Every purchase you make is an opportunity to earn a little money back. But with so many cash back apps out there, it can be hard to know where to start—or whether they’re even worth your time and effort.
Good news: They are. Cash back apps are one of the simplest, lowest-effort ways to stretch your budget. Once you understand how they work, choosing the right one is surprisingly straightforward. In fact, more than 160 million people in the U.S. used at least one cash back app in the past year.
In this beginner’s guide to cash back apps, we’ll break down exactly how they work, what types are available and how to choose the best one for your lifestyle. We’ll also share seven solid apps to get you started—including KashKick, which goes beyond cash back to help you earn even more from your everyday routine.
For more ideas on making money from your phone, check out our guide to the best apps to make money.
Key Takeaways
- Cash back apps reward you for purchases you’re already making—no lifestyle changes required.
- There are several types of cash back apps; the right one depends on how and where you shop.
- The best cash back apps offer real cash payouts, low minimums and transparent earning rules.
- KashKick stands out by combining cash back with games, surveys and deals—so you can earn even when you’re not shopping.
- Using two or three apps together is one of the easiest ways to maximize your savings.
What’s a Cash Back App?
A cash back app rewards you with money—or points redeemable for money—when you make purchases through the app or submit proof of purchase.
Here’s the basic mechanic: Retailers and brands pay these apps a commission to drive sales. The app then shares a portion of that commission with you. It’s essentially a referral fee that gets passed along to the shopper.
You don’t need to change where you shop or what you buy. You just need to remember to open the app first—or set it up once so it runs automatically in the background.
Once you accumulate enough cash back, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, direct deposit or gift card depending on the app. Most apps have a minimum payout threshold, typically anywhere from $1 to $25.
Types of Cash Back Apps
Not all cash back apps work the same way. Understanding the different types helps you pick the one that actually fits your routine.
Online Shopping Portals
These apps reward you for clicking through to a retailer’s website before making a purchase. The app tracks your visits and purchases, then credits your account with a percentage of what you spent. KashKick’s Shopping tab works this way—browse available retailers, click through and earn cash back on your purchase automatically.
This type works best for frequent online shoppers. The key habit to build: Always check the app before you head to a retailer’s site.
Receipt-Scanning Apps
These apps reward you for uploading photos of your receipts after shopping in-store. Some work with any receipt from any store, while others require you to activate specific offers before you shop.
Receipt-scanning apps are popular for grocery shopping. The tradeoff is a bit of manual effort—you have to remember to ask for a receipt and scan it before it gets crumpled at the bottom of your bag.
Browser Extensions
Browser extensions sit in your browser and automatically apply coupon codes or earn you points when you shop online through that browser (like Safari or Chrome). They run passively in the background, which makes them one of the lowest-effort cash back options out there.
The downside is that most browser extensions only reward with gift cards, not cash. They’re great as a supplement to a cash-paying app, but less ideal as your primary earning tool.
Card-Linked Offers
These apps connect directly to your credit or debit card. Once linked, you earn cash back automatically whenever you use that card at a participating merchant—no receipts, no clicking through portals, no extra steps. Link your card once, shop as usual and cash back appears in your account. It’s about as passive as it gets.
Rewards Platforms
Some apps go beyond traditional cash back by combining shopping rewards with other earning opportunities like surveys, games and app trials.
KashKick falls into this category. You can earn cash back on purchases, but also stack that with rewards from playing games or taking surveys—so your earning potential is much higher than a shopping-only app.
How to Choose a Cash Back App
With so many options available, here’s what to look for before you download.
Look for real cash payouts
Some apps only reward you with points or gift cards. That’s fine if you regularly use those gift cards, but cash is more flexible. Apps like KashKick pay out real money via PayPal—so you can use your earnings however you want. Before signing up, check: Does this app pay cash, or just gift cards?
Check the cashout minimum
A high cashout minimum means you’ll be waiting a long time before you see any money. Look for apps with minimums of $15 or less. KashKick’s minimum is $10. The lower the threshold, the sooner you can access your earnings.
Understand the payout timeline
Some apps process payments within 24–48 hours. Others make you wait weeks. KashKick typically processes payouts in 1 to 3 business days. Rakuten, on the other hand, only pays out quarterly. Neither is wrong—but it matters depending on how quickly you want access to your money.
