10+ Ways to Make Money in the Metaverse 2026

Why Making Money in the Metaverse Matters Right Now

The metaverse is no longer just a concept used in tech conferences. It is already creating real income streams for creators, developers, investors, and digital entrepreneurs. As per data available from McKinsey, the global metaverse economy can cross USD 5 trillion in value by the end of this decade. That number alone explains why people are asking one core question again and again: can you really make money in the metaverse?

As per my experience working with founders and product teams, the interest is not driven by hype anymore. It is driven by results. People are already making money from virtual land, digital products, NFT assets, virtual services, and even metaverse-based jobs. Some started with capital. Some started with almost nothing. The entry barrier is changing fast.

What makes the metaverse different from traditional online businesses is ownership. You do not just use a platform. In many cases, you own digital assets that can be sold, rented, or monetized repeatedly. That is why keywords like how to make money in the metaverse, making money in the metaverse, and how to make money in the metaverse with no money are growing steadily, even if search volume still looks small. Early-stage intent always starts this way.

As I found it over research, most people fail in the metaverse because they enter without a clear business model. They buy assets without understanding demand. They follow trends without understanding how value flows inside virtual economies. This article is written to fix that exact problem.

At Make An App Like, we work closely with startups, creators, and businesses building real digital products, marketplaces, and virtual platforms. Our exposure to metaverse-enabled apps, Web3 systems, and virtual commerce models allows us to share practical insights instead of theory. I am not writing this as a fan of the metaverse. I am writing this as someone who looks at ROI, scalability, and long-term sustainability.

In this article, I will break down 10+ practical ways to make money in the metaverse. I will explain how each model works, who it is suitable for, how much risk is involved, and whether it requires money to start or not. I will also clarify common myths, especially around the idea of entering the metaverse and making profit overnight.

If you are a founder, freelancer, investor, or even a student trying to understand whether the metaverse is worth your time, this article will give you clarity before you spend money or effort.

How the Metaverse Economy Actually Works (Where the Money Comes From)

Before talking about ways to make money in the metaverse, it is important to understand how money flows inside the metaverse. Many people think the metaverse is only about VR headsets or virtual games. That is not true. The metaverse is an economic layer, not just a visual layer.

As per my research and industry exposure, the metaverse economy is built on five core pillars:

1. Digital assets
2. Virtual experiences
3. Services and skills
4. Platforms and infrastructure
5. Communities and attention

Money enters the metaverse when users pay for ownership, access, customization, or experience. This is very similar to the real world, but faster and borderless.

According to Statista, global spending on virtual goods already crosses USD 100 billion annually, driven by gaming, social platforms, and creator economies. The metaverse simply expands this model into more open and interoperable environments.

Let me simplify this with a real-world comparison.

In the physical world:

• You buy land
• You build a shop
• You sell products or services

In the metaverse:

• You buy virtual land or space
• You build a virtual experience
• You sell digital products, access, or services

The difference is scale. One virtual asset can be accessed by users from multiple countries at the same time. That is why even small creators are asking how to make money on the metaverse or can you make money in the metaverse without money.

Another important factor is token-based economies. Many metaverse platforms use native tokens instead of traditional currency. Users earn tokens by contributing value and later convert them into real money. This is where confusion often starts. Tokens are not profit by default. Profit happens only when there is real demand and liquidity.

From a business point of view, metaverse income models usually fall into three categories:

• Active income: You trade time or skill for money
• Asset-based income: You own something that generates value
• Platform-based income: You build tools or spaces others pay to use

As per my experience, beginners should not jump into asset speculation first. Virtual land flipping looks attractive on social media, but it carries high risk. Stable income comes from services, content, and tools, especially for people entering with limited capital.

Understanding this structure helps answer questions like:

• how to make money from the metaverse
• how to enter the metaverse and make profit
• making money in the metaverse without guessing

In the next part, I will start breaking down actual money-making methods, starting from low-risk and low-investment options.

Ways to Make Money in the Metaverse With Little or No Money

Most people assume you need heavy investment to start making money in the metaverse. That is not fully true. As per my experience and projects I have analyzed, skill-based and service-based models are the safest entry points. They answer the exact query people search for: how to make money in the metaverse with no money.

Below are practical, working methods that do not rely on speculation.

1. Virtual World Services (Design, Build, Manage)

Every metaverse platform needs builders. Virtual shops, event spaces, showrooms, and experience zones do not create themselves.

If you have skills in:

• 3D design
• UI/UX
• Game environment design
• Animation or modeling

You can offer services to brands and creators entering the metaverse.

As per data from Upwork and Fiverr trend reports, demand for 3D designers and virtual experience builders has grown by 30%+ year over year. Many projects pay per build, not per hour, which improves margins.

