14 Apps and Websites Where You Can Earn Money by Watching Ads

Did you know you can get paid to watch ads? That's right, you can actually grow your money by doing what you most likely end up doing on a daily basis anyway!

Just remember that watching ads won't replace your day job or buy you a new car. However, they create great opportunities to monetize your downtime and earn extra cash or electronic gift cards. Let's take a look at 14 of the best apps and websites where you can earn money by watching ads!

Short on Time? Here Are Our Top Picks

Inboxdollars

• Legit site with lots of ways to make money
• $5 signup bonus
• Payout via PayPal, check, or gift card. 

My Points

• $25 minimum payout
• $10 signup bonus
• Unlimited friend referral points

Swagbucks

• $3 minimum payout for gift cards
• $25 minimum payout for cash
• Legit site with lots of ways to make money

How To Watch Ads for Money

If you own a smartphone, there are many ways to earn money in this gig economy. Watching ads is an excellent way for 14 and 15-year-olds looking for work to make money.

Make money by watching ads in short bursts in your free time, like when your kids are napping, whilst waiting at the airport (or anywhere else for that matter), or during a coffee break. You may also be able to redeem points for free Amazon gift cards or gift cards from other retailers.

It's not quite passive income, as you have to be there, but watching videos for money is pretty close to passive, as it doesn't require much effort or attention.

So, how do you get paid to watch ads? How much money can you make? And what are the best sites and apps that let you watch ad videos for money? 

How Does It Work?

Brands and companies pay advertisers to promote their products/services through video channels and TV. The advertisers, in turn, share their revenue with users, members, and subscribers.

How Much Money Can You Make?

The amount of money you can earn varies with the platform you use and the time you spend watching videos. But really, it's pocket money. Yes, it's a nice, easy little side gig that doesn't really feel like “work,” but it won't make you rich or get you that exotic vacation you've been dreaming of. 

What you watch depends entirely on you.

You can decide to watch channels, including sports and entertainment, movie trailers, fashion, news clips, parenting, and much more.

Whether on a long road trip, waiting for an appointment, or just bored, here are the best apps to use to earn money watching ads online.

Types of Ads

When it comes to watching ads for money, there are a variety of different types of ads you can view. Take a look at some of the most common types you'll come across.

Video Ads

Video ads are short videos lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. They are the most common type of ad you can earn money for watching and can be seen on websites, social media, and even television. Video ads may feature product demonstrations, promotional offers, stories about the user experience with a brand, or any other type of content that will help capture viewers' attention. 

Online Survey Ads

Online survey ads are a great way to earn money by watching ads. These surveys require users to watch short videos and answer a few questions about the content. Companies that offer survey ads usually reward users with points that can be exchanged for gift cards or cash. Depending on the platform, survey ads may also offer bonus rewards for taking longer surveys or answering more complex questions.

App Trailers and Other Online Videos

App trailers and other online videos are a great way to make money by watching ads. App trailers are short videos that give viewers an overview of a mobile app or game. They usually last 30 seconds to two minutes and feature audio voice-overs, exciting visuals, and creative storytelling. These videos are typically shown on websites, social media, and online advertising networks. 

Best Sites That Pay You To Watch Ads

With just a few clicks and taps, you can earn cash for passively streaming commercials – no skills or special training required!

1. Inboxdollars

InboxDollars is one of the highest-paying survey sites, but you can also make real money watching videos online and short clips of movies and TV shows. 

Videos vary in categories, the common ones being entertainment, food and recipes, and celebrities. InboxDollars is legit and has paid out over $56 million in cash rewards to members since 2000.

You will receive a $5 signup bonus when you open a new account. You can complete surveys as well as watch different types of videos online or on your mobile phone. Find out more about ways to make money with InboxDollars here.

You can redeem your points for gift cards or get cash via PayPal or in the form of a check in the mail when you reach the $30 minimum redemption amount.

2. My Points

My Points is another popular app you can use to earn money by watching ads on your phone. Accumulate virtual points by shopping at your favorite stores, searching the web, taking surveys, reading emails, and watching ads.

To watch and earn up to 500 points per day, complete playlists. Pick a category to watch videos on your favorite topics. Besides ads, you can watch entertaining videos, including Golden Globes coverage and gossip from Hollywood.

Once you accrue enough points, you can redeem them for a gift card from popular stores and restaurants, travel miles, or PayPal cash – the minimum withdrawal amount is $25.

In addition, you earn 10 percent of your friend's qualifying points when you refer a friend. There are unlimited invitations and unlimited points.

3. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a fun loyalty rewards site that pays you for completing short online tasks and allows you to earn money by watching ads.

