Key Takeaways on Best Apps to Help You Make $50+ Each Month
- Earning Extra Cash: Scanning shopping receipts using specific mobile apps can boost your monthly budget by $50 or more by converting everyday shopping into a steady stream of earnings.
- Apps to Use: Popular apps for earning from receipts include Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, Receipt Hog, and various others, each offering cash back or points for uploading receipts.
- Payout Details: Platforms differ in payout thresholds and methods, with options ranging from PayPal, gift cards, and bank transfers, to physical rewards, making it easy to access earned money in preferred ways.
- Accessibility and Convenience: Most receipt-scanning apps are available on both iOS and Android platforms, catering to a wide user base, and require no more than taking pictures of receipts post-purchase.
- Versatility in Earning: Platforms offer various ways to earn, from scanning receipts for groceries, fuel, and dining out, to participating in tasks, surveys, and referring friends, indicating a broad scope for accumulating rewards.
- Diverse Retail Partnerships: The mentioned apps partner with a wide range of retailers, from grocery stores to gas stations, ensuring users have numerous opportunities to earn back on their regular purchases.
How Much Money Can You Expect to Earn From Scanning Receipts?
This is a bit of a tricky question, as it really depends on a few things - how often you shop, which apps you use, and how diligent you are about submitting receipts. However, most users report earning anywhere from a few dollars a month to $50 or more, depending on how much they're shopping and how many apps they're using.
Platforms for Earning Money by Scanning Receipts - Overview
| Platform | Payout threshold | Payout methods |
| InboxDollars | $30 | PayPal and Visa money, gift cards, check |
| National Consumer Panel | $20 | Digital gift cards, physical rewards |
| Ibotta | $20 | PayPal, gift cards |
| Receipt Hog | $5 | PayPal and Visa money, Amazon gift cards |
| Shopkick | $2 | PayPal, gift cards |
| Fetch Rewards | $3 | Gift cards |
| TopCashback | $5 | PayPal, direct deposit, gift cards |
Best Platforms for Earning Money by Scanning Receipts
InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a GPT or Get-Paid-To platform that provides a range of rewards for users who participate in tasks, such as completing paid surveys, watching videos, and downloading apps. InboxDollars recently launched an update to their mobile app which adds a barcode scanner.
The feature allows users to scan receipts at specific locations, and in return, they earn cash back. For every scanned barcode, the user receives $0.05, which may seem minimal, but it can increment greatly over time. Besides cash, InboxDollars users can also select from various gift cards as alternate rewards.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of tasks beyond receipt scanning, increasing ways to earn money.
- Introduces a barcode scanner feature for cashbacks on scanned receipts.
- Provides multiple payout options including PayPal, gift cards, and checks.
Cons:
- High payout threshold ($30) compared to other platforms.
- Earning through scanning can be slow, with each barcode scan yielding minimal cashback.
Ibotta
Ibotta is a convenient cashback app that partners with a wide range of retailers, providing an effortless way for users to earn money by scanning their receipts. With Ibotta, users have the option to browse and select their preferred stores from different categories, and conveniently add them to their list of frequently used shops.
Once the user has made a purchase at any of these chosen stores, they can simply scan the receipt using the Ibotta app. In just a maximum of 24 hours, users will receive cashback for their purchases.
Pros:
- Partners with a wide range of retailers, offering numerous cashback opportunities.
- Cashback is relatively quick, usually within 24 hours of receipt submission.
- Offers both PayPal and gift card options for payouts.
Cons:
- $20 payout threshold, which may require multiple shopping trips to reach.
- Limited to partner retailers, which may exclude some of your favorite stores.
Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is an extremely popular app that offers rewards to users for scanning their receipts. With more than a decade of experience, Receipt Hog has established partnerships with numerous retailers, providing users with a wide range of options to earn money by scanning their receipts. One unique aspect of Receipt Hog is its support for digital receipts, a feature that is not commonly found in other platforms.
