Sammie Ellard-King
I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it.
Let’s jump in, and navigate the exciting landscape of cashback apps together.
Just one thing before we get started I have downloaded and personally tested all of the apps we speak about and I have no obligation to speak postively or negatively about any cashback app we refer to!
When it comes to cashback apps, the leading two are must haves and Cheddar is a great add-on.
The best cashback apps UK and sign-up bonuses
Get money back when you shop online from thousands of brands. Brands like ASOS, Amazon, Deliveroo and Tesco.
Join for free to save £100s each year.
Over 10 million UK users saving money on their online shopping. Brands like Boots, Expedia, Lastminute.com and more
Join now for free - no catch, no hassle, no fees.
Simply link your bank and earn cashback when you shop in-store and online.
Cashback available on Mcdonalds, Trainline, UBER and more!
Other top cashback apps!
- Swagbucks – complete the challenge for £15
- Airtime Rewards – £1 bonus
- JamDoughnut – £2 bonus
- KidStart – Earn £5 every friend you introduce
- Shopmium – x1 free product
- LoyalBe – 1,000 bonus coins
Understanding Cashback Apps
What even is a cashback app?
A cashback app is essentially your shopping companion, always ready to put money back into your pocket. Whenever you shop through these apps at partner retailers, you receive a percentage of your expenditure back.
This “cashback” can then be withdrawn as actual cash or in the form of vouchers. To illustrate, if an app offers 5% cashback at a certain store and you spend £100, you’ll earn £5 back!
Evaluating Cashback Apps
Picking the right app might feel like a chore, but focus on the reliability of the app, how user-friendly it is, the quality of customer service, and of course, the cashback rates.
Then you want access to the retailers that you shop with so finding the right one can mean doing a bit of your own research.
Personally I use over 4 different brands and search for the best deals across all of the cashback websites or apps.
12 Best Cashback Apps in the UK
TopCashback - Best Cashback App Overall
Get money back when you shop online from over 5,000 top retailers including Boots, Amazon, ASOS, Tesco, Sainsburys and more.
In one click you could be saving £100s each year!
TopCashback and I go way back. I remember using it for the first time when I was decorating my flat and ended up getting a nifty £30 back from a rather large IKEA purchase.
Seeing that money flow back into my account was a real thrill!
What I love most about TopCashback is its comprehensive range of retailers and consistency in offering solid cashback rates. It’s a bit like the dependable friend who always has your back!
They’ve been going for years and are trusted by over 5000 different retailers. Plus, you can choose to get your payout through BACS, PayPal account, or even as Amazon vouchers, sometimes even with a bonus!
TopCashback has a free app which is worth downloading even just to take a look!
Quidco - Best Cashback App For Variety
Over 10 million UK users saving money on their online shopping.
Join now for free - no catch, no hassle, no fees.
I think QuidCo is a fantastic cashback app. Not only does it offer a multitude of retailers, but it also has a ‘Highest Cashback Guarantee’ policy with each of it’s retailers meaning you can ask for more money!
Quidco is one of the best supermarket cashback apps available with retailers like Iceland, Wilkos, Amazon, Deliveroo and Dominoes all on the app.
I’ve used it for purchases at Boots, ASOS and when I bought a new TV from AO.com
Aside from that you’ve got cashback offers from the likes of JD Sports, Booking.com, Argos and tonnes more. You can even save on your mobile phone bill!
Now in terms of the top 2 Quidco really is the best alternative to TopCashback out there. I use them both in tamden with each other hunting the best available offers when shopping with online retailers.
The Quidco Premium membership is worth considering for frequent users. I’ve found it to be hassle-free and worth it.
Swagbucks - Best Survey App
Swagbucks is another OG of the game but alongside your ability to claim cashback you also can complete surveys and market research.
This means you got a sweet of cashback offers and you can also earn money while you’re on the website.
