10 Interesting Ways to Get Paid to Talk to Lonely People

Got the gift of gab? You can actually make money just by talking!

Some platforms pay for flirty chats, others for friendly companionship, and some even let you earn while gaming or teaching English.

This guide breaks down real ways to turn conversations into cash—through:

• video calls
• texting
• voice chats
• or even in-person bonding

I’ve done the research, so you’ll find payout details, real user experiences, and pro tips to help you make the most of it.

Some options are easy and low effort, while others take time to build steady income.

Whether you’re looking for a quick side hustle or something bigger, there’s a way to get paid for being social.

So, if you love to chat, it’s time to cash in on it!

1. Cambly

Cambly pays you to chat with students learning English via video calls.

No teaching degree? No problem!

If you’re a native or fluent English speaker, you can earn $10.20 per hour on Cambly and $12 per hour on Cambly Kids.

There’s no minimum commitment, and you get paid weekly via PayPal.

What to Expect

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✓ Work in 2-hour slots for better scheduling.
✓ Build a list of regular students for steady income.
✓ Use AI tools to enhance lessons—here’s how.
✓ Avoid problem students—you can cancel in the first 2 minutes (full Reddit insights here).

If you love meeting new people and chatting, Cambly is a low-barrier way to make extra cash!

2. RentaCyberFriend

RentaCyberFriend pays you to chat via video with people worldwide—no dating, just platonic convos.

You set your own rate (typically $0.25 to $2 per minute), but the platform takes a 20% cut of your earnings.

Who Can Join?

✔ 18+ with a webcam & good internet.
✔ No experience needed—just be an online friend!

Pro Tips from a Real User:

✔ Start with a low rate to build reviews, then raise it.
✔ Specialize—gamers, fitness coaches, or parenting advisors earn more.
✔ Get repeat clients—this is where the real money is.

Here are a few user reviews from only a few months ago.

Deanna gave a negative review and says it’s not worth the time:

“I signed on as a virtual chat friend. I tried going online during different hours of the day and different days of the week. I didn’t get any calls. Regardless of when I was online, the competition was very high. I saw on the home page there were over 6000 pages of available chat friends online at any given time. I think the supply must greatly exceed the demand. The website takes a 20 percent commission fee of workers’ earnings, and they can’t withdraw funds until they earn at least 50 dollars. I saw rates as low as one cent per minute and as high as 100 dollars per minute…”

And right next to it, Grigorios gave a very positive review:

“Hi, my name is Greg, and I’m a personal trainer. When I first came across this app, I was skeptical due to the mixed reviews. However, I decided to give it a try—and I’m so glad I did!

This app is truly making a positive impact on people’s lives. I joined as a Cyber Friend and also tested it as a Caller. Setting up my profile was incredibly easy, and I decided to charge $1.50 per minute—a fair rate considering online training typically costs $45 for a 30-minute session.

At first, I didn’t receive any video calls, but then I decided to promote my profile on social media. And boom! I landed my first client, then my second, and soon after, many more. This platform works like magic when you understand how to use it properly. The key is to set reasonable rates, actively promote yourself, and not just sit back waiting for things to happen…”

To read their reviews and see others in detail, visit Trustpilot.

Minimum payout? $50 via PayPal or direct deposit.

If you love talking, this one’s worth a shot.

3. Premium.Chat

Premium.Chat lets you charge per minute for text and video chats.

You set your own rates—$1 to $5.99 per minute or a flat fee up to $50 per session.

The platform takes 20%–40% of your earnings, though, so keep that in mind.

Who’s This For?

✓ 18+ with a solid internet connection.
✓ Best for people who already have an audience—influencers, coaches, entertainers, or anyone with a following.
✓ If you’re starting from scratch, getting clients is tough.

What You Need to Know:

✓ You need to bring your own clients—the platform doesn’t do the work for you.
✓ Payouts hit on the 10th of the month (minimum $50 via PayPal or direct deposit).
✓ Fast replies boost visibility—engage quickly to rank higher.

Trustpilot only has 3 reviews and it’s sitting at 3.5 stars.

But with that in consideration, if you’ve got followers who want to chat, this can be a solid money-maker.

4. Phrendly

Phrendly lets you make money by chatting, flirting, and video calling—all virtual, no meetups.

