Top cash back apps

How do cashback apps and cashback websites work?

There are a few different ways to get cash back on your shopping. The 2 main types of cashback apps are designed for:

- Online purchases

- Purchases made at the supermarket

The online purchase apps require you to complete a simple sign-up process (which should be free). After that, all you have to do is click through the app’s links to their partner’s websites, and do your shopping just as you normally would.

The supermarket cashback apps work in a slightly different way; we’ll get to those a little later.

Cashback app cookie tracking

Your online shopping visit will be tracked by having cookies placed within your browser. Anything you buy will have the allocated saving deposited in your cashback app account automatically. It might not always show immediately; some of the payments can take weeks to appear, if at all.

Cookie use can be temperamental, although, for the most part, you shouldn’t have any problems with the automated systems. Never take for granted that you’ll definitely receive any cash back. It only takes a tiny hitch with one cookie taking precedence over another, and your payment may never be processed.

Top paying cashback apps for online shopping

The 2 leading apps to corner the online cashback market since their introduction are:

Topcashback

Quidco

You’ll find savings from many of the top retailers

You only have to scroll down the app or open their websites to see a host of high-street names. These are the retailers where you can make significant percentage savings or receive an introductory or offer one-off payment.

eBay, Amazon, M&S, Travelodge, Icelolly.com, Boots, Virgin Media, New Look, Debenhams and many, many more are all available for simple click-through savings when making simple purchases.

The app breaks down offers into categories to make finding what you’re looking for even easier; from fashion, electricals, entertainment and leisure, to telecoms, utilities, insurance and financial products.

These apps pay out up to 105% of the cashback they receive from the merchants. You may think that sounds counterproductive, or are wondering how they make their share of the profit? Well, they receive additional bonuses by generating vast numbers of sales for their partners. So as well as turning a profit, they also pass some of this extra money on to their customers.

Shop sensibly—you might find better savings by searching other avenues

You can make significant savings by using these apps, but always make sure you’re getting the great deal you think you are. You could find the same item far cheaper somewhere else, so it’s always worth a quick search before diving into a cashback app deal.

Topcashback

Topcashback seems to have the edge over Quidco when it comes to who pays the best cashback rates. Don’t be too quick to write Quidco off—they often match and beat Topcashback with their own exclusive deals.

Boost your returns

Topcashback offer further bonuses of up to 25%, when instead of taking your earnings as cash, you exchange them for gift cards or other additional offers of the time.

There are also additional bonuses to be had as a Plus Member. For a yearly fee of £5 you could be entitled to additional savings or a 5% bonus on non-exclusive cashback rates.

Quidco

Just like Topcashback, Quidco offers a Premium Membership as well as their standard option, for a £5 yearly subscription. You’ll receive bonus promotions worth around £50 a year, higher pay-out bonuses and you’ll also be entitled to join in with exclusive prize draws and a monthly £250 giveaway.

Quidco’s Premium membership will also provide you with ad-free shopping.

The boosts available by taking your payments as gift cards are a slightly lower 16% by comparison to Topcashback’s 25%. However, you can boost your returns by claiming them in over 25 retail stores as well as online. It didn’t take Topcashback long to see the merits of this idea and now offer the same service.

Top cashback apps for supermarket shopping and groceries

A different way to receive cash back from your shopping is via your supermarket receipt.

There are a range of supermarket cashback apps that will give you great savings on the things you would regularly buy in your weekly shop. They often offer items that are available for free.

How the cashback apps for grocery shopping work

Download the app and create your account

Take a look through the offers available at that time and decide which are the items you want. There are usually around 70 offers at any given time.

Buy them as you usually would from your supermarket.

Upload a picture of the receipt (and some apps request you scan the product barcode) to activate your deal.

Payment will be applied to your account and paid (generally) directly into your PayPal account.

That’s it. It couldn’t be easier.

Which are the best cashback apps for food shopping at the supermarket?

Shopmium

Shopmium is one of the leading apps of this type. It’s a very user-friendly option and works with most supermarkets.

Shopmium includes Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose to name their major partners, but also includes a range of other retailers in their list.

Shopmium makes no charge for withdrawals and the cash is paid directly into your PayPal account, often within 48 hours.

You can add your favourite items to the app’s basket to be sure not to miss out on your preferred deals. You can also scan product barcodes in-store to be sure it’s applicable for the deal and the correct item. You’ll also get notifications for new free items.

CheckoutSmart

Working in a very similar manner to Shopmium, CheckoutSmart offers exclusive offers weekly, where you can shop either in-store or online. You can receive payment to your PayPal account or directly into your bank account if you prefer.

CheckoutSmart’s weekly offers add up to savings of between £50 and £100.

GreenJinn

GreenJinn paid out over £997k to its customers in 2018, with a weekly offer value of around £30.

Despite having a smaller membership than more popular apps (200k at the beginning of 2019), they tailor the deals to their customers. The offers you receive are based on your purchases so you’re more likely to find deals that are relevant to you.

It’s important to remember, although these apps can help you to manage your money, they aren’t the complete solution to a poor financial situation.

If you are really struggling with your money, you should tell someone or seek professional help.

You can always speak confidentially with a Carrington Dean money advisor on 0141 413 4035 or visit carringtondean.com