Cuddlist

What: Cuddlist connects lonely people in need of a hug with professional cuddlers, but cuddlers need expensive training to sign up

Expected pay: NA

Husl$core: $

Commissions and fees: $149 for online training, plus $40 per month

Where: Nationwide

Requirements: 18 or older, training

Review:

Cuddling lonely people is apparently a thing, with professional cuddlers boasting hourly rates ranging from $80 to $160. And few sites promote the concept with more verve (or nerve, depending on your perspective) as Cuddlist. The company’s video-filled website promotes the concept as a valuable therapy for a multitude of ills. It  even sells t-shirts and tote bags that tout the “theraputic approach to touch.”

However, if you’re looking for a job as a professional cuddler, Cuddlist isn’t a great choice. The reason is simple. Cuddlist is going to extract a bunch of fees out of its “therapists,” starting with the mandatory online training ($149) plus a $40 monthly membership. Cuddlers are expected to attend occasional “cuddle party workshops,” that also cost money, and the site will encourage you to “get certified,” at an additional cost of $250.

Roughly $200 in fees are charged before you can even register for work; and there is no guarantee that you’ll get work even if you take more training sessions. And, for this, you get a job that puts you in an intimate situation alone with a stranger. It’s not supposed to be about sex. But take precautions. The high fees, levied before you get work, earned Cuddlist SideHusl’s lowest rating.

If you want to try this type of work, we recommend Cuddle Comfort and RentAFriend. Cuddle Comfort only charges cuddler’s a percentage of the fee they receive; RentAFriend charges clients, not workers.