I find most cashback and receipt scanning apps tedious because you only get rewarded if you purchased specific items on your shopping trip, and match them up with in-app offers. They require way to much time and effort, just finding out if you might be able to upload your receipt in exchange for a small amount of cash (seriously we’re talking cents not dollars).
That’s why I only use cashback and receipt scanning apps that generally accept most receipts without a specific purchase requirement. Just do your shopping as usual and get paid to snap a picture of your receipt. It needs to be that easy, otherwise you’re wasting your precious time (we’re talking minutes in exchange for a few cents) and if you want to be a real hustler, you need to be thinking more along the lines of seconds in exchange for cents.
What makes a good cashback receipt scanning app:
- paid per receipt (not individual items)
- accepts receipts from most retailers
- in-app photo capture (you’d be surprised – some only upload from the camera roll)
- no scrolling/loading offers
- referral bonus (sharing is caring)
- payout in cash/paypal
- bonus: extra offers/ways to earn
- bonus: accepts online receipt
Top Apps for Receipt Scanning in Canada
(in no particular order)
Receipt Apps At a Glance
Caddle | Receipt Jar | Receipt Hog | Swagbucks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Earnings per Receipt | 10-15 cents | 5-20 points | 5-20 coins | 5-6 swagbucks |
Dollar Values | 100 cents = $1 | 200 points = $1 | 200 coins = $1 | 1000 SB = $1 |
Minimum to Redeem | $20.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
Redemption Method | Cheque in mail | Paypal, Giftcards | Paypal, Visa, Amazon | Paypal, Giftcards |
Weekly Limits | 1 receipt per retailer | max 5 pts/receipt >20 receipts | 20 receipts | 10 receipts |
Additional Rewards | Surveys, Cashback Items | level achievements, shake jar | level achievements, sweepstakes, spin to win | Surveys, Signups, Tasks, etc |
Caddle: The Canadian One
It can sometimes take a little longer to choose a retailer and upload your valid receipts, but I like that you can see exactly how much money you’ll get ($0.05-$0.50 per receipt).
Believe it or not, Caddle is one of my favourite survey sites because they have daily surveys and shopper surveys that pay $0.05-$1.00 for literally 5 seconds of your time (3-5 questions). I’m not a big fan of survey sites because you end up spending too much time on qualifying questions but opening the Caddle app and answering 5 questions feels like free money to me, and that’s why its still on my phone, years after I first started receipt scanning.
Caddle Pro’s
- Canadian company
- pays more per receipt than others
- has in-app cashback offers on household and grocery products
- has daily surveys that take 5 seconds to complete
- no points system to convert
Caddle Con’s
- slow to load offers
- payout threshold is $20
- payout method is by cheque
Caddle Verdict:
Verdict: Not the easiest to use, but has the best earning potential.
Get paid to upload receipts and take surveys with Caddle and don’t forget to use my referral code: KATHY BOOTH to start your earnings at $1
Receipt Jar: The American Powerhouse
Receipt Jar has thousands of users that recommend their app for its ease of use, low payout threshold and variety of payout options. I like that Receipt Jar awards you more points for more expensive receipts so if I really wanted to, I could be more efficient and only upload receipts over $100 range to make 10 cents per upload. Receipt Jar also has experience points (XPs) that are earned with every receipt accepted which assigns you a “level” in the app and the higher your level, the higher your monthly bonus for remaining consistent and uploading new receipts every week in a month.
Receipt Jar Pro’s
- easy to use
- multiple points and bonus systems for extra rewards
- syncs with online retailer accounts
- low payout threshold $5.00 (1000 points)
- volume discount for redeeming more points ($50 = 9500 points)
- variety of redemption options
Receipt Jar Con’s
- 7 day receipt window
- can lose your points if inactive for 30 days
- need to open the app to sync online receipts
- some giftcards have higher cashout thresholds
- sometimes slower upload (says my connection isn’t fast enough)
Receipt Jar Verdict:
Verdict: Points add up quick when you upload consistently and connect online retailers.
Turn your receipts into gift cards with Receipt Jar and use my code: KATHBHTB3! to get started with 200 free points!
Receipt Hog: Receipt Jar’s Brother
Receipt Hog was the very first receipt scanning app I started with because of how fun and simple it was. Its very similar to Receipt Jar, although sometimes it will ask you a couple questions after you upload your receipt about your shopping trip. Its never bothered me because my answers are always the same and their app is very speedy so the time it takes to answer a couple questions is about as much time as it usually takes to upload a receipt (about 2 seconds).