You do not need land. You only need skill.

2. Metaverse Event Hosting and Management

Virtual events are already replacing many physical events due to cost and reach.

Brands pay for:

• Virtual product launches
• Conferences
• Community meetups
• Music and creator events

Your role can be coordination, setup, moderation, or technical management.

As I found it over research, hosting a virtual event can cost companies 60–70% less than physical events, according to Deloitte. That cost saving creates budget for organizers and managers.

This model answers how to make money on the metaverse without owning assets.

3. Content Creation Inside the Metaverse

Content is not limited to YouTube or Instagram anymore.

People create:

• Virtual tours
• Avatar-based videos
• Educational sessions
• Guided experiences

If you can teach, explain, entertain, or guide users, you can monetize attention.

Revenue comes from:

• Ticket access
• Subscriptions
• Sponsorships
• Tips and donations

This directly supports the idea of making money in the metaverse without upfront cost.

4. Freelance Jobs in Metaverse Platforms

Metaverse platforms hire:

• Community managers
• Moderators
• Support staff
• Onboarding assistants

These are paid roles, often remote and flexible.

As per LinkedIn job trend insights, virtual-world-related roles are appearing more frequently under gaming, Web3, and community categories. These jobs do not require you to invest money, only time and communication skills.

5. Virtual Asset Creation (Without Buying Land)

You can create:

• Wearables
• Avatars
• Skins
• Digital accessories

These items are sold in platform marketplaces.

As per Statista, digital fashion and virtual wearables alone are expected to cross USD 50 billion in market value over the next few years. This is one of the fastest-growing segments inside the metaverse.

Here, you earn per sale. No inventory. No shipping. No physical risk.

These methods are ideal if you are asking:

• can you make money in the metaverse
• how to make money from the metaverse without capital
• how to enter the metaverse and make profit safely

In the next part, I will cover asset-based and investment-driven methods, including virtual land, NFTs, and digital real estate, with clear risks explained.

Asset-Based Ways to Make Money in the Metaverse (Higher Risk, Higher Control)

Once people understand the basics, the next question usually is: how to make money in the metaverse by owning assets. This is where virtual land, NFTs, and digital ownership come into play. These methods can work, but they are not beginner-friendly. As per my experience, this is where most losses also happen.

I’ll explain each option honestly, without hype.

6. Virtual Land Buying, Renting, and Leasing

Virtual land works like commercial real estate.

You can:

• Buy virtual land early
• Develop it into a usable space
• Rent it to brands, creators, or event hosts

Income comes from rent, leasing, or resale.

As per McKinsey, virtual real estate prices saw extreme spikes during early adoption phases, followed by corrections. That means timing matters more than excitement.

This model answers queries like:

• how to make money in metaverse
• how to make money from the metaverse long term

But here is the risk:
Land without traffic has zero value. Buying land alone does not guarantee profit.

7. NFT Creation With Real Utility

NFTs are not just digital images. Profitable NFTs usually offer utility.

Utility examples:

• Event access
• Membership rights
• Revenue sharing
• In-game or platform benefits

As I found it over research, most NFT projects fail because they offer no reason to hold them. According to Chainalysis, more than 80% of NFT collections see near-zero trading activity after launch.

If you are asking can you make money in the metaverse, NFTs work only when:

• You already have an audience
• Or the NFT solves a problem

This is a business model, not a lottery.

8. Digital Real Estate Development (Not Just Ownership)

Smart metaverse investors do not stop at buying assets. They develop them.

Examples:

• Virtual showrooms
• Brand experience zones
• Learning hubs
• Entertainment venues

Brands pay for ready-to-use environments instead of building from scratch.

This creates predictable income instead of speculation. As per PwC, immersive brand experiences improve engagement rates by 2–3x compared to traditional digital ads.

This method suits founders and agencies more than individuals.

9. Trading Digital Assets (Short-Term, High Risk)

Some people trade:

• Virtual land
• NFTs
• Tokens linked to metaverse platforms

Yes, profit is possible. But this is not a stable income model.

As per my experience, this attracts people searching how to make money on the metaverse fast. Most of them exit with losses because they enter without understanding liquidity, timing, and demand cycles.

This should be treated as speculative capital, not business income.

Asset-based methods answer:

• how to make money in the metaverse
• making money in the metaverse through ownership

But they require:

• Capital
• Patience
• Risk management

In the next part, I will cover platform-driven and business-level opportunities, including building metaverse apps, marketplaces, and services that scale.

Platform-Level Ways to Make Money in the Metaverse (Scalable & Long-Term)

If you are thinking like a founder or serious entrepreneur, this is the most important section. Platform-level models answer deeper questions like how to enter the metaverse and make profit at scale and can you build a real business in the metaverse.

