Quick answer: If you want to earn a little extra on the side without quitting your day job, Grab, Preply, Upwork, Fiverr, Shopify, Etsy and Shutterstock are the most practical places to start. Grab works if you have a car and a licence; Preply suits those who can teach a language or subject; Upwork and Fiverr are for anyone with a laptop-based skill; Shopify and Etsy let you sell physical or digital goods; and Shutterstock pays you repeatedly for stock images. Damn shiok when the extra cash rolls in.
Not sure this is the right list? Best Business & Corporate Services in Singapore has 21 others alongside it.
Grab
Grab is Singapore’s biggest ride-hailing and delivery app, and it’s the fastest way to turn a parked car into extra income. You can drive passengers, deliver food or send parcels – all through the same app you probably already have on your phone. The driver centre at 28 Sin Ming Lane handles sign-ups and support, though there are centres all over the island. You set your hours, and Grab takes a commission per trip. No upfront fee, but you will need your own vehicle and a valid Class 3/3A driving licence, plus a PDVL vocational licence that Grab helps you get. If you already drive a lot, this one is a no-brainer – your car pays for itself and then some. It suits people who like the road, don’t mind chatting with strangers, and want cash that hits their bank account every week.
Address: 28 Sin Ming Lane #01-143 Midview City, Singapore 573972 (check Grab’s website for a centre near you)
Operating hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–2pm, Sun & PH Closed (varies by centre)
Email: [email protected]
Price signal: Free to sign up; grab takes a commission per trip.
grab.com/sg
This list is editorial, not advertising. Run something similar? Tell us what you do and we will take a look.
Preply
Preply connects Singapore-based tutors with learners from all over the world. You teach whatever you’re good at – English, Mandarin, piano, even coding – and set your own hourly rate. The platform handles the scheduling, the video classroom and the payment, so you just show up and teach. It is free to sign up as a tutor, and Preply takes a small commission from each booking. Because it is fully online, you can work from home, a co-working space or even your parents’ house. If you are a former MOE teacher, a polyglot, or someone who can explain calculus without putting people to sleep, this is where you turn your knowledge into a steady side stream. Lessons often get booked after office hours and on weekends, so it fits neatly around a full-time job.
Address: Online-only service accessible to Singaporeans
Operating hours: 24/7 support, responses typically within 2 hours
Email: [email protected]
Price signal: Free to join; platform takes a commission from each lesson.
preply.com
Upwork
Upwork is a global freelance marketplace where companies post projects and freelancers pitch. Writing, graphic design, web development, business consulting – if it can be done on a laptop, there is probably a job for it here. You create a profile, list your skills, and start bidding on work that interests you. Upwork charges a service fee that slides lower the more you earn with a client, and payments are protected through the platform. This is not a quick-gig app; it rewards people who invest time in their profiles and build long-term relationships. Perfect for the marketing professional who wants to pick up a branding project on the side, or the software engineer who fancies building a small app for a startup in London. All you need is a connection and the discipline to deliver on time.
If you would rather let your money work instead of your time, have a look at our list of Stock Trading Platforms in Singapore.
Address: Online-only service accessible to Singaporeans
Operating hours: 24/7
Price signal: Free to join; service fee is a percentage of earnings.
upwork.com
Fiverr
On Fiverr, you package your skill into a fixed-price gig and buyers come to you. Graphic design, voiceovers, copywriting, social media management – people sell everything here, and Pro-verified sellers often charge premium rates. You describe exactly what the buyer gets, set a delivery time, and publish. The platform handles escrow, so you get paid when the work is done. It’s especially good for creative work with clear deliverables – “I’ll design your logo in 24 hours,” or “I’ll proofread your 1,000-word article.” Fees are taken from each gig sold, so you know the cost upfront. If you want a side hustle that fits into pockets of free time and lets you work as fast or as slow as you like, this is the one. Lots of Singaporeans start here to build a portfolio before moving onto bigger things.
Address: Online-only service accessible to Singaporeans
Operating hours: 24/7
Email: [email protected]
Price signal: Free to join; commission on each gig sold.
fiverr.com
Shopify
Shopify gives you the whole toolkit to open your own online store without touching a line of code. You pick a theme, list your products, connect a payment gateway that works in Singapore, and you are in business – selling anything from handmade candles to digital gift cards. The platform charges a monthly subscription that covers hosting, security and analytics, and scales as you grow. Because it handles inventory and shipping integrations, you can run the store from your phone while holding down a day job. This is one of the few side hustles that can eventually become the main thing. If you’ve had a business idea sitting in your notes app for two years, Shopify is how you finally launch it. Walk-in enquiries are not a thing here, but the Singapore office at 77 Robinson Road houses a team that supports the local market.
Phone: 800-181-1121
Email: [email protected]
Address: 77 Robinson Road, #13-00, Singapore 068896
Operating hours: 24/7 support
Price signal: Plans start at a monthly subscription rate.
shopify.com/sg
E-commerce more your thing but you prefer browsing than building? Swing by Online Shopping Platforms in Singapore for the retail side of the story.
