Are you new to GTA V Online, want to start a business, and feel a bit lost? Worry not, we’ve got you! Businesses are a huge part of making passive income and progressing in the criminal underworld of GTA V Online.
In this guide, we will break down all of the main types of businesses you can own, how they work, and which ones are most profitable as of today.
1. CEO Business
Becoming a CEO lets you run high-profit businesses using your Executive Office. It unlocks powerful money-making opportunities like:
- Special Cargo (buy crates, store in a warehouse, and sell in bulk)
- Vehicle Cargo (steal high-end cars and export them)
- Special/Smuggler/Vehicle Warehouses
How to Start as a CEO
- Buy an Executive Office from Dynasty 8 Executive
- Cheapest: Maze Bank West (~$1M)
- Most expensive: Maze Bank Tower (~$4M)
- Register as CEO via Interaction Menu – SecuroServ – Register as CEO
- Access your SecuroServ laptop inside the office to start missions.
CEO Business Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High payout potential | Crate missions are repetitive |
| Passive CEO perks (free buzzard, spawn vehicles, etc) | The setup cost is high (Office + Warehouse) |
| Can be done solo | Sell missions can be risky if done solo |
| Vehicle Cargo is fast and repeatable |
CEO Perks
- Ability to spawn vehicles and choppers instantly (Buzzard, vehicles, etc.)
- Access to VIP Work
- No cooldowns for most free mode missions
- Helps with other business management (e.g., managing the Nightclub, sourcing goods)
CEO Business Profit Estimates
| Activity | Avg Profit/Hour | Solo Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Cargo | $300K–$400K/hr | Yes |
| Special Cargo | $200K–$250K/hr | With prep |
| Special Vehicle | Very Low | No |
Tips for Solo CEO Grinding
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Use a Buzzard / Oppressor Mk II | Faster travel, so more missions per hour |
| Do VIP work in between cooldowns | Missions like Headhunter |
| Avoid large special cargo sells alone | You can lose stock or fail the mission |
| Combine with a nightclub | Vehicle Cargo fills Nightclub stock passively |
2. MC Businesses (Motorcycle Club Businesses)
MC Businesses are part of the Bikers DLC. They let you run illegal operations for passive income once you have purchased a Clubhouse and registered as an MC President.
After that, you can then buy and run up to 5 drug/manufacturing businesses, each producing different illegal goods.
Types of MC Businesses
| Business Type | Base Price (approx) | Max Sale Payout | Best for Solo? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocaine Lockup | $975K – $1.85M | ~$420K | Yes |
| Meth Lab | $910K – $1.7M | ~$357K | Ok-ish |
| Counterfeit Cash | $845K – $1.6M | ~$294K | Ok-ish |
| Weed Farm | $715K – $1.35M | ~$252K | Low profit |
| Document Forgery | $650K – $1.2M | ~$126K | Avoid |
MC Businesses Profits Estimate
| Business | Profit per Full Sell | Time to Produce | Profit/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocaine Lockup | ~$420K | ~5 hours | ~$84K/hr |
| Meth Lab | ~$357K | ~5 hours | ~$71K/hr |
| Counterfeit | ~$294K | ~5 hours | ~$58K/hr |
MC Businesses Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Passive income | Upfront costs are high |
| Solo possible | Vulnerable to raids |
| Feeds the nightclub | Sell missions can be rough solo |
| No cooldowns on resupply | Low profit for some businesses |
| Stackable profits | Supplies must be managed |
3. Nightclub
The nightclub in GTA V Online is one of the best businesses for solo players, especially when combined with other businesses. It’s unique because it generates completely passive income once set up properly.
It is a hybrid business that generates passive income through a Warehouse system and also makes money via the Club popularity system.
How to Get Started
- Buy a Nightclub (cheapest is ~ $1M, best location: Del Perro or LS Downtown)
- Own at least one of the following businesses: Cocaine Lockup, Meth Lab, Cash Factory, Bunker, Crates
- Hire Technicians to assign to each product type
- Let the nightclub generate stock passively while you do other stuff
Pros & Cons of the Nightclub
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fully passive income | Expensive upgrades |
| Stackable with other businesses | Slow start |
| No resupply or risk | Takes time to fill (stock builds slowly ~1–2 hours) |
| Solo-friendly | Requires other businesses |
| Safe and low stress |
Nightclub Profit Potential (Fully Upgraded)
| Business Type (Product) | Linked Business Required | Income Rate | Max Units | Max Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo & Shipments | CEO Crates | $10K/hr | 50 | $500K |
| South American Imports | Cocaine Lockup | $20K/hr | 10 | $200K |
| Pharmaceutical Research | Meth Lab | $18K/hr | 20 | $360K |
| Cash Creation | Counterfeit Cash | $14K/hr | 20 | $280K |
| Sporting Goods | Bunker | $7K/hr | 100 | $700K |
4. Bunker
The Bunker in GTA V Online is one of the most profitable and efficient businesses, especially for solo players who want high passive income with manageable effort.
