10 Passive Income Ideas Anyone Can Start with $100 or Less

Passive income has long been seen as the domain of wealthy investors and full-time entrepreneurs. But in 2025, the landscape has shifted. Thanks to digital platforms, automation tools, and creative business models, anyone can start building passive income streams—even with $100 or less.

In this guide, you'll discover 10 practical, beginner-friendly ideas to get started. These opportunities are ideal for side hustlers, students, or anyone ready to put their money to work.

Let’s dive into the world of low-cost passive income ideas that can set you on the path to financial freedom.

1. Sell Digital Products on Etsy or Gumroad

Creating and selling digital products like planners, templates, or printables is one of the most cost-effective ways to earn passive income.

What You Need:

• Canva (free or Pro version)

• $0–$10 for Etsy listing fees or Gumroad setup

Why It Works:

You make the product once and sell it over and over without worrying about inventory or shipping.

Pro Tip: Niches like budgeting, fitness, and productivity perform especially well.

2. Start a Faceless YouTube Channel

You don't need to be on camera to run a successful YouTube channel. Faceless channels use stock videos, AI-generated voiceovers, or simple animations.

What You Need:

• Free video editor like DaVinci Resolve or CapCut

• $0–$30 for stock footage or AI voice software

Monetization Options:

• YouTube Partner Program (ad revenue)

• Affiliate marketing

• Sponsorships

Bonus Tool: Use TubeBuddy to optimize videos and grow faster.

3. Launch a Print-on-Demand Store

With print-on-demand, you design T-shirts, mugs, or journals and sell them through platforms like Redbubble, Printful, or Teespring.

What You Need:

• Canva or Adobe Express (free versions available)

• Free account on a print-on-demand platform

You earn a profit each time someone buys your design, and the platform handles fulfillment and shipping.

4. Start Affiliate Marketing Without a Website

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to earn passive income with no product of your own. And yes, you can do it without a website.

What You Need:

• Free social media accounts (Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok)

• Free sign-up to platforms like Amazon Associates or ClickBank

How to Start:

Create niche content and insert affiliate links in your bio, posts, or stories. You’ll earn commissions every time someone buys through your link.

5. Publish a Low-Content Book on Amazon KDP

You don’t have to be a writer to publish books. With low-content books (like journals, planners, or logbooks), you can create simple interiors and start selling on Amazon.

What You Need:

• Free KDP account

• Canva or BookBolt to design interiors

• $0–$10 for a premium template

Amazon handles printing and shipping, and you earn royalties for every sale.

6. Create an Online Course or Mini-Workshop

Turn your skills into passive income by creating a mini-course or workshop. Platforms like Teachable or Thinkific make it easy to launch without upfront costs.

What You Need:

• A simple outline or slides

• Free screen recorder like Loom or OBS Studio

You can start with a free plan and upgrade once your course begins to generate income.

7. Buy Fractional Shares of Dividend Stocks

Even with $100, you can start investing in dividend-paying stocks through platforms that offer fractional shares, such as:

• Robinhood

• Public

• Fidelity

You’ll receive dividends regularly, which you can reinvest to grow your earnings over time.

8. License Your Photography on Stock Sites

If you enjoy taking photos—even with your phone—you can upload them to stock photography sites like:

• Shutterstock

• Adobe Stock

• Alamy

What You Need:

• A smartphone or digital camera

• Free account on stock platforms

Once uploaded, your images can generate passive income whenever they’re downloaded.

9. Sell AI-Generated Art or Prompts

AI tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or ChatGPT allow you to create prompts, images, or even full scripts. Sell these on marketplaces like:

• PromptBase (for AI prompts)

• Etsy (for AI art and printables)

What You Need:

• Free or trial access to an AI tool

• $0–$10 for platform fees or designs

It’s a cutting-edge opportunity that’s rapidly gaining popularity in 2025.

10. Start a Niche Blog with a Budget Host

While launching a full blog might seem expensive, you can start small with hosting providers like Bluehost for under $100/year.

Why It’s Worth It:

Once set up, your blog can generate income through:

• Ad networks (like Google AdSense)

• Affiliate links

• Sponsored posts

• Digital product sales

Keep publishing SEO-optimized content, and your traffic (and income) will grow over time.

Tips to Maximize Your $100 Investment

Here are a few strategies to get the most out of your small startup budget:

• Start simple – Choose just one idea to begin.

• Use free tools – Many professional-grade tools offer free tiers.

• Learn as you go – Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis.

• Reinvest profits – As you earn, reinvest in growth (ads, better tools, outsourcing).

Conclusion: Small Budget, Big Potential

You don’t need thousands of dollars to start building passive income. With just $100 or less, you can lay the foundation for long-term financial growth. Whether you're creative, analytical, or somewhere in between, there's a passive income stream that fits your skills and interests.

Remember: it’s not about how much money you start with—it’s about getting started at all.

So, what’s your first move toward earning while you sleep?

Start today. Your future self will thank you.