We all love finding a good deal, and in today’s world, your smartphone can be a powerful tool for saving money. If you’ve ever wondered if those cashback apps everyone talks about are legitimate, the answer is yes! Many of them do indeed pay you real money or valuable rewards for purchases you’re already making.
It might seem like there’s a new app for everything these days, and learning new technology can sometimes feel a bit much. However, these cashback apps are often designed to be user-friendly, and the rewards can truly add up, helping your budget stretch further. Whether you’re buying groceries, shopping online, or even filling up your gas tank, there’s likely an app that can help you get a little something back. This article will guide you through seven popular cashback apps that are known for actually paying out, helping you make informed choices about which ones might be right for you.
How Do Cashback Apps Actually Work?
You might be wondering how these apps can afford to give you money back. It’s a fairly straightforward system. Cashback apps partner with thousands of retailers and brands. When you make a purchase through their app or by using a linked card at a partner store, the app earns a commission from that retailer.
Instead of keeping all that commission, the app shares a portion of it with you – that’s your cashback! It’s a win-win situation: retailers get more customers, the app earns by referring you, and you get money back on your purchases. Think of it as a modern-day coupon, but often easier to manage and with real cash or valuable rewards as the payoff.
It’s important to remember that cashback amounts and specific offers can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the app for the latest details before you shop.
Our Top 7 Cashback App Picks
Let’s dive into some of the best cashback apps that can help you earn real money and rewards. We’ve chosen these based on their ease of use, reliability, and the types of rewards they offer.
1. Rakuten (Formerly Ebates)
Rakuten is one of the most well-known and trusted cashback apps, especially for online shopping. With thousands of partner stores, you can earn cashback on almost anything you buy online, from clothing and electronics to travel bookings and home goods.
How it Works: You can start your shopping trip directly from the Rakuten app or website. Alternatively, their browser extension is incredibly helpful – it automatically alerts you if cashback is available when you visit a retailer’s site. Simply activate the offer, shop as you normally would, and Rakuten tracks your purchase and credits your account.
Best For: Online shopping across a wide variety of stores.
Pros:
- Extensive list of partner stores (over 3,500).
- User-friendly app and browser extension.
- Often offers sign-up bonuses and referral bonuses.
- Reliable payment schedule.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Cashback rates vary and can change.
- Payments are typically made quarterly.
Getting Your Money: Rakuten pays out via PayPal or a physical check (often called a “Big Fat Check”). Many find the PayPal option quick and convenient.
Imagine you’re buying gifts for your grandchildren online; with Rakuten, you could get a percentage of that spending back, making those thoughtful presents a little more affordable.
2. Ibotta
Ibotta is fantastic for earning cashback on groceries, but it also offers deals for online shopping and some in-store retailers. It’s known for specific item offers, which can lead to significant savings if they match your shopping list.
How it Works: Before you shop, you browse offers in the Ibotta app and add them to your list. For in-store purchases, you’ll typically scan your receipt after shopping. Some stores allow you to link your store loyalty card for automatic cashback. For online shopping, you start your trip through the Ibotta app.
Best For: Groceries, everyday essentials, and some online retailers.
Pros:
- Offers on specific brands and generic items (like “any brand of milk”).
- Can be combined with manufacturer coupons for extra savings.
- User-friendly interface.
- Offers bonuses for redeeming multiple offers or streaks.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Requires you to select offers *before* shopping for most deals.
- You need to accumulate $20 before you can withdraw your earnings.
Getting Your Money: You can transfer your earnings to PayPal, directly to your bank account, or choose from a variety of gift cards.
Many of us have regular grocery lists. Adding a quick check of Ibotta before heading to the store can mean getting money back on items you were planning to buy anyway, like your favorite coffee or cleaning supplies.
3. Upside (Formerly GetUpside)
Upside focuses on giving you cashback for everyday essentials like gasoline, groceries, and dining out at restaurants. It’s particularly popular for its gas savings.
