If you’re looking for easy ways to earn money online, you’ve probably seen Temu everywhere—on YouTube, Instagram, and even TV ads. They claim you can shop cheaply, get free items, and even make money online through referrals, tasks, and rewards. I decided to give it a try to see if Temu’s money-making opportunities are real or just hype.
Here’s my honest breakdown of what happened when I tried making money on Temu in 2025.
What Is Temu?
Temu is an e-commerce platform that sells ultra-cheap products, similar to Shein or Wish. What makes it different is its gamified shopping experience—spin wheels, lucky draws, free gifts, and referral bonuses. They market heavily by offering cash rewards and free credits for completing small actions.
Temu’s business model relies on:
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Low-cost products sourced from Chinese manufacturers
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Viral marketing through referrals
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Gamified rewards system to keep users engaged
This is where the “make money” aspect comes in.
Ways Temu Claims You Can Make Money
When I signed up, I found several earning options:
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Referral Program – Invite friends via your link and earn rewards when they install the app.
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Cashback Offers – Buy products and get part of the money back as Temu credits.
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Games & Lucky Draws – Spin-to-win style games that give coupons, credits, or “cash.”
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Free Gift Campaigns – Share product links with friends; if enough people click, you win the item for free.
My Personal Experience
I tested all the methods for a week. Here’s what I found:
1. Referral Program
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Temu offered ₹300–₹500 worth of credits if a new user downloaded and made their first purchase.
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I shared my link with 10 friends—only 2 actually signed up.
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Out of that, I received ₹600 in Temu credits but not actual cash.
Verdict: Works but limited. Unless you have a big social media following, referrals won’t make you much.
2. Cashback Offers
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I bought a ₹499 gadget with a 15% cashback offer.
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Cashback came in the form of Temu credits, not real cash.
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I couldn’t withdraw it, only spend it again on Temu.
Verdict: Not real money. It just makes you spend more.
3. Games & Lucky Draws
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I tried their “spin the wheel” feature daily.
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I mostly won discount coupons that required a minimum purchase.
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No actual withdrawable cash.
Verdict: Fun but designed to make you shop more.
4. Free Gift Campaigns
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I selected a “free smart watch” campaign.
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To claim it, I needed 50 clicks from new users in 24 hours.
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I shared it on WhatsApp groups but only got 15 clicks.
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End result: I didn’t get the free gift.
Verdict: Almost impossible without a huge network.
How Much Did I Actually Earn?
After 7 days of testing:
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Total Temu Credits Earned: ₹1200 (only usable inside Temu)
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Actual Cash Earned: ₹0
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Free Gifts Received: None
So technically, I didn’t make real money, but I did save on shopping by using Temu credits.
Is Temu Worth It for Making Money?
Based on my experience:
Pros:
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Easy to get credits if you invite friends
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Fun, gamified app experience
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Can save money on cheap items
Cons:
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Credits are not real cash
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Free gift campaigns are very hard to win
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High chance of overspending just to “earn” rewards
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Not a reliable income stream
Final Verdict: Temu is great if you like discounts and cheap shopping, but it’s not a serious way to earn money online.
Real Alternatives to Earn Money Online in 2025
If you want to make real income, here are better options than Temu:
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Survey Websites – (e.g., Swagbucks, AttaPoll, Toluna)
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Freelancing – Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com
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Cashback & Reward Apps – CRED, CashKaro, Rakuten
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AI Side Hustles – Using ChatGPT to write, design, or manage social media
These options actually pay you in cash, PayPal, or bank transfer, unlike Temu credits.
Final Thoughts
Trying to make money on Temu was fun, but the rewards are not real income. At best, you get discounts and store credits, which might help if you’re already a frequent Temu shopper. But if your goal is to build a side hustle or consistent income, there are far better platforms to explore in 2025.
So, if you’re asking, “Can you make money on Temu?”—the short answer is:
Yes, but only in credits. No, if you’re looking for actual cash.