This can be redeemed for a wide variety of gift vouchers or cash making it perfect for those who love choices! You have access to retailers like Argos, Tesco, Asda, Currys, Very, Trainline and Boots.
Swagbucks stands out for its versatility. It can take some time to build up a decent pot but essentially I always see cashback earnings as free cash. The surveys are just your way of earning some extra money.
I’ve been working my way through the Swagbucks surveys when I have a bit of spare time on the train. It’s always nice to earn money during times like this.
Sign up to Swagbucks and get a points bonus!
Cheddar - Best Cashback App For Travel
Simply link your bank and earn cashback when you shop in-store and online.
Cashback available on Mcdonalds, Trainline, UBER and more!
Cheddar is relatively new to the scene and I’ve been using it everyday. I use the Trainline and TFL partnership the most which has saved me over £25 in just a couple of months.
I’ve also used it for Deliveroo and Boohoo Man but there’s some cracking deals on there with Mcdonalds, Footlocker, Monki, Weekday, Joe & Juice and HelloFresh to explore.
The influencer community went wild for Cheddar as it offers a referral code that get’s you £2.50 per sign up which is a nice bonus.
Once you refer enough friends you also get bonus offers for 30 days with Uber, Starbucks, Co-Op and Tesco which I though was super cool!
What I really like though is how slick it is to set up. The other apps don’t look anywhere near as cool to use and clearly Cheddar focused on user experience.
I found connecting both my bank account and joint account was verified and ready to go in a matter of minutes.
Get £2.50 per friend you refer with Cheddar using my code
DUQIGHD
Kidstart - Best Family Cashback App
Now I love what these guys are doing. You open a Kidstart account and essentially put your cashback to work for your children.
But I don’t have kids I can hear you say! Well, that’s no problem as you can use it to save into any bank or building society of your choice.
Kidstart have a few less retailers than the other big boys with only 2200 on there but there is access to some top brands such as Apple, John Lewis, H&M, Octopus Energy and M&S.
Airtime Rewards - Best For Ease Of Use
Airtime Rewards offers a unique twist—you can get cashback towards your phone bill!
This feature alone has saved me a significant amount over the years. They partner with a good variety of retailers, enhancing your chances of earning rewards.
As far as cashback sites go Airtime rewards is so easy to use. The Airtime rewards app is also a big hit online and you can connect your debit card making regular shopping purchases to receive your cashback.
I’ll be honest at first I had a bit of hassle getting my card to connect but the team were great and got me set up. The 5% offer from Boots has just been racking up on the joint card.
This is one of those cashback sites that you make a purchase, login 2 weeks later to see oh wow I’ve got some extra money from my grocery shopping.
Shopmium - Best Supermarket Cashback App
Shopmium is a fairly new app which works by you scanning a physical or online receipt. It has a map of offers which are all local to you so you can check them out whilst our shopping.
The Shopmium app is pretty slick and easy-to-navigate around. A wide array of food and drink items are featured on the list, including staples like bread, milk, and cheese, as well as cereal and alcohol.
The selection is constantly updated every few weeks. Some discounts give you the opportunity to try new products completely free of charge, while others cut the standard retail price in half.
This allows you to enjoy a diverse range of products without breaking the bank.
Jamdoughnut - Best Cashback App for Groceries
When you spend money in places like Sainsburys or Morrisons you could be getting money back through the Jamdoughnut app.
It works differently to normal cashback apps because you buy the gift voucher for the store you’re going to purchase from and then you get the cashback on the gift voucher.
Whilst this might seem odd if you were going to spend £50 on your Morrisons shop then it could work out just fine.
You essentially earn points as you do this building it up and withdrawing a balance at the end.
Personally not for me but I can see the appeal for those happy to have the hassle.
Other cashback sites / apps you can check out
- LoyalBe
- CheckOut Smart
- GreenJin
- Shoppix
Tips to Maximise Cashback Rewards
Here are some effective strategies to maximise your cashback:
Check the app regularly: Deals are updated often, so keeping an eye on the app can help you catch the best ones.
