10 Websites to Get Paid To Listen To Music

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Imagine getting a small thank-you note in the form of cash, a gift card, or a free subscription just for doing something you already love.

That’s the basic idea behind getting paid to listen to music. It’s not a path to instant riches, but it’s a legitimate, enjoyable way to earn a little extra on the side.

Think of it like turning your downtime into a mini focus group. Your opinion becomes valuable data for artists, record labels, and streaming platforms. They need to know what sounds good, what’s catchy, and what might be the next big hit.

That’s where you come in. Let's explore the best websites that let you turn your playlists into paychecks.

How Realistic Is It to Get Paid for Listening to Music?

Before we dive into the list, let’s set the record straight. You won’t be replacing your day job by listening to a few songs. The pay is typically modest. You might earn a few dollars an hour, some gift cards, or points you can redeem for rewards.

The key is to think of it as a fun side hustle. It’s perfect for when you’re folding laundry, cooking dinner, or just relaxing.

You’re already listening to music; these platforms just add a small perk to the experience. The main requirement is a good ear and the ability to give thoughtful feedback.

What to Look For in a Legitimate Site

The internet is full of too-good-to-be-true offers. To stay safe, stick to these guidelines:

• No Upfront Fees: Legitimate sites will never ask you to pay to sign up.

• Clear Payout Methods: They should clearly state how you get paid (PayPal, gift cards, etc.) and what the minimum payout threshold is.

• Positive User Reviews: Look for recent feedback from other users.

• Transparent Purpose: The site should explain why they are paying you—usually for market research.

Now, let's get to the good part: the websites that can make this happen.

1. Slice the Pie

Slice the Pie is one of the most well-known platforms in this niche. It connects music artists with listeners who provide early, actionable feedback.

How it Works: You listen to a full song and then write a detailed review. The platform isn’t just looking for “I liked it.” They want to know about the production, the vocals, the beat, and the overall catchiness.

The more detailed and constructive your review, the higher your rating and pay.

How You Get Paid: You earn a set rate for each review, which can increase as you build a reputation for quality feedback. Payments are made via PayPal once you reach a $10 minimum threshold.

The Bottom Line: Perfect if you enjoy analyzing music and can articulate what you hear. It’s like being a talent scout from your living room.

2. Cash4Minutes (formerly Slicethepie for Ads)

This is the sister site to Slice the Pie, but with a different focus. Instead of music, Cash4Minutes pays you to listen to and review audio advertisements.

How it Works: You listen to short audio ads (usually 1-3 minutes long) and answer a few simple questions about them. The questions might be about the ad’s clarity, its persuasiveness, or the quality of the audio.

How You Get Paid: Similar to Slice the Pie, you earn a small amount per ad reviewed and cash out via PayPal.

The Bottom Line: Great for when you want an even more passive experience. It’s less about artistic critique and more about market research for advertisers.

3. PlaylistPush

PlaylistPush operates at a more professional level. It’s a service where artists pay to have their music submitted to influential playlist curators on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. This is one of the more selective opportunities.

How it Works: You apply to become a curator. If accepted, you need to have a public playlist with a significant number of followers and genuine engagement. Artists send you their music, you listen, and you decide if it’s a good fit for your playlist.

How You Get Paid: Curators are paid for each song they review, regardless of whether they add it to their playlist. Payments are processed through PayPal.

The Bottom Line: This is for you if you’re already a serious playlist curator with an established audience. It’s not for casual listeners just starting out.

According to a report by MIDiA Research, playlists are a dominant force in music discovery, making your role as a curator incredibly valuable.

4. HitPredict

HitPredict is a fascinating platform that uses a game-like format. It’s run by the company that discovered The Weeknd and other major artists, giving it a strong industry connection.

How it Works: You listen to short snippets of unreleased songs. Your task is to predict how popular they will become. You rate them based on their "hit potential." Your accuracy over time determines your standing on the leaderboard.

How You Get Paid: While not a direct cash payout, you earn points for your predictions. These points can be redeemed for rewards, including Amazon gift cards.

The Bottom Line: A fun, competitive, and quick way to engage with new music. It feels more like a game than work.

5. Music Xray

Music Xray is a powerful platform that bridges the gap between artists and industry professionals, including listeners who provide feedback.

How it Works: Artists upload their music, and you can browse these submissions. You listen to tracks and provide your professional opinion. The site emphasizes thoughtful, constructive criticism that can help an artist improve.

How You Get Paid: Payment isn't always guaranteed for every review, as it often depends on the specific artist or label's offer. However, many opportunities are paid, and payments are handled through the site.

The Bottom Line: Best for those who take music criticism seriously and want to feel like they are directly helping artists grow.

