I have talked about apps to scan receipts for money apps a few times, such as in my how to get free groceries and free Walmart gift card posts.

I have mentioned them briefly, but I never really took the time to create a full guide, showing you all of the options out there where you can scan a receipt and get money back.  There are a lot!

If you shop, and I’m sure you do, then you should have at least a few of these apps on your phone as you’re missing out on a lot of rewards!  In most cases, it’s as simple as taking a picture of your receipt and getting rewarded.  Yes, it’s that easy.

In today’s guide, I wanted to talk about the many legitimate apps to scan receipts that can earn you cash or even gift cards in some cases.  All of these apps are 100% free to join and allow you to start earning almost immediately.

As long as you have a receipt in your hand, you can earn money, no matter what you purchased.

The Best Scan Receipts for Money Apps

Swagbucks

I promote Swagbucks a lot, mainly for the survey opportunities, but they do offer the opportunity to upload receipts as well.  While you won’t earn much, usually two SB (equal to $0.02) per upload, it can help pad your balance if you already use Swagbucks and have a few receipts to upload.

To upload your receipts, be sure to download the Swagbucks Answer app and then look for the “shopping receipts” section, where you can earn SB for your shopping receipts.  Just follow the prompts and get rewarded once it’s confirmed.  In doing this, make sure your receipts are no older than five days and it’s easy to read the receipt.

The option isn’t always available, so you may have to continue to check in to see if it’s active.  Regardless, Swagbucks is worth the download if you want to make some cash on the side.  I use it and easily make $100 to $200+ per month just by taking a few surveys a month.  I find it a great way to buy some things I want without putting a damper on my budget.  Follow the link below for a sweet $5 sign-up bonus just for joining.

• Website:  Swagbucks

Ibotta

I consider Ibotta to be the leader in this industry, the main reason I list them near the top.  They have been around since 2011 and have more than 650 employees operating the company.

To start earning cash back with Ibotta, you can do so in one or two ways.  One is by simply linking your loyalty account to your Ibotta account.  Every time you make a purchase with a qualifying offer, Ibotta will credit your account.  It’s very hands-free, with the exception that you do have to add offers to qualify.

Secondly, you can earn cash back by uploading your receipts after your shopping spree.  To earn the cash back successfully, you will have to choose the products listed on the app to earn the cash back specified.  For instance, if it says purchase any gallon of milk and earn $0.50, then Ibotta would credit you $0.50 as long as milk shows up on your receipt.

I did write about Ibotta in depth, and I highly recommend you check out the review to see how they work.  If you get to know the app in depth, you can really save some cash.  In some cases, if you play your cards right, you can walk away with a lot of free loot as well.

Ibotta is 100% free and is definitely one to keep on your phone after every shopping spree.

• Website:  Ibotta

Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is one I have reviewed in the past. I highly recommend you check it out as it’s a decent receipt scanning app.

In short, it’s a cash back where you can get both gas rewards and even cash back on your everyday grocery store shopping purchases.  All you need to do is scan the app for the most current offers and then add them to your account if you plan on purchasing them.  Once you do, upload your receipt and you get the cash back specified in the app.

Every Thursday, the app updates its offers and allows you to cash out once you hit $20 in rewards.

• Website:  Checkout 51

CoinOut

As seen on the hit TV show, Shark Tank, the CoinOut app rewards you with real cash for your receipts from virtually any retailer.

To start, just upload any receipt in the app and then earn cash back.  Playing with the app, most receipts earn you about $0.05 to $0.10 each.  It’s not much, but it can add up over time.

The nice thing about the app is that you don’t have to find any deals nor do you have to see if a retailer you’re shopping at qualifies like so many of the other apps make you do.  It’s as easy as snapping a picture and that’s it.  Just make sure you snap a picture within two weeks, however.

Aside from receiving cash back from your uploads, the app also holds weekly/monthly sweepstakes and even rewards you for referring your friends.  It’s 100% free to join.

• Website:  CoinOut

Coupons.com

The official Coupons.com is more than just printing coupons from home.  You can also use the app to scan your receipt as well.

To enjoy savings with the app, you can do so in two ways.  For one, you can link your store loyalty card to your account and then add coupons before you shop.  And secondly, you get cash back by choosing the coupons on your app and then submitting a picture of your receipt after your purchase.  Once verified, you will get cash back in your PayPal account.

To take advantage, you will have to browse through the hundreds of offers to claim your rewards, but every time you place an item inside of your cart, look it up to see if it’s active in the database.  If so, add it to your “cart” to take advantage.  It’s much easier than you think.

• Website:  Coupons.com

Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is one I have mentioned a few times, such as in my free gift cards post.  This app caters more toward grocery receipts rather than any receipt.

To use, all you have to do is scan your grocery receipts whenever you shop.  Then, depending on the products you bought, Fetch Rewards will give you points based on the points/special offers.

If you do use this app, you will have to browse a list of “participating” items that qualify.  If your receipt doesn’t have any of these items listed, then, unfortunately, you won’t earn credit.  It will take a bit more work, but the points can add up if you buy the right items.

• Website:  Fetch Rewards

Kellogg’s Family Rewards™

The Kellogg’s Family Rewards™ program, yes, operated by that Kellogg’s, can earn you points whenever you purchase participating Kellogg’s items.

All you need to do is buy your favorite Kellogg’s products, either online or in-store, and then upload the receipt proving your purchase via the company’s website, KFR.com.

