Top 10 Side Hustles You Can Start as a Developer in 2025
Let's be real about something: your day job might pay the bills, but it probably doesn't pay for your dreams.
Maybe you want to travel more, pay off student loans faster, or just have some financial breathing room. Or maybe you're looking at senior developers earning six figures and wondering how to bridge that gap between where you are and where you want to be.
Here's what we've learned from watching hundreds of developers at Blip School: the ones who thrive aren't just good at coding – they're good at turning their skills into multiple income streams.
The beautiful thing about being a developer in 2025? You have more opportunities to monetize your skills than any generation before you. You just need to know where to look and how to start.
Why Side Hustles Aren't Just About Extra Money
Before we dive into the opportunities, let's talk about why every developer should consider a side hustle – and it's not just about the cash (though that's nice too).
Here's what side hustles actually do for your career:
1. They Make You a Better Developer
When you're building projects for real clients with real deadlines and real consequences, you learn things that no tutorial can teach you. You get better at estimating timelines, handling scope creep, and building things that actually work in the real world.
2. They Expand Your Professional Network
Every client, every project, every collaboration is a potential connection. Some of our students have landed full-time jobs through clients they met via side projects.
3. They Let You Experiment Risk-Free
Want to try machine learning but your day job is all frontend? Side hustles let you explore new technologies and niches without betting your career on them.
4. They Build Your Portfolio (and Your Confidence)
Nothing beats real client work for your portfolio. And nothing builds confidence like successfully delivering projects and getting paid for them.
Plus, let's be honest: Having multiple income streams just feels good. It's financial security and professional freedom rolled into one.
The Top 10 Side Hustles That Actually Work
We've tracked which side hustles our students have the most success with. Here are the ones that consistently deliver results:
1. Freelance Web Development (The Classic for a Reason)
What it is: Building websites, landing pages, or web apps for businesses and individuals.
Why it works: Every business needs a website, and most small businesses can't afford big agencies. You can start with simple projects and work your way up to complex applications.
Real example: James from our community started by building $200 landing pages for local businesses. Two years later, he's booking $5,000 e-commerce projects and has a waiting list of clients.
Getting started: Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal. Start with smaller projects to build reviews, then gradually increase your rates. Focus on a specific niche (restaurants, fitness trainers, consultants) to stand out.
Pro tip: Don't compete on price – compete on understanding your client's business problems and solving them.
2. Building WordPress Themes & Plugins (Create Once, Sell Forever)
What it is: Developing custom WordPress themes or plugins that solve specific problems, then selling them on marketplaces like ThemeForest or your own site.
Why it works: WordPress powers 40% of the internet. There's always demand for well-designed themes and useful plugins. Plus, it's passive income – you build it once and earn money while you sleep.
Real example: Sarah built a simple booking plugin for service-based businesses. She now earns $2,000+ monthly from sales and updates.
Getting started: Identify common problems WordPress users face, build solutions, and list them on marketplaces. Focus on specific niches rather than trying to build generic solutions.
Pro tip: Great documentation and customer support can set you apart from competitors who just code and disappear.
3. Remote Tech Support & Maintenance (Steady, Recurring Income)
What it is: Offering ongoing technical support, website maintenance, or debugging services to small businesses or individuals.
Why it works: Many businesses need ongoing tech help but can't justify hiring a full-time developer. You can build relationships with clients who pay you monthly for peace of mind.
Real example: David offers website maintenance packages for $100-300/month to local businesses. He now has 15 recurring clients and predictable monthly income.
Getting started: Reach out to local businesses with websites, offer to audit their sites for free, then propose maintenance packages to fix issues and keep things running smoothly.
Pro tip: Package your services into clear monthly plans rather than charging by the hour. Clients prefer predictable costs.
4. Teaching & Course Creation (Share Your Knowledge, Earn Passive Income)
What it is: Creating coding tutorials, courses, or educational content on platforms like Udemy, YouTube, or your own site.
Why it works: There's always demand for quality programming education. Once you create a course, it can generate income for years with minimal ongoing work.
Real example: Michael documented his journey learning React and turned it into a YouTube channel. He now earns $1,500/month from ad revenue and course sales.
Getting started: Start with free content on YouTube or a blog to build an audience, then create paid courses on topics you know well. Focus on practical, project-based learning.
Pro tip: Teach what you're currently learning, not just what you already know. Your learning journey is valuable to people a few steps behind you.
5. SaaS Product Development (High Risk, High Reward)
What it is: Building software-as-a-service products that solve specific problems and charge users monthly or yearly subscriptions.
Why it works: Even small SaaS products can generate significant recurring revenue. You're building a business, not just earning project fees.
Real example: Lisa built a simple invoicing tool for freelancers. After two years of gradual growth, it generates $4,000/month in recurring revenue.
Getting started: Identify a specific problem you or your network faces, build a minimal viable product, and validate it with real users before investing too much time.
Pro tip: Start by solving your own problem – you'll understand the market better and be more motivated to push through the inevitable challenges.
6. Mobile App Development (Tap Into the App Economy)
What it is: Creating mobile apps for iOS and Android, either for clients or your own products.
