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7 best cashback apps for Dec. 2024: Make holiday shopping pay you back
The holiday season brings joy, festivities and, of course, plenty of shopping for loved ones. Several trusted apps and websites can help you earn real cash back on your seasonal shopping and everyday essentials.
We’ve tested dozens of cashback apps to find the ones that deliver the best savings with the least hassle. Rakuten shines with its extensive partner network and seamless earning process — perfect for busy holiday shoppers who want simplicity. Capital One Shopping automatically compares prices across retailers and tests coupon codes, while PayPal Honey tracks prices over time to help you spot genuinely good deals.
The best part? You don't need to change where or how you do your holiday shopping. These tools work seamlessly in the background while you focus on finding those perfect presents. Let's explore how to make the most of these money-saving tools during the festive season and beyond.
💡Expert tip: To quickly find the best cashback app for a specific purchase, visit Cashback Monitor and type in the store or retailer's name. You’ll get a consolidated view of the cashback rates each platform offers. Further maximize your savings by paying for your purchase with a cashback or rewards credit card.
1. Best overall cashback app: Rakuten
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• Sign up online or on the app
• Save money at Rakuten through the app or with a browser extension
• Get cash back by check or PayPal every 3 months
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.9 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 3.6 out of 5 stars
- Doesn’t require uploading receipts
- Browser extension automatically notifies you of deals
- Has thousands of participating retailers
- Payouts every 3 months on earnings of $5 or more
- Limited in-store cashback options
- Complaints include delayed payouts and glitchy technology
Why we like Rakuten
Rakuten is a free cashback app that’s popular for good reason. Formerly Ebates, it boasts an impressive 3,500 partner stores across a wide range of shopping categories with cash back on clothing, electronics, housewares, automotive, restaurants, airlines, hotels and more. Popular brands include Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s — even warehouse stores like Sam’s Club, which are typically excluded from credit card rewards.
You can sign up online or through Rakuten’s app in under a minute with an email address and password or your Google, Apple or Facebook account. After signup, download the Safari browser extension to be notified of deals and compare prices each time you shop online.
You can also earn cashback rewards at physical stores without having to upload receipts — just add a credit card to your account you’ll shop with, link an offer to that card and use that card to pay for your purchase.
Frequent promotions include double cashback rewards that can help you further maximize your rewards. And if you’re new to the app, you’ll earn an additional 10% cash back on purchases made within your first week and $30 for each friend you refer to the app who signs up.
What people say about Rakuten
Rakuten shoppers praise the site for its wide range of stores, competitive cashback rates compared to other apps and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to activate cashback offers. Fans on the active r/Rakuten subreddit claim they’ve earned thousands of dollars over the years, offering hacks on how to stack discounts with limited-time promotions and through credit card bonuses.
However, some reviews on Reddit and Google Play report delayed payments and glitches with the mobile app, while others caution keeping a close eye on rewards to make sure Rakuten comes through on your purchases.
2. Best for online shopping: Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• Sign up online or through the app
• Save through automatic price comparisons and coupon testing
• Get rewards as gift cards from major retailers
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.9 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Automatically finds better prices across multiple stores
- Tests coupon codes for you at checkout
- Sends price drop alerts on items you’re watching
- Doesn’t require a Capital One account
- Rewards only come as gift cards, not cash
- Some features work better on desktop than mobile
- Limited in-store shopping options
Why we like Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a free browser extension, mobile app and website that simplifies the process of finding the best deals online. When you shop at major retailers like Amazon, Target or Walmart, it automatically checks if other stores offer a better deal on the exact same item. This can be helpful when shopping for daily essentials and gifts for grandchildren, where prices can vary significantly between stores.
Capital One Shopping comes with a coupon testing feature that can save you time and money. Instead of searching for coupon codes and trying them one by one, the app automatically tests available codes and applies the ones that saves you the most money. This feature alone has saved us a lot of money when shopping for new gadgets or household supplies.
