It’s no secret that everything is more expensive than it used to be. My favorite “cheap” coffee went up by 20 cents at the start of the new year, and my monthly grocery total is basically a small mortgage now. (Why are blueberries $6?) While small increases here and there don’t seem like a lot, they add up quick. And when you factor in other costs like gas, rent, and travel that continue to get more expensive, your bank account can start to look… well, grim.
Coupons and discount stores help, and I love them! But at the end of the day (and at the risk of sounding like my dad), things are just more expensive now. One way that I’ve combatted this pricing surge is by using some of the best cash back apps. You’re probably thinking, “Those are too much work,” but I’m here to report that they have gotten a lot better over the years, in terms of both efficiency and returns. These days, they actually are worth your time. So, after trying a variety of cash back apps myself and deep diving into cashback app comparisons for everything from groceries to travel, I’m sharing the best cash back apps to use in 2026.
Cash-Back apps compared at a glance
Looking for a quick comparison? Below, we break down exactly how each cash back app works—plus who it’s best for.
| App | Best For | How You Earn | Payout Options | Standout Feature |
| ibotta | Groceries | Upload receipts or link accounts | PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards | Works for both in-store and online grocery |
| Fetch | Groceries | Scan any receipt | Gift Cards or donations | No need to pre-select offers |
| Pogo | Everyday Expenses like Bills | Link bank account | Venmo, PayPal, or gift cards | Earn extra points by playing games or taking surveys |
| Upside | Gas and Restaurants | Upload receipts | Direct deposit, PayPal, or gift cards | Referral program earns you more money |
| Rakuten | Online Shopping | Shop through affiliate links | PayPal or check | High cash-back rates at major retailers |
| Payce | Shopping | Shop through affiliate links | Venmo, PayPal, direct deposit, or donations | You can use rewards to pay down debt |
The best cash back apps for groceries
Ibotta
Pros: Ibotta offers some of the highest cash back amounts I’ve seen compared to other apps and occasionally includes offers that can be used on any product, regardless of what brand it is.
Cons: Available offers can be limited, so I’m not always able to redeem my receipt.
I’ve been using Ibotta for years to earn cash back when I shop. It works on a variety of different retail categories, but I’ve found it’s especially helpful when it comes to grocery shopping. To earn money back, download the app, add available offers for the store where you plan to shop, and submit a picture of your receipt for proof of purchase. Or, link your grocery store loyalty account so the app can automatically match your purchases for you. (This is the easiest way, IMO!) Once you’ve reached $20 in rewards, you can withdraw your earnings to a gift card or directly to your bank or PayPal account.
Fetch
Pros: You earn points on your receipts no matter where you shop or what you buy.
Cons: It takes about 1,000 Fetch points to equal $1, so it can take a while to earn enough points for a sizable gift card.
Fetch is my personal favorite app for earning money while I shop for groceries, and I find it the easiest to use. All you have to do is submit a photo of your receipt, no matter where you shop, and Fetch will reward you with points. Every receipt earns you a minimum of 25 points, but you can earn more if you buy products with a special offer. There are also daily bonuses that give you the opportunity to earn even more points. Once you’ve reached a certain threshold, you can redeem your points for gift cards to places like Amazon, Lululemon, or Starbucks, or make a charitable donation.
Another perk of this app is its “Fetch Play” feature, which allows you to earn rewards by playing games on your phone. Sometimes I swap doomscrolling for a quick game in the app to earn more reward points. It’s a win-win!
The best cash back apps for everyday expenses
Pogo
Pros: It doesn’t require nearly as much hands-on work to track points.
Cons: Because you have to earn 3,000 points (AKA spend $3,000) before you can cash out, it may take a while to earn enough points for a payout.
If uploading photos of your receipts and keeping track of special offers isn’t for you, Pogo is another great money-making option. With this app, you’ll earn points by sharing your location and securely linking your bank accounts so it can track your everyday purchases. Think: your utility bills, groceries, and coffee shop runs. In turn, Pogo uses your data for market research and to present you with personalized ads for different products or retailers. Every point equals $1, and once you’ve earned 3,000 points, you can redeem them for cash through Venmo or PayPal or as an Amazon or Visa gift card.
Since Pogo has access to your bank account and sees all of your transactions, it also helps you identify where you can save money on your bills, insurance, and even bank fees. This is another great way that Pogo helps you put money back in your pocket.
The best cash back apps for gas
Upside
Pros: Upside doesn’t use points or rewards to keep track of your earnings—just cold, hard cash, which is immediately available for you to transfer to your bank or PayPal account or trade for gift cards.
Cons: You’ll only receive cash back if you pay with a debit or credit card, so you can’t use cash for your transactions.
