How to Start a Business in GTA 5 & GTA Online (Full Guide 2023)

  • GTAXTREME
  • 9 min read

If you want to start any business in GTA 5 and GTA Online, read this guide to learn the complete process.

If you love spending money on luxury vehicles and apartments, an active business is ideal.

Whether you’re playing as one of three story mode protagonists or your GTA Online character, we’ll help you start a business.



How to Start a Business in GTA 5?

You can’t start a business in GTA 5. However, you can get weekly income from Car Scrapyard, Ten Cent Theater, and more.


How to Start a Business in GTA Online?

GTA Online explores the money-making concept better than its Story Mode counterpart.

Starting a business in GTA Online varies per model. Most require huge capital, while some are accessible early-game.

12. Counterfeit Cash Factory

This business model revolves around synthesizing fake money, delivering it to clients, and profiting between $175,000 to $350,000 per run. To get started, [register as an MC Club President](https://www.gta-xtreme.com/en/how-to-become-a-mc-president-gta-online) and purchase a Counterfeit Cash Factory from The Open Road.

The Counterfeit Cash Factory and management screen in GTA Online.
The Counterfeit Cash Factory and management screen in GTA Online.

Here are all Counterfeit Cash Factories’ locations with their respective costs:

LocationPriceNote
Grand Senora Desert$845,000Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (free property)
Paleto Bay$951,600
Cypress Flats$1,267,500
Vespucci Canals$1,605,000

11. Cocaine Lockup

Selling cocaine is one of the easiest ways to start a business in GTA Online. First, you need to become an MC Club President and visit The Open Road marketplace. Once you open your lockup, you can earn around $200,000 to $500,000 per delivery.

The process of purchasing the property in The Open Road and the cutscene of Cocaine Lockup business.
The process of purchasing the property in The Open Road and the cutscene of Cocaine Lockup business.

There are 4 locations to start a Cocaine Lockup business:

LocationPrice
Alamo Sea$975,000
Paleto Bay$1,098,000
Elysian Island$1,462,500
Morningwood$1,852,500

10. Methamphetamine Lab

A Methamphetamine Lab generates $178,000 to $428,000, depending on the stock level and upgrades. To start this business, register as an MC Club President and browse The Open Road for available laboratories.

The process of purchasing the Methamphetamine Lab and the completed mission in GTA Online.
The process of purchasing the Methamphetamine Lab and the completed mission in GTA Online.

Speaking of properties, there are four options:

LocationPrice
Grand Senora Desert$910,000
Paleto Bay$1,024,800
Terminal$1,365,000
El Burro Heights$1,729,000

9. Document Forgery Office

Unlock your first Document Forgery Office from The Open Road and earn around $126,000 to $151,000 selling fake driver’s licenses and passports. Remember: a Clubhouse is necessary.

The Document Forgery Office and management screen in GTA Online.
The Document Forgery Office and management screen in GTA Online.

Here are all available locations:

LocationPrice
Grapeseed$650,000
Paleto Bay$732,000
Elysian Island$975,000
Textile City$1,235,000

8. Weed Farm

As an MC Club President in GTA Online, the final way to start a business is by growing and selling weed, earning you around $189,000 to $300,000.

Same process: head to your mini-office in the Clubhouse and access The Open Road.

The management screen of the Weed Farm and the successful delivery mission.
The management screen of the Weed Farm and the successful delivery mission.

Below are all available Weed Farms for sale:

LocationPrice
San Chianski Mountain Range$715,000
Mount Chiliad$805,200
Elysian Island$1,072,500
Downtown Vinewood$1,358,500

7. Nightclub

If you have $1,000,000 or more, we recommend purchasing a Nightclub. It’s one of the best passive businesses in-game, and Tony rarely requests something. If any, it’ll even increase your Nightclub’s popularity!

People dancing at a nightclub and the player managing the business to make money.
People dancing at a nightclub and the player managing the business to make money.

Access your browser and search for “Maze Bank Foreclosures”. Enter the site and filter the properties. You can earn $50,000 at best if you maintain your Nightclub’s Popularity.

Ten Nightclubs are available in GTA Online:

LocationPrice
Cypress Flats$1,370,000
Del Perro$1,645,000
Downtown Vinewood$1,670,000
Elysian Island$1,080,000
La Mesa$1,500,000
LSIA$1,135,000
Mission Row$1,440,000
Strawberry$1,525,000
Vespucci Canals$1,320,000
West Vinewood$1,700,000

6. Special Cargo (Crates)

Specializing in Special Cargo requires a significant upfront investment for an Office and a Warehouse. However, the payout is quite lucrative, netting you a minimum of $230,000 per real-life hour.

The Special Cargo Warehouse and management screen in GTA Online.
The Special Cargo Warehouse and management screen in GTA Online.

To purchase an Office, search “Dynasty 8 Executive” from your phone’s browser. You’ll be presented with the following:

Property Name and LocationPriceNote
Maze Bank West (Del Perro)$1,000,000Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (free property)
Arcadius Business Center (Pillbox Hill)$2,250,000
Lombank West (Del Perro)$3,100,000
Maze Bank Tower (Pillbox Hill)$4,000,000

Enter your Office and head over to your room. Register as a SecuroServ CEO, and you can access the laptop.

Before the real profit comes in, you’ll need a Warehouse. From your laptop, select “Special Cargo” and purchase a Warehouse with varying storage capacity.

