Do you have an outgoing personality, an affinity for technology, and a willingness to make meaningful connections with people worldwide?
If yes, getting paid to be a virtual friend online may be your ideal side hustle!
As digital communication becomes increasingly commonplace in our lives, online friendships are becoming more prevalent—and there’s no reason why you couldn’t earn extra cash by being someone else’s companion.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about 15 ways to get paid as an online mentor or a friendly conversation partner—wherever your social butterfly heart desires!
But, first, let’s jump into how anyone looking for a supplemental income can start making money today by connecting with others on the internet.
Table of Contents
15 Ways To Get Paid To Be A Virtual Friend Online
1. Fiverr
Description: Are you a great listener? Do people come to you for advice and emotional support? Have you been told that an online friend would do the perfect job for you?
Fiverr Friendship can help.
On Fiverr, you can get paid to offer advice, provide emotional support, converse with someone, or offer general chat and online friendship.
List your services on the platform, set your prices at $5, then watch as people from all over the world connect with you.
You can also get rated up to 5 stars on Fiverr, which can help you gain exposure and earn more clients.
After you get paid, you can withdraw to PayPal or your bank.
How to get started:
1. Sign up for Fiverr and list your services
2. Set prices starting at $5
3. Double-check your profile to make sure it looks professional and attractive
4. Reach out to potential clients and negotiate prices if necessary
5. Deliver the highest quality service you can and keep an open line of communication with your clients
6. Receive payments and withdraw funds to PayPal or your bank account when ready
7. Keep building relationships, gaining exposure, and earning 5-star reviews on Fiverr!
Here are a few tips:
- Offer various services – don’t limit yourself to one type of friendship service. People have different needs and wants, so be flexible when listing your services on Fiverr.
- Build relationships – make sure your clients don’t feel like just a number to you but that you genuinely care about their well-being and are invested in being a good friend to them.
- Keep an open line of communication – respond quickly to inquiries and always be friendly and professional with your online friends.
- Price yourself somewhat – consider the amount of time you spend on each gig and the level of expertise you bring to the table when setting your prices. Your goal should be to offer competitive rates without underselling yourself or overcharging people who can’t afford it.
- Always strive for five stars – reviews are super critical on Fiverr, so make sure you’re putting in the effort to provide top-notch services every time.
Earning Potential: Earning as a Fiverr seller is usually on the lower side, with typically payouts ranging between $5 to $25 per hour.
As an online friend, you have plenty of options for packages to offer your customers – it’s all up to you!
So it all depends on what kind of friendship you’re offering and how you package your services.
While you won’t get rich or make six figures, it can be an excellent place to start and build experience.
- Pros:
- It’s free to list your services.
- You can earn anywhere from $5 – $25 per hour on Fiverr.
- Reach out to potential clients around the world.
- Cons:
- Most gigs on Fiverr are low-paying jobs, compared to other platforms.
- You have to be comfortable with providing advice and emotional support online.
- Earning potential is limited since the top friends don’t have a lot of reviews yet.
2. Rent a Friend
Description: If you’re looking for a safe way to get paid as an online friend, RentAFriend is the best option.
They have been around since 2009 and have over 600,000 members in their database.
Creating a profile on RentAFriend is free and allows customers to search for friends based on interests, age, location, and more.
Friends can charge anywhere from $10-50 per hour for their services, but RentAFriend collects no fees or charges.
The platform facilitates both in-person meetups as well as virtual interactions.
Check out this video from PaidFromSurveys, it’s highly recommended:
Here he gives us precious details about being a virtual friend, which you will surely appreciate.
For safety reasons, they suggest public events when meeting someone face-to-face and tracking phone locations if possible.
To access the entire database of friends, people pay a monthly fee of $24.95, which goes directly to RentAFriend.
The only requirement is that all participants must be at least 18 years old and have no criminal record.
Sex offenders are not allowed in their database, and safety remains a priority for members and friends.
To ensure safety, meet publicly and keep location tracking turned on if possible.
How to get started: If you are interested in becoming an online friend, the first step is to create a free profile on RentAFriend.
Fill out your details and interests so customers can easily search for and find you. Once your profile is set up, start charging whatever rate you think fits your services best.
When someone decides to hire you, it becomes their responsibility to pay however they choose (most users use Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal).
Before meeting someone face-to-face, let others know where you’re going, and always keep safety in mind.
Once everything is set up and both parties agree on the payment terms, it’s time to start having fun.
Earning Potential: The earning potential on RentAFriend varies depending on the services you provide and how much you charge.
You can start charging around $10-20 an hour and work your way up as your profile gains more traction.
