We compared 15 cashback apps side-by-side for 6 months, tracking real earnings. Rakuten paid $127, Ibotta $89, Fetch $43. Here are the 8 that actually paid consistently, ranked by real earnings and payout speed.
Cashback is real, but the marketing is exaggerated.
Most apps advertise huge percentages that only apply to limited retailers, short promos, or specific categories. In normal shopping, the average return is usually closer to 1-3%.
These apps work because your attention as a consumer has real value. Retailers pay to acquire customers, and cashback apps share part of that commission with you.
To make this practical, we tested cashback apps with normal purchases we would have made anyway: groceries, online shopping, gas, and dining. No manufactured spending, no gaming the system.
This guide ranks the best cashback apps in 2026 by what matters: how much they paid, how fast they paid, and how much effort they required. For all earning methods beyond cashback, see our complete guide to apps that pay real money.
Add VISU to Your Cashback Stack
VISU is not traditional cashback. It pays for scanning QR codes at real locations. Scan when you enter, then use cashback apps for purchases. Double dip.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
How Cashback Apps Actually Work
Cashback apps make money from retailers who pay commission for sending customers. When you buy through the app, the retailer pays the app 5-15%, and the app shares 1-10% with you. The difference is their profit.
This means your cashback depends on three factors: which retailers are partnered, what commission rates they negotiate, and how much they share with users. Apps with fewer retailers sometimes pay higher percentages because they negotiate harder.
The 7 Best Cashback Apps in 2026
We ranked these by total earnings over 6 months of normal shopping (groceries, online purchases, gas, dining). No manufactured spending, no gaming the system. Just regular purchases we would have made anyway.
1. Rakuten — Best for Online Shopping
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) consistently delivered the highest online cashback in our test. We earned $127 over 6 months from normal Amazon, Target, and Walmart purchases. The key is activating cashback before every purchase. Easy to forget, but the browser extension helps.
Cashback rates: 1-15% depending on retailer (averaged 3.2% in our test)
Payout method: PayPal or check
Minimum payout: $5
Payout frequency: Quarterly
Best for: Online shoppers who remember to activate
The quarterly payout is the main downside. You may wait up to 3 months to see your money. But the rates are consistently higher than most competitors. For a detailed breakdown, see our Rakuten review.
2. Ibotta — Best for Groceries
Ibotta dominated our grocery cashback test with $89 earned in 6 months. The app works by scanning receipts after purchase or linking your store loyalty card for automatic tracking. We preferred the loyalty card method because it's lower friction.
Cashback rates: $0.25-$5.00 per qualifying item
Payout method: PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards
Minimum payout: $20
Payout speed: Within 24 hours of request
Best for: Grocery shoppers willing to check offers weekly
The catch: you need to browse offers before shopping and buy specific brands. If you buy mostly generic, you'll miss most offers. For a detailed breakdown, see our Ibotta review.
3. Fetch Rewards — Best for Zero Effort
Fetch requires the least work of any cashback app. Scan any receipt, earn points. No need to activate offers or buy specific brands. We earned $43 in 6 months just scanning every receipt we got. For more receipt-scanning options, see our guide to apps that pay for receipts.
Cashback rates: 25-100+ points per receipt (1,000 points = $1)
Payout method: Gift cards only
Minimum payout: $3 (3,000 points)
Payout speed: Instant
Best for: People who want passive earnings without checking offers
Lower earnings than Ibotta, but near-zero effort. If you hate browsing offers, Fetch is the simplest option.
4. Dosh — Best Automatic Cashback
Dosh links to your credit or debit card and automatically applies cashback when you shop at partner stores. No scanning, no activating, no remembering. We earned $34 over 6 months completely passively.
Cashback rates: 1-10% at partner locations
Payout method: PayPal, Venmo, or direct deposit
Minimum payout: $25
Payout speed: 2-3 business days
Best for: Set-and-forget earners
Limited retailer coverage is the downside. It works well for certain restaurants and travel, but misses most grocery and many online purchases. Combine it with other apps for best results.
5. Capital One Shopping — Best Browser Extension
This free browser extension (formerly Wikibuy) automatically finds coupon codes and compares prices across retailers. The cashback is a bonus on top. We earned $28 in 6 months, plus saved $67 from coupon codes it found.
Cashback rates: 1-10% at select retailers
Payout method: Gift cards
Minimum payout: $5
Payout speed: Instant
Best for: Online shoppers who want automatic coupon codes plus cashback
It can run alongside Rakuten without conflict. Use Capital One Shopping for coupon codes, Rakuten for cashback.
6. Checkout 51 — Best Extra Grocery Offers
Checkout 51 is similar to Ibotta, but the offers differ. We earned $31 running both apps on the same grocery trips. Some weeks Checkout 51 had better deals, some weeks Ibotta did.
Cashback rates: $0.25-$3.00 per qualifying item
Payout method: Check
Minimum payout: $20
Payout speed: 2-3 weeks
Best for: Ibotta users who want additional offers
Check-only payouts are annoying in 2026, but the extra offers can make it worth it for consistent grocery shoppers.
7. Shopkick — Best In-Store Combo
Shopkick combines store walk-ins (just entering earns points) with receipt scanning and product scanning. We earned $47 over 6 months, and about half came from just walking into stores we were visiting anyway. This makes it work well with store visit apps.
