I love saving money on purchases whenever and wherever possible โ be it through discounts, coupons, rewards, and cash back apps, negotiating deals, credit card rewards (cash back and points), and more.
To put it mildly, I am like a savings junkie and simply hate to pay full price on anything.
Saving money on groceries and other shopping has never been easier. Gone are the days when shoppers had to clip hundreds of coupons, keep them organized, keep tabs on the fine print, and all of the other hassles that come with paper coupons!
These days, with a smartphone, you easily get money back by using the cash back apps installed on your phone and with little or no work required on your part.
Simply scan a receipt or just link your credit/debit card, and your cash back rewards will accumulate as you shop.
Even better, you can stack up and earn cash back rewards for the same purchase using different apps, plus your credit card offers and coupons as well.
In this post, I compile 21 of the best cash back rewards apps to earn real cash when shopping online and in-store. Signing up is easy and generally FREE, and these apps will literally pay you to shop!
To start, the top 5 cash back apps for Canadians are:
- KOHO: Overall best cash back app
- EQ Bank Card: Good cash back app for all retailers
- Rakuten: Best cash back app for online shopping
- Swagbucks: Best app for cash back and survey rewards
- Great Canadian Rebates: Best site for credit card sign-up bonuses
- Caddle: Alternative cash back app
The Best Cash Back Apps For Shopping
1. KOHO
KOHO is my go-to for earning cash back while paying cash. It is a free* reloadable Mastercard prepaid card and app that helps you earn cash back on debit purchases and is only available in Canada.
Unlike many other popular cash back apps that require you to scan and upload a receipt, the KOHO app does everything automatically. Simply use your card (physical or virtual card) to make purchases, and you earn up to 5% unlimited cash back credited to your account.
The app also works as a budgeting tool and can set up automated savings, with your account balance earning 5% savings interest. If you are looking to replace your expensive chequing account, KOHO includes free debit transactions, eTransfers, bill payments, and even free access to your credit score.
Get an instant $40 bonus when you sign up using our CASHBACK referral code and make your first purchase of any amount. Learn more in this review.
2. EQ Bank Mastercard
Combining the EQ Bank prepaid Mastercard with its mobile app and free Personal Account gives you a solid cash back combination platform. Users earn 0.5% cash back on all purchases and don’t pay ATM fees.
EQ Bank also pays up to a 4% interest rate for your account balance, making this a savings account where you can park easy-to-access funds.
Other EQ Bank perks include unlimited bill payments, e-transfers, spending insights, and access to various financial products (mortgages, investments, etc.).
Learn more about the EQ Bank Card.
3. Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is one of the online cash back portals I use the most when shopping.
Their format is simple: Access your favourite online retailers through the Rakuten website/app or use their browser extension.
Once a deal is activated, there is nothing else you need to do. Rakuten will track your cash back and deposit it in your account.
Rakuten allows you to earn cash back from over 3,000 popular stores. Discounts are plentiful, and you can earn up to 40% cash back on some items.
When you have accumulated $5 or more, you can request a payout through PayPal or as a cheque (check) in the mail.
Sign up here to get up to a $30 welcome bonus. The bonus is credited to your account after your first online purchase through Rakuten of at least $30.
4. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is the ultimate โGet-Paid-Toโ website. You earn money from completing various tasks, including shopping, taking surveys, playing games, browsing, referring friends, and more.
When you visit your favourite online retailer (including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Macyโs, etc.) via Swagbucks, you earn SB points for every $1 spend.
You can redeem your accumulated points for a gift card or as cash through PayPal. Swagbucks is available in multiple countries, including Canada and the U.S. It has paid out well over $915 million in rewards to members as of this update.
Read this Swagbucks review or sign up here to get a $5 welcome bonus.
5. Great Canadian Rebates
This website offers Canadian residents an opportunity to earn cash back when they shop online, particularly at stores that are open only to those with U.S. addresses. There are over 700 listed retailers you can shop at and earn cash back.
To earn cash back, visit Great Canadian Rebates first and proceed to your favourite retailers. You also earn cash for referring friends and family, which is equal to 15% of their cash back rebates for 5 years.
Rewards are credited to your account and can be redeemed as cash through PayPal or cheque or for Amazon.ca gift cards.
Sign up for Great Canadian Rebates and get a $2.50 welcome bonus.
6. Caddle
The Caddle app is similar to Checkout 51, but unlike Checkout 51, Caddle is currently only available in Canada.
Caddle publishes cash back offers every Thursday, and this runs for a week. To claim an offer, purchase the item (usually at any store), scan, and upload the receipt for processing. You can claim multiple offers on one receipt.
When your cash back balance reaches $20 or more, it is easy to cash out and receive a check in the mail. In addition to product offers, Caddle also pays you to watch videos, complete surveys, and refer friends ($1 per referral).
Get a $1 welcome bonus when you sign up here. This Caddle review provides more details about the app.
