Are you looking for the best recurring revenue business ideas?
I think one of the best ways to make income is through recurring revenue streams. This is when you earn money every single month from the same customer, without having to constantly look for ways to make new sales or find new customers.
This type of business can be stable, scalable (you can keep growing by adding new customers and making more monthly income), and can sometimes even be somewhat passive.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make income that keeps coming in each month, this is the article for you. I’m going to share 15 recurring revenue business ideas you can start, even if you don’t have a lot of money or time.
What is recurring revenue?
First, let’s start by talking about what recurring revenue actually means.
Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) is income that you receive each month from customers who pay on a regular basis. This could be a subscription or a monthly payment plan.
It’s different from one-time sales, which require you to keep finding new buyers. With MRR, your income becomes more predictable and, with some businesses, more passive over time.
Here are a few examples:
- Someone pays $20 per month for your meal plan subscription.
- A client pays you $400 a month for bookkeeping services.
- A renter pays you monthly to live in your property.
- A person pays $25 a month for your online membership community.
MRR is great because you don’t have to start over at zero every month. You build up your base, and it grows from there.
The positives of earning recurring revenue include:
- Stability in your monthly income because you will have predictable income
- Easier to plan your finances and business
- Potential to work less while earning more
- More time freedom because you aren’t always looking for the next sale
Best Recurring Revenue Business Ideas
Below are some of the best recurring revenue ideas that real people are doing successfully.
1. Bookkeeping
Every small business needs help with its finances, and bookkeeping is a great recurring service to offer.
You don’t need to be a CPA – just organized, good with spreadsheets, and familiar with tools like QuickBooks.
Bookkeepers can sell small business owners monthly packages that include services like:
- Recording transactions
- Creating profit and loss reports
- Sending invoices
You can read more at How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs as a Beginner.
This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
2. Digital product subscriptions
Instead of a one-time digital product sale, you can turn your digital products into a monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription fee.
I know several people who sell this as a service, and it looks like such a great business idea.
Ideas include:
- Monthly printable planners
- Stock photo memberships
- Canva templates
- Social media content calendars
I personally pay for a digital product membership – a stock photo membership through IvoryMix. I have had this for many years and I really like it.
I even know of popular influencers on Instagram who have separate private Instagram accounts where their followers can pay to get a more private peek into their lives. And, they pay monthly for this access – anywhere from $20 to $30 per month!
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
3. Subscription box business
Subscription boxes are physical packages mailed out each month, and they’ve become extremely popular over the past decade.
These can be based on anything, such as snacks, homeschool, beauty products, books, pet food and toys, crafts, art supplies, and more.
To get started, you’ll want to:
- Pick a niche you’re passionate about (the more specific, the better).
- Find suppliers and figure out your cost per box.
- Use platforms like Cratejoy to list your box or build your own site.
- Price it so that you make a profit each month.
What’s great about this model is that customers keep coming back as long as they love the product, and that means recurring income for you.
You can read further about this at How I’ve Made Over $1,000,000 With A Subscription Box Business.
4. Remote house cleaning coordination
This isn’t about cleaning homes yourself – it’s about managing the business.
With a remote cleaning business, you are managing a business where you manage a group of house and business cleaners. You will find the cleaning jobs (such as Airbnbs, long-term rentals, retail stores, offices, and even residential cleaning) and coordinate cleaners for them.
Customers typically need cleanings at least once a month, and this is where you come in.
You coordinate the schedule, handle payments, and keep things organized. The cleaners do the actual work, and you keep a portion of the fee.
You can learn more at How To Start a Remote Cleaning Business and Make $100,000+ Each Year
Want to learn how to start a remote cleaning business? This free training will help you get started.
5. Online membership or community
People will pay to be part of a group where they feel supported, understood, and inspired.
An online membership could be:
- A private Facebook group with experts available to help (such as with them replying to threads with questions)
- A members-only community on a website
- A niche coaching or mentoring group (like parenting, fitness, or side hustles)
You can charge a monthly fee to join and provide ongoing content, live calls, printables, Q&As, or community challenges. It doesn’t have to be complicated – as long as it has value, people will pay for access.
And, I know this works! I personally am a student in a course where I pay a recurring fee to stay in their Facebook group. This Facebook group is great because it is active and has mentors/experts in the group who answer questions. This helps me to stay up to date in a high-quality group, and I check it often to see what’s going on in the business that I’m in.
6. Apps and tools
This is a more technical option, but it can be one of the most profitable.
If you have coding skills (or can hire a developer), you can build a tool that solves a specific problem, then charge users a monthly fee to use it.
Examples of tools are budgeting apps, content planners, and more. Think about what you currently pay a monthly subscription for to get a better idea.
7. Paid content platforms (Patreon)
If you create content – like blog posts, YouTube videos, art, or music – you can monetize your audience with platforms like Patreon.
You can sell exclusive content to subscribers who pay monthly. This might include behind-the-scenes videos, early access to blog posts, monthly live chats, or printables.
Many creators start small, charging just $5 per month per person, and build up a good income over time.
