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Cash-back apps give you a rebate on a purchase, or provide a coupon for an additional discount. Some apps offer points that can be redeemed as a price break on subsequent purchases, or cash. These apps won’t make you rich, but they can help you save money on the things you buy. We researched six of the best so you don't have to.
Fetch Rewards, best for turning everyday purchases into points
In a nutshell: Redeem receipts from nearly anywhere for points; cash them in for gift cards.
Details: Fetch Rewards has risen in popularity, particularly when it comes to saving on groceries, but the company says shopping almost anywhere earns points. Snap a picture of your receipt from any purchase or shop through the app, and you'll earn rewards points redeemable for gift cards.
Standout feature: You can earn points on just about everything you buy if you’re diligent about snapping receipts.
Apple App Store rating: 4.9/5.
Google Play rating: 4.7/5.
» MORE: Kim Palmer tried the Fetch app, here's what happened
» MORE: Kim Palmer tried the Fetch app, here's what happened
RetailMeNot, best for cash back from a long-standing coupon site
In a nutshell: A cash-back program from a company known for coupons.
Details: One of the original cash-back apps born from a website, RetailMeNot allows you to find and shop with coupon codes and is primarily a coupon finder, but it also allows users to activate offers for cash back. Cash back is paid out via PayPal or Venmo. You can use the RetailMeNot browser extension, too.
Standout feature: You can stack coupon codes and cash-back offers to net more savings on purchases.
Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5.
Google Play rating: 4.8/5.
Upside, best for cents off gallons of gas and more
In a nutshell: Get cash back on gasoline (and food) purchases with this app.
Details: Upside aims to provide cash-back offers from grocery stores, restaurants and — most notably — gas stations. Claim offers in the app, pay at the store or gas station, then follow instructions to complete your purchase. You can redeem cash back through PayPal, e-gift cards or bank transfers.
Standout feature: Upside lets you earn by paying with the credit or debit card you already use.
Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5.
Google Play rating: 4.5/5.
» Learn more about how to make money
Ibotta, best for cash back on multiple spending methods
In a nutshell: Score cash back on a wide variety of shopping options.
Details: Ibotta promises cash back whether you're shopping in person, online, or while traveling or dining out. There are no promotional codes or coupons to track. Before shopping, you search the app for offers you like, then upload a photo of your receipt after the purchase. Transfer your rewards to PayPal, your bank account or gift cards. There’s also an Ibotta browser extension for desktop shopping.
Standout feature: You can also buy the items with a linked loyalty card in-store or start online transactions with partnering retailers through the Ibotta app to bypass receipt uploads.
Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5.
Google Play rating: 4.6/5.
Receipt Hog, best for a gamified rewards experience
In a nutshell: An app that adds an element of fun to shopping rewards.
Details: In addition to offering cash back for shopping, this app gamifies the process with sweepstakes, surveys, bonuses and slot spins that can pay out “coins.” Rewards can be redeemed for gift cards or cash to your PayPal account.
Standout feature: A gamified experience makes Receipt Hog unique.
Apple App Store rating: 4.7/5.
Google Play rating: 4.7/5.
Rakuten, best for cash back from over 3,500 participating stores
In a nutshell: A cash-back app that provides direct payments every three months.
Details: Rakuten is a high-profile cash-back app claiming to cover over 3,500 stores and issuing payments through PayPal or by check. It also features travel savings on airfare, hotels and car rentals.
Standout feature: The ability to shop at thousands of stores within the app and get your cash back in the form of a check makes Rakuten unique.
Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5.
Google Play rating: 3.4/5.
Other cash-back apps to consider
Cash-back apps are about saving small amounts of money over a period of time, so you'll probably want to find an app that you enjoy using and that doesn't require a lot of effort. While these apps didn’t make the list above because they have fewer reviews or are rated slightly lower, they are still worth considering.
Shopkick
Rewards, known as "kicks," are available in-store or online and are payable as gift cards. You can earn rewards in multiple ways, including by visiting stores, scanning product bar codes and submitting receipts.
CoinOut
CoinOut is another receipt-scanning cash-back app. You don't have to shop at a specific retailer, find a coupon or hunt down a deal. You upload a receipt, and the app does the rest.
Credit cards do cash back, too
If the digital nickels and dimes aren’t adding up fast enough, try using a cash-back credit card in conjunction with your favorite cash-back app to increase savings. Adding 3%-6% in credit card rewards (depending on the card and purchase category) to the 1%-3% you could get from a cash-back app can make savings more substantial.
How we picked the apps
We considered apps with at least 4.7 stars and a minimum of 20,000 ratings in the Apple App Store (Google Play store rating is noted, but wasn't considered). We read reviews from users for more insight.
We also factored in the number of participating stores and eligible spending categories, ease of use and reward amount thresholds. Opportunities for higher percentages of cash back and options to link store loyalty accounts were considered a bonus.
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