Ibotta is a cash back app that has been around for a long time – since 2012 to be exact. It is currently one of the most popular cash back apps in the United States, with over 35 million downloads and substantial cash back opportunities from regional and national retailers.

Tell me more about Ibotta

Ibotta is a unique cash back that allows users to earn cash back on their everyday groceries and purchases. The app partners with over 1,500 retailers, including grocery stores, big box stores, dollar store chains, pharmacies, online retailers and more to offer cashback and bonuses for select purchases. Ibotta is a widely used app and has paid out over $1 billion in cash rewards to its users since its inception.

Ibotta is free to download and use. And the cash out process is super easy. Users can cash out their Ibotta rewards once they receive a minimum balance of $20. Users can cash out their rewards via PayPal, Venmo or gift cards. Gift cards are sent to the user’s email within 24 hours and cash transfers via PayPal or Venmo occur within 24-48 hours.

How do you use Ibotta?

Here are some quick and easy steps to start earning cash back through the Ibotta app:

1. Click on this link* or download the app directly from the iOs or Google Play store. If you click on the link, you will automatically get $5 in your Ibotta account for signing up.
2. Once you have downloaded the app, browse through the available offers and products and match them against your typical shopping lists. You can filter by category, retailer or brand.
3. Add the offers for the products that you are interested in adding to your account by clicking the “+” sign next to the offers.
4. Go shopping at the retailers you’ve selected offers for and purchase the items that are eligible for cash back.
5. After your shopping trip, click on “Redeem” within the app, choose the store where you shopped and take a photo of the receipt via the app. Make sure the retailer name, product details, date and total are all visible. You can take multiple pics if you have a long receipt.
6. The app lets you connect your account or loyalty cards for select pharmacies (e.g., CVS and Rite Aid) and some grocery chains (e.g., Sprouts, Big Y Foods, Food Lion, Winn-Dixie, Hannaford, Lowes Foods, Fresh Market)

Tips to get the most out of the Ibotta app

Here are a couple of tips for getting the most out of this app:

1. Check the app and add offers to your account before each shopping trip. Only add the items that you plan to buy now or in the near future.
2. Ibotta offers extra bonuses for completing certain tasks, such as referring friends or purchasing a certain number of items from a brand. Take advantage of these bonuses to maximize your earning potential.
3. The more you use the Ibotta app, the more offers and bonuses you will have the oportunity to receive. (See the Bonus page on the app.)
4. Link your store loyalty accounts – so that you don’t have to worry about uploading physical receipts for those stores.
5. To enhance savings and earn even more cash back, use Ibotta in conjunction with other apps such as Fetch Rewards, Rakuten, Drop, etc.

Pros of using Ibotta

• Ibotta is very user-friendly compared to other apps and easy to navigate. It is very easy to earn cash back with each shopping trip with regular use.
• There are plenty of options to qualify for cash back, since Ibotta partners with over 1,500 retailers.
• Ibotta offers you multiple ways to earn cash back by completing certain tasks, purchasing a certain amount of products from a brand and referring friends.
• You can add your favorite stores to your dashboard to find your offers by store quickly and you can even purchase gift cards from the app for even more cash back.

Cons

• Ibotta currently offers the capability to link loyalty cards/accounts to the app for a very select few retailers. My area only has a couple of options for linking accounts, including CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid but none of my local grocery stores.
• You have to check the app regularly to add new offers, as older offers will expire.
• The app charges maintenance fees which I only see occurred in 2023. I was charged $3.14 in June 2023 and $3.99 in April 2023. That seems a bit suspicious!

The bottom line on Ibotta

Ibotta is a popular and trusted way for consumers to earn cash back and save on their everyday purchases. With its extensive network of retailers and brands, every one has a great opportunity to earn cash back on most shopping trips. The app is beginner friendly and offers easy to follow bonuses and challenges to keep users engaged and motivated. Whether you are a savvy shopper or just looking to stretch your budget a little further, Ibotta is definitely worth checking out. Why are you not downloading it today?