Top Cash Back Apps 2024: Find Which is Right For You | The Motley Fool (2024)

Earning rewards while shopping, whether for groceries or new clothes, adds an extra layer of fun to your purchases. Cash back apps offer a simple way to save and get money back on everyday spending.

The top cash back apps are free and can seamlessly fit into your personal finance routine. If you're not already using these apps, you're missing out on easy savings. Discover our top picks for the best cash back apps for September 2024.

• Upside: Best for flash deals
• Ibotta: Best for big retailers
• Fetch: Best for a variety of retailers
• Dosh: Best for in-person shopping
• Rakuten: Best for online shopping
• Checkout 51: Best for gas stations

Best for: Flash deals

What you should know: Upside specializes in cash back deals from gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Upside says users can earn up to $0.25 per gallon of gas, up to 45% back at restaurants, and up to 30% back at grocery stores. The average is 8% back for groceries and dining, however. And you can combine your Upside earnings with credit or debit card cash back, to maximize your savings.

You can search for offers on the Upside app or website. You then claim offers via the app, pay for your purchases, and Check In with the app or scan your receipt (to show what you bought and that you qualify for the cash back). You'll have to pay with a debit or credit card that's linked to your Upside Wallet or within the app if you're using it to pay.

Users can cash out earnings at any time, and get their money via bank transfer, PayPal, or as a gift card. Note that if you cash out less than $15, you may be charged a fee of $1 for a bank cash out or PayPal transfer. Another potential downside of Upside is that you can't combine Upside offers with codes or promotions from outside the app -- doing so can void your Upside cash back earnings.

At a glance:

• Rewards rates: 8% average rate for groceries and dining; up to $0.25 back per gallon of gas; up to 45% back at restaurants; up to 30%
• iOS app rating: 4.8/5 stars
• Android app rating: 4.6/5 stars
• Cost: Free

Best for: Big retailers

What you should know: Ibotta is a popular cash back app that allows users to earn cash rewards when shopping at grocery stores and other popular retailers. It functions as a receipt-scanning app. You can download the mobile app or add the browser extension and find offers that you can use. You will then need to activate each offer.

You'll notice that each listed offer has a dollar amount attached to it. To earn cash back, you can scan a receipt or link a store loyalty card. The Ibotta app lets you withdraw cash back earnings any time your account reaches a minimum of $20. Another option is to redeem cash back for gift cards, which also have a minimum redemption of $20-$25.

What makes Ibotta one of the best cash back apps is that it features thousands of retailers, including Target , Walmart, Rite Aid, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Market, and Dollar General. With so many popular retailers featured within this app, it's no wonder Ibotta is one of the best apps for earning extra cash back on purchases.

At a glance:

• Rewards rates: Varies; some offers are for $0.25 cash back, while others offer $1.00 or more
• iOS app rating: 4.8/5 stars
• Android app rating: 4.5/5 stars
• Cost: Free

READ MORE >> Ibotta review

Best for: A variety of retailers

What you should know: Fetch allows shoppers to earn rewards on their regular shopping trips, including visits to grocery stores, convenience stores, big-box stores, and restaurants. To earn reward points, you must upload a receipt within 14 days of shopping. You can do this by linking your email and submitting an e-receipt or taking a photo of a physical receipt. There's no need to apply or save specific offers before shopping.

Instead, you'll earn points on all of your regular shopping. Some featured brands will earn more points, but just going shopping and uploading a receipt will earn you points, no matter what.

The best cash back apps make it easy to redeem earnings, and Fetch is no different. You can exchange your points for gift cards to popular retailers. You also have other redemption options, such as redeeming your points for charity donations or using your points to enter monthly cash sweepstakes.

You can cash out at as little as 3,000 points. The rewards rate is, at most, 1% of the final purchase price, but some rewards are worth less. But if it's your first time redeeming rewards or you have yet to redeem a 3,000-point reward, you'll need to redeem your points for a $10, $25, or $50 reward first. Since it's so simple to earn points, this is a favorite app for people who want an easy, no-planning-necessary cash back rewards app.

