Is Fishing or Woodcutting Better Money

Fishing and woodcutting are two of the most popular money-making skills in OSRS, but which one actually puts more gold in your bank? Fishing generally offers higher profit per hour, especially with methods like swordfish and tuna fishing. Woodcutting is easier to train and requires less equipment, but it typically earns less money. Read on to find out which skill wins the fishing or woodcutting better money debate.

Key Takeaways

• Fishing usually wins: Fishing tends to generate more gold per hour than woodcutting, especially at higher levels.
• Woodcutting is cheaper to start: You need almost no investment to begin woodcutting, making it accessible to all players.
• Both skills scale well: Your earnings in both fishing and woodcutting increase significantly as you level up and unlock better methods.
• Fishing offers diverse methods: From fly fishing to deep-sea fishing, there are many ways to earn money fishing.
• Woodcutting has a niche advantage: Certain trees like yew and magic trees can be quite profitable for dedicated woodcutters.
• Consider your playstyle: If you prefer active gameplay, fishing might suit you better than the more passive woodcutting.

Is Fishing or Woodcutting Better Money?

When you are trying to make money in OSRS, two skills come up again and again: fishing and woodcutting. Both are great for earning gold, but they work very differently. One gives you better profits per hour, while the other is easier to start with. So which one should you focus on?

The answer depends on your level, your goals, and how much time you want to spend. Fishing or woodcutting better money is a question every new player asks. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know. We compare profit rates, XP gains, equipment costs, and ease of training. By the end, you will know exactly which skill fits your playstyle.

Fishing has always been one of the top money-making skills in Old School RuneScape. Players can catch everything from shrimp to swordfish, and each method scales with your level. Woodcutting, on the other hand, lets you chop trees and sell the logs for a steady income. Both skills are profitable, but fishing generally comes out ahead when it comes to raw gold per hour.

Why This Comparison Matters

Choosing the right skill to train can save you hours of grinding. If you pick the wrong one, you might waste time on a method that earns less than another option. Whether you are a free-to-play player or a member, understanding the difference between fishing and woodcutting helps you make smarter decisions. You will spend less time grinding and more time enjoying the game.

We have also seen many players ask about related topics like is it better to fish with or without a bobber or is fishing better at night or day. These are important considerations too. But today, our focus is purely on the money side of things. Let us dive into the numbers.

Fishing as a Money-Making Skill

Fishing is one of the most versatile skills in OSRS. You can fish for food, for profit, or to train other skills like cooking. The money you can make fishing depends heavily on what you catch and where you fish. At lower levels, shrimp and sardine fishing are great ways to start earning some easy coins.

As you level up, you unlock better fishing spots that pay much more. Tuna and swordfish are popular mid-level money makers. And if you are a member, you can try deep-sea fishing or catch high-value fish like monkfish and shark. Each method has its own profit rate and XP potential.

Best Fishing Methods for Profit

Here are some of the best fishing methods for making money in OSRS:

• Shrimp and Sardine: Great for free-to-play beginners. Low profit but very easy and fast.
• Tuna and Swordfish: Excellent mid-level money makers. Swordfish especially sells well on the Grand Exchange.
• Lobster and Swordfish: A solid combo for players who want steady profits with minimal effort.
• Monkfish: One of the best profit-per-hour methods for mid-to-high level players.
• Shark and Manta Ray: High-level fishing that brings in serious gold per hour.

If you want to learn more about the best fishing setups, check out our article on Are Swordfish Or Bass Better For Fishing Osrs for detailed tips on maximizing your catches.

Pros and Cons of Fishing for Money

Fishing has clear advantages when it comes to making money. But it also has some downsides you should know about.

Pros:

• High profit per hour at mid and high levels
• Many different methods to choose from
• Easy to start with minimal investment
• Fishing equipment is cheap or free
• Can pair fishing with cooking for extra profit

Cons:

• Can be repetitive at lower levels
• Requires access to specific fishing spots
• Profit drops at very low levels
• Some methods require members-only access

Woodcutting as a Money-Making Skill

Woodcutting is one of the most accessible skills in OSRS. You do not need any special equipment to start, just a hatchet and a tree. This makes woodcutting a great choice for brand-new players who want to earn some quick coins without spending much time or money.

