10 Cheapest Businesses to Start

Looking for smart ways to make money in 2025 without a huge investment? Get to know the top 10 cheapest businesses to start with little to no capital and turn your skills into steady income. Whether you're a student, stay-at-home parent, or 9–5 worker, these ideas can get you started fast.

From freelancing to print-on-demand and social media management, these low-cost business ideas are perfect for beginners and side hustlers alike. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a solid plan, consistency, and the drive to grow. Learn what works, how much it costs, and where to begin.

If you’re ready to make money in 2025 on your own terms, this guide is your first step toward financial freedom. No fluff, no scams—just real opportunities that work in today’s digital and local economy. Start small and scale smart.

The following cheapest businesses to start will be discussed;

Freelance Writing or Editing

Social Media Management

Online Tutoring or Coaching

Dropshipping Store

Print-on-Demand T-Shirts or Merchandise

Cleaning Services

Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Home Baking or Cooking

Virtual Assistant Services

Content Creation (Blogging or YouTube)

What is the cheapest business to start?

Below are the 10 cheapest businesses to start this year.

1. Freelance Writing or Editing

Freelance writing or editing is one of the cheapest businesses you can start because it requires almost nothing but your skills, a computer, and an internet connection. You don’t need to rent an office, buy expensive tools, or stock any inventory. If you enjoy writing, proofreading, or even just have a good grasp of grammar and clarity, you can start offering your services right away. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn make it easy to find clients looking for writers and editors. And guess what? Signing up on most of these platforms is completely free. That means you can start making money without spending anything upfront.

Another great thing is that you can do this from anywhere, at any time. Whether you’re working a full-time job or managing your home, freelance writing lets you build your business around your schedule. Plus, as your experience grows, you can increase your rates and even choose your favorite types of projects—like blogs, website copy, resumes, or social media content. It’s flexible, scalable, and super low-risk, making it hands down one of the cheapest businesses you can start today.

2. Social Media Management

If you’re looking for the cheapest business to start, social media management is a great option—and here’s why. You already have what you need to begin: a phone or laptop and an internet connection. That’s it. Businesses today are constantly looking for help managing their Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok pages, but most of them don’t have the time or the know-how to do it well. That’s where you come in. With just a bit of research and creativity, you can start offering services like posting content, replying to messages, growing followers, and running basic ads. You can even use free tools like Canva for graphics and Buffer for scheduling posts. It’s low-risk, low-cost, and high in demand.

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What makes this the cheapest business is that you don’t need to buy products, rent an office, or hire a team to get started. You can work from home, set your own hours, and start with just one client. As your experience grows, you can charge more and even offer packages like content creation or strategy planning. It’s a business that grows with you, and you can scale it as big as you want. So if you’re someone who already enjoys social media or knows how to keep people engaged online, turning that skill into a business is a smart and affordable move.

3. Online Tutoring or Coaching

Online tutoring or coaching is one of the cheapest businesses you can start because you don’t need a physical office, expensive tools, or even a lot of money upfront. All you really need is a laptop or smartphone, a stable internet connection, and your knowledge or skills. If you’re good at something—maybe math, a language, fitness, or even motivation—you can teach it online through Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype. Most of these platforms are free, and you can create simple lesson plans using tools like Google Docs or Canva, which also don’t cost anything. You can sign up on platforms like Preply, Superprof, or even advertise your services on social media for free to find clients.

What makes this the cheapest business is that you're using what you already have—your brain and your voice. There's no need to stock products, rent space, or hire employees. You’re basically turning your talent or knowledge into income, and you can set your own schedule. Plus, you can start small with just one student and grow from there. It's a flexible and risk-free way to test the waters of entrepreneurship without burning through your savings. If you’ve ever helped someone understand something better, you already have what it takes to succeed as a tutor or coach.

4. Dropshipping Store

If you're looking for the cheapest business to start, a dropshipping store is one of the smartest options out there—and here's why. With dropshipping, you don’t need to buy or store any products upfront. Instead, you simply create an online store, list products from a supplier (like from AliExpress or Spocket), and when a customer makes a purchase, the supplier ships the item directly to them. That means you never touch the product and you avoid spending money on inventory, warehouses, or even shipping materials. All you really need to get started is a laptop, a bit of internet, and a small budget to set up your website—many platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce offer affordable plans.

This setup makes dropshipping one of the cheapest businesses because you're skipping most of the expensive steps that come with a traditional business. You don’t need to hire employees, rent a physical shop, or take big financial risks. You can even run the whole business from home in your spare time. Plus, it’s easy to test different products to see what sells—without wasting money. So if you’re serious about making money without spending a fortune, a dropshipping store could be the perfect start for you.

5. Print-on-Demand T-Shirts or Merchandise

If you're looking for the cheapest business to start, Print-on-Demand (POD) T-shirts or merchandise is a super smart choice—especially if you’re creative or active on social media. With POD, you don’t need to spend money buying inventory or worry about storage. You simply create your designs (like cool quotes, funny graphics, or trendy art), upload them to a print-on-demand platform like Printful or Teespring, and connect it to an online store (like Shopify or Etsy). When someone buys your product, the platform prints the item, ships it to the customer, and handles everything else. You only pay a small fee after the sale is made, which means you never lose money upfront.

