Our 5 Favorite Cash Back Apps — Plus Tips to Maximize Earnings
For years, coupons have been Americans’ favorite way to save money, but we get it: Sometimes you just don’t have time to scour weekly ads and carefully cut (or, ahem, rip) out each deal.
Luckily, we have cash back apps and websites these days, which allow you to make money back on in-store and/or online purchases. No need to print out coupons or keep binders of store ads — you just need your phone or computer.
But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to find apps that cater to your shopping needs. That’s why we rounded up five of our favorites to help you get started.
Before we get to the list, though, let’s review what cash back apps are and how they work.
What are Cash Back Apps, and How Do They Work?
Although coupons and cash back apps are both great ways to save money, they work a little differently. With coupons, you save money before you checkout. With cash back apps, you earn cash rewards (either cash, a check or gift cards) after you make a purchase — like a rebate.
Some of these shopping apps allow you to earn cash back in stores, and others allow you to earn cash back online. Some offer both.
If you’re shopping in-store, here’s how these apps generally work:
- Download the app, and create an account.
- Find where you’re shopping, and see what cash back offers you find.
- After you checkout, claim your cash back rewards by taking a picture of your receipt and/or scanning items’ barcodes.
If you’re using an app that offers online cash back deals, it’s even easier. Just open the app or web browser, choose your go-to retailer and shop its site through the portal.
Now, you might be wondering how these apps can just hand out cash. Retailers and brands typically offer a referral commission to these apps, so each time you purchase a product, the app gets a portion of the money. Then, the app passes part of that commission over to you.
Now that you understand how these money-saving tools work, we’ll showcase our favorites.
The 5 Best Cash Back Apps and Sites of 2025
You might feel a little overwhelmed with options. That’s normal.
Here’s what we suggest: Sign up for one or two of these cash back apps. Use them for a couple of weeks and see how much extra cash you earn. If you find they’re not suiting your normal shopping habits, then explore another option.
The best cash back apps for you will depend on your spending habits. But we’re here to give you all the information you need to make the best decision for you.
1. Upside
Upside helps you save on gas, groceries and restaurants, making it a go-to among best money back apps for real-world purchases. It’s especially useful if you’re not loyal to a specific store or gas station and will go where the offers are.
How it works: Find offers nearby in the app, pay with a linked credit or debit card, then check in or upload your receipt to automatically earn cash.
Best for: Drivers and bargain hunters who shop wherever’s convenient.
Pros:
- Earns rewards at 50,000+ locations
- Compatible with loyalty programs and credit card rewards
- No need to pre-select items or scan barcodes
Cons:
- Cash payments aren’t eligible
- Offers only work at participating stores listed in the app
Unique feature: Real-time gas station offers help you save money at the pump.
Sign-up bonus: Up to $0.50/gal extra on your first gas purchase with a code.
Payment method: Redeem via PayPal account, bank deposit or gift card purchases. Avoid a $1 fee by cashing out $10+.
User ratings: 4.8 (App Store), 4.6 (Google Play)
Safety note: Secure and widely used — trusted by a large network of partner retailers.
Available via iOS and Android.
2. Rakuten
Rakuten is a veteran in the cash back apps space, best known for earning rewards on online purchases with minimal effort. It’s especially loved by online shoppers, but you can also earn cash back on dining and travel purchases.
How it works: Start your shopping through Rakuten’s app, website or browser extension, and earn automatic cash back after you complete a purchase. You can also link cards for some in-store purchases.
Best for: Online shoppers looking to stack deals from major brands.
Pros:
- Works with over 3,500 partner stores
- Applies coupon codes automatically with the extension
- Supports some in-store purchases, too
Cons:
- Payouts come quarterly
- Shopping must begin via Rakuten to track rewards
Unique feature: Combines coupons and cash back, often the best combo for large online purchases.
Sign-up bonus: $10–$30 after your first qualifying purchase.
Payment method: Quarterly payouts via PayPal account, AMEX points or check (min $5.01 for mailed check).
User ratings: 4.8 (App Store), 3.4 (Google Play)
Safety note: Formerly Ebates, Rakuten has been around since 1998 and has one of the best reputations in the game.
Available via iOS and Android.
3. Ibotta
If you find yourself grocery shopping every other day, you’ll want Ibotta in your back pocket. Ibotta is one of the most well-known cash back apps, especially for groceries and everyday essentials. This cash back app pairs with a number of major grocery stores and chains, including CVS, Kroger, Publix, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart.
How it works: Open the free app, browse offers, make your purchase, then scan your receipt or link your store account to automatically earn cash.
Best for: Grocery and household shoppers who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases.
Pros:
- Wide selection of offers
- Works at major retailers like Walmart, Target, CVS and more
- Stackable with coupon codes and store loyalty programs
Cons:
- Easy to overspend chasing high-value offers
- Must reach $20 to cash out
Unique feature: Offers frequent “any item” deals that let you earn rewards on nearly anything.
Sign-up bonus: Snag a $5 sign-up bonus after uploading your first receipt to the Ibotta app.
Payment method: Once you hit $20, redeem via PayPal account, Venmo, bank transfer or gift card purchases.
User ratings: 4.8 (App Store), 4.6 (Google Play)
Safety note: Founded in 2012 with 40M+ users, Ibotta is one of the most trusted cash back apps available.
Available via iOS and Android.
4. Shopkick
Shopkick differs from the other apps on this list in that you don’t have to make a purchase to start earning points. It rewards you just for walking into stores, making it one of the most flexible apps for cash back.
