Fetch and Ibotta are two of the best shopping apps to use for grocery purchases, but is one better than the other?
Fetch is easier to use than Ibotta and takes less time. However, Ibotta offers a more generous welcome bonus, a better selection of offers and flexible redemption options.
These are both free, legitimate shopping apps that reward users when they buy featured items and upload their retail receipts.
I’ve used both Ibotta and Fetch Rewards extensively over the years:
- I signed up for Ibotta in May 2014 and have earned nearly $4,000 in cash back rewards.
- I signed up Fetch in January 2018 and have earned more than $1,000 in gift cards.
Is Fetch Better Than Ibotta?
If you want to lower your out-of-pocket grocery costs, I recommend that you use both Fetch and Ibotta. But if you had to choose just one, Ibotta is the best pick.
This article will compare Fetch vs. Ibotta to help you make every dollar count. Let’s get started!
1. Ease of Use
Fetch is not only easier to use than Ibotta, it’s the simplest grocery rebate app available right now.
To earn points with Fetch, you just upload your receipt from any store. There are no offers to unlock or barcodes to scan. It takes 10 seconds to scan a receipt.
But here’s why I really like Fetch: When you launch the app, the most valuable Special Offers (mostly groceries) are front and center on the Discover tab. You don’t have to click around to find the best deals.
Ibotta’s app experience is very different because it require more clicks and takes a lot more time.
When searching for grocery offers with Ibotta, you have to select a store before seeing a list of deals. Then, you must manually unlock the offers and view an ad or video in some cases.
From my experience, this prep work is similar to clipping coupons and takes about five to 10 minutes.
After you’re finished buying groceries, you’ll upload your receipt to Ibotta. This can become time-consuming if you’re prompted to scan a barcode from any of your qualifying items.
The time difference is significant: 10 seconds with Fetch compared to 10 minutes with Ibotta.
2. Earnings Potential
Ibotta requires a greater time commitment than Fetch, but your rewards can add up much faster with Ibotta.
Fetch has increased its number of Special Offers lately, but I’ve found that Ibotta still has more offers available at my nearest grocery store.
The value of each offer varies, but the availability of offers sets Ibotta apart. There’s just a lot more to choose from.
I signed up for Ibotta back in May of 2014. The app has grown over the years, but I’ve consistently been able to earn $250 to $500 a year by uploading my grocery receipts.
In addition to rewards for grocery purchases, Ibotta’s app features cash back offers for online shopping. It also has a separate browser extension for online deals.
The online shopping feature is similar to two other apps I’ve used: Rakuten and TopCashback.
Both Fetch and Ibotta typically offer welcome bonuses. These offers can change frequently, but Ibotta’s bonus is historically much better.
Here’s how to get started:
Ibotta
- Download the Ibotta app
- Enter referral code MICHAELSAVES
- Redeem an offer
Fetch
- Download the Fetch app
- Enter referral code MICHAEL
- Scan a receipt
3. Redemption Options
Ibotta has more redemption options than Fetch. With Ibotta, you can choose to have cash sent to your bank or PayPal account when you reach the $20 minimum.
In addition, you can select from dozens of digital gift cards. Many of them have the same $20 minimum.
Fetch offers only digital gift cards, not cash back. The minimum redemption amount is 3,000 points, which is typically a $3 value.
There are few gift card options available for 3,000 points. Better choices are available at 10,000 points or more.
From my experience using the Ibotta and Fetch apps, rewards are delivered promptly. When withdrawing, additional verification is required to keep your account secure.
Pros and Cons Summary
| Fetch | Ibotta |
| Pros: Easy to navigate and scan receipts Minimal time commitment Low minimum redemption amount Many gift cards available | Pros: High earnings potential Lots of offers to choose from Cash back and gift card redemption options Generous welcome bonus |
| Cons: Fewer offers to choose from Lower sign-up bonus No cash back redemption option | Cons: Ads or videos to unlock offers Must scan barcodes for some items High minimum redemption amount |
Fetch and Ibotta are the only two apps I use to earn rewards for grocery purchases.
If you put in the time to unlock offers and scan barcodes with Ibotta, why not take the extra 10 seconds per shopping trip to upload your receipt to Fetch as well?
You can use both apps for the same grocery receipt. It’s a smart way to stack your savings.
Whenever I’ve added a third grocery rebate app to the mix (like Checkout 51), it’s become too much work. My advice is to stick with Ibotta and Fetch — the combo really works!
To maximize my shopping app earnings, I pay with these rewards credit cards and earn additional cash back.
Do you have to take a photo of the whole receipt, or do you just need the bar code?
The whole receipt!