ReceiptPal is probably the most straightforward receipt-scanning app. There are no sponsored offers or in-app purchases, and scanning receipts is the main way to earn money with this app. NPD Group, a market research company, owns ReceiptPal.
Earn cash back every time you shop. Read this review to find out which receipt apps pay you the most.
At any given moment, there's probably 5 or 6 crumpled receipts in the cupholder of your car. But don't toss 'em out.
Those little pieces of paper aren't a nuisance - they're literally hidden cash.
Use receipt apps to earn cash back for in-store and online purchases. You'll get perks like gift cards, actual cash, giveaways and free samples. Some apps even provide automatic savings, so you don't need to scan the actual receipt.
To get in on the savings, compare the most popular receipt apps (like Fetch, Receipt Hog and Ibotta) below.
- Rakuten (Ebates) - Best Overall
- Ibotta - for $20 Welcome Bonus
- TopCashBack - for Most Money
- Coupons.com - for Most Retailers
- Fetch Rewards - for Grocery Stores
- TruNow - for Gas
- Checkout 51 - for Gas + Groceries
- Shopkick - for No Purchase Required
- Paribus - for Past Purchases
- Makeena - for Fresh Produce
- Drop - for No Receipt Scanning
- Dosh - for Venmo Users
- Fluz - for Referral Program
- Coinout - for Simplicity
- National Consumer Panel - for Product Feedback
- Mobee - for Mystery Rewards
1. Rakuten (Ebates) - Best Overall
This Tokyo-based company lets you earn cash back at 2,500+ stores for electronics, clothing, games, sporting goods and more.
Rakuten gets paid a commission by major retailers for referring potential customers (that's you). In return, Rakuten shares some of their commission with you via cash back.
To start, install their chrome extension (Cash Back button) and sign up for a Rakuten account.
Then just shop on your desktop and let the Button do all the deal-hunting for you. As your cash back grows, you can choose to get paid via PayPal or check.
- What you can earn: Up to 40% cash back per purchase (plus a referral bonus if you refer friends)
- Payout method: PayPal or check (totaled and paid quarterly)
2. Ibotta - for $20 Welcome Bonus
Out of all the cash-back apps available, Ibotta is offering the biggest sign-up offer: Get $20 just for joining.
The app rewards you for shopping in-store or online with 300+ retailers. Better yet, you don't need to count points and you can cash out once you earn $20.
Keep in mind that you will need to manually add offers into your account, so be sure to browse the app before you shop to find out which items are eligible for cash back. You can even link your loyalty cards to Ibotta for even more points.
- What you can earn: Up to 10% cash back and $30 average in monthly savings
- Payout method: PayPal, Venmo, gift cards
3. TopCashBack - for Most Money
TopCashBack members can earn an average of $345 dollars a year. That's definitely not chump change.
Ways to earn:
- Up to 30% cash back on select items
- Up to $125 cash back on select items
- $500 cash prize giveaways
- Freebie giveaways (such as an Xbox)
The app/browser extension works for online purchases only. You can save hundreds of dollars each year from over 4,400 top online retailers. More than 15 million members have already joined for free.
- What you can earn: An average of $345 per year
- Payout method: Bank deposit, PayPal, gift cards
4. Coupons.com - for Most Retailers
Coupons.com (formerly SavingStar) gets you grocery rebates - no coupon-clipping, printing or mailing required.
They partner with over 70,000 big stores (including target, CVS Pharmacy, and Kroger) so you're bound to get cash back on at least some of your purchases.
They have three rewards categories:
- Healthy Offers: Save on produce
- One or Many Offers: Reach a spending goal at 1+ stores
- Always On Programs: Continuous, automatic savings
- What you can earn: 100% of cash-back commission
- Payout method: Bank deposit, directly back to card, PayPal
5. Fetch Rewards - for Grocery Stores
Are you an amateur home chef or baker? Then Fetch might be your best bet for maximizing your kitchen pantry purchases.
