To earn money from the Brave browser, you can use its built-in Brave Rewards program, which pays you in Basic Attention Tokens (BAT), a cryptocurrency, for engaging with privacy-respecting ads or by leveraging your content as a creator. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on how Brave Rewards works as of March 22, 2025:
1. Earn BAT by Viewing Ads
- Download and Install Brave: Get the Brave browser from brave.com and install it on your desktop, Android, or iOS device (note: iOS has limited Rewards functionality due to Apple restrictions).
- Enable Brave Rewards: Open Brave, click the BAT triangle icon in the address bar, and toggle on Brave Rewards. This activates the ad system.
- Opt into Brave Ads: In the Rewards settings (brave://rewards), turn on Ads. You’ll see privacy-preserving ads like push notifications, sponsored images on the new tab page, or news feed cards. You don’t need to click them—just seeing them earns you BAT.
- Maximize Earnings: Set the ad frequency to the maximum (up to 10 ads per hour) in Rewards settings. Use Brave as your default browser across devices (e.g., phone, laptop) and sync them to increase ad exposure.
- Earnings Potential: Users typically earn small amounts—reports suggest 1-10 BAT monthly (around $0.20-$2 at current rates, though BAT’s value fluctuates). Earnings depend on your region, ad campaigns available, and usage time.
2. Earn as a Content Creator
- Sign Up as a Creator: If you’re a content creator (e.g., YouTuber, blogger, Twitch streamer), register at creators.brave.com. Add your website, YouTube channel, or social media accounts (Twitter, Reddit, etc.).
- Get Verified: Link your channel and verify ownership. Once approved, a BAT icon appears on your content, signaling to users you accept tips.
- Receive Tips: Brave users can send you BAT directly as one-time tips or set recurring monthly contributions. If you have a following, this can be more lucrative than ad earnings.
- Promote Your Channel: Encourage your audience to use Brave and tip you in BAT to boost earnings.
3. Withdraw Your Earnings
- Connect a Wallet: To cash out BAT, link a custodial wallet like Uphold, Gemini, or BitFlyer via Rewards settings. Self-custody options (e.g., Brave Wallet) may also be available with Rewards 3.0 (launched March 19, 2025), but custodial wallets are needed for fiat conversion.
- Transfer BAT: Go to “Withdraw Funds” in Rewards settings, and move your BAT to your linked account monthly (payouts typically process around the 5th-8th of each month).
- Convert to Cash: On Uphold or Gemini, exchange BAT for fiat (e.g., USD, EUR) and transfer it to your bank, or trade it for other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
4. Explore Rewards 3.0 Features (New in 2025)
- Offer Wall: Introduced with Rewards 3.0 on March 19, 2025, this feature lets you earn extra BAT by completing tasks (e.g., surveys, offers) or accessing discounts and premium services. Check the Rewards section for available offers.
- Self-Custody Payouts: You might now send BAT directly to a personal crypto wallet, reducing reliance on custodial services, though details are still emerging.
Tips to Maximize Earnings
- Use Brave daily and on multiple devices to see more ads.
- Turn off “Auto-Contribute” in Rewards settings to keep all BAT for yourself instead of donating it automatically to sites you visit.
- Scroll Brave News occasionally—some users report extra BAT from promoted ads there.
- If you’re a creator, share your Brave referral link (if the program’s active in your region) to earn BAT per new user who installs and uses Brave for 30 days (historically $1-$7.50 per referral, though this varies and may be discontinued).
Realistic Expectations
- Ad Earnings: Casual users might earn $1-$5 monthly, while heavy users in ad-rich regions (e.g., US, UK) could hit $5-$10. It’s passive income, not a fortune.
- Creator Earnings: Depend on your audience size—popular creators can earn hundreds in BAT tips annually.
- BAT Value: BAT’s price fluctuates (e.g., ~$0.20-$0.50 historically), so your earnings’ worth in fiat varies.