7 Cheap Businesses to Start in 2026

With looming job market uncertainty that’s making it more challenging for some to find steady work, many are turning to alternative ways to maximize their skill set and make money. Whether they’re looking to transition to a new industry due to job instability or dissatisfaction and can’t find a new role, want a better work-life balance, or have been let go unexpectedly, many have turned to starting their own businesses to increase their income while having a schedule that meets their needs.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to extreme job loss, economic uncertainty during and after-the-fact, and the rise of remote work, many want to create their own opportunities that allow them to make money while working anywhere they choose. It’s estimated that just this year alone, nearly 33 million Americans are still working remotely. On the business front, a total of 1.7 million new business applications were filed in the United States.

Statistics like these show that people are embracing entrepreneurship because of the freedom and benefits that come with it. When it comes to starting a new business, there are many paths you can take to launch one that have low startup costs, are in high demand, and can be started right from your home. If you’re looking to start your own business this year, check out these 7 cheap ones you can start below.

Virtual Assistant

Startup Costs: $500 to $1000

No matter the field, people are always looking for assistance. Whether they’re a business owner themselves with a busy schedule and need extra support, a content creator who needs someone to help manage their social media-related tasks, or an agency that’s looking to outsource work, virtual assistants are a career that will always be in demand.

Being a virtual assistant allows you to easily work from anywhere, create and manage your own schedule, and seek out clients who you genuinely want to work with. It also gives you the opportunity to easily expand your client base thanks to sites like Upwork, Fiverr, FlexJobs, and We Work Remotely, which frequently post virtual assistant jobs on their platforms.

It’s easy to get started and costs just about $500 to $1,000. These startup costs go toward the resources and equipment you may need to do the work such as a laptop or home office space. If you already have this in place, then your startup costs will likely be put towards other means such as creating your own website or portfolio, which can be done using platforms like Wix and Squarespace, or by hiring a professional on Fiverr or Upwork to do it for you. These costs will also go to paying for productivity tools like Notion, Google Workspace, or Asana so you can maintain an efficient workflow.

As a virtual assistant, you’ll need to be organized, be able to multitask, and have strong time management and communication skills. You can build upon your skillset before jumping into work by taking courses that are offered by HubSpot Academy, Udemy, and LinkedIn.

Online Tutor

Startup Costs: $0 to $500

During the school year, and even during the summer months, parents are always looking to ensure that their kids are getting the best education and fully understand what they’re being taught.

As an online tutor, you can teach different subjects like math, English, science, social studies, and foreign languages by using the knowledge and skillset you already have. You can even offer SAT and ACT prep for students who are actively applying to college or university. Being an online tutor also allows you to have a flexible schedule, and you can work from the comfort of your home or any noise-free space.

To get started, you’ll need to make sure you have good WiFi, a laptop or computer with a working webcam and microphone, and an optional headset to help you easily hear and speak to your students. Platforms like Wyzant and Tutor.com allow you to promote your tutoring services, and places like Huntington Learning Center, may offer remote tutoring roles depending on your state and location.

Though not required, it’s also helpful to have certifications like a teaching certification or TESOL/TEFL, or CELTA if you’re teaching English as a second language. You can also obtain certifications and proof of course completion related to specific subject areas through platforms like Coursera or Udemy. You’ll also need to make sure that you pass a background check for any tutoring platform or company you work with. If you’re running your own tutoring business independently, it’s also a good idea to get one in case potential clients ask for proof.

Pet Sitter

Startup Costs: Less than $500

If you love animals, then becoming a pet sitter may be right for you. Being a pet sitter allows you to easily set your own schedule, build connections, and truly enjoy the work that you do. When watching other people’s pets, you can expect to walk, feed, and keep them company while your clients are away to ensure they’re being cared for properly.

Becoming a pet sitter is relatively simple. You can either find jobs or promote your services through word-of-mouth, especially if you live in an apartment building or a tight-knit residential community that has a lot of pets. You can also find jobs on platforms like Care.com, Rover, and Wag, which match you to local opportunities so you can get started right away. When reaching out to potential clients, you can emphasize your pet-setting experience, whether you have your own pets or have taken care of others.

The startup costs associated with this type of work typically fall under $300. These costs contribute to pet supplies like leashes and waste bags if you’re walking dogs, background checks, which are required by some platforms, registering your business in the state you’re in, and liability insurance. You may also need to get a Pet First Aid certification, which is extremely important to have and may be required to book jobs through certain pet-sitting platforms.

