5 Money Earning Apps for iPhone
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For years I was skeptical of making money using apps. I mean, it sounded like a great idea, but I wasn’t sure if it could really work for me. However, when we decided to take our family to Disney World a couple of years ago, I made it my goal to make as much money as I could for our trip. And it turns out, money earning apps helped me do just that.
What Apps Pay You Money
As I set out to figure out which apps would actually pay me real money, I spent a lot of time researching and reading reviews. I decided to start small, and as I got comfortable with one app, I added more apps to my iPhone. I ended up with four apps on my phone that were very easy to work with. The four apps that I use are Coinout, Swagbucks, Dosh, and Ibotta.
Ibotta
If you don’t mind trying out different brands, then Ibotta is an app you’ll enjoy. However, if you’re a person who is very brand specific and won’t use anything else, then you might skip this app. Once you download the app to your phone, you can search from more than 1,500 brands and retailers to earn cash back on their purchases. You can earn cash back from just about everything-from groceries, restaurants, clothing, electronics, pet supplies, home improvement, sporting goods, book stores, and beauty shops-you can get cash back both in store and online.
What I LOVE About Ibotta
Since so many retailers and brands participate, there are A LOT of choices. Whenever I sit down to make a grocery list, I always check Ibotta first to see what items they’re currently offering cash back on at the stores I plan to shop in. Then I can often times build my grocery list and menus around these items. My family has discovered some really great new products as a result of using Ibotta. And I have managed to make quite a bit of cash back!
You can also link your store loyalty cards through Ibotta. It’s really simple. Just add your store loyalty cards to your Ibotta account. Then automatically earn cash back on qualifying purchases without the hassle of scanning receipts.
You can choose to scan your receipts for cash back if you’d rather not link your loyalty card accounts. Just make sure not to shove your receipt into your pocket and wrinkle it or else your receipts might not scan very well. Then you’d be sad if you didn’t get your cash back. Been there, done that.
I also really love that you get your cash back within 24 hours. You even get an email letting you know that your purchase has been approved for cash back. So you’re never left wondering whether or not a purchase qualified for cash back.
Ibotta will also send you nearby offer alerts if you choose to have those alerts enabled on your phone. That way if you’re near an Ibotta retailer and need to do some shopping anyway, you’ll know right where to go to get cash back.
If you’re someone who buys or uses gift cards, you can pick one up and get cash back on the entire amount instantly!
What I Don’t Like About Ibotta
Since I’ve begun using the app, there are a few things I’ve discovered that I don’t like. But they aren’t enough to keep me from using it. However, I do think it’s important that you are aware of what they are.
First, you have to be super careful not to wrinkle your receipts. Read this sentence as, “Don’t hand the receipt to your husband who will crinkle it up and shove it into his pocket.” Doing so may result in the app not being able to read the receipt when you scan it. And if it can’t read the receipt, then you risk not getting your money back. Such a bummer!
Second, you only have 7 days to scan your receipt to earn your cash back. I know that doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if you’re a busy person (and who isn’t these days?) it’s super easy to put the receipt down and forget to scan it. I wanted to cry this summer when I realized I was at day 8 when I finally remembered to scan a receipt and earn my $5 back. Sadly, I was ONE day past the allowed scan date! And I couldn’t earn my money back! I’ve since started throwing the receipts into my chair so that I am forced to deal with them immediately.
Third, the app does require that you have at least $20 in your account before you can withdraw your money. So if you’re wanting instant cash in your account, it’s not quite that easy. However, if you’re always conscience of the items you’re buying, then it doesn’t take too long to add up.
Fourth, sometimes I feel limited in my store choices that work with Ibotta. I do realize that this could be because I live in a smaller town. We just don’t have as many choices of where to shop. I’d love to be able to utilize this app in a large city with tons of choices! I think you could really earn quite a bit of cash back!
Fetch
Fetch works with hundreds of brands that you probably already purchase. From Gatorade, Pull-Ups, Coors Light, Degree, Totinos, Chex, Betty Crocker, and Pepsi-the list goes on and on. This app works similarly to Ibotta. You just snap pictures of your receipt and earn points for those qualifying purchases.
What I LOVE About Fetch
You can snap pictures of receipts from ANY store! You’re not limited by anything except the brand that you’re buying.
eReceipts also earn you rewards. All you have to do is give the app permission to scan your email for receipts, and you automatically get rewarded.
I also love that you earn points every time. Even if you don’t buy anything from a qualifying brand, the app still gives you 5 points just for scanning a receipt. And every little bit adds up!
