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How to Get Paid to Listen to Music [9 Options for (2024)]

Are you passionate about music?

Whether you’re into pop, rock, rap, or heavy metal, there are several ways for you to get paid to listen to music.

Imagine earning money while you’re enjoying your favorite tunes. You can do it while relaxing after work or while doing other tasks.

To help you get started, we’ll discuss how much you can make online by listening to music.

We’ll also shed light on some of the best platforms for this type of gig.

Let’s jump right into it!

Can You Get Paid to Listen to Music?

Yes, you can get paid to listen to music. Many online platforms and smartphone apps pay users to listen to music from different genres.

What’s more, some of them pay their users extra to write reviews and lyrics for the music they listen to.

It sounds too good to be true, but nowadays, you can get paid to do just about anything—you can even get paid to sleep!

The Best Ways to Get Paid to Listen to Music (Overview)


Full List of Ways to Get Paid to Listen to Music

We’ve included an overview of our top picks above. For a full list and detailed information on each pick, scroll down.

  1. Slicethepie
  2. Current Rewards
  3. Playlist Push
  4. RadioEarn
  5. Research.fm
  6. Earnably
  7. Cash4Minutes
  8. Swagbucks
  9. InboxDollars

How Much Can You Make by Listening to Music?

The amount of money you can make by listening to music varies from one platform to another.

One platform might pay you $0.02-$0.2 per song (Slicethepie), while another may pay $1-$15 per song (Playlist Push).

If you take this side gig seriously, you can make around $100-$200 a month by simply listening to music.

Even beginners can make money online with this side gig.

If you want to earn more, you can go for platforms that pay people to listen to songs and write reviews about them.

They pay better than those that pay people simply to listen to music.

What You’ll Need to Get Paid to Listen to Music

Before you start listening to music for extra income, make sure you have the following to ensure you won’t have problems down the line:

  • Headphones – You don’t need to have the best headphones on the market. You just need a decent pair that’ll make your music-listening experience enjoyable.
  • Smartphone Device – Many platforms that pay users to listen to music have dedicated apps. Most of them work best on a smartphone.
  • Reliable Internet – You’ll need a solid internet connection to listen to music without interruption.
  • PayPal Account – Most platforms and apps that pay users to listen to music rely on PayPal for payment processing. So, make sure you have a PayPal account ready.
  • Free Time – If you listen to and review 1-2 songs every now and then, chances are you won’t make that much money. To maximize this gig, you’ll have to dedicate at least 40-60 minutes to it daily.

Where to Get Paid to Listen to Music

Here are our top picks for the platforms that pay you to listen to music:

1. Slicethepie

When it comes to platforms that pay visitors to listen to and review music, Slicethepie sits at the top of the list in terms of popularity.

The platform started in 2007, and it now has millions of reviewers.

Slicethepie pays users $0.02-$0.2 per song review, depending on the review’s quality and the consistency of the reviewer. You must listen to at least 90 seconds of a song before sharing feedback.

One of the best things about Slicethepie is its simplicity. Creating an account on this platform only takes a few seconds. Then, you can sit back and get started.

Payment per review is issued instantly to your PayPal account, and you can withdraw your earnings twice a week. However, you need to reach at least $10 before withdrawing.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal

2. Current Rewards

Current Rewards is a smartphone app that’s available for both Android and iOS. It allows you to make money in cash or gift cards by tuning in to various radio stations.

This app allows you to choose from thousands of live radio stations around the world. So, whether you’re into rock, rap, pop, or country, you will find a station that suits your taste.

You can make up to $600 a year with Current Rewards, which equates to about $11.5 per week. You’ll need to listen to the app’s radio stations for about 30 hours a week to maximize your earnings.

It’s easy to get started at Current Rewards. Simply install the app on your phone, swipe up your lock screen, and tune into whichever online radio station you like.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal and gift cards

3. Playlist Push

Playlist Push lets users monetize their Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube music playlists. It aims to help connect artists with music curators and gain publicity.

The thing about Playlist Push is that it’s not as easily accessible as some of the other platforms on this list. It has some stringent qualification requirements that you need to meet to start making money.

