The best way to make money in GTA Online solo right now is the Cayo Perico Heist. After the July 2026 update, community testing puts a solo run at about $400,000 to $910,000 for the main target, plus loot. This guide ranks every solo method by money per hour, shows what changed, and gives a buy order for new players.
Rockstar cut heist payouts in Title Update 1.73 on July 14, 2026. Many older guides still show the old numbers, so we dated every figure below. Want a free car instead? Check this week’s podium car at the Lucky Wheel.
Quick Facts
- Best solo earner: Cayo Perico Heist (community reported, October 2026)
- Cheapest passive income: Acid Lab, about $335,200 per full batch
- Solo Cayo cooldown: 144 real minutes (3 in-game days)
- Weekly reset: Thursday at 10:00 UTC
- Big change: Title Update 1.73 (July 14, 2026) lowered heist values and added weekly first run bonuses
- Last updated: October 22, 2026
What Is the Fastest Way to Make Money in GTA Online Solo?
Cayo Perico is still first for most players, but the gap is smaller than before. Rockstar has not published payout charts, so the numbers below come from in-game testing and community sites. Treat them as estimates.
| Rank | Method | Reported payout | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cayo Perico Heist | $400,000 to $910,000 main target, plus loot | Community reported |
| 2 | Weekly heist bonus runs (Cluckin’ Bell, KnoWay Out) | Cluckin’ Bell about $400,000 base, KnoWay Out about $245,000 base | Community reported |
| 3 | Agency (Dr. Dre contract) | About $900,000 base | Community reported |
| 4 | Acid Lab | About $335,200 per full batch | Estimate |
| 5 | Nightclub and Bunker | Low and slow | Not worth buying first |
One player on Reddit reported about $700,000 to $800,000 for an hour of Cayo work. That is a single report, not a rule. Want a bigger weekly payday? Read our Kortz Center heist guide before you run it.
Is Cayo Perico Still Worth It After the Nerfs?
Yes, for most solo players. Rockstar’s patch notes say the values of Primary and Secondary Targets were reduced. Rockstar did not list the new amounts.
These are the main target values reported after the update, on Normal difficulty:
| Primary target | Normal | Hard Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Sinsimito Tequila | $400,000 | $440,000 |
| Ruby Necklace | $560,000 | $616,000 |
| Bearer Bonds | $616,000 | $677,600 |
| Pink Diamond | $910,000 | $1,001,000 |
The Pink Diamond was reported as $1,300,000 before the update. Target odds now refresh every week, so check which target you got before you start. The Tequila shows up most often, and the Pink Diamond is rare.
You also keep loot from the island. Gold stacks pay about $295,000 to $300,000 each, and cocaine stacks pay about $178,000 to $182,000.
Pavel takes 2%, and the fence takes about 12%, so expect less than the headline number. One estimate puts a Hard Mode Pink Diamond run with a full cocaine bag near $1,241,700 after cuts. A Normal Tequila run is closer to $726,200.
If you can finish in under 15 minutes without failing a fingerprint hack, the Elite Challenge adds $50,000 on Normal or $100,000 on Hard Mode.
What Should a New Player Buy First?
This is the order most guides use, and it fits solo play. Pick based on how much cash you have.
- Acid Lab (about $1,000,000 with upgrades): It is the cheapest way to start passive income.
- Kosatka submarine (about $2,200,000): It unlocks Cayo Perico, the top earner.
- Sparrow helicopter: It helps you move around the island faster.
- Agency: It opens the Dr. Dre contract and safe income.
If you start with almost nothing, play the weekly bonus missions first. They pay more on the first run each week.
Should You Play in an Invite-Only Session?
Yes. An invite-only session keeps other players from blowing up your sub, your product, or your car. You lose nothing on payouts. Some reports say public lobbies add a small bonus on certain sales, but we found no official source for that.
What Are the Best Passive Businesses?
The Acid Lab is the best passive pick based on its low cost and steady batches. Reports say the July update did not change business income. Cheats do not work in GTA Online, but our GTA 5 cheat list helps in story mode.
- Acid Lab: About $335,200 per full batch, about $351,840 once you name it.
- Nightclub: Pays little by itself, so it is a side income.
- Bunker: Slow for a solo player. Buy it later.
Is the Kosatka Worth Buying?
Yes, if you plan to run Cayo at least a few times. At about $2,200,000, it pays itself back in about three to five runs at the reported numbers. If you only have a small budget, start with the Acid Lab and save for the sub.
What Is the Path From $0 to Your First Million?
- Play the weekly bonus missions and any event challenges.
- Buy the Acid Lab and sell batches.
- Save for the Kosatka and run Cayo every 144 minutes.
- Use the cash to add the Agency.
Event weeks can speed this up a lot. The Halloween weekly challenges run until November 4, 2026. Rockstar says finishing all five pays $2,000,000.
Do Weekly Bonuses Change the Ranking?
Sometimes. Since Title Update 1.73, the first completion of an eligible heist each week pays more. Repeat runs of the same heist pay less.
The reported eligible activities are the Original Heists (Cayo included), the Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid, KnoWay Out, Oscar Guzman Flies Again, The Data Leaks, and the Diamond Casino Heist. Bonus weeks (2X or 3X) can push another method above Cayo. Check the new bonuses every Thursday.
What Mistakes Cost Solo Players Money?
- Using old guides with pre-July numbers.
- Replaying the same heist many times in one week.
- Missing the Hard Mode setup fee window. You must pay within 48 real minutes of Pavel’s message.
- Playing in public lobbies with your product on you.
- Buying Shark Cards as a method. They cost real money and are not an earning plan.
- Using mod menus or money glitches. Rockstar can ban your account.
FAQ
How much can you make in GTA Online solo in one hour?
Reports range from about $400,000 to $800,000 per hour at the top, depending on the target and loot. Figures are estimates.
Can you do the Cayo Perico Heist alone?
Yes. The solo cooldown is 144 real minutes. A crew finale has a shorter cooldown of 48 minutes.
Did Rockstar nerf GTA Online money?
Yes. Title Update 1.73 on July 14, 2026, reduced Cayo targets and added weekly first-run bonuses.
What is the cheapest business to start with?
The Acid Lab at about $1,000,000, with upgrades.
When do weekly bonuses reset?
Every Thursday at 10:00 UTC.
Are Shark Cards a good way to get money?
No. They cost real money, and we do not recommend them as a method.
