What Are Crypto Faucets? Earn Free Crypto Safely

Crypto faucets beginner guide showing free cryptocurrency and blockchain basics

Crypto faucets are one of the easiest ways to try cryptocurrency without buying any coins first. They let you earn very small amounts of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin or other crypto by completing simple actions such as claiming a timed reward, solving a captcha, viewing ads, playing games, completing surveys or using an offerwall.

The rewards are small, but that is the point. A faucet is not a shortcut to serious income. It lets adult beginners explore wallets, withdrawals, transactions and payout thresholds without purchasing cryptocurrency first and with a low financial commitment.

This beginner guide explains how crypto faucets work, what you can realistically earn, how to spot legit faucet sites, and how to use them safely. When you are ready to try some, you can also view our updated list of active Bitcoin and crypto faucets.

Beginner summary

Key things to know

Crypto faucets pay tiny rewards for simple tasks, claims, ads, games, surveys or referrals.
They are best for beginners who want to learn how crypto wallets and withdrawals work without buying coins first.
No purchase is required, but faucets are not risk-free. Users can still face privacy concerns, scams, malicious advertising, unpaid balances and poor returns for their time.
They provide limited practical education, but do not replace wider financial literacy covering budgeting, saving, debt, consumer protection and long-term planning.
Earnings are modest, so treat faucets as a hobby, learning tool or way to accumulate a very small balance. Time cost, withdrawal thresholds and crypto price volatility can all reduce the practical value.
Safety matters. Avoid any faucet that asks for deposits, private keys, suspicious downloads or unrealistic personal information.
The best faucets are transparent about earning methods, minimum withdrawals, supported coins, fees and payout rules.

What are crypto faucets?

A crypto faucet is a website or app that gives users small amounts of cryptocurrency in return for simple activity. The name comes from the idea of a dripping tap: each claim is tiny, but repeated claims can build up over time.

Most faucets fund rewards through advertising, offerwalls, surveys, games, referrals or sponsored tasks. A user completes an action, the faucet earns revenue from the advertiser or partner, and a small share of that value is paid back to the user as crypto or points that can later be converted into crypto.

Faucets are most useful as a practical introduction to crypto. Instead of reading about wallets and transactions in theory, you can claim a small reward, build a balance, request a withdrawal and see how the process works for yourself.

How do crypto faucets work?

Each faucet has its own rules, but the basic process is usually similar:

Create an account, or enter a wallet address if the faucet does not require registration.
Complete a task, such as a captcha, hourly roll, survey, offer, game, ad view or shortlink.
Earn a small reward, either directly in crypto or as site points that can later be exchanged.
Build your balance until you reach the minimum withdrawal threshold.
Withdraw to a wallet, exchange or microwallet, depending on the faucet’s payment options.

Some faucets let you claim once every few minutes or hours. Others focus on higher-paying tasks such as surveys, offerwalls and app installs. Auto faucets work differently again, letting you earn in the background once you have built up credits or points.

A quick history of crypto faucets

Crypto faucets started as a way to introduce people to Bitcoin. The best-known early example was created by Bitcoin developer Gavin Andresen in 2010, when Bitcoin was still new and had very little mainstream awareness. The idea was simple: give people a small amount of Bitcoin so they could test the technology for themselves.

Early faucets were mainly about adoption and education. Today, faucet rewards are much smaller, but the purpose is similar. They still help beginners learn how wallets, transactions and withdrawals work, while modern faucet sites have added games, offerwalls, daily bonuses, referral systems and multi-coin payouts.

If you want to read more about the original faucet, see our guide to the first Bitcoin faucet.

Types of crypto faucets

Modern faucets are not all simple captcha sites. Most now fall into one of these groups:

Faucet type	How it works	Best for
Classic claim faucets	Claim a small reward after a timer, captcha or roll.	Simple, low-effort crypto claims.
Task and offerwall faucets	Earn by completing surveys, offers, app installs or ad tasks.	Higher earning potential than basic claims.
Auto faucets	Build credits or points, then let the faucet claim automatically.	Users who want fewer manual claims.
Game-based faucets	Earn through spins, mini-games, rewards, simulated mining games or casino-style features.	People who prefer a more interactive experience.
Multi-coin faucets	Let users earn or withdraw in several cryptocurrencies.	Claimers who want more than Bitcoin.
Microwallet and faucet hubs	Aggregate small payments from several faucets before withdrawal.	Reducing withdrawal friction and network fees.

