Top 10 Best Side Hustles in Singapore to Start in 2025
I once proofread a friend’s essay during an MRT ride, turning a ten-minute ride into S$50. That little moment introduced me to how side hustles can turn spare time into meaningful income. Today, research indicates that approximately one-third of Singaporeans supplement their salaries with freelance or gig work. With the gig economy now becoming increasingly responsible for families’ incomes, it’s only right that we use our website to discuss some of the best side hustles in Singapore.
The Present Situation of Side Hustles in Singapore
Research shows that Singapore’s average side income rose from S$810 to S$891 per month in 2024, representing an increase of around 10 per cent. Millennials and Gen Z report the highest earnings, averaging S$1,129 and S$958 per month, respectively.
Meanwhile, the gig economy is evolving, not merely growing. As platforms like Quest reach nearly half a million users in 2025, Singapore’s regulatory framework, such as the Platform Workers Act, is being updated to offer more protection and stability.
All in all, side hustles are quickly becoming mainstream in Singapore’s professional and economic landscape.
Quick Summary Table
| Side Hustle | Avg. Earnings (S$/mo) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid Online Surveys | 30–200 | Easy to start; no experience needed | Low pay; time-consuming |
| Tutoring & Language Coaching | 1,000–2,000+ | High hourly rate; strong demand | Needs skill/certification |
| Acting, Photography & Content Creation | 1,000–3,000+ | Creative and scalable | Needs gear; competitive |
| Freelance Digital Services | 2,000–5,000+ | High demand; remote work | Needs upskilling |
| Ride-Hailing & Food Delivery | 1,500–3,000 | Flexible; fast payout | Physical work; vehicle cost |
| Commerce Ventures | 500–3,000+ | Scalable; builds online skills | Platform fees; steep learning curve |
| Virtual Assistance | 800–2,500 | Low barrier to entry | Repetitive tasks; skill-dependent |
| Consultancy & Digital Marketing | 2,000–6,000+ | High income; business-aligned | Needs proven track record |
| Crafts & Stock Photography | 200–2,000 | Artistic; passive potential | Slow growth; crowded niche |
| Private Coaching | 1,000–3,000+ | Fulfilling; good hourly rates | Needs certification; physically active |
So, What Are the Top 10 Best Side Hustles to Start in Singapore?
Now that the formalities are done, let’s look at the top 10 best side hustles to start in Singapore. For this, we’ve gone through several websites and have focused on listing hustles that most can start.
Paid Online Surveys
While not the highest-paying gigs, paid online surveys tend to be one of the most accessible ways to make passive income in Singapore. Several platforms allow you to complete one in Singapore, which can be done in just a few minutes. Generally, you might earn S$1–5 per task, totalling S$30–200.
Freelance Tutoring & Language Coaching
In Singapore where education and knowledge are highly valued, academic tutors and language coaches can earn well, particularly in high‑demand languages and subjects. Of course, your income depends on your skills and certifications. Still, when we examined some online tutoring platforms, we found that some Singaporean language tutors have generated more than S$20,000 per year with just five hours of work per week. All we can say is that tutoring can be highly profitable in the city-state .
Acting, Photography & Content Creation
Creative skills have also been found to bring rewarding returns. For instance, acting and photography on average pay around S$80 an hour. Content creation, including blogging or vlogging, rounds out the top trio at around S$62/hour. Do remember that you might still need to stand out from the rest, especially in more non-technical creativity like acting.
Freelance Digital Services
As always, digital and tech skills such as programming, graphic design, user-experience testing, or coding are in high demand. In fact, research shows that by 2025, nearly 31 per cent of Singapore’s employers had hired more tech freelancers than before. Thus, learning a new tech skill, especially ones like AI and ML whose demand is booming, can not only create a side hustle option but might even replace your current job.
Ride‑Hailing & Food Delivery
For many, gig work with Grab or Deliveroo offers easy flexibility. Earnings typically range between S$10–30 per hour. With no heavy setup and near‑immediate payout, this hustle is popular among students and shift workers alike.
Commerce Ventures
Selling online through platforms like Shopee and Lazada provides access to a vast and growing consumer base. Similarly, dropshipping or affiliate marketing helps you make a profit without handling inventory. These digital businesses also sharpen your digital marketing, SEO, and customer relations abilities, creating other avenues for growth.
Virtual Assistance
If you possess strong general technical skills, you can consider working as a virtual assistant for businesses. As one, you might be asked to handle routine tech tasks like calendars, emails or social media for business owners. Rates range from S$10–30 per hour.
Consultancy & Digital Marketing
If you are skilled in SEO, analytics or social advertising, companies will pay as high as S$50–100 per hour for your expertise. This is a scalable hustle and academically aligned with business strategies and professional development.
Handmade Crafts & Stock Photography
Crafts and photography tap into artisanal creativity. While we couldn’t find many figures for Singapore, in the last year, in the US, stock photo searches grew by 151 per cent, which suggests that the demand is increasing worldwide. Similarly, data from 6wresearch shows that Singapore’s arts and craft market is growing at a CAGR of 6.7% between 2020 and 2026, making it a viable option in the future as well.
Private Coaching (e.g. Swimming, Fitness)
The last option on our list is private coaching for activities such as swimming, sports, or others. One Reddit user from Singapore claimed to earn S$1,000–2,000 monthly coaching swimming while working full‑time. With certification from STA or AUSTSWIM, he eventually turned it into his primary career. Coaching provides both income and fulfilment while building teaching credentials.
Building and Growing a Side Hustle: How to Start Wisely
While there are several skills to monetise in Singapore, you can first start with low-barrier hustles like surveys, VA work or tutoring to test the waters and gain momentum. After that, invest something small, like purchasing quality gear or taking a short certification to improve your services. Finally, establish quarterly checkpoints to analyse what works best and scale those efforts.
If you need help with any information mentioned above, you can contact us at the Singapore brand.