How it Works: Open the app to see offers near you. Claim an offer for gas, groceries, or a restaurant. For gas, you’ll typically enter the first few and last few digits of your credit/debit card used for payment and then upload a picture of your receipt. Some gas stations offer automatic “Check In” features. For groceries and restaurants, you usually claim an offer and then submit your receipt.
Best For: Saving money on gasoline, groceries, and restaurant meals.
Pros:
- Easy to find deals at gas stations in your area.
- Offers can be quite generous, especially for gas.
- No minimum payout for some withdrawal methods.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- You must claim the offer *before* making your purchase.
- Receipt submission is required for most offers.
- Grocery and restaurant offers are not available in all areas yet.
Getting Your Money: You can cash out via PayPal, direct bank deposit, or choose from various gift cards. PayPal and bank transfers may have a small fee for amounts under a certain threshold, but gift card redemptions are often fee-free.
If you drive regularly, whether it’s for errands, visiting family, or local trips, Upside can help offset rising gas prices. Those cents per gallon saved can really add up over a month.
4. Dosh
Dosh is one of the easiest cashback apps to use because it’s largely automatic. Once you link your credit or debit cards, Dosh automatically gives you cashback when you shop or dine at participating businesses.
How it Works: Download the app and securely link your credit and debit cards. When you use a linked card at a partner merchant (thousands of stores, restaurants, and even hotels), Dosh automatically finds offers and deposits cashback into your Dosh wallet. No receipt scanning or offer activation needed for most deals!
Best For: Automatic cashback without much effort, dining out, local shopping.
Pros:
- Extremely low effort – set it and forget it.
- Works with many popular restaurants and retailers.
- Securely links to your cards.
- Offers cashback on hotel bookings too.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- You need to be comfortable linking your payment cards.
- Requires a $15 minimum balance to cash out.
Getting Your Money: Transfer funds to your bank account, PayPal, or Venmo. You can also donate your earnings to charity.
Imagine going out for a nice dinner with friends or family and getting a percentage of the bill back automatically, without having to do anything extra. That’s the convenience Dosh offers.
5. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards simplifies the cashback process immensely. Instead of clipping coupons or searching for specific offers, you just scan almost any grocery, retail, or restaurant receipt and earn points.
How it Works: After any shopping trip, simply open the Fetch app and snap a picture of your receipt. You earn points for every receipt, with bonus points for purchasing products from hundreds of participating brands. You can also connect your email account to earn points on e-receipts from online purchases.
Best For: Earning rewards with minimal effort, people who shop at various stores.
Pros:
- Incredibly simple – just scan receipts.
- Works with receipts from almost any store.
- No need to select offers beforehand.
- Quick receipt processing.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Rewards are primarily in the form of gift cards, not direct cash.
- Point values can sometimes feel small for non-partnered brands, but they add up.
- Receipts must be scanned within 14 days of purchase.
Getting Your Money: Points are redeemed for a wide variety of gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, coffee shops, and restaurants. While not direct cash, these gift cards can be very useful for your regular shopping, freeing up cash elsewhere.
This app is perfect if you appreciate simplicity. Every shopping trip, big or small, can contribute to earning a gift card for a future treat or a necessary purchase.
6. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is another popular app for earning cashback on groceries and gas. It updates with new offers every Thursday.
How it Works: Browse the weekly offers in the app and add them to your shopping list. Purchase the items at any store. Then, upload a photo of your receipt through the app. Once your receipt is approved, cashback is added to your account.
Best For: Groceries and gas, those who like a weekly refresh of offers.
Pros:
- Offers can be redeemed at any store, unless specified.
- Includes offers on fresh produce like fruits and vegetables at times.
- Gas offers are often available.
- Straightforward receipt uploading process.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Offers are available in limited quantities and can run out.
- You must select offers and upload receipts by the offer’s deadline.
- A $20 minimum balance is required to cash out.
Getting Your Money: Once you reach the $20 threshold, you can request payment, and Checkout 51 will mail you a physical check. This is a great option for those who prefer traditional payment methods.
