All Side Hustle Ideas

Software and apps side hustle ideas

A web app, SaaS, mobile app, browser extension, bot or API that people pay for or that earns from ads.

Startup cost
Under $100$100 to $1k$1k to $10kOver $10k
Time
Hands-offA few hours a weekPart-timeNear full-time
Where
OnlineIn personOnline and in person
Earns from
AdsAffiliateSubscriptionsOne-time salesService feesRentMarketplace cutSponsors and donations
Coding
No coding neededNeeds coding

29 ideas

  • Software and apps
    Gym fitness app built by a first-time coder
    An iOS fitness app built to solve the founder's own problem at the gym. The founder had never shipped code before and grew it with content and a personal brand.
    $100 to $1kOnline
    Starter Story, 2026
  • Software and apps
    Searchable database product sites
    The operator runs a few near-identical sites that each sell access to a niche database, such as investors, angels or journalists. The revenue model is not stated in the source and is likely paid access.
    Online
    Starter Story, 2026
  • Software and apps
    Data analysis software for agencies and online stores
    A micro-SaaS that replaces messy spreadsheets for agencies and e-commerce brands trying to make sense of their data. The founder spotted the problem while consulting for these businesses and built the app with Claude.
    Online
    Starter Story, 2026
  • Software and apps
    Directory tool with a lead generation focus
    After leaving an agency, the operator built a directory-related software tool that earns recurring revenue and is adding a lead-gen angle.
    Online
    Niche Pursuits Podcast, 2026
  • Software and apps
    GraphQL middleware for Airtable and Sheets
    Sells middleware that lets developers access Airtable and Google Sheets data through GraphQL.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2024
  • Software and apps
    Checklist web app for repeated routines
    A checklist app built for the owner's own routines that now earns recurring income.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2024
  • Software and apps
    Cloud true random number generator
    A random number service sold through a website and a cloud marketplace listing, left running with little attention.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2024
  • Software and apps
    PDF bank statement to CSV converter
    Runs a subscription tool that converts PDF bank statements into CSV, used mostly by individuals, bookkeepers and small business owners.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2024
  • Software and apps
    PDF bank statement data extraction web app
    A web app that pulls transaction data out of PDF bank statements, built after the owner needed it for personal spending analysis.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2022
  • Software and apps
    Privacy-friendly website analytics tool
    Built an embeddable analytics product that avoids cookies, sold as hosted subscriptions and to customers on invoice.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2022
  • Software and apps
    SaaS wrapper around open-source email checker
    Created an open-source email verification tool, then built a paid hosted service on top of it.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2022
  • Software and apps
    Uptime monitoring service for APIs and websites
    Built a monitoring tool that began with GraphQL services and expanded to all APIs and web apps, running it with a couple of hours of work each workday.
    Part-timeOnline
    Hacker News, 2022
  • Software and apps
    Weekly email of saved Twitter bookmarks
    Built a small tool that emails a weekly digest of newly saved Twitter bookmarks, with paid subscribers.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2022
  • Software and apps
    Video recordings for pull request reviews
    A tool for recording video explanations on pull requests, to reduce misunderstandings during code review.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2021
  • Software and apps
    Data map charts via subscriptions and licenses
    A charting product for data maps, earning from subscriptions and from licensing its chart library.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2019
  • Software and apps
    Configurable announcement banner service for websites
    Runs a subscription service that lets sites display announcement banners.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2019
  • Software and apps
    Web service that texts kids to call parents
    Sells a web service that randomly sends text reminders for kids to call their parents or for adults to call theirs.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2019
  • Software and apps
    Elixir programming screencasts with paid subscription
    Produces long, project-based video lessons on the Elixir language, with free videos on YouTube and premium content for paying subscribers.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2018
  • Software and apps
    Custom CMS and CRM billed per user
    Built a simple CMS and CRM for a freelance client and set up automated billing per user. Income grows as the client's user base grows.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2016
  • Software and apps
    Domain name idea generator
    Built a tool that takes a keyword, translates it into many languages and shows available .com domains. It has earned some revenue from users.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2016
  • Software and apps
    Hosted instance of open source software for friends
    Lets a couple of people use a personal instance of an open source program they run, so they do not have to host it themselves, in exchange for a small monthly fee.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2016
  • Software and apps
    Subscription RSS reader on cloud hosting
    A paid RSS reader that is open source and runs on a managed cloud platform. Users pay a subscription handled through a payment processor, and it needs almost no ongoing effort.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2016
  • Software and apps
    Anonymous messaging web app
    A web app for sending and reading anonymous messages, with paid accounts adding extra features.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2014
  • Software and apps
    Daily photo reminder app for iPhone
    Built an iPhone photo reminder app that Apple featured, earning without marketing spend.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2014
  • Software and apps
    PHP ad server software
    Built and maintains an ad server script with a hosted SaaS version, sold to site owners.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2014
  • Software and apps
    WCF testing software products
    Built developer tools for testing WCF services, since expanded to several products and recommended by developers on Q&A sites.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2014
  • Software and apps
    International proxy for viewing foreign ads
    A proxy service for advertisers who want to see international ads and geotargeted landing pages, sold at a flat monthly price after minimal promotion on forums.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2011
  • Software and apps
    Licensing system for Android app developers
    Built an anti-piracy licensing system for their own Android apps and then sold it to other developers as a subscription service.
    Hands-offOnline
    Hacker News, 2011
  • Software and apps
    Self-hosted social network software
    Sold software that lets people build their own social network, later releasing the code for free.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2011