OSRS Best Free to Play Money Making Methods for 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a vibrant free-to-play (F2P) experience, but making gold pieces (GP) can feel daunting without membership. Whether you’re a new player fresh off Tutorial Island or a seasoned adventurer looking to fund a bond, this guide explores the best F2P money-making methods in 2025. These strategies are accessible, efficient, and tailored to help you stack GP without spending real-world cash. Let’s dive into the top ways to earn gold in Gielinor’s free-to-play world!
In F2P, you face limitations like restricted areas, fewer skills, and no access to high-tier member content. However, with the right methods, you can still amass millions of GP to buy gear, supplies, or even a bond for membership (currently around 6M GP). These methods prioritize low requirements, minimal starting capital, and steady profits, making them ideal for beginners and veterans alike.
Skilling-Based Money Making Methods
Skilling is a reliable way to earn GP in F2P, leveraging core skills like Mining, Woodcutting, and Fishing. These methods are low-risk and often AFK-friendly, perfect for players who want steady income without intense focus.
Mining Runite Ore
Mining runite ore is one of the most lucrative F2P methods, offering up to 700K GP per hour. Runite rocks are found in the Wilderness’s Lava Maze, requiring level 85 Mining. The catch? It’s a PvP zone, so you’ll need to stay alert for player killers (PKers). World-hopping maximizes efficiency, but always bank frequently to avoid losing your haul.
- Requirements: 85 Mining, pickaxe
- Recommended: High Agility for faster escapes, lightweight gear
- Profit: ~500K–700K GP/hour
Chopping Yew Logs
Woodcutting yew logs is a classic, AFK-friendly method yielding around 100K–150K GP per hour. Yew trees are scattered across F2P areas like south of Falador or near the Grand Exchange. At level 60 Woodcutting, you can chop efficiently, banking logs to sell on the Grand Exchange.
- Requirements: 60 Woodcutting, axe
- Recommended: Rune axe, bank access (e.g., Edgeville)
- Profit: ~100K–150K GP/hour
Fishing Lobsters
Fishing lobsters on Karamja is a relaxed way to earn ~80K–120K GP per hour. You’ll need level 40 Fishing and a lobster pot. Fish at Musa Point, cook your catch (if you have 40 Cooking to avoid burning), and sell raw or cooked lobsters on the GE. Cooking increases profits slightly but takes more effort.
- Requirements: 40 Fishing, lobster pot
- Recommended: 40 Cooking, coins for ship fare
- Profit: ~80K–120K GP/hour
Combat-Based Money Making Methods
Combat offers exciting, high-reward opportunities in F2P, though it often requires decent stats and gear. These methods suit players comfortable fighting NPCs for loot to sell.
Killing Hill Giants
Hill Giants in the Edgeville Dungeon are a beginner-friendly option, dropping big bones and limpwurt roots for ~100K–150K GP per hour. You’ll need moderate combat stats (30–50 recommended) and food to sustain trips. Safe-spotting with Ranged or Magic boosts efficiency.
- Requirements: 20–30 Combat, basic gear
- Recommended: Brass key, food (e.g., trout)
- Profit: ~100K–150K GP/hour
Collecting Wine of Zamorak
Telegrabbing Wine of Zamorak at the Chaos Temple (Wilderness) can net ~200K–250K GP per hour. Each wine sells for ~2K GP, and with level 33 Magic, you can grab them without fighting monks. Beware of PKers—use low-value gear and bank often.
- Requirements: 33 Magic, law runes, air runes
- Recommended: Staff of air, telegrab runes
- Profit: ~200K–250K GP/hour
Grand Exchange Flipping and Trading
The Grand Exchange (GE) is a goldmine for F2P players with some starting capital. Flipping involves buying low and selling high, exploiting price margins for profit.
Flipping High-Demand Items
Flipping items like runes, ores, or food can yield 50K–200K GP per hour, depending on your capital and market knowledge. Start with low-cost, high-volume items (e.g., feathers, iron ore) to learn the ropes. Use RuneLite’s GE Tracker plugin to spot trends.
- Requirements: 100K+ GP starting capital, GE access
- Recommended: RuneLite, patience to monitor prices
- Profit: ~50K–200K GP/hour
High Alchemy for Profit
High-alching profitable items like rune items or maple longbows can earn ~400K–500K GP per hour. You’ll need level 55 Magic and nature runes. Buy items with a high alchemy value close to their GE price (e.g., rune med helm) and alch for profit.
- Requirements: 55 Magic, nature runes, fire runes
- Recommended: Staff of fire, 500K+ GP capital
- Profit: ~400K–500K GP/hour
Processing and Crafting Methods
Processing items—like tanning hides or crafting jewelry—turns raw materials into valuable products. These methods balance profit with skill XP, ideal for multitaskers.
Tanning Cowhides
Tanning cowhides in Al Kharid is a beginner-friendly method, earning ~100K–150K GP per hour. Collect cowhides in Lumbridge, tan them into soft or hard leather, and sell on the GE. Completing Prince Ali Rescue removes the gate toll, boosting efficiency.
- Requirements: 10 GP per hide, coins for tanning
- Recommended: 7 Quest Points, energy potions
- Profit: ~100K–150K GP/hour
Crafting Gold Amulets
Crafting gold amulets (unstrung) at Edgeville furnace yields ~80K–120K GP per hour plus Crafting XP. With level 8 Crafting, buy gold bars, craft amulets, and sell them. The Edgeville furnace’s proximity to a bank makes this efficient.
- Requirements: 8 Crafting, amulet mould
- Recommended: 100K GP capital, bank nearby
- Profit: ~80K–120K GP/hour
Comparing the Best F2P Money Making Methods
Choosing the right method depends on your skills, playstyle, and starting GP. Below is a table summarizing the top methods for quick reference:
Method | Skill Requirements | Profit/Hour | Risk Level | AFK-Friendly? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mining Runite Ore | 85 Mining | 500K–700K GP | High (Wilderness) | No |
Chopping Yew Logs | 60 Woodcutting | 100K–150K GP | Low | Yes |
Fishing Lobsters | 40 Fishing | 80K–120K GP | Low | Yes |
Killing Hill Giants | 20–30 Combat | 100K–150K GP | Medium | Yes (with safe-spot) |
High Alchemy | 55 Magic | 400K–500K GP | Low | Yes |
Note: Profits vary based on GE prices, so always check current margins before investing heavily.
Tips for Maximizing F2P Profits
- Use RuneLite: Plugins like GE Tracker and Price Checker help monitor profits and margins.
- Start Small: Test methods with low investment to avoid losses from market fluctuations.
- Avoid Overcrowded Worlds: Fish or chop in quieter worlds to maximize resource gathering.
- Bank Efficiently: Use banks close to activity areas (e.g., Edgeville for crafting, Falador for mining).
- Stay Safe in Wilderness: Carry minimal valuables and use teleports to escape PKers.
Scaling Up to a Bond
A bond costs ~6M GP in 2025, achievable in 12–60 hours depending on the method. High-alching or runite mining can get you there fastest, while AFK methods like fishing lobsters take longer but require less focus. Combine methods—chop yews while alching, or flip items between skilling sessions—to diversify income and hit your goal sooner.
With these F2P money-making methods, you’re equipped to build wealth in OSRS without membership. Whether you prefer skilling, combat, or trading, there’s a strategy for every playstyle. Start small, stay consistent, and you’ll be flaunting a fat stack of GP in no time. Happy gold grinding, adventurers!