In 2025, online shopping has become an essential part of our lives, and now, it’s possible to earn money while you shop!
Whether you’re buying clothes, gadgets, or everyday essentials, there are sites that reward you for your purchases. These platforms offer cash back, rewards points, or gift cards for making purchases through their affiliate links.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 5 sites that let you earn money shopping online this year.
1. Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
Rakuten is one of the most popular and trusted cash-back sites available. With a wide variety of stores to choose from, Rakuten offers users a percentage of their purchase amount back in cash. It’s one of the oldest and most reliable platforms for earning money while shopping.
How It Works
Simply sign up for an account on Rakuten, browse through the list of participating retailers, and shop as you normally would. Rakuten will give you a percentage of your purchase amount back. You can receive your earnings via PayPal or a check.
Pros
- Large selection of retailers: Rakuten partners with thousands of stores, from fashion to electronics.
- Easy to use: Rakuten’s website and mobile app are user-friendly and straightforward.
- Frequent bonuses: You can often earn extra cash back by using special promotional links or signing up for seasonal bonuses.
Cons
- Limited international availability: Rakuten’s cash-back offers may not be available in all countries.
- Minimum payout threshold: You need to earn at least $5 before you can withdraw your earnings.
2. Honey
Honey is a browser extension that helps you save money by automatically applying coupon codes to your online purchases. But did you know that Honey also has a rewards program called Honey Gold, where you can earn gift cards from top retailers?
How It Works
Download the Honey browser extension, and when you make a purchase at a participating retailer, Honey will automatically apply coupon codes for you and offer you Honey Gold points for your purchases. These points can be redeemed for gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and more.
Pros
- Automatic coupon application: Honey saves you time and money by automatically applying the best coupon codes to your purchases.
- Earn Honey Gold: You can accumulate points with every purchase, which can be redeemed for a wide variety of gift cards.
- No fees: There’s no cost to use Honey, and it works with a wide range of online retailers.
Cons
- Limited to certain retailers: Honey Gold can only be earned at participating stores, which may limit your options.
- Slow points accumulation: It may take time to accumulate enough Honey Gold for a meaningful gift card.
3. TopCashback
TopCashback is another popular cash-back site that offers users the ability to earn money by shopping online. With one of the highest cash-back rates in the industry, TopCashback is an excellent choice for shoppers looking to maximize their earnings.
How It Works
Sign up for TopCashback, browse through the participating retailers, and shop as usual. You’ll earn cash back on your purchase, which will be credited to your account. TopCashback offers payouts via PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards.
Pros
- High cash-back rates: TopCashback is known for offering some of the best cash-back rates in the industry.
- No membership fees: It’s free to sign up and start earning cash back.
- Variety of payment options: You can redeem your cash back through PayPal, gift cards, or direct deposit.
Cons
- Limited number of retailers: While there are many stores on the platform, TopCashback’s list isn’t as extensive as Rakuten’s.
- Delayed payments: It can take a few weeks for your cash back to appear in your account.
4. BeFrugal
BeFrugal is a cash-back site that offers some of the best deals on the internet. It partners with thousands of retailers to offer shoppers cash back on their online purchases, as well as exclusive coupons and deals.
How It Works
Sign up for BeFrugal, search for your desired store, and click through their affiliate links to make your purchase. Once you’ve completed your order, you’ll earn cash back, which can be redeemed via PayPal or as a check.
Pros
- High cash-back rates: BeFrugal offers excellent cash-back rates at a variety of retailers.
- Exclusive coupons: In addition to cash back, you’ll also get access to exclusive online coupons for even more savings.
- Multiple payout options: You can choose to receive your earnings via PayPal, check, or gift cards.
Cons
- Limited number of retailers: Some users may find that BeFrugal has fewer participating retailers compared to larger platforms like Rakuten.
- Payout threshold: You need to earn at least $25 to cash out your earnings.
5. Dosh
Dosh is a mobile app that lets you earn cash back on both online and in-store purchases. Dosh’s simple interface and fast cash-back processing make it a great choice for people who want to earn money shopping while on the go.
How It Works
After signing up and linking your credit or debit card to the Dosh app, you can start earning cash back automatically when you make purchases at participating retailers, both online and in-person. You can also earn money through online shopping by clicking through their website or app to partner stores.
Pros
- Automatic cash back: No need to manually activate cash-back offers, as Dosh will automatically apply the rebate when you make a purchase.
- Earn in-store and online: Dosh offers both online and in-store cash-back opportunities.
- Low payout threshold: You can withdraw your earnings to PayPal or your bank account once you reach just $25.
Cons
- Limited participating retailers: Dosh doesn’t have as many retailers as some other cash-back platforms.
- Slow updates: Cash-back payments may not appear instantly, taking up to a few days to process.
Tips to Maximize Earnings
- Combine Apps: Use multiple cash-back and rewards apps (e.g., Rakuten, Honey, and BeFrugal) to ensure you always get the best deal possible for your purchases.
- Watch for Promotions: Many platforms offer special promotions or bonuses during holidays or sales. Keep an eye out for extra cash-back opportunities.
- Shop Through Affiliate Links: Always shop through the cash-back site’s affiliate links to ensure you earn your cash back or rewards.
- Refer Friends: Many cash-back sites offer referral bonuses when you invite friends to join, so take advantage of these to boost your earnings.
Conclusion
Shopping online in 2025 not only makes it easier to buy what you need, but it can also earn you cash back and rewards.
Sites like Rakuten, Honey, TopCashback, BeFrugal, and Dosh make it possible to earn money while you shop, giving you the opportunity to save and make extra cash effortlessly.
By combining multiple platforms and taking advantage of promotional deals, you can maximize your savings and turn your shopping habits into a rewarding experience.
Happy shopping!