Do you despise talking on the phone or participating in video calls? If you’re more introverted, we have a list of legitimate ways to get paid to text.
Nowadays, you can get paid for just about anything – including sending or receiving texts!
Text-focused jobs are intriguing opportunities for many people because they offer a way to work from home, can be done on a flexible schedule, and don’t involve phone calls or dealing with other people face-to-face.
However, look for jobs that pay you to text, and you’ll quickly discover that many of them (such as Chat Recruit, Dream Lover, Flirtbucks, Text Flirt, and Lip Service) are flirting sites. These sites are legitimate, but being a chat hostess might not be a comfortable option for many. The good news is there are still many other legitimate ways to make money via texting.
Here are 13 legit ways to get paid to text without flirting with strangers.
1. 1Q App
If you want to make a little extra money, the 1Q App allows Android and iOS users to earn cash for responses to its text messages. Its clients are brands that want to get candid feedback from consumers by sending them market research questions.
Once you sign up for a free account, you’ll start receiving survey questions from 1Q, and you’ll earn $0.25 per response. This means if you get a survey with two questions, you will earn $0.50 for answering both of them.
How many surveys you get depends on your location and profile, but the reported average is 1 or 2 per week. It won’t add up to a lot, but it’s an easy way to make a few extra bucks. Another benefit of this app is that payments are made immediately to your PayPal account after a survey is finished.
- 1Q App gets a 4.3-star rating out of 5 in the Apple app store
2. Fibler
If you have professional expertise to share, check out Fibler. Fibler is an app that offers private consultations or group coaching to clients. It lets you set up consults or group coaching via webcam chats, voice calls, and text messaging.
Ideal for doctors, lawyers, tutors, coaches, and other specialists, Fibler lets you set your own per-minute rates and be your own boss. You can also create rich video content that can result in passive income! Remember that you need to find the clients who will use your service.
Fibler sends payments through direct deposit in select countries or via PayPal.
- Fibler gets a 3.6-star out of 5 rating in the Apple app store
3. Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the largest marketplaces where people and businesses can find services at reasonable rates. As a freelancer on Fiverr, you can create your own list of services and set your rates. The most common service freelancers offer on Fiverr that involves text messaging is SMS marketing, a type of marketing that sends advertisements via text to potential and existing customers.
To offer this service, you must become familiar with an SMS platform like EZ Texting or Twilio. Then, you can list your services on Fiverr. To be competitive, start with $5 per gig, and you can increase your rates as you build up positive reviews.
Once you complete a gig, Fiverr will release your earnings via PayPal, Bank Transfer, or Direct Deposit.
- Fiverr gets a 4.2-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
4. Headspace
Ginger (which recently merged with Headspace) is a platform that provides mental health services, including coaching, therapy, and psychiatry. Emotional wellness coaches are hired to help members combat mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression through texting sessions.
As an emotional wellness coach, you will work at least seven weekly sessions. You can search for open positions on their website, but remember that proper licensure and experience are required to qualify.
- Headspace gets a 3-star rating out of 5 on Glassdoor.com
5. JustAnswer
JustAnswer is another way to get paid to text. Members pay a subscription to ask questions, and the platform will connect the user with an expert in the relevant field, where they can chat by text or phone.
Provided you have the appropriate credentials, you can apply to become an expert in one of several fields, such as medicine, law, wellness, computers, mechanics, or home improvement. Once you pass the screening process, you can earn anywhere from $2,000-$7,000 per month and work as much or as little as you want.
- JustAnswer gets a 4.6-star rating out of 5 on Glassdoor
6. McMoney
If you’re an Android user, McMoney is a great app that can help you earn a few extra bucks each month. All you need to do is install the app, complete the registration, and verify your phone number.
After that, you’ll be sent the occasional test SMS messages., and that’s all there is to it! For every text you receive, money will be added to your account. Then, once you’ve reached the minimum payout amount, you can withdraw your funds via PayPal.
- The McMoney app gets a 3.9-star rating out of 5 on Trustpilot
7. Premium.Chat
Premium.Chat is similar to Fibler in connecting clients with experts through text messages, voice calls, or video chats. It’s an excellent platform for consultants and coaches but is also used by performers, models, and influencers. There’s no need to install an app, as you can use it on your mobile browser or desktop.
It’s free to join, but the platform will take a cut of revenue earned (up to 40%, depending on how much you make). Once you’ve set up your account, you can set your rates per minute or charge a flat fee. You can also set your availability. Your earnings via Premium.Chat are sent on the 10th of every month via PayPal or direct deposit.
