You already spend hours a day with headphones on.
Commuting. Working out. Cooking dinner. Falling asleep. Music is the background soundtrack to your entire life — and most of that listening time earns you exactly nothing.
So when someone says you can get paid to listen to music, it sounds like the ultimate side hustle. Doing what you already do, except someone hands you money for it.
Here’s the honest version: yes, you can earn money listening to music. But no, you’re not going to replace your salary doing it. The platforms that pay you to listen range from genuinely useful side income to barely worth the effort.
In this guide, I’ll break down 12 legitimate ways to get paid for listening to music in 2026 — from review platforms and playlist curation to music focus groups and creative strategies most articles never mention. I’ll tell you exactly what each one pays, what’s required, and whether it’s actually worth your time.
Before we get into the full list, there’s something I want you to see.
First — This Is Important
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I build simple two-page websites that show up in Google for local businesses. Each site generates $500 to $1,500 per month on average. I have multiple sites running right now, and the income keeps coming whether I’m listening to music, sleeping, or travelling. No inventory, no complicated tech, no client headaches.
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Now let’s talk about turning your music habit into cash.
How Getting Paid to Listen to Music Actually Works
Before diving into specific platforms, it helps to understand why anyone would pay you to listen to music in the first place.
There are three main reasons. First, independent artists and record labels need real human feedback on unreleased tracks. They want to know if a song resonates before spending money on marketing. Second, streaming platforms and advertisers use listener data to improve their algorithms and ad targeting. Third, playlist curators with genuine followers provide organic promotion that artists can’t easily buy elsewhere.
Your value in this ecosystem comes from either your opinion (reviews), your attention (passive listening data), or your influence (playlist curation). The more valuable the contribution, the more you get paid.
That’s why review platforms pay more per task than passive listening apps, and playlist curators with large followings earn the most of all. Keep this hierarchy in mind as you choose which methods to focus on.
Music Review Platforms (Active Listening)
These platforms pay you to listen to tracks and provide written feedback. They require actual effort — you can’t just hit play and walk away — but they pay better per minute than passive alternatives.
1. Slicethepie
Slicethepie is the most established music review platform and the one most people start with. You listen to a track for at least 90 seconds, then write a short review covering things like vocals, production quality, lyrics, and overall appeal. Each review needs to be at least 60 characters.
What it pays: $0.03 to $0.15 per review. Your rate increases as your reviewer score improves. Higher-quality, more detailed reviews earn more. Payments go to PayPal once you hit $10.
The catch: At the lower end, you’d need to review roughly 100 songs to earn $5. That’s not great. But experienced reviewers with high scores can earn $0.10 to $0.15 per review consistently, making it more worthwhile.
Best for: People who enjoy discovering new music and can write quick, thoughtful feedback. If you’re the type who already shares music opinions with friends, this channels that energy into small earnings.
Verdict: Legitimate but low-paying. Worth doing during commutes or downtime, not worth dedicated hours.
2. Music Xray
Music Xray works similarly to Slicethepie but with a twist — it matches songs to you based on your stated music preferences. You listen to a clip for at least 30 seconds, rate the song, and provide brief feedback.
What it pays: Around $0.10 per track, which is better per-song than Slicethepie. Cashout threshold is $20 via PayPal.
The catch: Song availability is inconsistent. Some days you’ll have multiple tracks to review; other days, nothing. The “Fan Match” system means your queue depends on whether artists in your preferred genres are currently seeking feedback.
Best for: Casual listeners who want to check in periodically rather than grind reviews all day.
Verdict: Decent per-song rate, but unreliable volume. Best used alongside other platforms.
3. HitPredictor
HitPredictor has been around for years and takes a slightly different approach. You rate songs on a scale and provide brief feedback, and the platform uses aggregate data to predict which songs will become hits.
What it pays: Points that can be redeemed for gift cards and prizes. The monetary value per review is small, but they run sweepstakes where active reviewers can win larger prizes.
The catch: The rewards system is points-based rather than direct cash, which some people find frustrating. The cash equivalent per review is very low.
Best for: People who enjoy the gamification aspect of predicting hits and don’t mind earning points instead of cash.
Verdict: More of a fun activity than a money-maker. Only worth it if you genuinely enjoy the prediction game.
Playlist Curation (Highest Earning Potential)
If you manage a Spotify playlist with real, organic followers, you can earn significantly more than review platforms. Artists and labels pay curators to review their songs and potentially add them to playlists.
4. Playlist Push
Playlist Push is the gold standard for playlist curator earnings. They connect Spotify and Apple Music curators with independent artists looking for playlist placements.
