Bottom line: Ibotta might appeal if you often go the extra mile to snag a bargain, while Fetch's scan-everything approach is best for those who don't want to think about their cash back.
Best for: Cash back savings appIbotta
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Best cash back app overallFetch
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Ibotta vs. Fetch: App features
Ibotta and Fetch are both excellent, easy-to-use cash back apps that work in many stores. It's worth understanding some key differences in terms of how each one works to know which one might best suit your shopping style.
Rewards and bonus offers
Ibotta and Fetch both feature a great lineup of offers from a range of retailers. These include grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and more. Both offer extra points for buying certain products, welcome bonuses when you open an account, and referral bonuses if you introduce new customers.
Fetch pays 25 points for every receipt scanned, with additional points for certain brands and products. You'll find plenty of offers in the app, some of which are unique to you. You can only upload 35 receipts in any seven-day period.
Depending on your shopping habits, Ibotta comes out slightly ahead in terms of its earning potential. It is easier to stack rewards and claim points for your online shopping. Plus, there's no limit to how many receipts you can scan.
Withdrawal options
There's no point in earning cash back if you can't spend it easily. Both apps have a lot to offer here. Ibotta offers more ways to withdraw money, including a direct bank account transfer. However, Fetch has a lower minimum withdrawal amount, particularly after your first payout.
READ MORE: Best Cash Back Apps
Earn rewards online
These days people do a lot of their shopping online, making Ibotta's browser plugin a useful function. It will shop alongside you and help compare prices, earn cash back, and track specific items. Fetch does let you claim online shopping rewards, but it works differently. You can either connect your email account and have it scan for eReceipts or link the app to specific online stores, such as Amazon.
Ibotta vs. Fetch: User interface
Ibotta and Fetch both boast highly rated mobile apps. Fetch has the edge in terms of usability because you can scan any receipt into the app. Ibotta only works with partner companies and users need to activate specific offers before they shop.
But usability runs deeper than an app's surface. For example, there's no point in having a fantastic app if you can't use it in your favorite stores. Here's how the two stack up:
| Usability | Ibotta | Fetch |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible devices | Android and iOS mobile appsOnline browser plug-in. | Android and iOS mobile apps. |
| Physical shopping rewards | Activate offers before you shop. Then scan your receipts. | Scan any receipt. |
| Online shopping rewards | Browser extension makes it easy to earn rewards online. | Link up email to scan for eReceipts from Uber Eats, Airbnb, Target, and many others.Connect Amazon, Walmart, and Casey's accounts to the app. |
| Partnerships | Over 2,700 brands and retailers. These include Walmart, Costco, Dollar Tree, Trader Joe's, and more. | Over 500 partner brands, including everything from Colgate to Betty Crocker. You can upload any store or restaurant receipt into Fetch. |
| Loyalty program partners | Link to your Walmart, Hyvee, Giant Eagle, and other loyalty programs. | Link to General Mills Good Rewards program. |
| Stand out features | Mobile barcode scanner to see which products qualify when you're in a store. | Social function that lets users connect with friends and compete on the rewards leaderboard. |
Data sources: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta, and author research.
Ibotta vs. Fetch: Cost
Both apps are free to use, though Ibotta does dock your balance by $3.99 every month if you haven't logged in for 180 days. Similarly, if your Fetch account is inactive for over 90 days, all your points will expire.
Keep in mind that your time is valuable, too. Getting the most out of Ibotta can take more time because you have to activate the offers before you spend. That said, if you do the majority of your shopping online, Ibotta might save you both time and money.
Ibotta vs. Fetch: Customization
Cash back apps generally don't offer a lot in the way of customization. That said, you can select your favorite stores on Ibotta so they appear on your home page.
In terms of how you can customize your withdrawals:
- Ibotta lets you withdraw to your bank account or a PayPal account. Alternatively, you can use your balance to buy a gift card. There's a $20 minimum on withdrawals with Ibotta, which rises to $25 for certain gift cards.
- Fetch lags slightly behind Ibotta in that you can only redeem rewards for gift cards or to a prepaid Visa card. That said, you'll find gift cards for over 20 popular stores, including Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Papa Johns, and others. There's a minimum of $10 on your first withdrawal, after which it falls to $3.
Ibotta vs. Fetch: Which app is right for you?
It's worth noting that this is not an either-or situation. You can scan your receipts into both Ibotta and Fetch and earn double rewards on your shopping. Fetch may appeal more if you want to get rewards every time you go to the store, irrespective of where you go. Ibotta might have the edge for people who shop more online or want to withdraw rewards directly to their bank account.
Best for: Cash back savings appIbotta
Learn More for Ibotta
Best cash back app overallFetch
Read Review
FAQs
Ibotta will suit anyone who likes finding bargains and is willing to take the time to maximize their rewards. If you always shop with a list and know how to score bonus points, you can earn hundreds of dollars of rewards on your everyday shopping.
Fetch will suit anyone who is ready to collect receipts and scan them after every shopping trip. As well as the pre-receipt reward, you can earn extra points for shopping with partner brands and making referrals.
Our Personal Finance Experts
By:Emma Newbery
Emma lives in Bogota, Colombia, where she owns the English-language newspaper The Bogota Post. She began her editorial career at a financial website in the U.K. over 20 years ago and has been contributing to The Ascent since the summer of 2019.
Fact CheckedAshley Maready
Writer and Editor
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