If you’ve ever driven around looking for the best deal on gas, Upside is for you. When you open the app, it shows all the gas stations (and restaurants and grocery stores) with cash back offers near your current location. A quick search in my area showed gas stations with offers ranging anywhere from three to 18 cents back per gallon (but I’ve seen it go all the way up to 29 cents!). Once you’ve found a gas station with the best deal, you’ll claim the offer in the app, pay using your debit or credit card (sorry, no cash allowed), and either submit a photo of your receipt or check in using the app to show proof of purchase.
Upside’s referral program is one of the best, too, since it keeps cash flowing into your account even after a friend has signed up. Each time your friends claim offers, you earn 10 cents too! So, if you’re looking for my advice, send your referral link to literally everyone you know.
The best cash back apps for shopping
Rakuten
Pros: Rakuten works with over 3,500 online retailers, ranging from department stores to travel websites, restaurants, and more. It’s easy to use and often has high cash back percentages.
Cons: You have to activate offers before making a purchase; otherwise, you won’t receive cash back. Cash back is only paid out quarterly.
I’ve found Rakuten to be one of the easiest cash back options for online shopping (or in-store purchases if you’re using their mobile app). There are two ways to earn money when shopping online: enable the browser extension so that it shows up as soon as you land on a site (which is available on your phone and computer), or access a retailer’s website through Rakuten’s website to ensure your purchase is tracked. To redeem in-store, open the app and claim the offer before checking out.
The amount back varies from retailer to retailer, ranging anywhere from 1-20 percent, and even more during big sales events or holidays. Your earnings are cashed out quarterly through PayPal or by physical check, whichever you’d prefer. Cash back isn’t the only benefit of using Rakuten. It also searches the internet for coupon codes you can apply at checkout to save money while you shop.
Payce
Pros: Cash back earned on Payce can be used to pay down debt.
Cons: You have to manually link your credit cards, which can be time-consuming.
Payce is a cash back app and browser extension you can install to save and earn money while you shop. When you check out online, Payce will search for coupon codes to apply at checkout and will pop up with a notification showing how much you’ll receive in cash back for over 10,000 retailers.
A standout feature of Payce is that it can be used to pay down your debt. Link your accounts that have outstanding balances, and Payce will automatically apply your earnings to that account once you’ve hit the $10 minimum. If you’re debt-free (first of all, congratulations), you can opt to receive your cash back through Venmo, PayPal, or your bank account, or you can donate to a charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do cash back apps work?
As their name suggests, cash back apps give you money back on purchases that you’re already making—things like gas, groceries, and other household products. Most apps work for all sorts of purchases, both in-store and online, but some work better than others for certain categories. For example, I have a cash back app that I use specifically for groceries and another I use for gas. With that said, it’s important to find the ones that work best for the purchases you make the most and where you shop.
How much money can you save with cash back apps?
Depending on which cash back apps you use, where you shop, and what you buy, you can earn anywhere from a few cents to over $100. Most of these offers won’t cover the full cost of your purchases, but they can definitely help ease the blow and put some money back in your pocket. They often require a little work on your end, such as choosing the cash back offers you’re interested in or submitting pictures of receipts, but these easy extra steps never seem like a hassle once you see the returns.
What are the best ways to maximize cash back?
We know that even the best cash back apps won’t put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket at once; they offer slow and steady returns. But you can do a couple of things to maximize your earnings. One of the smartest strategies is stacking your offers. This might look like using a rewards credit card that offers cash back to pay for your items and then uploading your receipts to multiple apps to earn even more. Sure, this takes a little bit more time and thought, but every dollar counts. In addition to this, remember to check app promotions, use referral bonuses, and buy gift cards through apps to see even greater returns.
Are cash back apps actually worth it?
The short answer: yes. If you’re willing to put in the work (like connect your accounts and scan receipts) and you remember to actually use them, the rewards really can add up. However, it’s worth acknowledging that earnings are often small and that maximizing your earnings requires being a bit more strategic, which can take up more of your time. Overall, cash back apps are worth it if you think of them as a savings tool for spending you’re already doing, but they are not worth it if you’re expecting large income returns for little effort.
What is the best cash back app overall?
There isn’t a single “best” app for everyone, but Rakuten is often considered the strongest for online shopping thanks to its wide retailer network and high cash-back rates. For groceries, Ibotta is a top pick, while Upside stands out for gas and dining.
Can you use multiple cash back apps at once?
Yes—and in fact, stacking them is one of the best ways to maximize savings. You can often combine a cash back app with credit card rewards and coupons, but you typically can’t double-dip across multiple apps for the same purchase.
Christine Winder, Contributing Wellness Writer
Christine is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for the Everygirl. She has a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and lives with her two cats in Richmond, VA where she writes for several local publications.
Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