For tips on managing your cash flow, check out our strategies to save on your monthly bills.
Consider how you actually shop
A grocery receipt app won’t do much for you if you mostly shop online. A browser extension won’t help if you do most of your shopping in-store. Match the app type to your real shopping habits—not your ideal ones.
Watch out for points systems
Points can make it hard to know how much you’ve actually earned. If an app uses points, make sure you understand the conversion rate before signing up. Some apps make this unnecessarily complicated. KashKick keeps it simple: $1 Kash = $1 USD. No confusing math required.
Think about earning potential beyond shopping
If you want to maximize your earnings, look for apps that offer more than just cash back. KashKick lets you earn through games, surveys and exclusive deals on top of shopping rewards—which means you’re earning even on days you don’t shop. That adds up fast.
See how in our day in the life of a KashKick member.
Cash Back Apps to Get You Started
Ready to start earning? Here are a few cash back apps worth trying—starting with the most versatile option.
Start Earning More With KashKick
KashKick is the best starting point if you want to earn beyond just cash back. Through KashKick’s Shopping tab, you’ll find cash back offers from popular retailers—and the KashBack iOS Safari extension automatically applies cash back when you shop from your phone. (Plus you’ll get a $2 reward when you install it!)
But what really sets KashKick apart is everything else. You can also earn by playing games, taking surveys and claiming deals on apps and services. It all flows into the same account, and once you hit $10 Kash ($1 Kash = $1 USD), you can cash out for real money via PayPal, a gift card or even a charity donation. Payouts process in just one to three business days.
In less than two years, KashKick member Kayla earned over $1,200, a majority of which she earned through KashBack! “The extension makes it easy to earn extra money without doing anything as long as it’s active while I shop,” Kayla said. It’s true passive income.
Key features:
- Cash back on purchases from popular online retailers
- KashBack iOS Safari extension for automatic savings at checkout
- Additional earning options: games, surveys, deals and more
- Low $10 cashout minimum
- Fast payouts (1–3 business days) via PayPal or gift cards
- Referral program: earn 25% of your referral’s game and deals earnings
- 4.6 stars on the App Store; 4.5 stars on Google Play
Best for: Anyone who wants to earn beyond just shopping — and get paid fast.
👉 Sign up for KashKick for free and start earning cash back today.
Earn Automatic Savings With Honey
Honey (owned by PayPal) is a browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout across thousands of online retailers. It also earns you “Honey Gold” points on qualifying purchases, which can be redeemed for gift cards from retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart, or as cash through PayPal.
The biggest appeal is how effortless it is. Install it once and Honey works silently in the background every time you shop online. No apps to open, no offers to activate.
Key features:
- Automatically applies coupon codes at checkout
- Earns Honey Gold points on qualifying purchases
- Works across thousands of online retailers
- Owned by PayPal—a trusted, established brand
Best for: Online shoppers who want completely hands-off savings.
Save on Gas and Groceries With Upside
Upside specializes in cash back at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants—making it especially useful if fuel costs are eating into your budget. Cash back rates at gas stations can reach 25 cents or more per gallon at participating locations.
To earn, claim an offer in the app, make your purchase, then upload your receipt. Cash back is credited within a few days. The cashout minimum is just $1, and you can withdraw via PayPal, bank transfer or gift card.
Bonus: Sign up through KashKick and earn $15.25 in rewards when you make a verified purchase of $10 or more!
Key features:
- Cash back on gas, groceries and restaurants
- Low $1 cashout minimum
- Payouts via PayPal, bank transfer or gift card
- Location-based offers
Best for: Drivers and commuters looking to offset fuel costs.
Shop Smart Online With Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a free browser extension that automatically finds coupon codes and compares prices across retailers when you shop online. It also earns you “Shopping Credits” on qualifying purchases, redeemable for gift cards.
You don’t need a Capital One card to use it. It’s available to anyone. It’s particularly strong for price comparison, alerting you when a product you’re viewing is available cheaper elsewhere.
Capital One Shopping only rewards with gift cards rather than cash. But as a free, passive tool for online shoppers, it’s worth having in your browser alongside a cash-paying app.
