GTA Online
Best first business in GTA Online: start with the Acid Lab
For most new Grand Theft Auto Online players, the Acid Lab is the best first business. The unlock missions are free, it doesn't need a property, and it runs in the background while you do other things.
How to get it
- Play the First Dose missions, which are free to start.
- You'll receive the Brickade 6x6 truck.
- Pay Mutt GTA$750,000 at The Freakshop to convert it.
- Fill it with supplies and start production.
Make more from it
- Buy the Equipment Upgrade. It makes each batch worth much more.
- Rename your product, which reports say adds to the payout.
- Sell only when the batch is full.
- Run sales in an Invite Only session.
Buying supplies cuts into your profit, so work out your real earnings after supply costs.
How others compare
| Business | Why you might choose it |
|---|---|
| Acid Lab | Cheapest good starter |
| Bunker | Solo background income |
| Nightclub | Grows as you add more businesses |
| Agency | Lots of solo jobs, including Dr. Dre's story |
Why not buy something bigger?
Bigger businesses cost more and take longer to pay back. An early mistake is putting everything into one expensive property, then having nothing left for supplies or upgrades. The Acid Lab pays you back sooner, and it gives you income to buy the next thing.
Who should skip it?
If you've used the Career Builder to get a Bunker or Nightclub, you've already got a head start. Add the Acid Lab next, as it's still cheap, rather than instead.
What comes after that?
- Save for the Kosatka and Cayo Perico.
- Add the Agency for solo contracts.
- Add the Nightclub for more passive income.
How selling works
When the batch is full, start the sale from the truck, and deliver it to the drop-offs on your map. Invite Only sessions keep other players out of the way. Reports say it's a single-vehicle delivery, which makes it easy for solo players.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to resupply. A lab with no supplies makes nothing, so restock when you pass by.
- Skipping the upgrade. The Equipment Upgrade pays for itself, because each batch is worth more and made faster.
- Selling in a busy session. Other players can attack your delivery, so use Invite Only.
- Selling too small. Wait for a full batch, and you'll spend less time on deliveries.