It is part of the Gunrunning update, and it lets you manufacture and sell illegal weapons for a big profit. It’s a passive business, similar to the Nightclub, but with some active elements like:
- Resupply (buy or steal)
- Manufacturing over time
- One-time sales (can be done solo)
How It Works
- Buy a Bunker (cheapest is $1.165M at Paleto Forest)
- Buy upgrades
- Buy or steal supplies
- Bunker produces weapon parts
- Sell them locally (low risk) or to distant buyers (max profit)
Note
You can also use the Bunker Research system to unlock weapon skins, vehicles, and Mk II upgrades.
Bunker Profits (Fully Upgraded)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full stock value | $1,050,000 (distant sale) |
| Local sale value | $750,000 |
| Time to fill stock | ~11 hours (real time) |
| Supplies cost (Full Bar) | $75,000 |
| Profit per supply run | ~$210,000+ |
Note
Passive Income Rate: ~ $95,000 per hour (with max upgrades & buying supplies)
Bunker Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High passive profit | Long production time |
| Solo-friendly | No resupply stacking |
| Feeds Nightclub | Expensive upgrades |
| Low maintenance | |
| Safe to leave idle |
5. Arcade
The Arcade in GTA V Online is a multi-purpose property introduced with the Diamond Casino Heist update, and it’s one of the best businesses if you enjoy both heists and passive income.
The Arcade serves three major purposes:
- Heist Planning Base (It’s the only way to run the Diamond Casino Heist)
- Passive Income Business
- Master Control Terminal (You can manage all your other businesses from one place)
Pros & Cons of the Arcade
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlocks casino heist | High setup cost |
| Passive income | Low passive income |
| Unlocks the casino heist | Requires setup work for heists |
Arcade Passive Profits Estimate
| Number of Arcade Machines | Income per In-Game Day (48 mins) | Real-Time Hourly Profit | Income per 4 Hours | Income per 8 Hours | Safe Fill Time (to $50K cap) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| 1 | $500 | ~$625/hr | $2,500 | $5,000 | 4 in-game days (~3h 12m) |
| 3 | $1,500 | ~$1,875/hr | $7,500 | $15,000 | 10 in-game days (~8h) |
| 5 | $2,500 | ~$3,125/hr | $12,500 | $25,000 | 20 in-game days (~16h) |
| 7 | $3,500 | ~$4,375/hr | $17,500 | $35,000 | 29 in-game days (~23h) |
| 10 (Max) | $5,000 | ~$6,250/hr | $25,000 | $50,000 | 40 in-game days (~32h) |
Note
-Each machine adds $500 per in-game day (48 minutes)
-Max profit: $5,000 every 48 minutes
-Safe caps at $50,000, so check it regularly to avoid losing out
-Passive income continues as long as you are in a public, invite-only, or friends session
6. Agency
The Agency in GTA V Online was introduced in the “The Contract” update. It offers passive income, high-paying missions, and access to unique perks like Franklin Clinton, the Dr. Dre VIP Contract, and even a way to control Security Contracts for steady cash.
The Agency is a high-end office that gives you access to:
- Security Contracts (short missions for quick cash)
- VIP Contract (storyline missions featuring Dr. Dre)
- Passive Income via Safe
- Access to Imani Tech Upgrades (bulletproof cars, missile jammers)
- Armory, Vehicle Workshop, and more (optional upgrades)
Agency Income Estimate
| Income Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Security contracts | $31,000–$60,000 per mission (10–15 min) |
| VIP contract (Dr. Dre) | ~$1,000,000 total for completing the full storyline |
| Passive income (Wall Safe) | Up to $20,000/day (48 minutes real time) if you do daily contracts |
| One-time bonus (First Time Dre) | $1,000,000 after completing the full VIP Contract once |
Agency Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great money for solo players | Upfront cost is high (~$2–4M total with upgrades) |
| Simple, fast missions | Passive income maxes at $20K/day |
| Solo-friendly |
7. Auto shop
The Auto Shop is a profitable business, especially for solo players and small crews. It was introduced with the Los Santos Tuners update and offers a combination of passive income, mini heist-style contracts, and vehicle servicing for extra cash. It’s great for solo players who want manageable content with decent pay and minimal risk.
