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| It's almost like your phone is paying you when you use these cashback apps! |
You're already spending money. On groceries. On gas. On stuff online.
What if you could get some of that money back? Not a lot. But enough to actually matter.
Cashback apps do exactly that. You buy things you were going to buy anyway. The app gives you money back.
It's not complicated. And it's actually free money.
Here are the best cashback apps you should be using.
1. Rakuten: For Online Shopping
If you shop online at all, you need Rakuten.
Install their browser extension or use their app. Before you buy anything, click through Rakuten first.
They give you cashback at thousands of stores. Amazon. Target. Walmart. Macy's. Best Buy. Pretty much anywhere you already shop.
The cashback varies. Usually 2-10%. Sometimes more during special promotions.
You were buying it anyway. This just puts money back in your pocket.
They pay you quarterly via PayPal or check. It adds up faster than you'd think.
Bonus: They give you $30 just for signing up and making your first purchase.
2. Ibotta: For Groceries
Ibotta is specifically for grocery shopping.
Before you go to the store, check the app for offers. Select the ones you want.
After shopping, scan your receipt. Get cashback on items you bought.
Sometimes it's name brand stuff. Sometimes it's any milk or any bread. Either way, you're getting money back on groceries.
You can also link your store loyalty cards. Then you don't even need to scan receipts. It tracks automatically.
Cash out via PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards once you hit $20.
3. Fetch Rewards: For Any Receipt
Fetch is the easiest one.
You don't have to select offers. You don't have to shop at specific stores.
Just scan any receipt from any store. Grocery store. Gas station. Target. Doesn't matter.
You earn points for every receipt. More points for buying certain brands, but you get points regardless.
Cash in points for gift cards. Amazon. Starbucks. Target. Visa gift cards.
It's literally free money for receipts you'd throw away anyway.
4. Dosh: For Automatic Cashback
Dosh is completely passive. No scanning receipts. No clicking through links.
Link your credit or debit card to the app. Shop at participating stores. Get automatic cashback.
Hotels. Restaurants. Gas stations. Retail stores.
You don't do anything. The app tracks your card purchases and adds cashback to your account.
Once you hit $25, cash out to your bank account or PayPal.
This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it cashback app.
5. Upside: For Gas and Groceries
Upside focuses on gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Check the app before you fill up. See which nearby gas stations offer cashback.
Fill up at that station. Take a photo of your receipt. Get money back.
Same process for groceries and restaurants.
Gas cashback is usually 5-25 cents per gallon. That adds up fast if you drive regularly.
Cash out anytime to your bank account or PayPal. No minimum.
6. TopCashback: For Better Rates
TopCashback works like Rakuten. Click through before shopping online. Get cashback.
The difference? They often have higher cashback rates.
No membership fees. No minimums. Just better rates at a lot of stores.
Worth checking both Rakuten and TopCashback before big purchases to see who offers more.
Cash out via PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards.
7. Checkout 51: For Weekly Grocery Offers
Checkout 51 posts new offers every Thursday.
Browse the offers. Buy the products. Snap a photo of your receipt.
Get cashback on your purchases.
It works at any grocery store. You're not limited to one chain.
Once you hit $20, they mail you a check.
Simple. Straightforward. More money back on groceries.
How to Actually Use These
Don't try to use all seven at once. You'll get overwhelmed and quit.
Start with two or three.
If you shop online a lot, use Rakuten and TopCashback.
If you buy groceries every week, use Ibotta and Fetch.
If you drive regularly, add Upside for gas.
Set them up once. Then just use them whenever you shop.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
This isn't going to replace your income. Let's be realistic.
But you can easily make $20-$50 a month without changing your spending habits.
That's $240-$600 a year. Just for using apps before you buy stuff you were buying anyway.
Over five years? That's over $1,000 in free money.
For scanning receipts and clicking a button.
The Catch
There isn't really one.
These apps make money from retailers who pay them to drive customers. They share some of that money with you.
You're not paying anything. You're just getting a cut of their earnings.
The only "catch" is you have to remember to use them. That's it.
Start Today
Pick two apps from this list. Download them right now.
Set them up. Link your cards if needed.
Then next time you shop, use them.
You're already spending the money. You might as well get some of it back.
Which cashback apps do you use? Any I missed? Let me know in the comments.
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