Ultimately, how much you earn is up to you, so make sure to set realistic expectations when starting.
- Pros:
- Variety of services you can provide.
- Easy setup process.
- Safety and privacy is taken seriously.
- Cons:
- Limited earning potential depending on services you provide.
- Need to pay a monthly fee of $24.95 to access the full database of members.
- Not the most professional website in terms of design and layout.
3. Rent a Cyber Friend
Description: RentaCyberFriend is an online community that connects people of similar interests from around the world.
It offers a complete virtual friend service, allowing users to search for Cyber Friends who share their hobbies and goals and communicate with them via video chat.
Through this platform, users can offer or become mentors, offering valuable life advice to others.
The platform charges a 20% fee so that Cyber Friends can earn up to USD48 an hour after the payment.
RentaCyberFriend is free to join and offers an excellent opportunity for those who wish to get paid to be a virtual friend in their spare time.
How to get started: To start with RentaCyberFriend, the first step is creating a profile.
Include keywords and relevant information that people might search for, such as your location, hobbies, interests, and skills.
Once you’ve completed your profile, you can start browsing and searching for Cyber Friends with similar interests or goals.
You will be paid for each call with a Cyber Friend by the minute.
Finally, when you are ready to withdraw your earnings, meet the minimum threshold of USD75 before requesting payment.
Earning Potential: The earning potential with Rent a Cyber Friend is good.
The site advertises that you can make up to $48 per hour after the 20% fee on top of what you charge.
This can be an excellent source of income, primarily if you specialize in gaming or language tutoring.
Overall, Rent a Cyber Friend offers an exciting and unique way to make extra money while still enjoying the company of friends online.
This could be worth exploring if you’re looking for another way to increase your income.
You can find new hobbies, meet people worldwide, and get paid! What more could you ask for?
- Pros:
- Basic Membership is free of charge.
- No requirement to meet face-to-face.
- Ability to view other users without signing up first.
- Cons:
- Unregistered visitors cannot post gigs (only buy).
- Limited withdrawal options (minimum of USD75).
4. Rent A Local Friend
Description: Rent a Local Friend is an online platform connecting travelers with locals worldwide.
It allows travelers to access local knowledge and insights about their destination, as well as companionship and other services from local virtual friends.
With Rent a Local Friend, you can become a virtual friend and help new visitors understand your city better by offering remote concierge services (like providing tips on potential traps and scams to avoid), meeting people in person, or chatting socially online.
You can also set your rates for each service and get paid through PayPal once hired.
TripAdvisor recommends this platform, so it’s easy to find those looking for local information or guided tours.
This platform offers three types of services, so you can choose which works best for you as a seller: Remote Concierge, Local Friend, and Virtual Friend.
With Remote Concierge, you provide knowledge of local tips and potential traps to avoid.
Do not miss the following video to learn more about Rent A Local Friend:
You meet people in person with Local Friend and show them around your hometown.
And with Virtual Friend, you chat about culture, events, places, and things to do in your city.
How to get started: To get started with Rent A Local Friend, all you need to do is create an account, set your services and rates, verify the payment method (PayPal), and wait for customers to contact you.
You can even promote yourself on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram to reach more people.
Once your profile is approved, you can connect and receive travelers’ payments.
Earning Potential: With Rent a Local Friend, you can set your rates and get paid through PayPal once hired.
On average, you can expect to make $30/hour for services like remote concierge or translator and $150-200/day for a full-day trip.
Overall, Rent A Local Friend is an excellent platform to earn extra income while helping travelers get the best out of their trips.
TripAdvisor’s recommendation makes it easy to find those looking for local information or guided tours.
- Pros:
- Set your rates.
- Verified by TripAdvisor.
- Receive payments through PayPal.
- Cons:
- Must pay a fee when signing up for the verification process.
- May not be able to find enough customers depending on location.
5. FriendPC
Description: Friend PC is an online platform dedicated to helping users connect with virtual friends who share interests and hobbies.
This platform allows users to engage in text, online messaging, phone calls, video calls, and even video games.
The platform also allows Virtual Friends to sign up for free and set their rates for services like messaging, life coaching, and more.
Users can book Virtual Friends for several days or weeks, and payments are quickly withdrawn from the FriendPC dashboard.
For added security, FriendPC keeps user information safe by only allowing those who have paid to contact them outside the message center.
Signing up is simple and free with the Starter plan that offers one listing; however, upgraded packages give access to more features, such as reduced commission fees.
