Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Every time you fill up your tank or grab groceries, you’re spending money—but what if you could get some of it back? Learn about free apps that reward you with gift cards and cash just for buying things you already need.

How Cashback and Rewards Apps Work

Cashback and rewards apps are free tools that give you points, money, or gift cards when you shop at certain stores or buy specific products. You don’t have to change where you shop or spend extra money—just scan your receipt, activate an offer, or pay with a linked card, and the rewards add up.

These apps partner with major brands, retailers, and gas stations to offer bonuses for your loyalty. Some give flat rewards for every receipt, while others pay more for featured items or promotions.

The best part? You can stack these apps with store sales, coupons, and credit card points to boost your savings even more.

Ibotta: Cash Back for Groceries and More

Ibotta is one of the most popular cashback apps and works with over 2,000 brands. After you download the app, you can browse offers at stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Aldi. Tap the items you plan to buy, go shopping, then scan your receipt.

Ibotta gives you real cash back—no points to convert. Once you hit $20, you can cash out to PayPal or a bank account, or choose a gift card. Some offers work with online orders, and Ibotta also has a browser extension for extra savings on websites like Lowe’s or Best Buy.

You can sign up and get a bonus with your first redemption at ibotta.com.

Fetch: Turn Receipts Into Free Gift Cards

Fetch Rewards is one of the simplest apps to use. Every time you shop, snap a photo of your receipt in the app and get points—no need to pre-select offers. You earn more when you buy promoted brands like Pepsi, Huggies, or Doritos, but every receipt gets you something.

Once you collect at least 3,000 points (about $3), you can redeem for gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, and more. You can even earn extra points by connecting your email or Amazon account to scan e-receipts.

Learn more or download the app at fetch.com.

Upside: Save on Gas, Groceries, and Restaurants

Upside focuses on savings at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores. After downloading the app, you search for nearby offers, claim one, and then pay with a regular debit or credit card. Some offers require a receipt, while others work automatically with a linked card.

You can earn up to 25 cents per gallon on gas and get cash back at local diners, fast food spots, and grocery stores. Earnings can be transferred to your bank, PayPal, or converted to a gift card.

Check gas deals in your area at upside.com.

Receipt Hog and ReceiptPal: Get Paid for Receipts

These apps don’t require any planning or specific purchases—you just upload receipts and earn points. It doesn’t matter where you shopped, as long as it’s a retail receipt with a date and total.

Receipt Hog gives you coins based on how much you spent, which you can trade for cash or gift cards. ReceiptPal lets you earn points for gift cards with every valid receipt. You can upload grocery, gas, pharmacy, or restaurant receipts and still earn rewards even if you didn’t buy a featured brand.

These apps work well in the background and make a great pair with more targeted tools like Ibotta or Upside.

Shopkick: Earn in Stores and Online

Shopkick offers a different way to earn rewards. You get “kicks” (points) for walking into certain stores, scanning product barcodes, and making purchases. Some of the featured retailers include CVS, Target, Marshalls, and HomeGoods.

You can also earn kicks for shopping online through the app or uploading receipts from partner stores. It takes about 250 kicks to earn a $1 reward, and gift card redemptions start at just $2.

Visit shopkick.com to explore stores near you.

Kroger and Other Store-Specific Apps

If you shop at a specific chain regularly, check to see if they have a rewards program or app. For example, Kroger’s app gives you personalized digital coupons and fuel points every time you shop.

Points can be redeemed for discounts at Kroger gas stations or Shell stations, with savings of up to $1 per gallon. Similar programs are available at Safeway, Giant, H-E-B, and Publix.

Download your store’s app to clip digital coupons and track points automatically.

Combine Apps for Bigger Rewards

The real power comes when you use multiple apps at once. You can buy groceries, scan the receipt in Fetch, upload it to Ibotta, and then again to Receipt Hog. If you paid with a rewards credit card, you’re also earning cashback or miles on top of everything else.

Just make sure you follow the rules for each app—some require you to activate offers before shopping, while others need you to upload receipts within a certain number of days.

To keep it manageable, pick two or three apps that fit your routine and use them consistently.

Who These Apps Are Best For

Cashback and gift card apps are ideal for people who:

• Shop at grocery stores, pharmacies, or gas stations

• Want to save money without changing brands or shopping habits

• Are willing to take a few minutes to upload receipts

• Prefer digital rewards or PayPal cashouts

These apps won’t make you rich, but they can help stretch your budget. Over time, even $5 or $10 a week adds up—especially when paired with sales, loyalty programs, and smart shopping.

Final Thoughts

Getting rewards for everyday shopping is easier than ever thanks to apps like Ibotta, Fetch, and Upside. Whether you want to lower your gas costs, earn free gift cards, or just get a little something back on groceries, these tools help you make the most of every dollar. A few extra taps each week can lead to big savings throughout the year.