What it pays: $1 to $15 per song review, depending on your playlist size and engagement. Curators with larger followings earn more per review. Payments are made via PayPal.
The catch: You need at least 400 followers on a Spotify playlist to qualify, and the followers must be organic (no bots). Playlist Push has a thorough vetting process, so building your playlist is a prerequisite.
Best for: People who already curate Spotify playlists as a hobby and have built a genuine following.
Verdict: This is the highest-paying option on the entire list. If you have the playlist following, this is where your time is best spent.
5. SoundCampaign
SoundCampaign operates on a similar model to Playlist Push. Verified Spotify playlist curators review songs and get paid for their time and feedback.
What it pays: Up to $14 per song review. Payment via direct bank transfer.
The catch: Same prerequisite — you need an established playlist with real followers. The review process is more structured than casual listening.
Best for: Active Spotify curators who want a second platform alongside Playlist Push for more consistent review opportunities.
Verdict: Excellent earning potential for qualified curators. Worth combining with Playlist Push.
6. Music Gateway
Music Gateway focuses on connecting curators with independent artists for playlist placements and music review opportunities. They work with curators who manage radio stations, playlists, or music blogs.
What it pays: Up to £800 per month for active curators who review high volumes of submissions. Earnings start at around £100 for reviewing 200 submissions.
The catch: The highest earners are processing hundreds of submissions monthly, which is substantial work. It’s more of a part-time job than passive income at that level.
Best for: Serious music curators who want to make playlist curation a meaningful income stream.
Verdict: The most professional option. If you’re willing to treat curation as a real side hustle, the earnings reflect that commitment.
Passive Listening Apps (Lowest Effort)
These apps pay you for streaming music through their platform — essentially rewarding your attention and listening data. The earnings are very low, but the effort is nearly zero.
7. Current Rewards (formerly Current Music)
Current Rewards pays you to listen to music and radio stations through their app. You earn points for listening time, which you can redeem for gift cards and cash.
What it pays: Roughly $5 to $15 per month for regular use. Points accumulate based on listening time.
The catch: You need to use their app instead of Spotify or Apple Music, which means dealing with a less polished interface and different music library. There’s also a daily earning cap.
Best for: People who don’t mind switching apps and want truly passive background earnings while cooking, cleaning, or working.
Verdict: The effort is minimal, but so are the earnings. Best stacked with other methods rather than used alone.
8. Mode Earn App
Mode Earn combines music listening with other earning activities like surveys, games, and offers. The music feature pays you to stream radio stations through the app.
What it pays: $10 to $40 per month combined across all earning methods. Music alone generates less.
The catch: There’s a daily “time bank” that limits how much you can earn. Once it runs out, you can keep listening but stop earning until the next day. Battery drain is also an issue.
Best for: People who want multiple earning methods in one app and don’t mind the limitations.
Verdict: Better than pure listening apps because of the additional earning methods. Reasonable for passive pocket money.
9. Cash4Minutes
Cash4Minutes takes a unique approach — you call a provided phone number and listen to internet radio. You earn money for each minute of listening.
What it pays: Small amounts per minute. Cashout via PayPal, Bitcoin, bank transfer, or Amazon gift cards.
The catch: You’re using phone minutes and data, which could have associated costs depending on your plan. The per-minute rate is very low.
Best for: People with unlimited calling plans who want another passive stream.
Verdict: Unusual concept but extremely low earnings. Only worth considering if you’ve already maximized other options.
Higher-Value Music Earning Methods
These methods require more effort or skill but pay significantly more than review platforms or passive apps.
10. Music Focus Groups
Market research companies regularly run paid focus groups focused on music — testing reactions to new songs, evaluating advertising campaigns with music, or gathering data on listening preferences.
What it pays: $50 to $200 per session, with sessions typically lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours.
The catch: Opportunities are irregular. You might find one every few weeks or go months without qualifying for a relevant study. Platforms like Focus Forward, Respondent, and User Interviews are where these tend to appear.
Best for: People who enjoy sharing detailed opinions and don’t mind inconsistent opportunities.
Verdict: By far the best hourly rate on this list when sessions are available. The challenge is finding them consistently. If you’re interested in focus groups more broadly, my guide on how to make money with online focus groups covers the best platforms and how to qualify for higher-paying studies.
11. Starting a Music Review YouTube Channel or Blog
Here’s where most articles on this topic stop thinking small.
Instead of earning $0.10 per review on someone else’s platform, you could build your own music review channel on YouTube or blog. Review new albums, rank songs, react to music videos, cover industry drama — music content has a massive audience.
A music review YouTube channel with 10,000 subscribers can earn $500 to $2,000 monthly from ad revenue. A music blog with decent traffic can earn through display ads and affiliate links to streaming services, concert tickets, and music gear.
