20 Profitable and In-Demand Home-Based Business Ideas

Thinking of setting up a small business from home? There's no better time than now. As companies implement hybrid work arrangements that allow employees to work from home on certain days of the week, grab the opportunity to explore small business ideas at home in the Philippines. 

In fact, as of 2022, 99.59% of business enterprises in the country are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).^[1] 

If you want to jump-start your dream of becoming your own boss, start with these profitable and in-demand home-based business ideas in the Philippines. 

What is a Home-Based Business?

The meaning of a home-based business is pretty self-explanatory—it’s any business you fully operate from home. Regardless of the business type or size, it’s considered home-based if its primary office is located in a home you live in.

Advantages of a Home-Based Business

There are so many advantages to home-based businesses. To give you the motivation to run a profitable small business at home, here are reasons to start one: 

👍 No Need to Commute or Drive to Work

Since your office is right at home, there’s no need to wake up early to beat the morning traffic or catch the next bus. This saves a lot of time, which you can spend on more worthwhile things. Because you don’t need to travel to get to work, you also save money on gas, toll fees, and fares. 

👍 Lower Startup Costs

Since you’re running your business from home, you don’t need to put out a lot of money to get your business started. Compared to opening a brick-and-mortar store or office, you can start a home-based business with a low startup cost.

Some home-based businesses don’t even require capital to start, especially if you already have the skills or equipment. Once you have the equipment, furniture, phone lines, and internet connection, you can start your business. 

Read more: Financing a Business: 8 Funding Options to Look Into

👍 Lower Overhead

Unlike with a physical store, starting a business from home means paying only utility bills, rent, or mortgage. There’s no separate office to manage, which means more savings on operating expenses. You’re using resources you already have to make money. 

👍 Less Risky

Since a home-based business means lower startup capital, you don’t need to shell out hundreds of thousands to get it running. There’s no need to construct, rent, or manage a physical store, so you can shell out a smaller investment.   

👍 More Freedom and Flexibility 

Another advantage of home-based businesses is more personal freedom. Multitask during your downtime and set your own schedule. Since you're your own boss, you can take breaks or vacations whenever you want and make business decisions as you see fit. Moreover, there’s no dress code or office politics!  

👍 Do Something You Love

Your home-based business can be the start of a dream come true. It’s an opportunity to discover other talents, hone your skills, and give birth to new passions. When you have the flexibility of running your own business in a place you love and feel safe, it can both be a great creative outlet and an income-generating opportunity. 

👍 Opportunity for Self-Discovery and Self-Growth

As the boss, you get to wear different hats. You learn many aspects of running a business, from selling and record-keeping to customer service and advertising.

With every customer you talk to or with every sale you close, you learn something new. Not every day will be a good day for business, so you’ll also learn a lot of lessons personally and professionally.  

Disadvantages of a Home-Based Business

If there are benefits to having a home-based business, there are also drawbacks you should know:

👎 Uncertain Income

There may be times when you won’t hit your target sales due to personal or professional reasons.

Maybe you’re feeling sick or going through a bad case of burnout. Or there may be some issues with suppliers or your online store. These things can affect your business operations and ultimately your income. 

👎 Reduced Benefits

If you plan to go into your home-based business full-time, you won’t be getting the same benefits you did with a regular day job. Not only will you have to pay for it on your own, but you’ll also need to provide employee benefits and pay mandatory government contributions if you hire your own staff.

👎 More Distractions 

Unless you set up a separate place in your home where you can tackle work-related stuff, running a business from home will be filled with distractions. You'll have to attend to your kids, cook food, wash dishes, and take care of many other household and family responsibilities. 

👎 Can Interfere With Your Family Life 

Home is where your work is, so it won’t be so easy to switch from boss to mom or dad just like that—especially when there’s just too much work to be done. You can end up working longer hours and taking away precious hours that should be spent on your family or on yourself. 

👎 More Work 

When starting your home-based business, it’s usually just a one-man show. You’ll perform all kinds of business-related tasks, maybe because you can’t afford to hire people to do them. 

If you plan to juggle both your day job and a small business, you'll have your hands full as well. Before diving in, make sure you can manage both.

What is the Best Business to Start in the Philippines?

The best small home business ideas in the Philippines should enable you to do or achieve these things: 

• Earn good income
• Enjoy flexible hours
• Achieve a work-life balance
• Have low startup and operating costs
• Use your skills, knowledge, and experience
• Do something you’re passionate about or interested in

20 Profitable and In-Demand Home-Based Businesses in the Philippines for 2024

Drumming up business ideas at home in the Philippines? Check these out: 

📌 Merienda Business

Starting capital: ₱2,000 to ₱5,000

What's the best business to start from home if you have little money? This business requires as little as ₱2,000 as an investment. 

