【News Report】Are Malaysians Secretly Earning Big? Revealing the Top 10 Side Hustle Platforms Most Used by Malaysians!
Side hustles are booming in Malaysia. Here are the 10 platforms helping locals turn free time into extra income.
Kuala Lumpur | May 7, 2025 | Malaysia Side Hustle Platforms — Have you noticed more and more people around you live-streaming after work, delivering food during weekends, or even editing videos during lunch breaks? It’s not just a coincidence. This is a national movement — a full-blown side hustle revolution sweeping across Malaysia.
After months of investigation involving freelancers, platform experts, and financial analysts, we now reveal the “Top 10 Side Hustle Platforms Most Used by Malaysians” — the definitive guide for anyone looking to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle or boost their monthly income. If you’ve been hesitating, now is the time to take that first step!
Shopee Live & Affiliate｜Not Just a Shopping App, But a Stepping Stone for Side Income – Malaysia Side Hustle Platforms
By 2025, Shopee has transformed from a simple shopping platform into a “side income engine” for many Malaysians. With the Shopee Live feature, many creators began live-streaming to showcase product features, demonstrate usage, and even hold time-limited promotions, encouraging stronger purchase intent. Additionally, even if you don’t want to be on camera, you can still participate in the Shopee Affiliate program by simply sharing product links on social platforms and earning commissions for every sale made through those links. Students, housewives, and even retirees can join, with a very low entry barrier—no need to stock inventory or have complex technical skills. Coupled with holiday promotions or hot item recommendations, commission income can significantly increase, becoming a true source of “passive income.”
Fiverr｜Skills as Currency, the World is Looking for You!
Fiverr is a platform that allows Malaysians to monetize their skills, whether it’s graphic design, copywriting, video editing, or translation services. The platform connects you with clients from around the world. What’s more, service fees are paid in US dollars, which translates to quite a substantial amount when converted to Malaysian Ringgit. Some users with strong professional skills even treat Fiverr as a full-time job platform, enabling them to work from home and schedule their time flexibly, achieving the dream of “time freedom + location freedom + financial freedom.” The platform also offers professional-level project opportunities, making it perfect for experienced freelancers looking to expand into international markets. As long as you build a good reputation and portfolio, orders will keep flowing in.
YouTube Shorts｜One Minute, Determines the Height of Your Income!
YouTube Shorts has gradually become a haven for content creators in Malaysia, especially for young people who are attracted to the “short video economy.” The mechanism is simple: create short videos under 60 seconds, focusing on topics like food, travel, comedy, life hacks, or trending news. As long as you grab the audience’s attention, you can go viral. Once your Shorts gain more views, you can start earning ad revenue, and the platform may even invite you to join the YouTube Partner Program. In addition, brands will actively reach out to collaborate with creators, offering opportunities like product promotions, sponsored videos, and affiliate links, creating multiple monetization channels. For those who aren’t good at making long videos but are creative, YouTube Shorts is the fastest platform to get started and go viral.
TikTok Shop & Affiliate｜“Earning Money While Scrolling Your Phone” is No Longer a Joke – Malaysia Side Hustle Platforms
With TikTok Shop and its Affiliate program growing in popularity in Malaysia, more and more creators are turning “scrolling on their phones” into a steady income source. TikTok’s powerful algorithm means that even regular users without a large following have a chance to get traffic boost if their content is interesting and products are authentic. Many people choose to share practical items, beauty products, fashion, or kitchen tools from their daily lives, attracting followers to click the links and make purchases, earning commissions easily. TikTok Affiliate doesn’t require stock or delivery—it’s purely based on recommendations, making it ideal for content creators, part-timers, or aspiring influencers. TikTok Shop sellers can sell through live streams, answering customer queries in real-time and stimulating buying desire, with a high overall conversion rate, making it a new favorite for e-commerce entrepreneurship.
Preply & italki｜Language Skills Can Also Earn You a Living!
If you speak a language—whether it’s English, Malay, Chinese, or even a dialect—you can register as an online language tutor on Preply or italki. These platforms allow you to set your own rates and teaching schedules, making them perfect for working professionals, freelancers, or housewives who need flexible hours. Unlike traditional teaching, you don’t need a degree in education or a teaching certificate—these platforms prioritize your communication skills and ability to interact with students. Students come from all over the world, including Japan, Korea, Europe, and even the Middle East, allowing you to gain international communication experience while earning foreign currency. Some tutors even establish a stable client base, offer advanced courses or conversation practice, and achieve consistent monthly income, making it a prime example of a side job that relies on talent.
Etsy｜Turn Your Passion into a Global Business – Malaysia Side Hustle Platforms
Etsy is a leading global platform for handmade and independent design products, offering many creators the chance to showcase their talents. Whether it’s handmade jewelry, embroidery, original designs, or hand-painted artwork, Etsy provides a bridge to the global market for these products. Customers in Europe and America have a strong interest in Asian-style products, and many Malaysian artists are using the platform to turn their passions into orders, even achieving impressive success in international markets. From small-scale sales to brand development, Etsy opens the doors to the world for every creative individual. If you have creativity and unique designs, Etsy is not just a way to make money; it’s a platform to achieve personal dreams.
Instagram Creator｜Even Small Followers Can Be Brand Collaborators
In recent years, Instagram’s influence has grown significantly, and many local brands have started to favor “micro-influencers” for brand collaborations. Even accounts with fewer followers can attract the attention of brands if the content is interesting, has good interaction, and is consistently produced. Many young people in Malaysia are using Instagram to share their lives, hobbies, and creative content. Not only do they enjoy engaging with their followers, but they can also earn considerable income. Instagram brand collaborations are no longer exclusive to celebrities; even small accounts can monetize their content and embark on brand collaborations.
JobStreet Freelance｜The Favorite Platform for Local “Slashies”
The Freelance section of JobStreet is designed for those who enjoy a flexible work model. The platform posts short-term tasks, such as copywriting, social media management, and data entry, allowing people with specific skills to earn extra income through temporary projects. For those looking to accumulate experience and enhance skills outside of their main job, JobStreet Freelance is an excellent platform. By taking on freelance tasks, many individuals not only earn additional income but also gain valuable experience and connections for future job changes or career transitions. For local “slashies,” this platform is the ideal place to practice skills and increase income.
Upwork｜A Platform for Professionals, with Higher Earnings – Malaysia Side Hustle Platforms
Upwork is a leading platform for freelancers, suitable for professionals looking to showcase their skills and work with clients on an international scale. Unlike Fiverr, Upwork projects generally involve higher payments and are suited for experienced professionals such as programmers, market analysts, and UI/UX designers. Although the competition is fierce, Upwork provides a golden opportunity for those with the necessary experience and skills to expand their global client base. Successful freelancers on Upwork can earn higher project fees and establish long-term client relationships. This platform is not only an opportunity to enhance skills and income but also a powerful gateway to international markets. If you have the skills, Upwork is the ideal platform to realize your professional dreams.
Final Words — Side Hustles Are No Longer Optional
In the face of rising living costs and economic uncertainty, Malaysians are no longer waiting for opportunities to come to them. From students to retirees, professionals to creators, everyone is carving out a second income — sometimes even a new identity.
These 10 platforms are not just side hustle tools — they are Malaysia’s digital battlegrounds for financial freedom.
As one interviewee said, “I don’t call myself a freelancer. I just finally found a better way to live.” What about you? Isn’t it time you made your move?
