income-generating gig, it’s completely passive. If you can earn an extra $4 a month without doing anything, why not?

• Typical Fees/Commission: McMoney doesn’t charge anything.
• Typical Payment Methods: Paypal is the only accepted payment method as of 2023.

3. JustAnswer

JustAnswer‘s an excellent platform if you’re an expert in a technical field like law, medicine, and engineering. The platform works by connecting its paying subscribers to experts (you) through text messages.

Technical queries like the difference between Sole Proprietorship and LLC are a great example of what clients will throw at you.

Granted, you’ve passed the platform’s screening; you can start taking on tasks by answering these types of queries through text. Some cases may need you to respond through calls or web chats, but it’s not mandatory.

How Much You Can Make

Each answered question can pay you between $5 to $30. Some experts even report earning up to $7,000 a month without having to work full-time hours.

What Makes this Option Great

JustAnswer pays well and is ideal for skilled professionals who enjoy research and providing solutions to client queries.

With more people choosing to get expert answers online instead of in-person appointments, you enjoy the robust demand from clients across different states. This means more earning potential.

• Typical Fees/Commission: This depends on the client’s price for a question. JustAnswer takes 80% of the query cost for new experts and pays you the remaining 20%. So if the question costs $90, they’ll take $72, and you’ll pocket $18. Over time, experts can raise their percentage earnings to 50%.
• Typical Payment Methods: PayPal

4. Premium.Chat

Premium.Chat is an excellent platform for anybody with a fanbase or social media followers. This allows you to offer consultancy or advice services through text or live video chats.

Apart from getting paid, you can strengthen your brand and create a marketing portfolio future clients will love. You can ask satisfied clients you’ve helped through text to give out reviews or testimonials you can use for your online profile.

How Much You Can Make

You can earn between $1 to $6 per minute of text chat. And if you add live video calls, you’ll earn another $2 to $9 per minute.

What Makes this Option Great

Premium.Chat’s an excellent side hustle if you have a loyal fanbase who treats you as an authority of a niche. This makes the platform a perfect fit for influencers and subject matter experts.

It caters to a wide range of interests. You can be a spiritual advisor, a psychic, a sports guru, or a model. As long as people pay for what you say, this platform helps you earn well.

• Typical Fees/Commission: Between 20% to 40% of your monthly earnings.
• Typical Payment Methods: PayPal and Direct bank deposits

5. Ginger

Ginger‘s an ideal platform for freelancers and full-time workers with a mental health or psychiatry background. Your clients suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental illness, requiring support and guided encouragement from experts through text.

Once signed up, you may need to review the terms of what non-disclosure agreements imply as part of client confidentiality.

How Much You Can Make

Average earnings at Ginger is at $20 to $21 per hour.

What Makes this Option Great

It’s an excellent platform for mental health experts passionate about helping people overcome their emotional and cognitive issues.

The platform also offers paid training to familiarize yourself with your conversation with clients. You’ll even have your own coach to assist and give you feedback on your first weeks.

• Typical Fees/Commission: Ginger doesn’t reveal an exact fee, but they charge this to companies who get their service for their employees.
• Typical Payment Methods: Stripe

6. ChatOperatorJobs

ChatOperatorJobs pays you by replying to text messages from men. While the platform doesn’t specify any gender preference for applicants, its landing page implies it’s a task for women.

You’re required to reply to at least 75 messages within three weeks to keep your account open.

This can be an excellent side gig when starting a small business at home and wanting something profitable during your free time.

How Much You Can Make

You’re paid $0.13 to $0.19 per text reply.

What Makes this Option Great

Its anonymity is a huge plus if you don’t like the idea of phone calls and webcams. Also, signing up is easy, and payment frequency is weekly.

Messages are also mostly casual, which doesn’t require you to do any research. You can work at your own pace, wherever you want.

• Typical Fees/Commission: ChatOperatorJobs doesn’t reveal how much commission they get, if any. But you can assure their fixed price for every text is the final amount you’ll receive on your pay.
• Typical Payment Methods: PayPal

7. 1Q

1Q is a mobile platform companies use to gather consumer feedback about their products, marketing strategies, and special offers. All you need is to download the app on your mobile devices, create an account using your email or Facebook, and you’re set.

Once logged in, you’ll be asked to provide quick demographic info to match you with the app’s partner companies. From there, you’ll start receiving questions via text or app that you must respond to as soon as you get them.

Entities planning to start a marketing business often use this tool to get fresh inputs from random consumers to help them create branding strategies.

