In today’s age of the internet and smartphones, there are apps for everything. There are money management apps, rewards apps, and even apps that pay you to exercise. So, what about apps that pay you to do one of your favorite things, like shopping?
If you’re a fellow shopaholic wondering if there is any way to get paid for one of your favorite pastimes, we’ve got news for you – there are apps for that! There are quite a few apps you can get cash back from and a couple where you can literally get paid to shop. So, which apps that pay you to shop should you use? Let’s take a look!
Best Apps That Pay You To Shop
Most of the apps available pay you a certain percentage of what you spend, so don’t spend money on items you wouldn’t typically purchase. That would end up being a waste of money. The benefit of using these apps is getting cash back on purchases you’d already be making regardless.
Keep reading to learn about the twelve best apps that pay you to shop. Remember, with any cashback purchases, it is a good idea to compare cashback percentages on multiple apps to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck.
1. BeFrugal
BeFrugal is one of the top shopping cashback apps. You can earn up to 30% cashback on all purchases made through the app. You also get a $10 sign-up bonus. They have over 5,000 stores to choose from, so it’s easy to get money back on your everyday purchases. BeFrugal is so dedicated to offering the highest cash back rates that if you find a better cashback deal on another app/website, they will match those rates and add an extra 25 percent to your account!
They also have coupons/deals on over 50,000 stores! You also get to cash out whenever you would like. You can cash out via PayPal or direct deposit with a $0.01 minimum payment amount, or via check with a $25 minimum payment amount. Alternatively, BeFrugal incentivizes its users by offering bonus cash back to those who choose to redeem in the form of a gift card.
2. Rakuten
Another top-notch app for cashback online shopping is Rakuten. With Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates), you can earn up to 25% cashback. Rakuten also offers a $10 sign-up bonus. They have more than 2500 online retailers and stores that they work with, including Kohl’s, Macy’s, Wal-Mart, and Groupon. They are also continually growing in their partnerships.
You can also get money back on individual eBay purchases, so check the app regularly to see if you can find specials on items you are looking to purchase. In addition to making money from spending, you also get access to various coupons and promo codes to save even more on your purchases.
Once you have earned at least $5, you can cash out via check or Paypal. Payments happen on the 15th of the following months: February, May, November, and August.
Furthermore, the Rakuten app allows you to compare online prices with in-store prices by scanning the barcode of the item you want.
3. TopCashback
If you prefer to earn money from shopping in-store instead of online, TopCashback is an excellent option for that! With this app, all you have to do is take a photo of the receipt after you go shopping and upload it to the app for payment. There is also a check-in feature where you can see if there are any store specials available that day. After you finish making your purchases, just show the offer on your phone at checkout to get the discount! TopCashback also has thousands of retailers with exclusive offers for app users.
The best part about TopCashback is that, unlike Rakuten, they give all of the affiliate commissions received by stores back to you. Therefore, you can get higher cashback percentages at certain stores compared to cashback percentages at those same stores on competitor apps.
There is no minimum payment requirement, so you can cash out whenever you would like as many times as you would like via direct deposit, PayPal, or gift card. You also get an extra 3% bonus cash back if you redeem via gift card.
4. iBotta
iBotta is one of the most-used and top-rated apps that pay you to shop. You also get a $10 sign-up bonus. With iBotta, you can make money through uploading receipts from purchases, linking your loyalty card to get credit for making purchases at participating retailers, and through making in-app purchases.
You can cash out via PayPal, Venmo, or gift card.
5. Shopkick
With Shopkick, you also earn during your in-store shopping, and the best part is that you get rewarded twice! Once when you enter a store and again when you make a purchase. Shopkick has partnered with over 250,000 stores. You also get extra rewards for scanning products while shopping. They also provide you with the latest deals at participating stores during your visit.
You can redeem your rewards, or “Kicks,” in the form of a gift card from various popular retailers such as Target, Starbucks, and Best Buy. To earn $1, you need 250 Kicks.
If you don’t want to shop in-store, you can also make money online by visiting online stores, viewing specific products, making mobile purchases, and watching videos.
6. CheckOut 51
For saving money on groceries and household items, Checkout 51 is an excellent choice. You also get a $5 sign-up bonus. For this app, once again, all you have to do is go shopping and scan your receipt. Offers are updated every Thursday, and you can cash out via check once you have earned $20.
7. Dosh
With Dosh, you don’t have to worry about scanning receipts at all. Instead, you set up your credit card or online banking account, shop, and earn cash. For in-store purchases, you use your linked credit/debit card at participating stores, and you will automatically get some money back on qualifying purchases. You can also earn cashback on online purchases through the Dosh app.
My favorite part about Dosh is that you also get cashback on travel! You can choose your destination and the type of hotel you want to stay in, and you’ll get a list of hotels offering per night cashback.
You can also make money through their referral program. You get $5 for every friend that signs up and completes their first cashback offer.
You can cash out via PayPal or direct deposit once you have earned $15.
8. Swagbucks
The Swagbucks app has a shopping section that allows you to get cash back on purchases. They also have a $5 sign-up bonus. Additionally, you’ll get access to coupons and promo codes for your purchases to save even more money.
However, your earnings will be in the form of Swagbucks, and 100 Swagbucks are worth $1. You can redeem your Swagbucks through gift cards. They even have a PayPal gift card!
9. ShopAtHome
ShopAtHome is another excellent app that provides you with a $10 sign-up bonus. They offer cashback at over 2,000 popular retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Kohl’s. You can claim your earnings via check, PayPal, or gift card. Sometimes you can even get discounts on the gift cards, so your money could be worth more redeeming that way.
10. Drop
Drop is another app where all you have to do is link your credit card or bank account and don’t have to upload receipts. The difference between this and Dosh is that you only get to select five brands to shop from. If you have specific brands you buy a lot from, choose those because once you have chosen the brands, you can’t change them.
Every time you spend money on the brands you select, you’ll receive a set amount of points for each dollar spent. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem your money via gift card. Noteworthy, though, is that 1,000 points = $1.
11. Instacart
Instacart is an app that will literally pay you to shop, not just get cash back for purchases you make. There is a slight catch though: you will be shopping for others.
Instacart is like the Uber of grocery shopping. It’s a creative way to help out your community. Additionally, Instacart provides you with a prepaid card to make purchases, so you don’t have to use your own money. This means you won’t be spending any money to make money.
As a full-service shopper, you work on your own schedule to shop for and deliver groceries to people’s homes. You do need a car, though.
12. Shipt
Shipt is exactly like Instacart. Depending on where you live, one app might be busier than the other, but it is worth being a shopper for both so that you have the highest chance of making the most amount of money.
Wrapping Up: Apps That Pay You To Shop
There are many apps where you can make money while shopping. While most of them are useful for receiving cashback deals, you do have a couple that will pay you to buy and deliver other people’s groceries. Remember, if you want the best cashback deals, compare the deals on multiple apps. Plus, you might as well take advantage of the various sign-up bonuses. That’s free money! Also, if you’re willing to accept a gift card to redeem your earnings, you can get even more cashback with some of these apps.
Furthermore, with the average American spending about $12,000 on food, apparel, services, and entertainment every single year according to USAToday, you could be saving $240 a year by earning 2% cashback on that $12,000 (on the low end). While that might not sound like a lot, it’s still better than not saving any money on purchases you’re already making.
Now, keep on shopping! Just make sure you’re making money while doing so!
