What do you do with your receipts once you come back from the store? Do they end up crumpled up in your pocket or thrown into the trash? Imagine you could get paid to scan receipts? I bet you’d never throw another one away!
It’s time to actually start paying attention to your receipts, as you can actually get money for them. Yes, really.
There are plenty of apps out there where you can get paid to scan your receipts. So it’s essentially money back on the shopping you’re already doing.
Ready to get started?
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Why Do Apps Want Your Receipts?
As the saying goes, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Can you really get paid just to scan your receipts?
You really can.
The cashback apps listed on this page will give you points to scan your receipts, which you can exchange for vouchers or even straight up get paid in cash.
What are these apps getting out of it, though? Are the receipts really worth something?
The fact is, those receipts hold data on you as a shopper. It’s showing what you buy when you buy it, and how often you buy it.
They also show where you like to shop and how much you’ve been spending. That data is invaluable to companies, as they will be able to market future products around your spending habits.
This sounds a little alarming at first. You’re literally handing over data to companies, so they can sell to you better. In reality, though, they’re not getting lots of data on you as a person. They’re less concerned with how many eggs you bought, for example, and more with how many people in a given region are buying eggs.
Now, of course, if you’re not comfortable with handing over data like this, then these apps won’t be for you. If it sounds reasonable, though, there are plenty of apps you can make money on.
Plus, there’s no limit on how many you can download. So scan the same receipt in several different apps so you can get paid from each of them.
If this still sounds good to you, here are some of the best cashback receipt apps you’ll want to check out.
11 Apps/websites to get paid to scan your receipts
1. Ibotta
When it comes to receipt scanning apps, this is one of the biggest names out there. There are lots of ways you can use it to make money back on your shopping.
Firstly, you can download the app and scan your receipts on it whenever you go shopping. This will give you points that you can put towards a PayPal cash out or gift cards.
On the app, you’ll also find some special offers. When you redeem them, you’ll get extra points on your account.
Selected stores are linked up with Ibotta, and if you have a loyalty card, you can earn even more. Use your loyalty card when you sign up, and again you’ll get more points.
On top of this, there’s a web extension that comes in very handy. When you shop online with it, you’ll earn even more points.
As there are so many different ways to earn points, you’ll see that it won’t take long to get enough points to redeem for cash. So it’s not surprising that it’s one of the most popular receipt scanning apps out there right now.
2. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is the other most popular receipt scanner app out there. Many people choose to download this and Ibotta if they’re limited by space on their phones.
Like Ibotta, it gives you points when you scan a receipt, as well as when you shop in certain stores with a loyalty card.
When it comes to payouts, you’ll have the option of being sent a check or getting a direct deposit. You’ll need to wait until you have at least $20 on your account before you cash out, so it may take a while.
However, getting that cash is worth it, and depending on your shopping habits, it may not actually take that long. So if you want something simple and will give a good payout, this is the app for you.
3. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is a good app to have on your phone if you want to get more out of every receipt. One of the best things about it is that you can get money for every single receipt you get.
That means you’re not having to shop at specific stores or having to use specific deals to be able to claim rewards. It’s a good app for you if you just want to claim your rewards quickly.
You need to know that you won’t know what rewards you’re getting until you’ve scanned that receipt. You also won’t get an awful lot for each receipt.
In most cases, you’re going to get pennies on each scan. That’s not a bad thing, though, as you can team this app up with others in this list and get that little bit extra on every receipt you scan.
4. Shopkick
Shopkick is a receipt scanning app first and foremost, but there are plenty of other ways you can make money using the app.
You can make a purchase using a linked credit card on the app, which earns you points. On the app itself, you’ll be able to watch videos that give you more points too.
Using the app to make online purchases is another way to rack up those points. There’s even the option to do treasure hunts, which is a lot of fun.
You’ll also earn points for scanning certain barcodes in stores or even just walking into certain stores. Many people love this app as there are just so many different ways to make money on it.
Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for cash or gift cards. It’s a very easy way to get that little bit of extra cash.
5. SavingStar
Update: At the time of writing this, SavingStar has been purchased by coupons.com.
This is another receipt-scanning app you can use to activate offers and scan receipts to get cashback on them.
