Looking for the best passive income ideas under $100? You’re in the right place. This guide covers seven realistic, beginner-friendly passive income streams you can start with minimal cash — along with step-by-step action plans, platform recommendations, startup cost breakdowns, and tips to scale. If you want to learn how to start passive income with little money and build reliable side earnings, read on.
Why these are the best passive income ideas under $100
Not all “passive” income is equal. Some require a time investment up front and then deliver long-term returns; others are more automated but yield smaller payouts. The ideas below were chosen because they:
- Require $100 or less to begin (often much less)
- Can be started by beginners with limited technical skills
- Scale over time — you can reinvest earnings to grow income
- Rely on accessible platforms and marketplaces
How to start passive income with little money: quick framework
Before digging into specific ideas, use this short framework to increase your chances of success when you start a passive income project with under $100:
- Validate demand: search marketplaces and forums to confirm people want what you plan to sell.
- Start small: launch a minimum viable product (MVP) — a basic version you can improve.
- Automate & outsource: use platforms (Gumroad, Printful) and inexpensive freelancers to automate tasks.
- Track results: monitor sales, clicks, and conversion rates so you can optimize.
- Reinvest profits: put early earnings back into marketing, better assets, or scaling tools.
Top 7 passive income streams you can start with $100 or less
1. Create a digital product under $100 (ebooks, templates, printables)
Digital products are among the most scalable ways to earn passive income. Once you create the asset (an ebook, planner, Canva template, spreadsheet, or printable), you can sell it repeatedly with near-zero cost per sale.
Why it works
Low upfront cost, control over pricing, and distribution via marketplaces and platforms that handle payments and file delivery.
Estimated startup cost
- Design tools: free (Canva) or $12–$20/month (Pro) — you can often begin with free tools
- Hosting/marketplace fees: free to list on Gumroad (small fees per sale), Etsy (small listing fee), or Gumroad/Payhip
- Optional marketing: $0–$50 for social ads or Pinterest ads
How to create a digital product under $100 — step-by-step
- Pick a niche: test keywords on Etsy, Amazon, or Pinterest to see demand (e.g., budget spreadsheets, wedding templates).
- Build the MVP: use Canva, Google Docs, or Microsoft Office to create a polished file.
- Set up a seller account: Gumroad, Etsy, Payhip, or your own site (WordPress with a payment plugin).
- Optimize listing: write search-friendly titles and descriptions, include clear images and FAQs.
- Promote: post to a relevant Facebook group, Pinterest board, or promote with $20 of targeted ads.
- Iterate: update designs based on feedback and add bundles to increase average order value.
Platforms to consider
- Gumroad, Payhip (simple payout, low friction)
- Etsy (great for printables)
- Your own site + email list (best long-term control)
Realistic earnings & timeline
First sales often appear in weeks; consistent earnings depend on promotion. A single popular product can generate $50–$500+/month within 3–6 months if marketed well.
2. Start a print on demand side hustle with $100 (t-shirts, mugs, posters)
Print on demand (POD) lets you design products and list them on storefronts without holding inventory. Use the related keyword directly — you can start a print on demand side hustle with $100 by covering sample costs, design tools, and small ads.
Why POD is beginner-friendly
No inventory, minimal upfront cost, and many integrations with ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon.
Estimated startup cost
- Design tools: free (Canva) or $12/mo (optional)
- Mockup/sample: $20–$40 (highly recommended to order quality samples)
- Optional Shopify plan: $29/month (but you can start on Etsy or use free storefronts)
- Advertising: $20–$50 to test ad creatives
How to start a print on demand side hustle with $100 — step-by-step
- Choose a niche and product types (tees, mugs, phone cases). Research trending keywords on Etsy/Redbubble/Google Trends.
- Create unique designs — use Canva, Affinity, or hire a low-cost designer on Fiverr for under $50.
- Connect to a POD provider: Printful, Printify, Redbubble, Teespring.
- Set up listings on Etsy, your Shopify store, or marketplaces like Redbubble.
- Order samples and optimize listings with SEO-friendly titles and mockups.
- Promote with organic posts and a small ad test budget.
Pros, cons, and scaling tips
- Pros: Low risk, scalable designs, broad marketplace reach
- Cons: Competition, lower margins after production and fees
- Scale: create collections, run retargeting ads, use seasonal promos, expand to multiple POD providers
3. Affiliate marketing: monetize a blog, YouTube channel, or social media
Affiliate marketing pays commissions when people buy through your links. It’s one of the most common ways to learn how to start passive income with little money because you can begin with free platforms.
Why affiliate marketing works for beginners
You don’t need products or inventory — just content that attracts an audience. Over time, content ranks in search engines and continues to generate clicks and commissions.
Estimated startup cost
- Domain + basic hosting: $3–$10/month with promotional pricing (optional if using free platforms)
- Tools: Canva for images (free), basic SEO tools (free versions available)
- Optional ads: $20–$50 to jumpstart traffic
Step-by-step: how to start passive income with little money using affiliate marketing
- Pick a niche with buyer intent (reviews, comparisons, “best X under $Y”).
- Choose affiliate programs: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, CJ Affiliate, or niche networks.
- Create content: product reviews, tutorials, or “best of” lists that target search queries.
- Optimize for SEO: target long-tail keywords, add affiliate links, and build a simple internal linking structure.
- Promote: share on social, repurpose posts into short videos, and build an email list for future launches.
Realistic expectations
Affiliate income grows with traffic. Many beginners earn $50–$500/month after 3–12 months; successful niche sites can scale into $1,000s/month with consistent effort.
4. Sell stock photography and video for passive royalties
If you have a smartphone or a basic camera, you can create stock photos and short clips to sell on microstock platforms. After uploading, these assets can earn royalties for years.
Startup cost and tools
- Equipment: smartphone camera (free) or entry-level camera
- Editing: free tools like Snapseed, GIMP, or Lightroom mobile (free/paid)
- Time: a few hours to shoot and edit
How to get started
- Research demand: browse Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty to see popular subjects and keyword patterns.
- Shoot quality images focused on simple, searchable concepts (business scenes, lifestyle, seasonal themes).
- Upload to multiple platforms: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, iStock, Pond5 (for video).
- Tag correctly: spend time on accurate, SEO-friendly keywords — discovery depends on good metadata.
- Repeat and diversify: upload consistently to increase your catalog and chances of ongoing sales.
Earnings and timeline
Microstock pays per download and varies by platform. Expect slow but steady growth — a small catalog of 50–200 assets may generate $20–$200/month after several months; more assets increase potential.