Top cashback sites

Top cashback sites

Cashback websites reward you for shopping through them with various retailers and providers, allowing you to earn potentially £100s each year when used effectively. Below are some of the leading cashback sites, plus essential guidelines to help you stay safe while maximizing your earnings. Additionally, using a cashback credit card can add an extra 5% to your rewards. And, if you’re new to Topcashback, you can grab an extra £26 cashback when you spend £5 or more—but only until next week!

How do cashback sites work?

When shopping online or signing up for financial products, consider visiting the company through a cashback website instead of going directly to their site—you’ll get rewarded for doing so. Payouts vary widely, from small amounts for groceries to over £100 for certain mobile or broadband plans.

First, you’ll need to register with a cashback site, which is generally free (although some offer a premium membership for an annual fee, potentially increasing cashback rewards). Once registered, log in, search for the retailer you want, like Argos or BT, and click through the cashback site’s link to that retailer.

This click allows the cashback site to track your visit. When you make a purchase, the cashback site will add a set amount to your account once the transaction is completed. You can withdraw these funds once they’re available, though this process may take weeks or even months. Some cashback sites also require you to reach a minimum balance before you can cash out.

Check out the table below to get an idea of potential savings, keeping in mind that cashback rates vary daily and differ between platforms.

Typical cashback site payments

Last updated October 2024. Based on rates from Topcashback and Quidco, which may differ based on product/spend and customer type (new or existing).

Why do they pay out?

Cashback websites operate by leveraging the mechanics of online commercial transactions between sites. They utilize affiliate links, which enable retailers to track incoming traffic sources and pay cashback platforms for generating leads.

This system is widely adopted by sites that direct users via comparison results, exclusive content, or advertising promotions. Cashback sites attract visitors by offering a share of their earnings to users.

Earnings vary based on spending categories and commercial agreements, leading to a wide range in payouts. Cashback sites may earn revenue per click, transaction, application, or successfully completed action.

The process is straightforward. Pre-made affiliate links are readily available from “link warehouses.” Major cashback sites also form direct partnerships with brands, expanding their provider network, increasing earnings, and securing unique, exclusive deals.

How much money could I make?

The total amount depends on how much you buy, what you buy, and the cashback being offered.

6 MAJOR cashback safety rules

Cashback sites have the potential to earn users £100s each year, but it’s crucial to be aware of the possible risks involved. Make sure you fully understand these challenges before you start using them.

1 – Think of cashback as a bonus only – it’s NOT guaranteed

Using cashback sites can sometimes lead to tracking issues, where you expect a payout but don’t receive it. However, tracking isn’t the only potential hurdle. Cashback sites rely on funds from retailers and service providers to pass on to users, but disputes can arise, leading to situations where the cashback site doesn’t receive the money and, as a result, cannot pay you.

Your rights to claim unpaid cashback are limited. It’s best to treat cashback as a bonus rather than a guarantee, ensuring it doesn’t become the primary factor in your purchasing decisions.

If you encounter issues, remember to contact the cashback site directly.

2 – Cashback sites can take a long time to pay out

When browsing the top cashback sites before making a purchase, it’s tempting to think the cashback is already yours. However, not only is cashback not guaranteed, but the process of earning it often takes time.

After completing a purchase through a cashback site, the transaction must be tracked from the retailer or service provider back to your cashback account. Leading sites report that this tracking typically takes from a few hours up to a week.

But that’s the quicker part of the process. Once your purchase is tracked, the retailer or service provider still needs to approve it before your cashback becomes payable—a step that can take anywhere from a few days to several months.

3 – The cashback isn’t yours until it’s in your bank account

Don’t rely on cashback as yours until it’s actually deposited in your bank account. This caution isn’t only about tracking or processing delays—many cashback platforms are small businesses that can go under (and some already have).

If this occurs, your protection is limited. Technically, you may be considered a creditor of the company, but in most cases, your funds may be lost.

4 – Never store cash in a cashback site – withdraw it ASAP

Many cashback websites require you to reach a minimum threshold before allowing withdrawals. It’s wise to withdraw your funds as soon as you meet this requirement.

