Have you found yourself drowning in a sea of crumpled receipts?
You’re not alone! I found 10 writing this post (joking obviously!)
It seems that the average person wastes over 12 hours per year manually organizing receipts.. That’s a bit!
Receipt scanning apps are a great way to save us from this paper nightmare and also a great way to earn some freaking cash back!
Below are my recommendations on the 10 best receipt scanning apps. Get ready to say goodbye to skinny jeans filling up with paper and hello to effortless expense tracking!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means I do receive compensation if you purchase or register through them. This is an article for your entertainment and knowledge.
What Are Receipt Scanning Apps and How Do They Work?
I know.. “scanning receipts? Sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry.
Trust me though, once you get into it, these apps can save you time and money. They’ve certainly revolutionized my financial life… well, as much as anything related to receipts can be revolutionary.
What is a receipt-scanning app?
In the simplest terms, receipt scanning apps are digital tools that let you capture, store, and organize your receipts using your smartphone. It’s like having a super-organized filing cabinet right in your pocket.
Basic functionality and features
But how do these bad boys actually work? It’s pretty simple. You take a picture of your receipt using your phone’s camera, and the app does the rest. Basically magic!
How good could these apps be at reading my chicken scratch handwriting on a crumpled McDonald’s receipt? Acutally pretty damn good! These apps use tech called Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to read and extract all the important info from your receipt.
Most of these apps will pull out the date, vendor name, individual items, and total amount automatically. Some of the fancier ones can even categorize your expenses for you.
Many of these apps let you tag receipts, add notes, or even attach them to specific projects or clients in business. As someone who does a lot of freelance work, this feature has been a lifesaver.
Benefits of using receipt scanning apps
Why should you care about these apps?
First off, organization.
No more sifting through a ton of receipts, trying to find that one purchase from six months ago. Everything’s right there in the app, searchable and neatly categorized.
I love the time-saving aspect. I used to spend hours sorting through receipts at the end of each month. Now? It takes me maybe 15 minutes to review everything. That’s time I can spend doing literally anything else.. like binge-watching South Park or, you know, actually making money instead of just tracking it.
Perhaps the biggest benefit, at least for me, has been the cashback aspect. I never felt guilty about all the paper receipts until I realized how much I was accumulating and how much I could save. Now, I can often opt for digital receipts, knowing I have a reliable way to keep track of them and earn some money on the side!
I even wrote a review on the best cashback apps, so you don’t have to scan the entire internet!
Next time you find yourself drowning in a sea of paper receipts, remember: there’s an app for that. And trust me, your future self (and your accountant) will thank you.
Top 10 Receipt Scanning Apps for 2024
Below are my top 10 recommendations you need to try!
1. Fetch
This app has become my bestie in the world of savings! Just last week, I was cleaning out my car and found a crumpled receipt from a Cosco. Instead of tossing it, I whipped out my phone, snapped a pic, and boom – points in my pocket! It’s so user-friendly, that my mom even got the hang of it. Here are some savings we recently racked up:
You can download Fetch here.
2. Pogo
I’m terrible at remembering to scan receipts. That’s why Pogo has been there for me when I most needed it. I linked my cards, and now it’s working behind the scenes, catching rewards I would’ve otherwise missed.
You can can get Pogo here.
3. Checkout 51
You know that feeling when you find a $20 bill in your jeans? That’s how Checkout 51 will make you feel every week! The offers don’t always cover all the brands I buy, but when they do, the savings stack up beautifully.
Especially when I combine them with my store loyalty card. My friends call me the “Coupon Queen,” but little do they know, it’s all thanks to this app keeping things fresh with weekly updates!
Get their app here!
4. ReceiptHog
ReceiptHog is my little piggy bank that never seems to fill up – in a good way!
I’m constantly cashing out for Amazon gift cards. It’s such a fun way to turn mundane errands into something exciting, though I’ll admit, it can take a while to rack up enough coins to cash out. Still, it’s worth it when you finally do, and my wallet is definitely not complaining!
