Share your experience. Shape the future. Get early access to real data from the global dev community.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your contribution is more than just data—it's a catalyst for community understanding and professional growth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ready to submit your 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.
Questions
% Confidential and Anonymous
Intrusion on Personal Details
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.
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.
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.
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.
This survey is a community-driven initiative to map the real landscape of side projects among coders, techies, and builders. It gathers insights on motivations, challenges, technologies, and trends shaping the side project ecosystem.
The survey is designed to be quick and easy, typically taking just 5 minutes to complete.
You'll answer straightforward questions about your motivations, project status, tech stack, challenges, monetization strategies, and how you engage with the side project community.
Yes, 100%. All responses are confidential and anonymous. No personally identifiable or sensitive business information is collected unless you choose to share it.
Any developer, coder, or tech enthusiast—whether you have an active side project, are thinking of starting one, or simply want to share your perspective.
No! The survey welcomes both those who have already built side projects and those who are just exploring ideas or considering getting started.
Absolutely not. The survey is designed to respect your privacy and does not require any core business or personal details.
The survey is typically conducted once per year to capture the latest trends and insights from the developer community.
You will only be asked to participate once per survey cycle, which is usually once a year.
No, a single submission per annual survey is all that's needed.
Survey results are compiled and analyzed after each survey round, with summaries shared with participants and the community shortly thereafter.
You'll receive early access to the compiled results as soon as they are ready, typically within a few weeks after the survey closes.
The survey is open during specific periods each year. We'll announce the opening and closing dates in advance.
Yes, if you opt in to updates, you'll be notified about new survey rounds and when results are published.
All data shared reflects the most recent survey cycle, ensuring you get up-to-date insights from the community.
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.
Side projects are the best way to learn, build your audience, and create something meaningful without the pressure of a full-time job.
Pieter Levels
Indie Maker, Creator of Nomad List
The tailored approach from TractionMate was exactly what we needed. Their guidance in identifying our audience enabled us to connect in more meaningful ways.
Evan You
Maker & Creator of Vue.js
Side projects taught me more about entrepreneurship than any job ever did. They're low-risk experiments with high learning potential.
Sahil Lavingia
Maker & Founder, Gumroad