Two people that learned how to make money in one hour by dog walking.
Advertiser Disclosure
Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors, and we might earn a commission if you click on one.

How to Make Money in One Hour [2025] Legit Ways 

So, you need money. Not next week, but now. Welcome to the club.

Prices have been rising lately, with inflation at 3% in recent months. That’s left a lot of people short on cash.

But don’t panic just yet. There are ways to earn money, and quickly!

In this article, I’ll explain how to make money in one hour. It’s not always easy, and you probably won’t get rich. 

But at least you’ll get an immediate influx of cash. And sometimes, that’s all you need.  

How to Make Money in One Hour

Do you want to work from home, or would you rather be out in the world? Are you a tech-loving computer whiz, or do screens make you dizzy? Whatever your preferences, you can find a way to bring in some extra cash.

Here are some of the best ideas on how to make money in one hour. 

Complete Surveys Online

Earnings Potential: $1 – $2 per hour

Imagine sitting in your comfiest chair, using your device to answer simple questions about your preferences and opinions. Sounds pretty relaxing, right? Now, imagine getting paid for it. That’s what it’s like to complete online surveys for money!

Here’s how to make money in one hour by taking surveys:

  1. Sign up for a survey site. You’ll have to provide some basic information like your name and email address.
  2. Complete your profile. By answering some questions about yourself, you’ll make it easier for the survey platform to decide which surveys you can take.
  3. Choose a survey. With most platforms, you’ll have multiple surveys to pick from.
  4. Take the survey. The time this takes will depend on the survey – but it will almost always be less than an hour!
  5. Get paid! Some survey sites pay out in cash, while others will send you gift cards. You might have to reach a cashout threshold before you can receive your pay. This threshold varies by platform.

You’re not going to make millions taking online surveys, but you can absolutely pad your income. Just make sure you use a reputable platform.

Swagbucks is one of the biggest names in the industry, and you’ll get a $10 bonus just for signing up.  Be sure to also check out other survey sites like Swagbucks and check out our answer to the question, “Is Apex Focus Group legit?”

Survey Junkie is another option that lets you earn money by sharing your browsing activity. To learn how to maximize your earnings on the site, check out this list of Survey Junkie hacks and this full Survey Junkie review to learn more.

Then there’s InboxDollars, which pays users to take surveys, accept promotional offers, and even play games. To learn more, read Is Inbox Dollars Legit?

To learn more about these and other options, read this guide to surveys for gift cards.

And if you’d like to play games to win gift cards, check out this article.

Swagbucks is an easy way to learn how to make money in one hour. 
You can use Swagbucks and similar survey platforms to make money in one hour.
Source: Apple

Play Online Games

Earnings Potential: $50 per month

When wondering how to make money in one hour, you were probably imagining having to do something hard or unpleasant. But guess what? You can get paid simply for playing online games!

You just have to pick a game or online platform that actually pays out as promised.

One option is Mistplay. It’s probably the most famous platform for paid online gaming. It’s 100% legit, having given away over $60 million to date. It’s a great choice if you want to play a variety of games, since there are so many to choose from. Mistplay will also create a personalized catalog of games designed to match your preferences.

Rewarded Play is another gaming platform with a strong reputation. There’s a variety of games that will give you points as you play, and then you can redeem those points for gift cards.

Bubble Buzz is a fun bubble-shooter game that you can win real cash prizes playing. Learn more in “Is Bubble Buzz Legit?”

Want to play a unique take on a classic game just for fun? Check out our Monopoly Go review.

You can also play individual app-based games that give out real cash prizes. I’d recommend Blackout Bingo. It’s a skills-based game that you can practice for free before playing for money. Read this article to find out is Blackout Bingo legit and more.

Here are a few more games to check out:

Keep in mind that some games and platforms only pay out in gift cards. But if it’s actual money you’re after, check out this full list of apps that pay cash.

Commonly Asked Questions About How to Make Money in One Hour

How to Make Money in One Hour Online?

Here are some ideas for how to make money in one hour online:

Check out these games that pay real money instantly, and if you like competing in Solitaire tournaments to win extra cash, check out Is Solitaire King Legit?

For more opportunities to play games, take surveys, and test new apps to earn money, check out these reviews:

And to learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances and boost your savings, check out these comparisons of Rocket Money vs the competition:

If you’re looking for a low-tech, hands-on budgeting method, learn about cash envelope categories. And if you need to boost your savings fast, the 60/30/10 rule budget can help, and so can learning how to save $3000 in 3 months.

Do you get paid twice a month and find yourself struggling to account for that in your budgeting? Learn how to budget biweekly paycheck.

How to Make Money in One Hour Legit?

One legit way to make money in an hour is by joining a platform that will pay you to play games like Mistplay or take surveys on Swagbucks. If you want to earn more serious money, you could try babysitting with Care.com, pet sitting with Rover, or working as a virtual assistant (check out Lensa for job openings). 

How to Make Money in One Hour at Home?

Here are some ways to make money in one hour without leaving your home:

Too young to qualify for some of these offers? Learn how to make money as a teenager without a job.

How Can I Make Money in 1 Hour?

If you want to make money in an hour, here are some jobs to consider:

How Can I Make $100 a Day ASAP?

If you want to make $100 a day (and soon!) I’d recommend joining the gig economy. You could work as a virtual assistant, become a delivery driver with DoorDash, or take care of pets or children with Care.com. And for all these gigs, you can use an app or digital platform (like Lensa) to find work.

Here’s how to make an extra $100 a week. And learn how you could make money as a mystery shopper in this Field Agent review.

Once you have some regular cash coming in, check out these banks that pay 2 days early to access your money fast.

And if you’d like to boost your balance fast, check out these banks with immediate sign-up bonus, and learn about the Chime referral bonus.

How Can I Get Cash Today?

To get cash today, you could find some kind of gig work that pays immediately. I’d recommend babysitting, pet sitting, or dog walking. You could even use a platform like Rover or Care.com to find clients, but that could take a few days. 

How Can I Get a Lump Sum of Money Fast?

To make money quickly, you’ll need to engage in a few side hustles at once. I’d recommend dog walking with Rover, pet setting, delivery driving with DoorDash, and babysitting with Care.com. You could also try to borrow a lump sum, but be careful. You’ll be in debt, and you’ll likely have to pay interest. Here’s a guide on how to get a personal loan.