Smart Passive Income Review: Should You Join?

As someone who’s been navigating the world of online entrepreneurship for years, building a six-figure income from scratch, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy advice in a sea of “get-rich-quick” schemes.

Before I committed to running my online business full-time, I dabbled in countless side hustles—some were mildly successful, while others were complete flops. That’s why I’ve always appreciated resources that cut through the noise and offer genuine, actionable insights. Enter Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn—a platform that has become a go-to resource for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.

In this review, I’ll share my honest take on SPI, how it stacks up against other resources I’ve used, and whether it’s worth your time if you’re serious about building a sustainable online income.

What is Smart Passive Income?

Smart Passive Income (SPI) is more than just a blog or podcast—it’s a comprehensive resource designed to help entrepreneurs build online businesses that generate passive income. At its core, SPI teaches you how to create sustainable income streams through strategies like affiliate marketing, podcasting, online courses, and niche websites. The platform emphasizes ethical business practices and transparency, which is refreshing in an industry often dominated by hype and unrealistic promises.

What I love about SPI is its focus on actionable advice. It breaks down complex concepts into manageable steps, teaching you how to identify your niche, build authority, and scale your business using tools like automation and outsourcing. Whether you’re looking to monetize a blog, launch a product-based business, or grow through advertising, SPI provides the framework to turn active income into passive income over time.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Who Created Smart Passive Income?

Smart Passive Income was founded by Pat Flynn, a name that’s synonymous with authenticity and innovation in the online business world. Pat’s journey started in 2008 when he was laid off as an architect during the recession. Instead of letting that setback define him, he pivoted to the online space and built an empire rooted in transparency and experimentation. His willingness to share both his successes and failures openly has earned him the trust of millions of entrepreneurs worldwide.

Pat is not just a blogger—he’s also a best-selling author (Will It Fly? and Superfans), a podcaster with over 80 million downloads of the Smart Passive Income Podcast, and even the co-founder of SwitchPod, an innovative tripod company. His reputation as the “crash-test dummy of online business” stems from his commitment to testing strategies before teaching them. For me, Pat’s authenticity and real-world experience set him apart from many others in this space.

Who is Smart Passive Income For?

SPI is perfect for anyone who wants to build an online business but doesn’t want to sacrifice their values or integrity in the process. Whether you’re just starting out with a side hustle or looking to scale an existing venture, SPI offers guidance tailored to every stage of entrepreneurship. It’s especially valuable for freelancers, content creators, agency owners, and anyone exploring passive income models like affiliate marketing or digital products.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by where to start or how to grow your business sustainably, SPI provides a clear roadmap. The community aspect is also a game-changer—connecting with other entrepreneurs who share their insights and challenges adds immense value. Personally, I think SPI is ideal for those who are willing to put in the initial effort required to build systems that eventually work for them on autopilot.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How is Smart Passive Income Structured?

Smart Passive Income offers a variety of courses, workshops, and community-driven programs designed to help entrepreneurs build and scale their online businesses. The content is structured into modules that provide step-by-step guidance, making it easy to follow even if you’re new to online business. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key course modules:

• Heroic Online Courses:

  • Module 1: Nail Your Niche – Helps you identify your audience and refine your course idea.
  • Module 2: Create an Extraordinary Course Outline – Guides you in structuring your course for maximum impact.
  • Module 3: Making Your Sales Page – Teaches you how to craft a high-converting sales page.
  • Module 4: Build a Production and Launch Plan – Covers strategies for launching your course effectively.
  • Module 5: Cultivate the Right Mindset – Focuses on overcoming mental blocks and building confidence.
  • Module 6: How to Film and Create Your Course – Provides practical tips for producing quality course content.

• Other Featured Courses:

  • Power-Up Podcasting® – Learn how to create, launch, and grow a podcast that drives income and impact.
  • 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing – A three-step system for earning through affiliate marketing.
  • Email Marketing Magic – Strategies for growing your email list and automating campaigns.

The SPI Community also includes live workshops, mini-courses, and peer discussions that complement these structured learning modules.

Are Smart Passive Income Students Getting Results?

One of the most reassuring aspects of SPI is the success stories shared by its students. For example, Julie DeLucca-Collins credits the SPI Community for providing the support and knowledge she needed to navigate entrepreneurship challenges confidently. Similarly, Tina Cheesley highlights how SPI revolutionized her mindset and strategic thinking, enabling her to approach small business in a fresh way.

Other testimonials emphasize the value of the community aspect. Kerry Finsand mentions how SPI provides accountability, networking opportunities, and learning resources that help entrepreneurs overcome feelings of isolation while growing their businesses. Personally, I find these testimonials inspiring because they reflect the real-world impact SPI has had on people at various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Does Smart Passive Income Cost?

SPI offers three membership tiers tailored to different needs:

• Start Tier: $49/month (billed quarterly at $147) or $41/month (billed annually at $490). This tier includes access to pre-recorded courses, live workshops, mini-courses, and community discussions.
• Accelerate Tier: $99/month (billed quarterly at $297) or $83/month (billed annually at $990). Includes everything in Start plus cohort-based accelerators and advanced monthly sprints.
• Thrive Tier: $149/month (billed quarterly at $447) or $125/month (billed annually at $1,490). This tier adds mastermind groups, advanced office hours with Pat Flynn, and exclusive tools like the Full-Time Entrepreneur Playbook.