Besides answering polls, testing new products, playing online games, answering surveys, and referring friends, Swagbucks also has a video section where you can watch ads for money. Watching the Swagbucks video playlists is one of the easiest ways to earn money with this rewards app. 

Big companies and advertisers pay Swagbucks to conduct market research. The company will pay you for your time. Over $383 million has been awarded to members, making it one of the best apps to earn money from.

You can watch a single or series of videos in exchange for points or Swagbucks. Popular videos include sponsored videos, themed videos, sports highlights, home and garden, entertainment, and news from around the world. 

After watching each video, you will rate it. Ads can be played between the videos and be up to 75 seconds long. You can learn more in our detailed Swagbucks review. 

You can redeem your Swagbucks for PayPal cash or gift cards as your points accumulate.

While points can be redeemed for gift cards from as low as $3, you need at least $25 (or 2,500) points to redeem for cash.

4. KashKick

KashKick is an emerging rewards and loyalty platform to help you earn money online. One of the standout features of KashKick is its video section, where you can earn money simply by watching videos. It's similar to Swagbucks but has a lower payout threshold for cash of just $10. Note that Swagbucks generally has a more extensive library of tasks for you to complete. 

In addition to watching video ads, KashKick provides a variety of other tasks, such as completing surveys, playing games, and trying out apps. The platform is legit and has a good selection of tasks. Payments are conveniently made through PayPal, adding an extra layer of trustworthiness to the platform.

With its user-friendly interface and diverse earning opportunities, KashKick is quickly becoming a favorite among those looking to make money online. Whether you're watching videos or exploring other tasks, KashKick promises a seamless experience.

5. Prize Rebel

PrizeRebel is a solid membership rewards site that offers cash for watching ads. It's perfect for those looking to take advantage of short gaps in their day to make some extra income — no matter how small it may be.

It's easy to join if you're 18 or over, with quick signups available through Facebook and minimal personal information needed.

Redeem your points for gift cards from popular places like:

• Amazon
• PayPal
• Visa
• Google Play

Rewards start at a low payout of just $2. With more than $22 million paid out to members since 2017, PrizeRebel is a good option.

6. Ibotta

If you're in the mood to get real cash or a quick coupon, useful when shopping for groceries and electronics, then Ibotta is an excellent choice.

You can shop online and watch ads for money. Registering for an account is free and easy. Ibotta has an extremely user-friendly website.

No flashy junk or spammy links. Once you join, you can browse through various options and offers on the site. When you find a coupon you want to use, tap it. Then, watch a 15-second ad or answer a simple question to put the coupon to use.

Once you achieve the minimum payout of $20, buy a gift card or cash out via PayPal.

7. National Consumer Panel

The NCP app will pay you to watch videos online. NCP is a market research company formed by IRI and Nielsen. National Consumer Panel occasionally hires people to watch videos. The video surveys help collect data for advertising campaigns.

Organizations then use this data to adjust their marketing strategy wherever necessary. You can earn points to redeem gift cards and various merchandise.

The more video surveys you watch, the more cash you make. While the pay is not significant, the work is exciting.

8. QuickRewards

QuickRewards is a free loyalty program open to permanent residents of the United States. The site has been around since 2002 and features an old-school simple design that some people might disregard as shady, but rest assured; the site is legit.

With QuickRewards, there are a couple of ways to earn extra money, including cashback shopping, playing games, paid surveys, referring friends, and watching online videos.

You can process your PayPal payment within 72 hours, plus QuickRewards does not require a minimum amount to cash out. You can also redeem gift cards starting at $5 within seven days.

There are 50+ redemption options, including Walmart and Amazon.

9. Slidejoy

Slidejoy is no newcomer; the app has been around for a long time. The app rewards you for unlocking your phone. However, for it to work correctly, your smartphone needs to be in a locked position.

Slidejoy rents your device's lock screen in exchange for cash rewards. In addition, it displays beautiful, creative, full-screen ads on your phone.

To earn money by watching ads, download and activate the app. Slidejoy will load news stories and quick ads onto your smartphone's home screen. The content will be relevant to your interests.

Swipe left to check out the ad or news story — swipe right to ignore the ad and proceed to your home screen. No matter which way you slide, you'll still earn points.

Your points will come in the form of “carats” with 1,000 carats equaling one dollar. When you accumulate 2,000 carats (or $2), you can redeem gift cards to popular retailers and brands, cash out via PayPal, or donate your earnings to your favorite charity if you're feeling generous.

10. CreationsRewards

CreationsRewards gives you CR points for everyday phone activities – shopping online, exploring other sites, completing offers, answering trivia questions, and watching videos.

New members receive a $5 signup bonus, but you must earn at least 5k points within the first two months of being a new member to get the bonus. In comparison, InboxDollars does not put those time-limited conditions on their $5 signup bonus. 