U.S. residents account for most of the app’s users, though it’s also available in Canada and the U.K.

How Much You Can Make

Each response pays you $0.25, though it can go up to $1 per response depending on factors like the company asking it and your location.

What Makes this Option Great

One thing that sets this app apart from the rest is its no minimum cash-out requirement. Once you’re done responding, you’ll receive the payment straight to your PayPal account.

It’s also available for Android and iOS devices. It is easy to set up, perfect for users who want to start earning hassle-free.

• Typical Fees/Commission: 1Q doesn’t provide any details on commission charges, if any, but their terms require users to should any fees incurred from using their mobile devices, such as ISP fees.
• Typical Payment Methods: PayPal

8. Chat Recruit

Chat Recruit is a UK-based flirting site open to women 18 years old and over. While its main clients are men looking to chat with ladies, it does offer a platform for psychics and influencers.

If you’re uncomfortable with webcam or video chats, you can do texts or offcam chats. While registration is straightforward, approval may take time, depending on factors like your location.

Still, it deserves a spot on our list for being a reliable vendor for paying its users. Some even claim to earn $100,000 a year. And with its minimum startup requirement, it can be a good avenue for beginners to make money.

How Much You Can Make

Chat Recruit pays you $2 per minute. This covers all modes of chatting, from text to video.

What Makes this Option Great

You don’t need to have any experience to join chat recruit. You should be good to go if you enjoy chatting and have a strong internet connection. They also offer a $10 bonus on your first pay and give you options to receive payment to your bank either weekly or monthly.

• Typical Fees/Commission: Chat Recruit takes a small percentage of your earning per platform, though they don’t specify an amount.
• Typical Payment Methods: Bank Transfer

9. Talkroom

Talkroom is a new chat industry player ideal for users with an established following, like coaches and influencers. However, this doesn’t mean beginners can’t start earning.

Anybody who’s an expert or shares interesting insights can earn from this app. The idea is to be interesting enough for other Talkroom users to D.M. you. You can set your rate. Once someone requests to chat, all you need is to accept, and your line will be open for up to a week.

This platform’s also a great starting point for anyone who wants to become a brand ambassador. Establishing a reputation through personalized messaging is a boost to your credibility.

Each user’s direct line to you automatically closes after a week unless they top up. The more valuable your D.M. responses are, the higher the chances of getting repeat chatters.

How Much You Can Make

You can make as much as you want. For example, you can set $1 per chat or raise it to $10 or more. You can even choose to get paid by crypto.

What Makes this Option Great

The Talkroom app is available for both Android and iOS users and is free to download. There are also no startup costs, so if you already have followers willing to pay you for your thoughts, this is an incredible way to boost your cash flow.

• Typical Fees/Commission: The app doesn’t charge any commission, but you’ll shoulder any fees incurred during withdrawals.
• Typical Payment Methods: Bank Transfer and PayPal

Why You Should Consider Texting as a Side Hustle

If our list of paid texting gigs doesn’t convince you to sign up for them, here are the top reasons you’d want to try them out:

• Easy Application: Earning extra cash through text can be done without advanced skills or technical processes. You only have to create an account and start working. You don’t even need interviews.
• Flexible Hours: Unless you choose to do it as a full-time job, most gigs have flexible schedules and no time requirements. You have full control over when and how long you work.
• Dynamic Topics: From acting as an online friend or a health coach, your role varies across industries. It’s never dull if you explore task options. This also helps you build familiarity with different mobile operations.
• Remote and Global Reach: You don’t need to be in an office to do the job. While some portals have geographical limits on who can sign up, most still allow you to work anywhere around the globe.

Problems With Texting for Money

As easy as this chat gig sounds, it’s not for everyone. Problems like the following might deter you from maximizing texting’s potential:

• High Commissions: Many platforms charge high commissions from texters. This can be a bummer for starters who only spend a few hours texting and are struggling to reach the platform’s minimum payout requirements.
• Inconsistent Task Volume: Landing a texting gig doesn’t guarantee a consistent workload. Your tasks are dependent on vendor availability and talent competition.
• Less Support: Once you start working on online chat jobs, you can’t expect real-time support from a back office or technical team to address glitches. Most of the time, you’re on your own and have to resolve issues with whatever resource you have.
• Low Payout Rates: The more accessible and repetitive the task, the lower the pay. This means longer time spent to reach most platforms’ minimum payout requirements.

