What are the Best Back Apps You Should Be Using?
In today's economy, every dollar counts. Smart shoppers aren't just looking for sales anymore—they're stacking savings through cashback apps that put money back in their pockets with minimal effort. I've tested dozens of these apps over the years and am constantly amazed at how quickly those rewards add up. The cashback app market has exploded in recent years. Some apps specialize in specific shopping categories, while others cast a wider net. Many offer bonus promotions that can significantly boost your savings when you know how to leverage them strategically. I'll walk you through the best cashback apps worth downloading now. These are the ones I recommend to friends and family because they deliver value without wasting your time. Ready to start earning while you shop? Let's dive into the top contenders.
Upside
Upside specializes in giving you cashback at gas stations, but it has expanded to include restaurants and grocery stores in many areas. Its impressive return rates make Upside stand out in the crowded cashback space. You can earn up to 25 cents per gallon at participating gas stations, which adds up quickly if you drive regularly. The app uses your location to show nearby participating businesses with their current cashback offers. Using Upside couldn't be simpler. You claim an offer before purchasing, usually, pay with any payment method, and then snap a photo of your receipt. Their verification process is quick, and I've found their customer service responsive on the rare occasions I've needed assistance. The minimum cash-out threshold is only $15, and you can choose to receive your earnings via PayPal, direct bank deposit, or gift card options. For drivers especially, this app is an absolute no-brainer that can save hundreds annually on fuel costs alone.
Dosh
Unlike many cashback apps that demand receipt scanning or offer activation, Dosh works silently in the background once you've linked your credit or debit cards. This automatic approach means you'll never miss out on cashback opportunities because you forgot to scan a receipt or claim an offer. Shop at participating retailers using your linked card, and cashback appears in your Dosh wallet within days. The app partners with thousands of brands and local businesses. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Sephora frequently offer anywhere from 2% to 10% cashback through Dosh. Hotel bookings through the app can earn you even higher percentages back. Security concerns? Dosh uses bank-level encryption to protect your card information. They can view your transactions but never have access to your actual card numbers. With a $25 minimum threshold for cashing out to PayPal, Venmo, or direct deposit, Dosh makes earning passive income from your regular shopping surprisingly easy.
Rakuten
Its massive network of over 3,500 partnered retailers and generous quarterly payment system sets this platform apart. Installing the Rakuten browser extension transforms your online shopping experience. When you visit a participating retailer's website, a pop-up alerts you to available cashback rates and coupon codes. This dual functionality often helps me find savings I would have otherwise missed. The app's "Double Cash Back" events frequently boost rewards at select stores, sometimes offering up to 15% back on purchases. These promotions are particularly valuable during holiday shopping when I make larger purchases. Rakuten's "Big Fat Check" payment system sends your accumulated cashback quarterly via check or PayPal. While this means waiting longer for your rewards than other apps, the delay helps me build up more substantial payments. New users often receive a generous sign-up bonus after making their first qualifying purchase, making it well worth the download.
Honey
Honey has evolved from a simple coupon finder to a comprehensive savings tool with robust cashback options through its Honey Gold rewards system. This browser extension and mobile app automatically apply the best coupon codes at checkout and award Gold points on qualifying purchases. The Gold points system converts to gift cards for popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. While this isn't direct cash like some other programs, the seamless integration with online shopping makes it exceptionally convenient. What truly distinguishes Honey is its price-tracking feature. When shopping on sites like Amazon, Honey shows you the item's price history, helping you determine if now is the best time to buy. The DropList feature even notifies you when prices fall on items you watch. Honey combines automatic coupon application, price tracking, and cashback rewards to create a powerful multi-purpose savings tool. Since being acquired by PayPal, Honey has continued to expand its merchant network and enhance its features, making it increasingly valuable for online shoppers.
Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog takes a different approach from many cashback apps by allowing you to earn from virtually any receipt, regardless of what you purchased or where you shopped. This universal approach means you're never left wondering if a store participates. The app works on a points-based system where you snap photos of your receipts to earn "coins." These coins can eventually be converted to PayPal cash or Amazon gift cards. Higher-value receipts generally earn more coins, and you can also earn by completing short surveys or playing their slot machine game with bonus spins. Receipt Hog also collects shopping insights from your receipts, which is how they monetize your data to provide rewards. They anonymize this information before sharing it with market research partners. You'll want to review their policies if privacy is a significant concern. While the earnings per receipt are modest, the ability to use any receipt means you can steadily accumulate rewards over time from all your shopping trips. The app allows up to 20 weekly receipts, with a 14-day window to submit them after your purchase date.
