If you’re already shopping online or scanning receipts, you might as well earn something for it. In 2025, cashback and rewards apps have made it easier than ever for deal seekers and mobile-savvy shoppers to turn everyday purchases into real savings. Whether you’re grocery shopping, booking travel, or filling your Amazon cart, the right app can put money back in your pocket—no coupon clipping required.
Here are the top cashback and rewards apps that actually pay off, based on real user reviews, consistent payouts, and ease of use.
Rakuten
Best for: Online shoppers who want easy cashback without changing their habits
Rakuten is one of the most well-established cashback platforms. Once you install the browser extension or app, it alerts you whenever a site you’re visiting offers cashback—sometimes as high as 10% or more. Just click “activate” and shop as usual. You can also browse hundreds of partnered retailers directly through the app. Every quarter, Rakuten sends your earnings via PayPal or check.
Why it pays off: Set it and forget it. It runs quietly in the background and adds up quickly for frequent online shoppers.
Honey + PayPal Rewards
Best for: Price tracking, automatic coupon codes, and points on top of discounts
Honey started as a coupon code finder, but since being acquired by PayPal, it now offers “PayPal Rewards” points you can earn by shopping at select retailers. Points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash through PayPal. The Honey browser extension also tracks price history and will notify you when a product drops in price.
Why it pays off: Combines coupon-hunting, cashback, and price alerts in one tool—especially helpful for Amazon shoppers.
Fetch Rewards
Best for: Scanning grocery receipts for quick points
Fetch makes it ridiculously easy to earn rewards. You just scan any grocery, retail, or pharmacy receipt with your phone, and it instantly gives you points. You’ll earn more if the receipt includes partnered brands like Pepsi, Dove, or Kraft. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Target, or Starbucks. There’s no need to activate offers ahead of time or clip anything.
Why it pays off: Super fast, simple, and consistent—perfect for people who already hang onto their receipts.
Upside
Best for: Gas, groceries, and dining cashback
Upside focuses on everyday essentials like fuel, food, and groceries. You check the app for nearby offers (like 15¢/gal cashback at a local gas station), claim the offer, pay with your regular card, and then upload a receipt. The cashback can be deposited to your bank or PayPal account or used for digital gift cards.
Why it pays off: Works well for commuters and people who don’t want to change where they shop—just how they pay and claim.
Ibotta
Best for: In-store and online grocery shopping with specific item rewards
Ibotta offers cashback on a wide range of products at national retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. You activate offers in advance, buy the items, and either scan your receipt or link a loyalty account. The app also works with some online retailers. Payouts can be requested once you hit a $20 minimum.
Why it pays off: Great for shoppers who like to plan ahead and buy name-brand groceries regularly.
Dosh
Best for: Passive cashback on everyday card purchases
Once linked to your debit or credit card, Dosh automatically gives you cashback when you shop at participating businesses—no scanning, no uploading, no thinking. It works especially well for dining out, shopping in-store, and hotel bookings.
Why it pays off: True hands-off rewards—you’ll earn without having to change a thing after setup.
Capital One Shopping
Best for: Finding price drops and alternative retailers
Even if you’re not a Capital One customer, this browser extension can help you save. It scans thousands of sites to find lower prices on items you’re viewing, checks for available coupons, and gives you credits (called Shopping Rewards) for purchases at select stores. These rewards can be redeemed for gift cards.
Why it pays off: Saves you money upfront and adds value through gift card rewards.
Shopkick
Best for: Earning points in-store without buying anything
Shopkick rewards you with “kicks” (points) for walking into certain stores, scanning product barcodes, or making purchases. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to major retailers. While it won’t earn you huge amounts quickly, it’s a fun, gamified app that pays off with regular use.
Why it pays off: Turn errands into earnings—even if you don’t buy anything.
Getting the Most from Rewards Apps
Stacking is the secret sauce. Use Rakuten or Honey for online purchases, Ibotta or Fetch for groceries, and Dosh or Upside for in-person spending. Many shoppers combine two or more apps for the same purchase—like earning cashback through Rakuten and using a coupon from Honey, or scanning the same grocery receipt with both Fetch and Ibotta.
As with anything, consistency matters. The more you use these apps, the more rewards add up. It may not make you rich, but smart use of rewards tools can easily put a few hundred dollars back in your pocket each year—with minimal effort. In a world of rising prices and small wins, these apps prove that saving money can still be simple, satisfying, and totally worth it.