Money Management Tips
The 12 Best Cashback and Rewards Tools for 2026
Updated on April 6, 2026
These days, if you’re shopping online, chances are you could be saving more money. In addition to coupon codes and price trackers that can help you time your purchase at just the right time, there are also dozens of cashback tools that will reward you just for shopping through their link or app. The only problem is, with so many cashback and rewards apps to choose from, how do you know what each one has to offer?
Don’t worry — I’m here to help. As a big fan of cashback myself, I’ve had some experience with many of the top tools available. Moreover, with new options popping up all the time, I took the liberty of compiling some other apps that I haven’t yet had the chance to earn with.
With that, let’s take a look at the top cashback, rewards apps, and even cashback debit cards for 2026, as well as a few tips for getting the most from these tools.
My Personal Favorites
Rakuten
- What it offers: Cash back on online and in-store purchases
- Biggest pro: Features offers for a huge number of online retailers
- Biggest con: Payouts only come quarterly
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is likely the most popular cashback tool on this list — and there’s good reason for that. Not only does the platform offer cashback at thousands of sites across the web, but it also makes it easy to take advantage of these deals. One way to claim Rakuten offers is by simply clicking the links for your selected retailer through the Rakuten website.
Alternatively, you can install the Rakuten browser extension, which will remind you to activate offers when you land on eligible pages. Plus, the service also has some in-store offers that you can opt into and claim by using a linked card, as well as gift cards you can purchase for various retailers.
One of the few drawbacks of Rakuten is that they only pay out rewards on a quarterly basis. Additionally, you’ll need to have earned at least $5 in rewards in order to get your check (although you can opt for a PayPal transfer instead).
That said, they do continue to roll out new features, including the ability for American Express cardholders to earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash. Similarly, Bilt Rewards members can now choose to convert their cashback to Bilt Points. However, starting in May, those with Bilt Blue status will only be able to convert cashback to points at a rate of 2:1 (2¢ in cashback to 1 Bilt Point) while those with Silver status or higher will continue to enjoy a 1:1 rate.
Lastly, new users who join Rakuten and make a purchase of at least $50 in their first 90 days can currently earn a $50 bonus.
TopCashback
- What it offers: Cashback rewards from numerous retailers
- Biggest pro: Competitive rates and low cash-out minimums
- Biggest con: Earnings can take a while before they’re payable
True to its name, TopCashback is a portal that regularly offers the best cashback rates when shopping on several retailers. On top of that, I’ve found that the site offers low cashout rates — and may even offer bonuses for certain options. For example, I earned $5.51 from a Lindt chocolate purchase, but was able to turn that into $5.62 for Amazon thanks to a 2% bonus. Plus, that cash-out option started at just 1 cent!
The only downside I’ve found is that it can take some time for your cashback to process. Then again, odds are that you’ll still be able to access your money more quickly than with Rakuten’s quarterly cycle. For those reasons, whenever I visit TopCashback, I wonder why I don’t use it more often.
Capital One Shopping
- What it offers: Capital One Shopping Credits on select online purchases, coupon code assistance, and other price comparison features
- Biggest pro: In my experiment, Capital One Shopping did direct me to a better deal for a KitchenAid than what was offered on Amazon
- Biggest con: Only cash-out options are gift cards
Once upon a time, Capital One Shopping was called Wikibuy. Since being acquired by Capital One, though, the platform has received a big bump in publicity. That heightened profile is at least somewhat warranted, as the tool can be useful for finding better deals.
Plus, the secret to getting the most from Capital One Shopping is actually to land on a site you want to shop on and then waiting a couple of days to see if you get an enhanced, targeted rewards offer instead. That’s what I did to earn 7% back on an elliptical I purchased from Walmart.
The downside to that is Capital One Shopping can get a bit annoying. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to visit a retail site for work, only to trigger a follow up email from Capital One. Another downside is that you can only redeem your rewards for gift cards — and while there’s a fairly strong line-up at the moment, some top brands have disappeared and reappeared in the past.
Still, thanks to the sometimes incredibly generous targeted offers you can get via follow-up emails, it may be worth giving Capital One Shopping a try.
