6 Easy Ways to Get Paid to Talk to Lonely People

Where Can You Talk to Lonely People?

There are many platforms that can help you get paid to talk to lonely people in one form or another. You can connect with customers looking for text, audio, video, and even face-to-face conversation.

Some cater more toward sexual interaction, but plenty of others focus purely on platonic conversations. However, as you might expect, there seems to be more demand for the former, so fewer platforms cater solely to the latter.

Of course, if you’re more entrepreneurial and willing to branch out on your own (instead of working for a third-party platform), you could sell whatever chat services you want. If you can generate the demand yourself, you can use more flexible marketplaces like Fiverr or Freelancer to connect with clients.

1. Rent a Friend

www.rentafriend.com

⚙️ How It Works

Rent a Friend caters primarily to people looking for someone to meet with them in person. The site allows you to register as a friend for rent by the hour, after which users can purchase your time. They may book you for conversation or company during a social activity.

⚠️ The Risks

With any site that allows in-person meet-ups, there’s a risk that your client might be untrustworthy. Rent A Friend does require users to pay a fee before they can contact you, though, and you’re free to chat with people before meeting them (or deny requests altogether).

💰 What They Pay

Rates generally start at $10 per hour, but you can negotiate in either direction. Friends get to set their rates individually and keep 100% of their proceeds. The site makes money by charging users a monthly fee.

⭐️ Reviews and  Ratings

Rent a Friend has a few positive testimonials on their site and a generally positive reputation online. There are no official ratings, but there’s no shortage of positive anecdotes on the internet from prior users.

2. Papa

www.joinpapa.com

⚙️ How It Works

Working for Papa might be the most wholesome way to get paid to talk to lonely people. The clientele consists exclusively of the elderly and the infirm. If you’ve ever visited a convalescent home, working with Papa should be familiar.

⚠️ The Risks

There’s always some privacy and safety risk when conversing or meeting with strangers (Papa lets you offer both virtual and in-person services), but Papa does a great job of connecting you with people who genuinely need what you want to sell.

💰 What They Pay

Papa’s website states that their base hourly rate is $15 per hour. Daily and weekly bonuses are also readily available, and they’ll reimburse you for the cost of commutes to client sites.

⭐️ Reviews and  Ratings

Papa has an average of three out of five stars on Indeed from past and present workers. On Glassdoor, they have an average score of 4.4.

3. RentaCyberFriend

www.rentacyberfriend.com

⚙️ How It Works

RentaCyberFriend is essentially the online version of RentAFriend. Instead of meeting people in person, you provide companionship through text, voice, or video calls. You create a profile, set your rates, and describe what kind of conversations or activities you’re comfortable with. Clients then book time with you directly through the site.

⚠️ The Risks

Because everything happens online, it’s safer than meeting in person. However, you may still run into clients who try to push for inappropriate conversations. As with any platform, it’s important to set boundaries in your profile and during chats.

💰 What They Pay

You set your own hourly rates, typically starting around $10–$30 per hour. You keep the majority of what you earn, though the platform may take a small service fee.

⭐️ Reviews and  Ratings

RentaCyberFriend doesn’t have much in the way of formal reviews, but general feedback online suggests it’s a legitimate platform and a safer alternative for those who want to avoid in-person meetings. Many users see it as a lower-risk way to earn money from casual conversation.

4. FlirtBucks

www.flirtbucks.net

⚙️ How It Works

FlirtBucks is a platform designed specifically for flirtatious text and video conversations (hence the name). The site makes it clear even the video calls are conversations, though, not performances – no nudity. They only hire female chat hostesses.

⚠️ The Risks

FlirtBucks’ Better Business Bureau page shows complaints from many who regret giving sensitive information to them after receiving no response to their application. There’s no confirmation that FlirtBucks has done anything malicious with their data, but there’s always a risk.

💰 What They Pay

FlirtBucks pays between $0.10 and $0.15 per minute for text chatting. The pay range is $0.40 to $0.50 per minute for video chatting. Your rates will increase the longer you work with them.

⭐️ Reviews and  Ratings

FlirtBucks’ digital reputation is split pretty evenly between positive and negative. Comprehensive reviewers support it as a legitimate business, but crowdsourced sites report consistent privacy concerns (though none with documented issues).

5. Phrendly

www.phrendly.com

⚙️ How It Works

Phrendly is a flirtation and companionship platform where you chat with people over text, phone, or video. Instead of paying hourly, clients “buy drinks” that allow them to send messages or keep conversations going. If someone messages you first, you get paid when you respond. You can also earn from voice or video calls and virtual gifts.

⚠️ The Risks

Phrendly is 100% remote, so there’s no risk of meeting people in person. Because all interactions between people are through the app, your personal data is also protected from clients.

💰 What They Pay

Text chats pay $0.35 per volley (a back-and-forth exchange) when you’re responding to someone who initiated the conversation. For voice and video calls, you earn 70% of the per-minute rate after a small platform fee. Virtual gifts are also available, and you keep 90% of their value. You’ll need to reach a $10 balance before requesting payout.

⭐️ Reviews and  Ratings

Phrendly has a mixed reputation. The app has a modest rating on app stores, but Trustpilot reviews are low, averaging around two stars, with some users citing nonpayment or account issues. Others report positive experiences and steady earnings once they build up repeat contacts. Overall, it seems to be a legitimate but hit-or-miss way to earn money from conversation.

How Much Can You Expect to Earn?

Most chat platforms pay a flat rate per hour or message. If it’s hourly, you can expect to receive between roughly $10 and $50 per hour (often communicated on a per-minute basis). At message-based platforms where you chat via text, you’ll likely find rates between $0.10 and $0.20 per message.

Keep in mind that it’s theoretically possible that you’ll fall into the upper end of these ranges, but it’s not guaranteed. And while rates play a significant role in your profitability, the most limiting determinants of your earnings will probably be the level of demand you can generate and the amount of time you can invest.

Now, let’s review specific examples of sites that will pay you to talk to lonely people.

Should You Do It?

Side hustles are a great way to pad your monthly cash flows, but you should be selective about which you decide to pursue. Many of them (this one included) involve trading your time for money, which will only get you so far. Your time is limited, after all, so selling your spare hours is unlikely to make or break your finances.

Ultimately, it’s most likely to be worth your time if you do something fun that also suits your lifestyle. For example, if you have a dog that you already take for walks three times a day, signing up for Rover as a professional dog walker makes a ton of sense.

All in all, that means you should consider this side hustle if you genuinely enjoy (or already spend time) chatting with strangers. Just do your due diligence and select a safe platform that supports your desired experience.

Other Ways to Get Paid (or Volunteer) to Talk

Not every opportunity to get paid for conversation comes from dedicated “lonely people” platforms. Some fall into broader categories where talking is the core of the work. Others are volunteer-based, but still give you the chance to connect with people who need someone to listen.

Language and Conversation Apps

Services like Cambly, Preply, and iTalki are marketed as language-learning platforms, but in practice many clients just want casual conversation practice. If you enjoy talking with people from around the world, these platforms pay by the minute for chat sessions.

Coaching and Mentorship

On sites like Coach.me or Clarity.fm, you can offer accountability chats, encouragement, or advice. These opportunities are more structured than companionship platforms but still center on talking with people one-on-one.

Volunteer Listening Services

If you’re interested in helping without the income, platforms like 7 Cups or the HearMe app connect you with people who just need a sympathetic ear. These roles are typically unpaid unless you’re a licensed counselor, but they can be rewarding for those who want to make a difference while gaining experience.