Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running (2023)

Believe it or not, you can actually get paid to leave your computer running!

There are a number of ways you can make money by selling your computer’s processing power, called “distributed computing”. All you need is a hard drive and an internet connection.

What is Distributed Computing?

It sounds technical, but distributed computing is actually pretty simple.

It’s a process that allows institutions, companies, and individuals to rent extra processing power from other people’s computers for their heavy-duty analytical and research projects.

Think of it as Airbnb or VRBO for your idle computer. Anyone from a gamer on a PC to a major business like Amazon can rent out their computer processing unit (CPU).

Typically, you download an app or plugin that runs in the background and carries out tasks while your computer’s on and you have a steady internet connection.

While there are definitely more profitable ways to earn money with your computer, this is about as passive as it gets, letting you earn while you sleep.

10 Ways to Get Paid to Leave Your Computer Running

Here are 10 easy ways to get paid to leave your computer running:

1. Kryptex
2. LoadTeam
3. MQL5
4. Honeygain
5. Hyperlink
6. Digital Coin Generation
7. Golem Network
8. GamerHash
9. Mineprize
10. Ooguo Browser

1. Kryptex

Cryptocurrency gets created using distributed computer networks. Cryptocurrency miners use computers to “mine” coins.

Your computer can take part in cryptocurrency mining using a platform like Kryptex. All you have to do is download a Microsoft Windows app and let miners access your computer’s processing power at various times.

The amount you bring in depends largely on your setup:

• If you have a powerful gaming PC, you can bring in roughly $95 each month according to Kryptex.
• A mining rig with an Intel Celeron G3930 processor and 8X AMD RX 5700 GPU mining rig will generate about $615 per month.
• And a mining farm consisting of 36 rigs with 8X AMD RX 480s will bring in about $13,570 per month.

Not too shabby! Kryptex pays in Bitcoin or U.S. dollars and comes with a minimum withdrawal amount of $0.50.You can start earning money the same day you begin mining.

2. LoadTeam

LoadTeam is a similar type of mining operation that lets you use your computer to mine coins via a Windows app that lets you make money by harvesting processing power.

It lets you transfer money from their app to a PayPal account when your balance reaches $1. You can run it on as many computers as you like, and how much you earn depends on how often you run the software.

At the time of writing, the company claims to have a network of over 99,000 users across 164 countries.

3. MQL5

Another way to sell your computer’s CPU is through the MQL5 Cloud Network, which lets other users access your computer’s resources in exchange for payments.

To access this network and make money, simply download and install the MetaTrader 5 Strategy Tester Agent to get started. According to MQL5, its programs are safe, as they work in their own sandbox.

These are just a few of the many examples on the market. You should also look into using Golem, Slicify, and MyCashware. These are all similar services that pay you to rent your processing power. If this idea sounds like something that interests you, explore the various options and pick one that you’ll feel comfortable using.

4. Honeygain

Honeygain is an app that pays you to share your internet connection. You simply download the app, let it run in the background while you use your devices, and get paid.

Honeygain describes its users’ devices as “view towers” that help reputable businesses access the internet without location-based limitations.

The platform takes several steps to keep your data safe, like only sharing your traffic with select trusted partners and enforcing strict privacy policies.

Honeygain has more than 250,000 users in over 150 countries. You can choose to get paid with Bitcoin or a Paypal transfer.

5. Hyperlink

Hyperlink has grown a lot since its founding in 2020. Dubbing itself the World Supercomputer, it lets you earn while you’re using your computer or away.

I‘ve found that Hyperlink pays more than most distributed computing platforms. The site claims you can make $4,300 to $34,700 per year with a desktop or $4,300 to $13,000 with a laptop. It offers even more for servers.

Earnings depend on how much processing power your computer has. You can get paid with credit, debit, bank transfer, or Paypal payment.

Hyperlink also claims that it’ll be adding tablets and smartphones to its list of devices you can earn with soon.

