Looking for simple ways to earn extra cash online without complicated skills or huge time commitments? One of the easiest side hustles today is getting paid to watch videos. From short ads and trailers to app demos and sponsored clips, there are platforms that reward you with real money, gift cards, or PayPal payouts just for pressing play. While the income won’t replace a full-time job, it’s a fun and effortless way to turn your free time into pocket money. In this guide, we’ll show you the best apps and websites to make money watching videos online, how much you can actually earn, and smart tips to maximize your rewards while avoiding scams.
Why Earn Money by Watching Videos Online?
Ever wondered why apps and websites actually pay you to watch short clips, ads, or trailers? The answer lies in advertising, engagement, and micro-task platforms that thrive on user participation.
Advertisers Want Your Attention
Brands spend billions each year to get their products in front of potential customers. When you watch a promotional video, trailer, or short ad, you’re giving advertisers exactly what they need—views and engagement. Instead of paying only big media companies, many brands now partner with reward platforms that share a slice of their ad budget directly with you. This makes watching videos a win-win: businesses boost awareness, and you earn rewards for your time.
Micro-Tasks and Reward Platforms
Alongside advertising, there are micro-task platforms designed to pay users for completing small online activities—watching videos, answering surveys, or testing apps. Each task might only earn a few cents, but when combined, it turns into steady pocket money.
How Much Money Can You Earn by Watching Videos Online?
How much money you can make by watching ads will depend on the type of app or platform that you use. Clover pays 10 points per video while Justplay can give you up to 2000 points per video with a 2 minute cooldown. There is also Cashwalk that pays up to 3 times a day with daily mystery box videos for additional coins.
You also have Sweatcoins that will offer you bonuses for watching videos daily, up to 3 times a day. How much points get converted to cash will depend on the type of app that you are using. Cash Walk can pay you a $5 gift card for 3000 points. The daily videos can make about 2 to 15 points, and you can easily earn around 10,000 points in a go.
S’mores is also another great app you can try out. With LootMeUp, you can get $1 for 1000 points. Now let’s cut to the real chase and be honest about how much you can really make when it comes to making money with these ads. If you watch around 30 ads, click on a few surveys, and do everything you can, you might find yourself earning $0.54 for just tapping your screen for a few seconds. TimeBucks can help you earn up to $1 with one of their watch and click offers. And if you play ads on autopilot mode, then you might be able to earn a bit more.
Overall, with around 10-12 hours of time spent watching these ads, you can make about $5 and more. The more commercials you can get to watch and listen to, the more money you can make. You can also make around $0.005 per video. And if your earnings reach the $10 threshold, then you can cash out via PayPal. That's pretty low per video, but it's good for some pocket money.
Best Platforms That Help You Earn Money by Watching Videos Online
You can use these money making apps while walking, shopping and even do a few freelancing gigs on them. Some of these apps will pay you to watch videos or ads online.
You can earn cash by filling out surveys and sharing your opinions. And there are so many kinds of activities you can do with these apps. So it's not necessarily that you are stuck at home making money. You can even make money while you're on the go.
Here is a list of the top platforms we recommend. These are great for helping you earn money by watching videos online:
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a pretty cool money making app that can help you save money and make money. You can share your opinions by completing online surveys and earn extra cash. You can do single question polls or up to 30 minute market research questionnaires.
Swagbucks offers cashback shopping online and in-store rewards. You can find coupons, promo codes, deals and other great discounts to your favorite stores. You can combine these cash packs with your preferred credit card to get more cash back.
Swagbucks will also pay you to watch videos and ads online. You can check out their web browser games and try their popular Swagbucks daily trivia app. You can get paid to watch the latest short videos on Swagit. The customer service is definitely great and won't disappoint you.
If you are in a pinch, you can make money online by using this app. Currently, Swagbucks is partnered with a network of 1500+ retailers from whom you can earn cash back from. They have redeemed more than 7000+ gift cards daily from popular merchants and restaurants and paid over $660,000 to members around the globe.
