The New Economy of Vibe Coding
How to make money with vibe coding is one of the most searched questions in tech today. Coined by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025, vibe coding means building software by describing what you want in natural language and letting AI generate the code. Collins Dictionary named it the 2025 Word of the Year.
The shift is creating unprecedented opportunities. According to Adalo research, the low-code/no-code market has reached $28.75 billion in 2024 and is projected to explode to $264 billion by 2032, growing at an exceptional 32.2% CAGR. This means there has never been a better time to monetize vibe coding skills.
10x Faster Development
Build in days what used to take weeks. Higher output means more earning potential.
Massive Demand
Businesses need apps but lack technical talent. 500M+ apps will be built with no-code by 2024.
Low Barriers
No CS degree required. Tools like Natively let anyone build production apps from $5/month.
5 Business Models to Make Money with Vibe Coding
Here are the proven ways people are earning income with AI-powered development, from side hustles to full-time careers.
Vibe Coding as a Service (Freelancing)
The most accessible way to start earning is offering vibe coding services to businesses. According to Upwork, freelance vibe coders charge $100-$350/hour due to their ability to deliver faster than traditional developers.
Entry-Level Projects
- Landing pages: $300-$800
- Internal tools: $300-$1,000
- Simple mobile apps: $500-$2,000
Advanced Projects
- Full mobile apps: $2,000-$10,000
- SaaS MVPs: $5,000-$25,000
- Retainers: $50-$100/month ongoing
Pro tip: Build native mobile apps with Natively to access higher-paying clients. Mobile app projects command premium rates because fewer freelancers can deliver native iOS/Android apps.
Building and Selling SaaS Products
Micro-SaaS products built with vibe coding can generate significant passive income. According to AI in Plain English, one entrepreneur earns $20,000/month by vibe coding products to sell online.
| SaaS Type | Price Range | Monthly Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-SaaS tool | $5-$29/month | $500-$5,000 |
| Niche SaaS product | $29-$99/month | $2,000-$20,000 |
| Mobile app with subscriptions | $4.99-$19.99/month | $1,000-$50,000+ |
Success story: A founder built a startup with AI doing 99.9% of the coding, scaled to 300,000 users in 6 months, and sold the company for $80 million.
Creating and Selling Templates
Templates are a scalable way to earn passive income. Once created, they can sell repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort. According to Indiemaker, suitable vibe-coded projects for marketplaces include micro-SaaS tools, automation scripts, and MVPs with potential.
Template price range
Monthly earnings potential
Build time per template
- Mobile app templates - Build with Natively, sell to entrepreneurs who want a head start
- Landing page kits - High demand from startups and small businesses
- Dashboard templates - Internal tools that businesses can customize
Teaching Vibe Coding
With searches for vibe coding up 6,700% in just 3 months, there is massive demand for education. According to Tech.co, the AI coding gold rush is creating opportunities for educators at all levels.
Online Courses
- • Platforms: Udemy, Skillshare, own site
- • Price range: $29-$299 per course
- • Income: $500-$25,000/month
1:1 Coaching
- • Hourly rate: $100-$400/hour
- • Package deals: $500-$5,000
- • Income: $2,000-$15,000/month
Market insight: According to an edX survey, 50% of workers say AI advancements will impact their careers, and 65% of managers say AI skills are important. This creates a ready market for vibe coding education.
Starting a Vibe Coding Agency
Once you have mastered vibe coding, you can scale by hiring other vibe coders. According to SiliconAngle, companies like Legato just raised $7M to build enterprise vibe coding solutions, showing the B2B market opportunity.
Agency Revenue Model
- Specialize in a niche (mobile apps, e-commerce, internal tools)
- Hire other vibe coders at $25-50/hour, bill clients at $100-200/hour
- Build processes and templates to increase efficiency and margins
Calculate Your Earning Potential
Use this calculator to estimate how much you could earn based on your chosen business model, experience level, and time commitment.