Other Cashback Tools
Upside
- What it offers: Cashback on gas, dining, and more
- Biggest pro: Impressive-looking rates
- Biggest con: Reports suggest that stated gas prices may not be accurate
One app I’ve heard a lot about but haven’t tried in earnest yet is Upside. With this tool, you can apparently earn cashback at gas stations as well as at restaurants, grocery stores, and more.
Looking in the app for the first time, I saw some impressive offers. These included 20¢ off per gallon at a nearby station and 31% cash back at Wendy’s. Of course, I can’t say whether these types of deals are the norm or whether they are promotions for a new user like me.
Another downside (no pun intended) is that I’ve seen reports of Upside not updating its gas prices. Thus, customers may show up to take advantage of a deal and find themselves paying more than expected.
Nevertheless, after my initial look at Upside, I’m definitely interested in exploring more.
Swagbucks
- What it offers: Ability to earn Swagbucks for online and in-store purchases (as well as via online surveys)
- Biggest pro: Variety of ways to earn rewards
- Biggest con: Their browser extension is a bit more annoying than others
If you’ve heard of Swagbucks before, it was probably in the context of a survey site. However, they happen to offer a cashback platform as well. Like with many other services on this list, Swagbucks allows you to shop online retailers through their links and earn a percentage of your purchase back in rewards — in this case “Swagbucks” or “SB.”
Once you’ve accrued enough Swagbucks, whether through making purchases, completing surveys, or taking advantage of other offers on the site, you can redeem your Swagbucks for gift cards or even cash them out via PayPal. While that’s great, something I’ll say regarding my limited experience with Swagbucks is that their browser extension strikes me as a little more aggressive than some of the others, with the SB button popping up lower on the page. Despite this, Swagbucks could be a good hub for earning rewards in a number of ways.
Fluz
- What it offers: Cashback on purchases from select retailers (via a gift card purchase)
- Biggest pro: Earn up to 25% back
- Biggest con: The app can be a bit confusing and there’s a fee to use a credit card directly
Like others on this list, Fluz is an app that allows you to earn cashback on your purchases from select retailers. However, the catch here is that, instead of clicking a specific link or linking your credit card so it recognizes a purchase, you’ll actually pay at the retailer using the app. Basically, when you know your total, you’ll punch it into Fluz and purchase a gift card for that amount. Then, the retailer can scan a barcode on your phone (or you can enter the gift card number if you’re shopping online) to cover your purchase. In turn, you’ll earn the stated cashback amount — which seems to be between 2% to 6% on average.
It had been a while since I’d checked in on Fluz and, while the idea is largely the same, I did get some not-great news. While I could earn 3% back on an Amazon gift card, there was a 3% credit card fee. Apparently I could get around this by using Fluz Funds instead… but I didn’t have the patience to see what that meant.
Overall, I do find Fluz to be an interesting option, but still haven’t gotten around to trying it for real. But if you can get through the hoops and do purchase a fair number of gift cards, it may be a lucrative option for you.
Fold
- What it offers: Bitcoin back when you buy gift cards for various brands through the app
- Biggest pro: Gift cards offered include a number of top brands
- Biggest con: The higher reward rates require using Lightning or their debit card to pay
If you’re not sure exactly what you want to purchase but want to earn rewards in the meantime, Fold may just have a solution. Using the app, you can purchase gift cards for such retailers and restaurants as Amazon, Delta, Nintendo, Chipotle, Chili’s, and many more. For each purchase you make, you’ll earn a percentage back in Sats — which amounts to a small fraction of a Bitcoin. Once you reach 50,000 Sats you can transfer your funds to an on-chain Bitcoin wallet.
In terms of downsides, in order to get the maximum amount of rewards, you’ll need to pay using one of Fold’s debit cards. While the card is an interesting product, the main card is free while the Fold+ product has an annual fee. You can still add a third party debit or credit card to pay with instead, but your percentage back will be greatly reduced.
Ibotta
- What it offers: Digital cashback coupons for specific items as well as bonus opportunities
- Biggest pro: Some stores allow you to link your loyalty card to easily redeem offers
- Biggest con: You’ll likely need those bonuses in order to reach the cash-out threshold
When it comes to buying groceries, using Ibotta is like having an extra weekly circular — except that you won’t need to clip paper coupons. Instead, the app allows you to add cashback coupons to your account and redeem them by either uploading a receipt from a participating store or linking your loyalty card.
