Download These 16 Money-Saving Apps—Your Wallet Will Thank You

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Want to save money? I always want to!

Using apps to save money or to get cashback on your purchases is one of the easiest ways to save money. It’s one of those frugal living tips that you hear about but seems to be too good to be true. Spoiler alert: it’s not. You actually can save money, and once you get in the habit of using these money-saving apps, you will be shocked at how much you save.

Getting Started with Money-Saving Apps:

Pick one or two to get started so you won’t be overwhelmed. Once you get into the habit of using them, then come back here and download some more.
Set up automatic withdrawals from the apps that let you. This will make sure that you won’t forget about the money in your various accounts (especially apps that you don’t use so often)
Don’t spend money to save money. Even if you get money back, you are still spending money. Don’t go overboard!

Here are some of the best apps to help you save money!

The following links are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase any of these items using my links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.

GoCashBack

GoCashBack.com is one of the fastest-growing cashback websites, offering up to 31% cash back at your favorite retailers.

GoCashBack will help you find the best cashback offers and discount codes to help you save even more money. Use the GoCashBack App to check your cashback status from anywhere and to save money while shopping from your phone. You may even receive cash back by just eating out in your local area or at special events!

You can request a cash-back payment once you have earned at least $10 in available cash back. You may get your cash back through PayPal, check, gift card, or Helipay.

Types of coupons: Cash-back rewards
Type of reward: Checks or PayPal and Helipay transfers or gift cards
Cost: Free
Operating systems: Android, iOS, Browser extension

Rakuten

Rakuten is well-known for its online shopping, but its app makes it even easier to save while on the move. It is one of the top coupon app recommendations, and it works similarly to other cashback applications. When you activate offers, you will receive cashback incentives when you buy at certain shops. The rewards vary. Some stores pay cash back in the form of a percentage based on how much you spend with them, while others provide a fixed dollar amount.

Rakuten has nearly 2,500 retail partners. To receive a payout, you must have at least $5.01 in your account. If your balance falls below the minimum, your profits will be carried over to the next quarter.

Types of coupons: Cashback rewards
Type of reward: Checks or PayPal transfers every three months
Cost: Free
Operating systems: Android, iOS, Browser extension

ShopKick

Shopkick provides you points (a.k.a. kicks) merely for stepping into famous stores, browsing around, and scanning product barcodes. You don’t even have to buy anything, but if you do, you can scan your receipt to earn points.

Instead of cashback, like with other similar applications, you will earn kicks, or rewards points, which can be exchanged for digital gift cards. Shopkick provides various opportunities to earn incentives, such as watching advertisements, in addition to getting paid for purchasing.

You can shop using the app to earn points for online purchases and link your Visa or MasterCard payment card to get points for in-store purchases.

When your kicks reach $500 or more, you may cash out for chosen gift cards (Amazon, Target, and more) based on the gift card of your choice.

Types of coupons: Kicks (points) earned that can be redeemed for digital gift cards
Type of reward: Gift cards (Amazon, Target, and more) every 500 kicks or more
Cost: Free
Operating systems: Android, iOS

Ibotta

Ibotta is a cashback coupon app that allows you to get cash back when you shop. It is completely free to use and includes 300 stores nationwide. You can use it for almost every purchase you make, whether it’s bread at the grocery store or clothing on Amazon.

To receive rewards, you must activate offers. To show that you purchased qualifying products, you must upload a picture of your receipt. You may also link your shop loyalty cards to the account to avoid scanning receipts. Ibotta gives cash back at restaurants, convenience stores, movies, pharmacies, and more, in addition to groceries.

Ibotta will credit your account after your purchase has been verified. To withdraw your cashback rewards to your bank or PayPal account, you must first reach a minimum of $20. You may also exchange your cash back for gift cards.

Types of coupons: Cashback rewards
Type of reward: Transfers to PayPal or a bank account
Cost: Free
Operating systems: Android, iOS, Browser extension

Groupon

If you’re looking for a new restaurant in your area or traveling and want to find a nice bargain on a local attraction or hotel stay, Groupon is a terrific app to carry with you!

The app allows you to search, purchase, and redeem vouchers directly from your phone, avoiding the need for printing. Some coupons include a promo code, while others provide the discount instantly when you click through and shop with the store. You can also shop the app’s Groupon products section to find one-of-a-kind bargains on home products, family apparel, gadgets, and much more.