In addition to scanning receipts, users have the opportunity to participate in the Hog slot, where they could potentially win $100. Furthermore, users have the chance to earn money through surveys and referrals as well.
Pros:
- Supports both physical and digital receipt uploads, broadening earning opportunities.
- Offers fun features like the Hog slot for additional winnings.
- Lower payout threshold ($5) than some other platforms.
Cons:
- Earnings can accumulate slowly, depending on shopping frequency and receipt values.
- Limited reward options compared to platforms with more extensive gift card selections.
Shopkick
Shopkick is a cashback app that allows users to earn rewards for both online and in-store purchases, and it has partnerships with a vast selection of major retailers. Beyond the traditional method of earning cash back through purchases, Shopkick offers an exciting feature called "Kicks" – the app's virtual currency. Users can earn Kicks simply by checking in at supported stores, providing a convenient way to collect rewards.
Additionally, users can earn even more Kicks by scanning barcodes of products available in the supported stores, without the need to make a purchase. And if that's not enough, users can also earn Kicks by watching videos on the app or by inviting friends using a referral code.
Pros:
- Earn "Kicks" without making purchases, through store check-ins and scanning product barcodes.
- Low payout threshold ($2), allowing for quick access to rewards.
- Versatile earning options including shopping online, in-store purchases, and watching in-app videos.
Cons:
- Earnings per task can be low, requiring significant activity to accumulate substantial rewards.
- Primarily utilizes gift cards for payouts, which might not appeal to those preferring cash.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is another option for earning rewards through scanning both physical and digital receipts. This platform offers support for a wide range of retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and pet stores. Instead of limiting yourself to one specific store to earn cash back, Fetch Rewards allows you to shop at any of the supported stores, giving you a vast selection to choose from.
To earn rewards, simply take a photo of your receipt using the Fetch Rewards app, or conveniently connect your Amazon account to automatically scan for your eReceipts. It's a hassle-free way to accumulate rewards.
Pros:
- Simple and straightforward app interface, making it easy to use.
- Accepts receipts from a wide range of retailers, not limited to specific stores.
- Low payout threshold ($3) for accessing rewards.
Cons:
- Primarily offers gift cards for payout, limiting cash payment options.
- Some users may find offers and earning opportunities less varied than on other platforms.
National Consumer Panel
National Consumer Panel (NCP) is a market research company that focuses on collecting consumer purchasing data to provide brands with insights into shopping trends and preferences. Unlike traditional cashback platforms, NCP's primary focus is on data collection for marketing purposes. Joining the panel is simple, with users able to download the app or register on the website to start scanning receipts from participating retailers.
In exchange for their participation, users can earn points that can be redeemed for cash or a variety of rewards, including gift cards, sweepstake entries, and even physical goods. This unique feature sets NCP apart from other platforms, offering users a wider range of reward options.
Pros:
- Contributes to market research, influencing future products and services.
- Offers a variety of rewards including cash, gift cards, and physical goods.
- Utilizes both app and website for a flexible user experience.
Cons:
- Primarily focused on data collection, which might not appeal to everyone.
- Points accumulation for prizes can be slow compared to direct cashback apps.
TopCashback
TopCashback is a versatile loyalty program available through its app and browser extension, providing access to over 7000 retailers. Users can earn money by simply scanning their receipts. What sets TopCashback apart is its impressive cash-back rates, some of which can reach up to 10%, a rarity among other platforms.
Users have various options for receiving their earnings, such as PayPal money, direct bank transfer, and gift cards. One standout feature is the absence of a set threshold, allowing users to withdraw their funds as soon as they accumulate as little as $0.01. With its wide retailer network and flexible payment options, TopCashback offers an unmatched loyalty program experience.
Pros:
- Impressive cash-back rates, with some reaching up to 10%.
- No payout threshold, allowing users to withdraw earnings as soon as they're credited.