Fetch also lets you choose how you want to be rewarded. You can pick from cash gift cards or pick a gift card from your favorite store or restaurant. The choice is yours. We’ve found this very handy when we’re planning a trip. We just buy a gift card to our favorite restaurant, and then the meal is partially paid for in advance.
What I Don’t Like About Fetch
There’s not a whole lot I don’t like about Fetch. I’d say my biggest issue is that I can’t have my money directly deposited into my Paypal account. It’s not a huge deal, but it would be nice to have the option to link my Paypal account instead of always having to pick a gift card or cash gift card.
Swagbucks
You can earn money back with Swagbucks in a variety of ways. Shopping online, answering surveys, watching videos, discovering new online offers, searching the web, and playing games can all earn you cash back.
What I LOVE About Swagbucks
Chances are that I’m going to be spending some time online when I’m decompressing, so why not spend that time being constructive and make some money. You can honestly answer surveys for companies about their products. Or you can provide input to companies about new products. I’m a nerd and find that whole survey process entertaining. Sometimes Swagbucks runs specials where you get paid extra for answering a survey. So you can earn even more!
If you’re going to be shopping online, then use this app to earn points for every dollar you spend. Sometimes you even get access to exclusive deals and coupons to your favorite retailers.
If you’re someone who enjoys watching videos, then you can earn points by watching playlists put together just for you.
Or perhaps you’re someone who enjoys discovering new offers and deals from well known brands. You can earn points when you sign up for new services or request free samples.
We all know that at least some point in your day that you will be searching the web for something. Why not open up your Swagbucks app and search there? You’ll earn points using their Yahoo powered search engine.
If you’re more of a gamer, then Swagbucks will also work for you. You can download new games and earn points. You also get points for in-game purchases on games you already play.
What I Don’t Love About Swagbucks
I only have three complaints about this app as I’ve used it. The first is that sometimes it is hard to find surveys you qualify for. There are days where I don’t feel like I qualify for any surveys, and it can be discouraging. However, if I wait a few days and come back to the app, then I tend to have some luck again.
The second complaint is that sometimes I get almost to the end of a survey, and it disqualifies me. That is super frustrating when I’ve answered almost all of their questions honestly, and it decides to kick me out and not give me points.
My final complaint is that you have to be very careful with the games. Always take a screenshot of the offer as soon as you download the game. I once downloaded and completed a game that earned me $20, and they didn’t want to pay me for it. Thankfully I had a screenshot of the offer and customer service gave me credit.
Coinout
This app is very simple to use. You take a photo of your receipt after you make a purchase. Then you get randomized coin rewards. They also use your purchasing data to show you relevant offers in the app and chances to earn through partners and feedback forms. You can also shop through Coinout and sign up with their partners.
What I LOVE About Coinout
Coinout is simple to use. You can scan receipts from anywhere and get real coins for it. You never know the amount you’re going to get for scanning each receipt. There are no cash out minimums with this app, so there’s no waiting to cash out your money.
What I Don’t Love About Coinout
If you just scan receipts, it takes a LONG time to accumulate money. In 2 years, I’ve accumulated around $14. I can’t complain because it’s money I wouldn’t have otherwise had, but when I compare that to the rate I earn with other apps, it’s very slow.
Dosh
Dosh is an automatic cash back app. You just download the app, link your cards or favorite way to pay, and brands will reward you with cash. Dosh partners with over 10,000 brands, so there are plenty of places to earn rewards from. I’ve used Dosh to earn rewards from Pizza Hut, Walmart, Dunkin’, and Sam’s Club.
What I LOVE About Dosh
Once you link your cards, you don’t have to worry about uploading anything because your account is automatically credited.
What I Don’t Love About Dosh
You have to wait until you hit $25 to transfer your cash to your bank, Paypal, or Venmo account. So if you want immediate cash, you’ll have to wait.
If you don’t like sharing your card numbers with an app, or if it makes you nervous, then you might skip this one.
The percent back for stores often changes, so you have to constantly plan ahead for your purchases if you’re hoping to get the most cash back.
Cash Back Apps Really Work
So what did I learn through all of this? If you’re looking to earn some extra money, cash back apps will definitely help. If you are consistent, you can earn quite a bit back. And let’s face it, every little bit helps.
Do you have any questions about how these cash back apps work? Or better yet, do you have any great ones that aren’t on my list that you’d like to share. We’d love to hear about them in the comments.