According to this review about this platform, it appears your “success ultimately depends on your ability to build a strong online presence and attract a paying audience.”
8. Chatdesk
Chatdesk hires freelance workers as chat agents to provide customer support via social media, email, SMS, and chat. For these part-time positions, you must be detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and available to work two or more hours daily. In these roles, you can create your own schedule and work from anywhere. According to one user on Glassdoor, chat operators are paid per ticket about $0.40 per text or email, and you must reach $50 in earnings before you get paid.
- Chatdesk gets a 4.4-star rating out of 5 on Glassdoor.com
9. Working Solutions
Working Solutions is a customer-experience business process outsourcing (BPO) operation and has supported the work from home movement since its inception in 1996. They’ve worked with many large companies and have over 150,000 customer service agents throughout Canada and the United States.
They’re always looking for independent contractors, and you can earn up to $19 per hour, depending on the type of contract you get. In addition to chat messaging, many programs in the marketplace require you to participate in phone calls and video chats as well. To become a contractor, you need a USB headset, a high-speed internet connection, an up-to-date computer and software, and, in some cases, a webcam.
10. The Trevor Project
Another way to get paid to text is by applying for a full-time job with The Trevor Project. They are a nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQ youth through information and a 24/7/365 help hotline. As a chat and text counselor with Trevor Project, you’ll provide crisis counseling in writing via their chat and text platform. For these roles, you must have quick and excellent written communication skills. The Trevor Project hires people from all 50 states and offers competitive pay and benefits.
- The Trevor Project gets a 4.2-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
11. Studypool
If you have expertise in an area like math, science, English, or a foreign language, you can get paid to text students! With Studypool, tutors answer questions via text, providing explanations and answers to their queries. All communication is done via Studypool’s chat messenger. With Studypool, you work when and where you’d like, and they accept tutors from all over the world. Top tutors earn $7,500 a month! For these independent contracting roles, you must prove your expertise in the subject matter you wish to instruct on.
- Studypool gets a 3.7-star rating out of 5 on Glassdoor.com
12. Vibrant Emotional Health
Vibrant Emotional Health hires clinical crisis counselors to administer crisis intervention services across the country. In these remote roles, you’ll get paid to text, web chat, and sometimes take phone calls with clients in need. For these positions, you must have excellent communication skills and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, forensic psychology, and 1-2 years of experience in a behavioral health setting or call center. Vibrant Emotional Health offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits and has day, evening, and overnight shifts available.
- Vibrant Emotional Health gets a 2.9-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
13. Start Your Own Text-Based Coaching Business
I’m sure you’ve heard of popular services like Noom, offering text support to people who want to get fit and lose weight. If you have the expertise, knowledge, and education, you can offer your own personal coaching services via text.
Yes, this is a real way to conduct business! A friend of mine used a personal trainer to help her lose weight, and this trainer delivered meal plans, recipes, and exercise plans via text message. All messaging between the trainer and client was done via email and text.
Of course, you’ll need a website, a social media account with Linktree, or a platform like Podia to host your offerings. But the nice thing about starting your own business is you can focus on your area of expertise and set your own rates.
One woman who runs a text-based coaching business is Louise Schriewer of Work You Love Coach. She offers clients text-based coaching services using the Signal app for $80 weekly. Check out this article if starting a coaching business from home sounds appealing.
Tips for Texting Safely
Before you start your texting side hustle, it’s a good idea to take a few precautions to protect yourself from scams and identity theft.
First, always do your due diligence and research the company on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor. If you need to download an app, read reviews from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Ensure the developers are still maintaining and updating the app for security.
Do not disclose your personal information, such as your date of birth, social security number, or account passwords, to unsecured websites or unverified personnel. Email addresses should match the domain name of the hiring company.
Also, read the fine print before committing to any texting job or installing their apps. Be on the lookout for any scammers and spammers who may try to contact you through third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media. Don’t respond to any messages that seem suspicious or too good to be true!
Get Paid to Text Conclusion
If you enjoy communicating with people via text but want to avoid flirting with strangers, there are still plenty of companies out there that are willing to pay you to text. Just make sure you research the companies you intend to work for and take a few simple precautions when texting with people you don’t know.
Whether you’re looking for ways to share your expertise or simply answer a few surveys for extra cash, there’s a texting gig for you. Give it a try, and you might be surprised at how much money you can make!
Do you know of any other ways to get paid to text? Drop us a note below; we’d love to hear from you!
Originally published December 19, 2022. Content updated December 2024.