As per my experience working with product teams, platform builders capture the highest long-term value, not short-term traders.

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10. Building a Metaverse App or Experience Platform

Instead of participating in someone else’s ecosystem, some founders build tools, apps, or services for the metaverse.

Examples include:

• Virtual commerce platforms
• Avatar customization tools
• Event hosting systems
• Training and learning environments

Companies and creators pay monthly or per usage.

According to Gartner, over 25% of people are expected to spend at least one hour per day in metaverse-style environments in the coming years. That time creates demand for tools and platforms.

This is where making money in the metaverse becomes a real startup opportunity.

11. Brand Enablement for Metaverse Entry

Most brands do not know how to enter the metaverse safely.

They need help with:

• Strategy
• Platform selection
• Experience design
• Monetization planning

Agencies and consultants charge for this expertise.

As per Accenture, over 70% of global brands are actively experimenting with immersive digital environments. Many fail because they treat the metaverse like social media marketing.

If you have consulting or tech background, this model has low risk and high margins.

12. Marketplace Creation Inside the Metaverse

Marketplaces work everywhere there is demand and supply.

Examples:

• Virtual asset marketplaces
• Creator service marketplaces
• Event ticketing systems
• Digital goods exchanges

Revenue comes from:

• Transaction fees
• Listing fees
• Premium access

This model directly answers how to make money from the metaverse in a repeatable way.

Platforms like Decentraland and Roblox already prove that creator marketplaces generate billions when participation is easy.

13. Subscription-Based Virtual Communities

Paid communities are moving into virtual spaces.

People pay for:

• Access to experts
• Networking
• Learning sessions
• Exclusive experiences

As I found it over research, subscription models create predictable income, which is rare in early metaverse projects.

This is ideal for educators, investors, founders, and niche community builders.

Platform-level models are best if:

• You want long-term income
• You are building a company, not chasing trends
• You care about scalability and brand value

In the final part, I will cover:

• Risks and mistakes to avoid
• Who should and should not enter the metaverse
• Future trends that matter
• A clear takeaway for founders and individuals

Risks, Reality Check, and Who Should Enter the Metaverse

By now, it should be clear that yes, you can make money in the metaverse, but not everyone should jump in blindly. As per my experience and analysis of failed projects, most losses happen due to wrong expectations, not bad technology.

Let’s talk honestly.

Common Mistakes People Make While Trying to Make Money in the Metaverse

The biggest mistake is chasing trends instead of solving problems. Many people buy virtual land because someone on social media made profit last year. That logic does not work anymore.

Other common mistakes include:

• Buying assets without understanding demand
• Assuming NFTs automatically mean profit
• Ignoring platform sustainability
• Entering without a clear revenue model

As per data from Chainalysis, a large percentage of metaverse-linked NFT and land projects see little to no trading activity after initial hype cycles. That clearly shows speculation is not a strategy.

Real Risks You Must Consider

Making money in the metaverse involves real risks, just like any other business.

Key risks include:

• Platform dependency (if the platform fails, assets lose value)
• Liquidity risk (you may not find buyers)
• Regulatory uncertainty
• High volatility in token-based systems

As per World Economic Forum insights, regulation around digital assets and virtual economies is still evolving. That means founders must build flexible and compliant models, not shortcuts.

Who Should Seriously Consider Making Money in the Metaverse

From my experience, the metaverse makes sense for:

• Creators with digital skills
• Developers and designers
• Community builders
• Agencies and consultants
• Founders looking for early-stage platforms

If you are asking how to enter the metaverse and make profit, start with skills or services, not speculation.

Who Should Avoid It (At Least for Now)

You should pause if:

• You expect quick money without effort
• You do not understand digital products
• You are risking money you cannot afford to lose

The metaverse rewards builders, not gamblers.

Future Trends That Will Shape Metaverse Income

As per McKinsey and Gartner forecasts, the next growth phase will focus on:

• Interoperable virtual identities
• AI-powered virtual experiences
• Enterprise use cases (training, sales, support)
• Creator monetization tools
• Subscription-based virtual services

This shift will reduce hype-driven profits but increase stable business opportunities. That is good news for people thinking long term.

Final Takeaway

Making money in the metaverse is possible, but it works best when treated like a real business, not a trend. The safest path is to start with skills, services, or platforms that solve real problems. Asset-based models can work, but only when backed by demand and utility.

As per my research and experience, the metaverse is not about replacing the real world. It is about extending digital value creation into new environments. Those who understand this early will build sustainable income streams, not short-term wins.

FAQs: Making Money in the Metaverse