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What can I start with?

Have R0, R500 or R2,000 to start? Filter our researched options by start-up budget, phone or laptop, and the hours you can give.

73 options where the lowest start-up cost fits your budget. Costs come from our research and are ranges. Get real quotes before you buy.

  • Bakkie hire, small moves and furniture deliveriesUse your bakkie or trailer for small moves, furniture deliveries, rubble removal and collections, charging a minimum plus a rate per kilometre.R0 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Local delivery and errand runnerDeliver food, groceries, parcels and medicine for local shops, takeaways and households, and run errands such as queues and collections.R0 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough10+ hrs a week
  • Collecting and selling recycling to buy-back centresCollect cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and paper from homes, businesses and events, sort them, and sell them by the kilogram to a buy-back centre.R0 to R1 500 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Reselling pre-loved items onlineSell your own unused items, then source second-hand clothes, books or electronics to resell on Yaga or Facebook Marketplace.R0 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough2+ hrs a week
  • Collecting and selling scrap metalCollect legal scrap such as old appliances, car parts and offcuts from homes and workshops, and sell it to a registered scrap dealer.R0 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Car boot sales and pop-up salesSell household items, clothes, books and bits you no longer need, or bargains you find, from the boot of a car at weekend car boot sales and community pop-up sales.R0 to R500 to startPhone is enough3+ hrs a week
  • App-based local gig work (cleaning, delivery)Find work through apps such as SweepSouth (home cleaning) or delivery apps; the app finds customers, you do the work in person.R0 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough10+ hrs a week
  • Babysitting and childminding (up to six children)Look after children in their homes or yours, evenings, weekends or after school, for up to six children at a time.R0 to R800 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Home and office cleaning for your own clientsClean homes, flats and small offices for regular clients you find yourself, or start through an app such as SweepSouth and build your own client list.R0 to R1 500 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Dog walking and pet sittingWalk dogs, feed pets and house-sit for owners who work long hours or travel, in your own neighbourhood.R0 to R800 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Paid research studies and surveysTake part in academic studies (Prolific) and market research surveys for small payments.R0 to startPhone is enough1+ hrs a week
  • Sewing alterations and clothing repairs from homeHem trousers, replace zips, take in dresses and fix school uniforms for people in your area, using your own sewing machine.R0 to R3 500 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Hiring out tools and equipmentHire out tools you own, such as concrete mixers, ladders, pressure washers or generators, to neighbours and builders by the day.R0 to R20 000 to startPhone is enough2+ hrs a week
  • AI training and data annotation workRate, label or write responses to train AI models, on platforms such as Outlier, or simpler annotation tasks elsewhere.R0 to startNeeds a laptop5+ hrs a week
  • CV writing and LinkedIn profilesRewrite CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles for job seekers and professionals.R0 to R500 to startNeeds a laptop3+ hrs a week
  • Direct selling from catalogues (Avon and similar)Sell products from a direct-selling company's brochure to friends, colleagues and neighbours, earning the difference between your discounted price and the brochure price.R0 to R600 to startPhone is enough3+ hrs a week
  • Event staff, promoters and brand ambassadorsWork shifts handing out samples in shops, running activations, ushering at events and staffing stands, booked through agencies and apps.R0 to R300 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Teaching English online to international learnersConversational English lessons on platforms such as Cambly and Preply, paid in dollars.R0 to R800 to startNeeds a laptop5+ hrs a week
  • Online tutoring for South African learnersTutor school or university learners in maths, science, accounting, languages and more, in person, online or via tutoring agencies.R0 to R500 to startPhone is enough3+ hrs a week
  • Extra nursing shifts through an agencyRegistered nurses can pick up paid shifts at hospitals, clinics or in home care through a nursing agency, choosing the days that fit around a main job.R0 to R1 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Renting out backyard roomsRent out a room or backyard unit on your property to a tenant, with a written lease and fair house rules.R0 to R60 000 to startPhone is enough2+ hrs a week
  • Custom clothing and traditional wear made to orderDesign and sew made-to-measure dresses, traditional outfits, matric dance wear or kids' clothes for individual customers.R0 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Editing and proofreadingEdit theses, reports, books and business documents for clarity, grammar and consistency.R0 to R300 to startNeeds a laptop4+ hrs a week
  • Event and portrait photographyPhotograph birthdays, graduations, church events, family portraits and small weddings, and deliver edited photos online.R0 to R15 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Freelance writing for businessesWrite web pages, blog articles, emails and product copy for businesses in South Africa or abroad.R0 to R500 to startNeeds a laptop5+ hrs a week
  • Graphic design for small businessesLogos, social media graphics, menus, flyers and brand kits for small businesses.R0 to R1 500 to startNeeds a laptop5+ hrs a week
  • Selling your handmade goods online and at marketsTurn what you already make into a small shop: a WhatsApp or Instagram catalogue, local markets, and marketplaces such as Bob Shop, AYA Africa or Etsy.R0 to R1 500 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Home care and companionship for older or sick peopleHelp older or recovering people at home with daily care, meals, company and getting to appointments, privately or through a care agency.R0 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Music lessons (piano, guitar, voice)Teach piano, guitar, singing or another instrument to children and adults, at your home, theirs or online.R0 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough3+ hrs a week
  • Renting out a parking bay, garage or storage spaceRent a spare bay, garage or lock-up to a neighbour, commuter or small business for a monthly fee.R0 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough1+ hrs a week
  • Social media management for local businessesPlan, create and post content for small businesses that know they should be on social media but never get to it.R0 to R1 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Video editing for creators and businessesEdit short-form and long-form videos for YouTubers, coaches, podcasters and businesses.R0 to R5 000 to startNeeds a laptop8+ hrs a week
  • Bookkeeping for small businessesMonthly bookkeeping, invoicing and reconciliations for sole traders and small companies using Xero, Sage or QuickBooks.R0 to R3 000 to startNeeds a laptop6+ hrs a week
  • Freelance software development for overseas clientsContract development work (web apps, integrations, bug fixing) billed in dollars, pounds or euros.R0 to R2 000 to startNeeds a laptop10+ hrs a week
  • Translation and localisation into South African languagesTranslate documents, websites and campaigns into isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana and others.R0 to R1 500 to startNeeds a laptop4+ hrs a week
