If you’ve been dubious about coupon and cashback apps, you’re not alone — we used to be skeptical too. Then we heard recommendations from dependable friends and colleagues about how simple and rewarding these apps can be. So we gave them a try. Some apps excel at grocery savings, others focus on online purchases, and a few reward you simply for snapping receipts. Regardless of your shopping style or age, there’s likely an app here suited to you.
Savings and rebate apps can sound almost unbelievable — and some deserve that suspicion. Not sure how to distinguish the legitimate ones from the sketchy offers? We’ll help you with that as well.
We investigated the reliability and effectiveness of the coupon and cashback apps featured here and spoke with people who actually use several of them to get a sense of real-world experiences. If you’re ever unsure about an app or an in-app deal, take a look at our tips for spotting scams.
The Difference Between Coupon and Cash Back Apps
Some apps focus solely on cash back, others only provide coupons, and a few blend both. The main distinction is that coupon tools typically save you money up front, while cashback services reward you after purchases or over time.
Coupon apps hunt the web for promo codes and discounts so you can spend less immediately. Cashback platforms, on the other hand, give you rebates, points for future purchases, or literal cash refunds based on what you buy.
How They Operate
Partnerships are central to how successful coupon apps function. For example, Capital One Shopping — a familiar deal-finding tool — collaborates with around 30,000 retailers to help you uncover better prices.
Cashback apps work similarly through relationships with online merchants. Rakuten, one of the longest-running services on our list, partners with roughly 3,500 stores to deliver rewards for purchases.
9 Coupon and Cash Back Apps and Their Pros and Cons
Here are nine coupon and cashback apps that can help you cut costs on routine expenses.
Honey
Honey is among the most reputable apps listed. After PayPal acquired Honey in 2020, it solidified its standing as a trustworthy way to save while shopping online. With 30,000 retail partners, many shoppers can find savings, and you can also use PayPal rewards in Honey. A long-term user, Brooke Allen, mentioned she recently cashed out for the first time instead of using points for discounts — it was effortless, and she suddenly had $50 available.
- Pros: Free to join; simple browser extension; accepts PayPal rewards points
- Cons: Not usable for many in-store transactions; rewards points available only at selected retailers
- Best for: PayPal customers and habitual online buyers
Coupon Cabin
If you prefer a traditional couponing feel, CouponCabin.com is worth a look. You can visit the site and access coupons without creating an account, and there are cashback options too. The platform focuses on online purchases, is well-rated, and easy to navigate. With about 6,000 affiliated stores, you’ll likely find discounts on everyday items and occasional indulgences.
- Pros: Low cashback threshold; rewards redeemable year-round
- Cons: Ad-blocking extensions can prevent cashback; accounts may be closed if terms are violated
- Best for: Combining coupons with cash back
Rakuten
With hundreds of millions of users worldwide, Rakuten is one of the few cashback platforms usable outside the U.S. Founded in 1997 in Tokyo as an online marketplace, its longevity contributes to its credibility. Rakuten also lets shoppers give back via its Cashback for Change initiative.
- Pros: Double cash back promotions updated weekly; clean interface; free to use
- Cons: Fewer partners than some competitors (about 3,500); mixed Google Play ratings; scheduled payout dates
- Best for: Repeat purchases
Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping helps you locate deals across online retailers. After installing the browser extension, the tool scans sites to find better prices. We spoke with a regular user, Mark Lewis, who praised the extension’s power as a search tool compared with others he’s tried. Keep in mind that “shopping reward” credits are redeemable only for select gift cards at certain merchants.
- Pros: Free and user-friendly; no need for a Capital One card
- Cons: Some offers feel dated; limited options for redeeming shopping rewards
- Good for: Comparing prices
Tada
If your grocery bills keep rising, Tada can help you earn cash back on staples like milk and bread. You can shop online or scan receipts after in-store purchases at more than 1,100 retailers and restaurants to earn cash back — the latter is called “magic receipts.” Tada is well-established with millions of users, and features like power-ups and magic receipts make the experience feel almost, well, magical.
- Pros: Up to $15 welcome bonus for new members; cashouts via PayPal
- Cons: Lower average rating on Google Play; sparse FAQ
- Best for: Groceries
Fetch
This app is ideal for pet owners who like saving. Fetch includes a social angle where you earn rewards for inviting friends, plus cashback for each receipt you upload. Fetch has strong ratings on Google Play and the App Store, and earns one of the higher evaluations from the Better Business Bureau among companies here. We chatted with a user, Casey Martin, who loved how simple the app is to use and how it combines receipt scanning with tailored offers from many retailers.
- Pros: Can stack savings with GoodRx and other cashback apps like Ibotta; thorough FAQ
- Cons: Don’t upload receipts that aren’t yours — accounts can be closed; points expire after 90 days of inactivity
- Best for: Scanning receipts
Ibotta
Launched in 2011, Ibotta is one of the pioneers in cashback apps. It serves millions of users and connects with thousands of retail partners, including restaurants, pharmacies, pet supply stores, and theaters. One Ibotta user, Ben Carter, noted the company’s transparency when it flagged a technical problem on its site, which helped users feel more confident.
- Pros: Link store loyalty accounts to stack savings; connect a bank to receive cash directly; transparent about issues
- Cons: Not all banks are supported for direct deposits; you must add offers before shopping
- Best for: Household essentials
Upside
Another highly rated option, Upside, helps you earn cash back on gas, dining, and groceries. With tens of thousands of partner locations and millions of users, the app finds deals near you by using GPS or a zip code. The Upside site also includes a blog with practical tips and straightforward customer support.
- Pros: Earn cashback combined with gas station loyalty programs; several cashout choices
- Cons: Must pay by card (no cash option); gas prices at the pump may differ from app offers
- Best for: Cash back on fuel, groceries and dining
Shopkick
Ever wished you could earn rewards without buying anything? Shopkick lets you do just that. If you enjoy browsing, you can scan barcodes on specific products to earn points toward rewards. You can also get “kicks” by watching videos or exploring the app’s content.
- Pros: Multiple ways to earn rewards; links to PayPal for cash credits
- Cons: Mixed Google Play ratings; kicks can be worth less than points on other platforms
- Best for: Earning points without making purchases
How to Spot Shady Coupon or Cash Back Apps
New apps surface all the time, so how do you know when a deal seems too good to be true?
1. Check Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau at bbb.org is a useful resource for gauging a company’s reputation. BBB ratings consider complaints filed against businesses and how those companies responded. These ratings are not the same as user reviews — filing an official complaint is harder than posting a review — so BBB scores provide a different, often more formal, perspective than app store ratings.
2. Examine the website
When reviewing an app on Better Business Bureau, click “visit website” under contact information to inspect the company’s site. Some businesses operate primarily within their apps, but a comprehensive website with a clear FAQ and accessible terms usually reflects a more transparent operation. Apps backed by well-documented websites generally get better BBB marks because readily available information reduces confusion and complaints.
3. Look for data privacy disclosures
While browsing an app’s site, confirm they clearly explain their data privacy practices. These apps commonly collect data — that’s often why retailers partner with them — but you should be informed about what information is gathered and how it’s used.
Other quick safety tips for using coupon and cashback apps
- Check expiration dates and barcodes on offers
- Be wary of suspicious messages from support
- Never share your password or Social Security number
- Question unexpected alerts and random deposits
If you want to explore more ways to get money back while you shop, don’t forget to check out resources like yelp cash back, which can complement the tools described above.
