14 Ways To Get Paid To Read Emails

You know what’s funny? You probably check your email about 50 times a day already. What if I told you some of those clicks could actually put money in your pocket?

I’ll be honest when I first heard about getting paid to read emails, I thought it sounded like another internet scam. But after digging deeper and helping several clients test these platforms, I discovered there are actually legitimate companies willing to pay for your email attention.

Now, before you get too excited and start planning your retirement :), let me set expectations straight. We’re talking about pocket change here, not “quit your day job” money.

But hey, if you’re already glued to your inbox anyway, why not make it profitable?

I’ve personally tested most of these platforms and watched my clients navigate this space. Some are definitely worth your time, others… not so much. Let me give you the real scoop.

Is Getting Paid To Read Emails Legit?

Short answer? Yes, but with a big asterisk.

Here’s the deal, companies spend billions on email marketing, and they genuinely need feedback about what works and what doesn’t. Your clicks, opens, and opinions have real value to them.

The catch? They’re not going to pay you a fortune for it. Most platforms pay anywhere from a few cents to a couple dollars per email. It’s legitimate income, just don’t expect to buy a house with it.

I’ve had clients make anywhere from $20 to $200 monthly from email reading platforms. The higher earners usually combine email reading with other micro-tasks on the same platforms.

My Favorite Paid To Read Email Sites

After testing these platforms myself and watching my clients use them, two have consistently stood out: Swagbucks and MyPoints.

Why do I recommend these? Simple – they’ve been around forever, they actually pay, and they give you multiple ways to earn beyond just emails.

Swagbucks

I’ve been recommending Swagbucks to clients for years because it just works. You earn points (called SB) for reading promotional emails, and you can cash out starting at just $3.

They send you 3-7 emails daily, each worth 1-4 points. You don’t have to buy anything just open the email and click the link.

You can watch short videos via these platforms, complete online surveys, and perform other tiny tasks to increase your earnings.

My clients typically make $2-5 monthly just from emails, but you can boost that significantly by doing their surveys and watching videos too.

MyPoints works similarly but integrates better with shopping rewards. If you’re someone who shops online regularly, this might be your better bet.

When you shop through their portal after clicking email deals, you earn cashback on top of your email points. It’s like double-dipping.

Top Websites To Get Paid To Read Emails

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. I’ll give you the honest breakdown on each platform the good, the bad, and the “meh.”

1. Vindale Research

Vindale Research pays you to read promotional emails and respond to them. They also throw in some surveys for extra earning potential.

You’ll make about $1-3 monthly from emails alone. Not exciting, but they do pay a $1 sign-up bonus. It also gives an additional option to earn money. You can increase your earnings by referring new users to join the site.

It’s legitimate but don’t expect to get rich. Good for testing the waters if you’re new to this whole email-for-money thing.

2. Uniqpaid

This platform pays based on how many emails you read and how well you respond to them. They actually rate your responses, which can affect your future earning potential.

Uniqpaid requires more engagement than just clicking. You’ll need to provide actual feedback and opinions.

You can earn $10-30 monthly if you’re consistent and provide quality responses. Joining a platform like Uniqpaid would require you to be well organized with your activities. 

This one requires more effort than simple click-and-earn platforms. Sometimes, you may not only have to just “read”. Only worth it if you don’t mind writing thoughtful responses.

3. FusionCash

FusionCash is straightforward – read emails, get paid. Sometimes they’ll ask you to analyze the content and write brief summaries.

Clients typically earn $5-15 monthly here. Not amazing, but the payments are reliable.

You’ll be required to analyze the information in the emails and present your conclusions in written content.

FusionCash will pay you based on the number of emails you’ve read. Starting from $25 as minimum payout, which can take a while to reach with just email reading.

4. Cashcrate

Super simple platform where you watch videos and read promotional emails for points. They’ve been around since 2006, so they’re definitely not going anywhere.

Tasks are given; after completing these tasks, you will receive a monetary incentive, which you can decide to deposit into your account immediately.

The real money is in combining this with their other earning activities. Maybe $3-8 monthly from emails. So, the platform is count as one of the top sites that pays when you read an email.

5. QuickRecords

This one’s a bit different they position themselves as more of a business opportunity than just email reading. You can choose between paid subscriptions or commission-based programs.

As an email-reading software, this is probably the easiest way to get paid to read emails, the platform allows you to read and analyze emails fast and precisely while offering you total control over your time.

It’s legitimate but confusing. The interface isn’t great, and the earning potential isn’t clearly explained. I’d start with simpler platforms first.

6. InboxPays

InboxPays offers both free and paid email reading services. You choose which emails to read based on time requirements and payment amounts.

InboxPays is a great site for people who want to make money by reading emails. It gives many options with both paid and free email reading tasks.

When you create an account, the site will send you a group of emails to check.

You can choose which ones to open and read based on how long they take and how useful the details are, and the payment will differ for each one.

You have more control over which emails you engage with, which is nice if you’re picky about content.

Typical earnings: $5-20 monthly depending on how selective you are with email choices.

