What’s the deal with cash back apps? Can you actually come out ahead?
Everyone has to buy the basics, from groceries to gas and everything in between.
So if you’re spending money, consider using these ten apps that will give you cash back on where you’re already shopping.
9 Cash Back Apps to Save Money & Double Down on Value
1. Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a convenient way to pay for your groceries and other items.
This is especially true if you make an unplanned store trip without your physical credit cards. However, you may not have realized that you can also get cash back for your purchases that you use with Apple Pay.
Apple Pay cash back is free. If you use a debit or credit card linked to Apple Pay and the store offers cash back, you will receive cash back. The amount of cash back depends on each store, but it is usually around 2%-3%.
Apple Pay cash back is available in the US and Canada.
2. Ibotta
Ibotta is a free mobile app you can use for all your shopping needs online, in person, and traveling.
There are no coupons you need to clip, but you need to activate the offers that you may find useful. If you end up shopping at the location where there is an Ibotta offer, you’ll need to scan and upload your receipt. The rates vary for each offer. You can get $0.10 back for some offers, while other offers can be $1.00 or more.
You can withdraw your cash back once you have at least a $20 balance. You can also redeem your cash back for gift cards when you have a $25 balance.
Ibotta has offers from hundreds of retailers, from Walmart, Kohls, and Target. Most popular stores will have offers through Ibotta, so always check out any deals if you’re planning any shopping at big retailers.
Ibotta is available in the US, but not in Canada.
3. Dosh
Dosh is a free app that allows you to get cash back on your purchases without you having to accept an offer or scan receipts.
All you have to do is link your debit and credit card(s) into the app. Then, when you make purchases at qualifying retailers, you will get cash back.
You can withdraw your funds directly into your bank account once you get $25. You can also choose to deposit into your PayPal or Venmo account and even donate to charity.
Cash back varies for each retailer, but most are between 2% to 3%.
Dosh is available in the US but not in Canada.
4. Fetch
Fetch is a free mobile app that allows you to turn your regular shopping into cash back.
There are no offers that you need to claim. However, you must upload your receipts from the grocery store, big-box stores, restaurants, and more within 14 days of making that purchase.
You can upload your receipt on the app or even submit it via email. If you get into the habit of always taking photos of your receipts, you will be able to earn a decent amount of cash back.
You gain points for all of your cash back, and once you have $3 worth of points (3,000 points), you can withdraw your cash back. In addition, you can redeem your points for gift cards and even donate them to charity or enter monthly sweepstakes.
The base rate for Fetch is 1% of the final purchase price. There are sometimes featured stores that have a higher percentage, but the base is always 1%.
Fetch is available in the US but not in Canada.
5. Rakuten
Rakuten is a free mobile cash back and shopping app.
You can get cash back in certain categories of purchases from clothes to takeout and everything else. You can claim cash back on both online and in store purchases.
For online purchases, you’ll need to go onto Rakuten and click on the link for that website. Then you can proceed with your online purchase. For in person purchases, you will have to link your credit or debit card(s) to the app. Then you can shop like normal.
You don’t need to officially redeem your cash back on Rakuten. Instead, you will either get a paper check or money sent to your PayPal on the cash back you’ve earned every three months.
Rewards vary for each purchase on Rakuten. Some purchases will have 1% cash back while others can have 10% or more.
Rakuten is available in the US and Canada.
6. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is one of the free cash back apps specifically for groceries and gas, some of the most common daily purchases for people.
You will have to look at the offers on the app and then redeem them. New offers come every Thursday. You can upload a receipt to the app when you’ve made a purchase. Once this has been verified, you will receive your cash back.
Checkout 51 is also a coupon app, so you can find coupons and save even more money on top of the cash back you will earn.
Once you have $20 in your account, you can withdraw your cash back. You can either get a paper check or direct deposit to your PayPal account.
Rewards vary on Checkout 51. You can get anywhere from $.025 cash back to a few dollars on a purchase.
Checkout 51 is available in the US and Canada.
7. Shopkick
Shopkick is a free app that allows you to earn points without even making a purchase in exchange for gift cards.
You can scan items’ barcodes and earn points whenever you go into a store. You can also earn points when you shop at a store by linking your credit card(s) to the app or taking a photo of your receipt and uploading it to the app.
Once you have 500 points, you can claim a $2 gift card. The more points you have, the higher value gift cards you can get.
Shopkick is available in the US and Canada.
8. SwagBucks
Swagbucks is a free website and app that gives you Swagbucks in exchange for cash back or gift cards.
If you shop online, you can find online retailers that are offering cash back. To take advantage of this cash back offer, you need to click on the link through SwagBucks, then you can continue your normal shopping.
You can also earn SwagBucks for watching videos, playing games, answering surveys, and buying gift cards on the SwagBucks website.
SwagBucks is available in the US and Canada.
9. Upside
Upside is a free gas cash back app.
This is a great way to save money on your weekly gas trips to lower your bills. You will need to find offers from participating gas stations, claim the offer, check in once you’re at the gas station, then upload the final receipt. Once the purchase has been verified, you will get your cash back.
You can withdraw your cash back for free once you have a $15 balance on the Upside app. You can transfer the cash back to your bank account, PayPal account, or buy gift cards.
Upside is available in the US and Canada.
Final Thoughts on Cash Back Apps
Make your money work harder by finding ways to earn cash back on your daily purchases.
These small percentages will add up! Using these cash back apps for any discount on the items you already buy is a great way to save even more money.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published Oct 14, 2022 and has been updated to improve reader experience.
