Receipt apps and cashback apps both promise money back from shopping. But they work differently, pay differently, and are best for different situations. This guide breaks down exactly how each works and reveals the secret most people miss: you can use both together.
If you want to get paid for your attention, understanding these differences helps you maximize every purchase.
Earn Beyond Shopping
Receipt and cashback apps pay for purchases. VISU pays for your attention whether you're shopping or not.
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The Key Difference
Here's the simple distinction:
Receipt apps pay you AFTER you shop, for any purchase, by scanning your receipt. They make money selling your shopping data.
Cashback apps pay you DURING the purchase, but only at partner stores, by clicking through their link first. They make money from retailer commissions.
Receipt apps are reactive (scan after). Cashback apps are proactive (click before). This fundamental difference affects everything: how much you earn, how much effort is required, and which stores work.
The good news? They don't conflict. Smart shoppers use both on the same purchase for maximum earnings.
How Receipt Apps Work
Apps that pay for receipts have a simple business model: your shopping data is valuable, and they're willing to share some of that value with you.
The Process
- You shop anywhere (any store, any purchase)
- You scan or photograph your receipt
- The app extracts purchase data (items, prices, store, date)
- They sell aggregated data to brands and market researchers
- You get paid a portion of that data value
Pros of Receipt Apps
- Works anywhere: Any store, any purchase, no restrictions
- No planning required: Shop normally, scan after
- Stack multiple apps: Same receipt can earn from 3-4 apps
- Physical and some online: Works for in-store purchases
Cons of Receipt Apps
- Lower earnings per receipt: Usually $0.01-$0.20 per scan
- Requires action after shopping: Must remember to scan
- Receipt expiration: 7-14 days to scan
- Gift cards often: Many pay in gift cards, not cash
Popular receipt apps include Fetch Rewards, Receipt Hog, CoinOut, and Ibotta (which is a hybrid). Learn more in our guide to best receipt scanning apps.
How Cashback Apps Work
Cashback apps work through affiliate partnerships. Retailers pay commission to the app for sending customers, and the app shares that commission with you.
The Process
- You open the cashback app or browser extension
- You click through to the retailer's website
- You complete your purchase normally
- The retailer pays the app a commission (5-15% typically)
- The app shares a portion with you (1-10% typically)
Pros of Cashback Apps
- Higher percentage back: Often 1-15% of purchase price
- Automatic with extensions: Browser extensions activate automatically
- Real cash payouts: Most offer PayPal or bank transfer
- Works for big purchases: 5% on a $500 purchase = $25
Cons of Cashback Apps
- Partner stores only: Doesn't work everywhere
- Must click first: Forgetting means no cashback
- Mainly online: Limited in-store options
- Long confirmation: 30-90 days to confirm purchases
Popular cashback apps include Rakuten, Honey, Capital One Shopping, and TopCashback.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Receipt Apps | Cashback Apps |
|---|---|---|
| When to Act | After purchase (scan receipt) | Before purchase (click link) |
| Where It Works | Any store (physical mainly) | Partner stores only (online mainly) |
| Typical Earnings | $0.01-$0.50 per receipt | 1-15% of purchase price |
| Best For | Everyday small purchases | Planned online purchases |
| Effort Required | Low (scan takes seconds) | Medium (must remember to click first) |
| Payout Method | Gift cards, some PayPal | PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards |
| Confirmation Time | Instant to 7 days | 30-90 days typically |
| Can Stack? | Yes (multiple receipt apps) | Usually no (one cashback portal) |
| Revenue Model | Sells shopping data | Affiliate commissions |
Which Actually Pays More?
It depends on how you shop. Let's break it down with real numbers.
Scenario 1: Weekly Grocery Shopping ($150/week)
Receipt apps only: Scanning in Fetch + Receipt Hog + Ibotta offers = approximately $2-$5/week = $8-$20/month
Cashback apps only: Most grocery stores aren't on cashback portals. Limited to store credit cards. Maybe $1-$3/month.
Winner: Receipt apps for grocery shopping.
Scenario 2: Online Shopping ($300/month)
Receipt apps only: Limited acceptance of online receipts. Maybe $0.50-$1/month.
Cashback apps only: 3-5% average cashback = $9-$15/month
Winner: Cashback apps for online shopping.
Scenario 3: Mixed Shopping (Both)
Using both strategically:
- Receipt apps for all physical store purchases: $8-$20/month
- Cashback apps for all online purchases: $9-$15/month
- Credit card cashback on everything: $5-$15/month
- Total: $22-$50/month
Winner: Using both together always beats using either alone.