6. Digital Coin Generation

Digital Coin Generation makes money by renting out a low percentage of your computer’s processor.

It’s supported on Mac and Windows operating systems. The website isn’t the most user-friendly or resourceful, but its registration process is quick and free.

All you do is download the app and let it run. You can get paid with the following options:

• Credit Card
• Egopay
• Payza
• Paxum
• Perfect Money

The site also claims Paypal and Skrill are coming soon, offering more payment methods.

7. Golem Network

Golem Network is a peer-to-peer platform that pays you to rent out digital resources like your computing power. Its aim is to provide developers with the computing power they need to create freely.

These requestors make offers on how much they’re willing to pay for processing power. If you accept, you get paid by the hour.

Since there aren’t set prices, you could potentially earn more with Golem than a lot of its competitors.

Golem pays users with GLM tokens, which are Ethereum-based crypto. You also have the opportunity to earn escrow, getting paid by the requestor before they access your computing power.

8. GamerHash

This one is for all my gamers out there. Gamerhash lets you mine cryptocurrency while your computer is idling and pays you to play games.

GamerHash pays in GamerCoin (GHX), which can be bought from other users or on exchanges. You can use GamerCoin to buy over 46,000 products in the GamerHash store or pay in grocery stores.

The website is really user-friendly and has a BTC exchange rate calculator that estimates how much you can make on the platform.

GamerHash also focuses on security, with 2-step verification, an SSL certificate, verified code, and Cloudflare.

9. Mineprize

Mainprize keeps it simple. You share your idling PC’s power in exchange for payment.

Technically, your browser solves complicated mathematical tasks and gives you points for the borrowed power. These tasks can take seconds to minutes to complete, so you can collect several in a day.

The platform is a lot like Branded Surveys and other top survey sites that use a points system. You can redeem points for items like iPads or cash out with PayPal.

Once you sign up for free, you’ll be directed to a special webpage with blocks of work to be solved. As each block is computed, you get points.

10. Ooguo Browser

Ooguo, also called eBesucher.com, is another platform that lets you easily make some cash with your computer.

You can earn money by installing the site’s surfbar, which visits sites automatically. You can also get paid for clicking through advertising emails and ad campaigns, based on your areas of interest.

The platform has been around since 2002, and it appears to be legit based on user reviews. Just note that it’s primarily geared towards European users, with a default German setting on its website and payouts in Euros. You can get paid with Paypal or bank transfers once you hit 2 Euros.

Tips for Making Money Leaving Your Computer Running

Watch Out for Electricity Costs

If you’re just running one or two computers throughout the day, you shouldn’t worry too much about the cost of electricity. However, if you’re selling processing power at scale or running computers around the clock, you could notice a spike in your electricity bill.

Keep an eye on your electricity consumption so that you don’t wind up spending more than you are bringing in on a monthly basis, negating the reason for doing this in the first place.

Consider Using a Dedicated Computer

You should also keep in mind that running these types of programs can degrade your computer over time.

Most of the time, you use a small amount of processing power throughout the day if you’re just using programs like Microsoft Office or browsing the internet. The above-mentioned programs use a lot more processing power at once, which can take its toll on your machine over time. Consumer-grade motherboards are not meant to handle continuous workloads and could fail. So you may want to spring for a higher-end machine that can handle the increased capacity.

Consider buying a computer and using it solely for processing power, so that you don’t destroy your main system. You should also avoid installing this on a work computer unless you have explicit permission to do so.

Be Careful of What You Download

The internet is full of scams and viruses — many of which look like legitimate programs.

Be sure to thoroughly research software and get a variety of opinions before you move forward with any options. The last thing you want to do is give third-party programs access to your operating system without understanding who is running it and their reputation.

Making matters more complicated, anti-malware programs can sometimes identify mining software as malware. So, it’s not always cut and dried.

Poke around, ask tech-savvy friends about their opinions, and read peer reviews so that you don’t make a mistake and download a program that damages your computer.