As you collect points, you can then redeem them for a variety of rewards, including coupons, apparel and even gift cards.  Signing up is free and they offer give you 100 points just for joining.

• Website:  Kellogg’s Family Rewards™

Makeena

Makeena is geared more toward eco-friendly and healthier grocery store products.

It works like Ibotta and the other grocery store apps, where you’re asked to add your offers and then upload your receipt to be credited.  You will know exactly how much you’re getting back before you even add the offer.

Once you earn $20 in rewards, you can then cash out via PayPal or Venmo.

• Website:  Makeena

Receipt Hog

Receipt Hog is another one I have reviewed in depth.  It’s another great option if you just want to upload your receipts and that’s it.

To start making money, you just need to take a picture of your receipts from any store, restaurant or cafe.  Honestly, it can just about anywhere as long as they print out a receipt.  Then, depending on your upload, you can earn rewards, such as coins, prizes or even a spin at the virtual slot machine.  To date, they have paid out more than $2.5 million to their members.

By far, this is one of the more popular apps on this list, with more than one million downloads and a solid 4.4/5 rating.

• Website:  Receipt Hog

ReceiptPal

ReceiptPal works similar to that of Receipt Hog, minus the slot machines.

All you need to do is snap a picture of any receipt to earn points.  You can then turn those points into gift cards from a variety of retailers, such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Target and Walmart, to name a few.  You can even exchange your points for a Visa gift card.

For every receipt you scan over, the company will automatically enter you into a weekly sweepstake, where you can win great cash prizes.

To date, it has more than one million downloads and a wonderful 4.3/5 rating.

• Website:  ReceiptPal

SavingStar

SavingStar is yet another grocery store saving app, letting you save cash on the products you’re already buying.  They work with more than 100 well-known chains, such as Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens and Publix, to name a few.

Now, you can make it easy and just link your loyalty card to instantly save, but in case you don’t want to do this, you can upload your receipt to save as well.

To use, it’s as easy as logging in, clipping the products you plan on buying and then getting credits for the amount specified.  The app has more than one million downloads with a 3.9/5 rating.

• Website:  SavingStar

Shopkick

Shopkick is one I mentioned a few times, such as in my how to make money from your phone and best passive income app posts.

It’s a very unique app that rewards you in a variety of ways, from just walking into a store to a scavenger hunt, where you’re asked to find an item’s bar code.  You won’t get rich in using this app, but you could earn a few dollars a week when you’re out and about.

One way to earn is through your purchases, where you can simply submit your receipt and earn what’s known as “Kicks.”  You can then turn these “Kicks” into gift cards.

• Website:  Shopkick

Shoppix

Shoppix, like Receipt Hog and ReceiptPal, let you snap any receipt in exchange for tokens.  The app doesn’t have nearly as many downloads, but it does have more than 100,000+, which I find to be enough to be worthy of being on this list.

All you need to do is snap a picture, answer a few survey questions and that’s it.  You will then be rewarded with tokens, in which you can choose to use to cash out with PayPal or even for a gift card.

Aside from earning tokens from your receipts, you can earn from answering surveys, earning bonuses and even winning from a scratchcard.

• Website:  Shoppix

GetUpside

GetUpside can help you save up to $0.25 per gallon on gas and up to 35% at restaurants, grocery stores and more.

To use, the app asks that you claim an offer at a gas station, restaurant or grocery store near you.  Then, after you fill your tank, you will pay with a credit/debit card and then take a picture of your receipt.   After confirmation, they will then reward you with whatever offer you redeemed, sometimes saving you more than 35%.

The only downfall is that it only works in certain cities, but they do seem to be expanding.  If they are operating in your town, consider downloading it as many of its users have claimed it’s one of the easiest apps to use.

• Website:  GetUpside

How to Maximize Your Earnings

Now that you know of the many apps that can reward you with scanning your receipts, I wanted to share a few tips to maximize your earnings if you plan on downloading a few or maybe even all of them.

Scan Your Receipts ASAP

Most of these apps have limitations as to how old your receipt may be.  Almost all don’t accept receipts older than 14 days old, with some only accepting receipts up to five days old.  To help save the headache of determining if a receipt is eligible, just make it a habit to scan the minute your purchase completes.  That way, you will know your receipt is valid.

Browse the Offers Beforehand

Before you shop with the grocery store apps, open up your apps and see what kind of offers are available at the time.  You may find that some offers make the most sense as you can combine the app offer and a sale price to get items for next to nothing, sometimes even free.

Link Your Loyalty Card

Many of the grocery store apps allow you to link your loyalty card, saving you the headache of uploading your receipts.  If the app allows you to do this, I highly recommend you link your card to save you time.  In doing this, you won’t even have to worry about taking a picture of your receipt.  Instead, all you will have to do is add the offer to your account.

Use Them All

Try to use as many receipt apps as possible when uploading a receipt as there’s no restriction in doing so.  If you’re going to make money on one app, you may as well make money on all of them, right?

Final Thoughts

There you have it.  A ton of ways to earn money simply by uploading your receipts.

Now, as I mentioned a few times in the post, you won’t get rich doing this.  In fact, expect to make maybe $10 a month at most.  But, if you want to maximize your earnings and receipt, be sure to sign up for as many of these apps as possible and submit it to as many as you can.  There’s nothing wrong in doing that.

I will continue to add receipt scanning apps as they pop up, but if you do see one that I missed, you’re more than welcome to add a suggestion in the comments section below.

For now, download a few and see which one works best for you.  Since we all have different shopping habits, you may find out that one works better for you than it does me.