TOP 10 Options for Getting Passive Income in 2025

Let’s see what ways to earn passive income there are in 2025. We will not touch on high-risk options such as cryptocurrency, betting, etc.

The GAB (ready rental business) itself is not a passive investment. However, there is an option in which investors do not have to manage real estate and delve into the intricacies of running a business.

You can invest in GAB using a closed-end mutual investment fund (ZPIF). This is a legally protected form of collective property ownership (the activities of ZPIFs are regulated by Federal Law No. 156 “On Investment Funds”). Such funds have their own characteristics. For example, ZPIFs from AKTIVO are available to non-qualified investors, income payments are made monthly, and the funds usually include one object, which makes the work of ZPIFs transparent and understandable.

In the photo is the Samolet shopping center, a facility of the Aktivo Twenty foundation

 

Let’s sum it up

Let’s see what advantages and disadvantages a ready-made rental business through a closed-end mutual fund has:

• Pros: simplicity of investment, the ability to invest with capital from 300 thousand ₽ in projects worth more than 1 billion ₽, protection of investors from a legislative point of view, regular income payments.
• Cons: non-transparency of funds in which a large number of objects are registered; if the shares are not traded on the stock exchange, their liquidity will be lower.

2. Buying an apartment

Buying an apartment remains a popular way to preserve and increase capital. There are two ways to invest: buying an apartment for subsequent rent and at the construction stage for resale. The first method will bring regular income, but in 2025, due to the high cost of residential real estate, such investments bring 4-5% per annum, which is not as profitable as the same real estate mutual funds with a yield of up to 23% in the first year and up to 18% per annum in the following 10 years (on average).

As for buying an apartment under construction for the purpose of subsequent resale, the payments will not be regular, as from rent. The primary real estate market is largely supported by the family mortgage program, which has been extended until 2030 – while this measure is in effect, apartments will most likely continue to grow in price, but not as intensively.

• Pros: simplicity and reliability of investments, regular income payments (in case of rent).
• Disadvantages: dependence on loan rates, high entry threshold.

3. Flipping

Another way to invest in real estate, but it is more active than the above options. Flipping is buying a property for subsequent renovation and quick sale at a higher price.

This type of investment is interesting, first of all, because of its high profitability: in a short period of time (several months) you can significantly increase your capital – by 25-50%. However, the investor is required to have a broad outlook in the field of real estate and apartment renovation, as well as have contractors to modernize the premises.

• Pros: high level of income.
• Disadvantages: labor-intensive investment; risk of additional expenses and protracted sale of the property.

  

4. Dividend shares

Dividend shares are securities of companies that regularly pay out a portion of their profits to shareholders. In this case, it is important to consider the stability of the companies, the economic situation in the country and the world, because dividend payments can be suspended at any time for an indefinite period. Thus, in 2022, some Russian companies refused to pay dividends, and investors who expected to live on this money found themselves in a difficult situation.

In the case of shares, the principle of portfolio diversification comes first, which allows reducing the risks associated with possible financial problems of individual companies. Dividends are paid at different intervals, but most often once a year. 

• Pros: the opportunity to share the success of large companies, high growth potential of the “body” of investments – shares, ease of investing – through the stock exchange.   
• Disadvantages: instability, low frequency of payments, high dependence on the economic situation in the country and the world. 

5. Bonds

Bonds are debt securities issued by companies or the government. Essentially, an investor borrows money and receives interest for it – in the case of fixed-coupon bonds, the amount of payments is known in advance. Bondholders typically receive income every month or quarter. Bonds from reliable issuers (organizations that issue securities) are a less risky instrument compared to shares. 

Bonds are redeemed at par value – in other words, the investor receives the same amount as he invested. In this, bonds are similar to bank deposits, but the investor can sell the bonds and receive extra profit. But like shares, bonds can also lose value. For example, during periods when the Central Bank raises the key rate and bonds with a higher yield appear on the market. If the investor does not plan to sell the bonds before their redemption, this factor ceases to matter.

• Pros: low risk (if the bonds are from reliable issuers), fixed income, the ability to return capital early without losing interest. 
• Disadvantages: bond volatility; the investor lends without collateral. 

6. Bank deposit

Bank deposits remain a popular way to save capital with minimal risk. Deposits up to 1.4 million ₽ are insured by the state if the bank where the funds are placed is included in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system.

Despite their apparent simplicity and reliability, bank deposits cannot always be called profitable investments. Firstly, the “body” of the investment does not grow over time, and capital depreciates due to inflation. Secondly, interest on deposits is paid in most cases at the end of the deposit term, i.e. the investor may lose part of the profit if there is no capitalization of interest. For example, in the case of bonds or real estate funds, the investor receives monthly or quarterly payments that can be invested and receive additional profit.  

• Pros: deposit insurance up to 1.4 million ₽, accessibility and simplicity.
• Disadvantages: depreciation of capital; interest payment only at the end of the deposit term; low profitability (with a low key rate); early closure of the deposit entails loss of interest. 

7. Equipment rental 

Passive income can be generated by various equipment, vehicles, specialized or even office equipment that can be leased. This is especially profitable if the investor already has such assets, but for various reasons does not use them. 

It is important to consider issues related to insurance, regular maintenance of equipment and other aspects. The investor needs to properly prepare the property: conduct a technical inspection, take photographs, determine a competitive price and draw up a lease agreement. This process may take time and attention to detail, but the result will be a stable income and optimized use of assets. 

• Pros: variety of directions, you can rent out almost any asset – from a computer to a car. 
• Disadvantages: asset depreciation, insurance costs, risk of asset damage/theft.

Agricultural machinery is especially in demand. Source — freepik.com

8. Renting out premises for storage of things 

A garage, a storage room, a room in an apartment — any available space can be suitable for this business. The area where such an asset will be located should be densely populated and have good transport accessibility. 

You will have to zone the space to create several separate cells for storing things, and also ensure the safety of the facility, because in essence you will be responsible for the safety of the things that are transferred to you for storage. It is worth considering a video surveillance system, a security alarm, a reliable lock system.

• Pros: minimal investment in servicing the premises, high demand for mini-warehouses. 
• Disadvantages: the need to find clients, insurance costs, video surveillance system, etc. 

9. Copyright on Intellectual Property

There are different types of property. Music, poetry, novels – everything that is a creation of the human mind is intellectual property. If the product is successful, it can bring in a good income for a long time. 

Copyrights for intellectual property products (music, films, poems, novels, photographs, etc.) can be sold and a fee can be received. In this case, it is necessary to conclude a corresponding agreement with the buyer. The most common types of such agreements are an agreement on the alienation of exclusive rights and a license agreement. 

• Pros: long-term, no additional investment after copyright registration. 
• Cons: high competition, difficulty of monetization. 

10. Affiliate programs

The essence of the affiliate program is simple: the partner distributes advertising materials or links to the seller’s product and receives a commission for each sale made on his recommendation. To do this, you need to register in the program and receive unique advertising links or codes. 

One of the main advantages of affiliate programs is their availability. Almost anyone can start participating in such a program and earn money. AKTIVO also has an affiliate program. To find out the conditions, register on the website , our manager will contact you and provide all the necessary information. 

• Pros: high payouts; exclusivity and personalized approach (special conditions can be discussed).  
• Cons: financial risks (payments may be delayed); it may be difficult for a newbie without extensive connections to achieve a high income; strict requirements for the quality of the client base.

We have analyzed the key ideas for creating passive income in 2025. Such instruments as real estate mutual funds, shares, bonds, and bank deposits stand out in terms of simplicity, reliability, and profitability. The main thing is to have several sources of passive income to be confident in the future.