Reward faucets and testnet faucets are different

The word “faucet” is also used for services that distribute testnet coins. These are development tools, not earning platforms. A reward faucet offers cryptocurrency, platform points or another reward that may eventually have monetary value. A testnet faucet distributes tokens for testing wallets, transactions, applications and smart contracts on a separate development network.

Feature	Reward faucet	Testnet faucet
Main purpose	Reward users for claims, tasks, surveys, games or other activity.	Give developers and testers tokens for experimenting with software and transactions.
Network	Usually a live mainnet or an internal platform balance that can be converted for withdrawal.	A test network such as Bitcoin testnet, not the live Bitcoin mainnet.
Financial value	Rewards may have a small real-world value if they can be withdrawn successfully.	Testnet coins are designed for testing and have no intended real-world value.
Wallet address	Requires an address or payment method supported by the live withdrawal network.	Requires an address made for that specific test network.
What users should expect	Withdrawal thresholds, fees, verification and platform rules may apply.	No legitimate promise of income, investment returns or conversion into mainnet coins.

Check the network before copying an address

A mainnet wallet address and a testnet address are not interchangeable. Confirm the exact network requested before submitting an address. Do not buy testnet coins, treat them as an investment or assume that a large testnet balance can be withdrawn as valuable cryptocurrency. The Bitcoin Developer Guide describes testnet as a safer development environment where the satoshis used have no real-world value.

Why beginners use crypto faucets

The biggest benefit of a crypto faucet is that it lets you practise with real crypto without buying any first. That makes faucets useful for people who are curious about Bitcoin or blockchain but do not yet feel ready to use an exchange or invest their own money.

Hands-on learning

Faucets give beginners a practical way to learn about public wallet addresses, balances, confirmations, transaction fees and minimum withdrawals. You can make mistakes with very small amounts rather than risking money you have bought yourself.

What faucets can teach adult beginners

For adults who are new to cryptocurrency, faucets can provide limited practical experience of digital money. A user may learn how to create an account, recognise a public wallet address, monitor a balance, reach a withdrawal threshold and check whether a payment has arrived.

These activities can support basic crypto and digital financial literacy, particularly when users are encouraged to understand the risks rather than simply chase rewards. However, using a faucet does not automatically make somebody financially literate. Broader financial literacy also includes budgeting, saving, debt management, consumer rights, risk assessment and long-term planning.

Practical lessons from small faucet rewards

Small rewards can help an adult beginner understand several useful concepts:

Balances are not always immediately spendable. Rewards may remain inside a platform until the withdrawal threshold is reached.
Time has a value. A reward is not genuinely free when earning it requires substantial time, attention or personal data.
Fees affect small transactions. A withdrawal fee can consume a meaningful proportion of a tiny balance.
Crypto prices fluctuate. The value of a reward may rise or fall before it is withdrawn or used.

Records matter. Tracking claims, withdrawals and payment dates helps users judge whether a platform is worth continuing with.
Custody matters. Funds held inside a faucet account are different from cryptocurrency received in a wallet the user controls.
Security matters. A public address can be shared when necessary, but a seed phrase or private key must never be disclosed.
Risk assessment matters. A platform can look generous while still being poor value once time, fees and payout restrictions are considered.

No upfront investment

A legitimate faucet should let you start for free. This is useful if you want to explore crypto slowly, test different wallets, or understand the process before deciding whether to buy any coins later.

You do not need to buy a whole Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s headline price can make beginners feel that they have arrived too late, but learning how Bitcoin works does not require owning a whole coin. Bitcoin is divisible into much smaller units, and a faucet can provide a tiny Bitcoin-denominated balance without requiring a purchase.

This does not mean Bitcoin is currently a suitable investment, and it should not be treated as investment advice. The practical benefit is simply that an adult beginner can become familiar with balances, wallets and withdrawals before deciding whether buying cryptocurrency is appropriate for them.

Important distinction

No purchase required does not mean risk-free

A legitimate faucet should not require an upfront crypto purchase or deposit. That gives it a lower financial barrier than buying Bitcoin directly, but users can still lose time, expose personal information, encounter phishing or malicious adverts, face fake withdrawal charges, or build a balance that is never paid.