- Offers a variety of payout methods including PayPal, direct deposit, and gift cards.
Cons:
- May require purchases through the app or website for cashback, limiting on-the-spot receipt scanning.
- Some users report delays in receiving cashback or difficulties with tracking purchases.
ReceiptJar
ReceiptJar is a platform that offers users the opportunity to earn money by scanning and uploading their shopping receipts. Available in multiple countries including the USA, Canada, and Australia, ReceiptJar allows users to redeem their earned points for a wide range of electronic gift cards. The process is simple - users take clear pictures of their receipts after shopping and earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards or PayPal cash. Unlike some companies, ReceiptJar emphasizes user control over data sharing, allowing users to choose whether to share their shopping trips and online receipts.
Pros:
- Accepts a wide variety of receipts, including retail, groceries, and dining, offering flexibility in earning points.
- User-friendly interface makes it easy to upload receipts and track earnings.
- Offers multiple reward options, including cash via PayPal and various gift cards, catering to different preferences.
Cons:
- Limited availability in certain regions, restricting access for some users.
- Points accumulation can be slow, requiring a significant number of receipts to earn substantial rewards.
- Some users may find the app's reward system less generous compared to direct cashback offers from other apps.
Upside
Upside is an app that you can use to scan receipts and get cashback on grocery, gas, and restaurant purchases. It features personalized promotions, allowing to track your purchasing behavior and your location, for the best results. It's quite user-friendly and straightforward, especially since it doesn't require pins and cards, and there's no fee for bank or PayPal cashouts. However, there is a $1 fee for cashouts less than $10.
Pros:
- Specializes in offering cash back on gas, making it unique among receipt scanning apps.
- Provides competitive cashback rates, often higher than those found on other platforms for fuel purchases.
- Features real-time offers, adding a layer of immediacy and excitement to fuel savings.
Cons:
- Primarily focused on gas stations, meaning opportunities for earning on other types of purchases are limited.
- Requires location services to be enabled for the best deals, which may raise privacy concerns for some users.
- Cashback process involves checking into a location and uploading a receipt, which might be cumbersome for users seeking more automated rewards.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is not a typical receipt-scanning app, as it features various ways to earn cashback. It supports shopping both online and in stores, and every week, new offers are added to the app. There are no store-specific offers, which basically means you can meet the given criteria at any grocery, convenience, drugstore, gas station, or similar stores. However, keep in mind that gas station offers are store-specific, so you'll only be able to earn cashback at eligible gas stations.
Pros:
- Offers weekly updates on available offers, keeping the app's deals fresh and engaging.
- Supports a broad range of supermarkets and stores, allowing for versatility in earning cash back.
- Includes a mix of specific product offers and generic ones, accommodating varied shopping habits.
Cons:
- Has a $20 minimum withdrawal threshold, which might delay access to earned cash back.
- Offers are limited and can run out, necessitating timely uploads of receipts to secure deals.
- Users report that receipt processing can sometimes be slow, affecting the immediacy of rewards.
How Does Scanning Receipts for Money Work?
Reward apps that offer receipt scanning allow users to earn rewards or cash back by submitting their shopping receipts. Here's the general process these apps follow:
- Download and Register: Users download a receipt-scanning app and create an account.
- Scan Receipts: After shopping, users take clear photos of their itemized receipts with the app's camera feature.
- Earn Rewards: The app analyzes the data from the scanned receipt. Depending on the items purchased, the store, and current promotions, users receive points, cash back, or other rewards.
- Redeem Rewards: Once a certain threshold is reached, users can redeem their rewards for cash, gift cards, or other forms of payout.
These apps work with the underlying principle of gathering market data for retailers and brands, assessing consumer habits and preferences. Users contribute to this data pool by sharing their purchase information through receipts, incentivized by the rewards they receive from the apps. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship where companies gain insights into shopping trends, and users get value back from their everyday purchases.
