Do you have any of the best cash-back apps installed on your phone right now? There's a lot of money saving options that exist which are dedicated to saving you money. Many of these sites are just shopping portals that give you cash-back when you shop online through them.
It's a very easy way so to score cash-back. Today, we are going to talk about cash-back apps that completely passive, and you just download and sit back and collect free money.
Best Passive Cash-Back Apps and Sites
When it comes to money-saving/cash-back apps, you'll often find that you'll only get cash-back at certain stores, and only when you buy certain items.
The issue with the common selection of these coupon apps that can save you money is that they aren't passive. This means that you'll often have to remember to activate the cash-back when you're shopping online, or you'll have to search through a long list to see if there's cash-back available for the items you plan on buying.
The entire process is tedious, and by the time you actually get the cash-back, it probably wasn't even worth your time.
This post is here to help you earn cash-back or save money on purchases just about entirely passively (if you love passive income, check this post after).
Once you sign up for these sites/apps, there's nothing else for you to do. You'll start saving money when you buy certain things or when you shop at certain stores.
| NOTE: This post does not contain everything in terms of passive cash-back. You can also use a credit card with cash-back to earn additional cash-back (stacked), sign up for a particular store's rewards program and earn more benefits (stacked). This list is just bonus cash-back that you don't really have to work for. You might not even want to label these as passive because some might not be 100% autopilot, but these are a very hassle-free way to get money back in your pockets. |
1. Capital One Shopping
How Passive? Completely Passive
The Capital One Shopping Browser Extension is a free tool designed to help consumers save money while shopping online. Once added to your web browser, it automatically searches for and applies coupon codes at checkout on thousands of websites.
Additionally, the extension can provide users with price comparison features, alerting them if a product they're viewing is available at a lower price from another retailer. The extension also offers rewards in the form of points that can be redeemed for gift cards, making it a way to earn while you shop.
It's designed to be user-friendly, operating in the background until it finds potential savings, at which point it prompts the user to apply any found discounts or alerts them about cheaper prices elsewhere.
2. Upside
How Passive? Semi-Passive
Upside isn't really passive because you still have to scan your receipt to earn cash-back.
Upside has been gaining popularity in the BeerMoney community because it allows you to compare gas prices at places, and earn cash-back at over 1000s gas stations of gas stations in your area.
It's really easy because you don't really have to look hard to find the gas stations, and you just have to submit a receipt.
I usually just go to fill up, and while I'm waiting I'll open up the app to see if the gas station I'm at qualifies. It'd give me something to do for the minute while I wait for the tank to fill up.
Upside partners with local businesses (gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants nearby) who want to win you over with great deals you'll never get anywhere else:
- Up to 25¢/gal cash-back on gas
at 5,000+ gas stations in Texas, Florida, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina and New York, including all the big brands (Shell, BP, Exxon, Marathon, Sunoco, etc) - Up to 15% cash-back on groceries
at grocery stores in the DC area - Up to 35% cash-back at restaurants
at hundreds of restaurants in Houston, Austin, and the DC area
- Get up to 25¢ back per gallon on gas, 35% at restaurants, and 15% on groceries
- Use promo code mmgcash for a $5 bonus after your first offer
- Cash out earnings straight to your bank or PayPal in minutes
3. Ibotta
How Passive? Semi-Passive
The next cash-back app you should know about is Ibotta. Get cash-back everywhere you shop with offers at hundreds of stores. You actually get real cash with this app — not points or credits.
If you wanted to get real cash via PayPal or Venmo, or buy a gift card with your earnings just download Ibotta for free.
Want to know much Ibotta users earned in total so far?
$526,418,876
Ibotta users have earned millions in cash-back rewards — Real people earning real cash. Join now and start saving on every purchase!
4. Fetch Rewards
How Passive? Completely Passive
Fetch Rewards is probably the most versatile rebate coupon app because you can scan ANY receipt and get rewards! Fetch Rewards makes it easy to save on your everyday grocery purchases by removing the limitations of other apps.
No store limitations, no having to clip special offers, no worrying about missing out on savings. All you need to do is snap a picture of your receipt and points will be put into your account. It is that easy.
You can buy in any recognized store, upload the receipt and get points. You can redeem the points for gift cards. As your points accumulate you can redeem them for FREE gift cards to hundreds of popular retailers.
You can even cash out your earnings for a virtual Visa or Mastercard. Just remember that you must upload your receipts within 14 days of purchase and always consider using Fetch Rewards hacks to earn even more points.
- Snap receipts, earn points on every purchase
- Redeem for gift cards (Amazon, Target, more)
- 💰 Use code C1JAV for a $3 bonus after your first receipt
5. Checkout 51
How Passive? Semi-Passive
Checkout 51 has both a website and an app! People can check offers from the Checkout 51 website. You can download their app from the app store or Google Play store for IOS and Android devices. Checkout 51 is very similar to Ibotta's process. Browse the deals and save them, go shopping, then upload the receipt and get cashback.
But there are few things to keep in mind while using Checkout 51. The offers are refreshed every Thursday. Whatever deals and offers you save, you must redeem and upload your receipt before the following Wednesday night or else the offers expire. You should note that the payouts starts from $20.
6. Empyr Apps
How Passive? Completely Passive
I've listed this as “Empyr Apps” because all of these apps are basically just the same thing. I'll take the example of Swagbucks since that's what most of you reading this will already be using. When you shop at a certain store/restaurant, you'll earn with the empyr app you have linked. It's actually really not that special.
Here's a list of some/most of the current Empyr powered apps:
IMPORTANT NOTE: You're only allowed to use one Empyr app at a time! As soon as you link up with another Empyr app, you'll be disqualified from another until you link back up.
Swagbucks (Get $10 Sign Up Bonus) will always be popular among Swagbucks users. What's really nice about Swagbucks Local is that the payouts are always instantly converted to Swagbucks, which can help you cash out sooner. You'll also likely get a slot in the Swago board filled out, which might be beneficial to you.
- Paid out over $627 million to users since 2008
- Earn with surveys, cash back, testing apps, watching videos, and playing games
- $10 bonus when you spend at least $25 in the Swagbucks shop
Bottom Line
Well, there you have it. Different ways to save money passively. These are legitimately the best cash-back apps for shopping and groceries.
Before you go, I keep a free spreadsheet of legit ways to earn extra income that I personally use and update regularly. Grab it here if you're interested.
