How to Make Money with UGC (User-Generated Content) in 2025
Making money with UGC (User-Generated Content) is no longer something “rare” or niche—it’s now one of the most direct ways to monetize your talent in short-form video, photography, and branded scripts. The big advantage? You don’t need millions of followers. What brands are looking for is creativity, authenticity, and ad-ready content for platforms like TikTok Shop, Meta Ads, and Amazon Ads. That’s why UGC has become a central piece of digital marketing.
In this post, I’ll explain what UGC really is, share my real income results, and give you a side-by-side comparison of the most popular UGC apps in 2025 (including TRIBE, Vidsy, BrandMeetCreators, Trend, Billo, Collabstr, Insense, and Aspire). You’ll also see which platforms are the most popular and who they’re best suited for.
What is UGC and Why Does It Pay So Well?
UGC is content created by everyday users and creators for brands think unboxings, reviews, tutorials, problem/solution videos, testimonials, and ad hooks.
The key difference from being a traditional influencer is this: you’re paid for the production, not for posting to your own audience. Brands then use that content in ads, online shops, and on their own profiles.
UGC works so well because:
People trust short, authentic videos.
Algorithms on platforms like TikTok are designed to boost discovery and conversion.
Our Real Experience Making Money with UGC
TRIBE → I Nori have earned $2,441, while Norlis earned $2,648.
VIDSY → Our second-highest paying app.
BrandMeetCreators → This is where we landed one of our biggest retainers (a stable, recurring monthly income).
These numbers matter because they prove there’s real money flowing in UGC—and you don’t need a massive audience. What you do need is:
- A strong brief
- A script that sells
- Solid recording & editing skills
The 9 Best UGC Apps in 2025 (How They Work, Popularity & Who They’re For)
1. TRIBE
TRIBE is a marketplace where creators pitch their content ideas to brand campaigns. It’s officially positioned as a TikTok Marketing Partner, offering a steady flow of campaigns and fast payouts for approved creators.
Strengths:
Big-name brands
Clear creative briefs
Flexible pricing control
Quick payment process
Who it’s best for: Creators with some experience in ideation and short-form storytelling. If you’re confident with hooks and know how to build scroll-stopping ads, TRIBE is where you can charge more per piece.
2) Vidsy
Vidsy is a creative platform that produces high-performing ads for global brands like P&G, Unilever, L’Oréal, and Samsung. It connects with creators through two main tracks: Remix (focused on motion/edits) and CGC (Creator-Generated Content), which is essentially their UGC arm.
Strengths: guaranteed payments per brief, strong community support, and an impressive portfolio of top-tier brands. If you enjoy working like a mini-production house and want a portfolio with world-class clients, Vidsy is a solid choice.
💡 Worth noting: Vidsy is currently one of the highest-paying UGC platforms in 2025.
3) BrandMeetCreators
BrandMeetCreators is a free platform that connects brands and creators with a focus on long-term partnerships (retainers), rate control, and content rights. It has strong visibility in UGC communities and is often recommended in Twitter/X threads as a go-to option for real creator-brand collaborations.
Strengths: direct negotiation and stable contracts—something we’ve personally confirmed with our own experience.
4) Trend
Trend is a curated UGC app that selects creators, offers clear licensing for ad usage, and handles centralized payments to reduce friction. The platform emphasizes quality over quantity, which makes it stand out.
Currently, it’s ranked in the Top 3 “UGC platforms to watch in 2025” and is highlighted in industry comparisons as a popular self-service solution for digital brands.
One of its biggest advantages: it’s ideal for beginners. Trend allows you to build a strong portfolio from scratch, provides clear briefs, and is less saturated than other marketplaces. Rates are fixed, and the more campaigns you complete, the higher your rate grows.
In short: an excellent choice for new creators looking for their first paid projects—without the hassle of negotiating invoices.
5) Cohley
Cohley is a well-established platform in the UGC world. It not only connects creators with brands but also gives you the chance to earn money by recruiting brands to join the app.
Best for: creators who want to go beyond content creation and diversify their income streams.
6) Billo
Billo is a mobile app built for quick UGC micro-videos such as unboxings, demos, and reviews. You don’t need followers, and it offers free training plus fast tasks.
Why it’s popular:
Rated 4.6/5 on the App Store (1.2k+ reviews)
Regular updates
Marketed as the #1 UGC platform in the U.S. on Google Play
Strengths: high task volume, low learning curve, and a great way to build your demo reel.
Who it’s for: creators who want to practice a lot and earn steady income with short, frequent deliverables.
7) Collabstr
Collabstr is a large marketplace where brands can search and hire UGC creators with escrow-protected payments. It publishes annual industry reports, which makes it transparent about scale and trends.
Why it’s popular: huge traffic, trusted by both brands and creators, and often referred to as the largest influencer marketplace in the world.
Strengths: profile showcases, varied campaign flow, and good opportunities for direct clients.
Who it’s for: creators who enjoy selling services directly and managing their own pipeline.
8) Insense a one-stop shop for UGC, organic posts, and whitelisted ads (Spark Ads). It features over 68,500 verified creators on its marketplace—a clear sign of scale.
Why it’s popular: strong traction in performance marketing, where brands purchase UGC specifically for ad campaigns. They also publish helpful content around payments and rates.
Strengths: great match with paid media teams and can result in high project volume.
Who it’s for: creators who want to focus on ad-style UGC (problem/solution scripts, POV content, hooks for Spark Ads, etc.).
9) Aspire (formerly AspireIQ)
Aspire (previously AspireIQ and Revfluence) is a full-suite influencer, UGC, and affiliate platform widely used in e-commerce. It supports both inbound/outbound campaigns and has a creator marketplace.
Why it’s popular: top brand partnerships, ROI-focused tools (including affiliate & sales tracking), and years of credibility in the industry.
Strengths: well-paid projects once you’re part of a brand’s creator roster.
Who it’s for: intermediate to advanced creators looking for high-ticket deals and long-term brand relationships.
Extra Tips to Find UGC Gigs in 2025
1. Join Facebook groups for UGC and influencer gigs → recruiters and brand managers often post briefs directly.
2. Check Reddit & Twitter/X → subreddits like r/UGCcreators share active platforms, rates, and contacts. Simply reply “Interested” and drop your portfolio.
3. Have a portfolio ready → Canva + Drive or Notion works. Include:
3 ad hooks
3 problem/solution videos
1 unboxing
1 testimonial
1 voice-over
4. Email PR teams → If you don’t get a reply, don’t get discouraged. Many brands simply get a high volume of pitches.