This isn’t “get paid to listen to music” in the traditional sense. It’s building a content business around music. But the earning potential is orders of magnitude higher than any review app.
If this angle interests you, my guide on how much you can make on YouTube gives you the realistic numbers, and how to start a blog covers the website approach.
12. Curating a Music-Themed YouTube Channel
This is a variation of the previous method that requires zero on-camera presence. You create curated music compilations — “Chill Lo-Fi Beats for Studying,” “Best Indie Rock 2026,” “Workout Motivation Mix” — and publish them as long-form videos or livestreams on YouTube.
Channels in this space generate revenue through YouTube ads playing against the content. Some of the larger lo-fi and chill music channels earn tens of thousands monthly from ad revenue alone.
The important caveat: Copyright is a major concern here. You need to use royalty-free music, Creative Commons licensed tracks, or get explicit permission from artists. Using copyrighted music without permission will get your videos demonetized or your channel taken down.
If the faceless channel concept appeals to you, I’ve compared YouTube automation vs faceless channels in a separate article.
Earnings Comparison: All Methods at a Glance
| Method | Earning Type | Realistic Monthly Income | Effort Required | Minimum to Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slicethepie | Active reviews | $5-$30 | Medium | Just an email |
| Music Xray | Active reviews | $5-$20 | Low-Medium | Email + taste profile |
| HitPredictor | Active reviews | Points/prizes | Low | Just an email |
| Playlist Push | Playlist curation | $50-$500+ | Medium | 400+ Spotify followers |
| SoundCampaign | Playlist curation | $50-$400+ | Medium | Established playlist |
| Music Gateway | Professional curation | $100-$800+ | High | Radio/playlist following |
| Current Rewards | Passive listening | $5-$15 | Very Low | App download |
| Mode Earn App | Passive + tasks | $10-$40 | Low | App download |
| Cash4Minutes | Passive listening | $2-$10 | Very Low | Phone line |
| Music Focus Groups | Research sessions | $50-$200/session | Medium | Qualifying survey |
| Music Review YouTube/Blog | Content creation | $500-$5,000+ | High | Camera or website |
| Music Curation YouTube | Content creation | $500-$10,000+ | Medium-High | YouTube account |
The pattern is clear. The less effort and skill required, the less you earn. The methods worth real time investment are playlist curation (if you qualify) and content creation (if you’re willing to build).
How to Maximise Your Music Listening Earnings
If you’re going to do this, at least do it efficiently. Here’s how to stack methods for maximum return.
Stack platforms, don’t rely on one. Sign up for Slicethepie, Music Xray, and HitPredictor simultaneously. When one platform is slow, another might have reviews available. Run a passive app like Current Rewards in the background during activities where you can’t actively review.
Build a Spotify playlist on the side. Even if you don’t qualify for Playlist Push today, start building a themed playlist now. Choose a specific genre or mood, add quality tracks consistently, and promote it through social media and Reddit communities. In six months to a year, you could have enough followers to qualify for curator payments.
Write detailed reviews. On platforms like Slicethepie, your pay rate directly correlates with review quality. Mentioning specific elements — vocal clarity, beat drop timing, lyrical themes, production quality — scores higher than vague “it’s good” reviews. Spending an extra 30 seconds on each review can double your per-review rate over time.
Apply for music focus groups proactively. Don’t wait for opportunities to find you. Sign up for multiple research platforms like Respondent, User Interviews, and Prolific. Complete your profile thoroughly, including your music preferences and listening habits. This increases your chances of being matched with music-specific studies. I’ve listed the best focus group sites that pay if you want to cast a wider net.
Consider the bigger picture. If you’re spending 5 hours per week reviewing songs for $10, your effective hourly rate is $2. That same 5 hours invested in building a music YouTube channel or blog could eventually generate $500+ monthly. Think about where your time creates the most long-term value.
Platforms to Avoid
Not every “get paid to listen to music” opportunity is legitimate. Watch out for these red flags.
Apps that require upfront payment. Legitimate music reward platforms are free to join. If a site asks you to pay for access to earning opportunities, walk away.
Promises of $100+ per day. No music listening app pays anywhere near this amount. Anyone claiming otherwise is running a scam or using misleading marketing to get your personal information.
“Spotify pays you to listen” claims. Spotify does not directly pay listeners. Any website or app claiming to offer Spotify payments to regular users is fraudulent.
Apps requesting excessive personal data. A music review platform needs your email and PayPal address for payments. It doesn’t need your social security number, banking details, or home address. If a platform is asking for more information than the service requires, it’s likely harvesting your data.