On the bright side, Playlist Push is one of the highest-paying platforms on the list. You can make anywhere from $1.25 to $15 per song review on this platform.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: Wise

4. RadioEarn

As the name suggests, RadioEarn allows you to make money by tuning in to different web-based radio stations. It’s free, so you can sign up and start earning points immediately.

RadioEarn grants you points for every 15 minutes of listening. The more points you collect, the more you make, where every 1,000 RadioEarn points equate to $2-$3.5.

This gig isn’t as profitable as some of the other sites on the list. But if you love tuning in to online radio, you might as well make a couple of bucks doing it, right?

If you’re a US resident, you can receive your earnings via direct wire transfers. If you’re not a US resident, your other payment options are PayPal and Amazon gift cards.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal, Amazon gift cards, and wire transfers

5. Research.fm

Research.fm is a music research company that pays users for their opinion about new music. It uses the reviews to provide feedback for radio stations.

The cool thing about this platform is that it considers your demographic and listening habits. And once you qualify to review a new piece of music, it will send you a survey-format email.

Research.fm users don’t get paid in cash. Instead, they receive gift cards. The gift card’s value varies from one panelist to another, so we can’t give you an exact estimate.

The downside with Research.fm is that it’s not available worldwide. You have to be in the US, and you must join via a referral code or promotion to qualify.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: Gift cards

6. Earnably

Earnably is a diverse platform that allows users to make money by completing different tasks. These include listening to music, watching music videos, answering surveys, and listening to live radio.

The more tasks you complete, the more points you make. You need at least 225 points to start redeeming your payments, where 225 points equate to about $2.

One of the best things about Earnably is its referral program. You earn 10% of the earnings that your referrals make for as long as they keep earning. So, the more people you refer, the better.

You can redeem your Earnably payments in cash using PayPal. You can also get them in the form of Amazon gift cards.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal and Amazon gift cards

7. Cash4Minutes

Cash4Minutes is another platform that lets you monetize your unused phone minutes by listening to online radio. Simply call a number and get paid for the time you stay tuned in.

Signing up for Cash4Minutes is simple, but you must have a landline number to qualify. After signing up, you’ll receive an email with your login credentials.

Cash4Minutes pays $0.08 for every minute you spend listening to online radio. You can redeem your earnings in cash via PayPal or direct bank transfers. You can also get them as Amazon gift vouchers.

Moreover, Cash4Minutes is one of the few platforms that lets users redeem payments in Bitcoin. So, if you’re a crypto user, this is the platform for you!

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal, wire transfers, Bitcoin, and Amazon gift vouchers

8. Swagbucks

A homepage of the swagbucks screenshot

You can make money on Swagbucks by doing a wide range of tasks, from listening to music and watching random videos to taking surveys and doing online shopping (similar to cash-back apps).

Apart from its multifaceted nature, there’s a lot to like about Swagbucks. For starters, users can claim $10 via PayPal for just signing up for the platform.

In addition, Swagbucks is a relatively high-paying platform. You can make $1-$5 on a typical day. This translates to $365-$1,825 per year. Not to mention that there are one-off tasks that pay $50-$250!

Note that this platform’s payments are based on its own unique currency, SB. The more tasks you complete, the more SBs you earn, where 1,000 SBs equate to $10.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal and gift cards

9. InboxDollars

A screenshot of the inboxdollars homepage

InboxDollars is another multifaceted website that pays visitors to do a wide range of online tasks. These include taking surveys, playing online games, watching videos, and listening to music.

You earn a $5 bonus by simply signing up for InboxDollars. The downside is that the platform only accepts new accounts from the US.

This platform’s payments vary from task to task, but you can expect an average of $0.02-$5. As for payments, InboxDollars pays directly in cash rather than in points.

Moreover, the tasks on this platform change from time to time. Note also that the tasks are assigned randomly, so not all of them will revolve around listening to music.