Receipt Hog has a lot of different ways to earn extra points and prizes, including a monthly sweepstake (every receipt uploaded is one entry) and “Hog Slots” where you can win daily shopping trips which are essentially gifts cards ranging from $10-$100, bonus points or straight cash. They also have a level system similar to receipt jar, except you can only earn one experience point per week (as opposed to per receipt). They have three different reward types which is part of what makes it really fun. Coins are awarded for eligible receipts less than 14 days old, based on the dollar value, sweepstakes entries are rewarded per receipt and “spins” which are tokens for “Hog Slots” are awarded for specialty store receipts that aren’t eligible for coins.
Receipt Hog Pro’s
- generous 14 day receipt age
- engaging app with rewards systems and bonus prizes
- syncs with online retailer accounts
- low payout threshold $5.00 (1000 points)
- volume discount for redeeming more points ($40 = 6500 points)
- fast upload time
Receipt Hog Con’s
- may ask extra question(s) about your trip
- fewer payout options (paypal, visa or amazon)
- some retailers don’t earn coins (earn spins which may or may not result in a reward)
- experience points are earned per week (vs per receipt on Receipt Jar)
Receipt Hog Verdict:
Verdict: Basically Receipt Jar’s more fun, younger brother, stack them and you’re golden!
Get paid to upload receipts with Receipt Hog and use the code flik3228 to earn a special bonus when you upload your first receipt!
Swagbucks: The Powerhouse
Swagbucks is possibly the most popular rewards site in the world with 10 million users. They have thousands of offers available for users to make easy money by completing surveys, signing up for things, downloading apps, making purchases, achieving certain levels in games, watching videos and much more than just scanning receipts for cash.
Swagbucks also has a large number of ways redeem your Swagbucks (SB) and redemption offers that help maximize your payout. For example, 1 SB is generally considered equivalent to 1 cent, but you can get a $15 amazon card with just 1275 SB. On top of various tasks to complete in return for SB, they have a daily poll, daily search and different goals and checklists to earn bonuses. You can also use your SB to enter sweepstakes and giveaways.
Every receipt you upload can earn you 6 SB if you submit it on both the survey and magic receipts sections. Magic receipts has a weekly limit of 10 receipts/week and you will earn 1 SB for each receipt. Everyday receipts (found in the surveys section) pays 5 SB for every receipt less than 14 days old from major retailers.
Swagbucks Pro’s
- unlimited potential to earn from various tasks
- low payout threshold $5 (5000)
- promotional discounts for redeeming with certain retailers (15% off Amazon gift card $15 = 1275 SB)
Swagbucks Con’s:
- limited to 10 receipts/week
- not as easy to find the receipt feature
Swagbucks Verdict:
Verdict: Worth it! Most well rounded cashback, get-paid-to, beer money app with unlimited earning potential.
Join thousands of users getting paid to answer surveys, play games and upload receipts on Swagbucks
Conclusion
Receipt scanning isn’t a way to get rich quick but it sure is a way to make money fast. In fact its my favorite “get-paid-to” gimmick out there because it takes less than a minute to grab your prize, unlike many survey sites I’ve tried. There are still some good survey sites out there, but just like receipt scanning, they’re all a little different and it takes a some skill to make it worth your while (at least I think so).
By stacking your receipt scanning apps and uploading the same receipt to 3 or 4 apps, you can easily make an extra $5 every month if you stay consistent. It takes little time and effort and pays better than most survey sites that take triple the time.
Caddle | Receipt Jar | Receipt Hog | Swagbucks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Earnings per Receipt | 10-15 cents | 5-20 points | 5-20 coins | 5-6 swagbucks |
Dollar Values | 100 cents = $1 | 200 points = $1 | 200 coins = $1 | 1000 SB = $1 |
Minimum to Redeem | $20.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
Redemption Method | Cheque in mail | Paypal, Giftcards | Paypal, Visa, Amazon | Paypal, Giftcards |
Weekly Limits | 1 receipt per retailer | max 5 pts/receipt >20 receipts | 20 receipts | 10 receipts |
Additional Rewards | Surveys, Cashback Items | level achievements, shake jar | level achievements, sweepstakes, spin to win | Surveys, Signups, Tasks, etc |