To earn, visit certain websites and watch entertaining videos. Once you reach the threshold (1,000 CR points), visit the rewards page and pick from various offers. Then, redeem your points for cash through PayPal or gift cards from your favorite stores.

11. Viggle

Here's something for TV addicts – Viggle rewards you for interacting with all of your favorite entertainment!

You'll earn “perk points” by watching your favorite shows on streaming platforms like:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime Video

You can set custom reminders so you never miss a show. To earn, check into the app while watching live TV. You will earn a perk point per minute plus any bonuses. Check out the bonus section for a higher payout per minute of watch time.

Commenting on the shows and interacting with friends will get you more points. In addition, you can easily exchange your perk points for over 200 gift card options, including Amazon and Walmart, Prizes, or Cash.

You can also donate to over 1000 charities, including the American Cancer Society, Wounded Warrior Project, and Autism Speaks.

12. CheckPoints

CheckPoints is a get-paid-to website where you can earn money by completing online activities like shopping online, taking quizzes, and watching videos.

Advertisers pay CheckPoints; when you finish watching a video, CheckPoints pays you!

They offer hundreds of rewards, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon gift cards. Sign up with your Facebook account to start earning today. The minimum cashout is just a dollar, which you can withdraw only a few hours after creating your account.

13. GrabPoints

Advertisers pay GrabPoints for engagements, and you can get gift cards and PayPal cash for engaging in simple online activities such as downloading apps, completing offers, answering surveys, and watching videos.

GrabPoints promises high payouts and an excellent all-around experience. However, the rewards site has only been around since 2014, making it relatively new compared to veterans such as Swagbucks and InboxDollars.

In that period, they've built an impressive, loyal user base. GrabPoints has many video channels catering to diverse interests like fashion, tech, and lifestyle.

You can choose to watch a video that interests you, and up to 20 points will be credited to your account when you finish watching. Referring your friends will earn you 250 points per referral.

The points will add up quickly after watching a couple of videos. Rewards are processed and sent out within 48 hours; the minimum payout is $3 (3,000 points).

14. You-Cubez

You-Cubez is a Paid-To-Click (PTC) website that enables users to earn cash incentives and gift cards by:

• Completing tasks
• Participating in surveys
• Watching videos
• Viewing ads

With over 360k members and 20k payments sent, You-Cubez is a legit way of making money online. To earn from ads, click on an ad offer and view it for a few seconds.

Before receiving the reward, you will have to wait for 10 seconds and key in the code provided. While it doesn't pay much, it takes little effort to earn.

Plus, they have other ways to earn, which pay more. For example, when someone uses your referral link to join the site, you get paid – you'll earn up to 15% commission from your referrals.

Once you reach the payout threshold of $10, you can request payment via PayPal or Bitcoin. You pay a 5% processing fee each time you cash out.

Other Apps That Let You Watch Video Ads To Make Money:

• 15. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel
• 16. FusionCash
• 17. Earnably
• 18. AdWallet
• 19. iRazoo
• 20. ySense
• 21. Slicethepie
• 22. WeAre8
• 23. InstaGC
• 24. Fusion Cash
• 25. Success Bux

Note: We haven't reviewed these apps for their ad video options yet, so we can't recommend them. Instead, we recommend you go with one of our top three:

1. InboxDollars
2. MyPoints
3. Swagbucks

How To Protect Yourself From Scams

Anytime you're making money online, protecting yourself from online scams is essential.

Here are a few ways to stay safe:

• Never enter personal details into a website you're uncomfortable with
• Don't share too much of your personal info, like your social security number, on these websites
• Create an email account specifically for signing up for apps and websites related to this kind of work
• Install anti-virus software on your device before getting started
• Periodically take a break between different signup processes
• Never pay anything to take surveys or enter your credit card information.

Should You Watch Ads for Money?

Like any side hustle, being realistic with potential earnings is essential. While some sites only pay a small amount, adding them together will increase your supplementary income.

With at least three money-making platforms, you can earn up to $30 quickly. Consider annual earnings – $50 a month doesn't sound much, but it's $600 yearly.

It may take you a while to earn enough to withdraw your cash. If you give up halfway, it means you did the tasks for free. Once you reach your payment threshold, withdraw your money. Also, if you get paid in gift vouchers, spend them ASAP. Gift vouchers become invalid after the expiration date.

So go ahead, take your pick, and earn money by watching ads from your recliner or sofa.

Final Thoughts

While you likely will not get rich simply by watching ads online, it can be a decent way to make a few extra bucks to pay for small luxuries or to put away for a rainy day. After all, you are likely doing this fairly often anyway! So, get to earning!