How it works: Earn “kicks” by walking into stores, scanning barcodes, uploading receipts or making purchases. You don’t need to spend a dime to start earning.
Best for: People who enjoy shopping in person or want rewards without spending money.
Pros:
- Earn without making a purchase
- Fun, scavenger-hunt-style experience
- Works for both in-store purchases and online shopping
Cons:
- Earning rates are low without purchases
- Can be easy to forget to check the app
Unique feature: Lets you earn points for simply walking into participating retailers.
Sign-up bonus: $5 with promo code and qualifying activity.
Payment method: Redeem kicks for gift cards or deposit to PayPal account.
User ratings: 4.6 (App Store), 3.7 (Google Play)
Safety note: Over 10M users and no credit or debit card required to start.
Available via iOS and Android.
5. Fetch Rewards
We’ll just say it: The Fetch Rewards app is best for lazy savers. Or maybe you’re so busy you can’t even plan your next shopping trip; you just squeeze them in when you have five minutes. Fetch Rewards is one of the easiest rebate apps — just snap photos of receipts from almost anywhere and get rewarded.
How it works: Upload receipts from grocery stores, convenience stores or gas stations to earn points, which can be redeemed for rewards.
Best for: Busy shoppers who want a hands-off way to earn.
Pros:
- Accepts nearly any retail receipt
- Very easy to use with no offer selection or barcode scanning
- Fast way to accumulate points on everyday items
Cons:
- Receipts must be uploaded within 14 days
- No web or browser features
Unique feature: Accepts all kinds of receipts without needing to activate offers.
Sign-up bonus: $2–$3 (2,000–3,000 points) when you use a referral code.
Payment method: Redeem rewards starting at 3,000 points for gift cards, sweepstakes, or donations.
User ratings: 4.8 (App Store), 4.7 (Google Play)
Safety note: Used by millions of shoppers and highly rated for ease and data privacy.
Available via iOS and Android.
Other Top Rewards or Cash Back Apps
While the five apps above are our top picks, these other rewards or cash back apps are also popular and worth exploring. Depending on your shopping habits and how you like to earn, one might be a great addition to your savings toolbox.
- Capital One Shopping – This free tool, which is available as a browser extension or with the app, which can help find deals and coupon codes for you when you shop online. Rather than earn cash back, users can earn rewards on eligible purchases that can be redeemed as gift cards at select retailers.
- KashKick – You can actually get paid to play with this app. No surveys, no endless ads, just real money for playing games you’d probably be playing anyway. Once you’ve got $10, you can cash out instantly through PayPal.
- Free Cash – The app has all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. The coins you earn from each completed task can be converted into Visa gift cards, Amazon gift cards, cryptocurrency or cold-hard PayPal cash.
- TopCashback – Known for offering some of the highest cash back rates on purchases from thousands of retailers.
Trying out a mix of these best cash back apps can help you earn more on your everyday purchases and make more in-store purchases pay off.
Pro Tips To Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
So now you know: Cash back apps are a great way to pocket extra cash. But you also have to learn to use them responsibly. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the shininess of earning money back — even if you’re spending unnecessarily.
To help you use cash back apps responsibly, here are a few of our favorite tips:
- Read the offer’s fine print. Make sure you’re purchasing the correct brand and quantity. For example, you might only earn $3 back when you buy a 32-ounce jar of peanut butter — not the 16-ounce one.
- Before purchasing a specific item to pocket the cash back, compare prices of other brands. Also take into consideration any coupons. Some simple math will help you determine what’s the best deal.
- Familiarize yourself with your go-to cash back app. For example, if you use Ibotta, apply any in-store coupons to your purchase first. Then you can still get your Ibotta cash back.
- If you’re not sure how to find better deals, use a site like Capital One Shopping to do a quick comparison.
- When you sign up for many of these cash back apps and sites, you’ll automatically opt in to promotional emails from that app. Go ahead and find that small “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the email — that way you’re not tempted to spend unnecessarily.
- If you’re finding yourself purchasing items just because you’ll get cash back, write up your shopping list, fill your cart then see if any of the items you’re purchasing qualify for a cash back deal. Now you won’t get suckered into buying a $5 container of fancy Icelandic yogurt just because you’ll get 50 cents back.
All right. Now that you know the ins and outs of these handy mobile apps, it’s time to earn extra money — or an Amazon gift card. Let us know what’s your favorite.
FAQs: Cash Back Apps
If you’re new to cash back apps or still deciding which one to try, these common questions can help you make a more informed choice. Here’s what you need to know before diving in.
The best app for getting cash back depends on your spending habits, but Upside and Rakuten are two of the most widely used and highly rated options. Upside is ideal for purchases on gas, while Rakuten excels for online shopping.
Yes, reputable cash back apps do pay out, but users should always be cautious about what apps they use. Apps like Upside, Rakuten and Fetch have millions of users and strong track records for issuing rewards on time.
Rakuten is better for earning cash back from online retailers, while Fetch is more flexible for earning points from everyday purchases with any receipt. If you shop online and in stores, using both apps together can maximize rewards.
The app that gives the most cash back often depends on where and how you shop. If most of your money is going toward every day essentials like gas and groceries, Upside is great. Rakuten is ideal for the online shopper.
Yes, cash back is worth it if you’re making purchases you were already planning to make. Using cash back apps can help you earn real rewards or instant cash without changing your habits—just be sure to avoid spending just for the perks.
Carson Kohler ([email protected]) is a former personal finance writer at The Penny Hoarder.