Property Name and LocationPriceMaximum Crates
Convenience Store Lockup (Rancho)$250,00016
Celltowa Unit (La Mesa)$318,00016
White Widow Garage (La Puerta)$360,00016
Pacific Bait Storage (Elysian Island)$376,00016
Pier 400 Utility Building (West Vinewood)$392,00016
Foreclosed Garage (West Vinewood)$400,00016
GEE Warehouse (El Burro Heights)$880,00042
Derriere Lingerie Backlot (Del Perro)$902,00042
Fridgit Annexe (La Puerta)$925,00042
Discount Retail Unit (Downtown Vinewood)$948,00042
Disused Factory Outlet (Strawberry)$971,00042
LS Marine Building 3 (Elysian Island)$994,00042
Old Power Station (Rancho)$1,000,00042
Railyard Warehouse (La Mesa)$1,017,00042
Wholesale Furniture (Cypress Flats)$1,900,00111
West Vinewood Backlot (West Vinewood)$2,135,000111
Xero Gas Factory (LSIA)$2,365,000111
Logistics Depot (La Mesa)$2,600,000111
Bilgeco Warehouse (LSIA)$2,825,000111
Walker & Sons Warehouse (Banning)$3,040,000111
Cypress Warehouses (Cypress Flats)$3,265,000111
Darnell Bros Warehouse (La Mesa)$3,500,000111

5. Vehicle Cargo

Similar to its Crates counterpart, starting a Vehicle Cargo business requires you to be a SecuroServ CEO with an office. This model involves stealing cars and selling them for a higher markup, netting you roughly $80,000 to $250,000 in profit.

The Vehicle Cargo management screen and the player completing a delivery mission in GTA Online.
The Vehicle Cargo management screen and the player completing a delivery mission in GTA Online.

To start, go to your private quarters and access the laptop. Select “Vehicle Cargo”,and you’ll gain access to the following options:

LocationPrice
La Mesa$1,500,000
El Burro Heights$1,635,000
Elysian Island$1,950,000
LSIA$2,170,000
LSIA (2)$2,300,000
Davis$2,495,000
Cypress Flats$2,675,000
La Puerta$2,735,000
Murrieta Heights$2,850,000

4. Celebrity Solutions Agency

There’s some good money to earn by owning an Agency in GTA Online. You’ll unlock Security Contracts, VIP Contracts, and Payphone Hits.

The Dynasty 8 Executive website showing all purchasable Agencies and Offices.
The Dynasty 8 Executive website showing all purchasable Agencies and Offices.

Go to “Dynasty Executive 8” in your browser. Enter the site and buy one of four available agencies. You can earn up to $50,000 per in-game day.

LocationPrice
Little Seoul$2,010,000
Vespucci Canals$2,145,000
Rockford Hills$2,415,000
Hawick$2,830,000

3. Bunker

Owning a Bunker is similar to all businesses as a Clubhouse leader. Supplies are required for production, and selling is risky.

However, Agent 14 lets you modify certain vehicles from your research. Gameplay-wise, it makes GTA Online more enjoyable.

The Bunker and management screen in GTA Online.
The Bunker and management screen in GTA Online.

Go to Maze Bank Foreclosures in your browser to start your illegal arms business. Click on the “Bunkers” button, and relevant properties will appear. As a high-risk, high-reward model, a Bunker can net you up to $1,000,000 at max stock.

LocationPriceNote
Paleto Forest$1,165,000Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (free property)
Raton Canyon$1,450,000
Lago Zancudo$1,550,000
Chumash$1,650,000
Grapeseed$1,750,000
Route 68$1,950,000
Grand Senora Oilfields$2,035,000
Grand Senora Desert$2,120,000
Smoke Tree Road$2,205,000
Thomson Scrapyard$2,290,000
Farmhouse$2,375,000

2. Auto Shop

Running an auto shop in GTA Online lets you store vehicles, gain access to contracts, and earn extra from exports.

While it’s not the most lucrative method to start a business, it’s great if you have money lying around.

The process of buying the Auto shop in GTA Online and the reward for completing the mission.
The process of buying the Auto shop in GTA Online and the reward for completing the mission.

Go to the LS Car Meet first and approach Mimi and Hao. Afterward, buying an Auto Shop will be available via Maze Bank Foreclosures. You can filter relevant results by tapping the “Auto Shops” button. Once everything is set, you can start earning between $175,000 to $370,000.

LocationPrice
Mission Row$1,670,000
Strawberry$1,705,000
Rancho$1,750,000
Burton$1,830,000
La Mesa$1,920,000

1. Hangar

If you want the Special Cargo business in GTA Online but in the air, having a Hangar is the key.

The Maze Bank Foreclosures website showing all purchasable Hangars in GTA Online.
The Maze Bank Foreclosures website showing all purchasable Hangars in GTA Online.

With a Hangar, you can do Air Freight Cargo and get massive profit. Of course, you get personal storage for your birds and even gain entry to the military base.

To start a Hangar business, go to your phone’s browser. Search “Maze Bank Foreclosures” and enter the site. Feel free to filter results, and buildings for purchase will appear. At max stock, you’ll have a profit potential between $3,000,000 to $6,000,000.

LocationPriceNote
LSIA Hangar A17$1,200,000
LSIA Hangar 1$1,525,000
Fort Zancudo Hangar 3497$2,085,000Military base access
Fort Zancudo Hangar 3499$2,650,000Military base access
Fort Zancudo Hangar A2$3,250,000Military base access
Explore GTA 5