Using Apps to Earn Cashback and Save Money!

Whether shopping online or in a brick-and-mortar store, there are multiple ways that you can get paid to shop.  To earn cashback with apps, download one of the cashback apps (You can find them on Google Play and Apple Store) and then follow the app’s instructions to earn rewards on purchases.

Most cashback apps allow you to earn rewards in one of these ways:

1. Shopping portals: You click through the app’s link and shop at participating online retailers.
2. Receipt scanning: You take a photo of your shopping receipt and upload it to earn points or rebates for specific purchases. 
3. Linked cards: You link your rewards, debit, or credit card, and the app automatically detects and rewards eligible purchases. 
4. Linking Email and Buyer Accounts: Some apps will automatically import online purchases if you link your email account and/or participating retailer.

Some of the Best Cashback Apps for 2025 are:

Rakuten: A veteran app for online shoppers, offering cash back on purchases from a wide variety of online retailers, including dining and travel.

Ibotta: Popular for grocery shopping, this app allows users to claim cash back on specific items and offers rewards for both in-store and online purchases.

Fetch Rewards: A simple-to-use app that rewards users with points for scanning any retail receipt, which can be redeemed for gift cards.

Upside: Focuses on saving money on everyday essentials, particularly gas, groceries, and dining out.

Shopkick: Rewards users with points (kicks) for various activities, including making purchases, scanning barcodes, and even just walking into partner stores.

Swagbucks: A well-known platform that offers cash back on purchases through its portal and also provides rewards for taking surveys and other activities.

CoinOut: A receipt-scanning app that offers a low minimum payout for digital earnings, making it easy to redeem small amounts.

Checkout 51: Provides cashback offers on everyday items like groceries, food, and gas.

Receipt Hog: Get real-money rewards for every purchase you make with the Receipt Hog app! Whether you shop online or in-store, just upload receipts and start earning.

Choose the best cashback app for you!

What are your shopping habits? Do you primarily shop online, shop in-store for your groceries, or do you drive a lot of miles? Compare payout options as some apps pay real cash, while others use a gift card or points system. Don’t forget to check minimum payout thresholds. You can cash out as low as $3 with some, while others require $20 or more. You can also stack apps for maximum rewards. For example, you can use a gas app to find the cheapest station and then submit the receipt to another app for points.

These apps and browser extensions offer the best cashback for online shopping:

1. Rakuten is ideal for online purchases and partners with over 3,500 stores, including Amazon, Walmart, and Macy’s. You can earn cash back by starting your shopping through Rakuten’s app, website, or browser extension. It pays out quarterly via PayPal or paper check. Spend $30 in qualifying purchases within 90 days of joining, and we will each get a $30 bonus when you use my Rakuten referral link.
2. Capital One Shopping is a Chrome browser extension tool that automatically finds coupon codes and applies them at checkout for over 30,000 online retailers. Capital One Shopping also searches for a better price while you shop at over 100,000 stores. You receive gift cards to select retailers.
3. PayPal Honey is similar to Capital One Shopping as it is also a browser extension that finds and applies coupons automatically. What’s different is its “Droplist” feature that tracks price changes on items you want to buy. Add items to your Droplist and Honey will email you if it detects a price drop, so you don’t miss a deal. It pays through PayPal credits, gift cards, or cash. 

Best apps for cashback on groceries and in-store purchases:

1. Ibotta is a top choice for groceries and everyday essentials. Ibotta partners with stores like Kroger, Target, and Walmart. Users add offers in the app and then scan their receipt or link a store loyalty card after purchasing. It pays you with PayPal, bank deposit, or gift cards after earning at least $20. Use the Ibotta code O2TZA when you sign up, and you’ll get $5 added to your account when you scan your first receipt. Download from Google Play or Apple Store
2. Fetch Rewards app allows you to earn points by scanning almost any retail receipt, not just from specific brands. You can even earn points playing free games. Points are redeemable for a wide variety of gift cards. This is an app that I consistently use and have redeemed over $250 in gift cards in the last 12 months. Use my referral code 5Q47A and you’ll get 2000 bonus points when you snap your first receipt.
3. Checkout 51 is a popular option for gas and groceries. This app features weekly offers that users must add before uploading their receipt(s). You can get a paper check after earning $20. You can sign up on your desktop and pick your offers, and upload images. Or, you can just download the app and do everything from there.
4. Receipt Hog’s app allows you to get real-money rewards for every purchase you make and scan with the app! Whether you shop online or in-store, just upload receipts and start earning. This is an app that I use pretty consistently, and I average $40 in PayPal Cash each year. Use my referral link spag9489 and get a bonus when you upload your first receipt.
5. Shopkick’s app rewards you for both online and in-store purchases and doesn’t always require a purchase to earn points. You can earn “kicks” for walking into stores, scanning barcodes, or uploading receipts. You’ll earn gift cards to various retailers. Use my referral code YAY877535, and you’ll get 1000 bonus kicks when you earn 50 kicks (excluding video kicks) within the first 7 days.
6. CoinOut is a receipt-scanning app that offers a low minimum payout for digital earnings, making it easy to redeem small amounts. This is an app that I somewhat consistently use, and I average $50 in Venmo Cash each year. My referral link is https://coinout.com/pages/refer_earn?id=GMXQN27

Best cashback apps for gas and dining out:

1. Upside gives cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants at over 50,000 locations. You claim offers in the app and pay with a linked card, with no need to scan receipts. It pays with PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.
2. GasBuddy helps you find the lowest gas prices nearby. By using a free Pay with GasBuddy card linked to your bank account, you can save up to $0.25 per gallon. The savings are applied automatically at the pump.

Cashback app for passive earnings:

Pogo’s app uses card-linking to automatically track purchases and rewards you for both shopping and sharing data. Pays you through PayPal or Venmo after earning $3.

You can also get cashback, also, by paying with a cash-back credit card. Just be sure that you pay off your bill in full every month to avoid interest charges. And of course, be sure that you take advantage of retailers’ own rewards programs to get more for your money.