Pogo
As a relatively newer entrant to the cashback space, Pogo has quickly gained popularity by combining aspects of personal finance tracking with cashback rewards. The app connects to your bank accounts and credit cards to automatically categorize your spending while providing cashback opportunities. Pogo's approach feels refreshingly transparent. They offer cashback on everyday spending categories like groceries, dining, and entertainment without requiring you to activate specific offers or scan receipts. This automated system ensures you never miss rewards on qualifying purchases. Beyond the cashback component, Pogo provides valuable insights into your spending habits through clean, intuitive visualizations. This dual functionality helps you earn and save money by identifying potential areas to reduce expenses. The app monetizes anonymized transaction data for market research and through its merchant partnerships. Users appreciate that Pogo is upfront about this business model, and the app emphasizes its bank-level security measures to protect sensitive financial information.
Fetch
Unlike apps that limit rewards to specific stores, Fetch allows you to earn points by scanning receipts from virtually any retailer, with bonus points for purchases of particular partner brands and products. The points system in Fetch converts to gift cards for dozens of popular retailers and restaurants. While this isn't direct cash, the wide selection of redemption options provides flexibility for most users. The minimum redemption threshold starts at just 3,000 points ($3 in value), making rewards accessible even for occasional shoppers. I particularly appreciate Fetch's special offers section, which highlights limited-time opportunities to earn bonus points on specific products. When aligned with items you plan to purchase, these offers can substantially accelerate your point accumulation. The app frequently offers promotions for new users, including bonus points for sign-ups and referrals. With its user-friendly interface and quick receipt processing, Fetch provides an accessible entry point for anyone new to cashback apps.
Trunow
Trunow focuses primarily on helping users save money on gasoline purchases. It combines real-time gas price information with cashback rewards. The app displays current fuel prices at stations near you, helping you find the best deal before filling up. After fueling up, you snap a photo of your receipt within the app to earn cashback, typically around 1-2% of your purchase. While this percentage might seem small compared to other cashback rates, the savings increase quickly for regular drivers, especially during high gas prices. Beyond gas purchases, Trunow has expanded to offer cashback on convenience store items purchased at participating gas stations. This additional category provides more opportunities to earn while making purchases you'd likely make anyway. The app maintains a relatively low minimum cashout threshold of $1, allowing users to access their rewards quickly. Payment options include PayPal, gift cards, or even donations to environmental causes that offset carbon emissions—a unique option that environmentally conscious users appreciate.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks stands out as more than just a cashback app—it's a complete rewards ecosystem offering multiple ways to earn. While you can undoubtedly get cashback for shopping through their portal, you can also earn "Swagbucks" (SB) by watching videos, completing surveys, playing games, and even searching the web. The shopping component works similarly to Rakuten, with users visiting the Swagbucks site or app before making online purchases. Cashback rates typically range from 1% to 10% at hundreds of popular retailers, with occasional promotional rates that go even higher. What I find particularly valuable about Swagbucks is how quickly the different earning methods can accumulate. On days when I'm not shopping, I might earn SB through a quick survey or by activating their search feature. This multi-channel approach helps users reach redemption thresholds faster. Rewards can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards, often with discounts on gift card options that effectively increase your return rate. For some gift card options, the first redemption can happen at just $3 (300 SB), making it one of the more accessible reward systems available.
Ibotta
Ibotta has evolved from its origins as a grocery-focused cashback app to cover various shopping categories, including clothing, electronics, travel, and more. The app offers three main ways to earn: adding offers before shopping, linking loyalty accounts, or making purchases through the app. The grocery component remains particularly strong, with cashback available on specific products, store brands, and even "any brand" categories like milk or bread. After shopping, you verify purchases by scanning your receipt or through automatic verification with linked loyalty accounts. Ibotta's team-based challenges and bonuses provide additional earning opportunities. By joining a team with friends or family, you can work toward collective goals that unlock bonus rewards. Seasonal promotions and welcome bonuses for new users can boost initial earnings substantially. The app offers cash redemption via PayPal or direct deposit once you reach $20, or you can opt for gift cards starting at the same threshold. Their user interface makes it easy to track progress toward bonuses and see precisely how much you've saved over time.