The price drop alert system helps us avoid overpaying for items you don’t need immediately. Simply add items to your watchlist, and the app notifies you when prices fall. For example, we tracked a home speaker that dropped $75 during a sale we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. This feature proves especially useful for bigger purchases like appliances or electronics.
What people say about Capital One Shopping
Many Capital One Shopping users appreciate how the app automatically tests coupon codes at checkout – no more copying and pasting multiple codes to see what works. The automatic price comparison has helped many people save a good chunk of cash, with some reporting savings of $20 or more on single purchases.
However, you can only redeem your shopping rewards as gift cards, not cash. Plus, some reviewers on Google Play mention that the desktop browser extension offers a smoother experience than the mobile app, and a few note that the price comparison occasionally misses some retailers.
Sign up at Capital One Shopping
3. Best for groceries: Ibotta
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• Sign up online or on the app
• Save money through the app or browser extension
• Get cash back to your bank account, PayPal or gift card after earnings reach $20
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Wide range of national, regional and local supermarkets and delivery
- Flexible redemption options
- Bonuses and referral rewards
- Reports of glitches and technical issues
- Takes some effort to plan and maximize savings
Why we like Ibotta
Ibotta is a free app and Chrome browser extension that can stretch your budget with generous cash back at a wide range of stores focused on groceries and grocery delivery. Supermarkets include such chains as Albertsons, Giant, H-E-B, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Jewel-Osco, Key Food, Kroger, Meijer, Publix, Safeway, ShopRite, Stop & Shop and Winn-Dixie, but also warehouse stores like BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco, Target and Walmart that aren’t typically included in credit card rewards. Other sites and retailers include gas stations, convenience stores, health and beauty retailers and pet supply stores, which you can find on Ibotta’s site.
To use Ibotta, sign up online or download the app. Before you shop, look for an offer at the store or in the category you’re looking to buy in. Link your loyalty card or, if you’re done shopping, upload your receipt. You can also shop at online retailers through the app. Once you’ve earned at least $20, you can redeem your rewards to a linked bank account, PayPal or gift cards.
To maximize your rewards with Ibotta, make it a habit to browse Ibotta’s Hot Deals. And check for periodic signup and referral bonuses online.
What people say about Ibotta
Many happy customers appreciate Ibotta’s user-friendly interface, ease of uploading receipts and the ability to earn cash back on everyday household items you’re likely to purchase anyways. You’ll also find an active subreddit of Ibotta fans dedicated to sharing savings tricks, highlighting limited-time offers and troubleshooting issues.
As for troubleshooting, some users complain of disappearing offers, issues with scanning and not-so-great customer support, with a general warning that you’ll need to plan your shopping trips ahead of time to get the most out of this app.
4. Best for price tracking: PayPal Honey
PayPal Honey
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• Sign up with your PayPal account, online or through the app
• Save money when shopping online at participating retailers
• Convert earned points to cash, PayPal shopping credits or gift cards
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.3 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 3.9 out of 5 stars
- Automatically tracks price drop
- Automatically applies coupons when you shop
- Allows redeeming rewards for gift cards or cash
- Can’t be used in stores
- Coupon codes aren’t guaranteed to work
- Mobile app occasionally glitches
Why we like PayPal Honey
PayPal Honey — just Honey until 2020, when it was acquired by PayPal — is a free mobile app and browser extension that has a unique price history feature that shows you whether today’s price is actually a good deal. When shopping on Amazon, you can see if an item regularly goes on sale and when those sales typically happen. This historical data can help you time big purchases to get the best deal on them.
Honey also automatically searches for and applies coupon codes at checkout at more than 30,000 online retailers and shopping sites, helping you to save time by finding the best bargains on the fly while you browse. Simply shop for what you want, and Honey applies coupon codes to your cart until it finds you the biggest savings. It can also notify you when prices drop on items you’re interested in.