You earn when people send virtual “drinks” or pay to chat.

Texting earns $0.35 per volley, and voice/video calls can hit $42–$84 per hour if you stay engaging.

Who can join? U.S. and Canadian residents 17+ with verified IDs. No background checks—just be charming!

Pro tips to earn more:

✔ Look good on camera (clear, well-lit video).
✔ Write a flirty bio that grabs attention.
✔ Follow up—a simple “Hey!” can start a paid convo.
✔ Fast replies = more money.

Payouts start at $10 via direct deposit (takes ~10 days) or monthly checks ($2 fee).

Trustpilot has it at 2.5 stars (not too hot) and users opinions are mixed on the product, so proceed accordingly.

5. Papa

Papa pays you to spend time with older adults, help with errands, and offer companionship.

No medical experience? It’s okay.

If you’re 18+, have a U.S. driver’s license, and pass a background check, you can start earning.

Pay ranges from $13–$18 per hour, plus bonuses and mileage reimbursements.

Payments are fast—you’ll get paid within 1–2 business days via Stripe.

What to Expect:

✔ Most Papa Pals work flexible hours, choosing visits that fit their schedules.
✔ Tasks vary—sometimes it’s chatting over coffee, other times it’s light housekeeping or grocery runs.
✔ Some states offer commute pay, and weekly bonuses are available if you take on multiple visits.

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✔ Choose visits wisely—some members need more than just companionship.
✔ Keep a friendly, patient attitude—it makes the job easier.
✔ Fast payouts—here’s the full earnings breakdown.
✔ Real connections happen!—watch Diana and Lina’s story.

If you enjoy helping others, this side hustle lets you make money while making a difference.

6. ChatRecruit

ChatRecruit pays you to chat via phone, video, and text with clients looking for conversation, entertainment, or companionship.

Earnings vary based on chat rates, time spent, and regular clients.

Payments are sent via direct bank transfer weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly, with international transfers available for non-UK users (full details here).

ChatRecruit does not take a percentage of your earnings—what you earn is what you receive.

What to Expect:

✔ Success depends on building a list of regular clients.
✔ Many users report making good money, but competition is high.
✔ Newcomers may struggle to get noticed at first.
✔ The platform requires passing a line test before getting started (some users have had issues with this).
✔ Some users report delays in account verification, making it harder to start earning quickly (more insights here).

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✔ Join the ChatRecruit Telegram group—it has useful tips and support.
✔ If the automated line test fails, request a manual review.

If you’re comfortable on camera or phone, ChatRecruit offers multiple ways to earn!

7. FlirtBucks

FlirtBucks pays women to engage in text and video chats with male clients, often in a suggestive way.

You can work from home, set your own hours, and choose your clients.

Text chats start at $0.10 per minute, increasing up to $0.15 per minute after six months.

Video chats start at $0.40 per minute, increasing up to $0.50 per minute—meaning you could make up to $30 per hour.

Payments are sent fortnightly via check or PayPal (full details here).

What to Expect:

✔ Only women can apply—must be 18+ with a valid photo ID.
✔ A computer with a webcam and high-speed internet is required.
✔ No marketing needed—FlirtBucks provides the clients.
✔ Some users report low pay and slow account approval.
✔ Chats often lean toward flirty or sexual conversations, so be comfortable with that before applying.

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✔ Be friendly and engaging—clients expect explicit interactions.
✔ If you type 40+ words per minute, text chat earnings add up faster.

If you’re comfortable with suggestive conversations, FlirtBucks offers a way to monetize that.

Warning: Opinions online are mixed, and there are zero Trustpilot reviews. So proceed with caution…

8. BetterHelp

BetterHelp pays licensed therapists to provide online therapy through video, phone, and text-based messaging.

You set your own hours, work from anywhere, and get access to a large client pool.

Pay starts at $30 per hour for the first five hours each week, increases to $35 per hour for 5–10 hours, and maxes out at $70 per hour if you work over 35 hours.

Payments are made weekly via direct deposit.

What to Expect:

✔ Must be a licensed therapist (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, PsyD, etc.).
✔ No marketing or client outreach—BetterHelp provides a steady stream of clients.
✔ No insurance billing or administrative work—just therapy sessions.
✔ Pay is per live session or messaging time, which some therapists find confusing.
✔ High client demand, but frequent client switching can impact earnings (read more here).