How to Get Paid to Text: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we’ve covered how to help you get extra income while texting, it’s time to discuss the steps. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Preferred Platform

Which website or app do you want to use? We suggest choosing one chat platform for beginners. This helps you familiarize different chat services and other text-based work.

This also helps you narrow your focus on a single task so you can master how it’s done and be skilled at it.

Step 2: Ready Your Payment Details

While texting as a passive income may not be your idea of building wealth, it still earns you money. We recommend setting up a separate bank account intended for work. Have the account details ready even before signing up for a platform.

Step 3: Set Up Alternative Payment Options

This one’s your backup plan in case your bank fails to receive payments. Popular alternatives include PayPal, Payoneer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Stripe, and Amazon Pay.

If you’re not yet using any of these already, you may want to check what your preferred gig platform supports and start from there.

Step 4: Pick a Time to Text

Many chat operator jobs are open round-the-clock, so it’s unsurprising to see paid text opportunities available 24/7. But before picking a task, consider the hours you’re available to do it and how long.

While you can do it anytime, sticking to a routine for the first weeks helps establish a good working pace, which is important for consistent earnings.

Step 5: Fulfill the Platform’s Cashout Requirements

When signing up for an online chat service, ensure you understand its minimum payout terms. Some portals may have a $20 required minimum, while others can go up to $65 or more.

Once you’ve reached the required amount, you can transfer your money to your bank or the preferred payment method.

Remember that extra processing or transfer fees may apply, which are charged against you.

Things to Consider When Texting for Money

One of the advantages of paid texting as a side hustle is its wide availability. Demand is high and specialized niches like websites for finding genuine relationships pay well.

Unlike investing in startups that require you to get a loan to start a business, opting for this easy-to-do side hustle is great if you want a low-risk source of income.

Here are the major factors to consider once you’ve decided to try this:

1. Time Availability

How much time can you spend texting in a week? Knowing this is crucial as it helps you assess how long it’ll take you to get paid.

Let’s say your platform’s minimum payout is $65. You can’t expect to get a weekly cashout if you spend less than ten hours a week on tasks that pay $5 an hour.

Determining your time availability helps you set realistic earning expectations.

2. Hourly Rate

What are the different platforms’ payment rates? Most platforms pay by the hour, but some do it per project.

Sign up for paid messaging apps that offer decent rates concerning the type of services involved. You can use our product listing above to compare earning potential, fees & commissions.

3. Platform Reputation

Get a feel of other freelancers’ experience with the platform. How trusted is it? Are there a lot of available tasks? Do they pay their members promptly?

Sign up on platforms with a solid track record of partnering with reliable employers who pay their people well.

4. Market Niche

Some text-based gigs, like adult chat services, may require you to do video chats occasionally. Better skip tasks involving voice calls or anything that demands webcam chats if that’s not for you.

If you’re the type who enjoys a more challenging chat session, consider taking on answering marketing research questions, becoming offline emotional wellness coaches, or facilitating psychic chat groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does it Take to Get Paid to Text?

You can get paid as fast as one week or up to a month or more if you’re working on a long-term project with a chat company. It depends on the platforms’ terms.

A major requirement common to all platforms is for freelancers to reach their minimum cashout figure. Once you do, withdrawing is automatic. Just remember the turnaround time for your payment method to complete the processing.

Do You Need a High-Speed Internet Connection to Get Paid Texting?

High-speed internet is an advantage, but it’s not always required. Most basic texting gigs only need you to be on mobile, with a decent internet connection enough to send out texts.

Unless the employer specifically demands this, you’re safe with at least 50 Mbps upload and download speed.

Similar Ways to Get Paid

Is texting too basic and unpromising? Check out other gigs that earn you money with basic to no technical skills requirements.

• Get Paid to Help People to Move: If you own a truck or can drive one, you could help people move furniture and boxes to their new homes. The average pay is around $20 to $30 per hour.
• Get Paid Walking with Dogs: Do you love dogs? This side hustle is meant for anyone who loves our furry friends and genuinely desires to see them happy and healthy!
• Get Paid Advertising on Your Car: This gig is for you if you don’t mind having vinyl stickers wrapped around your car, showing brand logos or advertising messages. Depending on the wrap size, you can earn from $100 to $500 a month.

Wrapping Up

Texting as a side hustle is one of the easiest ways to earn quick cash. You only need your mobile device, decent internet, and an account on your preferred chat platform.

Have you tried any of the apps and websites mentioned on the list? Which one do you recommend? Let us know in the comments section. And if you like this guide, feel free to share it!