Unlike some competitors, Honey lets you convert your rewards to actual cash through PayPal instead of being limited to gift cards. This flexibility means you can use your earnings however you choose.
What people say about PayPal Honey
Users value the price history charts since it helps them make informed buying decisions. Several people shared stories of postponing purchases after finding out that certain items regularly go on sale, with some reporting saving 20% to 30% by waiting for better prices.
However, some users mention that the coupon code success rate can be hit or miss, and the mobile app occasionally experiences technical glitches. Users suggest installing both the mobile app and browser extension for the best experience, as certain features work better on desktop computers.
5. Best for earning extra cash: Swagbucks
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• Sign up online or through the app
• Earn rewards for shopping, surveys and games
• Redeem rewards for PayPal cash or gift cards
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.4 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Has various activities that earn rewards
- Allows cashing out as little as $1
- Offers daily bonus opportunities
- $10 welcome bonus for new members
- Surveys can be time-consuming
- Some activities have small payouts
Why we like Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a website, browser extension and mobile app that offers more earning opportunities than typical cashback apps. Beyond shopping, you can earn rewards by completing surveys, watching videos or playing games. This variety makes it ideal for earning a little extra spending money during your downtime, like while watching TV or waiting for appointments.
We’ve found it enjoyable to earn rewards while playing word puzzles or card games. The low minimum payout threshold of $1 means you won’t wait long to access your earnings. Additionally, the app frequently offers bonus promotions that can boost your earnings.
Swagbucks’ shopping rewards program works with over 1,500 retailers, including popular stores like Amazon, Walmart and Target. We’ve found the cashback rates competitive with other apps, typically ranging from 1% to 10% or more. During special promotions, some stores offer double or triple rewards, making it worthwhile to check Swagbuck’s rates before making your purchase.
What people say about Swagbucks
Swagbucks has a dedicated following with many fans sharing tips and tricks on the r/Swagbucks subreddit. Members appreciate having multiple ways to earn rewards at their own pace. Some retirees report enjoying completing surveys or playing games while relaxing at home, viewing the rewards as a nice bonus for simple activities. Many users love having a wide variety of redemption options, including PayPal cash and gift cards to popular retailers.
However, many note that surveys can screen you out after answering several questions, and some activities offer minimal points for the time invested. Successful users recommend focusing on the higher-paying activities and shopping rewards as the better method to earn pocket money from Swagbucks.
6. Best for paid tasks: InboxDollars
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• Sign up online or through the app
• Earn rewards for shopping, surveys, videos, games and more
• Receive cash payments via PayPal or checks when you reach $30
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Displays earnings in cash, not points
- Offers various ways to earn money beyond shopping
- $5 welcome bonus for new members
- High $30 minimum payout threshold
- Surveys can take longer than estimated
- Some activities have small payouts
Why we like InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a website, mobile app and browser extension that offers a refreshingly straightforward approach to earning extra money online. Instead of converting points to cash like many competitors, it shows exactly how much you’ll earn in dollars for each activity. This transparency helps you decide which tasks are worth your time. For example, we’ve found that reading paid emails takes just a few seconds and adds up to a few dollars monthly with minimal effort.
The variety of earning opportunities makes it easy to fit InboxDollars into your daily routine. While watching morning news, you can complete a few surveys. During commercial breaks, switch to short videos that pay you to watch them. The platform even pays you cash back for shopping and lets you make money by playing popular games like Solitaire or Mahjong. We particularly enjoy the scratch-off cards that appear after completing activities, offering bonus cash prizes from $0.05 to $100.
Shopping cashback rates through InboxDollars typically ranges from 1.5% to 15%, but in our experience, coming across rates higher than 10% usually require special promotions. While these rates aren’t always the highest available, the ease of earning additional money through other activities helps compensate. Plus, InboxDollars frequently offers bonus dollars for testing new products or services, which can further boost your earnings.