Use for planned purchases: Cashback apps work best when used for purchases you’re already intending to make. This ensures you’re truly saving, not spending more for the sake of cashback.
Consider gift card payouts: Some apps offer the option of receiving your payout in gift cards, sometimes with extra bonuses. If these are stores where you shop regularly, this could be a beneficial option.
Refer friends: Referrals are a great way to earn a little more. Most apps offer a bonus when a friend signs up using your referral link and makes a qualifying purchase.
Potential Pitfalls to Watch Out For
Be careful, though, not to fall into the trap of spending more just for the sake of earning cashback—it’s meant to save you money, not encourage overspending!
Also, always compare deals outside the app to ensure you’re truly getting the best price. Lastly, be aware of privacy concerns; always read the app’s privacy policy before signing up.
Why bother to download cashback apps?
Cashback apps are an excellent way to maximise your spending by earning a percentage of your money back on purchases you’re already making.
They’re a hassle-free tool to earn extra cash or rewards on everyday shopping, online or in-store.
Plus, with a broad range of participating retailers across various sectors, you can earn cashback on almost everything—from groceries to fashion, tech gadgets, and even travel bookings!
Are cashback apps worth it?
In short, yes, cashback apps are absolutely worth it. However, the degree to which they’re valuable largely depends on your shopping habits.
If you shop online regularly, you’ll find these apps to be an excellent tool to save money.
Even for infrequent shoppers, cashback apps can offer a rewarding shopping experience. The key is to use them wisely, avoiding unnecessary purchases just for the sake of cashback.
How much money can I make from cashback apps?
The amount of money you can make from cashback apps depends on a few factors including how often you shop, where you shop, and the specific deals on offer from the app at any given time.
It’s not uncommon for frequent shoppers to earn hundreds of pounds per year. For instance, if a cashback app offers a 5% cashback rate and you spend £200 per month through the app, that’s £120 back in your pocket over a year.
Remember, every little bit adds up over time, and the true value of cashback apps lies in their ability to generate long-term savings.
Emma from BeeMoneySavvy talks about it in our podcast episode together. She tells a story about how her family covered Christmas expenses entirely from using cashback apps!
You can watch the full episode just below or listen to the podcast with Emma here.
FAQs
Are cashback apps safe?
Cashback apps are generally safe to use, but like with any app, it’s important to download them from reputable sources such as the App Store or Google Play Store.
Be sure to read the app’s privacy policy and understand what data they collect and how it’s used.
Apps like TopCashback, Quidco, and Swagbucks, mentioned in this guide, are well-established and have solid reputations for safety and reliability.
Is there a downside to cashback?
While cashback apps can be beneficial, they do have potential downsides. Sometimes, the lure of cashback can entice users into unnecessary spending.
It’s essential to remember that cashback should be a bonus on your regular spending, not an incentive to buy more.
Additionally, some people may find it inconvenient to wait for the cashback to be approved, which can take a few weeks or sometimes even months.
Can you get cash back using your phone?
Absolutely! Many cashback apps are available for both iOS and Android devices. This means you can earn cashback on the go, whether you’re shopping online or in-store.
Some apps also offer in-store cashback when you link your debit or credit card to the app, making it even easier to earn rewards.
How long does TopCashBack take to pay?
TopCashback’s payment process can vary depending on the retailer, but typically it can take a few weeks to a couple of months for cashback to become payable.
Once the cashback is confirmed and appears as payable in your account, you can request a payout at any time.
The actual payout process is usually quite quick, often within a few days, though it can take longer in some cases.
What is the best UK cashback app?
I personally use a selection of apps as they all have access to different retailers with different deals. The best cashback apps for me are TopCashback, QuidCo, SwagBucks, Airtime Rewards and Cheddar.
Conclusion
So, there you have it—the best cashback apps in the UK! Integrating these into your everyday shopping can be a smart way to save money.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
