Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a one-way transaction. With the right receipt-scanning apps, you can get real cashback just by uploading your grocery receipt after checkout. These platforms reward you for buying everyday essentials, helping you passively earn money on products you already planned to purchase.
Here’s how these apps work, how to use them effectively, and where to find the best rebate opportunities.
What are grocery receipt apps?
Receipt apps give you cashback or points when you scan your store receipts and purchase participating items. These apps work at almost all grocery chains—no special memberships required. Rewards come in the form of PayPal cash, digital gift cards, or points that can be redeemed for merchandise or savings.
- Ibotta: scan, earn, and stack
Ibotta lets you select offers before you shop. After buying the product, scan your receipt and barcode to get cashback. Many offers are brand-specific—think yogurt, cereal, laundry detergent, or pantry staples. You can also link store loyalty accounts to skip scanning altogether at retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Safeway.
Bonus: Ibotta can be used alongside gift card platforms like Fluz, meaning you can earn cashback with a Safeway gift card and still scan your receipt for brand-specific rebates.
- Fetch: every receipt earns points
Fetch is one of the most user-friendly receipt apps. Every grocery receipt earns you points, even if there’s no specific brand offer. Some receipts only yield a few points, but if you purchase promoted products, you’ll rack up rewards much faster.
Receipts must be scanned within 14 days of purchase, and the points can be redeemed for gift cards, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
- Checkout 51: mix of groceries and gas rebates
Checkout 51 offers rebates on both groceries and fuel. You browse weekly offers, buy the item, then upload your receipt for approval. While less extensive than Ibotta or Fetch, it includes competitive offers and is especially good for people who shop at a variety of retailers.
You can even use Checkout 51 alongside store loyalty cards and cashback gift cards like those found on Fluz. For example, you could get rewards with a Kroger gift card from Fluz and then upload your receipt to Checkout 51 for bonus rebates.
- Shopmium: instant cashback for select brands
Shopmium specializes in branded product rebates and offers instant cashback via PayPal or Venmo. Unlike other apps, Shopmium often highlights new or premium products with large rebate offers—sometimes up to 100% of the product price as a trial.
This app pairs well with manufacturer coupons or cashback gift cards, making it a strong component of a stacking strategy.
How to make the most of receipt apps
- Scan receipts immediately to avoid expiration windows
- Combine platforms—use multiple apps on one receipt to maximize earnings
- Shop with a plan—activate offers before heading to the store
- Pay with a gift card from Fluz to get cashback at stores like H-E-B while still scanning your receipt for rebates
Final tip: use with digital gift cards for stacking
Receipt apps work even if you paid with a gift card, which opens the door to bonus savings when you use Fluz. By purchasing a digital gift card with cashback through Fluz before you shop, you’re locking in a discount on your total spend—before you even scan your receipt.
You can browse Fluz partner stores to find where your favorite grocery brands offer cashback gift cards.
