Introduction
Let’s be honest—if you’re already spending time watching videos on your phone, why not get paid for it? In 2025, earning money by watching ads is more than just a side hustle—it’s a smart way to turn your screen time into extra income. Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, or just looking to make a few bucks during your free time, there are dozens of legit apps that pay users to watch short videos, trailers, app previews, and yes—ads.
This guide will walk you through 20 of the best apps to watch videos and earn money in 2025, how they work, what you can expect, how to cash out, and whether they’re worth your time. Let’s dive in!
How It Works
The concept is simple but genius. Advertisers pay these apps to promote their content (ads, videos, or app previews). In return, the app shares a portion of that revenue with you—the viewer. That’s how you earn money by watching ads.
Most apps operate on a point or coin system. You watch a video, earn points, and once you hit a certain threshold, you can convert those points into cash, gift cards, or mobile credits. Some apps even give you extra tasks like surveys, referrals, and mini-games to boost your earnings.
And don’t worry—these aren’t hour-long documentaries. Most videos last between 15 to 60 seconds, and you’re free to watch at your own pace.
Ways to Earn
Here are a few common ways users can earn money through these apps:
✅ Watching Ads & Videos
This is the core method. You’ll get rewarded for watching video ads, app trailers, or short promotional content.
🎮 Playing Ad-Supported Games
Many of these apps let you earn rewards for playing games that show ads between levels.
🎁 Daily Bonuses
Log in daily to get extra points. Some apps give streak rewards to loyal users.
👯♀️ Referrals
Invite friends and get a bonus when they join using your code. Some apps even give you a percentage of your referrals’ earnings.
📝 Completing Offers & Surveys
Earn extra points by completing surveys, downloading apps, or signing up for free trials.
20 Best Apps to Earn Money by Watching Ads in 2025
Here’s a list of the top 20 apps that are safe, legit, and paying in 2025. All of these let you earn money by watching ads, with thousands of positive reviews and millions of downloads.
1. Swagbucks
-
Watch videos, complete surveys, and shop online to earn SB points.
-
Payout: PayPal, Amazon, Walmart gift cards
-
Safe & reliable with 10M+ downloads
2. InboxDollars
-
Pays users to watch video ads, play games, and read emails.
-
Payout: PayPal, gift cards, direct deposit
-
US-based and trustworthy
3. ClipClaps
-
Watch funny videos, earn ClapCoins, and convert them to real money.
-
Payout: PayPal
-
Fun and easy to use
4. Rewarded Play
-
Watch ads and play games to earn gift cards.
-
Payout: Amazon, Target, Google Play
-
Available in select countries
5. YT Monetize Lite (New in 2025)
-
Watch YouTube-style promotional videos and earn crypto or PayPal cash.
-
Payout: PayPal, Bitcoin
-
Great for international users
6. Current Rewards (Mode App)
-
Listen to music and watch ads while earning points.
-
Payout: PayPal, gift cards
-
Multi-task friendly
7. CashKarma
-
Earn Karma Points by watching ads and completing tasks.
-
Payout: PayPal, Amazon
-
Trusted since 2017
8. Idle-Empire
-
Watch videos and complete simple offers.
-
Payout: PayPal, Steam, Bitcoin
-
Crypto-friendly
9. AppNana
-
Watch videos, download apps, and earn Nanas (points).
-
Payout: Gift cards
-
Easy interface for beginners
10. MyPoints
-
Similar to Swagbucks, offers rewards for watching videos and shopping.
-
Payout: PayPal, gift cards
-
Been around for 20+ years
11. FusionCash
-
Watch videos, complete offers, and get paid.
-
Payout: Direct deposit, PayPal
-
US-only but high paying
12. Toluna Influencers
-
Watch brand videos and give feedback.
-
Payout: PayPal, vouchers
-
Great for opinionated users
13. PrizeRebel
-
Earn by watching ads, doing surveys, and more.
-
Payout: PayPal, Bitcoin, gift cards
-
Low payout threshold
14. GG2U
-
Pays you to watch ads, play games, and try new services.
-
Payout: PayPal, Bitcoin
-
High rewards for new users
15. FeaturePoints
-
Watch videos, try apps, and earn fast.
-
Payout: PayPal, Bitcoin, gift cards
-
Reliable since 2012
16. Viggle (Now merged with Perk TV)
-
Watch live TV and ads to earn points.
-
Payout: Gift cards
-
Unique video rewards system
17. Givvy Videos
-
Watch ads and split daily jackpot earnings.
-
Payout: PayPal, Coinbase
-
Good for casual users
18. BigToken
-
Earn for watching sponsored content and sharing data.
-
Payout: Bank transfer, gift cards
-
Requires ID verification
19. ZoomBucks
-
Combines video ads, surveys, and offers.
-
Payout: PayPal, gift cards
-
Very low minimum withdrawal
20. TV-TWO
-
A decentralized app that pays crypto for watching videos.
-
Payout: Ethereum wallet
-
Blockchain-based and future-focused
Payment Methods
Each app offers different ways to cash out your earnings. Here are the most common:
💵 PayPal
The most popular and widely accepted method. Most apps pay directly to your PayPal wallet once you reach a minimum balance (usually $5–$10).
🎁 Gift Cards
From Amazon and Google Play to Starbucks and Walmart, gift cards are a great option if you prefer shopping.
📱 Mobile Recharge
Some apps allow you to top up your mobile phone directly, which is great for users in countries without PayPal.
🪙 Cryptocurrency
A rising trend in 2025. Apps like TV-TWO and YT Monetize Lite offer payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coins.
🏦 Bank Transfers
Less common but possible in apps like BigToken and FusionCash with proper ID verification.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
-
Easy and fun way to earn
-
No skills or investment needed
-
Flexible timing—you can watch anytime
-
Multiple payout options
-
Some apps offer entertaining content
❌ Cons
-
Low earnings per ad
-
Some apps have high payout thresholds
-
Not all apps are available worldwide
-
Watching repetitive ads can get boring
-
Risk of fake apps—stick to trusted platforms
Conclusion
Getting paid to watch videos? Yes, it’s real—and 2025 is full of apps that prove it. Whether you’re binge-watching fun clips, catching app trailers, or simply scrolling through ads, there’s always an opportunity to earn money by watching ads and make your screen time more rewarding.
Now that you’ve got the full list of the 20 best apps to get started, why not give one (or a few) a try? Start stacking up those points, cash out your rewards, and enjoy some guilt-free video time.
And hey—don’t keep the fun to yourself! Try out these apps, post your favorite captions while earning, and tag your friends in your posts. Let them know how they can turn their scroll into side income too. Happy earning! 💸📱🎬