SPI also offers a refund policy—members can request a full refund within the first 30 days if they feel the program isn’t right for them. This flexibility makes it easier to try out SPI without worrying about upfront commitment.

Praises for Smart Passive Income

Smart Passive Income has a lot going for it, and as someone who has explored many online business resources, here are the aspects I genuinely admire:

• Comprehensive and Actionable Content
  SPI doesn’t just skim the surface—it dives deep into topics like affiliate marketing, podcasting, email marketing, and course creation. Each course is broken down into actionable steps, making it easy to follow and implement strategies effectively. For example, the Power-Up Podcasting course walks you through everything from equipment setup to growing your audience, leaving no stone unturned.

• Transparency and Authenticity
  Pat Flynn’s openness about his successes and failures is rare in the world of online business. He shares real income reports, lessons learned, and even mistakes he’s made along the way. This level of transparency builds trust and makes SPI feel more relatable compared to other programs that often overpromise results.

• Supportive Community
  The SPI Community is a standout feature. It’s not just a place to learn but also to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. Members frequently share insights, provide feedback, and hold each other accountable. Personally, I’ve found that having a network of peers can make a huge difference in staying motivated and solving challenges.

• Diverse Learning Options
  Whether you prefer podcasts, video courses, or live workshops, SPI caters to different learning styles. The variety ensures that you can engage with the content in a way that suits you best. Plus, there’s plenty of free material available for those who want to explore before committing financially.

• Proven Track Record
  With testimonials from students like Rachael Stout and Sandee Rodriguez, it’s clear that SPI has helped countless individuals build successful businesses. These stories show that the strategies taught are not just theoretical but practical and results-driven.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Criticisms for Smart Passive Income

While SPI has many strengths, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are a few areas where I think it could improve:

• High Course Costs
  While the quality of the courses is undeniable, the price tags can be steep for beginners. For instance, Power-Up Podcasting costs $799, which might be out of reach for someone just starting their entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, having multiple courses instead of an all-in-one package can make it harder (and more expensive) for newcomers to decide where to begin.

• Not Truly “Passive”
  Despite the name “Smart Passive Income,” building any form of passive income requires significant upfront effort and ongoing maintenance. Some students might enter with unrealistic expectations about how quickly they’ll see results or how much work is involved.

• Overwhelming for Beginners
  With so many courses and topics covered—affiliate marketing, podcasting, email marketing—it can be overwhelming for someone new to online business to figure out where to start. A more guided onboarding process or beginner-friendly roadmap could help alleviate this issue.

• Limited Focus on Alternatives
  While SPI excels at teaching certain methods like affiliate marketing or course creation, it doesn’t cover other potential income streams as extensively—for example, e-commerce or freelancing. Entrepreneurs looking for a broader range of options might find SPI somewhat limiting.

Should You Join Smart Passive Income?

If you’re serious about building a sustainable online business and are willing to put in the effort, Smart Passive Income is absolutely worth considering. From my experience, SPI stands out because it doesn’t just teach you how to make money—it teaches you how to build a business that aligns with your values and long-term goals. The courses are packed with actionable strategies, and the community provides incredible support, which can be invaluable when navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

That said, whether SPI is right for you depends on your current situation. If you’re a beginner who’s overwhelmed by the idea of starting an online business, SPI might feel a bit advanced or pricey at first. However, if you already have some experience or are ready to invest in high-quality resources, SPI can help you level up quickly. Personally, I think it’s best suited for entrepreneurs who want to focus on passive income models like affiliate marketing, podcasting, or digital products and are ready to commit the time and energy required to see results.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Smart Passive Income Alternative

While I highly respect what Smart Passive Income offers, I know it’s not the perfect fit for everyone—especially if you’re just starting out or looking for a more affordable option. In my opinion, Wealthy Affiliate is one of the best alternatives for learning how to make money online. It’s where I first learned the ropes of affiliate marketing and built my foundation as an internet entrepreneur.

Why Wealthy Affiliate Stands Out:

• Beginner-Friendly Platform
  Wealthy Affiliate is designed with beginners in mind. It offers step-by-step training on affiliate marketing, website creation, and SEO without overwhelming you with advanced concepts right away. When I started my journey, this structured approach helped me gain confidence and momentum.

• Affordable Pricing
  Compared to SPI’s premium courses, Wealthy Affiliate has a much more accessible pricing model. You can start with their free membership to explore the platform and upgrade to Premium for just $49/month (or $497/year). This makes it ideal for those who want high-quality training without breaking the bank.

• All-in-One Tools
  Wealthy Affiliate includes tools like website hosting, keyword research software (Jaaxy), and site-building tools within its membership. This eliminates the need to purchase additional services elsewhere, which is a big plus for beginners.

• Community Support
  Similar to SPI, Wealthy Affiliate has an active community where members share tips, provide feedback, and support each other. When I was starting out, this sense of camaraderie kept me motivated and helped me overcome challenges.

While SPI focuses heavily on passive income models like podcasting and course creation, Wealthy Affiliate is laser-focused on affiliate marketing as its primary strategy. If affiliate marketing is your main interest or you’re looking for a more affordable way to get started online, Wealthy Affiliate might be the better choice for you.

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Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.