What people say about InboxDollars
Many InboxDollars users enjoy earning real dollars right away instead of earning then converting points. They say that it helps them better conceptualize the reward potential versus the time a task may take. People who use the platform enjoy the paid email feature as an easy daily task, with some reporting they earn $20 to $30 monthly just by combining email reading with occasional surveys and videos.
That said, some members point out that reaching the $30 payout threshold can take several weeks unless you’re active on the platform. That’s why several users recommend focusing on the higher-paying market research surveys and shopping cashback opportunities rather than lower-paying activities like watching videos, which typically pays just a few cents per video.
7. Best for in-store savings: RetailMeNot
💰 The basics
• Free to use
• No account required for coupon codes
• Access both online and in-store deals
• Redeem rewards via PayPal or Venmo
⭐ User ratings
• App Store: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• Google Play: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Works at physical and online stores
- Doesn’t require an account to view deals and get coupons
- Verifies coupons in real time
- Uses a deal finder that scans over 20,000 online stores
- Limited grocery store coverage
- Some coupons expire quickly
- Cashback processing can be slow
Why we like RetailMeNot
RetailMeNot is a cashback platform available as a website, mobile app and browser extension. It offers online and in-store coupons, making it a valuable resource whether you prefer digital or in-person shopping. The platform’s deal finder proves especially useful while shopping at websites you may not think there are deals for – with over 20,000 online stores under its belt.
RetailMeNot uses real-time coupon verification to set itself apart from competitors. Instead of trying expired or invalid codes, RetailMeNot shows which coupons have worked for other shoppers within the last few hours. This feature saves considerable time and frustration during checkout. Plus, the platform clearly marks exclusions and restrictions for each coupon, helping you avoid disappointments at the register.
For online shopping, RetailMeNot offers both immediate discounts through coupon codes and cashback opportunities. The cashback program stands out by occasionally offering increased rates during holiday shopping seasons and special promotions. For example, we’ve seen rates double or triple during holiday sales.
What people say about RetailMeNot
Shoppers enjoy RetailMeNot’s reliable coupon verification system. Many appreciate how the app combines online and in-store savings in one place. Some users report significant savings on larger purchases like appliances and furniture by stacking store sales with RetailMeNot coupons.
However, the platform doesn’t offer much for shopping at grocery stores. Additionally, a few users mention that cashback processing can take several weeks, suggesting the platform works better for those who don’t need immediate access to their rewards.
Types of cashback apps
You’ll find a wide range of apps that can help you save money, though cashback apps tend to fall within three main ways to earn:
Cash back. These apps provide online shoppers with automatic rewards or coupons at checkout. Examples include Rakuten, Ibotta, Honey and Capital One Shopping.
Receipt-scanning apps. These apps require you to scan or upload photos of your physical shopping receipts to earn cash back or points. Examples include Receipt Hog and Fetch.
Loyalty apps. These apps link to your credit card, debit card or loyalty shopper programs to automatically reward eligible purchases, tracking the rewards you earn. Examples include apps for Starbucks and Chipotle.
Dig deeper: Best discounts for ages 50+: Where to save money for active agers, seniors and retirees
What to look for in a cashback app
When weighing whether to sign up with a cashback app, it’s best to find one that fits neatly into your lifestyle and spending habits. Consider the retailers it partners with, what you’ll need to do to earn money and how easy it is to redeem rewards, among other factors — all of which better position you to actually use the app you download (and not clutter up your device).
A range of retailers. The best cashback apps partner with a large number of retailers across a wide range of categories, giving you more opportunities to earn rewards.
High cashback rates. The app should offer competitive cash back on the things you spend money on frequently, ideally from 2% to 10% or more.
Practical payout options. The app should pay out your rewards in a way that’s useful for you — and not require payout thresholds you can’t easily meet. Most apps offer bank transfers, deposits to digital wallets or gift cards.
Frequent payouts. Understand how often the app tallies up and pays out what you earn. Some cashback apps pay out quickly, while others require waiting months to redeem your earnings.
