Personal Finance

6 Best Cashback And Rewards Apps

With a cashback or rewards app, you can use planned spending to get extra perks, discounts, and even actual cash.

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If you’re hoping to make the most of your money, a good cashback or rewards app can be a solid choice. With a cashback or rewards app, you can use planned spending to get extra perks, discounts, and even actual cash.

Depending on how you shop, some cashback and rewards apps might work better than others. Here's our list of some of the best cashback and rewards apps.

Best Cashback And Rewards Apps

1. Capital One Shopping

Disclosure Capital One Shopping compensates us when you get the Capital One Shopping extension using the links provided.

Capital one shopping is a rewards app powered by Capital One. It’s a browser extension that automatically looks for savings and coupons when you shop online, including with outlets like Amazon. In addition to being available for desktop, there’s also a mobile app for iOS and Android.

On top of that, there are also partnership deals available with specific online retailers that provide credits that can be redeemed.

Pros

  • Automatically finds savings and tries to get you a better price
  • Browser extension, so you don’t have to go to separate sites
  • Free

Cons

  • Mobile app isn’t as convenient as the browser extension
  • Tracks your online activity

Who’s it best for?

Capital one shopping is ideal for someone who wants automatic coupon codes and to save a few bucks on purchases. Additionally, if you frequently shop at their partners, you can get rewards fairly regularly.

Payment methods

You can add major credit cards to Capital One Shopping to make it easy to make purchases. When it comes to redeeming your rewards, you can turn in your credits for gift cards at partner retailers.

Read more about it in our Capital One Shopping Review

2. Earny

Earny is an app that offers cashback by taking advantage of price protection policies. After adding the extension to Chrome, you make purchases as usual, and if a price drops after you buy, you can get the cashback for the difference. Earny also allows you to set price alerts and track trends so you know the right time to buy. Finally, Earny also comes with a ShopRunner membership that allows access to free two-day shipping and free returns.

Pros

  • Does the legwork of taking advantage of price protection programs
  • Monitors pricing trends and provides price alerts
  • Offers cashback for Amazon late packages

Cons

  • Has a subscription fee of $4.99 per month
  • No automatic deposit for cashback you have to wait for a check from your credit card issuer

Who’s it best for?

If you’re worried about getting the best price on items, Earny can be a good choice for you. You get the benefits of price protection without doing the legwork.

Payment methods

Add a credit card and you’ll receive a check from the price protection program if applicable.

Learn more in our Earny Review

3. MyPoints

This rewards app is about earning points for taking certain actions, such as signing up for offers, watching videos, or taking surveys. You can do this online or through a mobile app available for iOS or Android. You can earn points and redeem them for $5 in rewards when you get 700 points.

Pros

  • Easy-to-use app makes it easy to earn points
  • Lots of gift cards for redemption
  • Many different actions you can take to earn points

Cons

  • Some surveys disqualify you
  • Offers might be redundant

Who’s it best for?

MyPoints is best for someone who wants to earn rewards when they have a few minutes to do simple tasks.

Payment methods

Your payout comes in the form of gift cards from partners. You redeem points for gift cards and use those to make purchases.

For more read our MyPoints Review

4. Swagbucks

Swagbucks combines points-earning activities with cashback when you make certain purchases. There’s a browser extension that can help you automatically get cashback when you make purchases, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Pros

  • Different ways to earn points, whether it’s performing a search, watching videos, or making purchases
  • Automatically helps you earn cashback
  • Lots of redemption options for rewards

Cons

  • Payouts on actions can be small
  • Surveys come with disqualifiers

Who’s it best for?

Swagbucks works well for those who want to earn cashback when they do regular shopping. It can also work for those who want to earn points when they have a few minutes to take a small action.

Payment methods

Payouts from Swagbucks are in the form of gift cards. Once you have enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards. However, it can take a few days to receive your reward.

Learn more in our Swagbucks Review

5. Fetch

Fetch is a mobile app, available on Android or iOS. You simply snap a picture of your receipt after shopping, and you’ll receive points when certain brands are used. You can also earn bonus points on special offers.

Pros

  • Easy to use, no barcode scanning or special steps
  • Referral program
  • Find out your points in real-time

Cons

  • Only redeem for gift cards
  • You cant link store loyalty cards

Who’s it best for?

Fetch works well for those who want a simple way to earn points and rewards for everyday purchases at the store.

Payment methods

There is no PayPal option. Instead, you can start redeeming your rewards when you have 3,000 points (worth $3).

Find out more about it in our Fetch Review

6. Rakuten

Formerly Ebates, Rakuten offers you between 1% and 40% cashback on purchases you would normally make anyway. It can be a free browser extension or you can use it with your iOS or Android mobile device. You can also get rebates by shopping in-store.

Pros

  • Actual cashback, via PayPal or check
  • Referral program
  • Completely free

Cons

  • Cashback is only paid out quarterly
  • Some products at partners might be exempt

Who’s it best for?

Rakuten is easy to use and ideal for those who want cashback on regular purchases. It’s a simple accrual system based on the store you go to.

Payment methods

Rakuten doesn’t require you to convert points to rewards or cashback. Instead, you get actual money back, either by physical check or with a PayPal deposit.

For more, read our Rakuten Review

Why You Should Use Cashback and Reward Apps

If you arent using cashback and reward apps, you’re leaving money on the table. Many of these apps are free to use, and they can help you get rewards or even cash for purchases you’d make anyway.

How to Maximize Your Cashback Rewards

Your best bet is to avoid impulse shopping and only use your cashback app on purchases you’ve already planned to make. On top of that, consider focusing on rewards and cashback apps that allow you to stack your rewards. Link your rewards credit cards so you can get extra points.

How to Find the Best Cashback Apps for You

The key to getting the best cashback and rewards apps for you is paying attention to your shopping habits. Are you more likely to need actual cash? Do you like getting gift cards so you spend less? Consider, too, whether you’re loyal to specific brands, or if there’s an app that works well with your rewards credit card. Figure out which apps partner with brands you use on a regular basis and you’ll be more likely to succeed.

How We Came Up With This List

We reviewed several cashback apps for their ease of use, programs, and other factors. We tried to take into consideration different styles and needs so that almost anyone can find an app on this list that fits their situation.

Final Thoughts

In the end, it’s about choosing an app that makes sense for you so that you can get more bang for your buck. Look for a good cashback app that will reward you for what you normally spend on, and find rewards that fit your lifestyle.

Miranda Marquit

Miranda Marquit

Miranda is a nationally-recognized financial writer and money expert. She has contributed to NPR, Marketwatch, Yahoo! Finance, U.S. News & World Report, FOX Business, The Hill and numerous other publications. Miranda is an avid podcaster and writes about money and freelancing at her website, MirandaMarquit.com.


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