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✔ Set boundaries—high demand can lead to burnout.
✔ Clients can message 24/7—decide upfront how responsive you want to be.

If you’re a licensed therapist looking for flexible, remote work, BetterHelp is an easy way to see clients and get paid weekly!

9. Calmerry

Here’s another one for licensed therapists!

Calmerry pays licensed professionals to provide video and text-based therapy.

The average pay is around $49.03 per hour, which is above the national average, with video sessions paying more than messaging.

Many therapists use Calmerry for part-time income, while others treat it as a flexible full-time job.

Payments are processed via direct deposit, and therapists have full control over their schedules.

What to Expect:

✔ Must be a licensed therapist (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LMSW).
✔ Calmerry matches clients to you, so no need for marketing.
✔ Messaging therapists must respond within 24 hours during their working hours.
✔ Earnings depend on the number of clients and session format (full details here).

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✔ Be strategic—video sessions pay more than text-based therapy.
✔ Maintain good response times to keep your client flow steady.

If you’re a licensed therapist looking for flexible online work, Calmerry offers above-average pay with a built-in client base!

10. E-Pal

Ever wished you could get paid to play games and chat with people? E-Pal makes that a reality!

Whether you’re coaching, teaming up for a ranked match, or just vibing in a casual game, you can earn real money while gaming.

Top earners make over $4,700 per month, while the top 25% bring in $500 per month.

Most ePals charge between $2 to $5 per session, but some go as high as $20 to $25 per game.

E-Pal compensates its users through a virtual currency called Buff, where 1 Buff equals $1.

Earnings are initially placed in a pending status and become available for withdrawal based on the number of completed orders:

• Less than 20 paid orders: Funds available after 15 days.
• 20 to 49 paid orders: Funds available after 7 days.
• 50 or more paid orders: Funds available after 3 days.

Withdrawals are processed through PayPal, with a 10% platform fee and an additional $0.25 PayPal transaction fee.

Currently, PayPal is the sole withdrawal method, but E-Pal is exploring additional options.

What to Expect:

✔ Work when you want—log in, accept orders, and play.
✔ Demand fluctuates, so some days will be busier than others.
✔ The right profile and personality attract repeat clients.
✔ Some ePals turn this into full-time income, but competition is high.

Pro Tips from Real Users:

✔ Use great photos and a strong bio to stand out.
✔ Make it fun—clients come back for a good experience!
✔ One ePal made $2,000 per month—watch the interview.

If you love gaming and socializing, why not get paid for it?

Conclusion

Getting paid to talk might sound too good to be true, but it’s not.

You can chat for fun, offer companionship, or turn conversations into a real side hustle.

Some opportunities are easy and low effort, while others take time to build steady income. Either way, if you enjoy talking, there’s money to be made.

Pick what fits your style, set your own hours, and start earning.

But before moving forward, check the most recent Trustpilot reviews, as user experience can adjust over time. 

Looking for More Side Hustle Ideas?

• Download The Side Hustle Show. My free podcast shares hundreds of side hustle ideas to make extra money.
• Start Your Free $500 Challenge. My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
• Join the free Side Hustle Nation Community. The free Facebook group is the best place to connect with other side hustlers and get your questions answered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I chat with lonely people and get paid?

There are platforms that pay you to be a virtual companion, whether through video, voice, text, or in-person!

For example…

Papa pays you to chat with older adults who need companionship, while Cambly lets you earn by having conversations with people learning English.

If you prefer a more flexible setup, RentaCyberFriend allows you to get paid for casual online interactions with people worldwide.

Check out the platforms I listed above for more options!

Can I get paid to just text people?

Yes! Some platforms let you make money just by texting—no video calls required.

FlirtBucks pays for text-based chats with clients, and Premium.Chat lets you charge per-minute rates for messaging.

If you’re quick at typing and good at keeping a conversation going, this can be an easy way to earn.

You don’t always have to be camera-ready!

Can you get paid to flirt online?

Absolutely.

Platforms like Phrendly and ChatRecruit pay you to engage in flirty conversations via text or video.

Some are lighthearted, while others lean toward more suggestive chats.

If you enjoy playful banter, this could be a fun side hustle.

But remember to set boundaries. You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with!