I don’t know about you, but I’ve looked for weird side hustles at 2 a.m. And this exact thing popped up in my mind quite a few times. I mean, if you think about it, the big ad tech is making money using your data to run ads, then why shouldn’t you get a piece of that? Now that’s my reason, but you could have any other reason and motivations. Maybe you want to buy Robux, and your parents won’t let you use their card. You’ll probably never be able to make enough money watching ads or doing surveys that you can quit your job and retire early, but maybe you can get a small, steady stream of pocket money, especially if you’re already glued to your phone.
However, if your time is too precious for you, and you’d rather just get rid of ads than get paid for them, you can try Surfshark Cleanweb or Total Adblock.
Advertisers are hungry for attention, platforms are hungry for users, and you sit in the middle with time to spare. But keep in mind that the payoff is likely going to be tiny. The opportunity is real. And the question everyone eventually asks is the one you’re probably thinking right now.
Can you really make money by watching ads?
Yes, you can make money watching ads. You won’t make a fortune, but you can make money in the literal sense. There are platforms that pay a few cents per ad because they share a slice of the advertiser’s budget with you. It’s a simple trade. You provide attention, and they give a small reward. Sometimes it’s not even money. It’s in-game rewards and store credits.
Think somewhere between five and twenty dollars a month, depending on how much time you put in. It’s a tiny economy built on micro-tasks, and ad watching is one of the easiest ones to understand. Sometimes it’s not even
No skills needed, no learning curve. You watch, it pays.
It works best when you treat it like filling the quiet gaps in your day. Waiting for food to arrive, sitting through a slow commute, winding down at night. If you already spend that time scrolling, this turns it into something slightly more productive.
What are the best apps and websites to get rewards for watching ads?
There are heaps of reward apps out there, but the truth is, most of them are a waste of time. However, a handful of them are actually worth signing up for. Some pay out in points, some in cold hard cash, and some reward you in game currency. But what they all have in common is pretty simple. You watch ads, interact with short videos, or run sponsored content, and they give you something in return.
1. Shopkick
Shopkick is a shopping rewards app where you earn points for walking into stores, scanning products, buying items, and watching short ads. Most people use it for the walk-ins, but the video ads do pay out a small number of “kicks”, just not enough to get too excited about. Most users cash out for gift cards, and you need around 500 kicks to get a small one. It scales up from there. From what I’ve read on Reddit, it’s okay if you already do a lot of shopping, but nobody relies on it as their primary source of income. It’s more of a fun little bonus app.
2. Microsoft Rewards
This is Microsoft’s official rewards system tied in with Edge and Bing searches, Xbox, and quizzes. They do have video ads inside some activities, but to be honest, most people earn by searching and doing their daily tasks. The payout is in Microsoft gift cards, Xbox credit, Game Pass subscriptions, and in-game currency for Valorant, League of Legends, and more. Unfortunately, you can’t redeem PayPal cash. Reddit users love it because it adds up passively, but be warned that Microsoft sometimes resets points if it thinks something fishy is going on. Suitable for Xbox or PC gamers who want to cut down on their monthly costs.
3. Coin
Coin is a geo-mining app where you earn by walking around, checking into locations, and watching ads for a bonus. You collect COIN tokens, which you can redeem for crypto, merch, or gift cards. Cashing out is pretty slow unless you use it every single day. On Reddit, the reviews are mixed. Some people say it’s fun to use when you’re out and about or commuting. Others say the earnings are tiny unless you pay for the premium subscription, which kind of defeats the whole point. Good for people who enjoy gamified apps and don’t mind the low payouts.
4. Razer Silver Rewards
Razer Silver is a loyalty reward system where you earn points for playing games, buying Razer products, and watching ads inside partner apps. The catch is that Razer Silver doesn’t convert to cash. You can only use it to get gaming gear, vouchers, or discounts. The payout is pretty slow, and on Reddit, people often complain that rewards require a lot of points with short expiration dates. Only worth it if you already want Razer hardware or in-game rewards.
5. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is the ultimate GPT (get-paid-to) platform. You earn SB points for watching video playlists, taking surveys, using their shopping portal, and trying offers. The payout is pretty flexible. You can redeem for PayPal cash or gift cards starting at around $3-$5. Users on Reddit say the video ads don’t pay a lot, but Swagbucks is reliable and actually pays out. Most people use it as a multitasking app. You just run the videos in the background and let the points drip in.
6. InboxDollars / InboxPounds
InboxDollars (US) and InboxPounds (UK) pay real cash, not points. You watch ads, open paid emails, do simple tasks, and build up your balance. First cashout is usually $15-$20. After that, it drops slightly. Reddit users like that it shows cash, not points. The downside is that earnings can feel slow. Still a legit and stable platform with a long history.
7. MyPoints
MyPoints is another old rewards site owned by the same company as Swagbucks. You earn points for shopping, surveys, and watching sponsored video playlists. Payout is in gift cards or PayPal cash, starting at around $3 when you hit the minimum. Users say MyPoints is great if you shop online a lot because the cashback pairs well with the small video earnings. The app itself is reliable, but the video section isn’t as rich as Swagbucks.
8. Fabric
Fabric is a new earning app that gives you points for watching ads, trying new apps, and completing simple offers. Payouts are via PayPal or gift cards once you hit the threshold. It’s positioned as a lighter, more modern alternative to older GPT sites. Reddit discussions say it’s legit and pays fast, but ad inventory varies by country. If your region has fewer advertisers, you may not earn much.
9. Reward XP
Reward XP is a gamer-focused GPT site. You earn XP by watching ads, playing games, installing apps, and completing surveys. Payout is through PayPal, cryptocurrencies, or game gift cards. One of the better parts is that Reward XP has fast redemption and good customer support. Reddit users like that it’s transparent and doesn’t play games with your earnings. The only drawback is that video ads depend heavily on availability, so some days are slow.
10. AppNana
AppNana rewards you for downloading apps, watching ads, and logging in daily. You earn “Nanas,” which you can redeem for gift cards. PayPal isn’t always available, depending on your region. Users say AppNana is reliable but slow. Many compare it to the early days of GPT apps, where you grind small amounts and eventually cash out a $5 or $10 card. Good if your expectations are low and you like simple tasks.
How much money can you actually earn from watching ads?
You’ll probably earn a few coppers at best, but you can bank on a bit of pocket money coming your way. Most platforms pay a handful of pence per ad or per bundle of videos. Sometimes it’s points, or in-game junk, or store credit. Whatever the reward, it’s not going to change your life.
On a typical month, people who casually use these apps usually end up with between five and twenty quid in their pocket. If you really commit and stack multiple platforms, you might scrape together thirty or fifty quid. To go above that point, you’ll need a lot of time on your hands, plus a lot of patience. Some Redditors claim they’ve hit the hundred quid mark, but you can bet they’re running multiple apps daily, accepting every bonus going, and grinding through surveys in between ad breaks.
The key thing to remember is that this isn’t a way to make a real living. It’s more like a tiny trickle that you collect while doing something else. Waiting for the pizza to arrive. Sitting on the bus. Letting ads run while you watch your show. Treat it as a background thing, rather than a proper job, and the earnings don’t feel so bad.
What do you need to start watching ads for money?
You don’t need much. If you’ve already got a phone and a stable internet connection, you’re halfway there. Most platforms just ask for an email address, a password, and some basic profile details; that’s it.
A PayPal account is a good idea, because a lot of apps pay out that way. And if you prefer gift cards, you don’t even need a PayPal account. Just be sure to check your email for digital codes from time to time. If a platform asks you to pay a fee to join up or unlock better earnings, just walk away. The good ones are always free.
It’s also worth having a bit of patience on hand. These apps play better when you treat them like background noise – run vids while you do something else, check in when a playlist ends, tap a few buttons when the app needs you to confirm you’re still there.
One final tip: don’t block the ads on these platforms. If they don’t load, you don’t earn. Just keep the ad blocker switched off for just these apps and sites, and the rest of your browsing stays private.