  • Typical Fees/Commission: N/A
  • Typical Payment Methods: PayPal, gift cards, and Visa

Why You Should Consider Listening to Music as a Side Hustle

Still on the fence about whether you should commit to listening to music as a side hustle? Here are a few reasons why you take a plunge with this side gig:

  • Listening to music is fun. We all enjoy listening to music, and what’s better than making a few bucks by doing something that you enjoy and often do?
  • No limit on how much you can make. The more time you dedicate to listening to and reviewing music, the more money you can make.
  • No special skills or equipment. Apart from a solid internet connection and a good pair of headphones, making money by listening to and reviewing music doesn’t require much.
  • Highly accessible side gig. The best part about this side hustle is that you can do it anywhere and at any time, as long as you have access to a reliable internet connection.

Problems With Listening to Music

Though making money by listening to and reviewing music has many benefits, this side gig has a few drawbacks, namely:

  • Not the most profitable side hustle. Seeing as most platforms pay only a few cents per song review, it can be challenging to make a lot of money with this side gig.
  • Time-consuming side gig. Making a good sum of money by listening to and reviewing music will require you to dedicate a good deal of time.
  • It can get boring after a while. Unless you’re a complete musicophile, listening to and reviewing music can get boring after some time.
  • No human interaction. This is a side gig that involves no human interaction whatsoever. It’s just you, your smartphone, and your headphones. Some people might find this too bland.

How to Get Paid to Listen to Music: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you know the best platforms, let’s go over the steps you need to do to get started with this side gig:

1. Decide on a Platform

Determine the platform that suits your needs. Remember, some platforms pay you just to listen to music, while others require you to write reviews.

Moreover, you must consider how much each platform pays per song or review. If you have a lot of free time, you can sign up for multiple platforms to maximize your earnings.

2. Register and Do Tasks

After registering, start completing tasks, which could include but aren’t limited to:

  • Listening to a song
  • Writing a review for a song
  • Writing the lyrics for a song
  • Watching music videos
  • Listening to internet radio
  • Curating playlists
  • Sharing feedback about a record label
  • Sharing feedback about an artist

3. Redeem Your Payment

Once you’ve completed tasks, you’ll earn the rate assigned to them.

Note that some platforms won’t allow you to transfer your funds until you’ve accumulated a certain amount. With Slicethepie, for instance, you can only request a transfer once you’ve earned $10.

Note also that different platforms have different means of payment processing. Most platforms rely on PayPal, but some use Wise, Bitcoin, Venmo, or direct bank transfers. Some even pay with Amazon gift cards.

Things to Consider When Listening to Music for Money

Before you start listening to music for money, be sure to consider the following:

1. Transfer Fees

Some payment methods are subject to transfer fees.

For example, Wise, Payoneer, and similar payment platforms require a small fee when transferring funds to your bank account. In contrast, PayPal doesn’t require fees when you transfer from it to your bank account.

If you don’t want to deal with transfer fees, choose platforms with payment options that don’t require them.

2. Taxes

All income is taxable. So, if you’re making a good sum listening to and reviewing music, consider learning about taxes as an independent contractor.

Tax policies vary widely from state to state and from country to country. So, be sure to look into your respective state/country’s tax system.

3. Writing Skills

Platforms like Slicethepie base their pay based on review quality. So, if you want to make money by writing song reviews, you should consider your writing skills.

Luckily, there are many resources online on how to write a music review.

4. Referrals

Some platforms that pay users to listen to and review music also pay for referrals. So, if you want to make even more money, you may want to sign up for a website with a referral program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spotify Pay Per Listen?

No, Spotify doesn’t pay listeners. If you want to get paid by Spotify, you have to publish original music or become a playlist curator and use platforms like Playlist Push.

How Often Does Spotify Pay Out?

Spotify’s royalty payments are issued once a month.

That being said, the exact timing and amount vary from one artist to another. Record label and distributor agreements play major roles here.

Similar Ways to Get Paid

Not interested in making money by listening to music? Here are a few other side gigs to consider:

Wrapping Up

Though many platforms pay users to listen to music, we assure you that the ones listed in this article are the cream of the crop.

So, what are you waiting for, music lovers? Register to a platform and start making extra money by listening to your favorite music.

Interested in other side hustles that you can do on your phone? Check out our article on making money from your phone.

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