This is one of the cheapest businesses because your startup cost can be as low as $0 if you use free tools. You don’t need a physical shop, expensive equipment, or even technical skills. All you need is your phone or computer, internet connection, and some time to promote your products online—through Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. It’s low risk and high reward if you’re consistent and understand what people want to wear or buy. Plus, as your designs get popular, your store runs almost passively, letting you earn while you sleep. It’s a great way to dip your toes into entrepreneurship without burning your savings.

6. Cleaning Services

If you’re looking for the cheapest business to start, cleaning services should definitely be on your radar. Here’s why: it doesn’t require a fancy office, a degree, or expensive equipment. In fact, you can begin with basic tools like a mop, broom, cleaning sprays, and gloves — most of which you probably already have at home. You can offer your services to friends, family, neighbors, or local businesses and slowly build a steady client base. Since cleaning is something every home and office needs, there's always a demand, and people are willing to pay for someone reliable to do it for them.

What makes this the cheapest business is that you can start small and grow at your own pace. You don’t need to hire anyone in the beginning — it can just be you and your cleaning supplies. Plus, there’s no need for a shop or storefront. With just a few flyers, social media posts, or word-of-mouth referrals, you can start getting customers right away. As you gain more clients, you can reinvest some of your earnings into better tools or even hire a helper. It’s a simple, low-risk way to start making money quickly without spending a lot upfront.

7. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

If you’re looking for the cheapest business to start, pet sitting or dog walking could be perfect for you. Why? Because it doesn’t require any fancy equipment, a big office, or even a lot of money to get going. In fact, you probably already have everything you need—like a phone to get in touch with clients, a comfortable pair of shoes, and a love for animals. People are always looking for trustworthy help when they travel or get busy, and they’re willing to pay well to make sure their pets are cared for. All you need to do is let your neighbors, friends, or local community know that you're offering this service. You can even post in free community groups online to get your first few clients.

What makes this the cheapest business is that your startup cost is basically $0, especially if you already live in a pet-friendly neighborhood. You don’t need to buy products or rent a space—your service is based entirely on your time and trust. As your reputation grows, you can start charging more, maybe even build a small team or offer additional services like pet grooming or overnight stays. It’s a simple, low-risk way to start making money quickly, and the best part is you get to hang out with cute dogs and cats while you’re at it.

8. Home Baking or Cooking

If you're looking for the cheapest business to start, home baking or cooking might be perfect for you. You don’t need a fancy restaurant or a huge kitchen to get going—just your basic cooking tools, a few ingredients, and your passion for food. Chances are, you already have most of what you need right at home. You can start small by making snacks, cakes, or simple meals and selling them to your neighbors, local shops, or even through social media. Word spreads fast when your food is good, and soon you’ll have a steady stream of customers—all without spending much to get started.

What makes this one of the cheapest businesses is that you control everything—what to cook, how much to make, and when to sell. You can buy ingredients in small amounts and grow as you get more orders. Plus, you don't have to rent a shop or hire staff at the beginning. You could even offer meal preps or bake treats for birthdays, office parties, or local events. It's flexible, low-risk, and can turn into a serious income stream if you stay consistent and keep your customers happy. So if you enjoy cooking, this might be the easiest way to turn that love into a business without breaking the bank.

9. Virtual Assistant Services

Starting a Virtual Assistant Service is one of the cheapest businesses you can begin because it requires very little upfront investment. All you really need to get started is a computer, internet access, and good organizational skills. You don’t have to worry about buying inventory, renting office space, or any expensive equipment. Since most of the work is done remotely, you can easily work from home, which eliminates travel and other costs. This makes it an excellent option if you’re looking to start a business on a budget while having the flexibility to choose your hours and clients.

As a Virtual Assistant, you can offer services like managing emails, scheduling appointments, handling customer inquiries, or managing social media accounts. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs are looking for affordable help, which means there's always a demand. Since your primary investment is your time and expertise, this makes it one of the cheapest businesses to start with high potential for growth. Plus, you can scale your business by adding more clients or services as you gain experience. If you're looking to dive into entrepreneurship without breaking the bank, a Virtual Assistant service is definitely a great choice.

10. Content Creation (Blogging or YouTube)

Starting a content creation business, whether through blogging or YouTube, is one of the cheapest businesses you can launch, especially if you're working with a small budget. All you really need to get going is a computer, internet connection, and some creativity. For blogging, platforms like WordPress are free, and for YouTube, all you need is a smartphone or a basic camera. You don’t need to buy inventory, hire employees, or worry about expensive equipment. You can create content based on your passions or expertise, and as long as you're consistent, you can grow your audience without spending a lot of money upfront.

What makes content creation so affordable is that it’s a business model that thrives on time and effort, rather than big financial investments. Blogging and YouTube both offer the opportunity to earn money through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsorships as your audience grows. As you gain more followers, you can upgrade your equipment, but the initial costs are minimal. So if you’re looking for a cheapest business to start with potential for long-term success, content creation could be the perfect option. With dedication, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture without breaking the bank.