Stumped for merienda business ideas? You can sell a variety of food, ranging from almusal favorites to afternoon snacks. Think lugaw, palabok, puto, biko, fishballs, kwek-kwek, banana-cue, and other Pinoy favorites.

You can set up shop just outside your home, with your neighbors as your target market. If you’re in a good location, this can definitely be a profitable business in the Philippines.

📌 Writing Services

Starting capital: ₱2,000 to ₱25,000

This is one of the most in-demand and profitable business ideas at home in the Philippines for budding and professional writers alike. Be it writing online articles or the next Harry Potter saga, there are numerous ways to generate income through writing.

Find clients on freelance platforms like Upwork or Freelancer, or through your own professional network. You can be a ghostwriter or a self-publisher—all without having to leave your home. 

Of course, if you want to self-publish, there are additional costs such as book design fees, marketing, promotional expenses, and editing services. But it’s a good business to start in the Philippines for creative writers at home.

₱20,000 will get you a standard laptop, and you can type away on Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

📌 Blogging

Starting capital: ₱2,000 to ₱25,000

If you love writing but would prefer to become something of a public figure or thought leader, why not consider becoming a professional blogger? 

For only ₱2,000, you can get a web hosting plan and a personal domain name for your blog. Monetize your blog through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and Google Adsense.

However, it takes patience and time before you can make a profit from blogging. Aside from conducting research and honing excellent writing skills, you also need to know about building traffic, personal brand, and networking. 

In short, your blog needs to stand out. With the many influencers and vloggers monetizing their reach and skills, you have to post your best work every time.

📌 Online Tutoring

Starting Capital: ₱2,000 to ₱25,000

Do you love kids and enjoy studying? Why not start an online tutoring service?

If you already have a laptop and a trusty internet connection, you can give this business idea a go. All you need is a budget of ₱2,000 to start your online tutoring business.

This home-based business idea is not exclusive to licensed teachers providing academic lessons. You can also offer music and art lessons for budding enthusiasts. As long as it’s a teachable skill, you can offer lessons online. 

Set up a Zoom or Skype account and advertise your business using social media groups to gain customers. Whether it’s group classes or one-on-one instructions you’ll offer, you can just charge accordingly.

📌 Homemade Products Business

Starting capital: ₱3,000 to ₱5,000

With a capital of only ₱3,000 to ₱5,000, this is one of the most accessible home-based business ideas in the Philippines. You can sell your famous kare-kare online or make homemade milk teas with different flavors. Meals good for two can be sold for up to ₱250, while homemade drinks can be sold for around ₱120 for a 500 ml bottle.

To ensure the food you make won’t go to waste, cook meals on a made-to-order basis only. You can do this for drinks as well.

Other homemade products you can sell include soaps, candles, perfumes, sandwich spreads, pasta sauces, home decor, and many others. The starting capital for these products may vary, and you may need additional skills to make them.

📌 E-loading Business

Starting capital: ₱5,000 to ₱7,000

For as low as ₱5,000, you can start an e-loading business at home. All you need is a basic phone, a retailer SIM card, and a starting balance of ₱5,000. Your e-loading station can also be paired with a sari-sari store or bills payment business.

As a load retailer, you'll earn commissions of around 3% to 13% per transaction. It may not be a lot, but it’s a good business to start if you’re not ready to quit your full-time job or if you already have an established or profitable home-based business in the Philippines.

📌 Sari-Sari Store

Starting capital: ₱5,000 to ₱10,000

Photo: John Martin PERRY (Wikimedia Commons)

Looking for a tried-and-tested small business idea at home? A sari-sari store sells almost everything—from laundry detergents to favorite snacks— and has been part of our daily lives for a long time. 

For only a few thousand pesos, you can get our sari-sari store up and running. You can also earn as much as ₱15,000 daily, depending on your location. If you manage your home-based sari-sari store well, you can grow it into a bigger grocery store and make a much bigger profit.

This uniquely Pinoy small business idea is also one of the most profitable ones in the Philippines. Consider opening one if you have the space for a small store in your home.

📌 Online Selling

Starting capital: ₱5,000 to ₱10,000

Thanks to the internet, you can start a business from home. Just sell anything from clothes to hair products on social media and e-commerce marketplaces such as Lazada, Shopee, and Carousell. To maximize profits, buy products in bulk at cheap prices from reliable and legitimate suppliers and resell them online.

You need only a few thousand pesos as capital. To start this online business, you just need your existing computer or phone, an internet connection, an online selling platform, and products to sell—which you can set up at home.