The accurate description is that faucets let beginners start without purchasing cryptocurrency. They still involve time, privacy, security, platform and price-volatility risks.

Access for users with fewer options

In some places, buying crypto can be difficult because of limited payment options, high fees or lack of access to exchanges. Faucets do not solve those problems completely, but they can give users a small, low-risk way to learn how digital wallets and crypto payments work.

Can crypto faucets help you build a small balance?

Crypto faucets can help users accumulate a small cryptocurrency balance over time. Bitcoin faucet rewards are often shown in satoshis, while other platforms may credit points that can later be converted into Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin or another supported coin.

Each individual reward is usually tiny. A balance grows through repeated claims, surveys, games, offerwall tasks, bonuses or referrals, so it is more accurate to think of this as micro-accumulation than as building substantial savings.

A small faucet balance may still be useful for:

Practising with a cryptocurrency wallet.
Learning how withdrawals and confirmations work.
Testing a small transfer without first buying crypto.
Becoming familiar with balances, fees and payout methods.
Holding a small amount of cryptocurrency for educational purposes.

However, faucet balances should not be treated as an emergency fund, dependable reserve or realistic wealth-building strategy. The amount accumulated may be small, the time required can be significant, and the value of the cryptocurrency can rise or fall before you withdraw it.

Consider the time and privacy cost

Faucets may not require an upfront payment, but they are not completely free in practical terms. You exchange time, attention and sometimes personal data for small rewards. The effective return can be poor when claims are repetitive, surveys disqualify you, offers fail to credit or adverts take longer than expected.

Some tasks also involve survey companies, offerwalls, app providers or advertising partners. Before continuing, consider whether the information requested is proportionate to the reward and whether the platform clearly explains how personal data will be used.

Compare how long each activity takes with the realistic value of the reward, how reliably tasks credit and how far the balance remains from withdrawal. A platform can technically pay and still offer poor value for the time and information required.

Check the withdrawal threshold

Most faucet platforms hold rewards in an internal account until you reach a minimum withdrawal amount. Thresholds vary by platform, payout coin and withdrawal method, and they can change over time.

Before spending time on a faucet, check:

The minimum withdrawal amount.
The available payout currencies and wallets.
Whether fees are deducted.
Whether identity verification is required.
How long withdrawals normally take.
Whether the threshold is realistically achievable.

A balance displayed inside a faucet account is not the same as cryptocurrency already received in your own wallet. Until you successfully withdraw, there is still a risk that the platform changes its rules, delays payment or closes.

Remember that small balances are still volatile

Earning crypto without buying it does not remove market risk. Once rewards are valued in Bitcoin or another fluctuating asset, their value can rise or fall before you reach the withdrawal threshold or decide to use them.

The realistic benefit is the opportunity to accumulate and experiment with a small balance without purchasing the cryptocurrency directly. There is no guarantee that the balance will retain its value, increase in price or become meaningful savings.

Important limitation

Faucets are not a complete financial education

Crypto faucets cannot teach every part of personal finance. They do not replace reliable education about household budgeting, emergency savings, debt and interest, pensions, taxation, insurance, diversified investing or regulated consumer protection.

Faucets are best treated as a small practical exercise within a wider learning process. An adult may become more familiar with wallets and crypto transactions, but that does not mean they are ready to trade volatile assets, use complex DeFi products or make investment decisions.

How much can you earn from crypto faucets?

Crypto faucet earnings are usually small. Basic claims may only pay fractions of a penny at a time, while surveys, offerwalls, games and referrals can pay more. The exact amount depends on the site, your country, the task type, the current reward rate, the coin being paid, and whether you qualify for higher-value offers.

For most people, faucets are best treated as a low-effort hobby or learning tool. If a site promises large daily earnings for very little work, be sceptical. Genuine faucet sites usually make the limits obvious: small rewards, withdrawal thresholds, changing offer availability and occasional fees.

The best way to judge a faucet is not only by the headline reward. Look at how long it takes to earn, how high the withdrawal threshold is, whether the payment route is clear, whether users are actually receiving withdrawals, and whether the crypto value could change significantly before you cash out.

