Everyone loves cash! We all want to save more money while we are out shopping for essentials and the apps below will help you stretch your dollar a little bit farther.
All of the apps in this article are very similar to Ibotta, an amazing app that every wallet conscious shopper knows and loves.
What is Ibotta?
If you aren’t familiar with Ibotta, it is an app that will pay you back for the money that you’ve spent at the store. Yes, it will simply give you cash after you take a picture of your receipt. I know, it sounds too good to be true! It is a real way to easily save some money though.
The amount of cash you receive is based on the offers available in the app. You can glance the offers over before you shop if you want to maximize your savings. Plus, Ibotta will send your cash to PayPal as soon you request it. Ibotta is not the only cash back app out there though, below is a list of many apps that will pay you just for shopping.
Top Cash Back Apps Like Ibotta
The money you can earn with these apps is basically free money, so there is no reason why you cannot capitalize on this!
1. Shopkick
Shopkick is a versatile app available for iOS and Android devices that will give you points or “kicks” for a couple of different things. You don’t even have to buy anything to earn money with this app!
The first thing Shopkick will pay you for is just walking in to select retailers, yes you just have to go to the store. The GPS feature of the app will know if you enter a store and the kicks will automatically be put in your account when you leave the store.
You can see what stores are offering walk-in kicks by navigating to the store section of the app. The best part of this feature is that you don’t even have to buy anything!
If you are planning on going to a store anyways, this is an amazing way to earn some cash in exchange for something you were already planning on doing. You could even check out the list of available stores and stop in a few on your way home to earn some easy points.
If you want to earn additional kicks, then you can start scanning product barcodes. The scan barcode feature is only available when you are in the actual store, so don’t try to find it in the app unless you are already in a store. Although scanning barcode for points is not available at every store, it can be a quick way to earn some points.
A word of friendly advice, some retailers don’t mind, but other retailers don’t encourage scanning barcodes so you might want to attempt doing this discreetly. You could even make a game out of it and attempt to scan barcodes like a point claiming James Bond.
A final way to earn kicks is by actually buying an item. You will have to use their special coupons and discounts. If you find a good deal on their app, then this is a great added bonus. If you don’t find anything you want to buy, you can still keep all the other points you earned in that trip.
Now the best part, cashing out. Shopkick will allow you to redeem your kicks for gift cards to a large selection of retailers. Some gift card options include BestBuy, Urban Outfitters, Target, Walmart, Macy’s and many more.
A fun way to use Shopkick is going on a shopping spree with a fellow budget-conscious friend. You can rack up points together or make it into a scavenger hunt competition- whoever has the most points wins! Making money while having fun? Sounds like a win-win situation to me.
2. SavingStar
SavingStar will help you save money on your groceries through its website where you can claim monthly deals at various stores in your area. It is important to note that you absolutely must click the “I want this deal” button in order to receive credit for the deal.
If you do not claim it before you buy it, you will not get your credit. Fortunately, there is an app so you can just view the deals at the store and claim it right before you buy it.
You will need to have store loyalty cards in order to use this website. Unlike most of these other apps, you do not have to scan your receipt, you will need to link your store loyalty cards to SavingStar and your purchases will be tracked that way.
One drawback to SavingStar is that it may take a little while for you to receive your money. According to the website, it will take an average of two to fourteen days to receive your credit, but it could take up to 30 days.
The money you save will add up in your account until you decide to cash it out. You pay out options are an Amazon gift card, PayPal or a donation to American Forests.
3. Dosh
Dosh will give you cash back for shopping at certain stores in your area. All you have to do is check the list of available stores and offers, once you make a qualifying purchase at that store you will receive the advertised cash back.
You do not have to send in any receipts, but you will have to link your debit or credit card to the app to confirm your purchases. Most of the cash back options range from 5 to 10 % of your purchase. The stores are not just regular retailers, the list also includes restaurants if you are looking to save some money on a night out.
You can also use Dosh for cash back on your online purchases. If you want to learn more ways to earn cash back while shopping online, then check out the next section.
Dosh will also give you cash back on travel purchases like hotels. Any cash back on a hotel room is going to help offset the cost of travel, so it is definitely worth checking out.
Once you accumulate 15 dollars in cash back, you can just cash out via PayPal or direct deposit. The money will transfer within 2 or 3 business days.
4. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is an app that you can use any store, not just grocery stores.
Before you go shopping, take a look at the list of offers on the Checkout 51 website. After your shopping trip, just upload the picture of your receipt to the app (or to the website) and watch the money roll in.
An additional feature that adds value to Checkout 51 is that you can also earn money from your online shopping by uploading a picture of the package label. If you are really into online shopping, then this is a great app to be aware of.
Instead of an electronic payment through direct deposit of PayPal, the payout is via check. It means that it may take longer for your money to get to you via snail mail, but this is free money so can we really complain? You just have to wait until you hit the threshold of 20 dollars before you are able to cash out.
5. Receipt Pal
Receipt Pal will pay you for receipts submitted either through their app or via email. You earn points every time you submit a receipt. For every 4 receipts, you will earn 100 points.
You can cash these points in for gift cards to places like Amazon, Restaurant.com and more. The longer you can hold off redeeming your points, the more valuable they will be to you.
The larger point values have a much larger gift card payout. You can almost double your point value by saving your points for a bigger redemption. And we can all agree that more value is always a good thing.
When you first start out, you will only be allowed to upload 20 receipts per week. As you continue to use the app, the number of receipts that you are allowed to submit will increase over time. You have to submit receipts within 30 days of the purchase or they don’t count.
Once you submit a receipt, you will get your points within 24 hours. You can redeem your points for a gift in the app at any time.
6. MobiSave
MobiSave is a great way to earn cash back on your grocery shopping. After you buy an item from the list of available offers, you will upload your receipt and get paid ASAP.
MobiSave will pay you via PayPal and there is no minimum payout. A big plus is that they will pay you within 24 hours of redeeming your offer, not having to wait around for your money is always a great thing.
7. BerryCart
As the name suggests, BerryCart is a cash back item for healthy food purchases like berries. Specifically, BerryCart will give you cash back on health-conscious foods.
What qualifies as healthy? Food choices that are organic, gluten-free, non-GMO or vegan. If you are a shopper that always looks for the healthiest options, then this is a great app for you.
Not only will the app give you cash back, it will also provide you information about the product. BerryCart will let you know what category the item falls into, or if it falls into multiple health categories.
After finding which products you want to buy through the app, you have the option to see what stores the product is available at. Not every product will be in every store because not all stores carry a large number of health-conscious choices.
Once you buy the product, simply scan the receipt into the app. It usually takes 24-28 hours for your claims to be processed.
The offers change weekly, so you can check back often to maximize your savings. After you earn the minimum payout threshold of 5 dollars, you can quickly cash out via PayPal.
8. Walmart Savings Catcher
Walmart Savings Catcher might be the easiest way to make sure you are getting the best deal in town. After you download the app, all you have to do is scan your receipt and Walmart does the rest.
They will search for a better price on all of the items on your receipt for a better price by a local competitor. If they find a better price, they will simply credit you the difference. That’s it, it is really that simple.
If you are constantly shopping around town for the best deal but don’t want to keep spending your time doing that, then this is a great app for you. You can be sure you are getting the best deal without spending hours going from store to store.
There is no payout minimum, so just claim your Walmart eGift Card anytime.
9. Shop Savvy
Shop Savvy will help you save money at the store by allowing you to scan an item for a price comparison. If you aren’t shopping at Walmart and using the Walmart Saving Catcher, then this can help make sure you get the best deal in town.
You don’t get cash back with this app, but if you need peace of mind about finding the absolute best deal then this will help you out a lot. You’ll never have to worry about getting the best deal ever again.
10. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a very simple app to use. Unlike most other receipt scanning apps, they don’t care where you bought an item just that you did buy it from somewhere.
As with most apps, there is a list of offers that you can look to in order to maximize your savings. Instead of checking to see where the deal is offered, you just have to go buy that item wherever is most convenient for you.
One drawback is that there may not be a multitude of offers, yet. That is just because the app is fairly new, but it is still worth checking out.
You will receive points in exchange for your redeemed offers. Every 1,000 points equal 1 US dollar. You can cash out with a minimum of 3, 000 points (3 dollars).
The payout options are gift cards to retailers you most likely shop at often like CVS, Target, and Amazon. You can also choose to donate your earnings to the Red Cross. All of these options are basically as good as cash to me because I can use them for my next purchase of everyday items like food, medicine, and other essentials.