Avoid letting your cashback earnings accumulate unnecessarily. Besides missing out on potential interest, there’s also the risk that if the company shuts down or alters its payout policies, your money could be at risk.

5 – Focus on the cheapest deal, not the biggest cashback

It’s tempting to be swayed by offers like £50 cashback on an insurance policy or a 7% discount on clothing purchases. However, don’t let cashback incentives dictate your spending decisions. Beyond the considerations already mentioned, remember that cashback deals may not always lead to the most affordable option.

The primary goal should always be to secure the best overall deal. Relying on cashback as the deciding factor could backfire if the cashback doesn’t go through, potentially leaving you with a less-than-ideal outcome.

Example 1: Suppose you’re looking for a new TV. A cashback site shows an offer from Korma Electrical World with 5% cashback, meaning a £20 saving on a £399 television. However, a quick search on a price comparison site could reveal the same TV priced at just £299.

Example 2: Your car insurance renewal is due, and you notice a £100 cashback offer from Commodore Insurance, with a policy priced at £540. But if you check car insurance comparison sites, you might find an equivalent policy from Chamberlain Insurance for £370. Chamberlain is also listed on a cashback site, where an additional £25 cashback is available, saving you a total of £95.

This is particularly crucial for larger purchases, where a poor choice can end up costing more than any cashback gained. Before committing, explore your options using our helpful guides, including Balance Transfer Credit Cards, Top Bank Accounts, Cheap Breakdown Cover, Cheap Broadband, Cheap Car Insurance, Cheap Flights, Cheap Home Insurance, Cheap Hotels, and Cheap Mobiles.

6 – Consider clearing your cookies before buying to make it more likely the cashback will track

Cashback websites monitor your activity by placing cookies (small data files that identify you) on your device, whether it’s a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Other platforms, such as comparison websites, also utilize cookies for tracking purposes.

To ensure you receive your cashback, always click through from the cashback site when making a purchase, as the rule of thumb is that “the last cookie wins.”

For added security, especially if you’re anticipating a substantial cashback, it’s a good idea to clear your cookies beforehand to guarantee accurate tracking of your cashback. Learn more about controlling and deleting cookies at AboutCookies.org.

Top-paying cashback sites

Not all cashback websites offer the same rewards, so it’s important to compare. When we reviewed the options in October 2024, we noticed significant variations—such as £18.75 versus £4.50 on Sky Mobile Sim-only deals and 1.5% versus up to 12.75% at The Fragrance Shop. Keep in mind that these cashback rates can change frequently, so it’s always a good idea to verify before making a purchase.

The top cashback sites are those that pass on nearly 100% of what they earn from retailers, meaning they return a significant portion—or even the full amount—of their earnings to you. In this guide, we’ll focus on these sites, although it’s worth noting that there are other strategies to increase cashback, which can often be combined with these platforms.

The top-paying cashback sites

How do cashback sites make money?

In 2005, Quidco introduced the first 100% cashback platform. At first glance, the concept may seem unfeasible, but it’s actually a smart and efficient business model. This approach has helped both Quidco and its competitor, Topcashback, capture a significant portion of the cashback industry.

These websites do exactly as promised: they offer customers 100% (or even more) of the cashback rewards they’re entitled to, resulting in a larger payout. While this model has been highly beneficial for many users, these sites still manage to generate revenue.

• For example, they may charge a small annual fee, typically ranging from £5 to £12. Some sites offer ‘premium schemes’ that retain £5 of your cashback earnings each year, while others deduct £1 per month as long as you remain active. This model is preferable to charging an upfront membership fee, and it provides a steady income to support the platform.
• Additionally, these sites earn through ‘bonuses’. Retailers typically pay cashback sites a percentage, such as 5%, for each transaction. While these funds are passed on to customers, retailers may also offer bonus payments to affiliates who generate substantial sales, such as £10,000 in revenue. These bonuses, however, are not distributed to users, and are part of how 100% cashback sites maintain their profitability.

How to boost your cashback by £100s more

There are a few ways to boost your cashback:

1 – Earn in-store cashback

You can earn cashback on in-store purchases at certain retailers through platforms like Topcashback and KidStart. However, these opportunities have become more limited over time.

