Can You Really Get Paid to Be an Online Friend?

The short answer is yes, you can get paid to be an online friend. However, the longer answer is that making consistent money as a generic online friend can be challenging.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How virtual friendships work
• How to maximize your earning power
• How to keep yourself safe online
• Top alternatives to consider

As more aspects of our lives shift online, the concept of paid virtual friendships becomes more feasible. We’re more connected than ever before, but also more isolated. If you’re a social person with a knack for engaging conversations, this could be the perfect side hustle for you.

Why Become an Online Friend?

Are you friendly, talkative, and empathetic? Do you enjoy listening to others and engaging in meaningful conversations?

Being an online friend can provide valuable experience for careers in caregiving, psychology, or life coaching.

You might be motivated by a desire to help others or simply need extra cash. Either way, being an online friend can be both emotionally and financially rewarding.

What is a Virtual Friend?

A virtual friend offers companionship online through messaging, video calls, or even playing video games. It’s entirely platonic and doesn’t involve meeting face-to-face. Various platforms facilitate these connections.

As a virtual friend, you need to be available, willing to talk, listen, and show genuine interest. You may also offer advice or emotional support. Essentially, your task is to be a true friend, just not in-person.

Why Do People Hire Online Friends?

Hiring a virtual friend may seem unusual, but many people struggle to make friends in real life due to social anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, or introversion.

Loneliness, even in a connected world, is another reason. Some people feel misunderstood or lack friends who share their interests.

Others might seek life advice or emotional support because their current friends aren’t available. Disabled individuals and seniors who have lost partners also often seek virtual companionship.

Platforms to Get Paid as an Online Friend

1. Rent a Friend

RentAFriend is one of the most popular platforms for becoming an online friend. With over 600,000 members, the site caters to people looking for in-person and online friends. You create a free profile with your personal details and interests, allowing members to search and hire you.

• Rates: Friends typically charge $10-$50 per hour.
• Payments: Handled between friends and members (often via Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal).
• Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old with no felonies or sex offenses.

Safety Tips: Use public locations for in-person meet-ups and inform others of your whereabouts. For online interactions, maintaining communication through the platform is generally safer.

2. Rent a Cyber Friend

RentaCyberFriend operates fully online, connecting people with similar interests for video chats. Cyber friends are paid by the minute, with rates ranging from $0.10-$1.00 per minute after a 20% platform fee.

• Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old with a good internet connection and camera.
• Profile Tips: Include relevant keywords like location, hobbies, interests, and skills to attract more clients.

3. FriendPC

Friend PC allows users to find virtual friends for text, online messaging, phone calls, video calls, and video games. The platform offers services for emotional support, life advice, online gaming, and general conversation.

• Rates: Virtual friends typically charge $5-$50 per hour.
• Services: Can be booked for several days or weeks, and an availability calendar is displayed on each profile.
• Payments: Easily withdrawn from the FriendPC dashboard.

4. Outschool

Outschool creates a safe online environment for kids, allowing you to create virtual group classes on various topics. Teachers on Outschool can earn up to $4,000 a month part-time by hosting classes on games, books, or other interests.

5. Preply

Preply is a platform where language learners practice conversation skills. As a tutor, you can earn $15-$25 per hour, helping people learn and practice English without needing special certifications or teaching experience.

6. Fiverr Friendship

Fiverr allows you to offer online friendship services, though demand is relatively low. You can offer gigs around advice, relationships, emotional support, conversation, life coaching, and online friendships, starting at $5 per session. Fiverr takes a 20% fee from your earnings.

7. RentALocalFriend.com

Rent a Local Friend focuses on travel and tourism, connecting travelers with locals for companionship, local information, translation, and more. Virtual friends on this platform provide local travel tips online, charging $10-$40 per hour.

8. Become a Papa Pal

Papa.com connects older adults and families with Papa Pals for companionship, rides, chores, and technology assistance. You need to be 21 or older, have a vehicle, and pass background checks to become a Papa Pal.

9. Chat on Freelancer

Freelancer is a global marketplace where you can get paid for providing chat help, moderating online communities, or becoming a call center professional. Bid on projects and build your portfolio through chat services.

10. Premium.Chat

Premium.Chat allows you to set your prices and get paid per minute or a flat rate for chat requests. There are no monthly fees or setup costs, and you can share your widget and profile on social media and websites.

11. Get Paid to Chat

Chat Recruit offers phone and webcam chat jobs, allowing you to set your rates. The platform has paid out over $30 million to its members and is geared towards more adult-centered online relationships.

Tips to Earn Money as an Online Friend

To maximize your earnings as an online friend:

• Be genuine and treat clients like real-life friends.
• Make your profile approachable with transparent personal details, interests, and photos.
• Sign up for multiple virtual friend websites to increase your chances of being hired.

Safety Tips for Online Friends

While presenting yourself online and talking to strangers can be risky, here are some safety tips:

Only Sign Up for Trusted Websites

Choose reputable online friend websites with clear terms and conditions and privacy policies. Maintain communication through these platforms or trusted messaging/video chat services.

Be Careful About Your Privacy

Protect your privacy by using a unique profile picture and making your profile visible only to registered members of each site.

Set Clear Boundaries

Establish and communicate clear boundaries about expectations, such as:

• No in-person meetings
• Off-limit conversation topics
• Offensive language
• Available times to chat

Popular Virtual Friend Websites

The demand for virtual friends often outpaces the supply, making it difficult to earn a significant income. However, certain platforms, like Outschool and Preply, offer more targeted services that can lead to better earning opportunities.

Alternatives to Being an Online Friend

If being an online friend doesn’t suit you, consider these alternatives:

In-Person Caregiving

Sites like Sittercity.com and Care.com connect families with caregivers for childcare and companionship, offering average rates of $14-$20 per hour.

Online Focus Groups

Paid research studies through sites like Respondent, User Interviews, and Rare Patient Voice can pay $50-$200 per hour based on your expertise.

Become a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants provide administrative support and can earn $20-$40 per hour. FlexJobs offers a wide range of remote work opportunities.

Conclusion

Being an online friend can be a rewarding side hustle, both emotionally and financially. However, it’s essential to stand out by finding a niche, such as providing language practice or specialized classes.

Don’t expect immediate success, but with the right approach and multiple platforms, you can increase your chances of earning money as an online friend.