9 Cash Back Apps To Download Before You Start Holiday Shopping

Do you like saving money? How about receiving money in return for routine purchases, like shopping for groceries or clothing online? Technology has become more influential than ever in the year 2023 and with it, a plethora of cash-back applications have become available for everyday shoppers.

Over time, more and more apps like this have joined in the rat race to become the best cash-back app. That can only mean good things for those interested in turning purchases into a reciprocated process. Why not get back when you pay out?

We’ve taken the time to sort out some of the leading cash-back apps on the market, so you don’t have to. But first thing first, let’s clear up how cash-back apps can benefit you.

What is a Cash Back App?

Some of you may be wondering what exactly a cash-back app is. So, before we get into our top contender list, let’s discuss what you’re missing out on. A cash-back app is a digital tool that rewards you with a percentage of your spending back in the form of cash or redeemable points. These apps partner with various retailers, allowing you to earn money while making everyday purchases, both online and in-store.

You link your account, browse offers, and, upon completing transactions, receive a portion of your purchase amount as cash back. These apps often offer additional features like price comparisons and personalized recommendations, making them essential for people looking to maximize savings and turn routine expenditures into financial gain.

The Best Cash Back Apps

Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is a user-friendly mobile app designed to simplify and incentivize grocery shopping. This app collaborates with every major grocery store you can think of and it doesn’t end there. Fetch now accepts receipts from any retail establishment you make purchases with.

The process is simple. All you need to do is scan and upload your receipts through the app and for every dollar you spend, you will be rewarded points. These points can then be redeemed for gift cards at a retailer of your choosing.

Coupons.com

Coupons.com is a free-to-use online platform that provides a wide array of digital coupons and deals for various products and services. Whether you prefer online or in-store shopping, this app will have coupons for you! This app works with over 50 stores nationwide.

You can browse coupons on their website or opt to download their mobile app instead. Either way, you have endless coupons at your disposal. Coupons.com offers cash back if you pay a minimum amount or purchase a specific quantity of a product. The amount of cashback you receive is dependent on how much you purchase and is different depending on the retailer you are shopping with.

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot offers a vast collection of digital coupons, promo codes, and deals for a wide range of retailers. You can visit the website or app to discover discounts on products and services, including fashion, electronics, travel, and dining.

This cash-back app is another viable option for coupon lovers. If you are looking to save big, RetailMeNot showcases over 400,000 active coupons and additional coupons are available each day! When it comes to the best cash-back apps, RMN earns a spot with over $30 million paid to their members.

To earn cashback you can search their website or app to check if the stores you are interested in shopping with qualify for rewards. Then all you need to do is shop and get paid for it.

Upside

Upside, formally known as GetUpside, offers cash-back rewards from over 50,000 retailers. This includes gas stations, restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Let’s break down these rewards individually:

  •  Gas: up to $0.25 per gallon
  •  Restaurants: up to 45% cash back
  •  Convenient Stores: up to 22% cash back
  •  Grocery Stores: up to 30% cash back

Upside states that over 30 million members have earned close to $2 billion in eligible transactions using their services. Cash back rewards can be redeemed via digital gift cards, bank transfers, or PayPal.

 

Ibotta

Ibotta is a free mobile app and internet browser extension that offers you cash back on everyday purchases. Collaborating with more than 300 in-store and over 2,000 online retailers, this app boasts over $1.2 billion in cash paid back to its 40 million users!

Purchasing from any of Ibotta’s partners allows you to claim up to 30% cashback. You can cash out your free money using PayPal, or, if your bank is a partner, direct deposit straight to your bank account. Gift card redemption is also available to use with more than 150 restaurant chains and retail stores across America.

Dosh

Dosh is a cash-back app that earns you cash back when you make qualifying purchases at participating merchants. This free platform offers cash-back rewards starting at 5% with some merchants offering 10% or more.

Dosh truly earns its spot as one of the best cash-back apps due to its automatic earnings feature. Once you link a credit or debit card to the app, it recognizes that card each time it’s used, and without any work on your part, most cash-back rewards are automatically distributed.

Receipt Hog

Receipt Hog is a free app that rewards cash back from uploading receipts and completing surveys. This app offers more than just cash-back options, you can also earn entries to sweepstakes and other prizes.

When using Receipt Hog, you can think of it as a virtual piggy bank, where each receipt submission earns you coins that are collected inside. Receipt totals between $10 and $50 grants you 10 coins, $50 to $100 gives you 15, and $100 and above earns you 20 coins.

Shop online or in-store to earn cash back and once you accumulate 1,000 coins you can redeem your earnings with PayPal.

 

Rakuten

Rakuten is another free-to-use app and browser extension that offers anywhere from 1% to 40% cashback to its customers. You can earn cash back simply by making transactions through your member account. Partnered with over 2,500 merchants, Rakuten offers a variety of available products eligible for rewards.

Payment is issued quarterly via PayPal or via mail as a physical check. The payout schedule is as follows:

  • Quarter 1: January 1 – March 31 Payment: April 15
  • Quarter 2: April 1 – June 30 Payment: August 15
  • Quarter 3: July 1 – September 30 Payment: November 15
  • Quarter 4: October 1 – December 31 Payment: February 15

 

Shopkick

Shopkick is a money-earning app that you can use to earn gift cards without spending any money. You heard that right, free money. Here is a breakdown of ways to earn kicks (points) without spending a dime:

  • Walk into participating stores.
  • Refer friends.
  • Watch video ads.
  • Search product listings for “surprises.”
  • Scan product barcodes with the in-app scanner

Additional kicks can be collected from making purchases by doing the following:

  • Shop with online partners through the app.
  • Shop with partner stores with your linked credit or debit card.
  • Buy certain items and upload your receipt through the app.

Redeem your kicks for gift cards or big-name retailers like Target, Nike, Amazon, Walmart, PayPal, and more!

CoinOut

CoinOut is the celebrity of our best cash back apps list. It was featured on Shark Tank in 2018 and has made quite a name for itself since. Boasting an impressive 3 million receipts per month, this cash-back app is hard to overlook.

What sets CoinOut apart from its competitors? There are no withdrawal limits, meaning you can cash out at your own leisure. The process involves downloading the app, signing up for your account, shopping anywhere, scanning your receipts, and cashing out.

You choose how to redeem your rewards. Available options are direct deposit, Amazon gift cards, or free PayPal cash.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a popular online rewards platform that allows you to earn points (called Swagbucks or SB) for various online activities. Swagbucks was launched in 2010 and has skyrocketed to more than 20 million members with a massive $935 million payout!

How are SBs earned? Users have a plethora of options that earn rewards including, but not limited to:

  • Making purchases at Swagbucks Shop.
  • Using the Search feature in the app.
  • Winning Swagbucks games.
  • Completing Swagbucks surveys.
  • Invite friends.

 

Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is a free app and website platform that allows you to earn cash-back rewards from grocery shopping, filling prescriptions, or getting gas. With over 10 million downloads, there is no denying Checkout 51 really saves you money.

Whether you live in the U.S. or in Canada, Checkout 51 has you covered. There are over 400 U.S. merchants and another 150 Canadian merchants currently partnered with C51.

Payments are made after your account reaches $20. Then you can request to have a physical check sent to you or, if you are eligible, PayPal cash can be transferred to your account.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the best cash-back apps opens doors to significant savings and smart shopping. These apps provide a range of options, reshaping the way we approach shopping by turning regular purchases into cash rewards. Utilizing these apps is a strategic step in leveraging the power of everyday transactions through technology, leading to a more rewarding financial future.

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Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.