8. Monthly coaching or consulting
If you offer a service – like life coaching, financial advice, business mentoring – you can structure this as a monthly cost instead of one-off sessions.
This gives you stable monthly income and builds a strong relationship with your clients. You can include email access, monthly calls, and accountability check-ins.
9. Paid newsletters or Substack
Yes, people will pay to read a good newsletter, especially if it teaches them something, inspires them, or entertains them.
Platforms like Substack make it easy to run a free version and a paid version of your newsletter. Your paid subscribers get the good stuff: in-depth posts and extra resources.
This is great for writers or experts who love to share and educate and want ways to monetize (newsletters take a lot of time to manage after all!).
10. Meal plans or fitness program subscriptions
Selling meal plans or fitness program subscriptions can give you a steady stream of income with a valuable recurring revenue model.
You can create a monthly subscription with:
- Weekly meal plans and grocery lists
- Home workout programs
- Monthly fitness challenges
You don’t need a huge audience – just focus on helping a specific group of people. You can run this through email, a membership site, or even a private Instagram.
11. Virtual assistant or freelance packages with monthly clients
If you’re a freelancer or virtual assistant, one of the best things you can do is sell a monthly package to clients.
Instead of hourly billing, you can sell a bundle like:
- 10 hours per month for a flat fee
- Weekly blog post formatting
- Monthly inbox management or calendar scheduling
This creates consistent work and income, and your clients get help they can rely on.
I personally have a virtual assistant that I pay like this, and I have for years!
Recommended reading: How To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs as a Beginner
This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.
12. Dog walking with weekly/monthly packages
Pet owners love (and need) routine, and that’s exactly what makes dog walking a great MRR idea.
Instead of taking one-off walks, you could sell:
- Monthly packages (example: 3 walks per week)
- Better rates for recurring clients
- Add-ons like pet sitting or feeding
Apps like Rover can help you get started, but building a loyal client base and charging directly will increase your profit.
Recommended reading: 7 Best Dog Walking Apps To Make Extra Money
13. Long-term rental real estate
This is one of the most traditional forms of monthly recurring revenue.
Owning a rental property means you earn money every single month from your tenants. While there are costs and responsibilities, rental income can be a great way to build wealth.
Tips:
- Buy in areas with high rental demand.
- Screen tenants carefully.
- Hire a property manager if you want it to be more passive.
- You may want to try house hacking to get started with less risk.
Recommended reading: Best Real Estate Side Hustles
14. Lawn care
If you are looking for an in-person business that you can do in your local area and still earn monthly recurring income, then starting a lawn care business may be one to look into.
With a yard maintenance business, you can sell services like mowing, tree trimming, and garden maintenance. Many homeowners pay for a service like this on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis, and customers typically stay for years. This can be a great way to make recurring income month after month with the same set of customers.
For this type of business, equipment is needed, such as a lawn mower, clippers, and a leaf blower.
I know many people who pay for yard maintenance, and I have personally paid for this in the past as well.
Recommended reading: 15 Monthly Service Business Ideas To Start
15. Pool maintenance
Pools and hot tubs need to be maintained on a regular basis, which means that it can be a good example of a recurring business idea.
In places where there are a lot of hot tubs (like in mountain towns) and swimming pools (like in Florida or Texas), there can be a lot of demand for this service.
With this type of business, you can sell services like cleaning, checking the water’s chemical balance, and small repairs.
And, not a lot of equipment is needed to start this type of business. Just a pool skimmer, a pool vacuum, water testing kits, and chemicals (like chlorine and shock) can get you started fairly easily.
I actually used to have a neighbor who owned their house as a vacation home. I never once saw them in the 2–3 years that we were neighbors, but their hot tub maintenance company came at least once a month, every single month, for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to earn recurring revenue.
What’s the easiest recurring revenue idea to start with no money?
This depends on your skills, but digital products, newsletters, and service-based businesses like lawn maintenance (if you already have a lawn mower) are low-cost ways to start.
How do I find customers who will pay monthly?
To find customers who will pay for your business idea monthly, you can share your business idea on social media or even go knocking door to door (such as for lawn care or hot tub maintenance businesses).
Do I need a big audience to get started?
No. A small, engaged group is better than a big, quiet one.
What tools do I need?
The tools that you need to earn recurring income each month depend on the type of business you are running. For example, Stripe or PayPal for payments, email marketing software, and a website or landing page for customers to find may be a good way to start.
Can I build recurring revenue with a full-time job?
Yes! Many people start their monthly recurring business as a side hustle and grow from there.
Best Recurring Revenue Business Ideas – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on the best recurring revenue business examples.
With so many options, it’s important to pick the one that fits your lifestyle.
Ask yourself:
- What do I enjoy doing?
- What skills do I already have?
- Do I want a digital or hands-on business?
- How many hours can I work each week?
Monthly recurring revenue is one of the best ways to create freedom and consistency in your life. It might take a little time to set up, but once it’s running, it can change everything.
What kind of recurring revenue business are you thinking about starting?
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