Finding top developer talent is hard. Every year, more companies fight for the same candidates, salaries go up, and one wrong hire can set your projects back by months. Degrees, certifications, and a handful of trendy keywords rarely show what a developer can actually do.
So, what do you really need? Developers who go beyond just coding. Builders. Problem-solvers. People who see gaps and turn them into opportunities.
That’s exactly what we see at Lemon.io.
Our platform is full of engineers who create, invent, and launch their own products in their spare time. Many of their side hustles and pet projects solve real headaches at work or for their communities. But just as often, these projects start for a different reason: for fun, to experiment, or simply to turn a joke or hobby into working code. Sometimes it’s not about business or fixing a real pain point, but about playing with new ideas or riffing on a hobby that went a little too far.
These programming side jobs say a lot about the kind of people you’re hiring. We’re not talking about wishful thinking or half-finished prototypes. We’re talking about tools, games, platforms, and ideas that shipped—often before most people saw the need (and sometimes just because building something weird or clever sounded like fun).
If you want a glimpse of what makes Lemon.io talent different, look at what they build when nobody’s watching. Here’s what our developers work on after hours—and why that matters for your business.
Tools That Make Life Easier—for You and Your Customers
Some of the best programming side jobs start as a developer’s itch to fix something broken or wasteful. That’s why Lemon.io developers don’t just dream up code—they ship tools that solve real, often overlooked business problems.
Small annoyances tend to get our devs thinking. Then, suddenly, there’s a new tool in the world. Here’s what those sparks of inspiration look like in practice:
- Testimonials without the hassle: Someone in our marketplace built a SaaS that collects and embeds feedback in minutes, making social proof easy for any business.
- A habit tracker that gets used: Another developer launched a mobile app that helps people stick with their routines, not just set them.
- Smarter workflows: Some are behind automation tools that replace endless manual tasks with a single click.
- Better job search for tech talent: There are even custom CV submission systems built by developers who know firsthand how tough the hiring process can be.
What drives these projects? A simple insight. If it takes too many steps, too many spreadsheets, or too much follow-up, it can get automated, improved, or rebuilt. When our developers hit these snags, they don’t just complain. They build the solution.
Takeaway: When you hire a developer who builds tools like these, you’re not just getting technical skill. You’re getting someone who finds blockages and clears them—often before you realize they exist.
Hiring tip: Ask candidates, “What’s a small tool or automation you’ve built to solve your own problem?” The best ones always have a story (and probably a working demo).
Everyday AI, Built by People Who’ve Been There
With AI, Lemon.io developers don’t overthink or overhype. They spot an everyday problem, roll up their sleeves, and build something that makes things work a little better.
- Smarter accessibility for everyone: A dev in our network built a Safari extension for iOS that adds alt text, summaries, and missing details to web pages. It means visually impaired users finally get the full story, not just broken pages.
- Open-source AI, made simple: Tired of clunky workflows, one developer created a Python library that makes building AI projects feel like connecting Lego bricks. Now other devs are picking it up for everything from research to real-world apps.
- Language learning that listens: IELTS prep doesn’t have to be boring. One side project tailors practice to each user, so you get smarter feedback and faster results, whether you’re prepping for an exam or just brushing up.
- Document overload, handled: Need to tag, sort, and organize piles of docs? An AI workflow now takes care of it—just upload and let the tech do the hard part.
None of these were built for the spotlight. They’re what happens when talented people notice a gap and decide, “I’ll fix that.”
Takeaway: Developers like this use AI to make things quicker, clearer, and more useful for real people. That’s what ends up helping your project, too.
Hiring tip: Ask for a story about a real-world AI project. The best candidates talk about the problems they solved, not just the tech they used.
Talk Smarter: Side Projects That Make Collaboration Suck Less
Communication isn’t just about sending messages—it’s often the beating heart of a business. Lemon.io developers know this better than most. They tinker with side projects that make team conversations sharper, feedback easier, and even whole communities more lively.
Lemon.io developers build side projects that prove it. Here are just a few:
- Smarter team chat: One developer created a Discord bot that plugs into voice chat and hooks up to AI agents. The result? Teams get answers and reminders, hands-free and in real time.
- Audio notes that actually work: Someone else designed a virtual assistant that listens to audio, catches key ideas, and keeps them organized so nothing slips through the cracks.
- A knack for going viral: Another built and runs a virtual influencer account with tens of thousands of followers, blending technology, creativity, and digital community-building in one package.
These projects don’t come from a product launch plan—they start when someone spots a conversation that needs a lift, or a workflow that could be friendlier. Then they quietly build a fix—a smarter bot, a new way to annotate chats, or a tool that brings personality to digital spaces.
Takeaway: When developers treat communication as a craft, your team gets more than just code—they get better ways to work and connect.
Hiring tip: Ask how a developer has helped teams communicate or collaborate. Those with side projects in this space tend to bring a people-first mindset to every job.
Fixing What’s Broken (Even When No One’s Asked)
Sometimes a side hustle is more than just a side project—it’s a practical answer to a tough problem. Lemon.io developers get hands-on with issues most people overlook, often building solutions that help entire communities or bring new accessibility to the tech world.
- Better web access for all: One developer created an iOS extension that adds alt tags, summaries, and extra context to websites so visually impaired users aren’t left guessing.
- Diagnosing car trouble by sound: Someone wrote an AI model that listens to engine noises and figures out whether your car or bike needs fixing—no shop visit needed.
- Automating manual workflows: Think of a phone-call routing system that uses speech-to-text, AI, and scheduling tools to handle client bookings, or apps that turn scattered feedback into clear documentation for non-technical teams.