Questions adult beginners should ask

Before spending time on a faucet, consider:

How much time does each task take?
What is the realistic value of the reward?
How long is it likely to take to reach withdrawal?
Are there fees, identity checks or account restrictions?
What information does the platform collect?
Has the platform paid users recently?
Could the cryptocurrency lose value before withdrawal?
Am I learning something useful, or simply repeating low-value tasks?

How to maximise crypto faucet rewards

If you want faucets to be worth your time, you need a simple strategy. The aim is not to chase every possible claim, but to focus on sites that are clear, active and realistic.

Use a small group of trusted faucets. Relying on one faucet limits your earning options, but using too many creates clutter. Start with a few reputable sites and drop anything that feels slow or suspicious.
Mix earning methods. Basic claims are easy, but surveys, offerwalls, games, daily bonuses and referrals usually offer more upside.
Use microwallets where they make sense. Services such as FaucetPay can help collect tiny rewards from several sites before you withdraw.
Track thresholds and withdrawals. Keep a simple note of the minimum payout, supported coins, fees and whether your withdrawal arrived.
Use referrals carefully. Referral programmes can improve earnings if you have a blog, social account or community, but avoid spamming links.
Take advantage of auto-claim features. Auto faucets such as Fire Faucet can reduce manual effort once you have built up enough credits or points.

Consistency helps, but do not force it. If the time spent is not worth the reward, move on to a better faucet or use the site only when you have downtime.

Safety, privacy and scam checks

Some crypto faucets are legitimate, but the faucet space also attracts low-quality sites, aggressive advertising and scams. Treat every new platform cautiously until it has demonstrated clear rules and reliable withdrawals.

Are crypto faucets safe?

A good faucet should explain how you earn, how you withdraw, which coins are supported, what the minimum payout is, and whether fees or verification apply. It should not ask for a deposit, private key, seed phrase or unnecessary device permissions.

Understand the privacy cost

Some faucet platforms ask users to create accounts, complete surveys, install apps or provide information to advertising partners. This can include an email address, demographic details, device data, browsing activity or other personal information.

Before registering or completing an offer, check:

What information the platform and its partners collect.
Whether the privacy policy clearly explains how that data is used.
Whether marketing messages can be disabled.
Whether account data can be deleted.
Whether the reward is worth the information being requested.

A faucet should never need your wallet seed phrase, private key, online banking password or remote access to your device.

How to spot legit crypto faucets

Before spending serious time on a faucet, check its trust signals. This can save you from wasting hours on sites that never pay or deliberately make withdrawals difficult.

Look for payment proof and user feedback

Search for recent user comments, payment screenshots, forum discussions, Reddit threads or Trustpilot reviews. A few complaints are normal for any reward site, but repeated reports of blocked withdrawals, unpaid balances or disappearing accounts are red flags.

Check the withdrawal rules first

Look for the minimum withdrawal, supported wallets, payout frequency, fees, coin options and any account verification rules. A faucet with a very high withdrawal threshold may not be worth using, even if it technically pays.

Watch for faucet and crypto scams

Warning signs include:

Requests to deposit money before earning.
A fee to release a withdrawal.
Guaranteed earnings or investment returns.
Rewards that are unrealistic for the task.
Requests for a private key or seed phrase.

Unexpected wallet connection requests.
Unofficial software or browser extensions.
Support accounts contacting you privately.
Pressure to recruit people or upgrade.
Advert links leading to unrelated services.

Even when a faucet itself is genuine, adverts and third-party offerwalls may lead to less trustworthy services. Assess each external site separately.

Avoid upfront deposits

A faucet should not require you to deposit funds before you can earn. Legitimate faucets are usually funded by ads, offerwalls, surveys, games or referrals. If a site asks you to pay to unlock your withdrawal, treat it as a major warning sign.

Never share private keys or seed phrases

A faucet may need your public wallet address for withdrawals, but it never needs your private key or recovery phrase. Anyone asking for those details is trying to access your funds.

Browser extensions, downloads and mining claims

A normal faucet can operate as a website and should not need unrestricted control of your browser. Treat any extension, executable file, mobile app or “security update” promoted through a faucet advert as a separate product that needs its own checks. Do not install software simply because a pop-up claims it is required to release a reward or complete a withdrawal.

