Every idea links to its source

Side hustle ideas from people who actually run them

Real side businesses, described by their owners. Filter by cost, time and how they earn.

Browse by category

Digital products67
Files sold online: templates, printables, ebooks, stock photos, fonts, presets, plugins, recorded courses
Software and apps205
A web app, SaaS, mobile app, browser extension, bot or API that people pay for or that earns from ads
Content and media105
A blog, niche website, newsletter, YouTube channel, podcast or social account that earns from ads, affiliate links or sponsors
Physical products105
Making, printing or reselling physical goods, online or in person
Services and freelancing103
Doing work for clients for a fee: freelance, consulting, done-for-you services, repairs, local services
Rentals and assets36
Earning from something you own: renting property, rooms, equipment, vehicles, parking, vending machines, domains
Directories and marketplaces11
A job board, listings site, directory or marketplace that connects buyers and sellers
Teaching and coaching19
Live tutoring, lessons, workshops, coaching or cohort classes

3 ideas

Content and media
Niche newsletter funded by sponsors
A free newsletter grows an audience and sells sponsor placements to advertisers. Subscriber growth is helped by paid ads and referral tools.
Online
The Koerner Office, 2025
Services and freelancing
Fund open source work via sponsors and consulting
Gets income to support open source maintenance from Patreon, private consulting and a company sponsorship.
Under $100Online
Hacker News, 2024
Content and media
Long-form article and podcast site without ads
A site publishing original long-form non-fiction in article and podcast form, funded by donations, a published book and content licensing instead of advertising.
Online
Hacker News, 2019