Let’s be real—AR and VR aren’t just for gaming anymore. If you’ve got development skills in these fields, you’re sitting on a goldmine of side hustle opportunities. From freelancing to creating your own digital products, here’s how to monetize your expertise without burning out.
Freelance AR/VR Development
Freelancing is the low-hanging fruit. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are flooded with clients needing AR/VR work. The catch? Standing out. Here’s what pays:
- Custom AR filters for brands (think Instagram or Snapchat).
- VR training simulations—huge demand in healthcare, manufacturing, and corporate training.
- 3D product visualizations for e-commerce. IKEA’s AR app? That’s the vibe.
Rates vary wildly. A simple AR filter might net you $200, while a full VR simulation could go for $5K+. Pro tip: niche down. Specializing in, say, real estate VR tours lets you charge premium rates.
Sell AR/VR Templates and Assets
Don’t want to trade time for money? Create once, sell forever. Marketplaces like Unity Asset Store or Unreal Engine Marketplace let you sell:
- Pre-built AR environments
- VR-ready 3D models
- Interactive UI kits for VR apps
One developer cleared $30K/year selling a single VR terrain generator. Passive income? Yes, please.
AR/VR Consulting
Businesses know they need AR/VR—but most haven’t a clue where to start. That’s where you come in. Offer:
- Tech stack recommendations (Unity vs. Unreal? WebXR vs. native?)
- Hardware procurement advice (Oculus Quest 3 or Varjo XR-4?)
- Prototype development for pitch decks
Charge hourly ($75–$150) or per project. Bonus: consulting often leads to bigger dev contracts.
Create AR/VR Courses or Tutorials
People will pay to learn your skills. Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or even YouTube (with Patreon support) can turn your knowledge into revenue. Focus on:
- Niche topics (e.g., “ARCore for Android Developers”)
- Project-based learning (“Build a VR Escape Room in Unity”)
- Emerging tools (Apple Vision Pro kit tutorials are hot right now)
A well-ranked Udemy course can earn $2K–$10K/month. Not bad for recording your screen.
Develop Mini AR/VR Apps
Small-scale apps with viral potential can be cash cows. Examples:
- AR greeting cards—animate physical cards via app
- VR meditation spaces—sell subscriptions
- AR try-on tools for indie fashion brands
Costs are low (often just your time), and revenue models include ads, in-app purchases, or licensing.
Local AR/VR Experiences
Think hyper-local. Partner with:
- Museums (historical VR reenactments)
- Tourist spots (AR scavenger hunts)
- Event planners (VR wedding venue previews)
One dev made $8K creating an AR pub crawl for a city’s tourism board. Creativity beats scale sometimes.
The Bottom Line
AR/VR isn’t future tech—it’s now tech. Whether you’re freelancing, creating digital products, or teaching others, your skills have tangible value. The best part? You can start small. Build one asset. Land one client. The metaverse won’t build itself.