Complete Your Earning Stack
Receipt apps pay for what you buy. Cashback apps pay for where you shop online. VISU pays for your attention. Stack all three for maximum earnings.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.
The Stack Strategy: Use Both Together
The real secret is that receipt apps and cashback apps don't conflict. They work on different parts of the transaction. Here's how to maximize every purchase:
For In-Store Purchases
- Check store app: Does the store have its own rewards program? Activate it.
- Pay with cashback card: Use a credit card that offers 1-5% back.
- Scan receipt after: Submit to Fetch, Receipt Hog, and check Ibotta offers.
Result: Store rewards + credit card cashback + receipt app earnings = 3 earning streams from one purchase.
For Online Purchases
- Start with cashback portal: Click through Rakuten, Honey, or similar.
- Apply coupon codes: Browser extensions find these automatically.
- Pay with cashback card: Stack credit card rewards on top.
- Check for receipt upload: Some receipt apps accept e-receipts.
Result: Cashback portal + coupons + credit card = potentially 10-20% total savings.
Add Even More Earning Layers
Beyond receipts and cashback, you can earn from your attention itself. Apps like VISU pay you for engaging with content and ads, adding another income stream that works whether you're shopping or not. Learn how VISU rewards work to complete your earning stack.
Best Apps in Each Category
Best Receipt Apps
Fetch Rewards: Best all-around. Any receipt, easy to use, $3 minimum. The go-to receipt app for beginners.
Ibotta: Highest payouts for grocery. Requires activating offers but pays $0.25-$5 per qualifying item.
Receipt Hog: Good PayPal option. Accepts any receipt, $5 minimum for cash payout.
CoinOut: Lowest minimum ($1). Simplest app, lowest effort, fastest to cash out.
See our complete guide: how to make money scanning receipts.
Best Cashback Apps
Rakuten: Largest network of partner stores. Often has the highest cashback rates. Pays quarterly via PayPal or check.
Honey (PayPal): Best browser extension. Automatically finds coupons and activates cashback. Owned by PayPal.
Capital One Shopping: Great for price tracking. Alerts you if prices drop after purchase. No Capital One card required.
TopCashback: Often highest rates. Less user-friendly but consistently top payouts for dedicated users.
Best Credit Cards for Stacking
Complete your stack with a cashback credit card:
- Citi Double Cash: 2% on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
- Chase Freedom Flex: 5% rotating categories, 1% everything else
- Capital One SavorOne: 3% dining and groceries, 1% everything else
FAQ — Receipt Apps vs Cashback Apps
Can I use receipt apps and cashback apps on the same purchase?
Yes! They work on different mechanisms. Use a cashback portal for online purchases, then if you can submit the receipt/confirmation to a receipt app, do that too. For in-store purchases, use your cashback credit card and then scan the receipt. They stack, not conflict.
Which is better for groceries?
Receipt apps win for groceries. Most grocery stores aren't on cashback portals like Rakuten. But Fetch, Ibotta, and Receipt Hog all accept grocery receipts and pay well for them, especially Ibotta with its specific product offers.
Which is better for online shopping?
Cashback apps win for online shopping. Rakuten, Honey, and similar portals offer 1-15% back at hundreds of online retailers. Receipt apps have limited online functionality.
Why do cashback apps take so long to pay?
Cashback apps wait for the return window to close (usually 30-90 days) before confirming your purchase. If you return the item, the retailer claws back their commission, so the app waits to make sure the sale is final.
Can I use multiple cashback apps on one purchase?
Generally no. Unlike receipt apps, cashback portals track via cookies. Only the last portal you clicked through will get credit. Pick the one with the highest rate for that store.
Do browser extensions conflict with each other?
They can. If you have Honey, Rakuten, and Capital One Shopping all installed, they may compete for the affiliate cookie. Choose one primary extension or manually select which to use for each purchase.
Is the data selling from receipt apps safe?
Major apps sell aggregated, anonymized data. They track purchasing patterns, not your personal identity. That said, read privacy policies if you're concerned. Only use established apps from official app stores. Check how to verify if an app is legit.
What's the maximum I can realistically earn?
With aggressive stacking (receipt apps + cashback apps + credit card rewards + store programs), most people can earn $30-$60/month from normal shopping. Big spenders or those who optimize heavily might hit $100+/month. It's not a fortune, but it's money for minimal extra effort.
References
Ready to Maximize Every Purchase?
Don't choose between receipt apps and cashback apps. Use both. Stack them with credit card rewards and store programs. Turn every shopping trip into multiple earning opportunities.
Quick video. Earn your first reward.