Key features:
- Automatic coupon code application at checkout
- Price comparison alerts across retailers
- Earns Shopping Credits redeemable for gift cards
- No Capital One account required
Best for: Deal-hunters who want automatic price comparisons and coupon codes while shopping online.
Turn Receipts Into Rewards With Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a receipt-scanning app that offers weekly cash back deals on groceries and household items. Browse the available offers each week, buy the featured products, then upload your receipt to claim your cash back.
Once you earn $20, you can request a check. It’s a straightforward option for grocery shoppers who don’t mind a bit of manual effort. The weekly refresh of offers keeps things current and gives you a reason to check back regularly.
Key features:
- Weekly cash back offers on groceries and household items
- Upload receipts to claim cash back
- $20 cashout minimum via check
- Available on iOS and Android
Best for: Grocery shoppers who are comfortable scanning receipts and want straightforward weekly deals.
Check out the best cashback apps for more options!
How to Get the Most Out of Cash Back Apps
A little strategy goes a long way. Here are a few tips to stack your savings effectively:
- Use two or three apps together. Different apps cover different retailers and categories. A solid starter combo: KashKick for everyday earning and online shopping, Upside for gas and groceries, and Honey or Capital One Shopping for automatic browser savings.
- Build the habit of checking before you shop. The biggest reason people leave cash back on the table is simply forgetting to open the app first. Make it part of your routine; open your cash back app before you head to any retailer online or in-store.
- Prioritize apps that pay real cash. Gift cards are fine if you’ll actually use them. But cash is more flexible. Apps that pay via PayPal—like KashKick—let you use your rewards however you want, whether that’s covering a bill or treating yourself.
- Don’t overlook small purchases. Cash back isn’t just for big-ticket items. Small, frequent purchases—coffee, groceries, gas—add up over time. Consistency matters more than any single transaction.
- Look beyond shopping. If you really want to boost your earnings, use a platform like KashKick that rewards you even when you’re not shopping. Games, surveys and deals mean you’re always earning — not just when you spend.
The Right Cash Back App for Your Lifestyle
Cash back apps aren’t one-size-fits-all. The best one for you depends on how you shop and how much effort you want to put in.
- If you want the most ways to earn: Start with KashKick. Shopping rewards plus games, surveys and deals—all in one place with fast PayPal payouts.
- If you want completely hands-off savings: Try Honey if you’re a big online shopper.
- If you drive a lot: Upside is hard to beat for gas savings.
- If you mostly shop groceries in-store: Checkout 51 offers straightforward weekly deals.
- If you want passive price comparisons online: Capital One Shopping runs quietly in your browser.
The smartest move is to combine two or three that complement each other. Start with KashKick as your foundation—it covers online shopping cash back and gives you plenty of other ways to earn—then layer in a more specialized app based on your biggest spending category.
Ready to put your spending to work? KashKick is free to join and takes just a few minutes to set up. For more ways to make your phone work for you, check out our guide to making money from your iPhone.
👉 Sign up for KashKick for free—and start turning everyday spending into real cash.
FAQs: Cash Back Apps
What is a cash back app?
A cash back app rewards you with money or points when you shop through the app, submit receipts or link your debit or credit card. Retailers pay the app a commission for driving sales, and the app shares a portion of that with you. It’s essentially a rebate on purchases you were already going to make.
Are cash back apps worth it?
Yes—as long as you choose reputable apps with clear payout terms and real cash options. The effort required is minimal, and even small amounts add up over time. Apps like KashKick go further by offering multiple ways to earn beyond shopping, which makes them especially worthwhile.
Which cash back apps are best for beginners?
KashKick is a great starting point. It’s free, easy to use, pays real cash via PayPal and offers a variety of ways to earn—not just cash back. The $10 cashout minimum means you won’t be waiting long to see your first payout either.
Can you use multiple cash back apps at once?
Absolutely—and it’s one of the best strategies for maximizing your savings. Different apps cover different retailers and categories, so using two or three together ensures you’re always earning something. Just make sure the apps don’t have conflicting terms before stacking.
How do cash back apps make money?
Cash back apps earn commissions from retailers and brands for driving sales or customer engagement. When you make a purchase through the app, the retailer pays the app a referral fee—and the app shares a portion of that with you. It’s a win for everyone: retailers get customers, you get rewarded and the app earns its cut. KashKick explains this model in detail here.