Once you’ve got all that set up, you’re good to go. The whole process takes two minutes, and the earning starts right after that.
How to make the most of ad-watching
There’s no magic solution to suddenly make these apps pay out more, so the only real strategy is piling up small advantages one by one.
The first step is to use more than one platform at a time. When the video playlists on Swagbucks run dry, you can pivot to InboxDollars, and when that’s all out too, move on to Reward XP or AppNana. Each platform has its own limits, so switching them around lets you keep earning rather than sitting around waiting for the videos to refresh.
Next, try mixing in other tasks when you can stand them. A quick survey, a daily check-in, or an easy app install will usually earn you more than watching ads all by themselves. Most people who do this regularly will tell you the same thing: the ads alone just don’t cut it. The extra tasks help fill in the gaps and get you over the minimum payout thresholds a whole lot faster.
Also, use dead time. These apps work way better when you don’t treat them like a part-time job. Listen to videos while you eat, study, or scroll through your phone; let the ads play in the background on a spare phone if you’ve got one, and just tap through when the playlist needs some level of confirmation. The more you turn this into background activity, the less it feels like a chore.
And here’s a warning. Don’t even think about using bots or auto-clickers. Every single platform will ban you if you try it, and people on Reddit are always posting about getting locked out or losing their balance because of it. The safest way to get the most out of these apps is just to use them consistently and patiently.
Is watching ads for money legit or a risk?
Watching ads to earn some extra cash is fine if you stick to the known platforms. Swagbucks, InboxDollars, MyPoints, Microsoft Rewards. These ones have all been around for ages, have active user communities, and people get real payments. The bigger risk here is wasting your time on something that’s only going to pay you less than a dollar an hour if you rely on ads alone.
The scam danger actually comes from the fake apps that promise the earth: “get paid hundreds a day,” and that kind of thing is a total red flag right off the bat. Some dodgy apps also try to get you to pay to join, which is another clear sign to avoid them altogether. Legit platforms will never make you pay to take part.
On the privacy side, the mainstream apps mainly just collect some basic usage data – what ads you watched and how long you stuck around. They’re not going to be digging through your phone’s deepest secrets or anything. Just remember not to give out any personal stuff like bank details or personal documents unless you really know you can trust the platform and actually need to hand them over. For most of these apps, a PayPal account will do fine.
Just as long as you stick with the reputable names, use a strong password, and don’t fall for anything that sounds too good to be true, watching ads is safe. Just don’t forget that the biggest scam is probably being too optimistic about the cash you can earn. The money is real, but it’s not going to be life-changing or anything. The value is in doing this in your spare time, not sacrificing hours you could spend on something way more enjoyable.
Wrapping Up – Is watching ads for cash really worth your time?
It depends on what you expect. If you go in hoping to replace a real paycheck, this won’t even come close. The payouts are tiny, the videos repeat, and the time adds up faster than the money does. But if you only use these apps during the quiet moments of your day, it can feel like a harmless way to earn a bit of extra pocket money.
Here’s the part nobody talks about enough. You spend your entire digital life trying to skip ads. You use premium subscriptions to avoid them. You close pop-ups. You rush the five-second countdown on YouTube like your life depends on it. Ads slow you down, distract you, and break your flow. That’s the real cost.
This is where tools like Surfshark CleanWeb and AdGuard come in. They strip ads out of your browsing so you don’t lose minutes every hour watching things you never asked for. CleanWeb blocks trackers, pop-ups, and video ads across your device. AdGuard does the same with system-level filtering that keeps pages clean and fast. When you think about it, the time you save by blocking ads is probably worth more than the money you’d earn by watching them.
And that’s the trade-off. Watching ads for cash is fine as a side quest if you enjoy the little trickle of rewards. But for your real browsing life, blocking ads gives you something more valuable. Time. Pages load quicker, videos play instantly, and you get to stay focused without interruptions.
So is it worth it? Only if you treat it as a tiny hobby and not a serious side hustle. For everything else you do online, blocking ads will save you more minutes and frustration than any GPT app will ever pay you for.