Etsy
Etsy is the marketplace for anything handmade, vintage or craft-related – think custom crochet toys, resin coasters, or upcycled jewellery. Sellers set up a shop, upload product photos and let Etsy do the global marketing. The platform charges listing and transaction fees; check the site for current rates so you know exactly what you’ll pay. Because Etsy buyers actively look for one-of-a-kind items, your work doesn’t have to compete on price alone; personality and story sell hard here. If your friends keep telling you, “You should sell this,” Etsy is where you finally test that idea. It appeals to crafty types who want to turn weekend projects into pocket money – and maybe build a brand while they’re at it.
Address: Online-only service accessible to Singaporeans
Operating hours: 24/7
Price signal: Free to join; listing and transaction fees apply.
etsy.com
Shutterstock
Shutterstock lets you earn royalties from photos, illustrations, videos and even music. You upload your work once, and every time someone downloads it, you get paid – no client chasing, no deadlines. The platform uses AI-powered search and a global licensing model, so your shot of the Marina Bay skyline could end up on a website in Germany or a brochure in Australia. It won’t replace your salary overnight, but it can become a pleasant passive earner, especially if you already have a library of high-quality shots. Many contributors treat it like a digital piggy bank: upload a batch, forget about it, and smile when the notification pings. The Singapore office at Republic Plaza is more for enterprise clients than walk-in contributors, but you can reach support by phone or email at the details below.
Phone: 866-663-3954
Email: [email protected]
Address: 9 Raffles Place #26-01 Republic Plaza, Singapore 048619
Operating hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm EST
Price signal: Free to contribute; earns royalties per download.
shutterstock.com
This list is editorial, not advertising. Run something similar? Tell us what you do and we will take a look.
How to choose
Start by asking what you actually have the time and energy for. If you like being out and about, Grab’s flexible driving blocks are hard to beat – but you need a car and a vocational licence. If you’d rather stay home, Preply, Upwork and Fiverr let you earn from your laptop, though each works a little differently. Preply rewards teaching skills and patience; Upwork is better for longer freelance projects and bigger invoices; Fiverr shines when you can deliver something concrete, quickly, at a fixed price.
Selling physical items digs a slightly deeper hole. Shopify means you run a standalone store – you keep the whole brand, but you also handle marketing. Etsy puts your work in front of millions of browsers, though the fees add up. Shutterstock is the most passive of the lot: you contribute once and earn when people download, but you need a catalogue of good images to see meaningful returns.
In terms of costs, most platforms are free to join and take a cut only when you earn. Shopify is the exception – it charges a monthly subscription, but it also gives you the most control. Fee structures vary: some platforms take a flat commission, others a percentage, and a couple have small listing charges. Always check the current fee schedule before committing, because rates can change. Think about how much time you can commit each week and whether you prefer active work or passive income, then pick one or two and give them a real go.
| Platform | Type | Earning model | Best for | Startup cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | Ride-hailing & delivery | Commission per trip | Drivers with own car and vocational licence | Free (need vehicle) |
| Preply | Online tutoring | Tutor sets rate; platform takes commission | Teachers, language experts, subject specialists | Free to sign up |
| Upwork | Freelance marketplace | Hourly or fixed; service fee applies | Digital professionals (writing, design, dev) | Free |
| Fiverr | Gig marketplace | Check with the business | Creatives and quick-turnaround tasks | Free |
| Shopify | E-commerce platform | Monthly subscription | Aspiring online retailers | Check with the business |
| Etsy | Handmade/vintage marketplace | Check with the business | Crafters, vintage sellers, artists | Free (plus listing fees) |
| Shutterstock | Stock content | Royalty per download | Photographers, videographers, illustrators | Free to contribute |
Summary
From driving to doodling, there’s a side hustle here that fits your life. Most of these platforms cost nothing to start, and you can try a couple before committing to one. Don’t say we bojio – pick one, sign up, and see where it takes you.
Disclaimer: All information provided here has been compiled from publicly available sources. While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information is complete or error-free. Details can change; always confirm directly with the business.
Frequently asked questions
Which side hustle platform is best for someone with a full-time job?
Grab and Preply offer very flexible hours – you can drive a few trips after work or teach a lesson on Saturday morning. Laptop-based platforms like Upwork and Fiverr also let you log in whenever you have time, making them easy to fit around a 9-to-6 schedule.
Do I need a special licence to drive for Grab?
Yes, you need a valid Class 3 or 3A driving licence and a PDVL (Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence). Grab provides resources to guide you through the application, and the driver centres can help with the paperwork.
Is there any fee to join these platforms?
Most are free to sign up. Grab, Preply, Upwork, Fiverr, Etsy and Shutterstock have no joining fee – they take a commission or fee only from your earnings. Shopify charges a monthly subscription, which covers the store and hosting. Check each platform’s website for the latest rates.
Which platform is better for selling physical products?
Shopify lets you build a full online store with your own domain and brand, ideal if you want to grow a long-term business. Etsy is simpler for handmade or vintage items and gives you immediate access to a large buyer base. The right choice depends on how much control and marketing you want to handle.
How do I get paid?
Grab pays directly into your bank account. Preply pays tutors via bank transfer or PayPal. Upwork and Fiverr offer wire transfer, PayPal or Payoneer. Etsy deposits into your bank. Shutterstock pays through PayPal or Skrill. Always check the current payment options on each platform’s website.
Can I use more than one platform at the same time?
Absolutely. A photographer could sell stock images on Shutterstock while taking gigs on Fiverr and tutoring on Preply. Mixing platforms is common and helps spread your income across different streams.