  • User-generated content (UGC) for brandsMake short product videos for brands to use in their own ads; you do not need your own audience.R0 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Virtual assistant (admin support)Inbox, calendar, data entry, customer replies and light bookkeeping for busy owners, locally or overseas.R0 to R500 to startNeeds a laptop10+ hrs a week
  • Websites for small businessesBuild and maintain simple websites and online shops on WordPress, Shopify, Wix or similar.R0 to R2 000 to startNeeds a laptop6+ hrs a week
  • No-code and AI automation for small businessesSet up automations (forms → spreadsheets → invoices, WhatsApp replies, AI-assisted document processing) that save owners hours.R0 to R3 000 to startNeeds a laptop6+ hrs a week
  • Specialist consulting from your professional experienceSell advice or project work in a field you know deeply: HR, compliance, engineering, marketing, procurement, health and safety, and so on.R0 to R5 000 to startNeeds a laptop4+ hrs a week
  • Selling teaching resources (worksheets, lesson plans)Create CAPS-aligned worksheets, assessments and lesson plans and sell them on Teacha! or your own store.R0 to R500 to startNeeds a laptop2+ hrs a week
  • Transcription and captioningType out audio and video accurately for transcription platforms or local firms.R0 to R800 to startNeeds a laptop5+ hrs a week
  • Affiliate links for SA shops on social media and WhatsAppRecommend products you genuinely use through affiliate links from South African online shops (and Amazon through a supported country), and earn a commission when people buy.R0 to R500 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Digital templates and practical toolsSpreadsheets, Notion/Canva templates, checklists and calculators for a specific profession or task.R0 to R1 500 to startNeeds a laptop4+ hrs a week
  • Printables and digital downloads on EtsyPlanners, wall art, party printables and similar downloads sold to international buyers through Etsy.R0 to R1 000 to startNeeds a laptop4+ hrs a week
  • Paid online course or cohort for professionalsTeach a practical professional skill in a live cohort or recorded course.R0 to R5 000 to startNeeds a laptop5+ hrs a week
  • Referral partner for SA finance and insurance productsRefer businesses or people to lenders, insurers and comparison sites through official partner programmes, sharing factual information and links without giving financial advice.R0 to R500 to startPhone is enough3+ hrs a week
  • Print-on-demand designsUpload designs to platforms that print and ship T-shirts, mugs and posters when someone orders.R0 to R500 to startNeeds a laptop2+ hrs a week
  • Stock photos and videoLicense photos and clips through stock agencies; authentic South African imagery is less saturated.R0 to R10 000 to startNeeds a laptop3+ hrs a week
  • YouTube channel (long-form)Build a channel in a niche and earn from ads, sponsorships and affiliate links once eligible.R0 to R5 000 to startNeeds a laptop8+ hrs a week
  • Reselling airtime, data and electricitySell prepaid airtime, data and electricity to your community from your phone through vending platforms.R100 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Home food or baking sold via WhatsApp and social mediaTake pre-orders for meals, baked goods or snacks via WhatsApp Business and Instagram, delivered or collected locally.R100 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Crochet, knitting and textile crafts to orderCrochet or knit baby blankets, beanies, toys and home pieces, sold ready-made and to order.R100 to R800 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Handmade jewellery and beadworkMake beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets, or wire and resin jewellery, and sell at markets, online and to gift shops.R100 to R1 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Hair braiding and styling from homeBraid, plait, cornrow, install wigs or do natural-hair styling from home or as a mobile stylist, with bookings on WhatsApp.R300 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Handyman, repairs and mobile mechanic workUse trade skills you already have to fix things for households and small businesses near you: repairs, fitting, maintenance, or car repairs at the customer's home.R300 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Celebration cakes and baking to orderBake birthday, wedding and celebration cakes, cupcakes and treats to order from your kitchen, with deposits and a clear price list.R300 to R4 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Selling at craft, flea and weekend marketsRent a table at a craft, flea or weekend market and sell goods you make or buy in, face to face, with a card machine and a WhatsApp catalogue for repeat buyers.R300 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Wire and bead artMake wire and bead animals, bowls, lights, keyrings and decor, and sell them at markets, curio shops, tourist spots and online.R300 to R2 000 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Handmade soap, candles and bath productsMake soap, soy candles, bath salts or balms at home and sell them to people nearby, at markets and through WhatsApp or Instagram.R300 to R2 500 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Growing and selling seedlings and plantsRaise vegetable seedlings, herbs and pot plants and sell them to home gardeners, community gardens and at markets.R300 to R4 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Selling your paintings, drawings and art printsSell original paintings and drawings, and printed copies of your art, online, at markets and through cafes and galleries.R300 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Growing and selling vegetables from a backyard or small plotGrow spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, onions and herbs in a backyard, communal or small plot and sell to neighbours, spazas and street traders.R300 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Niche content site with affiliate and ad incomePublish genuinely useful articles or comparisons in a niche and earn from affiliate links and ads.R300 to R3 000 to startNeeds a laptop6+ hrs a week
  • Selling ice, cold drinks and ice lolliesSell bags of ice, cold drinks, water and homemade ice lollies (freezies) from home or a stand, especially in summer and on weekends.R500 to R6 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Laundry and ironing serviceWash, dry, fold and iron clothes for busy households, students and small businesses, priced by the kilogram or the bag.R500 to R8 000 to startPhone is enough6+ hrs a week
  • Sneaker cleaning and restorationHand-clean, whiten and restore sneakers and school shoes, with drop-off at home or collection in your area.R500 to R3 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Computer help and laptop repairsSet up, clean, speed up and repair laptops and PCs, install software, fix Wi-Fi and printers, and help small offices and older people with their tech.R500 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Flipping furniture and electronics on Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeBuy under-priced furniture, appliances, tools or electronics from estate sales, auctions and listings, clean or fix them, and resell them at a fair profit on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.R500 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Meal prep and weekday lunchesCook healthy or home-style meals in batches and sell weekly meal packs or daily lunches to workers, students and busy families.R500 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough8+ hrs a week
  • Teaching your craft in workshops and classesTeach candle making, pottery, sewing, crochet, beadwork or leatherwork in small paid classes, at home, in cafes or for groups.R500 to R5 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week
  • Personal training and fitness classesTrain clients one-to-one or run group classes in parks, halls or clients' homes.R500 to R8 000 to startPhone is enough5+ hrs a week
  • Resin art: coasters, trays and keepsakesPour coasters, trays, keyrings, name signs and keepsakes in epoxy resin, and sell them as gifts and custom orders.R500 to R4 000 to startPhone is enough4+ hrs a week

