Ultimate Guide to Cashback Apps: Earn Money While Shopping

Ultimate Guide to Cashback Apps: Earn Money While Shopping

Master the art of earning cashback on every purchase with our comprehensive guide to the best cashback apps of 2025.

FE
by Financial Editorial Team
8 min read

Ultimate Guide to Cashback Apps: Earn Money While ShoppingImagine getting paid to shop for things you already need. Cashback apps make this dream a reality by offering real money back on purchases from groceries to online shopping. The key is knowing which apps offer the best rates and how to stack rewards for maximum earnings.We've analyzed the top cashback apps of 2025 to help you build a strategy that can earn you hundreds of dollars per year with minimal effort. These apps integrate seamlessly into your regular shopping routine.

🏆 #1 Best Overall Cashback: Rakuten

Rakuten is the original cashback app offering up to 40% cash back at thousands of online and in-store retailers, with a $30 sign-up bonus for new users.

Rakuten Cashback App

The original cash back app

4.8/5

Rakuten is the original cashback app offering up to 40% cash back at thousands of online and in-store retailers, with a $30 sign-up bonus for new users.

KEY FEATURES

Cashback Rate: Up to 40% at select stores
Sign-up Bonus: $30 for first $30 purchase
Stores: 3,500+ retailers
Payment Methods: PayPal or check
Browser Extension: Available
Mobile App: iOS & Android

✓ Pros

  • • Highest cash back rates in the industry
  • • Large selection of participating stores
  • • Easy browser extension for automatic savings
  • • Quarterly bonus payments
  • • Referral program with bonuses

✗ Cons

  • • Cash back rates can change frequently
  • • Minimum $5 payout threshold
  • • Some stores have purchase restrictions

Verdict: Best overall cashback app with the highest rates and most store partners.

🛒 #2 Best for Grocery Shopping: Ibotta

Ibotta revolutionizes grocery shopping by offering cash back on everyday purchases through receipt scanning and linked card offers.

Ibotta Grocery Rewards

Receipt scanning cash back

4.6/5

Ibotta revolutionizes grocery shopping by offering cash back on everyday purchases through receipt scanning and linked card offers.

KEY FEATURES

Cashback Rate: $0.25 - $5 per item
Sign-up Bonus: $20 welcome bonus
Categories: Groceries, gas, travel
Payment: PayPal, Venmo, gift cards
Receipt Scanning: Yes
Linked Cards: Credit/debit accepted

✓ Pros

  • • Cash back on groceries and essentials
  • • Easy receipt scanning process
  • • Bonus offers for multiple purchases
  • • Travel booking cash back available
  • • Team challenges for extra rewards

✗ Cons

  • • Limited to specific products/brands
  • • Must remember to scan receipts
  • • Some offers have purchase requirements

Verdict: Perfect for grocery shoppers seeking consistent cash back on everyday purchases.

🍯 #3 Best Browser Extension: Honey

Honey automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout while shopping online, plus offers cash back rewards at participating stores.

Honey Browser Extension

Automatic coupon finder

4.7/5

Honey automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout while shopping online, plus offers cash back rewards at participating stores.

KEY FEATURES

Auto Coupons: 30,000+ participating stores
Cash Back: Up to 20% at select retailers
Gold Points: Earn on purchases
Price Tracking: Monitor price drops
Droplist: Save items for later
Mobile App: Available for shopping

✓ Pros

  • • Completely automatic coupon application
  • • Works on virtually all shopping sites
  • • Price tracking and drop notifications
  • • No minimum payout requirements
  • • Free to use with no fees

✗ Cons

  • • Cash back rates lower than dedicated apps
  • • Limited to online shopping only
  • • Requires browser extension installation

Verdict: Essential browser extension for online shoppers seeking effortless savings.

💰 #4 Best All-in-One Platform: Swagbucks

Swagbucks offers multiple ways to earn money online including surveys, cash back shopping, games, and watching videos with various redemption options.

Swagbucks Rewards Platform

Multiple earning opportunities

4.3/5

Swagbucks offers multiple ways to earn money online including surveys, cash back shopping, games, and watching videos with various redemption options.

KEY FEATURES

Earning Methods: Surveys, shopping, games, videos
Sign-up Bonus: $10 welcome bonus
Cash Back: Up to 10% at retailers
Redemption: PayPal, gift cards
Search Engine: Earn while searching
Mobile Apps: iOS & Android

✓ Pros

  • • Multiple ways to earn rewards
  • • Low minimum payout ($3 for gift cards)
  • • Daily goals and bonuses available
  • • Search engine rewards program
  • • Wide variety of gift card options

✗ Cons

  • • Lower pay rates for most activities
  • • Can be time-consuming for earnings
  • • Survey disqualifications common

Verdict: Great for users wanting multiple earning methods with flexible redemption options.

Building Your Cashback Strategy

💡 Pro Tips for Cashback SuccessStart with the big four: Use Rakuten for online shopping, Ibotta for groceries, Honey for deals, and Swagbucks for varietyCheck multiple apps: Different apps offer varying rates for the same retailersTime your purchases: Look for bonus cashback events and seasonal promotionsEnable browser extensions: Let apps automatically find deals and apply couponsLink your cards: Many apps offer automatic cashback when you link credit/debit cardsBe patient: Cashback typically takes 30-90 days to become available for withdrawal

The secret to maximizing cashback earnings is using multiple apps strategically. Different apps excel in different categories - some are better for groceries, others for online shopping, and some specialize in specific retailers.Our top recommendations by use case:For online shopping: Rakuten offers the highest rates from major retailersFor grocery shopping: Ibotta provides consistent cashback on everyday purchasesFor automatic savings: Honey finds coupon codes and cashback opportunities automaticallyFor earning variety: Swagbucks combines shopping with surveys and other earning methodsStart by downloading 2-3 apps that complement each other, then gradually expand your toolkit as you become comfortable with the process. Many users earn $200-500 annually just by changing where and how they shop.Remember to read terms and conditions carefully, as cashback rates and availability can change. Always shop through the app or website to ensure proper tracking.