While individual coupons may only offer a few cents back, Ibotta’s bonuses and challenges can help you rack up savings faster and reach the $20 threshold required for withdrawing earnings. Alternatively, I’ve had success redeeming my earned cashback toward gift card purchases in the app (which then results in more cashback).
While Ibotta is mostly used for specific items in grocery locations, they do also feature cashback deals for a variety of online retailers. Plus, delivery services like Instacart are now supported in the app, allowing you to redeem offers just as you would if you were shopping in-store yourself.
However, one word of warning: if your account is inactive (as in no redeemed offers) for six months, Ibotta may reduce your remaining earned cashback by $3.99 a month until your account balance is $0 — but they won’t ever pull money from a banking account or charge you otherwise.
Debit Card Options
Cash App Card
- What it offers: Cash App Card Boosts offer rotating instant cashback offers for select restaurants and retailers
- Biggest pro: Some Boosts can be for 15% back or more
- Biggest con: Number of active Boosts is limited — even more so now.
One of my favorite hacks back in the day was using my Cash App Card. That’s because the product had some outstanding Boosts that could be used to earn cashback. Alas, over time, these Boosts have lost a bit of their luster.
When I logged in today, I not only noticed that the interface for Boosts had changed yet again but that there were also some locked offers that required “Green Status.” Looking into it, Green status can be earned by spending $500 or more on your card or receiving at least $300 a month via direct deposit.
Currently, I have access to Boosts such as 3% off at Ulta and 3% off at Fashion Nova, and 20% off Topgolf. There are also Cash App Pay offers for 5% off Lyft and 4% off at Target. Meanwhile, other options, such as 3% off Apple, are locked since I don’t meet the Green requirements. At least the card recently saved me $30 on Chappell Roan tickets!
As you can see, there are still some perks to using Cash App Card in 2026. But, as you’ll also see, I think this debit option has been surpassed by its competitors.
Pay with GasBuddy+
- What it offers: Discounted gas at the pump as well as GasBack offers
- Biggest pro: Free users save up to 33¢ per gallon at most gas stations
- Biggest con: Actual discounts vary and you’ll need to activate deals each time.
In another twist on cashback, the Pay with GasBuddy+ card offers instant savings at thousands of gas stations across the country. As a free user, you’ll get up to 33¢ off the stated price per gallon (while Premium members can save even more).
Pay with GasBuddy+ is technically a charge card and not a debit card. Still, it functions similarly to a debit card and can be used at stations that accept Mastercard.
As for that “up to 33¢” off, you’ll earn a minimum of 3¢ per gallon at stations, but can save much more using Deal Alerts. You’ll need to activate these Deal Alerts in the app and will then have four hours to use them.
Overall, I like having my Pay with GasBuddy+ card on hand for road trips and have found some good Deal Alerts. However, be aware that your results may vary since the offers do.
PayPal Debit
- What it offers: Up to 5% back on an eligible category each month
- Biggest pro: Available categories are fairly strong
- Biggest con: Capped at $1,000 in spending per month
A while ago now, PayPal revamped its debit card to offer new cashback rewards. Now, customers can earn 5% cashback on purchases in a chosen category. Cardholders can choose their category at the beginning of each month.
In my experience, the available category options are pretty good. These often include restaurants, groceries, apparel, and more. Even better, there are extra cashback deals available in the PayPal app that can stack with your debit card rewards. That said, note that the 5% back is valid on up to $1,000 in spending per month.
While I wouldn’t use my PayPal debit card on a daily basis, I do like having it in certain cases and making the most of that 5% back. It’s also easy to turn the earned rewards into spendable cash. For those reasons, I do think it’s worth picking up the card and taking advantage of the cashback offers.
Venmo Stash
- What it offers: Up to 5% back on a “bundle” of brands
- Biggest pro: Bundles include popular brands and can be changed every 30 days
- Biggest con: Earning 5% back requires direct deposit
The newest option on this list is Venmo Stash. This new rewards program for the Venmo debit card was launched in November 2025 and allows cardholders to earn to up 5% back on select brands.
By default, customers can earn 1% back on purchases in their selected “bundle” (more on that in a moment). That can increase to 2% if you opt into autoreloads and up to 5% if you receive at least $500 per month in direct deposits. In total, you can earn up to $100 per month in cashback.
