OSRS Low Requirement Money Making: Best Methods for Beginners in 2025
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game where gold pieces (GP) fuel adventure, whether you’re upgrading gear, training skills, or exploring Gielinor. For new players or those with low-level accounts, making money can feel daunting without high stats or hefty investments. Fortunately, there are plenty of low-requirement money-making methods that can kickstart your bankroll. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the best OSRS low requirement money-making strategies for 2025, perfect for beginners or anyone looking to earn GP with minimal effort and no steep prerequisites. Let’s get started!
When you’re fresh off Tutorial Island or running a low-level account, your options are limited. High-profit methods like bossing or advanced skilling often demand significant time, skills, or starting capital—things beginners typically lack. Low-requirement methods bridge that gap, offering accessible ways to earn GP while building your account. These strategies require little to no combat or skill levels, making them ideal for free-to-play (F2P) or early pay-to-play (P2P) players. Plus, many double as training opportunities, letting you grow your stats alongside your wallet.
Benefits of Starting Small
- Low Risk: Minimal investment means less to lose if something goes wrong.
- Accessibility: No need for 70+ stats or rare gear—just jump in.
- Flexibility: Many methods work for F2P and P2P alike.
- Skill Growth: Earn GP while leveling up useful skills like Crafting or Mining.
Top F2P Low Requirement Money Making Methods
Free-to-play OSRS offers a surprising variety of ways to make money without membership. These methods are perfect for newbies with no cash stack or stats to boast about. Here’s how to get started in F2P.
Collecting Cowhides in Lumbridge
Killing cows and collecting their hides is a classic F2P money maker with zero requirements. Head to the cow field east of Lumbridge, slay some bovines, and gather their hides. Each cowhide sells for around 100-200 GP on the Grand Exchange (GE), and you can easily collect 27 per inventory.
- Requirements: None
- Profit: 50k-100k GP/hour
- Tip: Bank in Lumbridge, or tan the hides in Al Kharid (10 GP toll) for extra profit (soft leather sells for ~200 GP each).
Telegrabbing Wines of Zamorak
For a bit more excitement, try telegrabbing Wines of Zamorak in the Chaos Temple north of Falador. You’ll need level 33 Magic and runes for Telekinetic Grab (1 Air Rune, 1 Law Rune). Each wine fetches 1k-1.5k GP, but beware of monks turning hostile and occasional PKers in multi-combat zones.
- Requirements: 33 Magic
- Profit: 200k-300k GP/hour
- Tip: Bring only what you’re willing to lose—law runes and an air staff are enough.
Mining Iron Ore in Varrock
Mining iron ore is a simple, AFK-friendly method. Head to the Varrock Southeast Mine, grab a pickaxe (free from the Mining Guild if you forgot one), and mine iron ore. At level 15 Mining, you can expect decent rates, with each ore selling for ~100 GP.
- Requirements: 15 Mining (optional for efficiency)
- Profit: 50k-80k GP/hour
- Tip: Drop ore if powerminers are around, or bank for steady profit.
P2P Low Requirement Money Making Methods
Membership unlocks a treasure trove of money-making options, even for low-level players. These P2P methods require minimal skills or starting GP, making them beginner-friendly while offering better profits than F2P alternatives.
Tanning Black Dragonhide
Tanning black dragonhide is a click-intensive but lucrative method with no skill requirements. Buy black dragonhides from the GE (~1.5k-1.6k GP each), take them to Ellis in Al Kharid, and tan them for 20 GP each. The resulting black dragon leather sells for ~1.8k-2k GP.
- Requirements: None (starting cash ~500k recommended)
- Profit: 300k-500k GP/hour
- Tip: Use a Ring of Dueling to bank at Castle Wars and speed up trips.
Shop Running: Monkey Nuts
After completing Monkey Madness I, head to Ape Atoll and buy monkey nuts from Solihib’s Food Stall for 3 GP each. Sell them on the GE for 700-800 GP each. World-hopping refreshes stock, letting you repeat the process.
- Requirements: Monkey Madness I completed
- Profit: 700k-800k GP/hour
- Tip: Bring a greegree to avoid monkey aggression.
Crushing Bird Nests
Buy bird nests from the GE (~4k-5k GP each), grab a pestle and mortar, and crush them into crushed nests (~5k-6k GP each). This method scales with your starting cash—more nests mean more profit per hour.
- Requirements: None (starting cash ~1M+ for efficiency)
- Profit: 400k-600k GP/hour
- Tip: Manually crush for faster rates; auto-grind is slower but AFK.
Passive Money Making with Low Requirements
Passive methods let you earn GP with minimal effort, often running in the background while you do other tasks. These are perfect for players who want steady income without constant attention.
Managing Miscellania
After completing Throne of Miscellania (and Royal Trouble for max workers), invest 750k GP into your kingdom’s coffers and assign workers to resources like coal or herbs. Check back daily to collect profits.
- Requirements: Throne of Miscellania quest
- Profit: 50k-100k GP/day
- Tip: Maintain 75%+ approval by chopping teak or fishing.
Birdhouse Runs
Unlock Fossil Island via Bone Voyage, craft birdhouses (level 5 Hunter), and place them every 50 minutes. Collect nests and seeds for a tidy profit.
- Requirements: Bone Voyage quest, 5 Hunter
- Profit: 20k-50k GP/run (200k-300k GP/hour if optimized)
- Tip: Use yew birdhouses for best returns.
Comparing Low Requirement Methods: Which Is Best for You?
Choosing the right method depends on your playstyle, membership status, and starting GP. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Method | F2P/P2P | Requirements | Profit (GP/hour) | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowhides | F2P | None | 50k-100k | Low |
| Wines of Zamorak | F2P | 33 Magic | 200k-300k | Medium |
| Iron Ore Mining | F2P | 15 Mining (optional) | 50k-80k | Low |
| Tanning Black Dragonhide | P2P | None | 300k-500k | High |
| Monkey Nuts | P2P | Monkey Madness I | 700k-800k | Medium |
| Crushing Bird Nests | P2P | None | 400k-600k | High |
| Managing Miscellania | P2P | Throne of Miscellania | 50k-100k/day | Very Low |
| Birdhouse Runs | P2P | Bone Voyage, 5 Hunter | 200k-300k | Low |
Tips for Maximizing Profits
- Check GE Prices: Prices fluctuate—always verify buy/sell margins before committing.
- Use Runelite: Plugins like GE Tracker and world hoppers streamline efficiency.
- Start Small: Test methods with small batches to avoid losses.
- Combine Methods: Pair passive earners (e.g., Miscellania) with active ones (e.g., tanning).
Final Thoughts on OSRS Low Requirement Money Making
Making money in OSRS doesn’t have to be a grind reserved for high-level players. With these low-requirement methods, you can start building your fortune from day one, whether you’re F2P or P2P. From collecting cowhides in Lumbridge to tanning dragonhides in Al Kharid, there’s something for every beginner. Passive options like birdhouse runs and Managing Miscellania add steady income with almost no effort, setting you up for bigger ventures later.
Experiment with these strategies, adapt to market changes, and watch your GP stack grow. What’s your favorite low-requirement money maker? Let us know, and happy scaping in 2025!