There’s also a Groupon+ option, which lets you save money at your favorite stores by attaching compatible credit cards to your Groupon account.

Browse the cashback offers, select the items you want, and continue to shop as usual. After that, the cashback savings will appear on your next credit card statement.

Types of coupons: Discount deals, digital coupons
Type of reward: Savings on purchases, cashback through credit card
Cost: Free
Operating systems: Android, iOS, Browser extension

Honey

Honey, in addition to being a popular Chrome extension, provides an app that helps you save money when shopping online. Install the app on your Chrome browser, and Honey will look for the best coupons for the website you’re purchasing from.

It automatically identifies promo coupons from their massive database, monitors free shipping thresholds, and allows you to check out at several stores with a single cart!

Honey also tracks the things you’re interested in purchasing and notifies you when the price drops.

When you achieve 1,000 Gold ($10), you may cash out and choose a gift card from a range of well-known retailers.

Types of coupons: Discounts on purchases
Type of reward: Savings on purchases, gift cards and cash back through Honey Gold
Cost: Free
Operating systems: iOS, Android and a browser extension on Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

Drop

Drop allows you to earn reward points on almost every transaction, from groceries to weekend Uber trips. You may also play games within the app to get extra points. Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you may exchange them for discounts at well-known retailers such as Kroger, Amazon, and Starbucks.

Types of coupons: Discounts on purchases
Type of reward: Savings on purchases
Cost: Free
Operating systems: iOS, Android, and a desktop extension on Chrome, Safari and Firefox

Checkout 51

Some of these discount applications that are connected to a certain retailer may annoy you if you live in the middle of nowhere. Checkout 51’s deals, on the other hand, can be redeemed at any store, though they do have certain shop-specific grocery offers. What I also love the most is that it allows you to earn cash back on gas and groceries!

Simply check the app for updated deals, go to the store or gas station, and purchase the listed products. Then, take a photo of your receipt to earn some cash! Not only that, but you’ll receive rewards just for shopping at certain places like Costco or Walmart.

Offers are limited and renewed on Thursdays, so make sure to check the app on Thursdays to claim the ones you want. You can also request a check after your account balance exceeds $20.

Types of coupons: Discounts on purchases and cashback rewards
Type of reward: Cash back for generic items and transfer through checks
Cost: Free
Operating systems: iOS and Android

Snipsnap

SnipSnap is a coupon-sharing app that allows you to “snap” a photo of a paper coupon you’ve received and “snip” it to use later at the shop. In simple words, just take a snapshot of anything you wish to buy with SnipSnap when you’re out and about.

The app turns the barcode in your photo into a digital barcode that can be scanned in-store. With this app, you’ll never leave your coupons at home again!

These vouchers are usually shareable with other people. Look through the SnipSnap database for legitimate coupons that have been shared for you and other customers to use. SnipSnap can even tell you whether it is cheaper to buy it online or at a different store.

Types of coupons: Digital coupons
Type of reward: Savings in purchases
Cost: Free
Operating systems: iOS and Android

Dosh

Dosh is really simple to use: just link your credit and debit cards, and you’ll earn up to 10% cashback in your account each time you use your linked card at thousands of retailers and restaurants.

The discounts are not automatic since you must “unlock” the deals you select, but once unlocked, all you have to do is shop. Aside from traditional retail outlets, there are several restaurants in the area where you may save money.

When your balance reaches a minimum of $25, you can cash it out. You can request payment to be sent to your bank account, PayPal account, or Venmo account.

Cash back rewards differ depending on the shop. Some cashback offers in the app are only valid for online purchases, while others are valid for both in-store and online purchases.

Types of coupons: Cashback rewards
Type of reward: Transfers to PayPal or a bank account, or charitable contributions
Cost: Free, but a $4.99 account maintenance fee is charged for inactive accounts
Operating systems: iOS and Android

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.

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 basically any place where you go shopping.

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.

Pogo

Pogo is a consumer rewards app that gives you rewards on every purchase you make, without having to take photos of receipts. Pogo links directly with existing debit and credit cards as well as retailer accounts and automatically reward you every time you shop. All you have to do is log in to Pogo, hit “Claim” on your purchases and you’ll get rewards. Cash out to Venmo or PayPal.

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.

CoinOut

CoinOut is the celebrity on 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!

Swagbucks are earned by making purchases at Swagbucks Shop, using the Search feature in the app, winning Swagbucks games, completing Swagbucks surveys, and inviting friends.