Not only will you earn points for each receipt you scan, but you get points on thousands of popular food brands. Then, redeem points for gift cards at hundreds of stores, like Amazon and Target.
Once your earnings reach $25, you're free to cash out.
- What you can earn: $0.25 - $2 cash back
- Payout method: Gift cards to major retailers, Visa or Mastercard gift cards
6. TruNow - for Gas
If you have a long commute, the price of fuel likely eats up a chunk of your budget. Download TruNow, the rebate/cash-back app that's exclusively for gas stations.
Just turn on your phone's location tracking to show nearby gas stations that offer special discounts. Then snap a photo of your receipt and upload onto the app.
If you cash out via PayPal, you can only take half the value of your earnings. So, if you've earned $10, you'll get $5 on PayPal. You'll receive the full value of your rewards if you opt for in-app purchases.
- What you can earn: 2% cash back for partner gas stations, 1% for non-partner gas stations
- Payout method: In-app purchases, gift cards, PayPal
7. Checkout 51 - for Gas + Groceries
Do you like to fill up on gas on the way to the supermarket? Use Checkout 51 to kill two birds with one stone.
You can save at the pump with 5,000+ participating gas stations. Then head over to the store and grab what you need.
Each week, the app adds new offers for gas, groceries and daily items. To get cash back, simply take a photo of your receipt. Voila!
Shop in-store or online, even with coupons. Participating brands include Dollar General, Kellogg's, Nestle, CVS Health and more. Once your account reaches $20, you're paid with a mailed check.
- What you can earn: 1% - 10% cash back
- Payout method: Mailed check only
8. Shopkick - for No Purchase Required
You know what they say, you need to spend money to make money. Luckily, that's not the case with Shopkick.
In addition to making money on your purchases, you can waltz into a store and scan products without buying. Either way, you'll still earn rewards.
Earn points, or 'kicks,' when you visit online partners, view select offers, make in-store/online purchases, or watch videos.
This app gives you a quick turnaround for your efforts as most Shopkickers can earn their first gift card in only a week. Popular gift cards include Starbucks, Best Buy, Old Navy, JC Penney and more.
- What you can earn: 5-100 'kicks' (250 kicks = $1)
- Payout method: Gift cards
9. Paribus - for Past Purchases
Unlike other cash-back apps, Paribus pays you for things you've already bought.
Connect your email to the app, and Paribus will monitor your inbox for receipts and recent price changes.
If the price drops for an item by at least $3, Paribus will file a claim with the retailer to refund you the difference. It's super easy and completely passive.
After the retailer confirms the price discount, you can expect the refund within 3-7 business days to the debit/credit card used for the purchase.
- What you can earn: 100% of the difference in price
- Payout method: Refunds issued to the card you originally bought the item with
10. Makeena - for Fresh Produce
Tired of cash-back apps that only offer points for junk food? Join Makeena.
Instead of stocking up on corn chips and soda, you can claim rebate offers on healthier groceries and produce. Hello, kombucha and quinoa. Many of these offers are even for organic items.
Here's how it works:
- Buy eco-friendly and healthy products
- Use the app to scan store receipts and products
- Earn cash, rewards, freebies and samples
Makeena works for Certified B Corporations so you can feel good that your purchases support environmental and ethical businesses. Plus, you can search by brand, category, or attribute (such as non-GMO or BIPOC-owned).
- What you can earn: $0.25 average rebate for each item
- Payout method: PayPal, Venmo
11. Drop - for No Receipt Scanning
One of the biggest hurdles of cash-back apps is having to scan points. Drop makes things easier for you.
Download the app, link your most-used debit or credit card, and select your top 5 favorite brands.
No need to scan receipts afterwards. Each purchase from your top five brands on your linked card adds points to your Drop account.
You need to earn 5,000 before cashing out for gift cards at your favorite stores, like Amazon, Netflix and Starbucks and more
Don't forget to download their browser extension to shop on desktop.