On top of this, they have ‘Automatic Stores’ offers. To get these, you’ll need to link your store loyalty cards to the app.
Then, you just need to go shopping in these stores, activating the offers available, and using your loyalty card at checkout. When you do, you’ll get extra points.
When it comes to offers, the app has a useful ‘always on’ feature. There are lots of recurring offers, and if you see one that’s good for you, you just activate it once.
Every time you redeem the offer, it automatically renews. It’s super easy and means you don’t have to worry about forgetting to activate the offer again.
6. NCP ReCap
Update: At the time of writing this, it says they no longer are looking for new users.
When it comes to market research, this app is from the biggest name around. The NCP ReCap app is from the National Consumer Panel, which is behind the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel.
The benefit of this app is that you’ll be able to scan any receipt you get when you’re out and about. That includes receipts from supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, and more.
You’ll be able to redeem 10 receipts a week, with each one earning you 5 cents. On top of the receipts, you’ll sometimes be sent surveys to fill out.
That 5 cents per receipt doesn’t sound like a lot, but it soon adds up. That’s especially the case if you’re doing the surveys too.
There’s also a 250 point bonus when you sign up, which translates to 25 cents. You can get the money paid out on Amazon or Visa gift cards.
7. ReceiptPal
Do you want an app that’s super easy to earn rewards with? Then you’ll want to check out ReceiptPal.
As you can with other apps, you can take pictures of your receipts and get points for them. That’s not the only way you can get money for your shopping, though.
You can also link up your account to your email or Amazon account, and you’ll get points for any receipts that you get through those accounts. It’s really simple, and you’ll get those points without even thinking about it.
On top of this, there are sweepstakes and other features that you can use to earn even more points. When you use all the features on this app, it can be a nice little money maker.
8. Fetch Rewards
When looking at most of these apps, you’ll see that you need to be 18 or older to use them. However, if you’re 13 or older, you can use Fetch Rewards.
That’s great news for teens, as they can use this app to make some cash and start saving.
This app is another one that has no restrictions on the kinds of receipts you can scan with it. So keep all your receipts when you shop, and you can get rewards for them.
When you sign up, you’ll get an extra bonus, which will help boost your total. You can cash out with just $3 worth of points too, which is very cool.
It’s worth keeping an eye out for other sign-up offers, as they often have limited edition offers that will give you even more points.
9. Coupons.com
Do you already use the Coupons.com site to save money when you shop? You can get even more from every dollar when you use their app, too.
The app is a mixture of a coupons app and a receipt scanning app, making it highly useful for trips to your grocery store. You’ll be able to claim coupons on the app and redeem them in-store.
There are plenty of offers you can also redeem by scanning your receipts, so you’ll want to have this app in your back pocket. Link it to your loyalty cards to make that money go even further, and get even more money off your grocery shopping.
10. CoinOut
CoinOut is an app that allows you to make cash in several different ways, so it’s well worth downloading and checking out. It was actually pitched on Shark Tank, so you can go check it out there if you’re interested, too.
Of course, you can scan your receipts and get bonuses for that. You can also link your account to online stores and get more cashback for redeeming special offers online.
If you’re just an active member, you will get more bonuses, so it always pays to keep using the app.
Many users like it because you don’t just get gift cards as bonuses. Instead, you have the choice of having the money sent right to your bank account or into your PayPal account.
11. Makeena
Are you someone who’s trying to be healthier and make better choices when you go grocery shopping? Then this app is for you.
Makeena offers you cashback on healthy options in grocery stores, so it’s rewarding to buy them. You can even get bonuses for shopping online, too.
You can basically use this app with any retailer, so you have lots of choices about where you’ll shop. That makes it a lot less restrictive than other apps.
Here, you have the option to have your bonuses paid out in either PayPal or Venmo, so you’ll get actual cash as a reward. You will need to have $20 in your account before you can claim it, but it shouldn’t take too long to build up in your account.
These 11 apps are all great to get paid just to scan your receipts in exchange for that sales data. It’s something you should take advantage of because you’re shopping anyway, so why not get paid?
At least one of these apps is going to be perfect for you. So download them now and get started right away.