2. Cash Earning App Givvy Videos
Cash Earning App Givvy Videos makes it easy to earn money watching videos online. You can get it from the Google Play Store and it helps you turn your free moments into valuable earnings. All you have to do is complete easy tasks, participate in their lucrative cash offers and watch whatever videos that pop up on their feed.
Withdrawals are fast and easy and you can even withdraw by crypto. They let you redeem real money and you can earn commissions by inviting your friends via referral links. You can also earn money by listening to songs besides watching videos. It will play in the background though and might pop up from time to time, but it's a good app.
3. Paid Work
Paid Work is another cool website or resource we recommend which you can use to watch videos, movies and earn money online. You don't need any crazy skills for watching videos or special requirements. Most of their video ads are 32 seconds long and you will have to watch videos until the end to get paid. Their system will precisely tailor displayed ads to your interests. So you will mostly be watching interesting videos, not boring stuff.
How much money you make will depend on how much time you spend watching their ad videos. To get started you will need to login to a paid work account, choose a method of earning and start watching videos. They also offer other ways to earn money online by playing games, filling out surveys and doing online shopping.
There is a video tutorial you can check out on the Paid Work Youtube channel page to learn how exactly their cash rewards system works. We also have a referral program which you can use to earn money from in case you're interested.
4. Tube Pay
Tube Pay is another app which we recommend if you want to watch it online. It contains ads but it does offer daily rewards, simple tasks and fast payouts.You can withdraw via PayPal, Bitcoin, gift cards and other options. They have some of the lowest payouts and they even support Amazon gift cards, UPI payments and Bitcoin withdrawals. You can try out their lucky number and spin wheel and also earn rewards by inviting your friends.
If you watch 20 ads a day, you can earn a decent amount.
5. AppTrailers
AppTrailers is another fun app we recommend if you want to earn rewards for something you already do—watching movie previews. It allows you to watch trailers for new apps, celebrity gossip, and DIY videos to earn points. You don't need any special skills; just watch the short clips that pop up on their feed and collect your points.
You can also earn extra by playing daily trivia games and uploading your own videos to the platform. The more you engage with the trailers, the faster your points stack up. They even have a feature where you can get points for trying out the apps you watch trailers for.
Withdrawals are straightforward and user-friendly. You can redeem your points for gift cards from top brands like Amazon and Sephora, or simply cash out via PayPal. It’s a great way to turn your downtime into a little extra spending money without much effort.
6. TaskBucks
TaskBucks is a popular app, especially useful if you are in India, that lets you earn cash for simple digital tasks. You can earn money by participating in daily quizzes, playing games, or installing and trying out new apps listed on their offer wall. It is a great option if you want to monetize your free time with varied activities so you don't get bored.
The app focuses heavily on utility rewards. You can use your earnings to get free mobile recharges and data packs, or you can transfer the cash directly to your Paytm wallet or Mobikwik. They also run daily contests where you can win extra coins just by being active.
If you have a large social circle, their referral program is pretty solid. You can earn a commission for every friend who joins and completes tasks. While it won't replace a full-time job, it is a reliable app for covering your monthly mobile bills and earning some quick pocket money.
7. Roz Dhan
Roz Dhan is a dedicated money-making app that offers a wide variety of ways to earn. You can get cash rewards simply for logging in daily, reading news articles, and checking your horoscope. It even rewards you for walking and counting your steps, making it a cool app for staying active while you earn.
You can complete "Instant Cash Tasks" which pay out immediately and allow for fast withdrawals. The app also features a lot of fun games that you can play to earn coins. You can convert these coins into real cash and withdraw them to your Paytm account easily.
They have a strong referral system where inviting friends can significantly boost your income. With millions of users, it is a trusted platform. If you spend just a little time on it every day completing the daily checklist, you can earn a decent amount of wallet cash to use for your daily expenses.
8. Pocket Money
Pocket Money is another app which helps you earn wallet cash and free mobile recharges. It is designed to be simple: you earn by completing specific offers like downloading popular apps, watching videos, or playing Tambola. You can also find high-earning offers that pay out more if you keep the apps installed for a few days.
The app offers a feature called "Pocket Money" where you can play games and consume viral content to keep earning. Transfers are quick, and you can move your earnings to your Paytm wallet instantly once you hit the minimum limit.
