Can you make money by uploading or scanning your purchase receipts? Yes, you can. Cash back apps like Caddle and Checkout 51 have made it easier to earn real cash for your receipts.
In this post, I will talk about the popular apps you can use to make money doing simple things like uploading receipts, purchasing eligible products and scanning barcodes. Learn how to use these apps to maximize your rewards.
Related reading:
- Best Cash Back and Coupon Apps in Canada
- Best Apps and Tools To Save Money
- 10 Apps That Pay You To Walk
Apps That Pay You To Scan Grocery Receipts
| App | Bonus/Promo | Minimum Payout Threshold | Location |
| Caddle | $1 | $20 | Canada |
| Checkout 51 | $5 bonus after you complete your first offer | $20 | Canada, U.S. |
| KOHO | $20 cash bonus | N/A | Canada |
| Neo Money | $20 cash bonus | N/A | Canada |
| Rakuten | $30 signup bonus after your first purchase of $30 or more | $5 (payments are made quarterly) | Canada, U.S. |
| Ampli | – | $15 | Canada |
| Paymi | – | None | Canada |
| Nielsen Homescan | Starting bonus of 1,000 points | None | Canada, U.S. |
These grocery receipt scanning apps give you cash back when you shop and upload your receipts. They are 100% free.
1. Caddle
- Bonus: $1
- Minimum payout threshold: $20
- Location: Canada
- Sign up here (use promo code S9EL0HJGVY)
Want to get paid to scan your receipts? Check the Caddle cash back app. In addition to earning cash back when you purchase everyday household items, Caddle also rewards you for watching video ads and completing short questionnaires.
Offers on the app are refreshed every week and can be redeemed at most stores in Canada. After completing your purchase, submit your receipt using the app to qualify for cash back.
You can cash out after you have earned $20 or more. Read my detailed Caddle guide.
2. Checkout 51
- Promo: $5 bonus after you complete your first offer
- Minimum payment threshold: $20
- Locations: Canada and the U.S.
Checkout 51 provides new offers every week. When you find an offer you like, follow the instructions on the app and purchase it at any store (or a specific store in some cases).
Upload your receipt using the app and your smartphone camera, or use your computer.
Cash back is credited to your account, and you can cash out via cheque when your account balance reaches $20.
Checkout 51 is my favourite app for saving on groceries, and I have seen them offer discounts as high as 35%. Read my Checkout 51 guide.
Cash Back Apps That Automatically Pay You
Unlike Checkout 51 and Caddle, these cash back apps do not require you to submit or upload your receipts.
3. KOHO
- Promo: $20 cash bonus
- Location: Canada
- Minimum payout threshold: N/A
- Sign up here (get a $20 bonus after your first purchase – use CASHBACK referral code when joining)
KOHO is the overall best cash back app in Canada for all types of purchases. It pays up to 5% cash back and you can redeem what you have earned any time.
After signing up, you get a physical and virtual prepaid Mastercard. These are connected to the app, which you can use to set financial goals and create budgets.
For even higher cash back rates and extra perks, you can upgrade to one of three premium KOHO plans.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard
$20 welcome bonus after first purchase (use CASHBACK promo code during sign-up)
$0 monthly fee*
Earn up to 5% unlimited cash back
Get 5% savings interest on your balance
Unlimited Interac e-Transfers and debit transactions
Free budgeting app and access to credit building
4. Neo Money
- Promo: $20 cash bonus
- Location: Canada
- Minimum payout threshold: N/A
- Sign up here (get a $20 bonus after funding with $50 and completing first purchase)
Neo Money is a different kind of rewards app.
When you make purchases using your free reloadable Neo Money Mastercard, you earn up to 5% cash back.
The free Neo Financial app also offers budgeting capabilities, Apple Pay, and high interest rate on your balance.
For even more cash back and other great perks, you can check out Neo Money Premium.
Neo Money Account
Unlimited 5% average cash back
No monthly fees + $20 bonus
2.25% non-promo interest rate paid on balance
Unlimited free transactions
Get a Mastercard for payments online and ATMs
Access to a no-annual-fee credit card
4. Rakuten
- Promo: $30 bonus
- Locations: Canada and the U.S.
- Minimum cash out threshold: $5 (payments are made quarterly)
- Sign up here
Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is one of the most popular apps for earning cash back when you make purchases online.
Rakuten has partnerships with over 750 stores in Canada and 2,000+ in the U.S., which means you can earn cash back when you shop at many of your favourite retailers.
Discounts and offers on the site can be as high as 35%.
To earn cash back with Rakuten, simply visit their website and click on the store you want to shop at. Alternatively, you can install the Rakuten browser extension.
You can get a $30 bonus when you sign up and make your first purchase of $30 or more. Read my Rakuten review.
6. Paymi
- Promo: $5 bonus
- Location: Canada
- Minimum payout threshold: None; $25 to waive Interac fee
Paymi is a cash back app that pays you to shop at select stores, including Lowe’s, SportChek, Leon’s, Mark’s, Burger King, Staples and a few others.
Paymi is free to join, and you earn cash back automatically when you make purchases using your linked bank account. You can cash out your earnings via Interac to your bank account.
For more information on how Paymi works, read this review.
Apps That Pay You To Scan Barcodes
You can earn rewards by scanning your grocery purchases.
7. Nielsen Homescan
Nielsen Homescan is managed by the popular market research company, Nielsen.
When you join the panel, they either send you a handheld scanner or ask you to download their mobile app.
Scan the barcodes on the household items you purchase once a week and transmit the data to Nielsen Homescan.
The company rewards you with points you can redeem for gift cards, kitchen appliances, electronics, and other merchandise.
Sometimes, they also offer cash incentives.
Residents of the U.S. can sign up for the Nielsen Consumer Panel.
How These Apps Work
In this day and age, when practically everyone uses a smartphone, companies have found a way to increase their bottom line by paying you to scan your receipts.
Some require that you link your debit/credit card, and they track your purchases automatically. Examples are Drop, Ampli, and Paymi.
Others ask you to select your digital offers, purchase them in-store and then upload your receipt using the app, such as with Checkout 51 and Caddle.
In some cases, such as Rakuten, you only need to visit your preferred retailer via their website to qualify for cash back.
How To Maximize Your Cash Back
I combine cash back apps with coupons and rewards credit cards to maximize the rewards I earn on purchases.
Sometimes, receipt-scanning apps like Caddle and Checkout 51 promote similar items in their weekly offers, and you can scan a single receipt to both apps.
Some rewards credit cards give more points or cash back on grocery spending, and you should use them to increase your savings.
Look out for any in-store coupons that may give you even further discounts.
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