Best Online Businesses You Can Start for Under $500
You don't need investors or savings to build a real online business. Every opportunity below can be launched for less than $500 — many for under $100 — and has a clear path to profit.
Recommended opportunities
Hand-picked for this guide. Tap any opportunity to see full details, startup cost, and income potential.
Affiliate Marketing
Promote products you love and earn commissions for every sale.
- Startup
- $0–$300
- Income
- $500 - $50,000+/mo
AI Services
Offer AI-powered services businesses need and get paid well.
- Startup
- $0–$500
- Income
- $3,000 - $30,000/mo
Digital Products
Sell templates, courses, and ebooks with near-100% margins.
- Startup
- $0–$500
- Income
- $500 - $50,000/mo
Newsletters
Build a paid or sponsored newsletter audience.
- Startup
- $0–$100
- Income
- $500 - $50,000/mo
Coaching & Consulting
Sell your expertise 1:1 or in group programs at premium rates.
- Startup
- $0–$200
- Income
- $2,000 - $30,000/mo
Print on Demand
Sell custom-designed merch with no inventory risk.
- Startup
- $0–$300
- Income
- $200 - $10,000/mo
Freelancing
Sell a skill (design, dev, copy) hourly or per-project.
- Startup
- $0–$100
- Income
- $1,000 - $20,000/mo
Paid Communities
Run a paid membership around a niche interest or skill.
- Startup
- $0–$200
- Income
- $1,000 - $100,000/mo
Not sure which is right for you?
Answer 6 quick questions and get a personalized match score for every opportunity — based on your goals, budget, and time.
Take the free quizFrequently asked questions
What online business can I start for under $500?+
Freelancing, affiliate marketing, digital products, print on demand, newsletters, content creation, AI services, and coaching can all be launched for well under $500.
Can I really start a profitable business for so little?+
Yes. The internet has dramatically lowered startup costs. Most six-figure online businesses started with under $500 in tools and hosting.
What's the cheapest online business to start?+
Freelancing, newsletters, and content creation can all be started for $0 if you already have a laptop and internet connection.
Where should I spend my budget first?+
Prioritize a domain, basic hosting or platform fees, and one paid tool that compounds (email service, design tool, or hosting). Skip courses until you have revenue.