Affiliate Marketer

Startup Costs: $0 to $300

With its popularity thanks to social media, the affiliate marketer industry is one that will continue to be in demand. Affiliate marketers essentially promote products and services online from various brands and earn a commission each time they make a sale. Commission rates generally range from 5% to 50% and vary by brand and industry.

As an affiliate marketer you can expect to promote these products and services via social media or through other channels like having your own blog, website, or YouTube Channel. All you’ll need is reliable equipment, including a working laptop or computer, smartphone, and video equipment if you choose to go the social media route. You’ll also need to have access to content creation tools like Canva, CapCut, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Startup costs for affiliate marketers usually start from $0 to $300, depending on the type of equipment and tools you’ll need to invest in. Depending on the hosting service you choose, its features, and if you need to buy a new domain, having a blog or website can cost up to $100 per year. This cost can increase if you choose to run paid web or social media ads to drive traffic to your site.

To find opportunities and start earning commissions, you can join affiliate platforms like Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, or ShareASale, which all have a large network of brands. You can also pitch yourself directly to different companies by creating a pitch deck or portfolio that highlights your brand presence and expertise in your specific industry or niche, such as fashion, beauty, health and wellness, or technology.

House Cleaner

Startup Costs: $500 to $1000

If you enjoy cleaning and organizing, then why not put your skills to good use and start your own home cleaning business? This type of business allows you to create your own schedule, take on a variety of jobs, and gives you the flexibility to earn a steady income stream.

You can find cleaning jobs in your community by using platforms like TaskRabbit and Care.com, joining community boards in your neighborhood via Facebook or the Nextdoor app, and by talking to friends, family, or neighbors. In terms of startup costs, you can expect to invest anywhere from $500 to $1000 for cleaning supplies, recurring gas money, and commercial-grade equipment if you plan to do heavy-duty work. You can also put money towards getting business cards by using sites like Vistaprint, Moo, and Zazzle to create them and have them shipped to you in bulk.

When running a home cleaning business, it’s also important to do your due diligence and research whether you need any licenses or permits that may be required by your city or state. Depending on how your business operates, you may also need to register it with your state if you plan on using an official business name or want to form an LLC. You can also consider obtaining liability insurance to protect yourself and your business while on the job.

Freelance Writer or Editor

Startup Costs: Less than $1000

With the rise of AI, it’s easy to get discouraged when wanting to become a writer, editor, or journalist. But, thanks to platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, as well as independent businesses, many are still seeking new talent to join their team.

To become a freelance writer or editor, you’ll need to have sharp writing and communication skills, and a strong grasp on language. You’ll also need to figure out the types of freelance writing and editing niches you want to focus on, whether that be SEO, copywriting, copy editing or blogging, and combine it with topics you already enjoy, like travel, fitness, fashion, or food. From there, you can look for opportunities that align with your interests and skill set through sites like Upwork and Fiverr as well as platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed. You can even do cold outreach to companies and brands you already follow and support, and are interested in working with.

Becoming a freelance writer/editor has minimal startup costs, which are generally under $500. These costs go toward investing in a good computer and maintaining a well put-together blog or portfolio that highlights your services. They also support writing and productivity tools like Microsoft 365, Grammarly, Trello, and Asana. And if you decide to register as an official business with your state, these costs go towards that as well.

Handmade Goods Designer

Startup Costs: $100 to $500

Becoming a handmade goods designer gives you the flexibility to work anytime, make a lot of money, and live out your artistic dreams. As a designer, you can create simple yet quality items to sell, such as necklaces, bracelets, candles, and knitted materials. Purchasing materials is easy and doesn’t require a ton of money. You can expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $500, and you can get them in-person or online from arts and crafts stores like Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Blick Arts Materials, or even Target and Walmart.

To discover exactly what you want to sell while ensuring there’s a demand for it, you can conduct market research via the web and social media to determine what consumers are buying the most. You can run trial tests with friends and family to get feedback about your products, and what people would like to buy and wear.

As a handmade goods designer, you’ll also need to invest in an online store, whether by having your own website through Shopify or Wix, or by having an Amazon or Etsy shop. Since you’ll be selling tangible goods, you’ll also need to do research, and have the funds ready if needed, to register your company in the state you’ll be doing business in. To promote and manage your business, you can also put your startup costs towards paid ads, email marketing, and hiring a social media manager and grow and manage your social media pages.