Reward rates: 10-50 kicks per walk-in, 25-500 per receipt (250 kicks = $1)
Payout method: Gift cards
Minimum payout: $2 (500 kicks)
Payout speed: Instant
Best for: People who shop in physical stores frequently
If you already go to big chains, Shopkick is easy to stack with grocery and online cashback.
Editor's Choice: VISU — Best Stack Addition
VISU isn't traditional cashback. It pays for scanning QR codes at physical locations. We included it because it stacks cleanly with cashback apps: scan a VISU code when you enter, then use Ibotta or Fetch for purchases. Double dip without conflict.
Reward rates: Varies by campaign and location
Payout method: In-app balance (varies by region)
Minimum payout: Varies by region
Payout speed: Instant to balance
Best for: Urban users near partner locations
Why we recommend it: Zero purchase required. Instant rewards. Works alongside every cashback app on this list. Different model, same goal: more money back for activities you already do.
Learn more about how VISU rewards work.
Quick Comparison
Note: "Payout speed" below reflects how quickly you can cash out after earnings are confirmed. Some apps pay on a fixed schedule (like quarterly).
| App | Best For | 6-Month Earnings | Min Payout | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | Online shopping | $127 | $5 | Quarterly |
| Ibotta | Groceries | $89 | $20 | 24 hours |
| VISU | Location rewards | Varies | Varies | Instant |
| Shopkick | In-store + receipts | $47 | $2 | Instant |
| Fetch | Zero effort | $43 | $3 | Instant |
| Dosh | Automatic | $34 | $25 | 2-3 days |
| Checkout 51 | Extra grocery offers | $31 | $20 | 2-3 weeks |
| Capital One | Coupons + cashback | $28 | $5 | Instant |
Realistic Monthly Earnings
Your cashback depends on how much you spend and how consistently you use the apps. Here's what to expect based on our testing:
| Profile | Monthly Spending | Expected Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Light user (1-2 apps, occasional) | $500-1,000 | $5-15/month |
| Regular user (3-4 apps, consistent) | $1,000-2,000 | $25-50/month |
| Power user (5+ apps, optimized) | $2,000+ | $60-100/month |
If you want earning methods that don't depend on spending, add passive income apps to your mix. You can also get paid to walk between stores. These are all no-risk money making apps that work alongside cashback.
The Best Cashback Stack (Our Recommendation)
You don't need all 8 apps. Here's the optimal stack based on effort versus reward.
Minimum effort (3 apps, ~$40/month): Rakuten (online) + Fetch (receipts) + Dosh (automatic). Set up once, earn passively.
Balanced effort (5 apps, ~$60/month): Add Ibotta (groceries) + VISU (locations) to the minimum stack.
Maximum earnings (all 8 apps, ~$75-100/month): Add Shopkick, Checkout 51, and Capital One Shopping. More tracking, more receipts, more offers.
Tips to Maximize Cashback
Stack apps that don't conflict: Rakuten (online) + Ibotta (groceries) + VISU (locations) + Dosh (automatic) can all work on the same week of spending.
Check offers before shopping: Ibotta and Checkout 51 often require activating offers first. Two minutes before a grocery trip helps.
Use browser extensions: Rakuten and Capital One Shopping reminders reduce missed cashback.
Don't buy things just for cashback: 3% back on something you don't need is still a loss.
Combine with credit card rewards: Cashback apps stack with card rewards, increasing total return.
Add referral bonuses: Once you're using the apps, referrals can add $5-20 per signup. If you want that route, see apps that pay for referrals.
Don't forget location rewards: Apps like VISU and Shopkick pay just for showing up. Stack them with purchase-based cashback for maximum return. See our guide to apps that pay to scan QR codes.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Free money on purchases you would make anyway. No special skills required. Stacking multiplies earnings. Some apps are nearly passive after setup.
Cons: Earnings are modest for most users. Consistency matters. Some apps have high minimum payouts. It's easy to forget activations.
Double Dip: Cashback + Attention Rewards
Cashback pays when you spend. VISU pays when you scan at real places. Combine both to maximize returns without changing your routine.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
FAQ: Cashback Apps
Which cashback app pays the most?
Rakuten paid us the most for online shopping ($127 in 6 months). For groceries, Ibotta led with $89. The best strategy is stacking because different apps track different purchase types.
Can I use multiple cashback apps at once?
Yes. Rakuten tracks online purchases, Ibotta tracks grocery receipts, Dosh tracks card-linked offers, and VISU tracks location scans. Because they track different actions, they typically don't conflict.
Are cashback apps worth the effort?
For most people, yes. A 3-app stack (Rakuten + Fetch + Dosh) requires little ongoing work and can earn $30-50/month with normal spending habits.
How do cashback apps make money?
Retailers pay commissions for referred customers (affiliate marketing). Cashback apps share part of that commission with users and keep the rest.
Do cashback apps sell my data?
Many cashback apps use purchase data for analytics and targeted offers. If privacy is a concern, check each app's policy. QR-based rewards like VISU typically require less ongoing tracking than always-on GPS or card-linked models.
What's the fastest paying cashback app?
Fetch, Shopkick, and Capital One Shopping pay quickly via gift cards. VISU credits rewards instantly to your in-app balance. Rakuten is slower because it pays quarterly.