How to get started:
1. Visit the Friend PC website and sign up for free.
2. Fill in your profile details and make yourself available for different services like messaging, calls, gaming, etc.
3. Set your rates – typically between $5-50/hr.
4. Upgrade to a paid plan if you want to post more listings or access more features on the platform.
5. Start getting friend bookings.
6. When you get a virtual friend booking, payments are quickly withdrawn from the dashboard.
7. Enjoy extra perks of upgraded packages, such as being featured on the homepage!
Earning Potential: Friend PC is a great way to make money while meeting interesting people and engaging in activities you already enjoy. As a virtual friend, life coach, or gamer, you can set your rates up to $50/hr with payment options directly withdrawn from the dashboard. Additionally, monthly membership plans offer extra perks such as homepage features and reduced commission fees.
- Pros:
- Meet interesting people.
- Set your rates of up to $50/hr.
- Extra perks like homepage features and reduced commission fees with upgraded packages.
- Cons:
- Must be 18 or older to use the platform.
- Potential for inappropriate behavior so be sure to report any unwanted messages or contact immediately.
6. Freelancer
Description: Virtual friend services offer companionship and support for those who want someone to talk to but do not necessarily need professional counseling.
Examples of virtual friends can include online counselors, mentors, or people simply seeking a friend.
The Freelancer platform allows users to offer these services to various customers.
How to get started: Becoming an online mentor requires no official qualifications, though it is helpful if you have experience in counseling or teaching.
To become a virtual friend on Freelancer, create your profile and utilize the tools available on the site.
You’ll need to ensure that your profile is filled out completely with as much detail as possible so potential clients know what you offer and can pick the right one for their project.
Once registered, you can find and bid on projects related to virtual friends or other related services.
Earning Potential: On Freelancer, payment amounts depend on the job’s complexity and how competitively priced your services are compared to other freelancers offering similar services.
Start earning immediately with an average of $12/hour, but don’t be fooled – you can easily make up to $25/hour if you put your skills and knowledge to the test.
Payment methods vary depending on the platform but can include PayPal, direct deposit transfers, and credit cards.
Most platforms also offer bonuses for regular clients and additional payment options like milestone payments for larger projects.
- Pros:
- Access to a large pool of potential customers from all over the world.
- Flexibility in working hours.
- Control over how much work you take on at once.
- Cons:
- Demanding customers.
- Managing multiple projects.
- A lot of competition between other freelancers.
7. Outschool
Description: Outschool is an online learning platform that provides both children and adults with an opportunity to make friends, learn new skills, and earn money all from the comfort of their own homes.
By becoming a tutor, mentor, or virtual friend through Outschool, you can help children develop valuable skills in a fun and safe environment.
How to get started: There is potential to make good money as a tutor, mentor, or virtual friend on Outschool, depending on your services.
Some teachers say part-time teaching can be pretty lucrative, with one teacher earning up to $4,000 per month for video game classes for kids.
However, how much you can earn will depend on how competitively priced your services are compared to other freelancers offering similar services and the job’s complexity.
Earning Potential: Becoming an online tutor doesn’t require any official qualifications, but having experience in teaching or counseling may make you more attractive to potential customers.
To become an Outschool tutor or mentor, complete your profile with as much detail so potential clients have all the information they need about your services and abilities.
Once registered, you will receive job offers related to teaching or services that fit your skills and interests.
- Pros:
- Access to a large pool of potential customers from all over the world.
- Earn money without needing an office space.
- Control over how much work you take on at once.
- Cons:
- Difficult to stand out (due to competition).
- May have difficulty finding customers.
8. Preply
Description: Preply is a platform that connects people seeking online tutoring, friends, and mentors with skilled professionals who can provide these services.
Preply offers a range of tutorial topics, and users can search for the best-suited experts to meet their needs.
With Preply, clients and providers can communicate seamlessly online using modern payment solutions such as PayPal or Stripe.
In addition, all transactions are protected by robust encryption technologies to ensure user security.
How to get started: Getting started with Preply is easy.
First, register for an account and provide your personal information, such as name and contact details.
Then, you can create a profile using your credentials and a description highlighting your skills and experience.
To promote yourself, you can reach out to potential clients via postings on the platform or other online sources.
Additionally, you can join groups related to tutoring or mentoring to improve visibility and generate leads.
Earning Potential: Preply offers users the opportunity to earn money depending on their skills, experience, and availability.
Tutors or mentors can set their rates and take advantage of the platform’s different payment plans.
Depending on your expertise, hourly rates range from $8 to over $100, which gives users plenty of space to maximize their earning potential.
- Pros:
- Easy to register and create a profile.
- Wide range of expertise and skills can be offered.
- Set your own hours and rates.