The logs you chop can be sold directly on the Grand Exchange or used for firemaking training. Certain types of logs are more valuable than others. Oak logs are a common starting point, but yew logs and magic logs pay much better. Some players also burn the logs they chop for extra profit, though this uses up inventory space.

Best Woodcutting Methods for Profit

Here are the best woodcutting methods for earning money:

• Regular Trees: The easiest method. Good for beginners but low profit per hour.
• Oak Trees: Unlocked at level 15. Better profit than regular trees.
• Willow Trees: A popular choice for players looking for steady income at lower levels.
• Yew Trees: High-value logs that sell well. Requires level 60 woodcutting.
• Magic Trees: The most profitable woodcutting method. Requires level 75 and a lot of patience.

Woodcutting is also a great skill to pair with other activities. For example, you can chop wood while training firemaking or while waiting for other skills to train. This makes woodcutting a very flexible money-making option.

Pros and Cons of Woodcutting for Money

Pros:

• Very easy to start with no investment
• Can be done passively while doing other things
• High-level woodcutting (yew and magic) is quite profitable
• Logs are always in demand on the Grand Exchange
• Great for training firemaking alongside

Cons:

• Lower profit per hour compared to fishing at most levels
• High-level trees take a long time to respawn
• Requires high woodcutting level for best profits
• More competition at popular woodcutting spots

Profit Comparison: Fishing vs Woodcutting

Let us look at the numbers. When we compare the gold per hour for both skills, fishing generally comes out on top. At level 60 fishing, you can catch swordfish and tuna for solid profits. At the same time, a level 60 woodcutter might be chopping willow trees, which earn less per hour.

However, at very high levels, magic trees can be quite competitive with fishing methods. A player with 99 woodcutting can make good money from magic trees. But the time and effort required to get there are significant.

Here is a simple comparison of the two skills:

• Fishing at level 40-60: Tuna and swordfish can earn around 100,000 to 200,000 gold per hour.
• Woodcutting at level 40-60: Willow trees earn around 40,000 to 80,000 gold per hour.
• Fishing at level 60-80: Monkfish and shark can earn 200,000 to 400,000 gold per hour.
• Woodcutting at level 60-80: Yew trees earn around 80,000 to 150,000 gold per hour.
• Fishing at level 80+: Shark and manta ray can exceed 500,000 gold per hour.
• Woodcutting at level 80+: Magic trees earn around 150,000 to 300,000 gold per hour.

As you can see, fishing wins the fishing or woodcutting better money comparison at almost every level range. The gap gets even wider at higher levels. Fishing simply offers better profit per hour for the time you invest.

Which Skill Is Easier to Train?

Ease of training is another important factor. Woodcutting is arguably the easier skill to start. You just need a hatchet and a tree. You can chop wood almost anywhere in Gielinor. There is no need to find a specific spot or bring special gear.

Fishing is also easy to start, but it requires you to be near a fishing spot. You also need the right bait or equipment for certain methods. For example, fly fishing requires a fly fishing rod and feathers. Net fishing requires a small net or big net.

That said, both skills are relatively simple to train. Neither one requires complex mechanics or a lot of setup. If you want the easiest start, woodcutting has a slight edge because you can chop trees almost everywhere. But if you want the best results, fishing is the way to go.

Equipment and Investment Needed

Woodcutting requires very little investment. A bronze hatchet costs almost nothing, and you can use it to chop all the way up to yew trees. The only recurring cost is the hatchet itself, which lasts a very long time.

Fishing also has low startup costs. A fishing rod and some bait are all you need to start. But as you progress to higher-level fishing methods, you may need to invest in things like harpoons or fishing cages. These costs are still relatively low compared to other skills.

Overall, both skills are very affordable to train. You do not need to spend a lot of gold to start making money with either one.

Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Earnings

Whether you choose fishing or woodcutting, there are ways to boost your profits. Here are some expert tips to help you earn more gold:

• Use the right equipment: Always use the best hatchet or fishing gear you can access. Better tools mean faster training and more profit.
• Train at peak times: Some fishing spots and woodcutting areas are less crowded at certain times. Try fishing at night or during off-peak hours for a quieter experience.
• Stack your activities: Pair fishing with cooking or woodcutting with firemaking to get double the value from your time.
• Check the Grand Exchange: Prices change constantly. Sell your logs or fish when prices are high for maximum profit.
• Use presets: Set up your inventory with the right tools so you can switch between activities quickly.
• Stay consistent: The best money-making method is the one you will actually do consistently. Pick the skill you enjoy most.

These tips apply to both fishing and woodcutting. The key is to find a method that fits your level and playstyle. Once you find your groove, you will be making gold in no time.

Which Should You Choose?

So, which skill should you focus on for making money? If you want the best profit per hour, fishing is the clear winner. It scales better, offers more variety, and pays more at every level range. If you are a free-to-play player, fishing is especially valuable because there are so many free fishing spots to use.

But woodcutting still has its place. If you want a low-effort skill that you can do while watching a movie or chatting with friends, woodcutting is a great choice. It is also a good option if you are already training firemaking and want to save money on logs.

Many experienced players recommend doing both. You can fish during your focused grinding sessions and chop wood in the background while doing other things. This gives you the best of both worlds. You earn gold from fishing and have a steady supply of logs for firemaking or selling.

In the end, the answer to is fishing or woodcutting better money is clear: fishing wins on profit. But woodcutting wins on convenience. Choose based on what matters most to you.

Conclusion

The debate between fishing and woodcutting comes down to profit versus convenience. Fishing offers higher gold per hour, more variety, and better scaling as you level up. Woodcutting is easier to start and more passive, making it a great choice for casual players.

If your main goal is to make money fast, fishing is the better choice. Focus on swordfish, tuna, monkfish, or shark depending on your level. If you want a relaxed skill to train alongside other activities, woodcutting is a solid option.

Both skills are valuable in OSRS, and many players benefit from training both. The best approach is to find what works for you and stick with it. Whether you are casting a line or swinging an axe, you are earning gold and getting closer to your goals.

Remember, the best money-making method is the one you enjoy. Pick the skill that fits your playstyle, invest some time, and watch your bank grow. Happy grinding, and may your profits be ever in your favor!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fishing or woodcutting better for making money in OSRS?

Fishing is generally better for making money because it offers higher profit per hour at almost every level range. Woodcutting is easier to start but earns less gold overall. If your main goal is profit, fishing is the clear winner.

Can you make good money woodcutting in OSRS?

Yes, you can make good money woodcutting, especially at high levels. Yew trees and magic trees are quite profitable. However, the profit per hour is still lower than most fishing methods. Woodcutting is better suited for players who want a passive skill to train alongside other activities.

What is the best fishing method for making money?

The best fishing method depends on your level. At low levels, shrimp and sardine fishing are great starters. At mid levels, tuna and swordfish are excellent. At high levels, monkfish, shark, and manta ray offer the best profits. Each method scales well and provides steady income.

Do you need members access to make money fishing?

Many of the best fishing methods are members-only, like monkfish and deep-sea fishing. Free-to-play players can still make good money fishing, especially with tuna and swordfish. But members have access to more profitable fishing spots and methods.

Is woodcutting worth training for money?

Woodcutting is worth training if you enjoy it or want a passive income source. It is especially useful if you are also training firemaking, since you have a ready supply of logs. For pure profit, fishing is a better choice, but woodcutting has its own advantages.

How long does it take to reach high profit in fishing or woodcutting?

Reaching high profit in fishing usually takes less time because the methods scale better. You can start earning good money fishing at around level 40 to 60. Woodcutting takes longer to reach high profits because you need level 60 for yew trees and level 75 for magic trees. Patience and consistency are key in both skills.