A side hustle is a popular way to supplement your income, but what if you have a busy schedule or want to make money in your free time? One easy way to earn cash is to get paid to watch ads.
This may sound like a scam, but it’s a legitimate way to make money. In fact, you can do this side gig while watching TV or relaxing on the couch.
If you want to know how to make money by watching ads, our guide reviews the top choices and tips to maximize earnings.
What are the Best Platforms to Watch Ads for Money?
When you want to earn extra money, money-making apps that pay you to watch ads can help. Market research companies use videos as a way to gauge interest in everything from products to movie trailers.
You won’t become wealthy when you get paid to watch ads, but it’s a good way to earn free gift cards or PayPal cash. If you want to make extra cash, here are the best apps that pay you to watch ads in your spare time.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is our top choice to get paid to watch ads online. The online rewards site has a variety of categories of videos you can watch. Popular categories include:
- News and Politics
- Health
- Technology
- Parenting
- Fashion
- Hobbies
You can leave a positive or negative rating for the videos and earn rewards points for your effort. However, watching ads earns fewer points than other activities on the platform.
Beyond letting you watch ads for money, you can earn in other ways on Swagbucks. Higher-paying gigs include paid surveys, using their search engine, playing games, and using their browser extension for shopping.
Swagbucks gives new users a sign-up bonus of $10 when opening an account. The minimum redemption amounts vary based on if you choose gift cards or cash.
You can redeem your rewards for free Amazon gift cards with a $1 balance (140 points). PayPal cash and other gift card rewards require a $5 balance.
The platform is easy-to-use and has a Trustpilot score of 4.3 out of 5. Users need to be a minimum of 13 years of age to join.
Read our Swagbucks review to learn more.
2. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another top site to make money watching ads. The micro-task site allows users to watch up to 30 videos daily.
Ad content is usually something as simple as a movie trailer or promotion for a new product. You typically will watch content from different retailers.
InboxDollars has worked with companies that include:
- Target.com
- Publishers Clearing House
- Walmart
- H&R Block
Viewing videos even lets you win instant cash prizes with virtual scratch cards. These often let you earn between $0.05 to $0.30, or more, making this reward site more lucrative than Swagbucks for watching videos.
Other ways to earn on InboxDollars include reading emails, printing off coupons, taking surveys, using its shopping portal, and more.
New members receive a $5 bonus when they open an account. However, the minimum redemption is higher than other get-paid-to sites (GPT) at $30.
Earnings can be redeemed for PayPal cash, free Google Play points, or gift cards. The rewards site has an easy-to-use platform and a Trustpilot score of 4.3 out of 5.
Users need to be a minimum of 18 years of age to join.
Read our InboxDollars review to learn more.
3. MyPoints
MyPoints is another terrific choice to get paid to watch ads on your phone. Like other apps, you will need to watch a series of videos to earn points.
You may need to view between three and 12 offers to earn up to five points. Possible video categories include:
- Active living
- Entertainment
- Financial news
- TV commercials
- World news
Like other GPT sites on our list, you can earn in various ways on MyPoints. Possibilities include using their shopping portal, taking surveys online, scanning store receipts, and more.
You can earn up to 500 points per day with videos. You can also earn a free $10 Amazon card when you open an account and make a qualifying $20 purchase through their shopping portal within the first 30 days.
Earnings can be redeemed for either cash via PayPal, gift cards, or travel miles. Amazon gift cards with a $1 balance require 250 points for redemption.
Most gift card rewards to stores and restaurants start at $5 (700 points). PayPal cash rewards are available with a $10 minimum balance.
The mobile app is relatively easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 4.4 out of 5. Users need to be at least 13 years of age to join.
4. Ibotta
Ibotta is unique from other apps that let you make money watching ads. The platform is a grocery rebate app that lets users get deals on groceries.
You can research using the app before going to the store to find rebates or take a picture of your receipt after shopping. It is a great app to make money by scanning receipts from grocery and local retail stores.
Additionally, Ibotta lets you get paid to view ads. These ads typically are for products available for a discount in your area.
Furthermore, you can use its browser extension to save money shopping online with one of its over 1,500 participating retailers.
New users receive a $5 bonus after uploading their first receipt. Ibotta also has a referral program, allowing you to earn $5 for each person you refer.
Cash and gift card redemptions start at $20. The app is easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 4.2 out of 5.
New users must be at least 18 years of age to get paid to watch ads.
Read our Ibotta review to learn more.
5. FusionCash
FusionCash is a popular membership rewards site to make money online. It’s not as robust as some of the other choices on our list, but it’s still a legit way to get paid to watch videos.
While it’s less expansive than a site like Swagbucks, the micro job site does offer various ways to earn cash. Those opportunities include:
- Product testing
- Taking paid surveys
- Using their online shopping portal
- Reading sponsored emails
- Playing games
Video ads are less plentiful on this site, but there are enough to make it worthwhile.
If you participate in product testing, make sure you know what’s expected before joining a trial. Some opportunities require you to purchase a service and cancel before the free trial period ends.
New members can earn a $5 bonus for signing up. Earnings can be redeemed via PayPal, direct deposit to a bank account, or paper check once you reach $25.
This app doesn’t currently allow for gift card redemptions.
The app is easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 2.3 out of 5. New users must be at least 13 years of age to join.
6. InstaGC
InstaGC is another legitimate choice to make money by watching ads online. It’s a GPT site that offers other earning opportunities beyond watching commercials.
Potential ways to earn on InstacGC include:
- Using its shopping portal
- Taking paid surveys
- Using its search engine
- Downloading apps
- Testing products
Paid surveys are its highest earning choice, as users can earn up to $1 per survey. New users do receive a $0.10 bonus when they join.
