It’s easy to feel the impact on your wallet each time you go to the grocery store. You can clip coupons to save money, but that can be time-consuming.
Fortunately, using your phone is a terrific solution. There are several apps you can use to scan grocery receipts for money and earn shopping rewards.
It’s possible to make money with apps for in-store and online grocery shopping. Many platforms even let you scan non-grocery receipts for extra rewards.
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Top Apps to Make Money Scanning Receipts
While you won’t become rich with these receipt scanning apps, they provide an excellent way to reduce your shopping costs. You can use these offers while shopping at a cheap grocery store to increase your savings.
1. Ibotta
Ibotta is one of the most well-known apps to scan grocery receipts for money.
You activate offers for participating brands before you scan your receipt. After scanning your receipt, the app matches your purchases with your qualifying offers.
Earnings can be redeemed for gift cards and PayPal cash once your rewards balance reaches $20.
This grocery receipt app works at most grocery stores and includes categories like:
- Fresh produce
- Diapers
- Frozen foods
- Beauty and health
Similar to other apps, you can earn the most money when buying name-brand items. Shoppers can also earn cash back on generic items, like private labels.
Users can shop online in the mobile app or use the browser extension for non-grocery purchases. The online shopping tool can earn rewards on grocery pickup and delivery.
Ibotta offers a $20 bonus when you open an account if you complete qualifying shopping offers.
Available platforms: Android, iOS, and Chrome browser extension
Minimum redemption: $20
Signup bonus: Up to $20
How you can redeem rewards: Gift cards and PayPal
Trustpilot score: 3.5 out of 5
Read our review of Ibotta to learn more about the app.
2. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is one of the best choices if you don’t want to activate offers to earn rewards points. The number of points you earn from participating items depends on the item cost and if there is a special bonus offer.
You can scan any store receipt, and the app redeems qualifying offers. It’s also possible to connect your Amazon and email accounts to scan e-receipts.
Some bonus offers may earn up to 5,000 points if you meet the minimum spend amount. For receipts that don’t have any qualifying offers, it’s possible to earn a base reward of up to 25 points per scan.
Eligible grocery categories include:
- Alcohol
- Baby items
- Cereal
- Dairy
- Frozen
- Health
Additionally, for each person that uses your referral link and scans their receipt, you’ll earn 2,000 bonus points.
The service doesn’t offer a shopping portal to earn extra rewards on online purchases.
Points can only be redeemed for gift cards. Redemptions start at three dollars. It only takes 3,000 points to get a gift card, making it one of the best money apps that also gives you cash back.
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $3 (3,000 points)
Signup bonus: $2 (use code FETCH2K)
How you can redeem rewards: Gift cards
Trustpilot score: N/A
Use the code FETCH2K to receive a free $2 when you open an account!
3. National Consumer Panel
National Consumer Panel is one of the most in-depth receipt rewards apps. In addition to earning rebates on your shopping, you may also scan product barcodes and enter the purchase price.
Companies use this data to see exactly how much you spend on specific items and if you get any coupons or store loyalty discounts.
You can receive credit for any grocery product, including:
- Baby items
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Frozen items
- Health
Each receipt scan can earn 50 points. The platform lets you scan up to ten receipts per week to net 500 points.
Gift card redemptions start at $5 (5,000 points). Other redemption options include merchandise and prize sweepstakes.
This app can require more work than other receipt scanner apps. Users may also take periodic online surveys and focus studies to earn extra points.
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $5 (5,000 points)
Signup bonus: N/A
How you can redeem rewards: Gift cards and merchandise
Trustpilot score: 3.7 out of 5
4. Coupons.com
Digital grocery coupons can be another way to save money at any grocery store thanks to Coupons.com.
Shoppers can download the mobile app for store-specific discounts and enter online promo codes. The site also offers printable coupons for additional savings.
Some of the coupon categories include:
- Baby food
- Beverages
- Over-the-counter medication
- Personal care
One benefit of using this app is getting instant savings. You don’t have to accumulate points to reach a minimum redemption or take a picture of your receipt.
