Discover legitimate ways to earn money by listening to music in 2026. From music review platforms to playlist curation – turn your passion into profit!
What if someone told you that those hours you spend with your headphones on could actually put money in your pocket? It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? Yet in today’s digital economy, the opportunity to listen to music and earn money has become a legitimate reality for millions of people worldwide.
Whether you’re just a casual listener or a true music fan, this guide will show you how to turn your love of music into a fun, easy side hustle that pays.
Quick Comparison: All 12 Music Earning Platforms
On this page:
| Platform | Earnings | Min. Payout | Best For |
| Slicethepie | $0.03-$0.15/review | $20 | Beginners |
| Playlist Push | $1.25-$15/review | Weekly payouts | Spotify Curators |
| Current App | Up to $600/year | Points system | Passive earners |
| HitPredictor | Points for prizes | Raffle entries | Music discoverers |
| Earnably | 225 pts = $2 | $2 | Multi-taskers |
| RadioEarn | Points/15 mins | Variable | Passive listeners |
| Music Xray | $0.10/track | $20 | Quick reviewers |
| Focus Forward | $50-$200/session | Per session | Focus group fans |
| Research.fm | Amazon gift cards | Survey-based | Radio listeners |
| Cash4Minutes | Per minute | Variable | Phone users |
| Music Gateway | Up to £800/month | £100 min | Pro curators |
| SoundCampaign | Up to $14/review | Direct deposit | Playlist owners |
12 Best Apps to Listen to Music and Earn Money
1. Slicethepie
Slicethepie is a fun way to make money listening to music and sharing your thoughts! All you have to do is listen to a song for at least 90 seconds, then write a quick review. The better and more detailed your review, the more money you can make – between $0.03 and $0.15 per review. Once you hit $20, you can cash out through PayPal. You’ll get to comment on things like the song’s quality and how the artist comes across. If you love music and enjoy sharing your opinions, this is a great way to earn while doing what you enjoy!
Earning Potential:
- Per Review: $0.03 to $0.15 (depends on review quality and star rating)
- Monthly Estimate: $30-$50 for consistent reviewers
- Minimum Payout: $20 via PayPal
- Availability: Global (including India)
2. Playlist Push
Playlist Push is a great platform that pays you to listen to music on Spotify by reviewing and featuring songs from independent artists. If you have a playlist with at least 1,000 followers and active monthly listeners, you qualify to start earning. You can make between $1.25 and $15 per review, depending on the size and activity of your playlist. While adding songs to your playlist isn’t required, doing so can help your followers discover new music. Payments are made weekly, and the money goes straight to your bank account, making it an easy way to earn by sharing great tunes.
Earning Potential:
- Per Review: $1.25 to $15 (depends on playlist size and activity)
- Monthly Estimate: $100-$300 for active curators with large followings
- Payment Schedule: Weekly payouts directly to your bank account
- Requirements: 1,000+ followers, 30+ active monthly listeners, genre-focused playlist
3. Current App
The Current (iOS)/Mode (Android) app lets you earn money by listening to music in India from over 100,000 curated radio stations. As you enjoy your favourite tunes, you’ll earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards, products, or even cash (up to $600 a year if you use the app for 20-30 hours a week). You can also earn more by completing tasks like taking surveys or watching ads. The app is totally free, unlike other streaming platforms, and even lets you record music offline.
Earning Potential:
- Annual Maximum: Up to $600/year (with 20-30 hours weekly use)
- Hourly Rate: Approximately $0.10-$0.20 per hour of listening
- Payment Options: PayPal cash, gift cards, or physical products
- Cost: Completely free to download and use
4. HitPredictor
HitPredictor is a platform where you can earn money by listening to music in India and give feedback on unreleased songs from independent artists. By rating these songs, you help influence decisions made by record labels, radio stations, and the artists themselves. Each time you rate a song, you earn points that can be redeemed for prizes or entered into raffles for rewards like Amazon gift cards. While it may not make you rich, it gives you early access to new music and the chance to make an impact in the music industry.
Earning Potential:
- Per Song: 3 points (~$0.20 equivalent per track)
- Hourly Rate: ~90 points per hour (approximately $1 for 3 songs)
- Weekly Raffles: 100 points entry, win $20-$50 Amazon gift cards
- Monthly Raffles: 500 points entry, win up to $100 Amazon gift cards
- Bonus: 15 extra points for rating 15 songs within 7 days
5. Earnably
Earnably is a rewards platform where you can listen to music and earn money by completing simple tasks. You can earn points by listening to music, watching music videos, or even taking surveys. Once you collect 225 points, which is equal to $2, you can redeem them for gift cards, PayPal transfers, or even Bitcoin. It’s quick and easy to sign up, and while it won’t make you rich, it’s a fun way to earn small rewards just by doing music-related tasks.
Earning Potential:
- Per Music Task: $0.01-$0.05 per song/video
- Conversion Rate: 225 points = $2
- Music-Only Monthly: $1-$2/month
- All Tasks Monthly: $5-$20/month (combining surveys, videos, and music)
- Payout Options: PayPal, gift cards, Bitcoin
6. RadioEarn
RadioEarn is a simple way to earn money by listening to music in India. Just listen to the radio through your web browser, and you’ll earn points every 15 minutes. These points can be converted into cash, Amazon gift cards, Bitcoin, or bank transfers. Website owners can even embed the RadioEarn player to make passive income when visitors listen. Although the earnings are small (just a few dollars a month), it’s an easy, passive way for music lovers to earn some extra rewards.