Stick to the established platforms I’ve listed in this guide, and you’ll avoid the vast majority of scams in this space.
Is Getting Paid to Listen to Music Worth Your Time?
Let me give you an honest answer: it depends on your definition of “worth it.”
If you’re looking for a fun way to earn a few extra dollars doing something you already enjoy, yes. Stacking review platforms with a passive listening app can generate $30 to $80 per month without disrupting your routine. That covers a streaming subscription with change to spare.
If you’re looking for meaningful income, no. The hourly rate for most music listening platforms works out to $2 to $6 per hour. That’s well below minimum wage and well below what you could earn through other side hustles or ways to make extra money.
The exception is playlist curation for people who already have established followings, and content creation for people willing to build a music-focused brand. Both can generate hundreds or thousands monthly.
For everyone else, music listening apps are best treated as a small bonus on top of time you’d spend listening anyway — not as a primary earning strategy. If you’re serious about building real online income, there are far more effective paths available.
What to Realistically Expect: A Month-by-Month Breakdown
If you signed up for everything today, here’s roughly what your first three months would look like.
Month 1: You sign up for Slicethepie, Music Xray, and Current Rewards. You spend 20-30 minutes per day doing active reviews and run the passive app in the background. Earnings: $15 to $35. Most of your time is spent figuring out how the platforms work and building your reviewer score.
Month 2: You’ve gotten faster at writing reviews. Your Slicethepie rating has improved, so you’re earning more per review. You start a Spotify playlist in a niche genre and share it on social media. You also sign up for focus group platforms. Earnings from listening: $25 to $50. Possible focus group bonus: $50 to $200 if you land a session.
Month 3: Your review routine is efficient. Your Spotify playlist is slowly growing. You’re consistently checking for focus group opportunities. Total listening earnings: $30 to $60 from apps. Potential total including a focus group: $80 to $260.
After three months, you’ll have a clear picture of whether the effort-to-reward ratio works for you. Most people either settle into a comfortable routine that generates steady pocket money, or decide to redirect their time toward higher-paying online side hustles instead.
The long game here is playlist curation. If you spend those same three months building a quality Spotify playlist alongside your reviewing, you could qualify for Playlist Push or SoundCampaign within six to twelve months. At that point, your music listening earnings jump from $30-$60 per month to $100-$500+ — a meaningful difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really get paid to listen to music on Spotify?
Not directly from Spotify itself. Spotify does not pay regular users for listening. However, third-party platforms like Playlist Push and SoundCampaign pay Spotify playlist curators to review and potentially add songs to their playlists. So you’re getting paid to curate on Spotify, not to passively listen.
How much can you realistically make per month?
Using review platforms and passive apps casually, expect $20 to $80 per month. As a qualified playlist curator, $100 to $500+ per month. Through music content creation (YouTube or blogging), $500 to $5,000+ once established. The range is enormous depending on which method you pursue.
Do you need any special skills or equipment?
For review platforms, no. You just need headphones and the ability to write short opinions. For playlist curation, you need to have built a following organically over time. For content creation, basic recording or writing ability and consistency are the main requirements.
Are music listening apps safe?
The established platforms listed in this guide — Slicethepie, Music Xray, Playlist Push, SoundCampaign, Current Rewards — are legitimate and safe. Always avoid platforms that ask for upfront payment, excessive personal information, or promise unrealistically high earnings. If you’re cautious about which apps actually pay real money, I’ve vetted dozens of platforms in a separate guide.
Is this better than taking surveys for money?
For most people, the earnings are comparable. Survey sites tend to offer slightly more consistent opportunities, but music review platforms can be more enjoyable. Ideally, you’d combine both — reviewing music when songs are available, and filling gaps with surveys.
The Smarter Way to Earn Online
You’ve now got 12 legitimate ways to get paid for listening to music. Some are worth doing casually, others are worth building into something bigger, and a few are only worthwhile in very specific circumstances.
But here’s what I want to leave you with. The ceiling on most music listening income is low. If your goal is real financial freedom — the kind where you’re earning $500 to $1,500 per month from assets that work while you sleep — there are much better approaches.
The business model I use personally — building simple local lead generation websites — generates more from a single site per month than most people earn from music apps in an entire year. It’s low cost to start, the skills are learnable, and the income is genuinely passive once the sites rank.
Click here to see my #1 recommendation and how to get started.
Whatever you choose, make sure the time you invest matches the returns you expect. Your hours are worth more than $0.10 a song.
Mark is the founder of MarksInsights and has spent 15+ years testing online business programs and tools. He focuses on honest, experience-based reviews that help people avoid scams and find real, sustainable ways to make money online.