Best Apps to Earn Money Watching Ads in 2025

Tired of endless ads interrupting your TikTok or YouTube binges? What if you could get paid to watch them? In 2025, apps that reward you for viewing ads are booming—perfect for high school students looking to earn pocket money during study breaks, commutes, or downtime. This guide reveals the top apps to earn cash watching ads, how they work, and tips to maximize your earnings. Let’s dive in!

How Do “Get Paid to Watch Ads” Apps Work?

The Simple Concept

Companies pay these apps to show ads to users. The apps then share a slice of that revenue with you for your time and attention.

What You’ll Do:

Watch 10–60 second video ads.
Click on promotional banners.
Occasionally answer quick survey questions about the ads.

Important Note: Earnings are small per ad (usually 0.01–0.01–0.20), but they add up!

Top 5 Apps to Earn Money Watching Ads in 2025

1. Swagbucks

Best For: Flexible earning (ads, surveys, games)
How It Works:

Click the “Watch” tab to access ad playlists (e.g., entertainment, tech).
Earn SB points for every ad completed.
Rewards: 1,000 SB = $10 (redeem via PayPal, Visa gift cards, or Amazon).

Earnings Example:

Watch 20 ads/day → 0.50→0.50→15/month.

Real-Life Success:

Aiden, 16, earned $30 in two weeks watching ads while waiting for the bus.

Pro Tips:

Focus on “Sponsored Videos” for higher payouts.
Complete daily goals to unlock bonus SB.

2. InboxDollars

Best For: Instant cash rewards
How It Works:

Head to the “Watch Videos” section and choose ad categories (e.g., gaming, fashion).
Earn 0.01–0.01–0.10 per ad + a $5 sign-up bonus.
Payout: Minimum $30 via check, PayPal, or gift cards.

Real-Life Success:

Zoe, 15, made $45 in a month watching 15 ads daily after homework.

Pro Tips:

Check the “Most Popular” tab for trending ads.
Use the mobile app to earn on the go.

3. Branded Surveys

Best For: Combining ads with surveys
How It Works:

Watch ads (15–30 seconds) and answer follow-up questions.
Earn points (0.10–0.10–0.50 per task).
Rewards: $5 minimum via PayPal or e-gift cards.

Real-Life Success:

Ryan, 17, earned $25 in 10 days by dedicating 20 minutes daily to ads and surveys.

Pro Tips:

Complete your profile for targeted (higher-paying) ads.
Cash out via PayPal for instant transfers.

4. Dabbl

Best For: Short, engaging ads
How It Works:

Watch 10-second ads from brands like Netflix or Nike.
Earn “Dollars” (0.05–0.05–0.20 per ad).
Payout: $5 minimum via PayPal or Venmo.

Why It’s Great:

No minimum age (great for younger teens).
Ads are skippable after 5 seconds.

Real-Life Success:

Lily, 14, earned $10 in a week watching ads during TV commercial breaks.

5. Mistplay

Best For: Gamers who love ads
How It Works:

Watch ads to unlock rewards in mobile games (e.g., Coin Master, Raid: Shadow Legends).
Earn “Units” (1,000 Units = $1).
Payout: $10 minimum via PayPal or gift cards.

Pro Tips:

Play games tagged “High Value” for faster earnings.
Daily login streaks boost rewards.

Real-Life Success:

Max, 16, earned $50 in a month by combining ad views with gameplay.

5 Hacks to Boost Your Earnings

Multi-Task: Watch ads while doing chores or homework (use headphones!).
Refer Friends: Swagbucks pays $3 per referral; Dabbl offers 10% of their earnings.
Enable Notifications: Get alerts for high-paying ads.
Stack Apps: Use Swagbucks + Dabbl for double the opportunities.
Cash Out Early: Avoid losing earnings if an app shuts down (yes, it happens!).

3 Red Flags to Avoid

Upfront Fees: Legit apps never ask for money to join.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Payouts: If an app promises $100/hour, it’s a scam.
Poor Reviews: Check Trustpilot or Reddit before investing time.

Conclusion

Earning money by watching ads in 2025 is easier than ever—no special skills or investment needed! Apps like Swagbucks and Dabbl let you turn idle screen time into real cash for games, snacks, or savings. Start with one app, stay consistent, and scale up. Remember: Even 1adayaddsupto1adayaddsupto365 a year!