Check browser extension permissions

Browser extensions can request access to browsing data, tabs, downloads, the clipboard, cookies, notifications or every page you visit. Some legitimate extensions need powerful permissions, but the access should be proportionate to a clear feature and explained before installation. Google’s guidance notes that an extension with permission to access all data on your computer and the websites you visit can access almost anything.

Install from the browser’s official extension store, not from an advert, direct download or file-sharing page.
Check the developer and listing, including the publisher, update history, privacy information and recent reviews.
Read every permission warning. Be cautious when a simple faucet helper requests access to all websites, browsing history, cookies, downloads, proxy settings or the clipboard.
Do not connect a wallet merely to activate an extension unless the wallet interaction is necessary, expected and understood.
Remove extensions you no longer use and review installed extensions if your homepage, search engine or browser behaviour changes unexpectedly.

You can review Google’s guidance on permissions requested by Chrome extensions and installing and managing extensions.

Faucet rewards and browser mining are not the same

A faucet normally pays rewards from advertising, surveys, offerwalls, games, referrals or the operator’s own promotional budget. It does not create Bitcoin because a user solves a captcha or leaves a browser tab open. Bitcoin mining is a separate process that uses specialised mining hardware to perform proof-of-work calculations.

Be sceptical when a website, extension or app claims that an ordinary browser will mine meaningful amounts of Bitcoin. The product may instead be:

a simulated mining game that pays rewards from platform revenue;
a cloud-mining or investment offer requiring a deposit;
software mining a different cryptocurrency and converting the proceeds;
an advertising scheme that uses “mining” as a marketing term; or
unauthorised cryptomining that uses your device without informed consent.

Watch for possible cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is the unauthorised use of a computer, phone or server to mine cryptocurrency. Warning signs can include a sudden performance drop, unusually high processor use, increased fan noise, overheating or faster battery drain while a particular page, app or extension is active.

If this starts after visiting a faucet or installing related software, close the page, disable or remove the extension, uninstall untrusted software, update the browser and device, and run a security scan. The UK National Cyber Security Centre explains that browser-based cryptomining can consume computing resources and reduce device performance or battery life.

Read the NCSC guidance on unauthorised cryptocurrency mining.

Consent matters. A service that openly explains what computation it will perform, how much device resource it may use and how rewards are calculated is different from hidden mining code. Even with disclosure, compare the electricity use, device strain, privacy implications and realistic reward before continuing.

Wallets, withdrawals and self-custody basics

One of the most useful parts of using faucets is learning how crypto custody works. Some platforms keep rewards inside your account until you withdraw. Others pay to a microwallet, exchange or directly to a wallet address.

For beginners, it can help to use a separate wallet for faucet earnings. This keeps small experimental payments away from your main holdings and makes it easier to track whether a faucet actually pays.

You should also learn the difference between a public address and a private key. A public address is like a destination for receiving crypto. A private key or seed phrase controls the wallet. Share public addresses only when needed, but never share private keys or recovery phrases with any faucet, exchange, forum or support account.

Start with learning, not FOMO

Do not use faucets because you feel you have missed earlier Bitcoin price growth. Fear of missing out can lead beginners to overlook risks, chase unrealistic claims or trust predictions about future prices.

Treat your first faucet experience as a small learning exercise: use a strong password, complete only a few tasks, record the time and rewards, check the withdrawal threshold, attempt a small withdrawal early and stop using platforms that are unclear or unreliable.

Best beginner crypto faucets to try

This article explains how faucets work, but the full ranked list lives on the homepage. For current options, see our active Bitcoin and crypto faucets list. Good beginner-friendly examples include:

CashMonster, useful for surveys, offers, games and crypto withdrawals.
Cointiply, a long-running rewards platform with surveys, games, offerwalls and faucet-style earning.
FaucetPay, useful as a microwallet and faucet hub.
Fire Faucet, popular for auto-claiming and multi-coin rewards. You can also read our Fire Faucet auto-claim guide.
FaucetCrypto, a beginner-friendly multi-coin task faucet.
Satoshi Hero, a Bitcoin rewards and gaming-style faucet. Use the free options carefully and avoid wagering back more than you intend.

Always check the current payout rules before starting, because faucet rewards, minimum withdrawals and supported coins can change.