The Auto Shop functions as:
- Base of operations for “Contracts”
- Customer Vehicle Service
- Tuner Garage
- Access to Exotic Exports
Auto Shop Income Estimate
| Income source | Earnings | Frequency / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts | $170,000 – $300,000 | Short, 2-part missions like mini-heists |
| Customer vehicle delivery | $20,000 – $35,000 per car | Up to 2 cars per in-game day (48 mins) |
| Exotic exports list | $20,000 per car × 10 daily | Random spawns around map |
| Auto shop safe | Random spawns around the map | Collect earnings from successful deliveries |
Auto Shop Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High profit with low risk | Exotic exports rely on RNG spawns |
| Multiple income streams | Upgrades needed for full efficiency |
| Solo-friendly | Customer deliveries get repetitive |
| Fast-grind business | |
| Quick missions |
8. Hangar
The Hangar is an aerial business hub introduced in the Smuggler’s Run update. It allows players to store and modify aircraft, run a cargo-smuggling business, and access unique missions, but it’s not ideal for solo players compared to other businesses.
The Hangar serves two main purposes:
- Aircraft Storage and Customization
- Air Cargo Business (Smuggling) – source and sell different types of contraband
You can buy a hangar through Maze Bank Foreclosures.
How It Works
- Run by Ron Jakowski
- You source cargo in missions (solo or with friends)
- Cargo is stored by type
- Sell in bulk for higher bonuses
- Maximum warehouse capacity: 50 crates
Hangar Business Payout
| Cargo Type | Sale Price per Crate | Full 50-Crate Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Narcotics | $10,000 | $500,000 |
| Chemicals | $8,000 | $400,000 |
| Medical supplies | $7,000 | $350,000 |
| Animal materials | $6,000 | $300,000 |
| Art & antiques | $5,000 | $250,000 |
| Counterfeit goods | $4,000 | $200,000 |
| Tobacco & alcohol | $3,000 | $150,000 |
Note
Selling 50 crates of a single type gives a +35% bonus, raising full sale values to ~$675,000!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Decent money in full lobby sales | Very grindy solo |
| Solo-friendly | Low payout/hour compared to other businesses |
| Comes with aircraft like the Buzzard or the Cuban 800 | No passive income |
| Store & customize aircraft | Sell missions can be hard solo |
GTA Online Business Verdict
| Business | Passive Income | Solo Friendly | Profit Potential | Fun Factor | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nightclub | High ($50–70K/hr) | Yes | High | Low | Top passive business (best when linked to others) |
| Agency | Medium ($20K/48min) | Yes | High | High | Great solo income + Dre content + armored cars |
| Auto Shop | 50-50 | Yes | High | High | Fast, fun contracts + delivery income |
| Bunker | High (after setup) | Medium | High | Medium | Top-tier passive income + best long-term solo grind |
| CEO Cargo | No | Medium | High | Medium | Profitable but repetitive, better with 2+ players |
| MC Businesses | Yes | Risky solo | High | Medium | Great with Nightclub, risky active sales |
| Arcade | Small (max $50K/day) | Yes | Low | High | Mostly support business (linked to Casino Heist) |
| Hangar | No | Grind-heavy | Low | Depends | For collectors & pilots only, weakest solo value |
Top 4 Solo-Friendly Businesses
If you are enjoying playing GTA V Online solo, then you should probably follow one of the businesses mentioned in this table and save yourself some time.
| Rank | Business | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nightclub | Best passive income when linked to other businesses |
| 2 | Bunker | Huge profit over time with few sell missions |
| 3 | Agency | Fast, repeatable, safe money, bulletproof vehicles |
| 4 | Auto Shop | Fun, soloable heist-style contracts with car income |
Pro Tips!
You can use the tips listed below to make your in-game life easier and have more fun while getting richer. So always remember to:
- Always buy upgrades (especially Security, Equipment, and Staff)
- Focus on solo-friendly methods if you don’t play in teams
- Use Nightclub Warehouse Technician Assignments wisely to maximize profits
- Combine passive businesses (like Nightclub & Bunker) with active grinds (like Heists or Vehicle Cargo)
GTA V Online offers a wide variety of businesses, but not all are created equal, especially for solo players. The best setup depends on whether you want passive income, active missions, or a mix of both. Which of the businesses mentioned in this article rings a bell for you? What’s your play style, and what else would you like to see being added to the game at some point? Let me know by submitting your comment below.