Available platforms: Android, iOS, and web platform
Minimum redemption: $0
Signup bonus: N/A
How you can redeem rewards: Instant cash discounts
Trustpilot score: N/A
5. Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is unique on our list of apps to earn money by shopping for groceries. While you don’t use Rakuten at the grocery store, you do use it for online orders.
Some of the participating grocers include:
- Albertsons
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
You will need to read the terms and conditions to make money. For example, you may have to choose home delivery instead of store pickup. Instacart deliveries won’t count.
This platform is better for non-grocery online purchases. It’s possible to earn rewards at most online stores by installing the browser extension or shopping via the Rakuten website.
Select department stores offer in-store deals when paying with a linked credit card or debit card.
You can request cash or gift card payments once your rewards balance reaches $5.01. However, the service only pays out quarterly, usually around the 15th of the month.
Rakuten gives all new users a $10 bonus when they spend over $25.
Available platforms: Android, iOS, and browser extension
Minimum redemption: $5.01
Signup bonus: $10 after first $25+ purchase
How you can redeem rewards: PayPal, check, and gift cards
Trustpilot score: 4.4 out of 5
You can read our review of Rakuten here to learn more about the platform.
6. Shopkick
Shopkick can be one of the most fun apps that will pay you to scan grocery receipts.
You can earn points with these activities:
- Entering a store
- Scanning product barcodes and verifying prices
- Paying with a linked credit card
- Shopping online
- Watching sponsored videos
Earning opportunities vary by store, and the app uses your phone’s GPS to find nearby offers. Each activity lets you earn gift cards.
In some cases, they pay you for merely walking into a store, making it one of the best grocery rebate apps to use to make money.
You can earn more points by purchasing select items and scanning your grocery receipt.
When you’re ready to cash out your rewards, Shopkick has a wide variety of gift card options to choose from. They are all sent digitally to your phone.
Two hundred fifty kicks will net you $1 in rewards, while 1,250 kicks earns $5.
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $2 (500 points)
Signup bonus: $5 with code FRUGALRULES
How you can redeem rewards: Gift cards or PayPal
Trustpilot score: 3.9 out of 5
7. ReceiptPal
If you want to get paid to scan grocery receipts with an app, ReceiptPal is another excellent option. You can submit grocery receipts to earn points. It’s also possible to submit merchandise receipts for points.
Submitting four receipts each week earns 100 points no matter what you buy. Scanning receipts multiple times each week lets you earn bonus rewards.
Users can connect their Amazon and email account to receive credit for online purchases as well.
You have ten days to enter your receipt with ReceiptPal. Receipts can be from any retailer or store.
Your receipt should include the following items:
- Store name
- Total amount spent
- Purchase date
- Zip code or phone number of the store
Points are redeemable for cash via PayPal or for gift cards. The minimum redemption amount is $5 (2,200 points).
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $5 (2,200 points)
Signup bonus: 150 points
How you can redeem rewards: Gift cards and PayPal
Trustpilot score: N/A
8. Checkout51
Checkout 51 is primarily an app that lets you scan grocery receipts for money, but it can also help you save at gas stations. The service updates its shopping offers every Thursday.
Participating categories include:
- Beauty
- Beverages
- Candy
- Pet supplies
You can select what you’d like to shop for from this offer list. After shopping, you scan your receipt to receive credit for your grocery purchases.
Customers can cash out once their Checkout 51 balance reaches $20. Redemptions are sent as a paper check.
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $20
Signup bonus: N/A
How you can redeem rewards: Paper check
Trustpilot score: 3.9 out of 5
9. TopCashback
TopCashback is one of the best cash rebate apps as it offers some of the highest cash back rates and flexible redemption options.
Like Rakuten, select grocery stores offer cash back. That said, you will need to read the terms and conditions to place a qualifying order.
In addition to local grocery purchases, you may use TopCashback to earn money on non-perishable items from these online-only stores:
- Boxed
- GNC
- Puritan’s Pride
- Vitacost
- Swanson Health
*Related: Want to order dinner in, but don’t want to spend much? Read our review of the top cheap food delivery apps to save money and stay out of the kitchen.*
Your grocery and non-grocery purchases earn cash or gift card rewards. There isn’t a redemption minimum, but you may need to wait between 60 and 90 days to access your rewards.
