A new study has uncovered the 50 side hustles that offer the best opportunities for additional income, flexibility and accessibility.
New research reveals that 39% of Brits now have a side hustle, earning an average of £914 per month. Collectively, these second jobs contribute an estimated £70 billion to the UK economy, a figure that continues to grow year-on-year.
These are the findings of new research by SEO agency Ink Digital. It has analysed a wide range of data on side hustles to create its Ultimate UK Side Hustle Index 2025. This ranking of 50 of the most popular side hustles in the UK includes income estimates, flexibility insights, popularity, industry growth and accessibility ratings.
“We’re seeing a massive change in how people value their time and talents. Side hustles are no longer just about topping up income. They’re becoming outlets for creativity, personal growth and even long-term career goals. The accessibility of platforms like TikTok, Fiverr and Etsy has completely changed the side hustle game.” Michael Ryan, ceo, Ink Digital.
The top ten UK side hustles in 2025
- YouTuber: YouTube content creation offers one of the highest average earning potentials (£3,900/month), TikTok virality (7.2M mentions) and cultural relevance. While it usually takes a channel around four years to start earning a decent amount of money, the long-term rewards are great.
- Airbnb host: A low-maintenance, high-reward side hustle. With only one year of experience needed, hosting on Airbnb brings in an estimated £3,500/month. It’s attractive for homeowners or those with access to spare space.
- Uber driver: App-based driving remains one of the most common and reliable hustles with good earnings (£2,600/month) and low barrier to entry. It’s widely age-friendly and enjoys high visibility across both search and social.
- Deliveroo/Uber Eats driver: Another gig economy favourite, food delivery offers strong earnings (£2,400/month), minimal training time and flexibility.
- Photography: While earnings vary, semi-experienced photographers earn an average of £1,200/month on the side.
- Selling digital products: This includes eBooks, templates and online courses. It’s scalable, passive and ranks well across revenue growth and Google interest.
- Freelance writing: With £2,500 monthly income average and a short experience period (1–2 years), it remains an evergreen side hustle.
- Calligraphy: With increasing demand for wedding signage and stationery, it offers £1,400/month on average and rising TikTok interest.
- Voiceovers: Popular on Fiverr and Upwork, voice acting offers flexibility and income for those with clear diction and a decent mic setup. It has become especially popular for audiobook narration and AI training data.
- Personal training: Whether in-person or online, PTs with basic certification can bring in around £1,800/month.
The UK Side Hustle Index suggests that the definition of work is changing. Platforms that give individuals freedom, whether to create, deliver, teach or entertain, are becoming more mainstream.
“The UK is at a turning point in how people see employment. Side hustles offer freedom, identity and purpose. For many, it’s not just about making extra money it’s about taking control of how and why they work.” Michael Ryan, ceo, Ink Digital.
Written by Rachel Miller.