There are a lot of ways to earn extra cash online. One unique way to do so is to read books. Yes, you can indeed get paid to read.
Now, the big question is, are they worth it?
In this guide, I will list down the best sites you can join to earn while reading. I will include a brief description of each site so you will know exactly what to expect from them.
Then, you can properly figure out which site/s are a good fit for you. So, let’s get started, shall we?
Can You Really Get Paid to Read?
As mentioned above, it’s a legit way to earn extra cash because some websites will pay you to read emails, books, or even articles.
You can even consider proofreading as part of this opportunity because, technically, you’ll still get paid to read articles. You’ll just have to make some corrections.
However, you must keep in mind that you’ll have to do something else to get paid. In some instances, you’ll be asked to write a review of what you read (books, articles, etc.). And as mentioned above, for proofreading opportunities, you’ll be asked to spot grammar or formatting errors.
It’s a unique way to earn extra cash, but it often requires other skills (apart from reading) to earn from this kind of opportunity.
How Much Can You Realistically Earn?
The amount you can earn from these opportunities will typically depend on what you need to do aside from reading. For example, if you are asked to write a book review, you’ll usually earn around $10 to $50 per review, which is a decent amount, in my opinion.
For proofreading opportunities, you’ll usually get paid per word or page of the document you are proofreading. Some sites also pay you by the hour or set a flat fee per document.
Reading emails, on the other hand, will usually pay you a very small amount per email (less than a cent per email, based on my experience). So, this is not the most profitable opportunity, in my opinion.
But overall, unless you are working as a full-time proofreader, you won’t be able to earn a full-time income from this kind of earning opportunity. So, make sure to adjust your expectations properly before you commit to this kind of earning opportunity.
6 Legit Sites that Pay You to Read
Now that you know what to expect from this kind of earning opportunity, it is time we discuss the sites that will pay you to read.
Just a thing to note before we proceed is that I will not be including Get-Paid-To (GPT) sites that offer earning opportunities that will pay you to read emails, like Swagbucks.
While it technically pays you to read emails, the focus of these sites is really to let you earn rewards by completing offers, answering surveys, and more. Instead, I will be listing down sites that will mainly ask you to read to earn. I have personally tested them, so I know they are legit and really pay.
I will keep updating this list if I find more new sites in the future, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new options. Take note that this is not a prioritized list, so you can just join whichever site/s will suit you best.
#1 – Online Book Club
Online Book Club is an online community for book lovers. It offers an opportunity to earn by reviewing various books. The first book you have to review will be unpaid, but once you’ve finished your first review, you can find opportunities to earn.
Every time your review is accepted, if the opportunity offers compensation, you will get paid via PayPal, and it will be credited to your PayPal account within three weeks. Most of the time, you’ll earn a specific amount for reviewing a book. Sometimes, all you’ll get is a free book.
But the good news is that it is available more or less worldwide, so you’ll be able to sign up as a reviewer regardless of where you live.
#2 – BookBrowse
BookBrowse is a website that specializes in providing a curated resource of the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction books. For you to earn from it, you must write book reviews.
Once you become a book reviewer, you’ll be asked to review a book once a month. Normally, they will email you an invite for the review, and if you decide to accept it, they will send you the book via mail (if you live in the US). If you live outside the US, the only book review requests that will be sent your way are those that have e-book versions.
It’s not quite clear how its payment system works, but for every review you submit, you’ll earn a certain amount, and BookBrowse will send the payment to you within several business days. BookBrowse normally only accepts reviewers who live in the US, but they make exceptions sometimes (but only if they think you are an excellent writer).
#3 – Proofreading Services
Proofreading Services is a website that specializes in providing proofreading services to its clients. You’ll need to apply as a proofreader, but once you get accepted, you’ll gain access to proofreading jobs.
You will usually have to proofread documents like dissertations, essays, manuscripts, theses, and more. Each job will pay you by the hour, and the rate will range from $19 to $46 per hour, depending on the urgency and turnaround time of the job.
Proofreading Services will either pay you via PayPal or via direct bank transfer for every job you complete. It is available worldwide. So, you should be able to apply as a proofreader regardless of where you live.
#4 – Scribbr
Scribbr is a professional editing company specializing in helping students and researchers achieve their academic goals. To earn from it, you must become one of their editors. Once you get accepted as one of its editors, you’ll gain access to proofreading/editing jobs.
The documents you have to edit/proofread will usually be dissertations, research papers, and theses. The payment will be on a per-word basis, but it’s not quite clear what type of payment method it uses. Based on my experience, it will usually be something convenient like PayPal or a bank transfer.
#5 – Wordvice
Wordvice is a website that specializes in providing professional proofreading and editing services to its clients. Once you become a freelancer for Wordvice, you will receive a steady inflow of work orders, and they all have a deadline.
You’ll be paid according to the rate you’ve set during the application process. There’s no information on their website regarding the payment system they use, but based on my experience, it will usually be a convenient payment method like PayPal, Payoneer, Airtm, or even direct bank transfer.
It is available globally, but to be eligible, you must have worked for at least two years as an editor or proofreader, and you must have an advanced degree. So, it’s not an ideal option for people who are just starting out in the proofreading business.
#6 – InboxDone
InboxDone is a website that specializes in providing virtual assistant services to its clients. For you to earn, you have to work as one of their virtual assistants, called an Inbox Manager.
As the name suggests, you will usually have to check the email inbox of clients, which means you’ll have to read emails to earn.
But your overall goal as an Inbox Manager eventually is to become the right-hand person for InboxDone’s clients. So, you’ll have to organize the client's inbox, respond to emails, handle the client's schedule, and do any other tasks that the client wants you to do.
You will be paid by the hour while working as an Inbox Manager. Now, since we are talking about remote work, I would expect that the site is available more or less worldwide, so you should be able to apply as a virtual assistant anywhere in the world.
Final Thoughts
That sums up the best sites that pay you to read. Keep in mind that these sites require a certain level of commitment if you decide to join, so you must be prepared to allot some time to earn.
If you want to maximize your earnings from this kind of opportunity, I recommend you join multiple sites, so you will gain access to more earning opportunities.
I will keep updating this list if I find more sites that are worth your time, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new options. Now, if you prefer to earn a full-time income, I recommend you check out my top recommended way to build your own online business.
It will teach you how to build your online business from the ground up so you can earn a full-time income at home completely on your own terms.
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with sites that pay you to read, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.