There are many great ways to earn big payouts in GTA Online, like businesses and races, but there is no better way than playing through the many GTA Online heists. However, if you’re like us, you’ll not want to waste your time with low-payout heists, especially when they take a fairly long time to complete. So, in this article, we’ve decided to share with you the top 5 best heists in GTA Online, as of 2023, so that you can earn big quickly!
Without further ado, let’s get heisting!
The Diamond Casino Heists
Potential Payout: $11,374,000
The Diamond Casino Heist was added to Grand Theft Auto Online as a stand-alone update in 2019 bringing players the most lucrative heists available in GTA Online to date. Not only this, but it is arguably one of the biggest heists in GTA Online, offering preparation missions and operations making it far more interactive than previous heists. Therefore, there is no doubt that this is the best heist in GTA 5 Online.
In order to begin the Diamond Casino Heist you will need to be registered as a VIP/CEO Organisation or be part of a Motorcycle Club member. Whether you’re a CEO, VIP, or MC President you’ll need to own an Arcade. Arcades were added as part of The Diamond Casino Heist update, and are a set of businesses costing $1,235,000 to $4,082,500.
You’ll be propositioned to purchase an arcade after meeting Lester at Mirror Park, once done you can purchase one of six arcades from the Maze Bank Foreclosures website.
For the maximum payout on all items, you’ll want to attempt to play the heist on Hard Difficulty. However, you can still expect to earn an incredible amount on Normal Difficulty. When completing the heist you can choose to heist several valuable item types: Diamonds, Gold, Artwork, or Cash. Here is a breakdown of the payouts depending on difficulty:
Hard Difficulty:
- Diamonds – $3,619,000
- Gold – $2,843,500
- Artwork – $2,585,000
- Cash – $2,326,500
Normal Difficulty:
- Diamonds – $3,290,000
- Gold – $2,585,000
- Artwork: $2,350,000
- Cash – $2,115,000
As you can see, there is not a huge difference between playing on either difficulty. Therefore, if you’re playing with a minimum number of players (two players) it is probably better to play on Normal Difficulty to save the need for restarting.
The Cayo Perico Heist
Potential Payout: $2,090,000
The Cayo Perico Heist was added to Grand Theft Auto V Online back in 2020 and is arguably one of the most significant heist updates in the decade since the game’s release. The Cayo Perico Heist saw the addition of an entirely new Island that can be visited whilst completing the heist. And as a result, is one of the best heists in GTA 5 Online.
You’ll be contacted by Miguel Madrazo in The Music Locker Nightclub, which is located at The Diamond Casino & Resort, where you will be provided with context surrounding the heists and background for the private island. The Cayo Perico heist is far simpler than The Diamond Casino Heist and will net you roughly $2,090,000 per playthrough, and you’ll be directed to steal one of 5 items:
Hard Difficulty:
- Sinsimito Tequila – $990,000
- Ruby Necklace – $1,100,000
- Bearer Bonds – $1,210,000
- Pink Diamond – $1,430,000
- Panther Statue (Special Event Item) – $2,090,000
Normal Difficulty:
- Sinsimito Tequila – $900,000
- Ruby Necklace – $1,000,000
- Bearer Bonds – $1,100,000
- Pink Diamond – $1,300,000
- Panther Statue (Special Event Item) – $1,900,000
The Doomsday Scenario
Potential Payout: $1,500,000+
The Doomsday Scenario is the final chapter of The Doomsday Heist added in the Grand Theft Auto Online update of its namesake. You will need to be a VIP, CEO, or Motorcycle Club president and own a Facility of some kind to begin this heist. Once you have met these requirements you may begin this heist with as few as two players.
First, you will need to complete a preliminary Freemode preparation mission that requires you to steal equipment from a rival Organization. If you’re unable to do so you can simply purchase the required equipment for $94,500. However, as there are three acts to The Doomsday Heist, you can expect three different payouts, tripling your overall payout. The Doomsday Scenario has the highest payout of all three. Once onto The Doomsday Scenario, you can expect to earn a maximum of $1,500,000:
Hard Difficulty:
- $1,500,000
Normal Difficulty:
- $1,200,000
The Pacific Standard
Potential Payout: $1,875,000
The Pacific Standard job is the fifth heist added to GTA Online as part of the original Heists Update. To complete this heist you will need a property (house) bought from the Maze Bank Foreclosure website that has a heist room inside. Once you have this you will be guided by Lester throughout the Heist’s various setup steps.
You must complete 5 setups: Vans, Signal, Hack, Convoy, and Bikes. After completing the various setup missions you will then have to complete the final heist: The Pacific Standard Job. Unlike newer heists, you will need a total of 4 players to complete this, which can prove problematic if you do not have 3 other consistent players to help, as each step will require new match-making to find the additional players. So, it is best to gather your friends for this one. Once completed you can expect payouts from between $750,000 – $1,875,000 depending on difficulty, making it one of the best heists in GTA 5 Online for four players:
Hard Difficulty:
- Pacific Standard Job – $1,875,000
Normal Difficulty:
- Pacific Standard Job – $1,500,000
Easy Difficulty:
- Pacific Standard Job – $750,000
Series A Heist
Potential Payout: $883,750
The Series A Heist is another original heist added to Grand Theft Auto V Online as part of the Heists Update. Interestingly, unlike the previous heists, you will actually be working on behalf of Trevor Philips, one of the three main protagonists from Story Mode. The heist will begin with Trevor, Ron, and Chef entering the player’s apartment. Trevor will give the player the task of collecting narcotics on his behalf for a deal that he previously set up. However, unlike normal heists you will not actually be stealing the product at the finale, instead, you will obtain the goods during the setup missions.
Instead, the Series A Heist finale, dubbed Series A Funding, will involve the defense of a warehouse and the narcotics from enemies attempting to recover them. Once you have defeated all the NPC enemies, you must deliver the products to a specified drop-off. To complete this heist you will need 4 players, and the payout for the final step ranges from $353,500 – $883,750 depending on difficulty:
Hard Difficulty:
- Series A Funding – $883,750
Normal Difficulty:
- Series A Funding – $707,000
Easy Difficulty:
- Series A Funding – $353,500
Final Thoughts
Thanks to Rockstar there are plenty of heists in Grand Theft Auto Online, offering players one of the best ways to earn money fast, alone or with up to four friends. Heists are also a great way to earn RP and rank up as you earn. However, the number one heist in GTA Online for making crazy amounts of money is, without a doubt, The Diamond Casino Heist! If you and your friends manage to secure and sell each of the valuables listed above, you could potentially walk away with over $11,000,000 each time you play through this heist. Making it the best heist in GTA 5.
