In today’s digital world, free mobile apps can make it easier to find discounts, earn rewards, manage money, and look for savings on everyday expenses. Depending on your shopping habits, you may be able to earn cash back on eligible purchases, collect rewards, or transfer money.
On this page, we’ll look at six popular mobile apps: Rakuten, Upside, Ibotta, Fetch, SoFi, and Wise, and explore what each one offers. Some are free rewards apps, while others provide financial services that may charge fees for certain transactions or features.
The goal isn’t to suggest that every app will save everyone the same amount of money. Instead, you can compare the features and decide whether any of them fit the way you already shop, travel, bank, or manage your everyday expenses.
Rakuten: Earn Cash Back on Eligible Purchases
Rakuten is a popular cash-back service that works with participating online and in-store retailers. Instead of changing where you shop simply to earn a reward, you can check Rakuten before making a purchase to see whether a store you already use has an eligible cash-back offer.
What Makes Rakuten Different: Rakuten works with a large selection of retailers and offers different cash-back opportunities depending on the store, product, promotion, and other terms. Offers and cash-back percentages can change, so it is a good idea to check the current details before making a purchase. To earn cash back, you generally need to start your shopping trip through Rakuten and activate the available offer. Eligible purchases are then tracked and, once confirmed by the retailer, cash back is added to your Rakuten account.
How to Get Started: You can visit Rakuten here and create an account. Before making an eligible purchase, activate the cash-back offer and follow the shopping link provided by Rakuten. Once your qualifying cash back has been confirmed, Rakuten offers payment options that may include PayPal or check. Always review the current terms, exclusions, and payment requirements within your account.
Disclosure: The Rakuten link above is a referral link. I may receive a referral benefit if you join or make a qualifying purchase through the link.
Upside: Find Cash-Back Offers Near You
If gas, groceries, and eating out are part of your regular expenses, Upside is another free mobile app worth exploring. The app provides cash-back offers at participating businesses in your area.
What Makes Upside Different: Upside started out being well known for its gas offers, but it now includes participating gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants. Available offers vary according to the participating business and location. Instead of promising a certain amount of savings, it is better to open the app and see what offers are currently available near you.
How to Get Started: Visit Upside here or download the app and create an account. You can enter my Invite Code WENDY356348 when joining. Browse the available offers, claim one before making your purchase, and follow the instructions provided by the app. Depending on the offer, Upside may verify the transaction automatically or require another step. Once your cashback has been credited, available redemption methods may include a bank account, PayPal, or gift cards. Certain small cash-outs may be subject to a fee, so check the current withdrawal terms before redeeming your balance.
Disclosure: The invite code above is a referral code, and I may receive a referral benefit when an eligible new user joins.
Ibotta: Find Cash-Back Offers for Everyday Shopping
Groceries and household necessities can take a significant portion of a monthly budget. Ibotta gives shoppers another way to look for cash-back opportunities on eligible products and purchases.
What Makes Ibotta Different: With Ibotta, you can browse available offers and select the ones that match products you plan to purchase. Depending on the retailer, you may submit a receipt or connect an eligible retailer account to verify your purchase. Offers can vary by retailer, location, product, and time, so checking the app before shopping can help you see what is currently available.
How to Get Started: Download Ibotta here and create an account. You can enter my Referral Code ytxqxkp when signing up. Browse the available offers and add the ones you are interested in before shopping. After purchasing eligible items, follow the instructions in the app to verify your purchase. Ibotta currently requires users to meet its withdrawal qualifications, including reaching at least $20 in earnings, before withdrawing eligible funds. Available withdrawal options may include a bank account, PayPal, or gift cards.
Disclosure: The code above is a referral code. I may receive a referral benefit if you join and meet the applicable requirements.
Fetch: Turn Eligible Receipts Into Reward Points
Fetch takes a slightly different approach to shopping rewards. Instead of focusing only on cash back, Fetch allows users to earn points from eligible receipts and other qualifying activities. If you already keep your receipts after shopping, this may be an easy rewards program to explore.
What Makes Fetch Different: Fetch allows users to earn points by submitting eligible physical receipts from places such as grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and other retailers. Eligible online purchases can also earn points through features such as eReceipts. You may also find special offers inside the app that award additional points for purchasing particular products or shopping with participating retailers. Points can later be exchanged for available rewards. Reward choices and point requirements can change, so check the app to see the current options.
How to Get Started: Visit Fetch here or download the app and create an account. Enter my Invite Code HNQ5W9 when joining. Once your account is ready, you can begin submitting eligible receipts and exploring other ways to earn points. As your points accumulate, check the rewards section to see which redemption options are available.
Disclosure: The invite code above is a referral code. I may receive referral points or another benefit when an eligible new user joins.
SoFi Bank: Mobile Banking and Financial Tools
SoFi is different from the shopping and receipt apps above because it is primarily a financial services platform. SoFi Checking and Savings gives customers access to banking features through its website and mobile app.
What Makes SoFi Different: SoFi Checking and Savings currently does not charge account, service, or maintenance fees. However, fees can apply to certain transactions and services, so it is important to review the current fee schedule. SoFi also offers savings tools and other financial products and services. Customers with eligible direct deposit may qualify for additional banking features, and direct deposits may arrive up to two days early depending on when SoFi receives notification of the payment. Interest rates, promotions, eligibility requirements, and other banking terms can change, so check SoFi directly for current information before opening an account.
How to Get Started: You can visit the SoFi website to learn about its current checking and savings options. Read the account terms, current rates, fees, and eligibility requirements carefully. If the account fits your needs, you can follow SoFi’s instructions to apply and fund your account. Banking products should be selected based on your individual financial needs rather than promotional offers alone.
Wise: An Option for Sending and Managing Money Internationally
Wise may be useful to people who send, receive, hold, or convert money internationally. Unlike the cash-back apps above, Wise is a financial service, and fees can apply depending on the transaction.
What Makes Wise Different: Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate when converting currencies and displays applicable fees before a transfer is completed. The amount you pay can depend on factors such as the currencies involved, the amount being transferred, and the payment method. Because exchange rates and fees can change, it is always a good idea to compare the total cost of an international transfer before choosing any provider.
How to Get Started: You can visit Wise here or download the Wise app to learn more. Creating a Wise account is free, although fees can apply when sending or converting money and when using certain other services. Before completing a transaction, review the exchange rate, applicable fees, estimated delivery time, and amount the recipient is expected to receive.
Which Money-Saving App Is Right for You?
You don’t have to download every app on this list to start looking for ways to save. Instead, think about where you already spend money. If you frequently shop online, Rakuten may be worth exploring. If you buy gas regularly, check the offers available through Upside. Grocery shoppers may find Ibotta useful, while Fetch provides another way to receive rewards from eligible receipts and purchases. SoFi serves a different purpose by providing mobile banking and other financial services, while Wise may be useful for people who need to send, receive, hold, or convert money internationally.
The important thing is to choose services that fit your existing habits rather than spending money simply to earn a reward. A discount or cash-back offer is only helpful when the purchase itself makes sense for your budget. Offers, rewards, fees, eligibility requirements, and program terms can change. Always review the current information provided by each company before signing up or making a financial decision.
Explore More Ways to Save
Mobile apps are only one way technology can help you find discounts and rewards. If you enjoy discovering other ways to stretch your budget, you can also explore the Fun Saver Network for additional savings opportunities.
Have questions about this page or anything else on Freedom By Wendy? We are available for contact here.