- What you can earn: Usually 1% - 2% cash back
- Payout method: Gift cards only
12. Dosh - for Venmo Users
Here's what sets Dosh apart from other apps: When you make a transaction with your Venmo Debit Card or Venmo account, the app checks for eligible cash-back rewards.
If they find anything, Dosh will add cash back to your Venmo account once the charge is completed. If you're not on Venmo, you can still power your account by linking Jelli or your preferred debit/credit card.
Dosh gets you automatic cash back at over 10,000 places when you shop, dine or book hotel/travel. No receipt scanning or coupons needed.
Note, you need to accumulate $25 before cashing out.
- What you can earn: Up to 40% cash back (but usually 5%) or $5 for every referral
- Payout method: PayPal, bank deposit, or charity donation
13. Fluz - for Referral Program
Are most of your friends interested in saving money on daily purchases? You can earn points for spreading the word of cash-back apps.
For each friend you refer, Fluz offers cash back on all their purchases, as well as your own.
Most other apps just give you a one-time bonus of $5 for each referral. But with Fluz, your earnings on each referral is potentially endless and basically passive income.
You need to link your debit/credit card to your account before earning points each time you shop.
- What you can earn: Up to 35% cash back when you or your friends/referrals shop
- Payout method: PayPal, bank deposit, or charity donation
14. Coinout - for Simplicity
With other cash-back apps, the rewards structure can be hard to decipher. But not Coinout's.
You might remember these guys from 'Shark Tank' in 2018. Coinout streamlines the process by letting you earn cash back from virtually any retailer.
All you need to do is take a photo of your receipt after your purchase. In exchange, they'll give you randomized rewards (usually between 6 to 8 cents per receipt). You can shop online, in-store and with any payment method you'd like.
- What you can earn: Around $0.06-$0.08 per receipt
- Payout method: PayPal, Amazon gift card or bank deposit
15. National Consumer Panel - for Product Feedback
With National Consumer Panel, you can share your opinion to influence which products end up on shelves.
Here's how it works: Get the NCP mobile app. Then, scan barcodes on all the items you buy and provide other purchase details, like:
- Whether you used a club/shopper card
- The prices of the items you bought
- Which store you went to, or if you shopped online
Once a week, you'll share the shopping data with NCP and take surveys on various topics. You can redeem points for merchandise, gift cards and more.
NCP is run by Nielsen, a highly respected market research firm.
- What you can earn: Value of gift cards, physical gifts and sweepstakes vary
- Payout method: Gift cards, merchandise, sweepstakes
16. Mobee - for Mystery Rewards
Mobee turns shopping trips into an actual game.
Complete 'missions' during your shopping trip for gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, Target and more.
These mystery shopper assignments might involve buying a cup of coffee or trying a new product. Upon completion, answer a few questions about your experience.
The app is a great and unique way to change up your spending routine.
- What you can earn: Average 10% cash back
- Payout method: PayPal, gift cards
17. Receipt Hog - for Smaller Retailers
Do you buy everything you need at the corner mom-and-pop shop? If so, take a peek at Receipt Hog.
In addition to major supermarkets, the app can net you points at liquor/convenience stores, beauty supply shops, toy stores, bodegas and even newspaper stands. Talk about supporting local, neighborhood businesses.
Receipt Hog will pay you to scan your receipts with their iOS or Android app. Each receipt earns 'coins':
- 1,000 coins = $5
- 2,900 coins = $15
- 4,300 coins = $25
- 6,500 coins = $40
Plus, the app is super simple and intuitive to use.
- What you can earn: 5-20 'coins' per receipt (1,000 coins = $5)
- Payout method: PayPal, Amazon credit, Visa/Mastercard gift card
Bottom Line
Receipt apps can put some money back in your pocket. Simply take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the app to earn cash back. Keep in mind that some apps might be more involved than others, and they all provide different rewards and benefits.
