Quick answer: micro tasks are small, paid jobs you can fit into spare minutes, like paid research studies (Prolific pays at least £6 an hour and recommends £9), website testing (UserTesting), focus groups (often £40 to £100 a session), digital tasks (Clickworker), phone mystery shopping, renting out your stuff, alterations and online tutoring. They’re brilliant for an extra £50 to £200 a month. But “£1,000 a month in two hours a day” means earning £25 an hour, every hour, which most micro tasks don’t pay.
Hello friend! If you’ve seen those “earn £1,000 a month in just two hours a day!” posts, I bet part of you thought, “Ooh, could that be me?” Honestly, I love that you’re looking for ways to bring in extra money. When the food shop keeps creeping up and your spare time comes in little 20-minute pockets, small online jobs sound perfect.
So I sat down with a calculator and did the maths that those posts tend to skip. Then I pulled together 8 micro tasks and small jobs that genuinely work in the UK, with what they really pay. No hype, just the honest numbers so you can pick what fits your life.
Can you really earn £1,000 a month in two hours a day?
Let’s do the maths together. Two hours a day, five days a week, is about 40 hours a month.
| Monthly goal | You need to earn (across 40 hours) |
|---|---|
| £1,000 | £25 an hour |
| £500 | £12.50 an hour |
| £200 | £5 an hour |
| £100 | £2.50 an hour |
And here’s the bit people forget: those 40 hours include the time you spend finding tasks, reading instructions, doing qualification tests and waiting for approval. So £1,000 is possible with a skill like tutoring, but for quick online tasks, £100 to £200 a month is a much more realistic first goal. And that’s still a lovely chunk of your food shop covered!
8 micro tasks and small jobs that pay in the UK
| Micro task | Typical pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Paid research studies (Prolific) | At least £6 an hour; £9+ recommended | Short gaps in your day |
| Focus groups (Saros, Angelfish) | Often £40 to £100 per session | Occasional bigger payments |
| Website testing (UserTesting) | Shown before each test; paid by PayPal | Chatty people who like tech |
| Digital tasks (Clickworker) | Paid per task | Detail-lovers |
| Phone mystery shopping (iShopFor Ipsos) | Shown before you accept | Working from home |
| Renting out your stuff (Hygglo) | Per rental, minus fees | Owners of tools and kit |
| Clothing alterations | You set your price | Confident sewers |
| Online tutoring (MyTutor) | Higher hourly rates | Subject experts |
1. Paid research studies
This is my favourite place to start. Prolific requires researchers to pay at least £6 an hour and recommends at least £9. A 20-minute study paying £3 works out at £9 an hour. Studies come and go, so think of it as a little top-up rather than a steady wage. Be honest on your profile: pretending to qualify can get your payment rejected.
Comparing survey sites? See my paid surveys UK guide.
2. Focus groups
Focus groups pay the most per session. Saros advertises occasional research projects typically paying £40 to £100 for an hour or two, and Angelfish Opinions is worth signing up to as well. You won’t be picked every month (there are limits on how often you can take part), so treat it as a lovely bonus, not a regular income.
3. Website and app testing
With UserTesting, you use a website or app and talk out loud about what you think. Each test shows its reward before you start, and payments go to PayPal about 14 days later. If you like chatting and you’re good at spotting what’s confusing, you’ll enjoy this one.
4. Digital micro tasks
Clickworker pays per task for things like tagging images, checking data or short writing jobs. Here’s my top tip: time yourself. A £2 task that takes 15 minutes is £8 an hour, but if it takes 30 minutes with the instructions, it’s only £4. Always try one small task first.
5. Phone mystery shopping
iShopFor Ipsos offers assignments that include phone calls and online checks, with the pay shown before you accept. Remember to count the time to write your report, not just the call.
6. Rent out your stuff
Got a pressure washer, carpet cleaner, camera or camping gear sitting in the loft? Hygglo lets you rent items to people nearby. Check the fees, insurance terms and how handovers work, and remember wear and tear.
7. Clothing alterations and repairs
If you’re handy with a sewing machine, hemming trousers and taking in dresses is always in demand. Price the whole job (fitting, materials, and any second visit) rather than just the sewing time. Local Facebook groups are a great place to find customers.
8. Online tutoring
This is the micro job most likely to get you near that £25 an hour. MyTutor and similar platforms connect tutors with students, especially around GCSEs. You’ll need strong subject knowledge and to pass the platform’s checks.
Want more ideas? Browse my 50 side hustle ideas, transcription jobs UK or ways to make money online from home.
How to work out your real hourly rate
- Track every minute for a week, including searching for tasks and qualifying.
- Add up what you’ve actually been paid (not what’s “pending”).
- Divide pay by total time. That’s your real hourly rate.
- Keep the best two, drop the rest. It’s better to do two things well than six things badly.
My realistic 2-hour-a-day starter plan
- Week 1: sign up to Prolific, a focus group site and UserTesting. Fill in profiles honestly.
- Week 2: try a few tasks on each and time yourself.
- Week 3: keep the two that pay best per hour.
- Week 4: add one skill-based option (tutoring, alterations or renting out an item) to lift your hourly rate.
Do you pay tax on micro tasks in the UK?
Possibly. HMRC’s trading allowance covers up to £1,000 of gross trading income a year (it’s one allowance across all your little jobs, not £1,000 per app). If you earn more, check whether you need to register for Self Assessment.
Good news from the 28 October 2026 Budget: from 6 April 2027, the reporting threshold rises to £3,000. If your side income is £3,000 or less, you won’t need a full tax return, though tax may still be due above £1,000 through a simpler online service. My side hustle tax guide explains it all.
How to avoid micro task scams
- Never pay to “unlock” tasks or buy a starter kit.
- Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed daily earnings.
- Don’t share bank login details; legit sites pay to PayPal or your account.
- Avoid “task” jobs on WhatsApp or Telegram that ask you to top up money first. That’s a common scam.
- Never receive and forward money for someone else (that’s money muling, and it’s a crime).
Micro tasks UK: FAQs
What are micro tasks?
Micro tasks are small, paid jobs you can do in short bursts, such as research studies, website tests, data tagging or short phone assignments.
How much can you earn from micro tasks in the UK?
Most people earn around £50 to £200 a month in their spare time. Prolific requires at least £6 an hour and recommends £9, while focus groups can pay £40 to £100 a session.
Can you earn £1,000 a month in two hours a day?
Only if you average £25 an hour across about 40 hours a month, including time spent finding tasks. That is realistic for skills like tutoring, but not for most quick online tasks.
Is Prolific legit in the UK?
Yes. Prolific is a well-known research platform that pays participants for academic and market research studies, with a minimum of £6 an hour and a recommended £9.
Do I need to pay tax on micro task income?
Up to £1,000 a year of trading income is covered by the trading allowance. From 6 April 2027, income up to £3,000 will not need a full Self Assessment return, but tax may still be due above £1,000.
What is the easiest micro job to start with?
Paid research studies on Prolific are one of the easiest to start, as you can sign up for free and take part in short studies whenever they are available.
Sources
- Prolific: participant payment principles
- GOV.UK: Trading and property allowances
- UserTesting: how to get paid
Last updated: 28 October 2026. Pay rates and availability change. This is general information, not financial advice.
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About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is the PhD scientist, former secondary science teacher and mum behind MoneySavvyUK, turning complex household money topics into practical steps.