Can Fiverr really be a reliable side hustle today? Let’s discuss.

Many people are turning to online platforms to earn extra income, especially as living costs keep rising and wages don’t always stretch far enough. One platform often mentioned is Fiverr.com, a marketplace where individuals can offer services (called “gigs”) starting from £5, though many earn much more depending on skill, demand, and reputation.

But the big question is:

Is Fiverr still a realistic and sustainable side hustle — or is it too crowded and underpriced today?

Some facts to start the conversation:

🔹 What Fiverr is: Fiverr is a freelance platform where individuals sell digital services such as graphic design, video editing, content writing, coding, translation, voiceovers, and even personalised advice or digital tools.

🔹 How earnings work: Fiverr takes 20% commission from each sale. So, if you charge £100 for a gig, Fiverr keeps £20, and you receive £80. Payments are released after the order is marked complete, plus an additional clearance period (typically 7–14 days depending on seller level). Source: Fiverr Terms of Service – https://www.fiverr.com/terms_of_service

🔹 Fiverr has high competition As of this year, Fiverr has over 4.3 million active sellers across more than 500 service categories. Being new to the platform often means you compete with very low-priced or high-reviewed sellers, making it harder to get first orders. Source: Fiverr Shareholders Report (Q4 2024)

🔹 Services that tend to do well (based on demand data shown on Fiverr):

AI content and prompt creation

Logo and branding design

Social media management

Voiceovers and video editing

Shopify, WordPress or website setup

Resume writing and LinkedIn optimisation

🔹 Things to consider before starting

You are treated as self-employed, meaning Fiverr does not deduct tax or National Insurance. You must declare any income to HMRC if you go above allowances. Source: https://www.gov.uk/self-employed-tax-rates

Fiverr does not guarantee consistent income — it is demand-based and depends on reviews, pricing, and competition.

No earning is guaranteed, even if an offer is “high quality”. Results vary widely.