The best sites to make money uploading videos in 2026
Updated: November 3, 2026
There’s no single “best site”: it depends on whether you already have an audience, where it is and what kind of video you make. This guide goes over the main options in 2026, what they require to start earning and who each one suits. Social network requirements change often, so always check their current terms.
1. YouTube (Partner Program)
The best-known option. You earn a share of ads once you join the Partner Program, which requires a minimum number of subscribers and watch hours or Shorts views. It’s ideal if you want to grow inside YouTube, but at first you may go months without income, and the player recommends other channels.
2. Facebook and Instagram
Meta runs content monetization programs for creators in some countries, with follower and activity requirements. They work well if your audience is already there, although eligibility and payouts vary a lot by country.
3. TikTok
Its creator program pays for videos above a minimum length, only in some countries and with follower and view requirements. Its reach is huge, but earnings per view tend to be modest.
4. Pay-per-view platforms (like Dembed)
You host the video for free, share it with a link or embed it on your site, and earn a share of the player’s ads from the first monetized view, with no subscriber minimum. They’re ideal for people who already have traffic on a site, blog, Telegram, Facebook or a forum.
On Dembed the share is based on each country’s real RPM, with the breakdown in your dashboard, and you withdraw from 25 USD via PayPal, USDT, Payoneer or bank transfer. Read the fine print of any service like this: how payouts are calculated, which views count and what content is allowed.
5. Subscriptions and paid communities
Platforms like Patreon or some networks’ memberships let you charge your most loyal followers a monthly fee for exclusive content. They give steady income, but you need an engaged community.
6. Selling your videos directly
Courses, tutorials or events can be sold on course platforms or your own site, with the videos hosted on a service that keeps them out of public view. It earns the most per customer, but it takes marketing.
Which one to choose
- Starting from zero and want income from your first video: a pay-per-view platform, combined with your social networks.
- Want to build a long-term channel: YouTube, and host elsewhere what doesn’t fit there.
- Already have a site or blog with traffic: embed your videos with a player that pays you.
- Have a loyal community: subscriptions or direct sales.
- Combining two or three usually works best: don’t depend on a single platform.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your audience’s country and the type of content. RPM matters most: the same video earns much more with viewers from the United States or Europe than from other markets.