7. MyPoints
MyPoints is similar to Swagbucks in that they are a get-paid-to site that rewards members when they shop online at over 1,900 stores, share their opinions, watch videos, read emails, and more. It is available in the U.S.
To earn cash back when shopping online, visit MyPoints and click on the retailer you wish to purchase with. Your points will usually be deposited in your MyPoints account after a few business days.
You can redeem accumulated points as cash through PayPal or for gift cards.
A $10 bonus is credited to your account after your first online purchase of $25 or more. Learn more in this MyPoints review.
8. Receipt Hog
This app is available in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. Download the app and upload photos of the receipt when you buy anything anywhere.
Depending on whatโs on your receipt, you earn coins or spins in their sweepstakes. Receipt Hog uses receipt submissions to gather data on consumer buying behaviour.
You can redeem your accumulated coins as cash via PayPal or get an Amazon e-gift card. Other ways to earn using the app include taking short surveys.
Learn more in our Receipt Hog review.
9. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a great grocery rewards app that provides an opportunity for you to earn points for items purchased at more than 250 popular brands.
Earning points with the app is very easy. Forget about needing to shop at specific stores or scanning product bar codes!
With the Fetch Rewards app, you earn by scanning your grocery receipt from ANY store, including grocery retailers, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
You can redeem your points for free gift cards. Sign up for Fetch Rewards (Android) or iPhone).
10. Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a Google Chrome browser extension designed to make it easier to save money while shopping online. From finding active coupons and promo codes to earning rewards and redeeming them for gift cards, Capital One Shopping makes the entire process straightforward.
Whenever you shop online at thousands of retailers, the tool starts scouring the internet for working coupons and promo codes that it applies to your purchases when you check out. For multiple coupons, it chooses the one that gives you the most savings.
Capital One Shopping also looks for better offers from other sellers when you shop at Amazon or browse Amazon products. When it finds great deals that match what you are searching for, it displays the lowest-priced match within 10 to 15 seconds.
When you accumulate Shopping Rewards from your online purchases, you can redeem them for gift cards. Capital One Shopping says its over 7 million users saved over $800 million last year.
You can learn how it works here.
11. Sleek Cash Back Extension
Sleek is a cash back browser extension available on Google Chrome.
After installing the extension, you connect your payment cards and enjoy 1-click checkouts when shopping online at your favourite stores.
Your card details and shipping and billing addresses are entered automatically, so you donโt need to type them every time.
Sleek also offers an extra 2% cash back on top of the regular rewards offered by your credit card. It currently supports more than 1,500 stores.
Here’s how Sleek works.
12. TopCashback
TopCashback is a top website for earning cash back on any shopping you do online. It has over 8 million members worldwide, including in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
TopCashback allows you to earn cash back from over 4,380 stores and is popularly referred to as the โUSAโs most generous cash back rebates site.โ
To earn cash back, visit the TopCashback site, click on your favourite retailer, and shop. They track your shopping and deposit the cash back into your account.
You can redeem your rewards through PayPal, a bank deposit, or Amazon vouchers.
13. Checkout 51
This app will send you weekly offers (usually on groceries) that earn you cash back when you make a purchase and scan in your receipt using your phone.
New offers are available every Thursday morning and last until the Wednesday of the following week. To take advantage of an offer, buy it at any store and upload photos of your receipt using the app.
I have come across cash back offers as high as 30% on the Checkout 51 app and consider it one of the best grocery shopping apps available today. When your cash back balance reaches $20 or more, you can cash out via a check in the mail.
Checkout 51 is available in Canada and the U.S. You can read our review of Checkout 51 for more details.
14. Mr. Rebates
Mr.Rebates is similar to Rakuten and offers cash back opportunities on almost all of your online shopping.
To earn cash back rewards, sign up and access your favourite online store via the Mr. Rebates website. Shop as usual, and rebates are credited to your account within a few days.
You also earn cash back for referring friends (20% of your referrals earnings) and can redeem your cash back via PayPal or check when you reach the minimum $10 threshold.
15. Ibotta
Ibotta is another great discount app for earning cash back on your grocery purchases from over 285 stores, including Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, and CVS.
Easily find product offers on the app and add them to your shopping list. Following a purchase, take a photo of your receipt and upload it.
The cash back earned is deposited into your account within 2 days. In addition, you can earn cash back directly by linking your store loyalty card or making in-app purchases.
Ibotta is only available to residents of the U.S.
16. Paribus
Unlike some other cash back apps, Paribus is set and forget and can get you some serious cash back without any hassles. It is only available in the U.S.
This is how it works: When you shop online, the store emails you a receipt. Paribus will scan your receipt and determine if you are owed any money, either resulting from price drops or due to late delivery of your order.
Refunds are made to your original form of payment, such as credit card or PayPal, within 3-7 business days.
The app tracks 25+ major retailers, including Amazon, Old Navy, Walmart, Nordstrom, Target, Gap, and more.
17. SavingStar (now Coupons.com)
SavingStar is a great app for hassle-free grocery shopping cash back in the U.S. You can forget about having to clip, print, or mail coupons.
