Comparison

Web Development vs App / SaaS Development

Compare web development and app/SaaS development as side hustles. See income potential, difficulty, and scalability compared.

Income Comparison

$500-$2k
Beginner / mo
$0-$100
$3k-$7k
Intermediate / mo
$500-$5k
$8k-$20k
Advanced / mo
$5k-$100k
$150-$300/hr
Hourly (adv.)
$50-$1000/hr

Ratings Comparison

Difficulty

Web Development4/5
4/5
App / SaaS Development5/5
5/5

Flexibility

Web Development5/5
5/5
App / SaaS Development5/5
5/5

Scalability

Web Development4/5
4/5
App / SaaS Development5/5
5/5

Income Stability

Web Development4/5
4/5
App / SaaS Development2/5
2/5

Passive Income

Web Development2/5
2/5
App / SaaS Development5/5
5/5

Quick Facts

2–4 weeks
Time to first $
2–6 months
10-40
Hours / week
15-40
Free
Min. startup cost
$15

Skills Needed

Web Development

technicalcodingproblem solvingsoftware

App / SaaS Development

codingtechnicalproblem solvingdesign

Compare any two hustles interactively

Use our free comparison tool to pick any combination and see a full side-by-side breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which makes more money, web development or app / saas development?

At the advanced level, app / saas development has higher earning potential at up to $100k/month compared to $20k/month for web development. However, beginners may earn more quickly with web development.

Is web development or app / saas development easier to start?

Web Development has a difficulty of 4/5 while App / SaaS Development is 5/5. Web Development is generally easier to start. Time to first dollar: Web Development (2–4 weeks) vs App / SaaS Development (2–6 months).

Which has better passive income potential?

Web Development scores 2/5 for passive income while App / SaaS Development scores 5/5. App / SaaS Development offers more opportunity for passive income. Scalability: Web Development (4/5) vs App / SaaS Development (5/5).

Can I do both web development and app / saas development at the same time?

Yes, many people combine multiple side hustles. Web Development requires 10-40 hours/week and App / SaaS Development requires 15-40 hours/week. Consider starting with one and adding the other once you're comfortable.