7. MyPoints (Detailed Look)

Since I mentioned this as one of my favorites, let me give you more details. MyPoints has been paying users since 1996, they’re basically the granddaddy of reward sites.

When you read emails on the platform, points are received. When you have accumulated enough points, you can redeem them as cash.

Email earning: 5-15 points per email (100 points = $1). If you already shop online, this platform makes perfect sense because you’ll earn from emails and get cashback on purchases.

My client Janet makes about $40 monthly here, but $15 comes from emails and $25 from shopping cashback.

8. Swagbucks (The Deep Dive)

Let me explain why Swagbucks is at the top of my list. With more than 20 million users and over $400 million already paid out, it’s clear they are reliable and here to stay.

How the emails work: You’ll get promotional emails that include deals, offers, or short surveys. All you need to do is click the links, look around for about 30 seconds, and you’ll collect points.

Helpful tip from experience: Don’t overlook the special email offers. Around big sales seasons or holidays, they sometimes send messages that are worth 50–100 points, instead of the normal 2–4 points.

What you can earn each month: From emails only, you can expect around $3–8. But most active users manage to earn $50–150 monthly when they add other activities along with reading emails.

9. InboxDollars

InboxDollars is one of my favorites because it pays in real cash instead of points. I know some people like this better since it makes it easier to see exactly what they’re earning.

How the emails work: You’ll usually earn between $0.02 and $0.05 for each email, and the money is added directly as cash. Because some organizations need your opinion about their brands in order to serve their target audience better.

Something to note: The first payout requires at least $30 before you can withdraw. After that, the minimum drops to $15. If you only rely on emails, it might take some time to reach the cash-out point.

Anyone who would rather see actual dollars instead of converting points into money, is the best to select

10. Rupee Inbox

Rupee Inbox is a good choice if you’re just starting out because they actually teach you how to review emails the right way.

What makes them different is that they don’t just give you emails to read, they also guide you on what makes a review valuable so you can earn more over time.

From my experience, the earning potential is similar to other sites, around $5–20 a month if you stay consistent.

But I think it’s especially better for beginners who need extra guidance and step-by-step instructions.

One thing I like about Rupee Inbox is that they give new users clear directions on how to score and review emails to get cash rewards. Just remember only spend your time on the emails that are worth it, because not every single one will give you good returns.

Also, be ready to dedicate some hours if you want to make money here, since it often means reading email after email with little room for multitasking.

Jobs That Pay You To Read & Answer Emails

Now we’re talking about real money! These aren’t just reward sites they’re actual job opportunities that can pay substantial income.

11. Virtual Assistant

One of the most popular ways to turn email reading into steady income is by working as a virtual assistant. Busy professionals and business owners often don’t have the time to manage their inbox, so they hire someone to keep everything organized.

As a virtual assistant, reading and responding to emails will be one of your main responsibilities, but many times clients also ask you to help with other small tasks.

These could include scheduling appointments, organizing documents, or making sure their day-to-day activities run smoothly.

What you’ll actually do:

• Sort and organize incoming emails so the important ones stand out
• Write simple replies for common questions or routine inquiries
• Set up appointments mentioned in emails and update calendars
• Mark urgent messages that require immediate attention

The job is usually remote, so you can work from your home office. You can even manage inboxes for more than one client if you want to increase your income.

Earning potential: From my experience, virtual assistants can earn anywhere between $15–40+ per hour.

Once you build trust with long-term clients and focus on specific industries, you could grow into a business. I’ve helped clients build VA businesses that brings in $2,000–6,000+ monthly.

Getting started: Create profiles on Belay, Time Etc, or Upwork.

12. Customer Service

Customer service is another common way to make money from handling emails. Many companies hire remote workers whose main job is to respond to customer inquiries by email.

Unlike call centers, email-based support allows you to work at your own pace and carefully think through your answers before sending them.

What you’ll handle as email support staff:

• Answer product questions or help troubleshoot common issues
• Give customers updates about their order or shipping status
• Solve customer complaints in a professional manner
• Help with account management or basic technical issues

Why I recommend it: If you enjoy helping people but don’t want to deal with constant phone calls, email-based support is a good option. Some positions are even part-time, which makes it easier to fit around other commitments.

Most companies pay between $12–20 per hour for these roles, depending on your experience and the type of support needed.

Where to find jobs: Check popular job sites like Indeed, FlexJobs, and Remote.co, and look specifically for openings that mention “email support.”

13. Freelance Email Copywriter

If you want something more creative and higher paying, becoming a freelance email copywriter is worth considering.

Businesses need people who can write emails that don’t just sit in inboxes but actually get opened, read, and acted upon.

Almost every company sends emails to their customers whether it’s product announcements, promotions, or newsletters.

As a copywriter, your job is to make sure those emails capture attention and drive results.

Services you can offer as a copywriter:

• Writing welcome email sequences to onboard new customers
• Creating promotional campaigns to boost sales during product launches
• Writing engaging newsletter content to keep subscribers interested
• Setting up automated email series that run on their own

Why I recommend it: Since you are freelancing, you are not limited to one company. You can work with multiple brands at the same time, which helps you build your portfolio and grow your income.

