The State of Side Projects Economy.
​Dev Insights Survey

Share your experience. Shape the future. Get early access to real data from the global dev community.

  • Are you building after hours, freelancing, or just curious about what's working for devs?
  • Add your voice and see how you stack up.
  • Gain insights into the developer side project landscape
  • Contribute to a comprehensive understanding of dev economics

The best side projects don't start with 'How do I make money?' but with 'What problem can I solve for myself or others?


About "The Side Projects Economy" Survey

Hey builder! Whether you're a full stack dev, backend wizard, or frontend artist, your insights will help map the real landscape of side projects this year. No spam, no sales, just real data for devs, by devs.

The Developer Boom

There are now over 28.7 million software developers worldwide. The side project economy is growing fast because more devs than ever are experimenting with indie SaaS, open source tools, and micro-startups alongside their day jobs.

What's Actually Working

The survey digs into what kinds of side projects are gaining real traction  in present —what tech stacks, markets, and monetization models are working, and which ones are stalling out.

Motivations and Roadblocks

It explores why devs start side projects (learning, income, solving personal pains, building a portfolio) and the biggest blockers—like time, motivation, and getting users.

Tech Trends Shaping Side Hustles

AI, low-code/no-code, and cloud-native tools are making it easier and faster for devs to ship and scale side projects than ever before. The survey captures which trends are actually helping makers get results.

Why Your Voice Matters: 5 Benefits of Participating

Your contribution is more than just data—it's a catalyst for community understanding and professional growth.

Data-Driven Developer Insights

Gain Access to Real, Data-Driven Insights from Fellow Developers. By participating, you'll get early access to honest, community-sourced data about what side projects are working, what challenges others face, and emerging trends shaping the developer side hustle economy.

Developer-Led Resource

Contribute to a Developer-Led Resource That Maps the Side Project Landscape. Your input helps create a valuable resource for the entire dev community—highlighting motivations, blockers, and successes that can inspire and guide others.

Personal Growth

Reflect on Your Own Side Project Journey and Goals. Answering the survey questions encourages you to clarify your motivations, challenges, and priorities around side projects—helping you gain perspective and focus.

Recognize Side Projects

Support a Movement That Recognizes Side Projects as Real Work and Career Growth. Side projects are often undervalued in professional settings. By sharing your experience, you validate their importance.

Straightforward Research

No Spam, No Sales—Just Straightforward, Developer-Focused Research. Designed by devs, for devs. You'll get meaningful insights that respect your time and contribution.

Your Fellow Developers

​Are Already In.


​Add Your Perspective

Ready to submit your form?
​ 

About

Survey

​Form

Questions are crafted in clear, straightforward language tailored for coders and tech enthusiasts, making it easy to understand and answer without jargon or ambiguity.

10

Questions​

The survey consists of about 10 targeted questions covering key areas such as motivations for starting side projects, current project status, technology stacks used, challenges faced, monetization strategies, and community engagement.   


5

Minutes

Designed to respect your time, the survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, making it efficient for busy developers and techies.

100

% Confidential and Anonymous

Your responses are completely confidential. The survey does not collect any personally identifiable information unless you choose to share it, ensuring your privacy is fully protected.

0

Intrusion on Personal Details

The survey carefully avoids asking for sensitive or proprietary information about your business or personal identity, focusing only on insights relevant to the side projects economy.


How does this work? 


1

Start the Survey

Click the survey link and begin—no login or personal details required. The form is divided into six clear sections covering your motivations, project status, tech stack, challenges, monetization, and more.

2

Share Your Experience

Answer straightforward, jargon-free questions about your side project journey or your interest in starting one. The survey is designed to take just 5 minutes and doesn't ask for sensitive business or personal information.

3

Submit with Confidence

Once you're done, submit your responses knowing your input is 100% confidential and anonymous. None of your core business or personal details are collected or shared.

4

Get Community Insights

 After the survey closes, you'll get early access to a summary of the results—real data and trends from fellow coders and techies, helping you benchmark your own journey and discover what's working in the side projects economy.

The Side Projects Economy Survey — FAQs

What is The Side Projects Economy Survey?

How long does it take to complete the survey?

What kind of questions will I be asked?

Is my participation and data confidential?

Who should participate in this survey?

Do I need to have an existing side project to participate?

Will my business or personal details be shared publicly?

How often is The Side Projects Economy Survey conducted?

How frequently will I be asked to fill in the survey form each year?

Will I need to participate in the survey more than once per year?

How frequently are the survey results compiled and shared with participants?

When will I be able to see the results after participating?

Is the survey open year-round or only at specific times?

Will I be notified when new survey rounds or updates are available?

How current is the data presented in the survey results?

Cover of The Side Projects Economy Report 2025 showing a person holding a sticky note with CODE written on it.
2025
The Side Projects
Survey Report 

The side projects economy survey 2025

Curious About Side Projects?
​Get the Survey Report 2025

Even if you're not actively building a side project right now, the Side Projects Economy Survey report offers valuable insights into what developers like you are creating and exploring. Sign up to receive early access and discover trends, challenges, and opportunities that might inspire your future projects. Stay informed and ready for when the time is right.

​​Sign up now and receive a copy of this year's survey report as soon as it's ready in the first quarter of next year. 

Sign up now to get your copy

What makers Say about The Side Projects Economy: