From freelance projects to AI-powered apps: A roadmap from startup to profit
Today, knowing Flutter is not only about developing mobile apps, but also about generating income in many different areas. In this article, I explain 7 realistic answers to the question “I know Flutter, but how can I turn it into income?” with examples and process details.
Some of the examples in this post are apps I developed myself during the Flutter learning process: Minik Tarifler and Penguin Academy. Each of them are real processes, starting from scratch and turning them into profits.
1. Getting Freelance Projects
How Does the Process Work?
- First you need to build a good GitHub portfolio (2–3 demo apps are enough).
- Open a Flutter profile on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Kolabtree.
- Start small projects with low budgets, collect references and points.
- As your profile gets established, you will start getting higher budget jobs.
Timing:
1–2 months portfolio and application process to get started,
The first earnings usually start from the 3rd month.
2. Publishing Your Own Mobile App
How Does the Process Work?
- Start with a small but useful idea (for example: “Baby sleep diary” or “Recipe list by age group”).
- Develop your app with Flutter. You can use Hive or Firebase in the background.
- Sign up for a $25 developer account to upload it to Google Play.
- Publish the app for free and earn revenue from ads or in-app purchases.
Timing:
Development + testing: 1–2 months
Revenue: Small earnings with ads in the first 3 months (0.5–2$ per day), then increase as users increase.
Example:
“Minik Tarifler” is a Flutter app that offers healthy recipes for babies aged 2 and up. Users can search and favorite recipes by age and category, and find information about baby nutrition in the content. I developed this app on my own and entirely with Flutter and released it on the Play Store after a testing period. Of course, I’m constantly updating the app and will soon be adding advanced features like creating your own recipe book. I aim for a sustainable model with advertising revenue.
Charting Your Own Path: Small Apps, Big Experiences
At some point I realized this: Profitable apps don’t necessarily have to be projects with big teams and millions of users. Sometimes it is enough to realize a small idea in a solution-oriented way.
I developed two small but functional apps during the Flutter learning process:
🧁 Minik Tarifler — It includes simple but effective features such as searching recipes according to the age of babies and adding them to favorites.
🐧 Penguin Academy — A gamification-supported app that aims to teach English to children.
Neither of them are huge projects, but this process gave me invaluable experience in ad placement, user feedback improvement, and Play Store publishing. Now these experiences help me make more informed decisions on new projects.
If you don’t know where to start, starting with an app that solves a small need is the best step.
3. Developing Simple Games (Flutter + Flame)
How Does the Process Work?
- Learn the Flame game engine (the documentation is quite simple). For general information about Flame, you can take a look at my article titled “Let’s Play into the Future with Flutter Flame!”. There is a link below.
- Design a mechanically simple but engaging game.
- Add sound effects, a point system and ad placement.
- Publish it to Google Play or make a web version with WebGL.
Timing:
Development time: 2–4 weeks (for simple game)
Revenue through advertising: Little in the first month, but increases rapidly if it goes viral.
Example:
A reflex game called “Tap Fast” went viral among children and teenagers. The developer made the game in 3 weeks. When the number of downloads reached 20,000, the earnings with AdMob exceeded 3–4 dollars a day.
4. Sell Flutter Packages and Themes
How Does the Process Work?
- Create reusable UI components for Flutter (for example: calendar, card design, dark/light toggle).
- Package them together with proper documentation.
- Offer them for sale on CodeCanyon, Gumroad or your own website.
- After the sale, make version updates based on user feedback.
Timing:
Initial theme development: 3 weeks
Revenue after sales: 5–10 sales per month ranging from 200–500 dollars.
Example:
“Nova UI Kit” is an admin panel theme for Flutter. The developer put it on sale for 10–20$. It made 40 sales in the first 3 months. The theme was preferred because it is mobile + tablet compatible.
5. Creating Training Content and Courses
How Does the Process Work?
- Identify a niche topic (for example: “How to make a game-based English learning app for kids?”).
- Create learning-based apps, shoot videos or write blog posts.
- Share on platforms like YouTube, Medium or Udemy.
- Reach target audiences through SEO and social media.
Inspiring Example:
“Penguin Academy” is a gamified Flutter app that aims to teach children English vocabulary. It includes stories, educational videos, audio pronunciations and picture cards. I created the first version of the app in a 6-month development process. After the app was released on the Play Store, it was improved based on feedback from moms. Now I am preparing to enrich it with a wider range of content (memory games, AI-assisted storytelling, etc.). I think the app is a good example for other developers who want to produce educational content thanks to its learning-based structure.
6. Working for Corporate Companies (Part-Time/Remote)
How Does the Process Work?
- Filter Flutter positions on LinkedIn.
- Small startups or agencies that have just launched an app will get back to you faster.
- Prepare for technical tests (they may ask you to make a simple app).
- Look for remote or part-time contract work.
Timing:
Application-interview: 1–1.5 months
Hourly rate: 20–40$, in Turkey it can be 15–30 thousand TL per month.
7. Developing AI-Powered Applications
How Does the Process Work?
- Study AI APIs such as OpenAI, Gemini or Mistral.
- Develop mini AI tools that offer user-specific recommendations.For example: Nutrition planner, emotion diary, Q&A assistant for children.
- Build a revenue model with a subscription system or premium features.
Timing:
Development + testing time: 3–5 weeks
Revenue: Ads in free version, 15–50 TL/month subscription in premium version
Which Path is Right for You?
Final Word: Aim for Solid Growth, Not Fast
All the paths in this article are based on real examples and actionable strategies. Each of them aims to build a sustainable earning model, not a get-rich-quick scheme. If you know Flutter, don’t be afraid to take the first step. Start with a single example project and your path will open up over time.
Remember: Winning Doesn’t Always Start with Money
When I was learning Flutter, my goal wasn’t to make money — at first I just wanted to accomplish something, to see my own app. But those small successes gave way to opportunities.
Today, building and launching an app from scratch feels like an investment, both technically and mentally.
What I have described in this article are not only ways of earning income, but also ways for a developer to create a space for himself.
Sometimes a recipe app, sometimes an educational game for kids…
Just don’t stop trying. Because most of the time, profit starts not with a line of code, but with the first step you take.
Thank you for reading this far.
If you like my article, don’t forget to click the clap button and follow me to be informed about my other content. Also, if you are interested in downloading my apps to check them out, you will support me a lot. Maybe you have a relative with a small child, you can recommend it to them.
Thank you very much in advance.
Selin.