Additional Ways to Make Money with Your Computer

Take Online Surveys

Taking surveys is a perfectly legit way to bring in extra money on the side. Companies like Swagbucks can pay you to sit on your sofa and answer questions.

You could also take part in focus groups and get paid to do basic online activities like watching movies or playing games.

Develop Apps

If you’re computer savvy, you should consider building apps and selling them to businesses. Right now, there is a massive need for workplace productivity apps that can help companies streamline operations. For example, a construction company may be able to use an app to track equipment or daily workflows.

Recent advancements in no-code app design make it easy to design solutions without any coding experience. All you need to do is make one app, and then you could potentially use that as a template to share with other companies. This could be a great way to launch a side hustle.

Provide Technical Support

Another way to make money using your home computer and phone is to launch a tech support service — using tools like remote monitoring to log in and help people solve basic troubleshooting issues from your own system. This is another great money-making opportunity for tech-savvy individuals who are looking to increase their cash flow.

Just remember that half of a tech support technician’s job is providing customer service and working with other people. Even if you know a lot about computers, you still need strong people skills in this line of work.

Offer Social Media Support

Small businesses are often looking for individuals to help them with their social media initiatives. If you know how to craft great social posts or attract followers, you should consider doing this.

To get started, simply poke around and try to find local businesses with a limited social media presence. Put together a social media audit and share a plan with the business to help improve its channel. Taking the time to put together this type of report should be enough to get a sit-down meeting with management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to sell your computer’s processing power?

Selling your computer’s processing power is generally unobtrusive and happens in the background. If you think about it, you give your processing power away all the time using programs like Chrome that drain a significant amount of capacity. In this light, using a program to get paid for processing power isn’t all that different. Just make sure you research the programs that you’re using and steer clear of software that does not have a strong reputation for being trustworthy and secure.

Should I start a side hustle selling my computers power?

Starting a side hustle is a great way to bring in extra money. You can use a side hustle to put money aside for retirement, pay down debt, or fund short- to medium-term investments. Just remember that a side hustle can be tiring — especially if you’re working a full-time job. Part of what makes selling processing power so appealing is that it allows you to make money without doing anything. This is passive income, which is something everyone should strive to achieve.

Do you have to leave your computer on to make money?

These programs can only work if your computer is on. The longer you keep your device running, the more money you make. Some people like to do this throughout the day when they’re working while others like to do it day and night. It largely depends on the type of computer you’re using and how much you want to earn.

Is LoadTeam malware?

The company acknowledges that its software sometimes gets flagged as malware by antivirus software. However, the company asserts that they are not a virus, malware, or spyware.

Do you need a desktop to sell processing power?

Not necessarily. Most of these programs work with desktops and laptops. Just make sure the laptop stays plugged in. You’ll also want to check your laptop from time to time to prevent it from overheating, which could damage the machine.

Should You Get Paid To Leave Your Computer Running?

If you’re looking to make extra cash, you can sell your computer power to others using third-party software. It’s a relatively safe way to make money and it takes virtually no time at all.

The only thing you’ll have to do is find the right program, go through a brief setup process, and make sure the computer stays on. Some programs pay in BTC while others pay in dollars.

If you decide to go this route, you should strongly consider buying a dedicated computer that you just use for processing power so that you don’t slow down your regular machine or damage it in any way. You’ll need to think of this as an investment, though, and make sure that you’re making more than you spend.

Also, keep your eye on your electricity bill so you don’t spend too much money on utilities and cancel out any gains that you make by selling your processing power.

Ultimately, if you’re thinking of selling your processing power, you already have the right mindset in place. Start thinking of other things you can rent to make money as well — like putting your car on Turo or your house on Airbnb.

The journey to financial freedom is a long one filled with many twists and turns. The more ways you can figure out how to generate income, the better off you’ll be.

Here’s to unlocking new revenue streams!