Redemption options include PayPal, direct deposit, and gift cards. Select gift cards can qualify for a redemption bonus that might be worth more than cash deposits.
It’s also possible to earn bonus rewards by completing limited-time shopping offers, entering free contests, and referring friends.
Available platforms: Android, iOS, web, and Chrome extension
Minimum redemption: $0.01
Signup bonus: $10
How you can redeem rewards: PayPal, direct deposit, and gift cards
Trustpilot score: 4.5 out of 5
10. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog can be a rewarding way to make money on grocery trips since larger receipts earn more points.
Shoppers don’t have to activate specific product offers to earn rewards. Instead, they simply scan their receipts. They can redeem grocery coupons to save money as well.
Scanning grocery receipts earns up to 20 coins per submission:
- $10 or less: 5 coins
- $10 to $50: 10 coins
- $50 to $100: 15 coins
- $100+: 20 coins
You can use Receipt Hog at grocery stores and non-grocery stores alike. Discount stores, warehouse clubs, pharmacies, and convenience stores also earn coins.
The app offers paid surveys to earn additional coins. You even have a chance to enter the monthly sweepstakes drawing that could earn you 5,000 coins.
Once your balance reaches 1,000 coins, which equals $5, you can redeem cash via PayPal or request Amazon gift cards.
Purchases for non-consumable items like apparel, home improvement, and electronics earn spin rewards instead of rewards coins.
The Hog Slots game can award instant win prizes like bonus coins.
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $5 (1,000 coins)
Signup bonus: N/A
How you can redeem rewards: Gift cards
Trustpilot score: 2.1 out of 5
11. CoinOut
CoinOut rewards in-store receipts and online purchases. You don’t have to activate product offers and can include receipts from these stores:
- Grocery stores
- Discount stores (i.e., Walmart, Target, Dollar General)
- Department stores
- Electronics
- Home improvement stores
- Sporting goods
Instead of activating offers or buying name brands, the app awards a random prize amount. Scanning several receipts can help you earn bonus cash.
The redemption minimum is $20 via PayPal.
App users can also earn while shopping online at merchants like Walmart, eBay, and Groupon. Users can activate a shopping session in the mobile app to receive credit.
Available platforms: Android and iOS
Minimum redemption: $20
Signup bonus: N/A
How you can redeem rewards: PayPal
Trustpilot score: 2.4 out of 5
Ways to Increase Earnings
Here are several ways to make more money using apps to scan grocery receipts.
Take Advantage of Store Loyalty Programs
Most grocery shopping apps let you combine grocery store loyalty program discounts and manufacturer coupons for extra savings.
When paying, you scan your store loyalty card and give the cashier any coupons for instant discounts. Next, you can scan your receipt with the app and get more rewards.
Scan Receipts After Shopping
Every platform has a deadline to receive credit. For example, most receipts must be 14 days or newer to receive credit.
Scanning the receipt before leaving the parking lot or immediately after unloading your groceries is the best way to ensure you receive your rebates.
Use Physical Coupons
Redeeming paper coupons provides instant savings and won’t impact earning rebates with your chosen app.
Keep in mind that redeeming online promo codes may put your online shopping rewards at risk. When shopping online, you may need to use codes published on the shopping app to earn cash back.
Use Them When Shopping Online
Most apps also work for online purchases. You may need to install a web browser extension or activate offers within the app.
Other platforms credit purchases by linking your Amazon or email account to monitor your purchase history.
Buying items online is more likely to earn a fixed percent back instead of a per-item reward. Read the terms and conditions to see which items and delivery methods qualify for bonuses.
Bottom Line
Shopping at the grocery store or online is something we all do. Why not earn a little extra money to help offset costs?
You won’t become wealthy, but you can reduce your shopping costs and make money with these apps.
If you’re already trying to get cash back on your groceries, it’s logical to scan your receipts for money.
What is your favorite grocery rewards app to use? How much money do you spend on groceries each month?
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