This profitable home-based business idea is perfect for first-time entrepreneurs.

📌 Digital Marketing Agency

Starting capital: ₱5,000 to ₱25,000

If you’re a professional digital marketer who wants to quit your office job, start your own digital marketing business at home. These days, digital marketers are in demand because of the number of companies that need a good strategy.

If you have the skills, experience, and laptop, you may only need a capital of about ₱5,000 and earn as much as ₱50,000 a month. Obviously, you’ll also need an internet connection for this business idea.

You can do it all on your own, but once you get a steady stream of clients and more workload, you can tap other professionals to join your team. By expanding your service offerings to content marketing, SEM, and graphic design, you can enjoy bigger profits as well.

📌 Baking Business

Starting capital: ₱5,000 to ₱40,000

Do you have a sweet tooth and a love for pastries? You can turn this passion into a profitable business in the Philippines.

If you enjoy baking, sell your best-tasting baked goodies. Assuming you already have the equipment for this home-based food business idea, you can open shop for only ₱5,000. This capital can go as high as ₱40,000 if you still need to invest in baking equipment.

You can offer cupcakes, pandesal, cakes, and other pastry delights. You can also accept custom orders for various celebrations. Don’t forget to set up a Facebook or Instagram page to advertise online.

💳 Buy Materials for Your Home-Based Business with a Credit Card

Starting and running a home-based business involves certain costs. Get your equipment and other business essentials with a credit card so you can enjoy points, cash back, installment perks, and more. 

Compare your options and apply via Moneymax:

Credit Card	Perks for Business Owners
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card	1 point per ₱30 spend 3x points for shopping locally and abroad
UnionBank Lazada Credit Card	₱6 Lazada Wallet Credits per ₱200 spend at Lazada ₱1 Lazada Credit per ₱200 spend at other merchants ₱50 monthly shipping vouchers at Lazada ₱500 discount vouchers for 5 Lazada Sales all year round Priority access to Lazada Sales Discounts from selected Lazada merchants
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend eCommerce purchase protection of up to US$200 0% installment at partner merchants
HSBC Red Mastercard	1 point for every ₱20 spend 4x points on shopping, online, and overseas transactions

📌 Bills Payment Business

Starting Capital: ₱5,000 to ₱45,000

A bills payment center is a great business idea to start at home in the Philippines. After all, most people don’t like spending their entire day falling in line just to pay their electric and water bills. So not only does this business offer a lot of profit—it also solves customers’ biggest woes.

This type of home-based business can offer bills payments, remittance, and e-loading. You'll need to invest in a point-of-sale (POS) device.

The startup cost ranges from ₱5,000 to ₱45,000. You can get a potential income of up to ₱10,000 monthly.

Read more: Selling and More: Business Ideas with 50K Capital in the Philippines

📌 Tailoring Services

Starting capital: ₱8,000 to ₱25,000

Armed with a sturdy sewing machine, you can start a tailoring services business at home. Offer tailor-fit clothes and alteration services for fashion-savvy customers. Aside from clothes, you can also make bed sheets, curtains, and floor mats.

You need sewing skills for this home-based business to work. It also requires a lot of patience and attention to detail. Nevertheless, if you have an eye for fashion, this is one of the best business ideas at home in the Philippines.

📌 Fashion Accessories Business

Starting capital: ₱10,000 to ₱30,000

Earn money from your love for fashion and creativity with an accessories business. Sell handmade pieces such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Other accessories you can offer include wallets, bags, and phone pouches.

For this in-demand business idea in the Philippines, ₱10,000 is a good starting capital, which covers materials, overhead costs, and website design for your online shop. But it can increase depending on factors, such as expensive materials. Using leather can raise your starting capital to ₱30,000. 

📌 Travel Agency

Starting capital: ₱15,000 to ₱20,000

Love going on adventures? Help others enjoy the wonders of travel with this small home-based business. Just familiarize yourself with the booking or ticketing process, know the travel requirements of each country, and answer customer inquiries professionally. 

To get your home-based travel agency running, you’ll need a computer, a phone, a printer, and an internet connection. You should also register your business with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) so you can be a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is a requirement if you’re going to issue airline tickets. 

Depending on the travel agency you tie up with, you can enjoy benefits like exclusive access to booking portals, your own business website, a rewards plan, or a commission scheme. You can earn from booking airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and tour packages, or from your referrals.

With a home-based travel agency business, the bulk of the work will be in promoting your flights and travel packages online or through word of mouth. To find out more about this type of home-based business, you can check out ph.via.com or WCA Travel. 

