Microtasks as a way to earn your first income online – what are they and where to find them?

Making money online doesn’t have to start with creating a course, writing a blog, or building a YouTube channel. If you just want to see if you can add a little extra to your household budget during breaks between classes or after work, microtasks might be just the thing.  You don’t need a portfolio, experience, or connections. You only need the internet and a few spare minutes.

Microtasks are simple activities commissioned by companies, researchers, or startups that do not require extensive training or specialized skills. In this post, you’ll learn how to start making money from microtasks, where to find them, and how to quickly increase your earnings from 50 PLN/month to over 1000 PLN. No promises, no “get rich quick” schemes. Just the facts.

What are microtasks and why are they worth doing? Basics to start

Microtasks are mini online assignments, which typically take from a few minutes to an hour. For completing each, you receive a small but concrete payment. In practice, this can be, for example, describing an image, transcribing a recording segment, or testing an application.

The most popular microtasks:

• describing a photo,
• filling out a survey,
• website testing,
• image classification,
• comment moderation,
• transcription,
• data validation,
• writing a review.

Why does it work? Because many companies, research institutions, and apps need micro-scale support. Instead of hiring one employee, they commission hundreds of small tasks to thousands of freelancers. And so—anyone can earn, even without a CV.

Microtasks are ideal for starters because:

• they don’t require a portfolio or experience
• you earn from the first day
• you don’t invest money (a computer and internet are enough)
• you operate flexibly – when you want, where you want
• you get to know the online job market without stress

However, let’s not be naive: microtasks won’t make you a millionaire. But they can teach you the basics of remote work, build your reputation, and prepare you for further steps (e.g., on Fiverr or Upwork).

How much can you realistically earn from microtasks? From a few zlotys to a few… thousand!

It all depends on how much time you dedicate and which tasks you choose. But we have data from 2025 and can show you real scenarios.

For beginners (without a portfolio):

• surveys: $0.25–$1.50 / 5-15 min,
• watching ads: $0.05–$0.50 / 1-5 min,
• forms: $0.50–$2 / 5-10 min,
• data classification: $1–$5 / 5-15 min.

Earnings per hour: from $1 to $12 depending on the platform and pace

For skilled individuals (transcriptions, usability tests):

• UserTesting: $10–$40 per test (10-30 min),
• transcriptions: $100–$400 per hour of audio (6-7 hours of work),
• Appen: $5.50–$20/h,
• translations: $10–$50 per task (30-60 min).

Scenarios:

• beginner (1h daily): ~$80–$100 monthly,
• after work (2h daily): ~$320–$400 monthly,
• committed (4h daily): ~$2,000+ monthly.

Conclusion? Microtasks as a side option give you 300-600 PLN, but with better skills and time – even 6-8x more.

Where to look for microtasks? TIER 1 – ideal for starters

You don’t need to know English perfectly or understand the interfaces of US platforms. Just start with Clickworker and Microworkers. Both have a low entry threshold, operate in Poland, and you can start earning even today.

Clickworker:

• tasks in Polish and English,
• e.g., describing images, transcriptions, data validation,
• rates: from 1 to 50 PLN per task,
• payments: PayPal/Skrill (min. 10 euros),
• new assignments daily, but you have to be quick.

Microworkers:

• English-speaking, but easy to use,
• e.g., app testing, content evaluation, surveys,
• rates: $0.30-$10,
• payments: PayPal or card.

Pro tip: register on multiple platforms at once. Microtasks are a game of rotation. Sometimes one is empty, another is full.

Where else to find microtasks? TIER 2 – for those who want to earn better

If you already have your first tasks done, good reviews, and you excel in English – it’s time for premium platforms.

UserTesting.com:

• website and app testing (record your screen + commentary),
• $10-$50 per test (15-30 minutes),
• payments: every Thursday, to PayPal.

Appen:

• long-term projects for AI (e.g., evaluating Google results),
• $8-$20/h,
• a qualifying test to start.

Respondent.io:

• user research: 1:1 interviews, tests, feedback,
• rates: $20-$100 for 30-60 minutes.

If you know what you’re doing and have a system – there’s real money in these places. There are no “tasks for 2 PLN” here, there are jobs for 200 PLN and more.

Is it possible to make a living from this? 

If you’re expecting thousands of PLN per month after just one hour a day — unfortunately, this is not the story for you. But if you want to earn a few hundred PLN extra per month in your spare time or build a foundation for further actions, it is definitely possible.

In the beginning, by doing the simplest micro-tasks, you can expect earnings of about 100–400 PLN per month, working around an hour a day. For example, 15 minutes a day on surveys or simple forms amounts to approximately 3–6 PLN. Over a month, this becomes a real cash injection for small pleasures.

Over time, as you gain experience and access to better-paying projects (e.g., usability testing, audio transcription, content moderation), earnings can grow up to 1,000–2,000 PLN per month. But this requires more commitment and patience.

How to prepare not to miss the start?

Before plunging into micro-tasks, it’s worth taking a few preparatory steps. This way, you avoid unnecessary frustration and start earning faster.

• Create a separate email – it’s better to have a mailbox just for this purpose.
• Install and verify a PayPal account – it’s the most common form of payment.
• Prepare a computer with a good internet connection – a phone often won’t suffice.
• Ensure a complete profile on each platform – platforms also assign tasks based on profile data.
• Be patient – some platforms accept accounts after a few days, others only after qualifying tests.

Don’t be afraid to test different options. Even if one platform doesn’t have tasks for a few days, another may be bustling at the same time.

FAQ

Are micro-tasks legal, and do you need to pay taxes on them?

Yes, they are legal. And if your earnings regularly exceed 1,400 PLN a month, it’s worth reporting it to the tax office. For smaller amounts – it’s still income, but many people treat it as a grey area.

Do micro-tasks require knowledge of the English language?

Some do, especially those that pay better. But many tasks on Clickworker or Swagbucks are available in Polish.

Can you earn more than 1,000 PLN per month?

Yes – provided you dedicate 2–4 hours a day to it and choose platforms with better rates (e.g., UserTesting, Appen).

Which platform is best to start with?

Clickworker – intuitive, available in Polish, tasks frequently appear, and payouts are relatively quick.

Can this be done from a phone?

Only some tasks. Most sensible micro-tasks require a computer – especially usability tests or transcriptions.

Do I need to have a business to do this?

No. A business is only necessary when you earn regularly and on a larger scale (e.g., more than 1,000–1,500 PLN per month for several consecutive months).