10 Best Videos Money Making Apps for Beginners

Imagine earning a little extra cash during moments you’d normally just scroll mindlessly, waiting in line, during a TV commercial, or on your lunch break. That’s the promise of videos money making apps. But with so many options, which ones are legit, safe, and actually worth your time? If you’re a beginner looking for simple, flexible ways to pad your wallet without a big commitment, you’re in the right place. This guide cuts through the hype to show you the real apps that pay, how they work, and exactly what you can expect to earn.

This article is for students, parents, retirees, or anyone with a smartphone and spare moments who wants to turn screen time into a small, steady stream of income. We’ll focus on apps that are free to use, require no special skills, and prioritize your safety and privacy. Let’s turn your downtime into dollars.

The Reality of Getting Paid to Watch Videos

Videos money making apps are not a path to getting rich. They are a modern form of “beer money” or “coffee cash.” Companies have marketing budgets to get their ads in front of eyes, and they are willing to pay a tiny amount for your attention. For you, this translates to a low-effort, completely passive way to earn gift cards or PayPal cash over time.

The key is managing expectations and using the right strategies. By choosing the best apps and avoiding scams, you can reliably earn $20-$80 per month across several apps with minimal active work. This guide will rank the top 10 apps, explain their unique pros and cons, and give you a clear action plan to start.

How Videos Money Making Apps Actually Work

Before we explore the list, understanding the mechanics will help you succeed.

What are they? These are mobile applications (and sometimes websites) where you earn points or credits for watching short video advertisements, promotional clips, or sponsored news content. You then redeem these points for cash, gift cards, or other rewards.

Why are they legit? Legitimate apps are funded by advertising networks. Brands pay the app company to show their ads, and the app shares a very small portion of that revenue with you to keep you engaged. It’s a standard marketing cost for them.

The Golden Rule of Earnings: Your time has a value. The payout for watching is extremely low, often between $0.50 and $2.00 per hour of actual video watch time. Therefore, the best strategy is passive earning: letting videos play on a spare device while you do other things, not actively watching for hours.

The Top 10 Videos Money Making Apps for Beginners

Here is our curated list, ranked by a combination of reliability, earning potential, and beginner-friendliness.

1. Swagbucks (SB)

What it is: Swagbucks isn’t just a video app, it’s a full rewards platform where watching videos is one of many ways to earn. It’s the best starting point for beginners.

How to earn with videos:

• Go to the “Watch” section of the app or website.

• Playlists of short ad-supported clips (news, entertainment, ads) run automatically.

• You earn SB points (Swagbucks) for every few videos watched.

Is it legit? Yes. One of the oldest and most trusted names in the rewards space.
Realistic Earning Potential: $1-$3 per day from passive video watching, significantly more if you complete other offers on the platform.
Pros: Multiple earning methods, frequent bonus rounds, many redemption options (PayPal, gift cards).
Cons: Video earnings are capped daily, can be slow.
Beginner Tip: Start with the “Swagbucks Watch” mobile app for the most streamlined video experience. Let playlists run on a low volume while you work.

2. InboxDollars

What it is: A direct competitor to Swagbucks with a similar model. It has a strong video section and a famous “cash watch” feature.

How to earn with videos:

• Navigate to the “Watch Videos” tab.

• Choose a channel (e.g., Entertainment, Lifestyle) and let videos auto-play.

• Earn a few cents for every 3-5 videos.

Is it legit? Yes. Owned by the same parent company as Swagbucks (Prodege).
Realistic Earning Potential: Similar to Swagbucks, around $1-$2 per day from dedicated video watching.
Pros: $5 sign-up bonus, pays in cash (not points), clear counters.
Cons: Minimum cash-out is $30, which can take time to reach with videos alone.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Not clicking the “Credited” button if prompted. Some videos require interaction to confirm you’re there.

3. MyPoints

What it is: Another member of the Prodege family, sharing many of the same video sources as Swagbucks and InboxDollars but with its own interface and bonus structures.

How to earn with videos: Almost identical process to Swagbucks. Use the “Watch” section for auto-playing video playlists.