Vibe Coding Income Calculator
Estimate your earning potential based on real market data
How to Price Your Vibe-Coded Products
Pricing is one of the most common challenges for new vibe coders. According to Nucamp, many beginners undercharge because they do not account for the value they deliver.
| Project Type | Beginner Rate | Intermediate Rate | Advanced Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing Page | $300-$500 | $500-$1,000 | $1,000-$2,500 |
| Internal Tool | $500-$1,000 | $1,000-$3,000 | $3,000-$10,000 |
| Mobile App (Simple) | $1,000-$2,500 | $2,500-$5,000 | $5,000-$15,000 |
| Mobile App (Complex) | $2,500-$5,000 | $5,000-$15,000 | $15,000-$50,000 |
| SaaS MVP | $3,000-$7,000 | $7,000-$20,000 | $20,000-$75,000 |
| Hourly Rate | $50-$100/hr | $100-$200/hr | $200-$350/hr |
Key Pricing Principles
- • Price on value, not time - A landing page that converts can be worth $10,000+ to a business
- • Include maintenance retainers - $50-$100/month for ongoing support adds recurring revenue
- • Specialize for higher rates - Native mobile app developers command premium prices
- • Build a portfolio - Showcase 3-5 quality projects to justify higher rates
Legal Considerations for Vibe Coders
Code Ownership
Most AI coding tools grant you full ownership of the generated code. With Natively, you get 100% source code ownership with GitHub export. Always check the terms of service for any tool you use.
- • Review AI tool terms of service
- • Ensure client contracts specify ownership transfer
- • Keep records of your prompts and iterations
AI Terms Compliance
When selling AI-built projects, transparency matters. According to Indiemaker, sellers should be upfront about how projects were built and include post-sale support.
- • Disclose AI usage to clients when relevant
- • Provide documentation for handoff
- • Offer training on how to maintain the product
Real Success Stories
A vibe coder shared on Medium their exact workflow for earning $600/month building simple web apps for local businesses using AI coding tools.
According to AI in Plain English, one entrepreneur earns $20K/month by vibe coding products to sell online, saving weeks of development time.
A founder built a startup with AI doing 99.9% of the coding. In 6 months, they scaled to 300,000 users and later sold the company for $80 million.
According to Nucamp, a designer with no coding background used Replit + AI, built and shipped apps independently, and reached $20K/month income - more than double their old salary.
Ready to Start Earning with Vibe Coding?
Build native iOS and Android apps with just a text description. Full code ownership, Supabase integration, and App Store deployment - all from $5/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can you make with vibe coding?
Income from vibe coding varies widely based on your business model and experience. Freelancers typically earn $50-$350/hour, with monthly earnings ranging from $600 for side hustlers to $20,000+ for experienced professionals. Some entrepreneurs have built AI-generated products earning $20,000/month, while one founder sold a vibe-coded startup for $80 million after reaching 300,000 users.
What is the best way to make money with vibe coding as a beginner?
The best entry point for beginners is freelancing on platforms like Upwork, starting with small projects like landing pages ($300-$800) or internal tools ($300-$1,000). As you build a portfolio and testimonials, you can increase your rates. Many beginners also start by building simple micro-SaaS tools that solve specific problems, which can generate passive income while you learn.
Do I need coding experience to make money with vibe coding?
No traditional coding experience is required. Vibe coding uses AI tools like Natively, Bolt, Cursor, and Replit that generate code from natural language descriptions. However, understanding basic programming concepts helps you communicate better with AI and troubleshoot issues. Many successful vibe coders come from non-technical backgrounds including design, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
What tools do I need to start making money with vibe coding?
Essential tools include an AI code generator like Natively (starting at $5/month for mobile apps), Bolt, or Cursor. For backend functionality, most vibe coders use Supabase (free tier available) for databases and authentication. Total startup costs can be under $50/month. For freelancing, you will also need accounts on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Is vibe coding a sustainable career path?
Yes, vibe coding is becoming increasingly sustainable. The market is projected to grow to $264 billion by 2032, with 82% of developers now using AI coding tools daily. Companies like Y Combinator report that 25% of their 2025 startups built 95%+ of their codebase using AI. As AI tools improve, vibe coders who understand product development and user needs will remain valuable.