Get paid just for walking into stores. We tested 12 location-based apps for 90 days to find which ones actually pay for store visits and which waste your time.
Most money-making apps require purchases, surveys, or tasks. But a smaller category pays you simply for showing up by visiting stores, checking in at locations, or scanning QR codes at partner businesses.
These apps work because your attention and presence have real value. Brands pay for verified foot traffic. When you visit a store and prove you were there, you're providing valuable data, and the app shares part of that value with you.
Scan QR codes at partner locations and earn rewards. No purchases required, just verified presence. Earnings vary by region and campaign availability.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
We tested 12 store visit apps over 90 days to separate the ones that actually pay from those that waste your time. This guide covers how they work, realistic earnings, and which apps are worth your time. For the complete picture of earning apps, see our apps that actually pay guide.
What Are Store Visit Apps?
Store visit apps pay you for physically going to locations. Unlike cashback apps that require purchases, these reward your presence alone. The business model is simple: brands want to know if their marketing drives foot traffic, they pay platforms to verify store visits, and the platform shares a cut with users who prove they visited.
Verification methods vary by app. Some use GPS check-ins, others require scanning in-store QR codes, and some ask for photos of store displays. The more verification required, the higher the payout tends to be. Learn more about apps that pay to scan QR codes.
How Much Can You Realistically Earn?
Store visit apps won't replace your income, but they can add $30–150 per month depending on your location, available campaigns, and consistency.
| User Type | Visits/Week | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | 3–5 | $15–40 |
| Regular | 10–15 | $50–100 |
| Active | 20–30 | $100–150 |
| Power User | 30+ | $150+ |
Earnings depend heavily on your city. Major metros like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago have more campaigns. Smaller cities may have limited opportunities. If you're looking for no-risk money making apps, store visit apps fit the bill since there's no upfront cost.
Best Apps That Pay for Store Visits
We tested each app for payout reliability, available locations, and ease of use. Here are the ones worth your time.
1. VISU Network
VISU works by scanning QR codes at partner locations to unlock short brand experiences. Complete the experience and earn rewards. Earnings vary by campaign and region, with users in areas with active campaigns earning from regular store visits. Rewards are credited to your in-app balance with withdrawal options varying by region. Best for people who regularly visit restaurants, retail stores, and events in urban areas.
VISU focuses on verified engagement, not just GPS check-ins. QR-based verification tends to offer competitive rates because brands pay for actual interaction, not just proximity. See our VISU review for more details, or learn how VISU rewards work.
2. Shopkick
Shopkick lets you earn "kicks" (points) for walking into stores, scanning barcodes, and making purchases. Walk-ins earn 10–50 kicks ($0.04–0.20), with scanning products earning more. Payout is via gift cards with a minimum of 1,250 kicks ($5). Best for regular shoppers who visit big retail chains like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.
3. Ibotta
Ibotta is primarily a cashback app, but some offers reward store visits without requiring purchase. Earnings range from $0.25–2.00 per qualifying visit or action. Payout goes to PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards with a $20 minimum. Best for grocery shoppers who can combine visit bonuses with cashback apps.
4. Fetch Rewards
Fetch lets you scan any receipt to earn points, with bonus points for visiting specific stores during promotions. Store visit promos earn 25–100+ bonus points. Payout is via gift cards with a minimum of 3,000 points ($3). Best for people who already scan receipts and want extra bonuses.
5. Gigwalk
Gigwalk has you complete in-store tasks like taking photos, checking prices, or verifying displays. Earnings range from $3–100 per gig depending on complexity. Payout is via PayPal with no minimum. Best for people willing to do quick tasks during store visits.
6. Field Agent
Field Agent is similar to Gigwalk, having you complete audits, take photos, and answer questions about store conditions. Earnings range from $3–25 per job. Payout is via PayPal with a $5 minimum. Best for detail-oriented people near retail areas.
7. Mobee
Mobee is mystery shopping lite, having you visit stores, answer questions, and take photos. Earnings are 100–500 points per mission ($1–5). Payout is via gift cards with minimum varying. Best for people who enjoy mystery shopping without formal requirements.
8. CheckPoints
CheckPoints lets you check in at locations, scan products, and complete offers. Earnings vary widely by location and available offers. Payout is via gift cards and sweepstakes entries. Best for casual users in supported areas.
Quick Comparison
| App | Verification | Per Visit | Payout | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISU | QR scan | Varies by campaign | Cash/Gift cards | Urban, events |
| Shopkick | Bluetooth/GPS | $0.04–0.20 | Gift cards | Retail shoppers |
| Ibotta | Receipt/GPS | $0.25–2.00 | PayPal/Venmo | Grocery shoppers |
| Fetch | Receipt | Bonus points | Gift cards | Receipt scanners |
| Gigwalk | Photo/Task | $3–100 | PayPal | Task workers |
| Field Agent | Photo/Task | $3–25 | PayPal | Detail-oriented |
| Mobee | Photo/Survey | $1–5 | Gift cards | Mystery shoppers |
| CheckPoints | GPS/Scan | Varies | Gift cards | Casual users |
Pros and Cons
Pros: You can earn from places you already visit with no purchases required for most apps. They stack with cashback apps for double rewards, most check-ins take under 2 minutes, and they work well with daily routines.
Cons: Earnings are modest at best as side money rather than income. Coverage varies heavily by city, some apps drain battery with GPS tracking, campaign availability changes frequently, and rural areas have few opportunities.
Who Store Visit Apps Are Best For
Ideal for: Urban residents with many retail options nearby, people who shop, dine out, or attend events regularly, anyone looking to monetize errands they already run, and users who want to stack with passive income apps.
Not ideal for: Rural areas with limited participating locations, people who rarely leave home, or anyone expecting significant income from one app.
Tips to Maximize Store Visit Earnings
Stack multiple apps: Use location reward apps for QR scans, Shopkick for walk-ins, and a cashback app for purchases. One store visit can trigger multiple rewards. You can also combine with apps that pay you to walk on the way there.
Check before you go: Open apps before leaving home to see which stores have active campaigns. Plan errands around higher-paying opportunities.
Enable notifications: Most apps alert you when you're near a paying location. Turn on notifications to catch opportunities you'd otherwise miss.
Focus on high-value locations: Events, new store openings, and special promotions usually pay more than routine check-ins.
Combine with QR scanning: Apps that use QR verification typically pay more per interaction. QR-based apps verify actual engagement, which brands value more than simple proximity.
VISU rewards verified visits at partner locations
FAQ: Store Visit Apps
Do store visit apps actually pay?
Yes, but earnings are modest. Expect $30–150/month depending on your location and consistency. These are side money apps, not income replacements.
Do I need to buy anything?
Most store visit apps pay for presence alone with no purchase required. Some apps like Ibotta combine visit bonuses with purchase cashback.
Which app pays the most per visit?
Gigwalk and Field Agent pay the most ($3–25+) but require completing tasks. For simple check-ins, QR-based apps like VISU can offer competitive rates because they verify actual engagement, though earnings vary by location.
Do these apps work in small towns?
Coverage is limited outside major metros. Check each app's map before signing up to see available campaigns in your area.
Can I use multiple store visit apps at once?
Yes, and you should. Stacking apps is the best way to maximize earnings. One store visit can trigger rewards from 2–3 different apps.
Is my location data safe?
Reputable apps use location data only for verification. Review privacy policies before installing. QR-based apps typically require less continuous tracking than GPS-based apps.