Is it legit? Yes.
Realistic Earning Potential: Slightly lower video rates than Swagbucks, but often has good daily bonuses.
Pros: Excellent for earning Walmart, Target, and Amazon gift cards. Reliable payout.
Cons: Slightly slower point accumulation.
Beginner Frugal Hack: Use these apps in tandem. If one app’s videos are running dry for the day, switch to another.

4. Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel

What it is: This is different. It’s a market research app from the famous TV ratings company. You install it, and it runs silently in the background tracking your media usage (anonymously) in exchange for guaranteed rewards.

How to earn: Not “watching” in the traditional sense. You install the app, let it run, and get points automatically every month.

Is it legit? Extremely. This is a major global corporation.
Realistic Earning Potential: A steady $50 per year per device (you can run on one computer and one phone). It’s not much, but it’s 100% passive.
Pros: Truly set-and-forget. No active work. High-value sweepstakes entries.
Cons: Requires a constant background process. Invitation-only (but widely available).
Common Mistake to Avoid: Uninstalling it because you forget it’s there. Leave it running for consistent rewards.

5. Branded Surveys (Branded Offers)

What it is: Primarily a survey site, but its “Branded Offers” section includes a reliable video wall with auto-playing content.

How to earn with videos: Go to “Earn” > “Branded Offers” and find the video section. Let the clips run to earn points.

Is it legit? Yes, a well-regarded survey platform.
Realistic Earning Potential: A supplemental $0.50-$1 per day from videos, great for filling time between surveys.
Pros: High survey payouts, simple interface, low $5 cash-out minimum.
Cons: Video library is smaller than the big three (Swagbucks, InboxDollars, MyPoints).
Beginner Tip: Use videos here to help you reach the daily “daily goal” bonus for completing 3 surveys, maximizing your overall earnings.

6. CheckPoints

What it is: A dedicated scanning and video-watching app. You earn primarily by scanning product barcodes in stores, but it has a solid “Watch Videos” feature for home use.

How to earn with videos: Open the app, tap “Watch,” and choose a video channel. Videos are typically 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Is it legit? Yes, though it has had ups and downs in reliability over the years.
Realistic Earning Potential: $0.50-$1.50 per day from consistent video watching.
Pros: Simple, dedicated video section. Also offers receipt scanning.
Cons: Points can be slow, app can be buggy.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Trying to game the system by using bots or auto-clickers. This will get you banned.

7. ReceiptPal & Fetch Rewards (The Rececript Hack)

What it is: These are primarily receipt-scanning apps, but they offer video rewards as a bonus activity.

How to earn with videos: In ReceiptPal, go to the “More” tab and find “Earn More Points” for videos. In Fetch, go to the “Discover” tab for occasional video offers.

Is it legit? Yes, both are major players in the receipt app space.
Realistic Earning Potential: Very small—maybe $0.10-$0.50 per day. Treat it as a bonus on top of your receipt scanning.
Pros: Complements your main earning method (scanning grocery receipts). Easy points.
Cons: Extremely low video payouts, not a primary video earner.
Frugal Hack: This is the definition of “no extra work.” If you’re already using these apps for receipts, the videos are pure bonus points.

8. Mobile Performance Meter (Now “MPulse”)

What it is: Similar to Nielsen. An app that runs in the background measuring your mobile data usage for market research.

How to earn: Install, keep it active, and earn points daily. No active video watching required.

Is it legit? Yes.
Realistic Earning Potential: $1-$3 per week for zero effort.
Pros: Completely passive, just like Nielsen.
Cons: Can drain battery slightly (less so on newer phones). Reward points have decreased over time.

9. PrizeRebel

What it is: A rewards site popular for surveys and offers. It hosts several video walls from different providers.

How to earn with videos: Log in to the website (better than app for videos), go to “Offer Walls,” and look for video-specific walls like “AdGate Media” or “OfferToro.”

Is it legit? Yes.
Realistic Earning Potential: Variable. Some days videos are plentiful, other days not. Can earn $0.50-$2 on a good day.
Pros: Often has higher-paying video offers than dedicated apps. Low $5 cash-out.
Cons: Requires more active hunting on a website. Not as streamlined.