You can also save money by using the app to find exclusive discounts and coupons for e-commerce sites. Their referral program is also quite lucrative; you get paid when your friends join and complete their first offer. It’s a good app to keep on your phone for earning a little extra recharge money in a pinch.
9. Viggle
Viggle is a unique rewards app that is perfect for entertainment lovers. Unlike other apps where you watch ads, Viggle rewards you for engaging with the TV shows and music you already love. You simply "check in" to live TV shows or streaming series on providers like Netflix or Hulu, and you earn Perk Points for every minute you watch.
You can boost your earnings by playing along with real-time trivia, voting in polls, and participating in quests related to the shows. It makes watching TV much more interactive and rewarding. The app is smart and recognizes the audio of the show you are watching to verify your check-in.
Redeeming your points is easy and flexible. You can exchange your Perk Points for gift cards, prizes, or cash via a prepaid debit card. If you are going to binge-watch a series anyway, you might as well have Viggle running in the background to earn some rewards while you relax.
10. Nielsen Digital Voice
Nielsen Digital Voice is a pretty cool resource if you prefer a passive way to earn rewards without completing active tasks. It is a market research app that you simply install on your computer or mobile device. Once installed, it runs securely in the background and collects data on your internet usage to help brands understand digital trends.
You don't have to watch ads or fill out long surveys to earn. By keeping the app installed, you earn entries into their monthly sweepstakes where they give away a significant amount of cash. They also award regular points that you can accumulate over time.
Withdrawals are processed through a rewards catalog where you can redeem points for various gift cards or physical merchandise. It is one of the easiest "set it and forget it" apps out there. If you don't mind sharing your browsing data for research, it’s a hassle-free way to potentially win money.
11. Netflix
Netflix isn't a standard cash-earning app, but there are actually legitimate ways to make money involving the platform. While you can't get paid just for binge-watching normally, you can apply for a role as a "Netflix Tagger" (Editorial Analyst). This job pays you to watch shows and tag them with specific keywords to help their recommendation algorithm.
Another way to earn is by starting a blog or YouTube channel dedicated to reviewing Netflix series. If you build an audience, you can monetize your content through ads and sponsorships. Some third-party rewards sites like Swagbucks also occasionally pay you to answer surveys specifically about what you watched on Netflix.
It requires a bit more effort than a simple "watch-to-earn" app, but the payout potential is much higher. If you are a movie buff who loves analyzing content, turning your Netflix time into a side hustle is a pretty smart move.
12. YouTube
YouTube is a massive platform that offers one of the most lucrative ways to earn money online if you are creative. The most direct way is through the YouTube Partner Program, where you earn revenue from ads displayed on your videos. You just need to meet their subscriber and watch-time requirements to start getting paid.
You can also earn money by creating "YouTube Shorts," which are short-form videos that can qualify for their Shorts Fund. Besides ad revenue, you can earn through Channel Memberships, Super Chat during livestreams, and by using affiliate links in your video descriptions to promote products.
Payments are reliable and are sent directly to your bank account via AdSense. It definitely takes more work than just watching ads, but if you are consistent with uploading videos, the earning potential is unlimited. It's a good platform if you want to build a long-term income stream rather than just quick cash.
13. MyPoints
MyPoints is another reliable website we recommend that has been around for a long time. It rewards you for doing everyday online activities like shopping at your favorite stores, taking polls, and watching videos. You can earn up to 40% points back when you shop at retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Home Depot.
They also have a dedicated video section where you can watch playlists of entertainment news and advertisements to earn points. You can even earn by reading their promotional emails and clicking the links inside. It is very versatile and offers many different ways to stack up points.
When you are ready to cash out, you can redeem your points for gift cards to hundreds of retailers or for travel miles. You can also choose PayPal cash if you prefer money. With a low withdrawal threshold and a $5 signup bonus often available, it won't disappoint you.
14. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is a top-tier survey site that can help you make money in your spare time. You can share your opinion by completing market research surveys tailored to your profile. They also offer offer-wall tasks where you can earn points by signing up for websites, watching videos, or playing browser games.