At a glance:

• Rewards rates: At most, 1% of the final purchase price
• iOS app rating: 4.8/5 stars
• Android app rating: 4.6/5 stars
• Cost: Free

Best for: In-person shopping

What you should know: Dosh is one of the best cash back apps because it provides various ways to earn rewards. This app offers automatic cash back when shopping, dining, or booking hotel stays. The Dosh app doesn't require users to upload receipts. Instead, once you link your debit or credit card to the app and make purchases, you can earn cash back automatically. There's no need to activate offers -- rewards for eligible purchases will automatically be placed in your Dosh wallet.

However, Visa cardholders may be presented with additional rewards earning opportunities. These offers will appear in your Dosh account as "Tap to Activate Offers and they must be activated to earn rewards. Once you reach at least $15, you can transfer your cash back to your bank, PayPal, or Venmo account, or you can donate your cash back earnings to charity.

At a glance:

• Rewards rates: Varies; many retailers offer 5% or more
• iOS app rating: 4.7/5 stars
• Android app rating: 4.5/5 stars
• Cost: Free to download; but if your account remains inactive for more than 12 months, a $4.99 maintenance fee will be deducted from your Dosh wallet balance. Your debit card or credit card will never be charged.

Best for: Online shopping

What you should know: Rakuten, previously named Ebates, is both a cash back and shopping app that lets you earn cash rewards for shopping in various categories. This includes purchasing clothes, ordering takeout, booking travel, and buying home improvement items. Each participating retailer will list a cash back percentage that it's offering, and you earn cash rewards by shopping as you normally would.

Rakuten provides cash back offers for both online purchases and in-store purchases. For an online purchase, a user must click a Rakuten link to activate it and then go through the checkout process. For in-store shopping, users can link their credit or debit card to Rakuten, then click on an in-store cash back offer to activate it and shop like normal.

Payments are sent out every three months when you have an account balance of at least $5. Earnings of less than $5 will carry over to the next payment period. You can choose to receive your cash through your PayPal account or a paper check if you prefer. You also have the option to donate your cash back earnings to a nonprofit organization.

At a glance:

• Rewards rates: 2% to 10%, or more
• iOS app rating: 4.8/5 stars
• Android app rating: 3.8/5 stars
• Cost: Free

Best for: Gas stations

What you should know: Checkout 51 is a rewards app that allows users to earn cash back on grocery and gas purchases. To take advantage, you'll have to add offers within the app, then click "redeem" to check off items that were purchased. Finally, you need to upload a photo of the receipt. Once the receipt is verified, cash back is added to your account. It's important to know that you must upload your receipt while an offer is still live.

Another reason Checkout 51 makes our best cash back apps list is unless an offer states otherwise, you can earn cash back through the app in combination with other coupons and discounts, which could double your savings. Review the terms of each offer to verify that coupons are allowed.

You can cash out your account balance as soon as it reaches $20. Cash back is available in the form of a paper check, PayPal transfer, or electronic gift card. New offers appear every Thursday, and you can take advantage of a search feature that lets you find your favorite products or get inspiration before shopping.

At a glance:

• Rewards rates: Rewards rates vary
• iOS app rating: 4.0/5 stars
• Android app rating: 4.2/5 stars
• Cost: Free

With many grocery cash back and receipt apps available, finding one that fits your financial needs is key. Here are some features to consider when choosing the best cash back apps:

• Rewards redemption options: Look for apps that offer multiple ways to redeem your rewards, whether it's through a check, PayPal, or gift cards. The process should be simple and convenient.
• Usable at many stores: The best apps work at a wide range of retailers, ensuring you can regularly earn rewards that match your shopping habits and preferences.
• Low minimum redemption amount: Choose apps with low minimum requirements for cashing out, so you can quickly access your earnings or redeem for gift cards without a long wait.

How much can you earn with cash back apps?

Each app has its own rewards rate, which can vary depending on where you shop and what products you're buying. Typically, you can expect to earn around 1%.

Some cash back apps offer higher rewards rates, allowing you to earn much more. It depends on how much you spend and how often you shop.

To maximize your earning potential, make sure you follow each app's instructions and use the app regularly when shopping.

Love getting a good deal when you shop? Check out our top picks for the best coupon apps.