- Cons:
- Limited visibility for those without an established network.
- Commission fees apply to some payment plans.
- Necessary to promote yourself through other sources.
9. PenPalWorld
Description: PenPalWorld is an innovative search engine that helps you connect with like-minded global users to develop strong bonds.
With more than 3 million active members, it has become one of the most popular online platforms for making friends.
This platform allows you to create an account without spending a single penny. After approval, you can instantly start chatting with other users worldwide and establish meaningful relationships.
For those willing to pay a fee, there is a VIP membership option as well – which increases your connecting limit to fifty people per day instead of three (as with free accounts)
How to get started: Although PenPalWorld does not provide direct financial benefits, some users have managed to monetize their relationships through other services or platforms such as Patreon and video streaming sites.
Of course, these possibilities entirely depend on individual creativity and ambition.
Earning Potential: all you need is a valid email address or phone number plus some basic personal information (your name, age, etc.).
Once the system grants your initial approval, you’ll be able to contact up to three people each day (or fifty if you opt for the VIP membership).
- Pros:
- Create an account with no cost involved.
- Flexible payment plans available.
- Cons:
- Fees associated with some payment plans.
- Limited visibility for those without established networks.
- No guarantee regarding rates or employment.
10. FlirtBucks
Description: FlirtBucks is an easy-to-use chat console where ladies and gentlemen can come together to have conversations.
To become a member, you must be at least 18 years old, and verification of your profile is required to access all of its features.
How to get started: To begin using this platform, create an account, verify your profile and find conversation partners with similar interests.
Don’t forget to read our comprehensive FlirtBucks review if you need more insight into the company before getting started!
Earning Potential: The platform pays users around $ 0.1/minute for text conversations or $ 0.4/minute for video chats whenever available.
- Pros:
- Numerous benefits associated with joining this platform such as convenient payments plans and free account creation.
- Cons:
- Limited visibility for those without established networks.
- No guarantee regarding rates or employment.
11. Papa
Description: Looking to become an online friend and get paid? Papa is one of the best options as it provides a convenient platform to befriend age-rich people in your locality. This website has been highly acclaimed, with The New York Times lauding its efforts in combating loneliness among older adults.
Papa is a platform where you can connect with elderly people and help them with everyday tasks such as conversation or a furniture assembly
How to get started: To start working at Papa Pal, you must create a free account and sign up for the “Papa Pal” program.
Earning Potential: You can expect an average earning rate of $15/hour when working on this platform. If you complete more specialized tasks like furniture assembly or grocery shopping, you can earn up to $25/hour.
- Pros:
- An easy way to connect with elderly people in your locality.
- High earning potential of up to $25/hour .
- A website that is highly acclaimed by The New York Times.
- Cons:
- Limited job opportunities.
- Independent contractor status meaning there is no guarantee of consistent work hours.
- Lack of access to traditional benefits associated with full-time employment.
12. Chat Recruit
Description: Chat Recruit allows you to make money by talking with strangers via text, video, and audio messages. The platform offers users the chance to gain meaningful connections with others while also earning a respectable income. It’s easy to start, and no obligation or commitment is required.
How to get started: To start earning money as an online friend or chat buddy, create an account on the site (you must be 18+). Once approved, you can immediately start communicating with other members.
Earning Potential: Chat Recruit states that you can earn up to $2/minute through text chats. However, video chats may have the potential for higher income.
- Pros:
- Easy to get started without any commitment or obligation.
- Opportunity to make meaningful connections with others.
- Flexible hours.
- Cons:
- Lack of access to traditional benefits associated with full-time employment.
- Independent contractor status meaning there is no guarantee of consistent work hours.
13. Lip service
Description: Lip Service is a unique platform that allows women to make money by engaging in flirty conversations.
This company is only open to the citizens of the USA and Canada and requires users to be at least 21 years old to be eligible for an account.
Once approved, users can upload photos, videos, and status updates that capture their personality, allowing them to stand out from others.
How to get started: To become eligible for an account with Lip Service, you must be at least 21 years old.
After signing up and getting approved, you can begin uploading photos, videos, and status updates immediately.
Earning Potential: For those with the right charisma and charm, there is the potential to earn around $80/hour on average when using this platform.
- Pros:
- Flexible hours with the potential of high earnings.
- Cons:
- Limited job opportunities due to exclusive access only available within the USA and Canada.
14. Text121Chat
Description: Text121Chat is a platform that allows people to get paid for being online friends.
This platform is open to anyone from any part of the world, and users can keep their identities and contact information hidden, making it a secure and safe way to make money.