The best part about PrizeRebel is their account level system. As you earn more, you reach higher levels like Gold and Platinum, which unlock automatic prize processing and earning bonuses. This means you can get your rewards instantly after you claim them.
Withdrawals are incredibly fast, often within 24 hours. You can choose from hundreds of gift cards including Amazon, PlayStation, and Google Play, or get direct cash via PayPal. It is definitely great if you want a site that respects your time and pays out quickly without making you wait weeks.
15. KashKick
KashKick is a straightforward money-making website that pays you directly in cash, not points. You can earn money by answering surveys, watching videos, and surfing the web. One of their best features is their "Get Paid to Play" section, where you can earn significant rewards for downloading mobile games and reaching certain levels.
The platform is completely free to use and the interface is very clean. You can easily see exactly how much each task is worth in dollars, so you know if it's worth your time. They also have a referral program where you can earn a percentage of your friends' earnings.
Withdrawals are easy and are paid directly to your PayPal account once you reach the low minimum threshold of $10. There are no confusing point conversions to worry about. If you are looking for a no-nonsense site to earn some extra beer money, KashKick is a solid choice.
16. Perk TV
Perk TV is another app which we recommend if you want to earn passively. It lets you earn points primarily by watching videos and movie trailers. You can run the app on your phone and let the videos play automatically, making it one of the easier ways to farm points without paying constant attention.
You can also earn by taking quizzes and completing offers within their ecosystem. They often have a "Perk Scratch & Win" feature where you can try your luck for instant bonus points. The system is designed to let you use multiple apps under the same account to maximize your earnings.
You can redeem your points for a wide variety of gift cards, airline miles, or cash via a prepaid debit card. While it might require you to check in occasionally to show you are still watching, it is a good app to have running while you are doing other chores around the house.
17. Cointiply
Cointiply is a pretty cool website for anyone interested in earning cryptocurrency. It is a Bitcoin faucet that allows you to earn coins by rolling a faucet every hour, watching videos, and clicking on PTC (Pay-to-Click) ads. You can also earn high rewards by playing desktop games and completing surveys from top providers.
They have a unique loyalty bonus that increases your earnings for every consecutive day you log in, up to 100%. You can also participate in their "Rain Pool" chat where active users get a share of the total coin pool just for chatting with other members.
Withdrawals are sent directly to your Bitcoin, DOGE, Dash, or Litecoin wallet. They even pay you 5% annual interest on your balance if you keep over 35,000 coins in your account. If you are looking to stack some SATS without investing your own money, Cointiply is definitely great and pays out reliably.
Concerns with Earning Money by Watching Videos Online
There are some concerns about watching ads. Some of them are the low hourly rates and for every ad that rate can vary. You also have to invest quite a bit of time into watching these ads. If you travel a lot outdoors or you're on your feet, some of these ads can be a bit sensitive and you can't play them in public, maybe depending on which platform you're using.
There is a minimum payout threshold needed before you can withdraw any money. You also need to have realistic expectations when it comes to making money by watching ads. These are not a substitute for a full-time job. Some platforms can also scam you if you are not careful because ads can be fraudulent in nature.
They may not have a direct connection with advertisers and some platforms will not let you withdraw money by preventing you from reaching the minimum payout threshold, which means you'll keep re-watching ads again and again. Watching ads can also be a waste of time for some people because some ads can pay you in cents instead of dollars. So you'll have to watch a ton of ads to make a few bucks a month or week. There are also some privacy concerns when it comes to using these platforms. For example, you don't know how your personal data or opinions will be used or collected. The terms of service may be unfavorable for you and that may be another growing concern.
Conclusion
Getting paid to watch videos is a simple way to make money online in your spare time, but it’s best treated as a side hustle rather than a full-time job. With most watch-and-earn apps paying a few cents per video, the real value comes from using multiple platforms and combining tasks. It’s ideal for covering small expenses like subscriptions, coffee, or mobile bills. Think of it as supplemental income—a low-effort option to earn rewards while relaxing, multitasking, or filling idle moments.