Common crypto faucet mistakes to avoid

Chasing unrealistic rewards. Large promises are often used to pull users into low-quality or scam sites.
Ignoring withdrawal thresholds. A faucet can look generous until you realise how long it takes to reach the minimum payout.
Treating an internal balance as money already received. Rewards are not fully under your control until they have reached your own wallet or chosen payout account.
Using the same password everywhere. Use unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available.
Clicking unsafe ads or downloads. Faucets are ad-heavy, so stay cautious and keep your browser protected.
Leaving balances sitting forever. Withdraw regularly where practical so you can confirm the site pays.
Treating faucets as investment advice. Faucet rewards are tiny, and coin prices can fall as well as rise.

Frequently asked questions

Open a question below for a quick answer.

Are crypto faucets legit?

Some crypto faucets are legit, but not all of them are worth using. Look for clear payout rules, recent user feedback, realistic rewards, visible withdrawal options and a track record of paying users. Avoid sites that ask for deposits, private keys, suspicious downloads or unrealistic personal information.

Can you really earn free Bitcoin from faucets?

Yes, some faucets do pay small amounts of Bitcoin or Bitcoin-denominated rewards. The amounts are usually tiny, so faucets are better for learning and small-scale stacking than serious income.

Can crypto faucets improve financial literacy?

They can provide limited practical experience of balances, fees, withdrawals, custody and risk. However, they do not replace wider financial education covering budgeting, saving, debt, taxation, pensions, consumer protection and long-term planning.

Can crypto faucets build a meaningful reserve?

Usually not. Faucets can help you accumulate a small balance, but rewards are generally too low and inconsistent to function as dependable savings. Time cost, withdrawal thresholds, platform risk and cryptocurrency volatility all limit how useful that balance may become.

What is a faucet withdrawal threshold?

A withdrawal threshold is the minimum balance you need before you can cash out. Some faucets have low thresholds, while others require a larger balance. Always check this before spending time on a site.

What is FaucetPay?

FaucetPay is a crypto microwallet and faucet hub. It can help users collect small rewards from several faucet sites before withdrawing them as a larger balance. This can be useful when direct withdrawals would be too small or too expensive.

Do I need a crypto wallet to use faucets?

Usually, yes. Some faucets hold your rewards inside your account until withdrawal, while others ask for a wallet address at signup or cashout. A separate wallet for faucet earnings can help keep things organised and reduce risk.

Are faucet earnings taxable?

Crypto tax rules depend on where you live and how the rewards are treated locally. If you earn, sell or exchange crypto from faucets, keep records and check the rules in your country. For anything significant, speak to a qualified tax professional.

Can using multiple faucets increase earnings?

Yes, using more than one trusted faucet can increase your earning opportunities. The key is to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Focus on sites with clear payout rules and drop any that take too long to reach withdrawal.

What is the difference between a reward faucet and a testnet faucet?

A reward faucet pays small cryptocurrency rewards, internal points or other benefits that may have a real-world value after withdrawal. A testnet faucet distributes tokens solely for testing wallets and applications on a development network. Testnet coins are not mainnet cryptocurrency and should not be treated as earnings or investments.

Can a browser faucet mine Bitcoin?

A normal faucet does not mine Bitcoin through captcha claims or an open browser tab. It pays rewards from advertising, tasks or its own budget. Bitcoin mining uses specialised hardware. A browser product described as mining may be a simulation, an alternative-coin scheme, a cloud-mining offer or unauthorised cryptomining, so check exactly how it works before installing anything.

What is the safest way to start?

Start with a small number of established faucets, use a dedicated wallet, avoid deposits, never share private keys, and test withdrawals early. Treat the first few weeks as a learning exercise rather than a money-making plan.

Browser security and testnet sources

Guidance checked: 28 July 2026

Final thoughts

Crypto faucets are not the free-money machines they are sometimes made out to be, but they still have a useful role. They help beginners learn how crypto works, test wallets, understand withdrawals, explore reward sites and earn small amounts without buying coins first.

The safest approach is to use faucets selectively, stay realistic about earnings, account for the time needed to reach withdrawal, protect your wallet details and remember that crypto prices can move in either direction. This guide is intended for adult beginners learning about cryptocurrency. If you are ready to compare active options, start with our updated Bitcoin and crypto faucets list.

Compare active crypto faucets