With Amazon Prime same-day deliveries setting today’s shopping pace, anyone serious about saving money needs to be using cashback apps (I personally use four). Consider the shopping we do year-round! From essentials like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and clothing to entertainment purchases like games and books. Add to that holidays, birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries.
While thoughtful gifts beautifully express how much we care, they strain both your emotions and budget. Meanwhile, everyday necessities—toothpaste, paper towels, and those countless small items we’re always running low on—quietly drain your wallet too.
Since we won’t stop shopping anyway, why not earn cash back on purchases we’re making regardless? Cashback apps let you watch bonus money accumulate until you cash out—like giving your bank account its own gift!
From this perspective, skipping cashback apps essentially means tossing money in the trash. New to this concept? Don’t worry—several excellent options await, and we’ve gathered all the details you need. Here are today’s three most popular cashback apps:
What is a Cashback App?
A cashback app works exactly as its name suggests—users earn cash rewards on everyday purchases. Simply sign up, connect your credit card for purchase tracking, and start collecting cashback. Spend $100 at Target, for instance, and you might receive $2-3 back through a cashback app.
While cashback isn’t revolutionary, specialized apps have streamlined claiming cash rewards on daily purchases. Think of it like credit card reward points—certain cards offer 1-3% rewards on specific purchases. Higher spending equals higher earnings.
Naturally, you shouldn’t spend money solely for cashback rewards, but earning a little money back on necessary purchases always feels good.
Why Do Companies Offer Cash Back?
Initially, cashback programs might seem too good to be true. You’re probably wondering, “what’s the catch?”
Good news: there’s no catch whatsoever. Cashback programs are cleverly disguised marketing initiatives. Companies want more customers, so they offer incentives to draw them in.
Let me explain with an example.
Macy’s wants increased foot traffic, so they tell Ebates (a cashback app) they’ll pay 5% commission for referred customers. This arrangement is standard in referral marketing. Ebates passes 4% of that commission to customers, meaning shoppers earn 4% cashback on all Macy’s purchases. Everyone wins!
Macy’s differentiates itself from competitors like Dillards and Nordstrom while customers save money.
Top Cashback Apps
Now that you understand cashback apps, let’s explore the best options. We’ll spotlight our three favorites, though you only need one to start earning benefits.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
Ebates was recently acquired by Rakuten, changing the name while maintaining everything else. It remains the most popular and user-friendly cashback app.
Getting started involves just:
- Downloading the app or registering on their website
- Selecting your desired store while still in the app, then shopping normally
- Choosing payment via PayPal or check
That’s genuinely all there is to it! The homepage displays store icons alongside cashback percentages:
Clicking your chosen store redirects you to their website for normal ordering, except your earned cashback appears in your account afterward. Depending on the retailer, cashback shows up anywhere from minutes to 11 days later.
Cash out quarterly through your preferred payment method once your balance exceeds $5. This tool shines during holidays when spending typically increases. With retailers spanning from Amazon to Old Navy plus 2,498 others, you’ll discover opportunities to use this cash-earning app throughout the entire year.
The app’s best feature is surprise bonus cashback days. Percentages typically range from 2-5 percent but can leap to 12 percent or higher without notice. Frequent online shoppers should check the app daily to catch the best deals. You’ll also earn bonuses: roughly $10 for signing up and up to $25 when referred friends spend their first $20 through the app. New referrals receive a $10 welcome bonus too.
Ibotta
Initially, Ibotta focused primarily on grocery store cashback. Recent years have brought expansion to retailers like Best Buy, Groupon, Home Depot, and Petco, among many others. Registration matches Ebates’ simplicity—download the app, enter your email and details, then select favorite stores (or current shopping destinations).
Your homepage will look like this after choosing favorites:
After signing up, Ibotta offers two usage methods:
- Select app items for grocery store purchase, shop, then scan receipts to redeem
- Link your debit or credit card, choose stores, and pay directly through the app
With the first option, you’ll select stores and browse available offers. Ibotta organizes everything into categories like “Best Value,” “New Offers,” and “Produce.” Currently, ShopRite offers include $0.25 back on limes, $0.75 on Wonder bread, and $2.00 back on Advil.
Scrolling through the list, tap the red plus sign on each item’s bottom-right corner to add it. After shopping, reopen the app, select the correct store, click redeem, and scan your receipt. The app recognizes purchased list items but might request barcode scanning for confirmation—don’t discard packaging until cashback approval.
Available offers refresh daily, so check frequently. You can also link cards to the app and pay for planned online orders. This option typically provides percentage-based cashback rather than fixed dollar amounts. Current offers include 2 percent cashback at Starbucks and 5 percent back at Bath & Body Works.
Throughout the year, earn bonuses for referring friends and shopping specific categories. Once reaching $20 in cashback, cash out via PayPal or gift cards ranging from Whole Foods to Barnes & Noble. These free gift cards work perfectly for birthday and holiday gifts or grocery shopping—another creative money-saving strategy!
Swagbucks
Swagbucks has long been recognized as a premier platform for earning extra cash through surveys. You can also earn points or “Swagbucks” by watching videos, playing games, and searching the internet—topics for another article.
For cashback earnings on Swagbucks, complete their quick, guided signup process (similar to others), then choose from three options:
- Shop favorite stores directly through the Swagbucks website or app
- Upload receipt photos within 10 days
- Select stores and add offers to your Swagbucks account, then shop in-store with your linked card
Each SB equals one penny, but they accumulate rapidly, especially when using the website or app through multiple methods. Shopping through Swagbucks earns percentage-based cashback on spending. Current rates include 4 percent (4 SB) cashback at Best Buy, up to 10 percent (10 SB) back at Amazon, and 6 percent (6 SB) at Groupon.
The second option involves uploading receipt photos to the website or app for cashback, similar to Ibotta’s process. This category also features printable coupons for various grocery items. You’ll save money in-store while Swagbucks awards 25 SB for each redeemed coupon—a true win-win!
Finally, select stores and offers through your Swagbucks account, then shop in-store using your linked debit or credit card. Available retailers range from The Vitamin Shoppe and Aeropostale to Bed, Bath & Beyond and Omaha Steaks. Average cashback hits 3 percent, though rates vary.
Swagbucks’ greatest strength is rapid cash-out capability. Withdraw earnings with just 160 SB ($1 Amazon gift card). While few people likely choose this minimum option, it’s refreshing that they don’t require $20 worth of cashback or points before withdrawal. 300 SB gets you a $3 Dunkin Donuts gift card, 700 SB earns $5 PayPal credit (popular choices like Amazon and PayPal may require more SB but most others correspond with SB-to-dollar amounts), and 990 SB secures a $10 Visa gift card. From $1 to $100+, thousands of gift card options await.
Whether you choose one of these apps, all of them, or different alternatives, we hope this article helped you make a positive financial move. While we’re all conscious of physical health’s importance, many forget to nurture financial health too. Every step you take to save or earn money, regardless of size, brings you closer to financial goals and a healthier financial future.