Topcashback

By linking your debit or credit card to your Topcashback account, you can earn in-store cashback at select retailers. While this was once a popular method, fewer offers are now available. As of October 2024, there were only nine such offers.

Interestingly, Topcashback introduced a ‘new’ in-store cashback feature last year. This worked similarly, where you linked your card using Open Banking, and it provided personalized offers based on your spending. However, this feature was discontinued on December 11, 2023. If you registered and redeemed offers by December 31, 2023, cashback payments and confirmations should still have been processed as usual.

In addition, Topcashback occasionally offers ‘Snap & Save’ promotions on in-store grocery shopping, and sometimes on petrol and diesel. These deals are specific to certain products, and to claim cashback, you must unlock the offer via the website or app, then scan the product barcode and/or upload a photo of the receipt for approval. These promotions are typically seasonal or special one-time deals, and when available to all members, they are prominently featured on the site and app. For more details, visit the Snap & Save section on Topcashback’s platform.

KidStart

KidStart, similar to Topcashback, allows you to earn cashback on in-store purchases by linking a debit or credit card to your account. Once you make an eligible purchase, you will receive an email confirmation of your cashback within a few days.

However, as of October 2024, KidStart only listed seven in-store offers, with three of them being for brands no longer offering cashback and two for brands that are no longer featured on the platform.

Quidco

Quidco used to provide in-store cashback, but it no longer does. It also had a ClickSnap feature for in-store grocery cashback, which was discontinued in December 2022.

2 – Cashback credit cards: 5% spending boost 

Cashback credit cards provide direct cash rewards every time you make a purchase. To avoid interest charges, it’s important to pay off the balance in full each month.

Cashback cards and cashback websites complement each other. When you use a cashback card for purchases, you’ll earn money back from the card, regardless of where you shop. The best cashback cards offer up to 5% back on spending during the first five months. For a comprehensive list of top rewards cards, check out our Credit Card Rewards Guide.

3 – Make free cash from cashback sites

You don’t need to purchase anything to earn money through cashback websites – simply clicking on links can earn you cash. These sites share a portion of their advertising revenue with users, and sometimes you can get paid just for helping generate traffic.

For instance, when we checked in October 2024, Topcashback offered £6 simply for registering for a free Experian account. Their “free cashback” section lists current opportunities, but be cautious, as many offers are not completely free.

Quidco features a similar page with free cashback deals, though at the time of writing, only two offers are available. The only truly free offer is £1.50 for signing up for a free Experian account.

4 – The big sites will beat the best rates

Topcashback and Quidco both offer guarantees that ensure you’ll get at least the same cashback rate as other UK cashback sites, even if you find a higher rate for the same product or service elsewhere.

Topcashback promises to beat any competitor’s rate by 1%, meaning if a competitor offers 10%, Topcashback will give you 10.1%—that’s £50.50 for a £50 offer. To take advantage of this, you must submit a claim within 14 days of the cashback tracking, and the transaction should track at no less than 1p.

Quidco guarantees a 2% increase on competing rates for basic members or those who upgraded to Premium before November 13, 2019. For newer Premium members, Quidco will pay double the difference. Claims must be submitted within 72 hours of the original purchase.

Be sure to review all terms and conditions before making a purchase and submitting your cashback claim, as additional restrictions may apply.

5 – Cashback loopholes – they pay MORE than you pay them

Some companies offer cashback rewards that exceed the actual cost of the product. For instance, cashback websites once offered as much as £25 for opening a Cahoot savings account, even though the account could be set up with just £1.

However, there are two important cautions to consider when taking advantage of such cashback deals. First, always exercise caution when applying for financial products like bank accounts, credit cards, or loans. These applications often result in a credit file search, which could potentially lower your credit score.

Second, it’s crucial to understand the specific terms of each cashback site. If a site suspects you are exploiting the system, they may ban you. This is because, if too many people engage in such behavior, the site may lose its revenue streams and the associated links could be removed.

6 – Survey sites: Make money from giving your opinion

You can easily make £100s annually without requiring any particular skills or expertise by participating in online surveys. By completing surveys, you can earn money or Amazon gift cards. Many of these surveys are short and can be done during your work breaks. For a comprehensive guide on how to get started, check out our Top 22 Online Survey Sites.