5 Best Passive Income Streams for UX Freelancers

Working as a freelancer can be a grind. Your time is your most valuable asset, and you’re always on your toes negotiating the next gig or juggling client projects to make ends meet. But what if you could create a system where your expertise worked for you — even while you’re off the clock?

That’s where passive income comes in to help you build some financial breathing room. For UX freelancers, your skills are perfect for creating revenue streams that generate money while you sleep.

In this post, we’ll dive into five passive income streams tailored for UX freelancers. Whether you want to use your existing work, share your knowledge, or expand your brand, these ideas will help you grow your income without sacrificing your sanity.

1. Create and sell digital products

UX designers are uniquely positioned to create high-demand digital products. Think about the tools you use daily, like wireframe kits, UX research templates, UI libraries, or even icon packs. 

Now imagine turning those into polished resources that other designers (or even non-designers) can buy.

Examples:

• A Figma wireframe kit for e-commerce websites

• Usability testing scripts and templates

• Custom icon sets for mobile apps

Platforms like Creative Market, Gumroad, or even the Figma Community make it simple to showcase and sell your creations. The beauty of digital products is that once they’re made, they can be sold repeatedly without extra work, so you’ll develop a steady revenue stream.

Pro tip: Create bundles to increase your sales (e.g., “UX Starter Kit: Wireframes + Icons + Personas”).

2. Develop and monetize online courses

Chances are, you’ve spent years honing your UX expertise. Why not package that knowledge into an online course and share it with others? With platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Skillshare, it’s easier than ever to create and sell courses.

Examples:

• A beginner’s course on “Intro to UX Design for Startups”

• Advanced techniques like “Conducting Usability Testing Like a Pro”

• Workshops on “Figma Power Tips for UX Teams”

Once the course is live, it can sell to students all over the world so you’ll earn passive income with minimal ongoing effort. Plus, it positions you as an authority in your field — hello, new client leads!

Pro tip: Include real-world case studies in your course for extra credibility and value.

3. Write and sell eBooks

If you’re passionate about writing, an eBook is a fantastic way to share your knowledge while generating passive income. Think of it as a more approachable version of an online course — great for people who love to learn on their own.

Examples:

• “UX Research on a Budget: Tools and Tips for Startups”

• “Designing for Accessibility: A UX Freelancer’s Guide”

• “Common UX Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)”

Publishing an eBook is easier than ever with platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Blurb. Once published, you earn royalties on every sale — and your book can keep selling for years to come.

Pro tip: Use your eBook as a lead magnet to grow your newsletter or attract clients.

4. License your UX designs

Have a backlog of design work sitting on your hard drive? Turn it into passive income by licensing your designs. Licensing lets others use your work for a fee, and it’s especially great if you have unique assets like app mockups, web templates, or UX flows.

How it works:

• Upload your designs to platforms like Envato Elements or DesignCuts

• Specify licensing terms (e.g., one-time fee or subscription-based use)

• Earn money whenever someone downloads or uses your work

This strategy will help you monetize your existing work and also build your reputation in the design community.

Pro tip: Keep your designs niche and high-quality as those tend to sell better.

5. Join affiliate marketing for UX tools

If you love sharing tips and tools with your community, affiliate marketing is a great way to earn passive income. By creating content (blogs, YouTube videos, or social media posts) that highlights tools you already use, you can earn a commission every time someone signs up using your affiliate link.

Examples of tools to promote:

• Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch

• UX research tools like UserBit

• Productivity tools like Notion or Miro

This approach works especially well if you already have an audience or are building one. For instance, if you write a blog post on “Top 5 Tools for UX Freelancers” and include affiliate links, you get paid whenever a reader signs up. 

Speaking of which, UserBit has an affiliate program too!

Pro tip: Always disclose your affiliate links — it builds trust with your audience.

Why passive income is worth the effort

Sure, setting up these streams takes time. But once they’re running, they provide a level of stability and freedom that’s hard to find in traditional freelance work. 

Imagine waking up to find that you’ve sold 10 templates overnight or seeing a steady trickle of course enrollments throughout the month.

Passive income is a smart way to create some flexibility in your life and reduce the financial pressure of always needing your next project

So, what’s your next step? Choose one idea from this list and start building it into your workflow. With a little upfront investment, you’ll create new opportunities to grow your income — and your impact — in 2025 and beyond.