To maximize your earnings, try using 2-3 receipt apps at once. Every app on this list is free and compatible on Android and iOS, so you can shop on the go.
Just don't buy items you don't actually need to leverage the offer. You'll end up spending more than what you're earning.
Amber Kong is a content and creative at CreditDonkey, a personal finance comparison and reviews website. Write to Amber Kong at amber.kong@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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I have talked about apps to scan receipts for money apps a few times, such as in my how to get free groceries and free Walmart gift card posts.
I have mentioned them briefly, but I never really took the time to create a full guide, showing you all of the options out there where you can scan a receipt and get money back. There are a lot!
If you shop, and I’m sure you do, then you should have at least a few of these apps on your phone as you’re missing out on a lot of rewards! In most cases, it’s as simple as taking a picture of your receipt and getting rewarded. Yes, it’s that easy.
In today’s guide, I wanted to talk about the many legitimate apps to scan receipts that can earn you cash or even gift cards in some cases. All of these apps are 100% free to join and allow you to start earning almost immediately.
As long as you have a receipt in your hand, you can earn money, no matter what you purchased.
Swagbucks
I promote Swagbucks a lot, mainly for the survey opportunities, but they do offer the opportunity to upload receipts as well. While you won’t earn much, usually two SB (equal to $0.02) per upload, it can help pad your balance if you already use Swagbucks and have a few receipts to upload.
To upload your receipts, be sure to download the Swagbucks Answer app and then look for the “shopping receipts” section, where you can earn SB for your shopping receipts. Just follow the prompts and get rewarded once it’s confirmed. In doing this, make sure your receipts are no older than five days and it’s easy to read the receipt.
The option isn’t always available, so you may have to continue to check in to see if it’s active. Regardless, Swagbucks is worth the download if you want to make some cash on the side. I use it and easily make $100 to $200+ per month just by taking a few surveys a month. I find it a great way to buy some things I want without putting a damper on my budget. Follow the link below for a sweet $5 sign-up bonus just for joining.
- Website:Swagbucks
Ibotta
I consider Ibotta to be the leader in this industry, the main reason I list them near the top. They have been around since 2011 and have more than 650 employees operating the company.
To start earning cash back with Ibotta, you can do so in one or two ways. One is by simply linking your loyalty account to your Ibotta account. Every time you make a purchase with a qualifying offer, Ibotta will credit your account. It’s very hands-free, with the exception that you do have to add offers to qualify.
Secondly, you can earn cash back by uploading your receipts after your shopping spree. To earn the cash back successfully, you will have to choose the products listed on the app to earn the cash back specified. For instance, if it says purchase any gallon of milk and earn $0.50, then Ibotta would credit you $0.50 as long as milk shows up on your receipt.
I did write about Ibotta in depth, and I highly recommend you check out the review to see how they work. If you get to know the app in depth, you can really save some cash. In some cases, if you play your cards right, you can walk away with a lot of free loot as well.
Ibotta is 100% free and is definitely one to keep on your phone after every shopping spree.
- Website:Ibotta
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is one I have reviewed in the past. I highly recommend you check it out as it’s a decent receipt scanning app.
In short, it’s a cash back where you can get both gas rewards and even cash back on your everyday grocery store shopping purchases. All you need to do is scan the app for the most current offers and then add them to your account if you plan on purchasing them. Once you do, upload your receipt and you get the cash back specified in the app.
Every Thursday, the app updates its offers and allows you to cash out once you hit $20 in rewards.
- Website:Checkout 51
CoinOut
As seen on the hit TV show, Shark Tank, the CoinOut app rewards you with real cash for your receipts from virtually any retailer.
To start, just upload any receipt in the app and then earn cash back. Playing with the app, most receipts earn you about $0.05 to $0.10 each. It’s not much, but it can add up over time.
The nice thing about the app is that you don’t have to find any deals nor do you have to see if a retailer you’re shopping at qualifies like so many of the other apps make you do. It’s as easy as snapping a picture and that’s it. Just make sure you snap a picture within two weeks, however.
