All Side Hustle Ideas
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.

Ideas
651
ideas
Publications
14
publications and shows
Categories
8
categories

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

Matching ideas

About the data

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

14 ideas

  • 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
  • Directories and marketplaces
    Template marketplace for modern web frameworks
    Runs a directory of website templates for static site generators and frameworks, earning affiliate sales and now sponsorships.
    Online
    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
  • Content and media
    Tech blog with ads and Patreon
    A blog that earns from ads and Patreon support, covering hosting costs and a bit more.
    Online
    Hacker News, 2022
  • 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
  • Physical products
    Staff paper notebooks for musicians
    Designs and sells music notebooks with generated staff lines, using scripts to produce the print-ready PDF. Sold online and the owner is working on getting stores to carry them.
    Hacker News, 2019
  • Software and apps
    Small iOS apps sold on the App Store
    Publishes a few small utility apps on the App Store and keeps improving them. Income comes from app sales.
    $100 to $1kOnline
    Hacker News, 2018
  • 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
    Free online tools for converting delimited data
    Built a set of web tools for converting between data formats like CSV. Income comes mostly from Google ads plus an occasional affiliate link.
    A few hours a weekOnline
    Hacker News, 2016
  • Software and apps
    Niche iOS apps for hobby communities
    Builds iPhone apps for groups like skydivers and beer fans, earning from sales and Apple affiliate links.
    Online
    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
    Trading simulator app for iOS
    Built and sells an iOS app that simulates trading.
    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