📌 Coffee Stand

Starting Capital: ₱20,000 to ₱50,000

Take your love for coffee to the next level and make a business out of it. If you want an easy and inexpensive way to turn your dreams of being a coffee shop owner into reality, set up a coffee stand in front of your house, or build a coffee nook in your garage. 

To get your home-based coffee shop started, get a commercial espresso machine, ideally a semi-automatic one. It’s the best for small coffee shops because it’s not expensive (around ₱5,000). However, you still need a barista to operate it if you want that authentic coffee house vibe.  

Want to grind your own coffee beans? You’ll need an industrial grinder as well. Invest in an automatic drip coffee maker for customers who just want their coffee plain, dark, and strong.   

Purchase the equipment brand-new, or save money by buying second-hand ones online. 

📌 Graphic Design Business

Starting Capital: ₱20,000 to ₱70,000

Looking for unique business ideas from home that'll make you stand out? If you have a signature artistic flair, give this a shot.

You can offer graphic design services to influencers and vloggers from the comfort of your home. In addition, you can cater to local and foreign startup businesses that need graphic design services. You can also accept custom print orders or design commissions for clients who want a one-of-a-kind design.

This business idea requires a budget of up to ₱70,000 for design software, a computer, and a graphic tablet.

Read more: Turning Your Art Into a Business: Read This Before You Set Up Shop

📌 Car Wash 

Starting capital: ₱30,000

As more people buy cars, the demand for car wash services grows. Pinoy car owners like their cars to look shiny and new all the time, with that fresh out-of-the-dealership scent. 

If you're one of these car lovers, this home-based business idea is perfect for you. As long as you have enough space in your garage to accommodate several cars at a time, you can set up your own home-based car wash. 

Invest in a compact electric pressure washer. This costs around ₱7,000. You need a strong water supply as well. In case of water shortage, make sure you have a pressure tank with at least 340 liters capacity. This costs around ₱7,500. 

Aside from this, you also need a vacuum cleaner with a blower (around ₱3,700), a water hose, and a stepladder. You also need cleaning supplies like pails, buckets, sponges, car shampoo, car wax, car polisher, scratch remover, and tire black. 

As for the income potential, it depends on how many vehicles you wash per day and how strategic your location is. You can charge ₱150 for small cars and up to ₱250 for extra-large cars. You can offer interior and exterior detailing services, too, which usually range from ₱3,000 to ₱6,000 per vehicle. 

📌 Home Salon Services

Starting capital: ₱50,000 to ₱70,000

If you have mad hairstyling or haircutting skills, this is one of the excellent options for home-based business ideas in the Philippines. You can save money if you already have complete tools and equipment. Just dedicate a space for your home salon.

Starting the business from scratch? Invest in hairstyling and haircutting equipment and supplies. Salon chairs and shampoo chairs cost around ₱8,000.

Prepare to shell out around ₱50,000 to get your home salon business started. Don't forget to keep yourself updated with the latest hairstyles and trends. 

📌 Rice Retailing or Bigasan

Starting capital: ₱50,000 to ₱120,000

Since rice is a food staple in the Philippines, having your own bigasan means always having customers. Note that you need to get a license from the National Food Authority (NFA) and secure necessary government registrations and permits.

If you’re located in an area with high foot traffic, you can earn as much as ₱5,000 a week. You can have a stand-alone bigasan at home or as part of your sari-sari store.

Always monitor your rice supply as it can spoil easily and lose its quality within three months.

📌 Print on Demand

Starting capital: Varies depending on demand

One unique home-based business idea in the Philippines is print-on-demand. Aside from shirts, you can print hoodies, sweatshirts, baseball caps, pillows, bags, mugs, phone cases, and notebooks. 

Just upload your design to your online store and print it only when someone places an order. This eliminates the need to buy printing machines and hire staff.

With print-on-demand, you don’t need to worry about physical inventory and order fulfillment. Your print provider will take care of that for you. Popular print providers in the Philippines include Teespring, PrintDrop, and Printful.

And yes, you don’t need to shell out money to get your printing business started. You just need to set up an online store where your customers can buy your items. 

Print providers will charge you only for the production cost. You get to set the price for your product.

Related article: Small Capital, Big Dreams: 32 Small Business Ideas in the Philippines

Final Thoughts

Which of these home-based business ideas appeals to you the most? These are just a few ideas if you want to start earning income on the side. 

If you have a unique idea inspired by your passions and interests, explore and turn it into a money-making venture from home. At the end of the day, you know best what brings you fulfillment, happiness, success, and stability. 

Source: ^[1] 2022 PHILIPPINE MSME STATISTICS (DTI, 2022)