Aside from receiving cash back from your uploads, the app also holds weekly/monthly sweepstakes and even rewards you for referring your friends. It’s 100% free to join.
- Website: CoinOut
Coupons.com
The official Coupons.com is more than just printing coupons from home. You can also use the app to scan your receipt as well.
To enjoy savings with the app, you can do so in two ways. For one, you can link your store loyalty card to your account and then add coupons before you shop. And secondly, you get cash back by choosing the coupons on your app and then submitting a picture of your receipt after your purchase. Once verified, you will get cash back in your PayPal account.
To take advantage, you will have to browse through the hundreds of offers to claim your rewards, but every time you place an item inside of your cart, look it up to see if it’s active in the database. If so, add it to your “cart” to take advantage. It’s much easier than you think.
- Website: Coupons.com
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is one I have mentioned a few times, such as in my free gift cards post. This app caters more toward grocery receipts rather than any receipt.
To use, all you have to do is scan your grocery receipts whenever you shop. Then, depending on the products you bought, Fetch Rewards will give you points based on the points/special offers.
If you do use this app, you will have to browse a list of “participating” items that qualify. If your receipt doesn’t have any of these items listed, then, unfortunately, you won’t earn credit. It will take a bit more work, but the points can add up if you buy the right items.
- Website: Fetch Rewards
Kellogg’s Family Rewards™
The Kellogg’s Family Rewards™ program, yes, operated by that Kellogg’s, can earn you points whenever you purchase participating Kellogg’s items.
All you need to do is buy your favorite Kellogg’s products, either online or in-store, and then upload the receipt proving your purchase via the company’s website, KFR.com.
As you collect points, you can then redeem them for a variety of rewards, including coupons, apparel and even gift cards. Signing up is free and they offer give you 100 points just for joining.
- Website:Kellogg’s Family Rewards™
Makeena
Makeena is geared more toward eco-friendly and healthier grocery store products.
It works like Ibotta and the other grocery store apps, where you’re asked to add your offers and then upload your receipt to be credited. You will know exactly how much you’re getting back before you even add the offer.
Once you earn $20 in rewards, you can then cash out via PayPal or Venmo.
- Website: Makeena
NCP ReCap
This isn’t as popular on the Google Play/iTunes marketplace, but it’s an option that works like the rest.
The app is very simple to use. Just take a picture of any receipt and get rewarded with points in which you can redeem for gift cards in the future. Just make sure you upload within 14 days to qualify For every receipt you scan, you can earn up to 500 reward points, plus an entry into various sweepstakes.
Aside from receipt scans, you can also take surveys, helping you earn even more points. As I write this, the app has a solid 4.2/5 Google Play rating.
- Website: NCP ReCap
Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is another one I have reviewed in depth. It’s another great option if you just want to upload your receipts and that’s it.
To start making money, you just need to take a picture of your receipts from any store, restaurant or cafe. Honestly, it can just about anywhere as long as they print out a receipt. Then, depending on your upload, you can earn rewards, such as coins, prizes or even a spin at the virtual slot machine. To date, they have paid out more than $2.5 million to their members.
By far, this is one of the more popular apps on this list, with more than one million downloads and a solid 4.4/5 rating.
- Website:Receipt Hog
ReceiptPal
ReceiptPal works similar to that of Receipt Hog, minus the slot machines.
All you need to do is snap a picture of any receipt to earn points. You can then turn those points into gift cards from a variety of retailers, such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Target and Walmart, to name a few. You can even exchange your points for a Visa gift card.
For every receipt you scan over, the company will automatically enter you into a weekly sweepstake, where you can win great cash prizes.
To date, it has more than one million downloads and a wonderful 4.3/5 rating.
- Website: ReceiptPal
SavingStar
SavingStar is yet another grocery store saving app, letting you save cash on the products you’re already buying. They work with more than 100 well-known chains, such as Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens and Publix, to name a few.
