Best Music Earning Apps in 2026: 10 Options Tested and Compared

Quick Comparison Table

Earnings based on casual daily use (15-60 minutes). Curation apps require established Spotify playlists with 400+ followers. Higher ranges require consistent daily use.

Review-Based Apps Ranked

Review and curation apps pay more because they require your active participation. You're providing value (feedback, playlist placement) that artists and labels are willing to pay for. Here are the five best options, ranked by earning potential.

1. Playlist Push (Best Earner)

The highest-paying option in the music app space by a wide margin. Curators with established Spotify playlists earn $1-3 per song review, with large playlists earning up to $12 per review. A focused session of 10-15 reviews can net $20-45 in under an hour. The catch is the barrier to entry: you need a Spotify playlist with at least 400 real organic followers. That takes months to build from scratch. But if you already have a qualifying playlist, this is the obvious first choice. Read more about how playlist curation works in our Spotify earnings guide.

2. SoundCampaign

Similar model to Playlist Push with slightly different requirements. Curators can earn up to $14 per song review, though average rates are closer to $3-5. The platform tends to have fewer submissions available than Playlist Push, so monthly earnings are typically lower despite competitive per-review rates. Worth signing up for both platforms to maximize available reviews.

3. Slice the Pie (Best for Beginners)

The most accessible review platform. No followers needed, no playlists required, no special qualifications. Just sign up and start reviewing 90-second clips for $0.05-0.15 each. The pay is significantly lower than curation apps, but the zero barrier to entry makes it the best starting point for anyone new to music earning. Quality reviews unlock better rates over time. See our full Slice the Pie review for detailed earnings data.

4. SubmitHub

A middle ground between Slice the Pie and Playlist Push. Curators need playlists but the follower requirements are more flexible than Playlist Push. Pay ranges from $1-2 per review. The platform also serves blogs and YouTube channels, not just Spotify curators. If you're building toward Playlist Push but aren't there yet, SubmitHub lets you start earning earlier in the process.

5. HitPredictor

The outlier on this list because it doesn't pay cash. You rate 30-second clips of upcoming songs and earn points toward monthly prize drawings. It's fun if you enjoy predicting which songs will become hits, but there's no guaranteed payout. Think of it as entertainment with a lottery ticket attached, not a serious earning method. US only.

Passive Listening Apps Ranked

Passive apps pay you for streaming music through their platform with zero active effort. The trade-off is always the same: easy money, but very little of it. These work best as background earners while you work, study, or sleep. Similar logic to other passive income apps across categories.

1. Current Rewards (Best Passive Option)

The most established passive music app. Stream radio stations through their app and earn points redeemable for gift cards. Expect $5-20/month with 2-3 hours of daily streaming. The music selection is decent for background listening but noticeably weaker than Spotify. No PayPal option, gift cards only. US and select countries. See our full Current Rewards review for 30-day earnings data.

2. Mode Earn

A multi-task app where music streaming is one of several earning methods. You also get points for surveys, games, and other activities. Music alone earns $3-8/month, but combined with other tasks you can reach $5-15. Available globally with PayPal and gift card payouts. The jack-of-all-trades approach means it doesn't excel at music specifically, but the variety prevents boredom.

3. Earnably

Similar to Mode Earn in offering multiple earning methods with music as one component. The music feature specifically pays less ($2-5/month), but the platform is reliable and has been around since 2015. PayPal payouts available at a low minimum threshold. Best used as a supplement alongside a dedicated music app rather than a standalone option.

4. RadioEarn

The most basic option. Play radio stations in the background on any device and earn tiny amounts. Realistic earnings are $1-5/month. The only scenario where RadioEarn makes sense is running it on an old phone or tablet you don't use for anything else. On your primary device, your time is better spent on Current Rewards or Mode Earn. PayPal payout at $5 minimum.

5. Rewardy

A newer platform where music listening is a minor feature alongside Twitch stream watching, games, and surveys. The music component alone earns $1-3/month. It's not primarily a music app, and the music feature feels like an afterthought. Only worth considering if you already use Rewardy for other tasks and want to add music earnings on top.

Which Type Is Right for You?

Choose review/curation apps if: you have 15-30 minutes of focused time per day, you enjoy discovering new music, you don't mind writing short feedback, and you want the highest possible earnings per hour. The best combination is Playlist Push (if you have a qualifying playlist) plus Slice the Pie (for when Playlist Push runs out of submissions).

Choose passive apps if: you want zero effort, you listen to background music during work or study, and you're okay with $5-20/month in gift cards. Current Rewards is the clear winner here. Run it during work hours and switch to Spotify for personal listening.

The optimal strategy is both. Use Slice the Pie for active review sessions during breaks (15-20 minutes, $1-3 earned). Run Current Rewards passively during work hours ($0.30-0.60/day with no effort). This combination covers active and passive earning and takes almost no extra time out of your day. Add it to a broader stack of apps that pay real money and the small amounts start adding up.

Apps to Avoid

Any app promising $100+/day for listening to music. The math doesn't work. Even the highest-paying curation app (Playlist Push) maxes out at roughly $50-100/month for most curators. Apps promising hundreds per day are scams designed to harvest your data or charge hidden fees.

Apps that claim Spotify pays listeners. It doesn't. Spotify pays artists per stream, not users. Any app or website built around this claim is fraudulent.

Apps requiring upfront payment. Every legitimate music earning app on this list is free to use. If an app asks for money before you can start earning, delete it immediately.

Apps with payout thresholds above $25. High thresholds combined with low earning rates are designed to keep you grinding without ever cashing out. All the recommended apps on this list have thresholds of $5-10.

Apps you've never heard of with no reviews. Before downloading anything, check Trustpilot, Reddit, and app store reviews. If there's no verifiable payment proof from real users, don't waste your time. The same principle applies across all money-making apps.