The post Best Cash-Back Apps for Saving Money on Everyday Purchases by Anna Yen appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.
Whether you’re frugal or trying to beat inflation, you’ve probably clipped a few coupons recently. Modern cash-back apps and browser add-ons have simplified this process. Some of the best cash-back apps don’t even make you clip anymore — simply swipe and earn rewards.
Whether you’re filling your pantry or your gas tank, here are the top cash-back apps to save on everyday purchases.
Quick Look: Best Cash-Back Apps
- Best for Guaranteed Rewards: Fetch Rewards
- Best for Retailer Variety: RetailMeNot
- Best for Cashback on Gas: Upside
- Best for Linking Loyalty Cards: Ibotta
- Best for Protecting Your Data: Dosh
- Best for Automatic Redemption: Rakuten
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What Are the Best Cash-Back Apps?
Every cashback app has its pros, cons, and network of partnered brands and retailers. The right fit for your finances won’t just save money but will cut down on the time you waste searching for savings.
1. Best for Guaranteed Rewards: Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards serves users who want to earn points regardless of where they shop. The app pays at least 25 points per scanned or uploaded receipt from nearly any retailer. Buying promotional brands can earn even more.
Once you earn 3,000 points, you can redeem rewards for gift cards, monthly sweepstakes entries or charitable donations. Cash-out rates vary by redemption method, though users report 5,000 points averaging around $5.
As Gretchen Wieners would say, “That’s so Fetch!”
Pros
- Accepts nearly all retailers and brands
- No need to clip specific coupons
Cons
- $10 minimum initial redemption
- Can’t redeem for actual cash
- Rewards can accumulate slowly
2. Best for Retailer Variety: RetailMeNot
RetailMeNot is known for its Deal Finder app and browser extension that offers automatic coupons and promo codes at over 30,000 brands.
Now, RetailMeNot also pays cashback at over 1,200 stores. Just activate your offers in-app or online, go shopping and earn up to 10% back. Or, activate in-store offers and submit paper receipts for rewards.
When you’re ready to cash out, you can choose between PayPal or Venmo.
Pros
- Partners with more than 30,000 brands
- Automatically applies online deals
- Promo codes and cashback offers stack
Cons
- Cashback available only at select partner brands
- Limited cash-out options
3. Best for Cashback on Gas: Upside
get started
securely through Upside’s
website
Upside is a free app that earns you real cash back just for doing you. It’s designed to help consumers see more monetary returns on essentials like gas, groceries, and dining. Upside offers its users a number of methods they can use to cash out, including a direct deposit to your bank account or PayPal, or even a gift card to places like Amazon, Target, or Starbucks.
Upside is available as a free mobile app for iPhone and Android users, making it the easiest way to earn cash back. Once you claim an offer and make your purchase, cash back is added to your Upside account in just 2-4 days. Overall, Upside provides a unique tool that helps you earn 3x more cash back on the essentials you need without jumping through the endless hoops of other loyalty or rewards programs.
Best For
- Anyone looking for an easier way to earn cash back on purchases
- Commercial drivers or anyone with a commute who buys gas more frequently
- Smartphone users who dislike earning points and want real cash
- Partnerships with 50,000+ businesses that provide users with tons of ways to earn more
- Multiple cash out options ranging from PayPal to a direct bank transfer
- Rewards are offered in cash — not points that can be redeemed only for gift cards
- Verification of non-receipt purchases may take up to a week.
- You may face a $1 fee when you cash out if you have a low account balance. Otherwise, cashing out is free
Upside is one of the best cash-back apps for saving on gas in addition to groceries and restaurants. The app partners with over 30,000 gas stations across brands like BP, Valero and Shell.
Using Upside is easy: Pay with your debit or credit card, scan your receipt and watch the cashback add up. You can redeem your rewards via gift cards, PayPal or direct deposits into your bank account.
Pros
- Partners with tens of thousands of brand locations
- Multiple redemption options
Cons
- Not all gas stations participate
- Must pay with a debit or credit card to qualify for rewards
4. Best for Linking Loyalty Cards: Ibotta
Get started
securely through Ibotta’s
website
Think of Ibotta as the online/digital version of your weekly flyers or mailer coupons. Instead of couponing the old-fashioned way, use the Ibotta app to browse and select which coupons you’d like to redeem on your next shopping trip.
Best For
- Those looking for a simple, user-friendly tool to help you earn rewards and cash-back during your shopping trips.
- Shoppers who don’t want to pay a membership fee to earn those discounts and deals like you would when shopping at places like Costco
- Automates the entire coupling process-no more manual scanning and coupon-clipping
- Makes saving fun and interactive
- Extends the traditional “present at checkout counter” couponing to include savings via mobile in-app purchase opportunities
- No lengthy wait to see your savings; you receive real dollars in your Ibotta account within 24 hours
- Provides additional savings through group discounts and special bonus offers
- You can’t transfer Ibotta balances between Ibotta accounts
- The platform is currently only available on iOS and Android devices
- Online purchase rebates and discounts are only available for purchases made through the Ibotta app, not directly through the retailer’s website
- Customer Care usually takes a while to respond to your questions
Ibotta has long been considered one of the best coupon apps. Users can score cashback at thousands of brands like Walmart, Rite Aid and Target.