Who it is for

It is for South Africans who want to start earning but have little or no money to put in. It suits students, people who are unemployed, parents at home and anyone with a full-time job who wants a small side income.

It is honest about what each idea costs, so you can avoid spending money you cannot afford to lose.

How it works

  1. Choose the money you could spend to start, tick if you only have a phone, and set your weekly hours. The list shows options whose lowest start-up cost fits your budget, cheapest first.

  2. Start-up costs are researched ranges. Get real quotes before you buy.

    Many options can start at the low end if you use what you already have. Each links to a full page with costs, risks and how to test it before spending more.

Worked example

With R500, a phone only, and 8 hours a week, the list narrows to service options you can run from WhatsApp and social media.

Raising the budget to R2,000 adds options that need a little equipment or stock. Adding a laptop opens up most freelance work.

Tips before you rely on it

  • Spend the first part of your budget on testing demand, for example a small batch or a few sample jobs, before you buy equipment.
  • Keep some money aside for data and transport. These are the costs that quietly eat small budgets.
  • Avoid buying courses or starter kits with your start-up money until you know people will buy from you.
  • Track every rand you spend and earn from day one, even in a notebook.

Not sure what to try yet?

The free test takes about 6 minutes. It matches ways to earn, from freelancing to selling and local services, to your skills, time, data and budget, and shows you what to try first.

Take the free test

Questions people ask

What can I start with no money?

Service work using skills you already have: tutoring, admin help, writing, social media for local businesses. Set the budget to R0 to see them.

Is R500 enough to start a business?

For many service businesses, yes. For selling products, it is usually enough for a small test batch. A full shop needs more.

Why do some options say "a job, not a business"?

Remote employment needs no start-up money and is shown in other tools, like the remote job readiness checker.

How do I avoid wasting my budget?

Test demand before buying anything. Our guides and the viability calculator help you do that.

Is it better to start small or save up first?

For most ideas, start small. A cheap test tells you whether people will pay before you risk your savings.

What costs do people forget?

Data, transport, payment fees, packaging and their own time. Use the viability calculator to include them.

Read next

Earn Path is not a financial services provider and does not give financial advice. This tool gives estimates for your own planning.

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