You don’t need coding skills to create a successful mobile app and earn a passive income. With no-code platforms, anyone can design, launch, and monetize an app—no programming required!
This guide will show you how to turn a simple app idea into a steady income stream.
How Mobile Apps Can Generate Passive Income
Passive income allows you to earn money with little to no daily effort after the initial setup, and mobile apps are one of the best ways to achieve this. Once your app is launched, it can generate revenue through ads, subscriptions, or digital product sales—working for you 24/7.
Now, let’s go step by step and create a no-code app that makes passive income.
Step 1: Pick a Low-Competition, Profitable App Idea
If you want to make a passive income from a mobile app, choosing a low-competition niche increases your chances of success. Big companies dominate popular app categories, making it harder for new apps to stand out. Instead of competing directly, focus on a specific audience or a unique problem to attract users more easily.
💡 Profitable Low-Competition App Ideas
- Personal Finance Trackers: Budgeting apps for freelancers, students, or travelers.
- Micro-Learning Apps: Quick lessons on business, language learning, or productivity.
- AI-Powered Habit Tracker: A self-improvement app that suggests routines based on user behavior.
- Custom Journaling Apps: Journals for mental health, gratitude, or goal tracking.
- Local Service Finder: A directory for niche services, like home-repair specialists in small towns.
👉 Tip: Instead of building a general app that competes with thousands of others, focus on a specific group of people and solve a clear problem. This makes it much easier to get users and earn money.
Now that you have an app idea, let’s choose the right no-code platform to build it.
Step 2: Choose a No-Code App Builder
There are many no-code tools available, from AI-powered platforms to simple drag-and-drop app builders. Technology evolves quickly—what’s the best today might be replaced tomorrow by something even better. That’s why I wanted to find out which app builders users like the most, so I researched across the internet to help beginners choose the right tool.
One of the most talked-about platforms in recent months is FlutterFlow. Users love its drag-and-drop interface, Supabase integration, and the ability to export Flutter code. However, it can take time to learn, especially if you want full customization.
Other popular no-code app builders include Adalo, known for its beginner-friendly interface and built-in features; Bubble, praised for its advanced workflows; Glide, which turns Google Sheets into functional apps; and Wappler, preferred by those who need more customization.
👉 Tip: Be sure to check the official websites of these platforms to see which one best fits your needs.
Step 3: Add Monetization Features
Now that your app is built, it’s time to set up monetization—this means adding features that allow your app to make money, even while you sleep. There are different ways to do this, and no-code tools make it easy to integrate these features without programming skills.
Here are the main ways to earn passive income from your app:
💰 1. In-App Purchases (Sell Premium Features or Content)
In-app purchases (IAPs) let users download your app for free but pay for extra features, tools, or content. This method works well because it attracts more users while allowing those who want advanced features to upgrade.
Follow these tips to maximize in-app purchase revenue:
- Offer a free version with essential features and make upgrades valuable.
- Use one-time purchases instead of recurring fees to make buying easier.
- Bundle premium features or offer limited-time discounts to boost sales.
💡 Example: A habit-tracking app lets users track up to 3 habits for free, but if they want unlimited habit tracking, detailed progress analytics, or custom habit reminders, they need to pay a one-time fee of $4.99.
✅ Best for: Productivity apps, fitness apps, educational apps, and entertainment apps.
📅 2. Subscriptions & Memberships (Recurring Monthly Income)
With a subscription model, users pay a monthly or yearly fee to access premium content, tools, or an exclusive community. This is great for apps that provide ongoing value and encourage users to stay subscribed.
To use subscriptions and memberships effectively, follow these tips:
- Provide a free trial or limited free access to encourage signups.
- Keep users engaged with regular content updates and exclusive features.
- Offer discounts on long-term plans to increase retention.
💡 Example: A language-learning app gives free access to basic vocabulary lessons, but if users want interactive speaking practice, grammar exercises, and AI-powered feedback, they need to subscribe for $9.99 per month.
✅ Best for: Learning apps, fitness apps, meditation apps, and community-based apps.
🔗 3. Affiliate Marketing (Earn Commissions by Promoting Services)
Affiliate marketing means recommending third-party products or services inside your app. When users click on your affiliate link and make a purchase, you earn a commission from the company. This works best for apps that provide recommendations, guides, or useful resources.
Follow these tips to use affiliate marketing effectively:
- Promote only relevant, high-quality products that fit your app’s audience.
- Integrate affiliate links naturally within the app’s content or recommendations.
- Track performance and experiment with different offers to maximize earnings.
💡 Example: A budgeting app includes a section with recommended financial tools, such as credit cards, savings accounts, or investment platforms. If a user signs up for a credit card through the app’s link, the app owner earns $25 per referral.
✅ Best for: Finance apps, travel apps, shopping guides, and content-based apps.
📢 4. In-App Ads (Earn Money from Advertisements)
In-app ads allow you to display advertisements inside your app and get paid whenever users see or click on them. Most apps use Google AdMob or similar ad networks to manage ad placements.
Follow these tips to use in-app ads effectively:
- Choose the right ad format (e.g., rewarded ads for games, banners for tools).
- Limit ads to avoid disrupting the user experience.
- Use targeted ads based on user behavior for better engagement.
💡 Example: A free workout app shows a 5-second video ad before starting a workout session. Each time a user watches an ad, the app earns a small amount of money. If thousands of users watch ads daily, the income adds up.
✅ Best for: News apps, gaming apps, free utility apps, and entertainment apps.
📚 5. Sell Digital Products (E-Books, Templates, or Courses)
If your app provides useful content, you can sell digital products like e-books, design templates, or online courses inside the app. Users make a one-time purchase and get access to the content.
Follow these tips to sell digital products effectively:
- Sell exclusive, high-value digital products that enhance the app experience.
- Use limited-time discounts or bundles to drive more sales.
- Provide instant access to purchased content for a smooth experience.
💡 Example: A social media marketing app offers free content on how to grow an Instagram account. Inside the app, users can buy a $19 template pack with ready-to-use Instagram post designs for businesses.
✅ Best for: Coaching apps, educational apps, and creative tools.
👉 Tip: Not all monetization methods work for every app. Think about what makes sense for your audience—subscriptions work well for fitness or education apps, while affiliate marketing fits finance apps. You can also combine multiple methods to increase earnings.
Now that your app is ready to generate income, let’s move on to launching and attracting users!
Step 4: Launch, Market, and Scale Your App
Once your app is ready, launch it on Google Play or the Apple App Store and start attracting users.
📢 How To Get Users
- Social Media Marketing: Promote on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to reach potential users.
- App Store Optimization (ASO): Use keywords, good descriptions, and reviews to rank higher in searches.
- Paid Ads: Use Facebook or Google Ads to drive targeted traffic.
⚡ Ways To Scale & Automate
- Automate Marketing: Set up push notifications, email sequences, and AI chatbots to engage users.
- Optimize Earnings: A/B test pricing, ads, and subscription offers to maximize revenue.
- Expand & Scale: Improve your app, launch new features, or create more apps to increase profits.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide has been helpful for beginners who have no idea where to start but want to create a passive income with mobile apps.
No-code platforms open up exciting opportunities, and with the right approach, anyone can build and monetize an app.
Have you tried any no-code platforms? Which ones worked best for you, and how did they help? Share your experiences, tips, or even your success stories—I’d love to hear how you’re using no-code to generate income! 🚀