Earning potential: Copywriters usually earn $50–200+ per email, and if you manage full campaigns for a business, you could easily make between $2,000–10,000+ a month.

Skills needed: A strong understanding of what makes people open and click emails, plus some knowledge of platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit. If you enjoy writing and marketing, this path can be very rewarding.

14. Email Marketing Specialist

The email marketing specialist role is like the advanced version of copywriting. Instead of just writing emails, you manage the entire strategy for a business.

This makes you responsible for planning, testing, and analyzing results to make sure emails are actually working to grow the company.

What you’ll manage as a specialist:

• Designing and planning full email campaigns for businesses
• Segmenting the subscriber list so each group receives targeted content
• Running A/B tests on subject lines, designs, and content to see what works best
• Analyzing performance data and making improvements for better results

Why this is valuable: Many businesses rely on email marketing as one of their main ways to reach customers, so they are willing to invest in professionals who can manage it well.

Income potential: Specialists often earn between $3,000–15,000+ per month, depending on the number of clients they handle and the scope of work.

Pay range: $12-20 per hour for most email support roles

Success Tips On Getting Paid To Read Emails

After helping dozens of clients navigate this space, here are the strategies that actually work:

Beware Of Scams

Not gonna lie – there are some sketchy operators in this space. I’ve seen clients waste weeks on platforms that never paid out.

Red flags to watch for:

• Asking for upfront payments
• Promising unrealistic earnings
• No clear contact information
• Overwhelmingly negative user reviews

My rule: Stick with platforms that have been around for at least 3-5 years and have millions of users.

Check Minimum Payouts

This is huge. Some platforms have ridiculously high minimum payouts that take forever to reach.

What to look for:

• PayPal payouts starting at $5-10
• Gift card options starting at $1-5
• Clear payment processing timelines

Real talk: If a platform requires you to earn $50+ before you can cash out, you might be waiting months to see your first payment.

Unsubscribe Liberally

Your personal inbox is going to get messy if you’re not strategic about this. I always tell clients to set up a dedicated email address just for earning activities.

Organization strategy:

• Create an email specifically for money-making platforms
• Use filters to automatically sort promotional emails
• Unsubscribe from anything that doesn’t pay or interest you

Time management: Batch your email reading into 15-30 minute focused sessions rather than checking sporadically all day.

Set Up A Dedicated Email

This is non-negotiable if you want to stay organized. Mixing earning emails with personal emails is a recipe for chaos.

What I recommend:

• Create a Gmail or Yahoo account specifically for email earning
• Use a clear naming convention like yourname.earning@gmail.com
• Set up your phone to check this account only once or twice daily

How Much Money Can You Make By Watching Movies?

Wait, wrong article! Sorry, got my wires crossed there for a second. Let me get back to emails.

Realistic monthly earnings from email platforms:

• Casual participation (10-15 minutes daily): $5-25
• Dedicated effort (30-45 minutes daily): $15-60
• Multi-platform approach: $30-150

Remember, these are realistic numbers based on what I’ve seen my clients actually earn. Anyone promising you hundreds of dollars monthly from reading emails is probably not being honest.

Top Websites To Get Paid To Read Emails

Let me give you the full rundown on the platforms I actually recommend to clients:

The Reliable Earners

Swagbucks: $2-8 monthly from emails, but solid overall earning potential
InboxDollars: $3-12 monthly, direct cash payments
MyPoints: $5-15 monthly, great shopping integration

The “Maybe” Platforms

Vindale Research: Legitimate but low earning potential
FusionCash: Works but high minimum payout
PrizeRebel: Good for international users

The “Skip These” Options

I won’t name names, but avoid platforms that:

• Promise unrealistic earnings
• Have consistently negative reviews
• Require upfront payments
• Have been around less than 2 years

Recap: Ways To Get Paid To Read Emails

Look, getting paid to read emails isn’t going to replace your day job. But it can be a nice little side income if you manage your expectations and choose the right platforms.

The bottom line:

• It’s legitimate but pays modestly
• Stick with established platforms
• Don’t expect to get rich
• Combine with other earning activities for better results

If you’re already spending time in your inbox, anyway, give one or two of these platforms a try. Start with Swagbucks or InboxDollars since they’re the most reliable.

Just remember your time has value. Make sure whatever platform you choose actually respects that value with fair compensation and reliable payments.

Ready to turn your email habit into a small income stream? Pick one platform, sign up today, and see how it goes. Your inbox might just become a little more profitable!

Final Thoughts

Getting paid to read emails is one of those opportunities that sounds too good to be true but actually works just not in the way most people hope.

The key is treating it as supplemental income rather than a business opportunity. It’s perfect for people who want to earn a little extra without committing to anything major.

Start small, test one or two platforms, and see if it fits your lifestyle. If nothing else, you’ll get better at managing your inbox while making a few extra bucks. That’s not a bad deal, right?