Why it works: Mobile usage continues to grow, and businesses increasingly need mobile solutions. You can either build apps for clients or create your own and monetize through ads, subscriptions, or purchases.
Real example: Kevin built a simple habit-tracking app that now generates $800/month through premium subscriptions.
Getting started: Learn React Native or Flutter to build for both platforms simultaneously. Start with simple utility apps to learn the deployment process.
Pro tip: Focus on solving one specific problem really well rather than building a complex app that does everything.
7. Technical Writing (Get Paid to Explain Things)
What it is: Writing technical documentation, blog posts, tutorials, or guides for companies, publications, or your own blog.
Why it works: The tech industry desperately needs people who can explain complex concepts clearly. Many developers can code but struggle to communicate their knowledge effectively.
Real example: Grace started writing tutorials for her company blog, then began freelance writing for other tech companies. She now earns $50-100 per article.
Getting started: Start by writing about technologies you use daily. Pitch article ideas to tech publications or reach out to companies that need developer-focused content.
Pro tip: Good technical writing is about clarity, not showing off how much you know. Write for your past self who was learning this topic.
8. Open Source Contributions & Sponsorships (Build Reputation While Earning)
What it is: Contributing to open source projects and receiving sponsorships or donations through platforms like GitHub Sponsors or Patreon.
Why it works: Open source contributions build your reputation in the developer community and can lead to speaking opportunities, job offers, and direct financial support.
Real example: Ahmed maintains a popular JavaScript library and earns $500/month in sponsorships while building credibility in the community.
Getting started: Find projects you use regularly and start contributing bug fixes or small features. Be consistent and helpful to the community.
Pro tip: Focus on projects that align with your career goals – contributing to React will help you more than contributing to random projects if you want to be a frontend developer.
9. Browser Extensions (Small Solutions, Big Impact)
What it is: Creating Chrome, Firefox, or Safari extensions that solve specific problems or enhance user experience.
Why it works: Extensions can solve small but annoying problems that millions of people face daily. They're relatively simple to build but can generate substantial passive income.
Real example: Tom built a simple password generator extension that now has 50,000+ users and generates ad revenue.
Getting started: Identify small frustrations in your daily browsing experience and build solutions. Focus on single-purpose extensions that do one thing really well.
Pro tip: User experience is everything with extensions. A simple, well-designed extension will outperform a feature-heavy but confusing one.
10. Game Development (Code + Creativity = Fun + Profit)
What it is: Creating indie games for mobile, web, or desktop platforms using engines like Unity, Unreal, or web technologies.
Why it works: The indie game market is thriving, and you don't need a huge team to create successful games. Mobile games especially can generate revenue through ads or in-app purchases.
Real example: Carlos created a simple puzzle game during weekends that now generates $300/month through ads and has led to freelance game development opportunities.
Getting started: Start with simple game concepts using accessible tools like Unity or even web technologies. Focus on gameplay over graphics initially.
Pro tip: Game development is as much about marketing and user acquisition as it is about coding. Plan your marketing strategy from day one.
How to Choose Your First Side Hustle
Feeling overwhelmed by the options? That's normal. Here's how to pick the right starting point:
Consider Your Current Skills
If you're strong in frontend development, freelance web development or browser extensions might be natural fits. If you love explaining things, technical writing could be perfect.
Think About Your Goals
Want quick income? Start with freelancing. Want to build something long-term? Consider SaaS or course creation. Want to build your reputation? Try open source contributions.
Evaluate Your Available Time
Some side hustles (like freelancing) require consistent client communication. Others (like selling themes) can be done entirely on your schedule.
Start Small and Scale
Don't try to build the next Facebook as your first side hustle. Pick something you can accomplish in a few weekends, then iterate and improve.
The Real Secret to Side Hustle Success
After watching hundreds of developers start side hustles, we've noticed that success isn't usually about picking the "perfect" opportunity. It's about:
Consistency over intensity: Working on your side hustle regularly, even if it's just a few hours a week, beats sporadic all-nighters.
Quality over quantity: It's better to do one side hustle really well than to half-heartedly pursue five different ones.
Patience over perfection: Your first projects won't be masterpieces. Focus on shipping and improving rather than achieving perfection.
Learning over earning: The skills and connections you build often become more valuable than the immediate income.
Your Next Steps
Ready to start turning your coding skills into additional income? Here's your action plan:
This week: Choose one side hustle that aligns with your skills and interests. Don't overthink it – you can always pivot later.
This month: Complete your first small project or client engagement. Focus on learning the process, not maximizing profit.
Next three months: Refine your approach based on what you learned. Raise your rates, improve your processes, or expand your services.
Ongoing: Consistently dedicate time to your side hustle, track what works, and gradually scale your efforts.
At Blip School, we've designed our programs not just to teach you coding skills, but to help you understand how to monetize those skills effectively. Whether you're interested in web development, mobile apps, or emerging technologies, we provide the foundation you need to start earning while you're still learning.
Ready to turn your skills into income?
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Remember: Every successful developer started with their first side project. The difference between dreaming about extra income and actually earning it is taking that first step.
Your financial freedom is just one side hustle away.
Found this helpful? Share it with another developer who could use some extra income. And if you're ready to turn your coding skills into cash, we're here to help you make it happen.