Easy to use. Look for an app that offers streamlined services — and doesn’t make you jump through excessive hoops to earn.
Bonus savings and features. Some apps provide price comparisons, integrate coupons and track price drops to make sure you’re earning as much as you can.
Generous referral programs. Referral bonuses can further boost your earnings. The popular gas app Upside offers a referral program users like due to its high cashback potential.
Good reputation and reviews. Look for apps with high ratings on app stores, review sites and forums as well as positive sentiment among actual customers.
Responsive customer support. See what other customers say about help with problems to know whether you’re stuck on your own if you bump into issues.
Dig deeper: 18 clever ways to save money — and take the pinch out of inflation
How we chose the best cashback apps
We evaluated 20 of the most popular cashback apps available on Google Play and the App Store, analyzing each app against six important features:
Retail partner network
Cashback reward levels
Cashback reward type — for example, cash or points
Payout options — including bank transfers, digital wallet deposits and gift cards
Security features and privacy policies
Popularity among people who use them
We also read through customer reviews on Google Play, the App Store, Trustpilot and Reddit to better understand actual user experiences — the good and the bad.
FAQs: Cashback apps
Here's the answers to some of the most common questions about cashback apps.
How do cashback apps make money?
Cashback apps like Rakuten and Ibotta most often make money through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a type of business arrangement whereby a company pays an affiliate — in this case, the app — a small commission for each customer signup or sale through the app. Apps share a cut of this commission with you in the form of cash back.
Another perk for these app companies is the ability to gather real-time insights on customer spending habits. In a way, this data is more valuable to marketers than your single purchase. Each purchase, upload, survey or other action you take through the app is data these companies are collecting, analyzing and using to make marketing decisions.
With a reputable app, this data excludes personally identifiable information — such as your name, address or birthdate. But it’s a good idea to read the fine print to understand how the app intends to use your data and whether you can opt out.
Are cashback apps safe?
Yes, the most popular cashback apps protect your data with industry-standard protections that include data encryption, privacy protections and two-factor authentication at sign-in. Some, like Ibotta, even promote bug bounties that provide cash rewards for ethical hackers who can breach their systems ahead of enterprising bad guys.
Most apps include a privacy and safety statement as part of signup or within the app that can help you understand how well the company intends to protect your data into the future.
How can I be sure I’m getting the highest payouts?
Sites like Cashback Monitor and Evreward aggregate savings, rewards and coupons to help you compare earning rates across shopping portals and cashback apps.
These directories can’t guarantee you’re getting the highest payouts, but they can show you where today’s best cashback, travel, card and other deals are — and how to combine discounts for even stronger savings.
Is there a limit to how much I can earn with a cashback app?
It depends on the app, but most won’t limit how much you can earn — though you might need to meet an earnings threshold before you can get your payout. Research how and how often an app pays out your earnings before signing up.
What if an app requires a membership fee?
Some cashback apps ask that you link a bank or credit card account for future payouts, but you shouldn’t need to pay money up front to use a cashback app. If you run across a “free” app that asks for payment before you can earn rewards, it’s a red flag to look elsewhere.
About the writers
Kat Aoki is a seasoned finance writer who's written thousands of articles to empower people to better understand technology, fintech, banking, lending and investments. Her expertise has been featured on sites like Forbes Advisor, Lifewire and Finder, with bylines at top technology brands in the U.S. and Australia. Kat strives to empower consumers and business owners to make informed decisions and choose the right financial products for their needs.
Yahia Barakah is a personal finance writer at AOL with over a decade of experience in finance and investing. As a certified educator in personal finance (CEPF), he combines his economics expertise with a passion for financial literacy to simplify complex retirement, banking and credit topics. He loves empowering people to make informed financial decisions that improve their everyday and long-term wellness. Yahia's expertise has been featured on FinanceBuzz, FX Empire and EarnForex. Based in Florida, he balances his love for finance with freediving, hiking and underwater photography.
Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner
