If you’re looking for a cashback app, here’s the good news: there are dozens of them available.
The bad news?
Only a handful of them are worth your time.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck (or most cashback), these are the apps you need to have.
What is a Cashback App?
Cashback apps are apps that you install on your phone that reward you for certain activities.
These rewards most commonly come from tasks like:
- Shopping
- Using Specific Coupons
- Taking Surveys
However, some of these apps will reward you for simply walking into specific stores or watching short videos.
Since there are so many cashback apps to choose from, you can easily find a couple that will benefit you the most. For instance, if you have a large family and do a lot of grocery shopping, Ibotta is a solid choice.
If you do most of your shopping online, Rakuten or TopCashback might suit you the best. If you prefer effortless cashback, you’ll like Dosh or the Drop app.
No matter the app you choose, the points or rewards you earn are typically paid in gift cards or Paypal cash once you reach the app’s minimum threshold.
We’ve dug through the details of the most popular cashback apps available today. Here’s what you need to know.
Best Cashback Apps in 2023
1. Swagbucks
2. Ibotta
3. Rakuten
4. Honey
5. Checkout51
6. TopCashback
7. Shopkick
8. Drop
9. Dosh
10. My Points
11. Paribus
12. Get Upside
13. Receipt Hog
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks has been around for over a decade. And as of 2021, they’ve handed out over $514 million worth of rewards to their users.
Swagbucks first became popular with its “paid to search” feature but now offers many more ways to earn, including cashback.
When you log onto Swagbucks, you can click the “shop” tab to view all the available offers. You’ll then see a few different options:
- For popular stores, you can earn a cashback percentage.
- You can save in-store by linking a card and selecting offers you want to redeem.
- Swagbucks also offers a flat amount of cashback for specific purchases. (Like getting $15 for signing up for Amazon Prime.)
You can redeem the cashback you’ve earned by cashing in for gift cards. Swagbucks offers gift cards to popular retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. They also offer Visa gift cards, Paypal cash, and Apple gift cards.
2. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that allows users to earn money on everyday purchases. It’s the most popular cashback app for things like grocery shopping or daily errand running.
Here’s how Ibotta works: Download the app, register, view available offers, go shopping and then redeem your offers.
You can redeem Ibotta offers by uploading your receipts or linking store loyalty cards.
Ibotta allows you to redeem your cashback through Paypal, direct deposit, or gift cards.
3. Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a cashback app and browser extension.
When you have the browser extension installed, Rakuten will automatically track your shopping and reward you with cashback.
When you’re using the app, you’ll need to open your app and then click the applicable store. Rakuten will then redirect you to the store’s website, and you’ll shop as usual.
A cool thing about Rakuten is that they offer a $10 sign-on bonus to new members. To qualify, all you have to do is sign up and spend $25 within the first 90 days.
Besides cashback, you can also earn money through referrals and save money with featured coupons and coupon codes.
There are two payment options for redeeming your cashback. You can get paid via check or Paypal.
4. Honey
Do you forget to search for coupon codes before you checkout?
If your answer is “yes,” you need Honey.
Honey is a browser extension and app that automatically searches for coupon codes and automatically enters them for you.
You can redeem the “Honey Gold” money you earn through gift cards.
5. Checkout51
Checkout51 is similar to Ibotta in that it gives you a way to earn cashback on everyday purchases.
Only Checkout51 doesn’t just let you earn on groceries, but also gas!
Here’s how it works:
- Download the Checkout51 app to your phone
- Select the offers you like for the week
- Do your regular shopping.
- Upload a receipt showing which offers your purchased.
- Once approved, they will credit your account.
You can cash out your account once it reaches a $20 balance. Once you cash out, you’ll receive a check in the mail.
6. TopCashback
Most cashback sites make money through affiliate commissions. They earn a percentage of sales by sending customers to specific stores and then pass on a portion of their commission to users in the form of cashback.
TopCashback doesn’t do this.
They pass 100% of the commission to their users.
Because of this, you’ll see some of the highest cashback amounts on this site.
They have a browser extension and a mobile app. You can shop through the app to earn cashback. You can redeem your earnings for Paypal cash, deposit to your bank account, or redeem as a gift card.
7. Shopkick
Shopkick is an app that rewards you with “kicks” for online shopping and in-store shopping.
There are several different ways you can earn “kicks” (their term for points.) First, you’ll need to download the app. After that, you can earn points for the following:
- Walking into a store.
- Scanning barcodes of specific items.
- Upload a receipt after purchasing a specific offer.
- Making purchases through linked cards.