How to get started: Getting started with Text121Chat is easy; sign up and create an account by providing your details such as age, gender, etc., then you can begin sending messages right away!
Earning Potential: The current pay rate is approximately $ 0.07 per message sent; however, the experience can increase this rate.
Experienced users have the potential to earn several dollars per minute.
Users must commit to sending at least 2000 messages a month to be eligible for payment.
- Pros:
- Flexible hours with the potential for high earnings .
- Opportunity to make meaningful connections while earning extra income.
- Easy sign-up process with no commitment or obligation required.
- Cons:
- Limited job opportunities due to the required 2000 message minimum per month.
- Independent contractor status meaning there is no guarantee of consistent work hours.
15. The Chat Shop
Description: The Chat Shop is a platform that allows people to get paid for being online friends.
This company primarily provides customer care solutions to small and medium businesses and allows individuals to work as virtual friends.
How to get started: Getting started with The Chat Shop is easy:
Sign up and create an account by providing your details such as age, gender, etc., then you can begin the selection process, which includes background checks and a typing speed test.
Earning Potential: The current pay rate is approximately $15 per hour on average; however, the experience can increase this rate.
To be eligible for payment, users must pass a rigorous selection process and have a typing speed of at least 65 WPM.
- Pros:
- Safe and secure way to make money due to background checks being conducted before employment begins.
- Opportunity to gain experience in customer service and communication.
- Cons:
- Limited job opportunities due to the rigorous selection process required.
- MPayment only available through PayPal or bank transfer.
- No guarantee of regular hours/consistent income.
How to become a virtual friend and get paid for that?
Research what it means to be a virtual friend.
Understand the expectations, boundaries, and scope of the role, including pay rates and hours, type of services (chat, messaging, call), length of interactions, and any rules or guidelines that need to be followed.
Figure out how much you want to earn, set your rate and determine how many clients you want to take on at any given time—this is important for managing your workload and setting realistic expectations.
Look into platforms that offer virtual friends services, like te ones we listed before.
Compare their services and fees for using the platform and decide which fits your needs best.
Create a profile showcasing your qualifications, experience, and interests that potential clients can review—highlight relevant education or certifications and personal skills like empathy or problem-solving ability.
Once providers approve, be available online for calls or messaging sessions with your customers as per their requirements —act professionally during interactions with customers while displaying warmth and compassion if needed to provide the best service possible.
Cultivate a reliable reputation so that customers keep coming back for more services from you!
Respond quickly to inquiries, uphold high customer service standards, and maintain strong communication between yourself and customers to gain their loyalty over time.
What does it mean to be a virtual friend?
Being a virtual friend is a unique and rewarding job that involves providing companionship, emotional support, and advice to clients who either don’t have access to a real-life friend or need someone to talk to.
Virtual friends offer everything from one-off phone calls and online conversations to more long-term relationships such as weekly Skype sessions or emails exchanged over time.
Depending on the agreement between you and your client, you may provide additional services like filling out forms, helping with problems they face, editing essays, or offering feedback on personal projects.
The most important aspect of the role is establishing trust and creating an environment where your client feels comfortable confiding in you and taking your advice.
That said, it is also important to respect boundaries and maintain professional conduct throughout all interactions—as a virtual friend, you must demonstrate empathy without crossing any lines into advising outside of your expertise.
Are virtual friends real friends?
Virtual friends can provide companionship and emotional support that can be just as meaningful as “real life” friendships.
Many clients benefit from the anonymity and trust of having someone to connect with online without any of the face-to-face pressures or expectations that traditional relationships can bring.
Virtual friendships provide a space for people to open up in ways they might not feel comfortable doing in a physical company and offer a unique kind of connection—one where conversations don’t have to end after an hour or two but instead stretch out over days or weeks.
In this way, virtual friends are just as real as any other form of friendship: they grow over time, change with circumstances and require dedication and effort to nurture.
How much can you get paid as an online friend?
Becoming an online friend can be both rewarding and lucrative. You can provide companionship and emotional support to people who may not feel comfortable connecting with others.
Conversations can go on for days, weeks, or even months, allowing you to cultivate strong friendships through your virtual platform.
When it comes to money, depending on which website you use and how often you can be available for clients, the potential earnings vary considerably.
Generally, those charging $20 per hour working part-time (three days a week for 8 hours) could make about $480/week and up to $1,920/month.
If taken as a full-time job with eight hours each day for five days a week, your earnings could reach around $800/week or potentially more than $100K/year!
We recommend you read this article that we prepared.
Here we address a similar topic as we make a list of 27 easy ways to get paid to talk to lonely people
