Best cash back apps and sites: get paid for shopping you already do.
Cash back tools work differently from coupons. Instead of reducing the price at the register, they return a percentage of what you spent after the fact — as cash deposited to PayPal, a bank transfer, or a gift card. You shop as you normally would, and money comes back. The best of these tools require almost no behavioral change once set up, which makes them one of the most reliable ways to consistently spend less over time without thinking about it.
This page covers the leading cash back platforms — what each one pays, how it actually works, which type of shopper it fits best, and what to watch out for. If you want coupon codes and printable deals instead, those are on the coupon websites guide or, if you prefer smartphone apps, see the apps to use for coupons. The two approaches are complementary — combining a cash back portal with a coupon code on the same purchase is one of the most effective ways to stack savings, and the grocery guide covers concepts like stacking / combining deals - including even how to even get free groceries using coupons, sales, and apps.
Why cash back tools pay you — and why that matters for choosing one
Understanding how these platforms make money helps you choose the right one and set realistic expectations about what they can and cannot deliver.
Cash back platforms earn a referral commission from retailers each time a shopper purchases through their link or app. They share a portion of that commission with the shopper. This means the platform's earnings depend on their merchant network — the more stores they partner with, and the higher the commission those stores pay, the more they can offer back to users. A platform with 2,500 merchant partners can pay more and cover more of your shopping than one with 500.
It also means the cash back rate varies by retailer and can change over time as commission agreements shift. A rate listed today may be different next month. Always check the current rate before making a purchase specifically to earn cash back, rather than assuming the rate you saw last time still applies.
One practical implication: stick with established platforms that have been operating for years and have large user bases. Smaller or newer cash back apps carry real risk — some collect your shopping data or linked card details and shut down before paying out balances. The platforms below are all well-established. Approaching a new or unfamiliar cash back app with caution is reasonable, especially one that requires linking a bank account or debit card.
Rakuten — the most reliable choice for online shopping
Rakuten, founded in 1998 and formerly known as Ebates, is the most established cash back platform in the country and the one most worth starting with if you are new to cash back tools. It partners with over 3,500 stores including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Nike, Nordstrom, and most major online retailers, and pays cash back of typically 1 to 10 percent depending on the store and current promotions.
What makes Rakuten a great starting point is its browser extension, which automatically detects when you visit a partner retailer's website and reminds you to activate cash back before checkout. This removes the step most people forget — navigating to the portal first — and makes earning cash back nearly automatic for online shoppers. Cash back is paid quarterly by check or PayPal. The welcome bonus after a qualifying first purchase adds immediate value.
Rakuten also offers an in-store cash back option by linking a credit or debit card for select retailers, and its own Visa credit card for additional percentage back on Rakuten purchases. For pure online shopping breadth and reliability, Rakuten is the strongest single platform on this list. Find it at https://www.rakuten.com/. More detail on how Rakuten works.
- One practical note: Rakuten limits accounts to one per household IP address, and cash back pays out quarterly rather than on demand — the minimum threshold must be met and payouts come four times a year. Plan accordingly if you are counting on a specific timing.
Swagbucks — the most versatile earning platform
Swagbucks blends cash back shopping with other earning activities — surveys, watching videos, web searches, and playing games — making it the most versatile platform on this list for households who want to earn from multiple sources, not just purchases. Cash back rates at partner retailers are competitive and cover over 1,500 stores. Points (called SBs) are earned from shopping and activities and redeemed for gift cards to Amazon, Walmart, PayPal, and others, or cashed out via PayPal.
- Swagbucks is often the best choice for someone who wants to maximize total earnings across both shopping and non-shopping activities. The tradeoff is that it requires more active engagement than a pure cash back portal — you get more out of it if you actually use the surveys and video features rather than just treating it as a shopping portal. Sign-up bonuses and frequent promotional multipliers during major shopping events (Black Friday, back to school) make it particularly valuable for households that plan big purchases around those windows. Find it at https://www.swagbucks.com/. Or find more details on our guide of how to earn money on Swagbucks.
PayPal Honey — the lowest-effort tool for online shoppers
Honey, now owned by PayPal, is the easiest cash back and coupon tool on this list to use consistently because it requires almost no active steps after the initial setup. Install the browser extension on Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, and it runs automatically — testing coupon codes at checkout and flagging available cash back at partner stores without you having to remember to navigate through a portal first.
- Honey's cash back program (called Honey Gold) is available at select partner retailers and pays out as gift cards rather than cash, which is the main limitation compared to Rakuten. The coupon-code-finding feature is its strongest differentiator — no other major platform automatically tests multiple codes at checkout as consistently. For someone who does most shopping online and wants a set-it-and-forget-it approach, Honey is the lowest-effort starting point. The integration into the PayPal and Venmo apps extends its reach considerably. Find it at https://www.joinhoney.com/.
BeFrugal — the broadest cash back guarantee
BeFrugal started as a coupon site in 2009 before expanding into cash back, which means it offers both cash back and coupon codes at partner retailers — a combination that lets you stack both types of savings through a single platform. It partners with a very large number of retailers and offers a 125 percent best-rate guarantee, meaning it will match any higher cash back rate found at a competing platform and add 25 percent on top. Cash out options include check, direct deposit, PayPal, and gift cards, which is the widest range of payout options on this list.
