You ever feel like you’re grinding nonstop in GTA Online, yet your bank account’s looking sad? We’ve all been there. You jump into missions, do a few heists, sell some product-only to realize you’re still miles away from that next penthouse or luxury vehicle.
This guide breaks down the best options for passive and active income, including setup costs, profit estimates, and what fits your playstyle.
Why Choosing the Right Business Matters
Some businesses look appealing but demand too much micromanagement or fail to pay off. If you play casually, passive setups are better. If you’re online for hours, high-return active businesses make more sense.
And if you play solo, skip anything that requires a team. Look for businesses that reduce travel, scale well with upgrades, and complement each other. The right mix saves time and builds momentum.
Top Businesses for Passive Income
If you’re looking for ways to make money without clocking in every day, passive income can be a smart move. The right business setup can keep earning for you long after the work is done.
- Nightclub – still the best passive earner when linked to other ventures. Earns $50K every 48 minutes from popularity, plus up to $1.5M daily from warehouse stock. Setup’s expensive, but it pays off.
- Acid Lab – great for solo players. Unlock via First Dose missions, upgrade for $750K. Earns $120K every 48 minutes if you self-supply. Public sales add a bonus. One-vehicle delivery makes it stress-free.
- Money Fronts – new DLC businesses like the Car Wash, Smoke on the Water, and Higgins Helitours add passive boosts to MC and Hangar sales. They also include Heat mechanics: too much illegal work and you’ll need to run legit jobs to keep cops off you.
High-Return Active Options
For players who want bigger payouts and don’t mind putting in the work, these businesses deliver the most money per hour. You’ll need to be hands-on, but the returns are worth it.
- Bunker – mix of passive production and active sales. Full upgrades cost more but a single sale can clear $1.5M with a public bonus. Manage from the Arcade.
- Kosatka (Cayo Perico Heist) – still top-tier. Solo runs earn about $1M per hour. Setup costs $2.2M. Easy money with the right prep.
- Special Cargo Warehouse – best for high profits during event weeks. Full sales earn $2M. Technicians can now help source crates.
- Agency – VIP contract (Dr. Dre) nets $1M, while Security Contracts add daily income. Everything can be done solo, and the safe tops up passively.
- Auto Shop – contracts pay $170K–$300K, with missions taking 30–45 minutes. You can hit $400K/hr if you’re efficient. Side cash from client cars adds up.
- Salvage Yard – new 2025 business. Robbery contracts pay up to $1M/week, with passive tow-truck income around $40K per in-game day.
Strong Solo Grinders’ Picks
If you’re flying solo, these are the least annoying and most rewarding:
- Acid Lab – simple to run, pays well, no delivery mess.
- Cocaine Lockup – low effort, good payout.
- Hangar – now easier to manage alone, especially with better aircraft.
- Agency – everything can be done solo and adds up over time.
- Auto Shop – contracts are short, steady, and don’t need backup.
- Salvage Yard – easy loop – rob, deliver, repeat.
- Garment Factory – quiet earner, works in the background.
- Bail Enforcement Office – contracts pay consistently and don’t drag out.
Tier List Summary
| Business | Cost (Est.) | Earnings per Hour / Sale | Playstyle Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightclub | High | $1M per in-game day | Passive |
| Acid Lab | Low | $120K/48min (self), $300K sale | Passive / Solo |
| Bunker | Medium | $1.5M per sale | Passive / Active |
| Kosatka (Cayo Heist) | High | $1M /hr | Active / Solo |
| Special Cargo Warehouse | High | $2M full sale | Active |
| Agency | Medium | $1M (VIP), $40K (Security) | Active / Solo |
| Auto Shop | Medium | $170K–$300K per contract | Active / Solo |
| Salvage Yard | Medium | $1M/week $40K/day (passive) | Active / Passive |
| Money Fronts | Medium | Moderate passive synergy boost | Passive / Hybrid |
| Garment Factory | Medium | $100K per in-game day | Passive / Solo |
| Bail Enforcement Office | Medium | $50K–$100K per hour | Active / Solo |
Grand Theft Auto V: Profitable Businesses
Start with something easy like the Acid Lab or Agency. They’re cheap and low effort. Once you’re earning consistently, invest in upgrades that cut down on busywork. Avoid anything with long travel times or annoying deliveries.
Time your sales with weekly event bonuses to maximize payouts, and try to keep all your properties in the same area to cut down on travel. Use the Master Control Terminal in the Arcade to manage everything from one place. Most importantly, build around your playstyle, because there’s no point in grinding a setup you don’t enjoy.