Make sure to enter the referral code C8MNU to get 2000 free points. That is a free bonus of $2.00 just for signing up and scanning your first receipt!
11. Receipt Hog
You will just have to upload your receipt to get paid by Receipt Hog. Instead of cold hard cash, you will earn points that you can redeem for either cash via PayPal or an Amazon gift card. Requests to exchange points for your payout are usually processed within seven days.
Receipt Hog will accept receipts from any store, not just grocery stores.
12. Coupon Sherpa
Coupon Sherpa is a great option for saving money at the store. Although you won’t be able to earn cash back with Coupon Sherpa, you will probably be able to save quite a bit of money through this app.
You might know the feeling of getting close to the front of the checkout line and remembering that you haven’t checked for coupons. You can easily find the best coupons fast with Coupon Sherpa.
Simply open the app and do a quick search for available coupons. You can even save your favorite stores for faster access to relevant coupons.
13. Krazy Coupon Lady
Krazy Coupon Lady is another great option if you are looking to save some money at checkout. The app has tons of coupons that you can easily use right in the store.
You might not be earning cash back, but keeping money in your pocket is just as good as putting it in your pocket.
14. Shopmium
Shopmium works exactly like Ibotta. Just scan your receipt and they will give you money if your purchases qualify for their offers.
The best part is there is no minimum payout. So as soon as your purchases are verified and approved, your money will be sent to either PayPal or directly to your bank account.
It is so simple, it might be crazy not trying it.
15. Snap by Groupon
Snap by Groupon will give you cash back on purchases made at any store. You just need to upload your receipt and watch as the money rolls in. You can use the app or the website to earn money with this platform.
Typically, your purchases will be approved within 48 hours. There is a payout minimum of 20 dollars, but once you hit that you can request your payment. One drawback is that it can take up to 60 days to get your earnings, but you will eventually get your cash.
Best Online Cash Back Apps
All of the apps above are great ways to earn cash back for your in-store purchases. However, they might not be super useful for you if you do all of your shopping online.
Apparently, you can even buy groceries online now, so the incentive to leave the house just got lower. With everything available online, sometimes it can be hard to get to the store to capitalize on these deals, but do not worry there are some online cash back options as well.
Just because you like staying home doesn’t mean you can’t earn cash back as well! These last two options are perfect if you prefer shopping from the comfort of your couch.
16. Paribus
Paribus is slightly different than the apps listed because it is not really giving you cash back. Instead, it is refunding the money that you deserve. Why do you deserve the money they are willing to give you?
Have you ever bought something and then the very next day the price drops? Wouldn’t it be nice to cash in on that saving without having to go through the hassle of a return and repurchase, if the retailer would even let you do that?
Well, now you don’t even have to worry about it because Paribus will track your online purchases. If the price drops on an item that you purchased, you will be refunded the price difference by the retailer. The money should be returned to your original form of payment within 3 to 7 business days. All you have to do is sign up once, the rest of the work is done by Paribus. That is pretty amazing, right?
Paribus monitors majority retailers that you most likely shop at including Costco, Walmart and more.
17. Rakuten
Rakuten is a cashback website, but it does not require you to scan receipts at all. All of the saving potential is through online shopping, so if you really don’t envision yourself going shopping in a physical retailer this is for you!
It is really easy to use, just install the app into your browser. After that, you will get a notification anytime you are on a website with a cash back opportunity. Simply activate Rakuten for that transaction and you will get a certain percentage of cash back.
You can cash out at any time with a check mailed to your home. Although the snail mail may cause a minor delay, this might be the easiest money you ever make.
Final Thoughts
All of these apps are really amazing ways to put some extra cash back into your wallet. Everyone has to buy groceries and most people wish that food bill was lower. If you want to save some money on your next shopping trip, then signing up for apps like this is really a no-brainer.
To really maximize your earning potential with these kinds of apps, you might want to try signing up for more than one of them. The deals in each may vary monthly or weekly, so the best deal for you might be in a different app each week.
Which apps will you be trying out this week?
Paribus compensates us when you sign up for Paribus using the links we provided.
I love this list! I use a couple of these apps already, but I’ll be trying more. Also, Walmart Savings Catcher has been discontinued. What a bummer.
That’s great that the apps you’ve tried are working for you!