6. RadioEarn

RadioEarn offers a different model. Instead of reviewing individual songs, you get paid for streaming online radio stations through their platform.

How it Works: You sign up, choose a radio station from their list, and just let it play in the background. You earn points based on your listening time.

How You Get Paid: You accumulate points that can be exchanged for PayPal cash or cryptocurrency. The earning rate is low, as it’s completely passive.

The Bottom Line: This is the ultimate passive option. You don’t have to think or write reviews—just let the radio play. It’s a classic "set it and forget it" side hustle.

7. Current Rewards

Current is a popular rewards app that includes getting paid for listening to music as one of its many features.

How it Works: You download the app and select a "radio station" to listen to. As you listen, you earn "Points." The app may occasionally ask you to confirm you’re still listening to prevent abuse.

How You Get Paid: Points can be redeemed for gift cards to major retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, and Target, or for PayPal cash.

The Bottom Line: An excellent all-in-one rewards app. Listening to music is just one of the ways you can earn, making it a versatile tool for anyone looking to score gift cards.

8. Earnably

Similar to Current, Earnably is a rewards site with multiple ways to earn, including watching videos, completing offers, and listening to radio.

How it Works: You go to the "Listen" section on their website and start an internet radio station. You earn points for every hour you listen.

How You Get Paid: Points are redeemed for a wide variety of gift cards or PayPal cash. The site is known for its low payout threshold and fast processing times.

The Bottom Line: A reliable and user-friendly platform if you prefer earning points for multiple activities, not just music.

9. UserTesting (For Music and Audio Apps)

UserTesting is a major platform for usability testing, but it’s a hidden gem for music lovers. Companies like Spotify, SoundCloud, and Pandora need feedback on their apps and websites.

How it Works: You apply for tests specifically for music and audio streaming services. If you qualify, you’ll be asked to complete tasks within the app while recording your screen and speaking your thoughts aloud. This is known as a "think-aloud protocol."

How You Get Paid: Pay is significantly higher than on other sites—often $10 for a 15-20 minute test. Payments are made via PayPal.

The Bottom Line: This is a high-value opportunity. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the user experience. Your insight helps shape the apps millions of people use every day.

The Nielsen Norman Group, a leading voice in user experience, champions this method as the single most valuable usability tool.

10. Focus Groups and Online Surveys

Don’t overlook major market research companies. They are often hired by music industry giants to conduct paid online surveys and focus groups about listening habits.

How it Works: You sign up for reputable sites like Swagbucks, Pinecone Research, or Branded Surveys. You’ll occasionally receive survey invitations about music streaming services, new album releases, or artist perceptions.

How You Get Paid: Typically, you earn points per survey that convert to cash or gift cards. Focus groups pay more, sometimes $50-$100 for a one-hour session.

The Bottom Line: A sporadic but potentially lucrative way to share your music opinions. It’s a great complement to the other methods listed here.

Pro Tips to Maximize Your Earnings

Making money from these sites is a skill. Here’s how to get the most out of them:

1. Create a Dedicated Email Address: Keep all your side hustle communications organized and separate from your personal inbox.

   
   

2. Combine Passive and Active Methods: Let a site like RadioEarn run in the background while you’re doing chores, and then spend 30 minutes doing focused reviews on Slice the Pie.

   
   

3. Be Detailed and Honest: Your feedback is a product. High-quality, thoughtful reviews will get you higher ratings and better pay on most platforms.

   
   

4. Understand the Payout Threshold: Always check the minimum amount you need to cash out. Aim for sites with low thresholds when you’re starting out.

   
   

5. Be Consistent: A little bit of time each day adds up much faster than a long session once a month. Consistency is the key to seeing those payouts roll in.

   
   

A Final Note on Your Listening Setup

You don’t need a professional recording studio setup, but good audio quality matters. A decent pair of headphones can make a world of difference in hearing the nuances of a song, which will, in turn, help you write better, more accurate reviews.

It’s a small investment that can improve your performance.

Turn Your Passion into a Small Stream of Income

Getting paid to listen to music is a real and accessible side hustle. It won’t make you a millionaire, but it can transform a hobby into a source for a little extra spending money, some gift cards for the holidays, or a dedicated "fun fund."

The best part is that it fits seamlessly into the life you’re already living.

You have the knowledge and the list of tools. Now, it’s time to press play on your next small, rewarding venture. Which of these websites will you try first?

If you're driving traffic but your checkout page feels like a ghost town, the problem is often a disconnect in your sales messaging. To fix this, my guide on how to boost your digital sales conversion provides a step-by-step framework to turn visitors into buyers.