Browse the app and clip your offers, then scan or upload receipts. Or, link your store loyalty cards and forgo receipts entirely. Alternatively, you can download the browser extension or shop in-app to score discounts with partner retailers.
Once your account balance hits $20, you can cash out via PayPal or gift cards.
Pros
- Link store loyalty cards
- Offers an app and browser extension
Cons
- Some users report poor customer service
- Must clip individual coupons to receive rewards
- $20 minimum cash-out requirement
5. Best for Protecting Your Data: Dosh
Dosh uniquely claims not to sell customer data or store your financial information. Instead, it passes on rebates and savings from over 10,000 retailers straight to you.
Dosh works by linking with your debit or credit cards, plus certain digital payment options like Venmo and Jelli. When you make a purchase, Dosh automatically deposits rebates into your Dosh wallet — no receipt is required.
Once you earn at least $15, you can transfer your rewards to your bank account, PayPal or Venmo.
Pros
- No receipt scanning
- Automatic reward deposits
- Claims not to sell your data
Cons
- Must have at least $15 to cash out
- $4.99 maintenance fee for inactive accounts
6. Best for Automatic Redemption: Rakuten
The Rakuten shopping app partners with over 3,500 retailers in categories like groceries, clothing, travel and home improvement.
Each participating retailer offers a cash-back percentage, and the app and browser extension notify you when you’re eligible for rewards. Simply click the Rakuten link before checking out online, or earn in-store by linking your debit or credit card. You’ll also have to activate in-store cashback offers before shopping.
Unlike its competitors, Rakuten automatically cashes you out via check or PayPal every three months. Account balances under $5 roll over to the next payment period.
Pros
- Automatically redeems rewards
- Low minimum redemption amount
- Periodically offers welcome and referral bonuses
Cons
- Some users report issues redeeming referral bonuses
- Must manually activate offers
What Are Cash-Back Apps?
Cash-back apps offer coupons and rebates or cash back on various items, brands and receipts. Some pay straight cash, while others award points you can redeem for cash, gift cards or discounts.
How Cash-Back Apps Work
Most cash-back apps work similarly: You purchase items, scan or upload your receipt and receive rebates on eligible brands. Some also operate browser extensions that follow your online shopping and automatically apply coupons or cashback. A handful offer paid surveys separate from receipt rewards.
Different Types of Cash-Back Apps
Not all cash-back apps are created equal; they vary in partnered brands, transaction upload and cash-out options.
- The best cash-back apps pay cash. Some require you to clip coupons, while others automatically track and apply rebates. Ideally, you can cash out multiple ways, like checks, direct deposits, payment apps and gift cards.
- Points-based apps pay points, not cash, on eligible transactions. After accumulating enough points, you can convert to cash, gift cards or discounts.
- Browser extensions hang around your internet browser and alert you to discounts and rebates as you surf the web.
- Downloadable apps require an initial download. Some require you to scan receipts; others link to loyalty or payment cards to track eligible purchases.
Key Features of the Best Cash-Back Apps
A surprising number of cash-back apps aren’t worth the time or energy you have to devote to earn rewards. The top cash-back apps share features like:
- Retail partnerships: More brand partnerships mean more opportunities for cashback.
- Low minimum redemption levels: Most cashback apps require you to rack up a certain balance before cashing out. Look for lower minimums that let you cash out sooner.
- Redemption options: Good cash-back apps should offer at least two or three ways to cash out, including direct or digital wallet deposits and gift cards.
- Privacy and security: Most cash-back apps make money by selling consumer insights. They should never compromise or sell your financial data.
Boost Your Budget Without Spending a Penny More
These top cash-back apps offset your spending and boost your budget just by going about your everyday life. You can choose the apps that suit your spending and lifestyle. Save for a rainy day, a future vacation or a monthly treat; just keep uploading those receipts. And remember: Just because a brand pays a reward doesn’t mean you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cash-back apps effective?
Cashback apps may take time to rack up rewards, so you shouldn’t rely on them to pay your rent. That said, not using cash-back apps means giving up free money on things you buy anyway.
Answer Link
How much money can you earn with cash-back apps?
Your earning potential depends on which — and how many — apps you use and what brands you buy. Some receipts may earn pennies, while others could return up to 10%. Overall, these apps probably won’t pay as much as the best cash-back credit cards – but you can stack the two.
Answer Link
How do I get higher cashback?
You can earn more cashback by using several apps at once and stacking cashback apps and cards. You can also switch from store-brand to name-brand items that pay larger rewards. Just make sure that the reward offsets the price difference, otherwise you’ll lose money.
Answer Link
The post Best Cash-Back Apps for Saving Money on Everyday Purchases by Anna Yen appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.