Ibotta is a popular cashback app that pays rebates on items from certain vendors. Each time you make a purchase, information is collected via receipt and/or barcode scans, and your rebates are deposited to your Ibotta account. If you’ve ever been curious about how apps like Ibotta work, here’s some information on Ibotta its similar counterparts. Go here if you’d rather see a complete Ibotta review.
What Is Ibotta?
Ibotta is one of many cashback apps out there that claim to pay you cash back on transactions. Ibotta delivers on this promise, with an easy to use interface and simple payment structure. The app requires some extra effort to get your rebates, however.
How Does Ibotta Work?
Ibotta has three possible options for generating rewards points that turn into cash back. The first method is browsing through their special retail offers, choosing an offer, and then visiting the relevant site or store to purchase the items or services in the offer. Once you’ve made your purchases, you’ll scan your receipts and item bar codes, and your cash back will be added to your account.
Another way to get rewards is to link your favorite loyalty card with your Ibotta account. Qualifying purchases with linked to the card will generate cash to your Ibotta account, which you can then withdraw to your bank account.
Lastly, you can use the mobile app to make in-app purchases. You’ll browse cash back offers from some of Ibotta’s partner apps, and once you’ve found an offer you like, you’ll redeem it, purchase the item(s), and get your cash back deposited directly to your Ibotta account.
What Partners Does Ibotta Have?
Ibotta partners with many major vendors to make cash back opportunities abundant. Some of these vendors include:
- Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores
- Macy’s
- Sam’s Club
- Wal Mart
- Target
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Kmart
- Payless Shoe Source
- Aldi
- BJ’s Wholesale Market
- Costco
These are just a few of the vendors that Ibotta supports. The site actually boasts over 500,000 vendors that its reward program is compatible with, so no matter where you’re located or where you shop, you’ll be able to take advantage of the app’s cashback offers.
How Am I Paid?
When it comes time to cash out your Ibotta account, you’ll have to have a minimum balance of $20 to do so. From there, you can transfer the funds to either your PayPal or Venmo account, and then directly to your bank account if you so choose. If you’d rather earn gift cards, you can exchange the cash back you’ve earned for retail gift cards of your choice.
Other Cashback Apps
Ibotta isn’t the only cashback app on the market, though it may be one of the most legitimate and easiest to use. There are several other apps that perform in a similar way.
Paribus
Paribus is a cashback app that is managed by Capital One. Capital One is one of the top ten largest banks in the country, in case you were unaware. The service monitors your credit and debit card purchases, identifies a lower price for the same item elsewhere, and sends you the difference.
Paribus requires quite a bit of information to operate with, making it a little intrusive. The app needs access to your email account in order to track receipts, as well as access to your credit or debit information and purchase history. If you’re ok with sacrificing privacy for savings, this shouldn’t bother you too much.
Dosh
Dosh is similar to Paribus and Ibotta in that it is a cashback app that monitors your purchases. The difference is, Dosh is more of a hands-off app kind of like Paribus. You’ll connect your card(s) and make purchases, and you’ll get cash delivered to your account. It’s that simple.
There’s no uploading receipts, scanning barcodes, or anything of the sort. You simply make your purchases and let the app do the rest. That seems like a pretty awesome concept, considering the receipt and barcode scanning with Ibotta can get pretty frustrating.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is probably the most different of the cashback apps since it also offers task work such as completing surveys or watching videos that turn into points you can cash out for cash or gift cards.
Swagbucks does have a cash back option for shopping though. The site has paired with many retailers and other vendors to offer up to 4 points per dollar spent. Those points are sent to your Swagbucks account, and when you’re ready, can be exchanged for your cash rewards.
Which App Should I Use?
Each of the apps we’ve discussed here are legitimate ways to earn cash back on your favorite purchases. Ibotta is one of the most popular, with a large user base and over $500,000,000 in rewards paid out to its customers so far.
The app you decide on will depend on your needs. If you’re looking to do extra tasks to earn money on top of your cash back rewards, you’ll want to try Swagbucks. If you just want to earn cash back on purchases, Ibotta or Dosh are viable options.
Conclusion
Cashback apps have revolutionized the way consumers shop. Never settle for full price again with the power of cashback apps. You’ll get a percentage of your money delivered right back to your wallet. What’s better than that?
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