- BeFrugal is a great option for shoppers who want access to both coupons and cash back in one place, or who want to ensure they are always getting the maximum rate available rather than having to compare platforms manually. The main drawback is a $25 minimum cashout threshold and processing time of up to two months. Find it at https://www.befrugal.com/.
Ibotta — the strongest tool for grocery cash back
Ibotta is the most effective cash back platform specifically for grocery and household goods shopping, which makes it particularly relevant for lower-income households where grocery costs are a large share of the budget. It partners with over 2,000 brands and retailers including major grocery chains, Target, Costco, Walmart, and restaurant chains. Cash back is earned by activating offers before shopping and then uploading a receipt or linking a loyalty card.
- Ibotta is the best grocery-specific cash back tool on this list because its offer selection for food and household products is deeper than any other platform. The receipt-scanning process takes about two minutes after shopping and is worth the effort given the offer volume. Minimum withdrawal is $20, with payout options including PayPal, bank transfer, and gift cards. It also works for online shopping at many retailers. The stacking strategy — combining Ibotta cash back with store loyalty deals and manufacturer coupons — is covered in detail on the ways to use grocery stacking guide. Or you can find the apps at https://ibotta.com./.
Upside — the most practical tool for gas and grocery cash back
Upside is the a great platform to use specifically for gas purchases, with coverage at Exxon, Shell, BP, Pilot, Circle K, and others, as well as a growing number of grocery stores and restaurants. Cash back runs up to $0.25 per gallon on gas depending on the station and current offers, plus percentages back on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. Claims are made by uploading a receipt photo through the app after the purchase.
- For households where fuel costs are a significant budget item — particularly in rural areas or for jobs requiring driving — Upside is the most directly useful tool on this list for that specific spending category. It works alongside other cash back apps since it does not conflict with Rakuten or Swagbucks for the same transaction. Find it at https://www.upside.com/. Or you can read more detail on the Upside gas app page we have.
TopCashBack — the highest rates for committed cash back users
TopCashBack was founded in the UK in 2005 and expanded to the US in 2012. It consistently offers some of the highest cash back rates available, particularly at Amazon where it typically beats competitor platforms. The average active user earns several hundred dollars per year according to the platform's own data. It allows multiple accounts per household — unlike Rakuten's one-per-household limit — which means each family member can earn separately.
- TopCashBack is the best choice for households willing to make the effort to maximize rates, particularly for Amazon purchases. The main tradeoffs are that cash back can take up to 90 days to post, disputed transactions have no guaranteed resolution timeline (users report anywhere from two to twelve months for disputed purchases to resolve), and the platform requires more active attention to rates than the more automated tools. Find it at https://www.topcashback.com/.
Mr. Rebates — the simplest interface for straightforward cash back
Mr. Rebates has been operating since 2002, making it one of the longest-running cash back sites. It partners with a large selection of retailers and has maintained a clean, simple interface without significant changes over the years. The $10 minimum cashout threshold is the lowest on this list, and payouts can be requested at any time once the threshold is met. A sign-up bonus is available for new accounts.
- Mr. Rebates is the best choice for someone who wants a simple, no-frills cash back portal with a low threshold to actually receive their earnings. The main limitations are that cash back can take up to 90 days to appear in the account and purchases may not appear for up to 30 days after the transaction. Find it at https://mrrebates.com/.
Fetch Rewards — the easiest receipt-scanning tool
Fetch Rewards is the most frictionless receipt-scanning app on this list — scan any grocery or retail receipt and earn points with no pre-activation of offers required. Points convert to gift cards for Amazon, major retailers, and grocery stores. The simplicity means Fetch pays less per receipt than targeted offer apps like Ibotta, but the low effort means it gets used consistently rather than abandoned.
- Fetch is a great receipt app for someone who finds Ibotta's offer-activation process too time-consuming. It works alongside Ibotta and Checkout 51 on the same receipts — no conflicts — which means scanning through all three after a grocery trip generates overlapping rewards with about five extra minutes of effort. Find it at https://fetch.com/..
What to watch for across all cash back platforms
A few things to think about, that apply across every platform on this list.
- Cash back rates change frequently — always check the current rate on the platform before making a purchase specifically to earn cash back, especially for large purchases.
- Minimum cashout thresholds vary from $10 to $25; if you spread spending across many platforms, it can take a long time to reach payout on any single one.
- Payout schedules vary from on-demand to quarterly — Rakuten's quarterly schedule is the most restrictive on this list.
- Data collection is universal — all of these platforms collect purchase data by design; review each platform's privacy policy if this is a concern.
- Sign-up bonuses are available on most platforms and worth capturing — a new account at Rakuten, Swagbucks, BeFrugal, and Mr. Rebates each offer bonuses after qualifying first purchases, which adds up to meaningful value for a household signing up across platforms in one session.
Using multiple cash back platforms simultaneously is legitimate and common. Rakuten for online retail, Ibotta for groceries, Upside for gas, and Honey for automated code-finding at checkout covers most spending categories with minimal overlap and minimal effort after the initial setup.
This page provides general educational information about cash back platforms. Cash back rates, merchant partnerships, payout terms, and program features change frequently. Verify current offerings directly with each platform before relying on specific rates. This page is not affiliated with any of the services listed.
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