Currently, there are three brand bundles customers can choose from. Each includes a mix of retailers, restaurants, and more. For example, one current option features Uber/Uber Eats, Target, McDonald’s, and TikTok Shop — while another has Walmart, Taco Bell, Lyft, ESPN, and GameStop.
Depending on where you like to shop and how deep you’re willing to go with Venmo, this new rewards program could be worth it for you.
Tips for Using Cash Back Apps and Tools
Don’t Shop Just to Earn Rewards
First and foremost, if you’re making purchases just to earn cash back, you’re doing it wrong! Even if you get 10% back in rewards, you’re still wasting 90% on something you don’t need. Instead, be sure to do your research to find the best product and then compare your options when it comes to retailers and deals.
Similarly, while emails and push alerts informing you about enhanced offers can be helpful if you have your eye on an item, they can also inspire impulse shopping — so opt into them sparingly if you’re susceptible.
Remember the “Last Click” Rule
Something important to note about several of the tools listed above is that they cannot be used together. For example, if you have multiple browser extensions installed, only the last link you click will be the one that counts. This is because most cashback sites are only able to pass along rewards to you because they’re getting a commission from the retailer. Thus, four different sites can’t all claim the same sale.
To combat this, I’d advise that you leave your favorite cashback tool installed in your browser and only activate the others on a case-by-case basis. That way, you’ll still be reminded about deals but won’t run into a situation where you redeem the wrong deal.
Another way around this is to shop exclusively through mobile apps instead of your desktop browser so that you can’t make such mistakes — although I personally prefer the desktop shopping experience regardless of this small risk.
Look for Stackable Opportunities
Although you won’t be able to use many of these services at the same time, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, you may be able to use a shopping portal like Rakuten or TopCashback but pay with, say, the PayPal Debit Card to earn an extra 5% back. Other opportunities may present themselves as well… although finding these secrets for yourself is half the fun. 😉
Search for the Best Deal, but Don’t Spread Rewards Too Thin
Lastly, since many of these tools feature different reward amounts at different times, it may be helpful to check a few of them before making your purchase. However, keep in mind that spreading your rewards across multiple platforms may actually make it more difficult to redeem your earnings.
After all, while Rakuten only requires you to rack up $5 in rewards before you’ll get paid out, others insist that you amass the equivalent of $25 or more before you’ll be able to redeem for anything. This is why, once you get a feel for which services you personally like best, it’s probably a good idea to just stick to them and skip the rest.
As you can see, there’s certainly no shortage of cashback tools you can use to save. While some of these services may seem similar on the surface, each has something unique to offer — as well as some pros and cons.
Hopefully this look at some of the top options can help you identify which of these cashback and rewards tools are the best for you and allow you to start saving money online, at the grocery store, and wherever else you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do cashback apps work to save you money?
Cashback apps reward you with a percentage of your purchase back as real money. They track your shopping through specific links or browser extensions, then pay you a portion of the sale, helping you save on everyday spending.
What are the best cashback apps to use for shopping?
The best cashback apps often include Rakuten, Ibotta, and Fetch Rewards, offering rewards for online and in-store purchases. Many provide browser extensions for easy savings across various retailers, making earning simple.
How do cashback apps pay out your earnings?
Cashback apps typically pay out earnings via PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards once you reach a minimum threshold. Some, like Rakuten, even send a physical check quarterly, ensuring you receive your rewards.
Are there cashback debit cards available?
Yes, several FinTechs offer cashback debit cards that reward you for everyday spending or brand-specific purchases. These cards provide a percentage back on eligible purchases or rewards you can redeem toward deposits.
How can I maximize my earnings with cashback apps?
To maximize earnings, check multiple cashback apps and browser extensions for every purchase. Always look for stackable deals and use cashback debit cards for additional rewards on all your spending, boosting your savings.
Author
Other Articles by Kyle Burbank
Financial
FinTech News
Embedded Earned Wage Access Platform Reset Raises $6 Million
A FinTech that allows credit unions and smaller banks to offer earned wage access to customers has raised a new investment round. About Reset and Its Latest Round: This week, Reset revealed that it had raised $6 million in funding. The seed round included participation from Georgia's Own Credit Union, InTouch Credit Union, Chartway Credit Union, VyStar Credit Union, and One Washington Financial as well as Curql, Navari, and the...
FinTech News
