12 Legit Online Jobs from Home With No Upfront Investment (2024)
As you search for online, work-from-home jobs with no startup costs, you’ll find various sites claiming to have the master list. But as you sift through the jobs listed, you’ll find that most aren’t truly work-from-home.
Below, we’ve created a list of 12 true online, work-from-home positions with no upfront investment. None of the roles listed below require purchasing inventory, buying a paid course, or any other startup cost. For those that require experience, we’ve provided some high-quality free courses to get you started.
1. English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher ($56k per year)
Students across the globe are eager to learn English. So what do they do? They sign up on platforms like VIPKid, Cambly, and Open English, to connect with ESL teachers like you. Through virtual one-on-one tutoring with a native English speaker, they’re able to learn the language and become fluent.
To become an ESL teacher, some platforms require a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, which will run you anywhere from $99 to $3,000. There are, however, several sites that don’t require this certification, such as:
- Cambly ($10.20 per hour)
- Preply ($15 to $25 per class)
- Varsity Tutors ($33 per hour)
- Superprof ($35k per year)
You will need a laptop, a functioning webcam, and high-speed wifi. This guarantees students a session free of technological interruptions.
2. Teach or Tutor in Another Subject ($31 per hour)
If English isn’t your native language, or if you’re incredibly passionate about another topic, consider hosting classes on Outschool. Outschool is a marketplace connecting young learners with virtual teachers.
The beauty of Outschool lies in the range of course topics—live axolotl (a silly-looking amphibian) meet and greets, master the art of sketching, anxiety and mindfulness, Minecraft coding for beginners—the list goes on. No matter what you’re skilled in, there’s room to teach it on Outschool.
While Outschool doesn’t require an initial fee, they take a 30% service fee from all paid enrollments. Keep this in mind when pricing your courses.
3. Digital Marketing Specialist ($65k per year)
If you’re looking for a more formal position, consider looking for a digital marketing specialist job. Digital marketing specialists complete tasks like:
- Researching advertising trends
- Managing advertising budgets
- Developing content strategies
- Analyzing content performance
There aren’t any upfront costs to becoming a digital marketing specialist. However, you will need some knowledge or experience. We recommend taking HubSpot’s free digital marketing certification course. I’ve personally taken it, and it’s a great introduction to the field.
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4. Freelance Marketer ($50 per hour)
If you’re interested in marketing but prefer to work independently, look for marketing positions on freelance sites. As a freelance marketer, you’d have more flexibility and control over your work and schedule, but you won’t have the same benefits as you would in a full-time position.
You can find freelance marketing positions on platforms like Contra, MarketerGrad by Pangea, and LinkedIn.
5. Virtual Assistant ($24 per hour)
If you’ve ever been told you’re a jack of all trades, this role is perfect for you. While virtual assistants can specialize in one task, most offer a range of services to each client, from organizing email inboxes, to booking travel plans, to managing social media profiles.
According to Indeed, virtual assistants in the U.S. make an average of $24.83 per hour, although some earn up to $39 per hour. You’ll find virtual assistant positions on sites like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Wing. If you need to sharpen your skills before applying, check out free courses on Coursera.
6. Copywriter ($63k per year)
Copywriters create copy (duh) designed to sell products or compel customers to take a certain action. This could include things like taglines, landing page copy, and marketing emails.
To be a competitive applicant, you’ll need to understand how to write clear and concise copy. There are, however, hundreds of free courses available on Udemy to help you get there.
7. Content Writer ($61k per year)
While many people don’t understand the difference between content writing and copywriting, there are a few distinct differences to be aware of.
As where copywriters focus on converting the reader to perform a specific action, content writers focus on educating or entertaining the reader. Content writers write pieces like blogs and social media copy.
There are free courses for this type of writing on platforms like Coursera and Udemy. Once you’re confident in your writing skills, look for roles on LinkedIn, Pangea, and Contra.
8. Virtual Interpreter or Translator ($80k per year)
If you speak more than one language, virtual interpreting could be a perfect work-from-home position for you. While interpreters are needed in all spaces, you’ll find most of the demand comes from schools, hospitals, courtrooms, and conferences.
According to ZipRecruiter, court interpreters are one of the highest-paid interpreters, with a salary range of $61,000 to $91,000 per year on average. While some courts hire virtual interpreters, others will require you to interpret in person.
General virtual interpreters still earn a competitive salary of $52,000 to $80,500 per year, on average. Some positions require an interpretation certification, which start at around $35. Other positions don’t have this requirement, so look at the role descriptions carefully if you want to avoid upfront costs.
9. Virtual Personal Trainer ($29 per hour)
If you’re a fitness fanatic, personal training might be for you. While some states require personal trainers to have a license, others don’t. That said, it’s important to make sure you have the knowledge to do right by your clients. If you’re new to the gym, it wouldn’t be wise to attempt to coach others.
You can sign up as a virtual personal trainer on platforms like Bark. According to ZipRecruiter, virtual personal trainers make an average of $29 per hour, although pay ranges up to $51 per hour.
10. Bookkeeper ($24 per hour)
Bookkeepers are responsible for maintaining a client’s financial records, like invoices, bills, and sales data. You’ll need familiarity with accounting software like QuickBooks, but given the number of free courses online, this wouldn’t be too hard to pick up on.
On average, online bookkeepers make between $72,000 and $109,000 per year. And the best part? Nothing about the role requires you to be in person.
11. Call Center Agent ($20 per hour)
We’ll keep it real—most people view call center work as a thankless job. When customers call in for assistance, they may be disgruntled and, frankly, rude. It’s your job to deescalate the situation, find a resolution, and guide the customer through the process.
That said, if you love people and problem-solving, you might find the position rewarding. Plus, it’s incredibly common for call center positions to be remote, as the tasks don’t require any hands-on work.
Call center positions don’t have any upfront costs, although you will need a reliable source of wifi, a computer, and a headset. Some companies provide the latter two items, however, so don’t think a lack of having them takes you out of the running.
12. Data Entry Specialist ($20 per hour)
Data entry specialists digitize data, often translating it from a written to digital format. They may also update records, contact people for data, and review data for errors. Given that the role only requires a laptop and a reliable source of wifi, it’s an easy role for many people to get into.
You’ll find remote data entry positions on sites like RemoteJobs.io, StartupJobs, and FlexJobs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are some true work-from-home positions with no startup costs?True work-from-home positions with no startup costs include English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher, Digital Marketing Specialist, Virtual Assistant, Copywriter, and Data Entry Specialist. These roles do not require purchasing inventory, paying for courses, or any other startup costs.
Do online ESL teaching platforms require a certification?
Some online ESL teaching platforms require a TEFL certification, which can cost from $99 to $3,000. However, there are platforms like Cambly, Preply, and Varsity Tutors that do not require this certification.
How can I maximize my earnings as a Digital Marketing Specialist with no upfront costs?
You can maximize your earnings as a Digital Marketing Specialist by gaining knowledge or experience in the field without any upfront costs. Free digital marketing certification courses like the one offered by HubSpot can provide a solid introduction to the field.
Are there any free resources available for someone looking to become a Content Writer or Copywriter?
Yes, there are hundreds of free courses available on platforms like Udemy that can help you understand how to write clear and concise copy for Content Writing or Copywriting.
What qualifications are needed for a Data Entry Specialist, and where can I find such positions?
Data Entry Specialists typically need to be able to digitize data from written to digital formats, update records, and review data for errors. The role requires only a laptop and a reliable source of wifi. Remote data entry positions can be found on sites like RemoteJobs.io, StartupJobs, and FlexJobs.