The paltry amount aside, InstaGC allows you to withdraw earnings for gift cards once you reach a $1 balance. You can find gift cards to over 300 stores and restaurants.
Unfortunately, you must have a $50 balance to redeem earnings via PayPal or Bitcoin.
The app is easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 3.5 out of 5. New users must be at least 13 years of age to join.
7. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
Consider Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel if you want an effortless way to earn money online. You can install an app on your computer, phone, or tablet to share your internet usage.
The platform lets you earn up to $50 annually, and gift card redemptions start at $5.
You can also win the $10,000 monthly cash sweepstakes.
This app is one of the easiest ways to watch ads for money if you’re comfortable sharing these details:
- The URLs for the websites you visit
- How long you visit a web page
- Other device activity
You will get paid to watch ads, surf the web, or stream movies. Unfortunately, there is no bonus when you join.
Nielsen has a Trustpilot score of 3.7 out of 5. New users must be at least 18 years of age to join.
8. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is another top choice to get paid to view ads online. The site is a GPT option with multiple earning opportunities.
Potential ways to earn include:
- Online surveys
- Testing products
- Completing small jobs
- Referring friends
The one drawback to PrizeRebel is that it doesn’t have a mobile app. You can only use the platform on a computer.
However, it requires minimal information to join. You only need to provide your email address or Facebook account to start earning.
The site doesn’t offer a sign-on bonus, but it has a low redemption minimum. You can redeem earnings for gift cards starting at $2 or cash via PayPal starting at $5.
The site is easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 3.8 out of 5. New users must be at least 16 years of age to join.
9. Earnably
Earnably is a leading site to watch ads for money. Like other sites on our list, you can earn cash in various ways on Earnably.
Potential ways to make money include:
- Downloading apps
- Finding promo codes
- Taking paid surveys
- Referring friends
If you refer a friend, you earn ten percent of their earnings as a referral bonus.
Part of what sets Earnably apart is they tell you how long it will take to complete a chosen task. This lets you decide if it’s worth your time and effort.
There is no bonus for joining Earnably, but you only need $1 to redeem for gift cards or $5 for PayPal cash.
The app is easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 4.8 out of 5. New users must be at least 18 years of age to join.
10. AdWallet
AdWallet is a newer choice to get paid to watch ads. Unlike other choices, watching videos is the only real way to earn cash.
Once you watch an ad, you must take a short survey to give your feedback on it. While it is possible to earn on AdWallet, it’s best to use it in conjunction with a site like Swagbucks or InboxDollars.
This drawback aside, you can earn between $0.50 and $3.00 per video you watch. Plus, you can set text alerts to notify you of when new ads are available to watch.
AdWallet doesn’t offer a new user bonus, and the minimum redemption is $10 for gift cards or PayPal cash.
Unfortunately, AdWallet doesn’t currently have a mobile app. You can only use it on a desktop.
The site is easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 3.2 out of 5. New users must be at least 13 years of age to join.
11. QuickRewards
QuickRewards is one of the more unique options to make money watching ads. It’s a GPT site that offers numerous ways to earn, including:
- Taking paid surveys
- Playing games online
- Using their shopping portal
- Reading sponsored emails
- Testing products
Video topics include lifestyle and pop culture, short films, and ads. QuickRewards stands out because it has no minimum redemption amount for cash.
You can redeem any amount you want, starting at $0.01, for PayPal cash. If you want to redeem for a gift card, it starts at a $5 minimum balance.
Additionally, the app offers customizable search filters to find your favorite offers. For example, you can block product trials that require a purchase.
The app is fairly easy to use and has a Trustpilot score of 3.8 out of 5. New users must be at least 18 years of age to join.
Frequently Asked Questions
Watching ads for cash is a fun way to make money in your spare time. However, many users have questions before starting. Here are some common questions readers ask.
How Much Can You Get Paid to Watch Ads?
Making money watching ads is easy and doesn’t require special skills or purchases. You can expect to earn several cents per video and perhaps a few dollars each day.
While the pay is relatively low, ad-watching only takes a few minutes. You can also earn enough to afford small purchases or save to reach a goal.
It’s a good idea to compare the opportunities on several platforms. Also, consider joining a platform that offers other activities that pay more for your efforts.
Don’t overlook ways to increase earnings, such as following the site on social media. Many platforms give bonuses to follow or share their posts on social media.
How Do I Get Paid for Watching Ads?
Every site operates a little differently for compensation. It’s important to know how payment is handled before setting your expectations.
Most sites follow a basic formula of having you sign up before starting. Once you watch the video, you earn points or a specific monetary amount. If it’s the former, you convert the points to cash.
Upon reaching the minimum redemption amount, you can withdraw earnings for gift cards, free cash, and more.
Why Do Companies Pay You to Watch Ads?
Marketing research companies serve one basic purpose. They want to know how their product or service is liked before launching it.
Companies accomplish this in many ways, from offering surveys for money to utilizing video ads to receive feedback. Using these methods allows companies to make tweaks before taking the product public.
This lets you, as the user, earn cash in your free time, and it allows the company to perfect its product or service. It’s a win-win.
Can You Get Paid to Watch YouTube Videos?
Unfortunately, there is no known, trustworthy way to earn cash by watching videos on YouTube. Aside from creating your own channel, you can’t make money on YouTube.
It’s best to try one of the sites on our list to make money in your free time.
Is It Worth It to Watch Ads for Money?
Watching ads for money is a good way to earn extra spending money in your free time. You may even be able to earn a little passive income if they can play in the background while watching TV.
However, it’s best to be realistic when starting. You won’t get rich, but it is possible to make money. While earnings can help you supplement other earnings or aid in reaching a goal, don’t expect to make much money.
What do you do to make money on the side?
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