Are you dreaming of starting your own online business, but don’t have the budget for large upfront costs? I’ve always wanted a side hustle, but I’ve always been hesitant of the cost that would be involved. In 2025, starting an online business is easier than ever, thanks to low-cost and no-cost options that require little more than your time, creativity, and dedication. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a student, or just someone looking for a side hustle, these seven business ideas are perfect for you to begin with zero investment.
I’m always interested in side hustles (and specifically ones that you can start for free or next to no capital). Let’s explore seven free online business ideas that can be launched with little to no capital—yet have the potential to grow into sustainable and profitable businesses. Keep reading to find your perfect business idea and take the first step toward financial freedom.
1. Pick Me AI Videos: The Future of Content Creation
AI technology is changing every single day, and now it’s easier than ever to create content with the help of AI. One popular way to leverage this technology is through Pick-Me AI videos. What exactly are pick-me AI videos? Think AI being able to create videos, especially short-form content, with minimal effort. I like to think of these videos as short quizzes, would you rather quizzes, information that hooks the user, keeps them guessing and most importantly gets people engaging with your content! Personally, I know I get sucked into quiz videos – who doesn’t want to find out the answer to a question…and before you know it you’ve watched the whole 30 second video.
Why it works: AI video creation tools like Pictory, Lumen5, and Synthesia can automate the video creation process. These tools can take articles, scripts, or blog posts and turn them into engaging videos in minutes, saving you hours of work.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a niche or trending topic.
- Use an AI video creation tool to turn your content into videos.
- Upload and monetize your videos on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or social media.
Grow your audience and use affiliate links, ads, or sponsorships to generate income.
If you’re looking to create content without needing a camera or complicated video editing skills, AI videos offer an excellent and efficient option to start your business.
2. Marketplace Arbitrage: Profit from Price Differences
One of the most accessible online business ideas is marketplace arbitrage. In simple terms, this involves buying products at a lower price from one platform and reselling them at a higher price on another platform. For example – I buy a certain brand of makeup sponges at $1 and sell them on Amazon for $3. This happens all the time when you are price comparing products online. But as a seller, if you can identify a low competition, high volume niche for a product you have just found a tidy little side hustle!
Why it works: With the rise of online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, there’s always an opportunity to find underpriced products and resell them for a profit.
How to Get Started:
- Search online marketplaces for discounted or clearance items.
- List those items for resale on platforms with higher demand, like eBay or Amazon.
- Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace to buy local goods and sell them for a profit online.
- Track your profits and continuously optimize your product selection.
Market arbitrage can be a lucrative side hustle or full-time business, and it’s a great way to get started without any upfront investment.
3. Print on Demand: No Inventory, No Hassle
Print on Demand (POD) is a popular business model that allows you to sell custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without the need for inventory. The beauty of POD is that you design the product, and a third-party supplier handles everything else—production, shipping, and customer service. If you love to design images, or always find yourself thinking that you would love a certain shirt or image ‘if it just looked like this”, then print on demand may just be the perfect side hustle for you!
Why it works: You don’t need to invest in any inventory upfront, and you only pay for products as customers purchase them.
How to Get Started:
- Create custom designs for products using free tools like Canva.
- Set up an online store using platforms like Printful or Redbubble.
- Promote your store through social media, Pinterest, or other digital channels.
- Profit from each sale while the POD platform handles everything behind the scenes.
With low overhead costs and no inventory required, POD is an ideal business model for creatives and those looking to break into e-commerce.
4. Tutorial Affiliate Marketing: Earn While You Teach
I know, I know affiliate marketing, but hear me out. I know affiliate marketing can have a bad rap … .but we aren’t just going to pinterest and posting affiliate links, expecting to make thousands of dollars a month. Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to earn passive income online. By creating tutorials or how-to content, you can promote products or services and earn commissions when viewers make a purchase through your affiliate links.
Why it works: Many people are looking for step-by-step guidance, and your tutorials can help them make purchasing decisions while earning you commissions for recommending products or services.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a niche you’re passionate about (e.g., tech gadgets, fitness, software tools).
- Create educational content such as blog posts, YouTube videos, or social media tutorials.
- Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ClickBank, or ShareASale.
- Share affiliate links in your content and earn commissions.
If you have knowledge to share and enjoy teaching others, tutorial affiliate marketing can be both rewarding and profitable.
5. Pinterest Blogging: Use Visual Search to Drive Traffic
Pinterest isn’t just a platform for inspiration—it’s a powerful tool for driving traffic to your blog or website. Most people just assume pinterest is a place you go for recipes, crafts and maybe some outfit inspiration, but there is so much more! With Pinterest blogging, you can create visually engaging pins that link back to your blog posts or products, generating traffic and potential sales.
Why it works: Pinterest is a search engine, and people actively use it to find new ideas, blogs, and products. By creating eye-catching pins, you can tap into this search traffic and grow your audience. That’s probably how you found this article!
How to Get Started:
- Start a blog or website on a niche you love.
- Create beautiful, clickable pins using tools like Canva.
- Pin them to Pinterest and link them back to your blog posts.
- Monetize your blog with affiliate marketing, ads, or selling products.
With minimal investment (just time and creativity), Pinterest blogging can drive significant traffic to your website and set you on the path to earning passive income.
6. Digital Printables: Sell What You Create
Digital printables (Digital Products) like planners, checklists, art prints, and templates, are in high demand. These products are easy to create and can be sold on platforms like Etsy or your own website
Why it works: Once created, digital printables can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs. The beauty of this business model is the ability to scale and sell thousands of products without worrying about inventory or shipping.
How to Get Started:
- Use free design tools like Canva to create digital products.
- Set up an online store on Etsy or Shopify.
- Market your digital products on social media and Pinterest.
- Profit from every sale without the hassle of shipping.
With digital printables, your creative skills can translate into a profitable business, offering high potential for passive income.
7. Montage Videos: Curate and Monetize Engaging Content
Montage videos are short, engaging videos compiled from clips of different sources, often used for trending topics, events, or specific niches. These videos can be uploaded to YouTube, TikTok, or Vimeo, and monetized through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links. Think sports highlights, fashion inspiration reels, funny animal compilations you name it the ideas are endless.
Why it works: Editing and curating montage videos allows you to create content quickly, without needing to film original footage yourself. Plus, platforms like YouTube offer monetization opportunities.
How to Get Started:
- Find trending content or themes for montage videos.
- Edit and compile clips using free video editing software like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut.
- Upload your videos to platforms like YouTube.
- Monetize through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsorships.
