You’ve seen the headlines, I’m sure: “Get Paid to Listen to Podcasts!” or “Make Money with an App That Pays You to Binge Your Favorite Shows!”
I get the appeal. I spend hours every week listening to podcasts myself, while driving, cooking, or just zoning out on chores.
The idea of turning that time into a legit side hustle? Sounds like a dream.
But here’s the big question…
Can you actually get paid to listen to podcasts, or is it just hype?
I’ve been testing money-making apps and side hustles for over a decade, so part of my job is cutting through the clickbait and finding what actually works. For this one, I downloaded the apps, dug into the claims, and looked for the real opportunities.
FreeCash: Get paid for testing games, using app & taking surveys. Highest Payouts, Instant Cashouts & Daily Bonuses. Sign up for free
Earn Haus: They’re paying up to $25 per survey—and you get paid the same day. PayPal, Venmo, or check. Get Paid Now
InboxDollars: Watch videos, shop, take surveys—get paid for stuff you already do. $5 bonus just for signing up. Grab $5 Bonus
KingOpinion: Earn up to $8 per survey sharing your opinion — superfast signup, payout via PayPal or gift cards. Try KingOpinion Now!
Swagbucks: Over $900M paid out. Sign up now and grab $10 free—then earn more watching videos, taking surveys & more. Snag $10 Free
This post is the honest breakdown I wish I had when I first searched “get paid to listen to podcasts.” It’ll save you from wasting time on dead apps and show you where the real money is in 2025.
Table of Contents
The Myth: Apps That Pay You Just to Listen
A few years ago, apps like Podcoin and Curio.io popped up and paid users in points or gift cards for listening. Unfortunately they have shut down. So if you see Podcoin or Curio mentioned, it’s outdated information.The Reality: How People Actually Get Paid Through Podcasts
So, does that mean you can’t make money with podcasts?
Not at all. The trick is to stop thinking like a passive listener and start thinking like someone who provides value to podcasters.
This is where the real, high-paying opportunities are. Instead of earning points, you’re earning real, project-based income by providing a skill.
1. Get Paid for Podcast-Related Micro-Tasks
Behind every episode, there’s a pile of small but important jobs that podcasters usually outsource.
- Podcast summaries & show notes: Short write-ups that hook new listeners.
- Transcription: Converting audio to text (good money if you’re a fast typist).
- Fact-checking links/resources: Double-checking show notes for accuracy.
Where to find gigs: The best places to find these jobs are on major freelancing marketplaces. A quick search for “podcast” or “podcast writer” on sites like Fiverr or Upwork will show you hundreds of these opportunities.
Earning Potential: This is where you can make real money. A simple podcast summary can pay $10-$20, while a full transcription can pay $30–$60+ per episode.
2. Review & Rate Podcasts for Money
Before launching a show or testing ad spots, creators want listener feedback.
And they are willing to pay for your honest opinion as a listener.
That’s where paid review gigs come in.
Advertisements
- You listen to an episode or ad break.
- You share what’s clear, confusing, or worth improving.
- Some companies also pay for simple ratings to help boost visibility.
Where to find gigs: While there isn’t one single platform just for this, you can usually find these types of “audio review” tests on major user feedback sites like UserTesting, Respondent.io, or TestingTime. You can also directly reach out to podcast networks and offer your services as a reviewer.
Earning Potential: These gigs typically pay well for your time, often in the range of $10-$30 for a 20-40 minute review session.
3. Become a Podcast Virtual Assistant (VA)
Podcasting is booming, and hosts are often solo creators drowning in tasks.
This can be the perfect work at home job for stay at home moms, dads, or anyone who wants to work from home with legit companies.
As a VA you help with stuff like:
- Uploading and scheduling episodes
- Managing social media posts
- Guest booking and outreach
Where to find gigs: Belay, Zirtual, Fiverr, and podcast-specific Facebook groups.
Earning potential: Consistent monthly income ($200–$1,000+) depending on workload.
4. Hidden Opportunity: Podcast Content Repurposing
This is one that most blogs don’t mention, and it’s a huge need right now.
Podcasters need their audio turned into:
- TikToks & YouTube Shorts
- Blog posts & newsletters
- Quote graphics for Instagram/Twitter
If you have basic video editing or writing skills, you can charge premium rates.
Where to find gigs: Pitch directly to mid-sized podcasters (1k–50k listeners).
Earning potential: $50–$200 per episode, depending on deliverables.
Apps That Still Pay You to Listen to Podcasts
If you’re just curious and want a little “coffee money” for your listening habits, there are still a couple of apps that pay.
Just keep expectations realistic, we’re talking gift cards and small PayPal transfers, not rent money.
App | How It Works | Earnings | Payout Options |
|---|---|---|---|
Runs in the background, shares bandwidth, and rewards you with small amounts for audio streaming (including podcasts). | $5–$10 per month (passive) | PayPal, Amazon gift cards | |
Mostly music reviews, but sometimes podcasts and ads. You get paid for short written reviews. | A few cents per review | PayPal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the common questions you may have about making money as a podcast listener.
You can earn money by offering services like podcast transcription, summarization, or becoming a podcast virtual assistant. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork host these gigs.
If you’re using a passive earning app like Earnapp, a realistic goal is a few dollars per month. If you are providing services like writing summaries or transcribing, you can earn a real side income of several hundred dollars a month or more, depending on your skill and effort.
Some apps, like Earnapp, offer small rewards for streaming audio, including podcasts. However, the earnings are minimal and not a reliable income source.
For service-based gigs like transcription, the client will always provide you with the specific podcast you need to work on. For the passive earning apps, they typically work with any podcast app you use.
Yes, some platforms pay for reviewing podcasts. For instance, UserTesting sometimes offers opportunities to provide feedback on podcast content.
Final Thoughts
So, can you get paid to listen to podcasts?
Yes, but not in the “just hit play and cash in” way most people hope for. That model is mostly gone in 2025.
The real money is in providing services to podcasters: writing summaries, transcribing episodes, reviewing content, or helping with social media and guest outreach.
These gigs pay real money and can grow into a steady side hustle.
If you’re just looking for pocket change, apps like Earnapp can give you a few bucks or gift cards for listening, but don’t expect to quit your day job.
If it were me trying to make money with podcasts without making podcasts myself, I would actually focus on providing a service like writing summaries or transcribing.
Sure, you may not get paid to listen to podcasts directly, but you will earn money as a podcast listener nonetheless.
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