- Online shopping.
- Watching videos.
You can redeem your points for gift cards.
8. Drop
Drop is a rewards program that offers cashback on shopping, food, and travel. The nice thing about this app is that you can find tons of different stores on it – and earning is effortless.
They offer rewards for several tasks, including ordering food from GrubHub or Postmates, booking flights with Expedia, using Lyft or Uber, and everyday shopping at popular stores, just to name a few.
Here’s how to get started with Drop:
- Sign up and download the Drop app on your phone.
- Link a credit or debit card to your account.
- Shop with your linked card to begin earning points.
- You can also view and activate special offers from the Drop app.
When you sign up, you’ll be prompted to choose your favorite stores. Be sure to select the stores you shop at most often because you may be sent special offers for these.
Besides shopping, you can also earn points for playing games, taking surveys, and referring your friends.
You can redeem your points for gift cards once your account reaches a minimum of 25,000 points which is equivalent to $25.
9. Dosh
Dosh works very similarly to the Drop app. So, if you like the effortless style of earning rewards, Dosh will be right up your alley.
To get started with Dosh, you simply download the app and link your debit or credit card. When you shop, Dosh will automatically scan through your purchases and credit you with cashback for anything you qualify for.
(Important: If you’re linking your debit card, you must run it like a credit card for Dosh to be able to recognize and credit you for your local purchases.)
With Dosh, you can earn for your regular spending at restaurants, retail stores, and hotel bookings.
And the best thing about Dosh? You don’t have to do anything.
You spend as usual, and they place any cashback you’re eligible for in your “Dosh Wallet.”
Once your Dosh Wallet reaches $5, you can transfer the money to your linked bank account, Paypal, or Venmo account.
10. My Points
My Points is a company very similar to Swagbucks. It rewards its users for completing tasks such as:
- Shopping online
- Completing surveys
- “Reading” emails
- Watching videos
- Playing games
To get started you can download the app or visit their website from your computer. You’ll then need to visit the app or website to complete offers you’re interested in.
When you meet the minimum threshold, you can redeem your points for gift cards, Paypal cash, or United MileagePlus award miles.
11. Paribus
Paribus is wildly different from the other apps listed. Instead of rewarding you with cashback on your purchases, they monitor the web for price changes and help you get money back if you’ve overpaid on an item.
Here’s how it works:
- Paribus scans your inbox for your purchases made over the past 30 days.
- They then scan the web, seeing if there are lower prices on what you already purchased.
- If they find a lower price, they will submit a claim with the retailer you purchased from or send you instructions to do so.
If a retailer you purchased from confirms a price adjustment, you’ll typically receive a refund within a week.
12. Get Upside
Get Upside is an app that rewards you for the shopping you already do. They offer rewards for shopping at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up and download the Get Upside App.
- Spend as you normally would.
- “Check-in” or upload a picture of your receipt to earn points.
You can redeem your points for a gift card, check, or Paypal cash.
13. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is a market research company that rewards its app users in points called “coins” for uploading their receipts to the app.
Receipts can be from any retailer as long as they clearly show the store name, date, items purchased, and total purchase amount.
The points you earn for your receipts depend on where the purchase was made and how much you spent. Receipts of higher amounts receive more “coins.”
Once you’ve reached 1,000 coins, which is equivalent to $5, you can cash out for Paypal cash, an Amazon gift card, or a Visa/Mastercard e gift card.
Cashback App FAQs
How do Cashback Apps Make Money?
Cashback apps generally make money by partnering with companies. When you use their app to shop, they may receive a commission or flat fee from the company you purchased from.
The cashback app company will then pass on a portion of their earnings to the app users in the form of cashback.
Can You Use More than One Cashback App?
Yes and no. You can download and use more than one cashback app but not for the same purchase.
If you’re shopping online, the last cashback app you’ve clicked through will be the one that you receive credit from.
You can, however, download multiple cashback apps, check the offers and cashback amounts, and then pick the ones that have the highest rewards.
Are Cashback Apps Free?
Yes. Cashbacks apps are free.
Cashback app companies earn money from the brands they partner with, not the app users.
How do Cashback Apps Pay?
The majority of cashback apps pay in the form of gift cards or Paypal cash. Some, however, pay through direct deposit or paper check.
To receive a payment, you’ll first have to meet minimum account thresholds.
Mix and Match These Money Making Apps
These 13 apps can help you earn cashback on your online shopping, groceries, and gas. And fortunately, you don’t have to pick only one.
Mix and match these apps based on where you do the most shopping, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck.
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