For many, the weekly grocery run is a staple. Using Checkout 51 can turn that routine into a money-saving activity, getting you real cash back by check for items you’d buy anyway.
7. Capital One Shopping
You don’t need to be a Capital One bank customer to use Capital One Shopping. This service (available as a browser extension and an app) helps you find lower prices, automatically applies coupon codes at checkout, and offers loyalty credits.
How it Works: The browser extension is the star here. While you shop online, it automatically searches for active coupon codes and applies the best one to your cart. It also compares prices across different retailers for the item you’re viewing. You can also earn “Shopping Credits” at participating stores, which can then be redeemed for gift cards.
Best For: Online shoppers looking for automatic coupon codes and price comparisons, earning rewards for gift cards.
Pros:
- Automatically finds and applies coupon codes – a big time saver!
- Price comparison tool helps ensure you’re getting a good deal.
- Free to use for everyone.
- Watchlist feature alerts you to price drops on items you’re interested in.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The primary reward is “Shopping Credits,” redeemable for gift cards, not direct cash.
- The mobile app has fewer features than the browser extension.
Getting Your Money: Shopping Credits earned can be redeemed for gift cards to a variety of popular stores. While it’s not direct cash, finding the best price and applying coupons saves you real money instantly, and the gift cards are a bonus.
If you do a fair amount of online shopping, Capital One Shopping works quietly in the background to save you money without you having to lift a finger. It’s like having a personal bargain hunter.
Tips for Making the Most of Cashback Apps
Using these apps effectively can significantly boost your savings. Here are a few tips:
- Check Before You Shop: Make it a habit to check your preferred cashback apps before any shopping trip, whether online or in-store.
- Link Your Cards (Where Applicable): For apps like Dosh or for store loyalty programs linked to Ibotta, linking your cards makes earning automatic and effortless.
- Understand the Offers: Read the details of each offer. Some might be for specific sizes or varieties of a product.
- Don’t Buy Just for Cashback: The goal is to save money on things you already need or plan to buy. Avoid purchasing items solely to get a small amount of cashback, as this can defeat the purpose.
- Submit Receipts Promptly: Many apps have a time limit for submitting receipts (e.g., Fetch requires it within 14 days). Scan them as soon as you get home.
- Look for Bonuses: Many apps offer sign-up bonuses, referral bonuses if you invite friends, or bonuses for completing certain tasks or redeeming multiple offers.
- Be Patient with Payouts: Some apps pay quarterly (like Rakuten) or require you to reach a minimum threshold before cashing out. Your savings will accumulate over time.
Addressing Potential Concerns
It’s natural to have a few questions when trying something new, especially when it involves finances and technology.
Is My Information Safe? Reputable cashback apps use security measures to protect your personal and financial information. When linking bank or credit card details, ensure the app uses encryption (look for “https” in web addresses or information about security in their FAQs). It’s always wise to use strong, unique passwords and review privacy policies.
Are These Apps Complicated to Use? While some apps might have a slight learning curve, most are designed to be quite user-friendly. Many, like Dosh or Fetch, are incredibly simple. Start with one app that seems to fit your shopping habits, get comfortable with it, and then perhaps explore another.
Is It Really Worth the Effort? Even small amounts of cashback can add up significantly over weeks and months. Think of it as earning a few extra dollars here and there that can go towards a treat, help with bills, or contribute to savings. For many, the little bit of effort is well worth the reward, especially when it’s for shopping you’d be doing anyway.
Start Earning Your Money Back!
Cashback apps offer a practical and often easy way to put some money back into your pocket. By choosing apps that align with your shopping habits and taking a few moments to engage with them, you can make your everyday spending work a little harder for you.
Remember, the goal is to make saving money simpler and more rewarding. We encourage you to explore one or two of these apps. You might be pleasantly surprised at how those small rebates can accumulate, giving you a bit more financial breathing room or a little extra for something special. Happy saving!
