Best Cashback Apps for Everyday Shopping

You already shop for groceries, clothes, gas, electronics, and everything in between—so why not get paid to do it? Cashback apps have transformed the way people shop by turning regular purchases into money-back opportunities. With just a few taps on your phone, you can earn real cash, rewards, or gift cards for buying the things you were already planning to buy.

Whether you’re scanning receipts, shopping online, or linking your credit card for automatic rewards, there’s a cashback app out there that fits your lifestyle. And unlike store loyalty programs that limit you to specific retailers, cashback apps offer flexibility across hundreds of brands and categories.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best cashback apps for everyday shopping in 2025. These tools can help you stretch your budget, build up savings, or even pay off debts faster—all without changing your spending habits.

Why Use Cashback Apps?

Most people think of cashback rewards as a feature tied to credit cards—but apps take it further. Cashback apps work regardless of your payment method and often stack with credit card rewards, in-store promos, and digital coupons. That means more savings, more often.

Benefits of using cashback apps:

• Earn cash on purchases you already make

• Stack rewards on top of store discounts and credit card perks

• Save on groceries, dining out, gas, clothes, electronics, and more

• Get paid via PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards

• Automate the process with linked cards or browser extensions

With so many ways to earn—and nearly zero effort required—these apps make it easy to shop smarter every day.

1. Rakuten

Best for: Online shoppers and deal seekers

Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is one of the most popular cashback platforms and an excellent choice for people who shop online frequently.

How it works:

• Browse retailers through the Rakuten app or browser extension

• Click through to the store and complete your purchase

• Earn a percentage of your total spend in cashback

Highlights:

• Works with over 3,500 retailers including Walmart, Target, Sephora, and Nike

• Offers rotating double-cashback events

• Pays out via PayPal or check every quarter

Pros:

• Easy to use

• Huge range of retailers

• No points—just cash

Cons:

• Mostly for online purchases

• Some cashback takes time to appear

If you shop online regularly, Rakuten is a must-have app that literally pays you for doing what you’re already doing.

2. Ibotta

Best for: Grocery shopping and in-store rewards

Ibotta is a top choice for people looking to save money on groceries, household items, and pharmacy purchases.

How it works:

• Activate offers before shopping at participating stores

• Upload your receipt or link your loyalty account

• Earn cashback on specific items or categories

Highlights:

• Offers cashback at grocery chains like Kroger, Walmart, Costco, and CVS

• Supports online shopping as well

• Payouts through PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards

Pros:

• Great for food and household staples

• Frequent bonus challenges and seasonal rewards

• Works with both physical and digital receipts

Cons:

• Requires activation before purchase

• Sometimes item-specific, which means checking the app beforehand

If you’re a regular grocery shopper, Ibotta helps you turn every trip into a cashback opportunity with minimal effort.

3. Upside

Best for: Gas, restaurants, and convenience stores

Upside is one of the only cashback apps that focuses on gas stations and dining out—making it a great option for commuters and foodies.

How it works:

• Open the app and find participating locations near you

• Claim an offer and make a purchase with your linked card

• Upload your receipt or get automatic rewards

Highlights:

• Cashback at gas stations like Shell, BP, and Exxon

• Works at select restaurants and grocery stores too

• Payout via PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards

Pros:

• High cashback rates (sometimes 10% or more at restaurants)

• Great for everyday commuters

• Easy to use, even without linking a card

Cons:

• Not all locations participate

• Offers expire if not claimed quickly

Upside is an underrated but powerful app for turning your fuel stops and quick bites into real savings.

4. Fetch Rewards

Best for: Receipt scanning and earning points fast

Fetch Rewards takes a slightly different approach by letting you earn points for scanning any receipt—then redeeming those points for gift cards.

How it works:

• Scan your receipts from any store

• Automatically earn points for eligible products and brands

• Redeem points for gift cards to major retailers

Highlights:

• Supports all types of receipts (not just groceries)

• Offers brand-specific bonuses and special offers

• Consistent rewards, even on smaller purchases

Pros:

• No need to activate offers

• Works on any purchase from any store

• Simple point system

Cons:

• Points are worth less than direct cashback

• Requires scanning within 14 days

If you want a “set it and forget it” app that rewards you for simply keeping your receipts, Fetch Rewards is fun, easy, and surprisingly effective.

5. Shopkick

Best for: Earning without spending a dime

Shopkick lets you earn “kicks” (its reward points) for a variety of small actions—including walking into stores, scanning product barcodes, watching ads, and making purchases.

How it works:

• Walk into participating stores for kicks

• Scan specific items or make a purchase

• Redeem kicks for gift cards

Highlights:

• Works with major retailers like Target, Best Buy, and TJ Maxx

• Doesn’t require a purchase to earn in some cases

• Combines shopping with gamified experiences

Pros:

• Fun and engaging app

• Great for people who window shop often

• Tons of gift card options

Cons:

• Kicks take a while to accumulate

• Requires more effort than passive apps

If you’re someone who enjoys shopping and doesn’t mind scanning a few barcodes along the way, Shopkick is a fun way to make your habits pay off.

6. Dosh

Best for: Set-it-and-forget-it cashback

Dosh is one of the most hands-off cashback apps available. Once you link your debit or credit card, you earn cashback automatically when you shop at partnered stores.

How it works:

• Link a card

• Shop at participating locations (in-store or online)

• Cashback appears in your account automatically

Highlights:

• No receipt scanning or offer activation

• Works with major retailers, restaurants, and hotels

• Payout via Venmo, PayPal, or bank transfer

Pros:

• Totally automatic

• Double-dips with credit card points

• Great for forgetful users

Cons:

• Smaller merchant list than other apps

• Requires card linking for functionality

If you want maximum ease with zero hassle, Dosh delivers cashback behind the scenes while you go about your day.

7. TopCashback

Best for: High-percentage cashback deals

TopCashback often features higher cashback rates than other apps because it passes more of its affiliate commission back to users.

How it works:

• Browse deals through the app or browser extension

• Shop through TopCashback links

• Get a higher percentage back than many competitors

Highlights:

• Thousands of retail partners

• Higher cashback rates on select categories

• Payout options include gift cards, PayPal, or bank transfer

Pros:

• Consistently among the best rates

• Generous referral bonuses

• Browser extension for desktop shopping

Cons:

• Takes longer to process cashback

• Not as user-friendly as Rakuten

If you’re looking to maximize every dollar, especially on large online purchases, TopCashback is a great high-reward option.

How to Maximize Your Cashback Strategy

The best cashback users often combine multiple tools to boost their earnings. For example:

• Use Ibotta for groceries, Rakuten for online shopping, and Upside for gas

• Stack cashback apps with store discounts and rewards credit cards

• Use Dosh or Fetch in the background for automatic points

• Always check for a deal before you hit “buy”

The more consistent you are, the more those small rewards add up.

Final Thoughts: Get Paid to Spend Smarter

Cashback apps are one of the simplest ways to turn everyday spending into long-term savings. Whether you’re buying weekly groceries, filling up the gas tank, or upgrading your wardrobe, there’s an app that can help you earn something back. With the right mix of apps, you can save hundreds of dollars a year—without changing your lifestyle.

The key is to choose the tools that match your shopping habits, automate wherever possible, and stay consistent. Over time, those rewards become a passive way to boost your budget or even fund your next vacation.