It has over 7 million members and offers cash back at over 100,000 locations, including Walmart, Walgreens, ShopRite, FoodLion, CVS, Target, etc.
Getting cash back via the app is easy:
- Download the app.
- Link any store cards you have and choose the rebates you want to claim
- Shop and use your linked card. If you donโt have a store card, you can scan and upload your receipts using the app or via their website
- Cash back is deposited in your SavingStar account, and you can redeem your cash back once you reach $20 via PayPal or direct bank deposit.
18. Dosh App
Dosh is similar to Drop with its rewards model. It is available in the U.S.
After downloading the app, connect your credit and debit cards, and whenever you purchase at partner stores, you get up to 10% in cash back in your Dosh Wallet. You also earn $5 for every friend you refer to Dosh.
When you want to cash out your rewards, simply transfer to your bank account or receive your money via PayPal. Earning cash back with Dosh is as easy as 1-2-3. Partner stores you can earn cash back from include Walgreens, Walmart, Target, GAP, and thousands more.
19. Receipt Pal
The Receipt Pal app works like Receipt Hog. You earn rewards when you simply take photos of your purchase receipts and upload them to the app.
To be eligible, you must have made the purchase yourself and uploaded the receipt within one week. Email receipts are also accepted.
Receipt Pal uses the purchase data from your submitted receipts for market research. Rewards are awarded as points and can be redeemed as gift cards.
20. Shopkick
Using the Shopkick app, you can earn rewards when you shop both online and in-store. The app is available in the U.S. and works like a combination of Dosh, Checkout 51, and Ebates. Shopkick is partnered with over 250,000 retail locations.
You can earn rewards when you walk into an eligible store, purchase with a linked card, scan and submit a receipt, visit an online store, purchase items online, scan product bar codes, watch videos, and more.
Rewards are earned as points, referred to as โkicks.โ 250 kicks are equal to $1 and can be redeemed as popular gift cards. When you refer friends, you are awarded 250 kicks.
21. RetailMeNot
This app works like Rakuten, but is currently only available to U.S. residents. You earn cashback by shopping at your favourite online retailers via the RetailMeNot website.
You can also link credit cards to your account to take advantage of in-store offers. Cash back rewards are redeemable as cash via PayPal.
Related:
- Best Financial Apps To Automate Your Savings
- 100 Ways Frugal People Save Money
- Top 100 Money Tips
- Ways To Save Money on Your Shopping
- Ways To Save Money Around Your Home
Another one I donโt think I saw which is similar to paymi, is Ampli a set it and forget it. Find it in the App Store free to use. I usually check once a month and have at least $34 to claim. And they will send you an e-transfer within a few days of requesting it, I think you have to reach $15 for payment.
You guys should check out Ampli, I’ve been using it for a month or two and have already gotten a ton of money back. E-Transfers money right into my debit its awesome
@Jim: We have an Ampli review here:
https://www.savvynewcanadians.com/ampli-review/
can you use your 1 receipt from 1 shopping trip on Checkout 51, Koho, Caddle at the same time?
@Alice:
Yes. KOHO is automatic and does not require you to scan your receipt. For Checkout 51 and Caddle, you can scan/upload the same receipts unless otherwise specified, and Drop is automatic as well.
How many of these apps are exclusive to Canada? Everything I seem to be looking at is a US company, and I’d rather support a Canadian enterprise.
@Catherine: Checkout 51, KOHO, Drop, and Caddle are Canadian companies.
I have been using Ibotta and not liking the offers of products. Most of the offers are for processed foods. We shop at Wholefoods and they had brands which aren’t even carried there. Then I’ve used it at Target and the selection is very short list. Once I reach my $20, I’m off there. There’s so many to choose from, can anyone provide me a better selection than Ibotta for grocery shopping?
I do love ebates for online shopping, I need to be better about making my purchases through there. Between me and my husband we’ve received almost a $100 back from shopping.
Swagbucks is a pain in the bootie! Earning SB points takes forever, then a lot times you can spend time taking a survey then they don’t give you the points for not answer correctly, or didn’t qualify because of your age, no kids at home etc..
Is it worth picking two or three or more apps to use?
Curious mind wants to know!
@Cathy: I combine five of these apps to maximize my cash back earnings. Some of them work better than others depending on your purchase habits.
I’ve used about three of these, and I also like Ebates the best. MyPoints can be redeemed for gift cards to restaurants – we did that before and enjoyed our meals out.
@Baby Boomer Super Saver: I also love Ebates especially for my Amazon shopping!
I really need to try eBates. I’ve been using Honey for over a year as a Chrome extension but the payouts have completely dropped off.
@Stephen: The honey program never seemed to work for me. Maybe it’s because I live in Canada, but I really never found deals that made using the extension worth the trouble.
I’m not surprised eBates is #1. It’s super easy to use, especially if you install their browser add-on.
@JoeHx: I agree, it’s so easy to use Ebates to earn cash back!