Earning Potential:
- Points Rate: 0.25 points per 15 minutes = 1 point/hour per station
- Maximum Rate: 4 points/hour (running 4 stations simultaneously)
- Conversion: 1,000 points = $3 USD
- Monthly Estimate: $2-$10 (depending on listening hours)
- Payout Options: PayPal, bank transfer, Amazon gift cards, Bitcoin
7. Music Xray
Music Xray is a music-earning app that lets you discover new songs while getting paid for your feedback. For every music clip you listen to and review, you’ll earn 10 cents. Once you reach $20, you can cash out through PayPal. It’s an easy way for music lovers to find fresh tracks and make some extra money just by sharing their opinions.
Earning Potential:
- Per Track: $0.10 per song reviewed
- Monthly Estimate: $10-$20 with regular activity
- Minimum Payout: $20 via PayPal
- Review Type: Simple rating system (no lengthy reviews required)
8. Focus Forward
Focus Forward is a market research company that pays you to listen to music by joining music focus groups. In these sessions, you’ll provide feedback on new songs, either in-person or online. The sessions usually last 30 minutes to a few hours, and you can earn between $50 and $200 per session. While these opportunities don’t come up all the time, they offer great rewards for music lovers when they do.
Earning Potential:
- Per Session: $50 to $200 (highest single-session payout among all platforms!)
- Session Duration: 30 minutes to several hours
- Availability: Occasional (not daily opportunities)
- Format: Both in-person and online sessions available
9. Research.fm
If you are wondering how to make money by listening to music, Research.fm is an answer. It is a market research company that works with radio stations. After you sign up, you’ll fill out a short survey about yourself and your music preferences. When you qualify, they’ll send you music samples to review via email. In return for your feedback, you’ll earn Amazon gift cards.
Earning Potential:
- Payment Type: Amazon gift cards
- Earning Rate: Variable (depends on study length and qualification)
- Frequency: Study invitations sent via email when you qualify
- Best For: Radio listeners who enjoy providing feedback to help shape what gets played
10. Cash4Minutes
Cash4Minutes is a unique way to get paid to listen to music by using your unused phone minutes. All you need to do is call a provided number, listen to internet radio, and earn money for each minute you tune in. You can cash out through PayPal, Bitcoin, bank transfer, or Amazon gift cards.
Earning Potential:
- Per Minute: Approximately $0.08 per minute of listening
- Monthly Estimate: $5-$15, depending on usage
- Payout Options: PayPal, Bitcoin, Litecoin, bank transfer, Amazon gift cards
- Best For: Users with unlimited phone plans who have unused minutes
11. Music Gateway
Music Gateway is a platform where curators and influencers can get paid to listen to music by reviewing song submissions. If you run a radio station or create playlists, you can earn up to £800 per month, depending on how many tracks you review. The process is simple: earnings start at £100 for reviewing 200 submissions, and you can earn more as you review more songs. The platform also makes it easy to manage submissions, helping you save time while making extra money.
Earning Potential:
- Starting Rate: £100 for reviewing 200 submissions (~£0.50/submission)
- Monthly Maximum: Up to £800/month (~$1,000 USD)
- Annual Potential: £20,000-£40,000/year for established curators
- Requirements: Must run a radio station, blog, or have significant social influence
12. SoundCampaign
SoundCampaign lets verified playlist curators earn money by listening to music and reviewing songs. If you have a Spotify playlist with at least 1,000 real followers, you can apply to be a curator. Once you’re approved, you’ll get songs to review that match your playlist’s genre, and you can earn up to $14 per review. You can also choose to add the songs to your playlist to help indie artists. Payments are easy, with direct deposit available anytime.
Earning Potential:
- Per Review: Up to $14 per song review
- Monthly Estimate: $100-$300+ for active curators
- Payment Method: Direct deposit available anytime
- Requirements: Spotify playlist with 1,000+ real organic followers
Earn Money by Listening to Music: Tips and Ideas
If you love music, you can actually get paid to listen to music! Here are some simple ways to turn your passion into extra cash:
- Music Review Platforms: Earn money by writing reviews for songs. The better your writing and music knowledge, the more you can make!
- Music Research: Join surveys or focus groups where you share your opinion on music trends and get rewarded with cash or gift cards.
- Playlist Curation: Create and grow playlists on platforms like Spotify. Once you have a good following, you can start earning money.
- Crowd-Sourced Platforms: Give feedback on new tracks through sites like Slicethepie, where artists value your input and pay you for it.
- Affiliate Marketing: If you have a blog or social media focused on music, you can earn commissions by promoting music-related products.
Conclusion
In the world of side jobs, getting paid to listen to music is a dream come true for many. You not only get to enjoy your favourite songs, but you also help shape the music industry by giving useful feedback. Whether you’re discovering new artists, creating playlists, or reviewing fresh tracks, there are lots of exciting ways to earn. So, turn your love for music into a way to make money now.
Ready to listen to music and earn money? Choose a platform, sign up today, and let every beat bring you closer to your financial goals!
FAQs
Can I earn money by listening to music?
Yes, you can earn money by listening to different platforms, either by reviewing songs, streaming music, or curating playlists.
Which apps are good for earning money by listening to music?
Here are some of the top apps to get paid to listen to music: Slicethepie, RadioEarn, Playlist Push, Musicxray and Current Rewards
How to get paid to listen to music?
You can get paid to listen to music by reviewing songs, curating playlists with followers, streaming music through reward apps, or participating in music-related focus groups.
Do I need special skills or equipment to earn money by listening to music?
No specialised equipment is needed, just a smartphone or computer with internet. For review platforms, basic writing skills help, but you don’t need musical training.
How long to start earning?
You can start immediately on Slicethepie, Earnably, and Mode Earn after registration. However, reaching payout thresholds takes time; expect a few weeks for your first cashout on most platforms.