- Streamlining everyday business: Some side projects take care of repetitive busywork—organizing documents, automating reminders, or tracking habits—so teams are free to focus on what matters.
These aren’t shiny gadgets built for fun. They started because someone noticed a daily frustration, a user who got left behind, or a process that took way too many steps—and decided to do something about it.
Takeaway: This is what happens when you work with developers who see real-world impact as part of the job. They notice what’s missing, build for people who need it, and leave things better than they found them.
Hiring tip: Ask, “What’s the most meaningful project you’ve tackled outside work?” The strongest candidates can share a story about making life easier or more inclusive for someone else.
From Idea to Platform—Startups in the Making
Not every side project stays small. Some kick off as a weekend “let’s try this” and end up scaling into real businesses. That’s something you see often with Lemon.io developers: side hustles that grow into full-fledged products or platforms.
- Documentation turned effortless: One project spun up a platform where non-technical teams—think board game makers or appliance companies—can share how-tos, guides, and manuals without a tech barrier. It started as a workaround for messy process docs and now helps all kinds of businesses communicate clearly.
- Tools for other developers: Open-source libraries and workflow managers, first built to solve a personal frustration, are now used by others to speed up AI projects or handle tricky integrations.
- Education for the digital age: Some devs launch bootstrapped learning tools or exam prep platforms, turning their side gigs into something that serves learners around the world.
- Creative tools for audio, design, or productivity: It’s not unusual to find a Lemon.io dev releasing apps for voice notes, audio processing, or design workflows—products that help people get more done with less hassle.
These tools aren’t just attention-seeking “minimum viable products.” They’re solutions that others pick up on, recommend, or even pay for. Each one started with a single developer noticing a headache, and ended with something bigger—a product with staying power.
Takeaway: When your developers have this kind of founder energy, you get more than coders. You get builders who see every project as a chance to create something lasting.
Hiring tip: Ask if they’ve ever launched a product and seen strangers use it. The ones who light up when they answer are the people who bring momentum to your team.
Spotlight: Meet the Makers Behind the Side Hustles
Sometimes, the best way to show what Lemon.io talent can do is to put a face and a project front and center. Here are a few standout side hustles, the people who built them, and why they matter.
TestifyFor.Me — by Halil Turkoglu
TestifyFor.Me is a SaaS that makes collecting and embedding testimonials almost effortless. Built for businesses drowning in scattered feedback and old-school forms, Halil’s tool lets you gather client praise in minutes and showcase it straight on your site. The dashboard is clean, the embedding is instant, and there’s zero headache for your marketing team.
CV-Postman — by Volodymyr Bondarchuk
CV-Postman lets IT candidates make manual submissions and auto-send their resumes to the right vacancies. Volodymyr’s tool even features an in-progress CV auto-generator. Job seekers get to skip the form-filling marathon and hiring managers see a cleaner, more organized pipeline.
Briefmind — by Iaroslav Morgunov
Briefmind is a mobile app that turns audio notes into organized, shareable thoughts. Built for busy people who have more ideas than time to type, Iaroslav’s tool makes sure voice memos don’t just get saved—they get transcribed, sorted, and become instantly usable. It’s perfect for anyone who thinks out loud but wants to keep life tidy.
AI-Driven Voice Chat & Style Guide AI Assistant — by Karim Lalani
Karim has built projects that blend real-time communication and AI. The AI voice chat lets users hold real conversations with an AI agent over WebRTC and voice—not just typed chat. His Style Guide AI Assistant brings handy voice and multi-modal tools for teams building content, taking the “virtual assistant” concept well beyond the basics.
What’s Next? Fresh Trends in Programming Side Jobs
Lemon.io developers are always scanning for the next smart opportunity, and every year brings a new wave of side hustles. While most projects start with real problems, some trends are catching on across the tech world—and they show where your next hire’s curiosity might take your business.
- Revenue from digital products: More programmers are launching paid code snippets, micro-SaaS tools, and automation scripts, often as one-person businesses that run themselves once released.
- AI for small business: From chatbots to custom analytics, devs are building AI add-ons that help startups and agencies punch above their weight.
- Bug bounty hunting: Security-minded developers hunt for vulnerabilities in public apps or platforms and get paid for their findings. It’s real-world testing and revenue rolled into one.
- Mentoring and micro-courses: Short, practical online courses, code reviews, and 1-on-1 coaching give experienced devs a fun way to teach and earn extra income.
- APIs and integrations: Many are creating small, specialized APIs that fill gaps for ecommerce, workflow automation, and even gaming.
These trends are new answers to old headaches, and a reminder that the best developers are always pushing into what’s next.
Takeaway: Staying ahead doesn’t require an army of developers. One curious, creative person can spot a shift and build the next thing your team needs—often before the market catches up.
Hiring tip: When interviewing, ask what’s catching their attention outside of work hours. If they’re experimenting or launching something small on the side, you’re probably talking to someone who brings tomorrow’s best ideas to your projects.
Why Side Hustles Matter When You’re Hiring Developers
Developers who build side projects bring more to the table than technical skill. They notice the tiny frustrations or missing pieces in daily life—and then do something about it. That’s why Lemon.io talent stands out: their side hustles become real tools, helpful platforms, and even full-fledged products long before anyone’s asked for them.
If you want a developer who can spot gaps, power through roadblocks, and isn’t afraid to try something new, look for the kind of person who builds after hours. Those are the builders you’ll want in your corner as your business grows.
Final tip: Ask about side projects in every interview. The best stories usually come from the people who don’t wait for instructions—they just get to work.
Ready to see what developer initiative looks like in real time? Meet Lemon.io’s builders and find your next standout dev.