Now, you can make it easy and just link your loyalty card to instantly save, but in case you don’t want to do this, you can upload your receipt to save as well.
To use, it’s as easy as logging in, clipping the products you plan on buying and then getting credits for the amount specified. The app has more than one million downloads with a 3.9/5 rating.
- Website: SavingStar
Shopkick
Shopkick is one I mentioned a few times, such as in my how to make money from your phone and best passive income app posts.
Earn Money Back From Receipts
It’s a very unique app that rewards you in a variety of ways, from just walking into a store to a scavenger hunt, where you’re asked to find an item’s bar code. You won’t get rich in using this app, but you could earn a few dollars a week when you’re out and about.
One way to earn is through your purchases, where you can simply submit your receipt and earn what’s known as “Kicks.” You can then turn these “Kicks” into gift cards.
- Website: Shopkick
Shoppix
Shoppix, like Receipt Hog and ReceiptPal, let you snap any receipt in exchange for tokens. The app doesn’t have nearly as many downloads, but it does have more than 100,000+, which I find to be enough to be worthy of being on this list.
All you need to do is snap a picture, answer a few survey questions and that’s it. You will then be rewarded with tokens, in which you can choose to use to cash out with PayPal or even for a gift card.
Aside from earning tokens from your receipts, you can earn from answering surveys, earning bonuses and even winning from a scratchcard.
- Website:Shoppix
GetUpside
GetUpside can help you save up to $0.25 per gallon on gas and up to 35% at restaurants, grocery stores and more.
To use, the app asks that you claim an offer at a gas station, restaurant or grocery store near you. Then, after you fill your tank, you will pay with a credit/debit card and then take a picture of your receipt. After confirmation, they will then reward you with whatever offer you redeemed, sometimes saving you more than 35%.
The only downfall is that it only works in certain cities, but they do seem to be expanding. If they are operating in your town, consider downloading it as many of its users have claimed it’s one of the easiest apps to use.
- Website: GetUpside
How to Maximize Your Earnings
Now that you know of the many apps that can reward you with scanning your receipts, I wanted to share a few tips to maximize your earnings if you plan on downloading a few or maybe even all of them.
Scan Your Receipts ASAP
Most of these apps have limitations as to how old your receipt may be. Almost all don’t accept receipts older than 14 days old, with some only accepting receipts up to five days old. To help save the headache of determining if a receipt is eligible, just make it a habit to scan the minute your purchase completes. That way, you will know your receipt is valid.
Browse the Offers Beforehand
Before you shop with the grocery store apps, open up your apps and see what kind of offers are available at the time. You may find that some offers make the most sense as you can combine the app offer and a sale price to get items for next to nothing, sometimes even free.
Best Receipt Scanner App For Money
Link Your Loyalty Card
Many of the grocery store apps allow you to link your loyalty card, saving you the headache of uploading your receipts. If the app allows you to do this, I highly recommend you link your card to save you time. In doing this, you won’t even have to worry about taking a picture of your receipt. Instead, all you will have to do is add the offer to your account.
Use Them All
Try to use as many receipt apps as possible when uploading a receipt as there’s no restriction in doing so. If you’re going to make money on one app, you may as well make money on all of them, right?
There you have it. A ton of ways to earn money simply by uploading your receipts.
Now, as I mentioned a few times in the post, you won’t get rich doing this. In fact, expect to make maybe $10 a month at most. But, if you want to maximize your earnings and receipt, be sure to sign up for as many of these apps as possible and submit it to as many as you can. There’s nothing wrong in doing that.
I will continue to add receipt scanning apps as they pop up, but if you do see one that I missed, you’re more than welcome to add a suggestion in the comments section below.
For now, download a few and see which one works best for you. Since we all have different shopping habits, you may find out that one works better for you than it does me.
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Want $5 free?Try out Swagbucks, the most popular reward program I make the most money with. Simply answer survey questions and get paid! |