I Tested Ibotta, Fetch, and Receipt Hog for 30 Days — Here’s the App That Actually Paid the Most

Cashback apps promise easy money for things you already buy—but not all of them deliver equally. To find out which one actually pays the most in real-world use, I spent 30 days testing three of the most popular apps: Ibotta, Fetch, and Receipt Hog. I tracked earnings, ease of use, payout options, and how long it took to receive rewards. What I found may surprise you—some apps performed much better than others, and one clear winner stood out for shoppers who want consistent, reliable payouts.

Whether you’re new to cashback apps or looking to optimize your weekly savings, here is a detailed breakdown of how each app performed during the 30-day test.

Why I Chose These Three Apps

I selected Ibotta, Fetch, and Receipt Hog because they are some of the most widely recommended cashback tools, each offering a different style of rewards:

All three are free to use and available on both iOS and Android, making them accessible for nearly any shopper.

Download links:

• Ibotta: https://ibotta.com
• Fetch: https://fetch.com
• Receipt Hog: https://receipthog.com

Testing Methodology (30-Day Breakdown)

For a full 30 days, I scanned every grocery, retail, online, and restaurant receipt I accumulated. I also:

• Used the same grocery budget each week
• Bought the same brand categories
• Activated all available offers before shopping
• Tracked bonuses, streaks, and extra rewards
• Cashed out earnings (when possible) to compare real payouts

My total spend during the test: $486.44

Each app was evaluated in four categories:

✔ Earnings

✔ Ease of use

✔ Payout options

✔ Bonus opportunities

 App #1: Ibotta — The Highest Payout for Grocery Shoppers

If you want the highest guaranteed cashback, Ibotta came out on top during this test period. Ibotta rewards you for buying specific items—sometimes brand-name, sometimes generic. Before shopping, you simply “activate” offers and then scan your receipt or use a linked loyalty account.

My 30-day earnings with Ibotta: $22.75

Here’s how I earned it:

• $11.00 from item-specific rebates
• $6.50 from bonus challenges
• $5.25 from brand streaks and seasonal promos

What I Loved

• Some offers were 100% cash back, essentially making products free.
• Bonuses stack easily if you consistently buy similar items.
• Payouts are instant once you hit the $20 threshold.
• Great retailer coverage—Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and more.

What I Didn’t Love

• Requires planning: you must activate offers before checkout.
• Some rebates require brand loyalty, limiting flexibility.
• Occasional receipt-verification delays.

Who Ibotta Is Best For

Shoppers who plan ahead, use brand-name products, or buy groceries weekly.

Ibotta official site: https://ibotta.com

App #2: Fetch — Easiest to Use (But Lower Earnings)

Fetch offers points for scanning nearly any receipt—from groceries to gas stations to restaurants. No need to activate offers in advance, which makes it great for beginners.

My 30-day earnings with Fetch: $7.80

How I earned it:

• Base receipt scans: 25 points each
• Bonus brand partnerships: ~3,000 points
• Referral + new-user bonuses (not included in score)

What I Loved

• Fastest receipt scanning of any app—usually under 5 seconds.
• Works with every receipt, even small local stores.
• Lots of brand bonuses you can earn passively.
• Point-based system feels simple and rewarding.

What I Didn’t Love

• Lowest payout overall (unless you catch a big promo).
• Points constantly fluctuate in value unless you track them.
• Occasional issues recognizing specific product lines.

Who Fetch Is Best For

People who want effortless rewards with zero prep. If you like scanning and being surprised by bonuses, Fetch is perfect.

Fetch official site: https://fetch.com

App #3: Receipt Hog — Fun, But Slowest to Earn

Receipt Hog gamifies your savings: you earn coins for each receipt and use “spins” on a slot machine for additional bonuses. While fun, it was the slowest earner of the three.

My 30-day earnings with Receipt Hog: $4.60

How I earned it:

• Coins from scanning receipts
• Slot machine wins
• Monthly sweepstakes entries

What I Loved

• The most “fun” of the apps thanks to its game mechanics.
• Accepts a wide range of receipt types.
• Easy to use and requires no prep.

What I Didn’t Love

• Lower payouts overall compared to competitors.
• Higher cash-out threshold ($10 minimum).
• Slot machine randomness can be frustrating.
• Takes longer to build momentum.

Who Receipt Hog Is Best For

Casual users who want a no-stress, game-like reward app and aren’t focused on maximizing earnings.

Receipt Hog official site: https://receipthog.com

Final Verdict: Which App Paid the Most?

After 30 days of identical spending habits, here’s the ranking:

1. Ibotta: $22.75 earned — Winner
2. Fetch: $7.80 earned — Best for beginners
3. Receipt Hog: $4.60 earned — Best for casual users

Overall Winner: Ibotta

It paid nearly 3× more than Fetch and almost 5× more than Receipt Hog.

If your goal is maximizing your earnings and getting real cashback quickly, Ibotta is the clear winner.

Should You Use All Three Apps Together?

Yes! During the test, I used all three simultaneously—and that dramatically increased total savings.

Why stacking works:

• Ibotta gives cash rebates
• Fetch gives easy points for the same receipt
• Receipt Hog gives coins for yet another version

You can scan the same receipt in all three apps, effectively triple-dipping without extra effort.

Final Thoughts

Cashback apps aren’t a get-rich-fast trick, but they genuinely help reduce everyday expenses. Ibotta delivers the highest return on groceries, Fetch rewards consistent scanners, and Receipt Hog makes the process fun.

After this 30-day test, I saved a total of $35.15 using all three apps combined—proof that even small rewards add up fast with the right strategy.