10. AppTrailers

What it is: A pure video-watching app where you watch trailers for new mobile games and apps.

How to earn with videos: Open the app, tap on a trailer, watch it, and get points. Very straightforward.

Is it legit? Yes, but it’s the most “grindy” on the list.
Realistic Earning Potential: Very low. Perhaps $0.25-$0.75 per hour of active watching.
Pros: Simple concept, instant points per video.
Cons: Extremely low pay rate, can be tedious, limited number of videos per day.
Beginner Tip: Only use this if you’ve exhausted the videos on all other apps. It’s a last-resort filler.

The Beginner’s Strategy: How to Maximize Earnings Safely

You won’t succeed by using one app intensely. You succeed by using a system.

1. The Stacking Strategy: Install Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Nielsen/MPulse. Let Nielsen/MPulse run passively in the background 24/7. Use Swagbucks videos until they cap, then switch to InboxDollars videos. This multiplies your earning potential.

2. The Passive Device Method: If you have an old smartphone or tablet, connect it to Wi-Fi, plug it in, and let video playlists run on low volume in a dedicated spot. This turns it into a mini-earning appliance.

3. Set Realistic Goals: Aim for a specific gift card per month (e.g., a $25 Amazon card). Work backwards to see how much daily video time you need across your apps to hit that goal.

4. Security First: Never use an app that asks for intrusive permissions (like SMS access) or an upfront payment. Use unique passwords for these accounts, not your main email password.

FAQs: Your Questions, Answered Honestly

Q1: Can you really get cash from these videos money making apps?
Yes, you can. Legitimate apps pay out via PayPal, direct bank deposit, or popular gift cards. The key is reaching the minimum payout threshold, which requires consistent use over weeks or months.

Q2: How much money can I make per hour?
The effective hourly rate is very low, typically between $0.50 and $2.00 per hour of actual video playtime. This is why passive earning on a spare device is the recommended strategy—you aren’t actively spending that hour.

Q3: What’s the catch with these apps?
The “catch” is that you are trading your attention and some device resources (data, battery) for a very small amount of money. The apps make more from showing you the ads than they pay you. They also collect anonymized data on viewing habits.

Q4: Are there any apps that pay instantly to PayPal?
No legitimate app pays instantly after watching one video. All have a minimum cash-out amount (usually $5-$25) and a processing period of a few days to a few weeks after you request payment.

Q5: Which app pays the most for watching videos?
Swagbucks and InboxDollars generally offer the highest and most consistent earning potential for active video watching due to their large libraries and bonus systems.

Q6: Is it safe to run these apps on my main phone?
Yes, if you stick to the reputable apps listed here. Read permission requests. Avoid any app that isn’t on a major app store (Google Play, Apple App Store). Be mindful of data usage if you don’t have unlimited Wi-Fi.

Q7: Will using multiple apps get me banned?
No. Using multiple legitimate apps is expected and called “beer money stacking.” What will get you banned is using automated scripts, bots, or VPNs to fake your location or activity.

Key Takeaways

• Manage Expectations: These are “beer money” apps, not income replacements. Think in terms of gift cards, not rent money.

• Stack Don’t Grind: Use 2-3 top apps (Swagbucks + InboxDollars + a passive panel) together for best results.

• Prioritize Passivity: Let videos run on a spare device while you live your life. Active watching is not worth your time.

• Safety is Paramount: Only use well-known, reviewed apps. Never pay to join.

• Consistency Beats Intensity: Earning $0.50 daily adds up to $15 a month. Small, regular efforts yield real rewards.

• Start Simple: Download Swagbucks and Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel (if you get an invite) today. They are the best one-two punch for beginners.

Conclusion & Your First Step

The world of videos money making apps is a practical way to monetize your inevitable screen time. While you won’t make a fortune, you can reliably earn enough to cover a subscription service, buy a few coffees, or contribute to your savings, all with minimal effort.

Your action plan is simple: Head to your app store right now and download Swagbucks. Create your account, navigate to the “Watch” section, and let your first playlist run for 30 minutes while you make dinner or read a book. See those points trickle in. That’s the proof. From there, you can layer on other apps from this list to build your own personalized “spare change” system.