Get Paid to Watch Ads: Best Apps That Actually Work

Key takeaways: 

• Increasingly popular platforms that allow you to get money by watching ads are legit and can let you make real extra money in your spare time.
• Most apps that pay for watching ad videos, offer other opportunities to earn money by completing various tasks like answering surveys or playing games.
• Using multiple apps to maximize your earnings is a key to making this money making endeavor worthwhile, especially if you combine watching ads with other tasks.

Have you ever wondered if you can earn money by watching ads and have been suspicious about it being too good to be true? You can finally put your doubts to rest, for the answer to the original question is: yes.

You need to manage your expectations, however, because quitting your day job would be a mistake. While some headlines hype it up as a goldmine, the reality is much more modest.

You won’t earn $100 a day just by clicking play, but you can earn a little extra cash during your downtime with the right tools and strategies. Watching ads for money typically falls under the “micro-task” model – small digital tasks you complete for small rewards

Some ad watching platforms operate as apps, others are full-on browsers, and a few are crypto-based reward systems. Most platforms pay a few cents to watch ads per each case, so stacking efforts across multiple trusted platforms is the way to play the game.

How It Works

Companies shell out billions every year to get your attention. When you watch ads, especially ones tied to a specific demographic or interest, advertisers view it as valuable exposure. That’s where these platforms come in – they connect viewers with video ads in exchange for a cut of the marketing budget.

The common formats for watching video ads usually fall into one of these categories:

• Task-based platforms. Platforms like Swagbucks, Pawns.app, or InboxDollars offer to watch ads as part of larger “get-paid-to” ecosystems.
• In-app rewarded videos. These are short clips that unlock points or content in mobile apps.
• Ad-supported browsers. Such browsers like Brave show video ads as you surf the web, rewarding your attention without the need to watch ads as a separate activity.

You can earn cash, points, crypto, or even gift cards throughout the platforms, depending on their offers. Most systems require you to hit a minimum payout threshold before cashing out. Some offer cash rewards, while others reward with points that convert into extra money.

Best Apps to Get Paid to Watch Ads

1. Swagbucks

A well-known name in the get-paid-to-watch world, Swagbucks offers points (called SB) for watching video ads, answering surveys, playing mobile games, and more.

Besides, this platform is known for its extensive shopping rewards program where you can find coupons, promo codes, deals, and cashback offers to numerous stores.

• Reliability: High – long history, strong user base.
• Payout method: PayPal, gift cards.
• User experience: User-friendly, though ad volume can be low.

Pros:

• Multiple ways to earn rewards
• Easy to cash out
• Mobile app available

Cons:

• Limited ads per day
• Lower earnings per ad

2. InboxDollars

Another reputable platform, InboxDollars pays you directly in dollars for small tasks like watching ads, movie or TV show previews, participating in surveys, and playing mobile games.

A higher cashout threshold might seem like an obstacle, but you will gather and get money by watching ads directly instead of collecting points that could be redeemed later.

• Reliability: High – strong track record
• Payout method: Direct deposit, check, gift cards
• User experience: Simple dashboard, clear earnings

Pros:

• Straightforward cash payouts
• Regularly updated ad content

Cons:

• $15 minimum payout
• Some ads require full interaction

3. Brave Browser

A privacy-focused browser that allows you to get paid by watching ads in the form of a Basic Attention Token (BAT), a form of cryptocurrency.

It is based on the Chromium rendering engine, the same that is used in Chrome, Edge, and Opera browsers but it blocks many ads that you see every day on the web, replacing them with fewer ads of their ad network that will get you rewarded.

• Reliability: Medium-High – newer, but growing fast
• Payout method: BAT crypto
• User experience: Seamless ad delivery while browsing

Pros:

• Earn while doing normal web browsing
• Privacy-first design

Cons:

• Crypto payout can fluctuate
• Limited to browser use

4. Cointiply

A crypto reward platform where users can earn money watching ads, completing online shopping offers, and playing games.

You can share your opinion on popular products and businesses to get rewarded with cryptocurrency, so don’t miss the opportunity to vent about your recent purchases or tryouts to influence the marketeers to upgrade their product for your own benefit.

• Reliability: Medium – decent reputation in crypto circles
• Payout method: Bitcoin, DOGE, Litecoin
• User experience: Lots of earning options but a cluttered user interface

Pros:

• Good for crypto enthusiasts
• Diverse earning methods

Cons:

• Slower payouts
• Video ad availability varies

5. RewardXP

Targeted at gamers, RewardXP lets you earn rewards for completing not only tasks like playing or evaluating games but also watching video ads and sharing your opinions through surveys.

It has good support that will help users to make use of the platform which works with top advertisers and provides plenty of opportunities to watch ads for money.

• Reliability: Medium – growing platform
• Payout method: Gift cards, PayPal, crypto
• User experience: Clean, gamified layout

Pros:

• Geared toward gamers
• Broad reward options

Cons:

• Less volume of ads
• Must level up to unlock higher payouts

Maximize Your Earnings

To earn cash at a more significant pace with these ad-watching platforms, you need to master your strategy. The following are good tips for beginners:

• Use multiple platforms and devices to keep earning when one app runs dry.
• Stack tasks: combine ad viewing with other micro-tasks like surveys, cashback, or bandwidth sharing on platforms like Pawns.app.
• Watch ads during idle time, like during commutes or TV commercials instead of endlessly scrolling social media without getting any rewards.
• Track your earnings so you can focus on those apps that have a higher return on your invested time and effort. 

Is It Safe to Get Paid to Watch Ads?

Apps that provide financial rewards for doing small tasks such as watching ads are increasingly popular, so safe and legit platforms are becoming more available with time.

However, not every platform that promises to let you earn money by watching ads is legit.

Red flags to watch out for:

• Claims of massive daily payouts
• No user payment proof
• Forced downloads or shady permissions

To verify a reputable platform that will not get away with scams and unfulfilled promises, you should follow a few simple steps:

• Check user reviews and forums
• Look up payout proofs on YouTube or Reddit
• Always read privacy terms, especially with browser-based ads

Conclusion: Is It Worth Your Time?

Getting paid to watch ads is real but don’t expect to strike it rich. This is a low-effort, low-reward side hustle best used to earn extra money in your spare time.

When combined with surveys, cashback, and even sharing your internet with tools like Pawns.app, it becomes a decent way to earn rewards without much effort.

Your best bet?

Use multiple trusted platforms, stack tasks, and make the most of your downtime. That’s how you turn your free time into extra money by watching ads.

Frequently Asked Questions