Get ReceiptHog here!
5. CoinOut Receipts
This app is like scratching a lottery ticket every time you scan a receipt! You never know how much you will get, which keeps things exciting. Within their app might not always be a big payout, but the randomness of it makes every scan feel like a little win. These small surprises add up over time, making shopping just a bit more fun.
Get the well-rated app here!
6. ShopKick
ShopKick has turned me into a real-life Mario, collecting ‘kicks’ instead of coins lol.
Last weekend, I walked into Target for one thing (yeah, right) and remembered to open the app. Just for walking in, I earned kicks!
It’s a perfect fit for window shoppers like me, though the downside is that it can take a while to redeem enough kicks for a reward.
You can start collecting kicks here!
7. Frisbee
Frisbee and I have a little game going..I toss it receipts, and it tosses back savings! It’s a bit wierd, I’ll admit.
I was in line at the grocery store once, and the person in front of me was about to throw away their receipt. I nearly dove across the conveyor belt to rescue it! The only tricky part is that some stores don’t always have compatible receipts, but when they do, the rewards come fast.
I’ve got a group of friends hooked on it, and we’re all competing to see who can earn more. Saving money has turned into a social event. You can join in on the fun here!
8. iBotta
iBotta is like the Swiss Army knife of cash back apps..it does it all (I did quite a big review for them)!
While the app does require some planning to match deals with your purchases, it’s well worth the effort. Last month, one of my friends hit a team goal and got a huge bonus. He felt like winning a group project, but instead of a grade, he got cold, hard cash!
You can check out iBotta here.
9. Receipt Pal
Receipt Pal turns collecting receipts into a simple way to earn rewards. Users can submit receipts from virtually any purchase to accumulate points, which can later be redeemed for gift cards and other prizes.
It’s a straightforward way to earn rewards without needing to track specific offers. While it can take a bit of time to accumulate enough points for a meaningful reward, it’s a convenient solution for anyone looking to make the most out of their everyday purchases.
You can check them out here!
10. Dosh
Dosh provides automatic cash back without the need to scan receipts or manually select offers.
Users simply link their credit or debit card, and eligible purchases at partnered retailers trigger cash back rewards directly into their Dosh account. Although the selection of participating stores and services can be somewhat limited, when available, the cash back is applied effortlessly, making it a hassle-free option for earning rewards on everyday transactions.
Check them out here 🙂
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Receipt Scanning App
I outlined some best ways to use cashback apps, in case you had no clue.
Best practices for scanning receipts
Let’s talk about making those scans crystal clear:
- Lighting is key: Natural light is your bestie here. If you’re indoors, try to snap near a window.
- Flatten it out: I know, some receipts look like they’ve been through a war. Take a sec to smooth ’em out before scanning.
- Full frame: Make sure the whole receipt is in view. Chop off the edges, and you might miss important info.
- Act fast: Try to scan receipts ASAP after purchase. It’s way easier than dealing with a pile of mystery papers later.
- Double-check: Give that scan a quick once-over before you hit save. It’ll save you headaches down the road.
Organizing and categorizing expenses effectively
Now, let’s get your digital receipts all neat and tidy:
- Use those categories: Your app probably has preset categories. Use them! It makes tracking expenses a breeze.
- Get creative: Need a “Dog Toy Splurges” category? Make it! The more specific, the better you can track your spending habits.
- Be consistent: Decide on your category system and stick to it. Future you will be so grateful when it’s time to review expenses.
- Tag team: Many apps let you add tags. Use these for even more detailed tracking. Like #BusinessLunch or #GiftForMom.
- Notes are your friend: Jot down quick notes if needed. “Team dinner with new client” is way more helpful than just “Restaurant” when you’re reviewing later.
- Regular check-ins: Set a weekly date with your app. Reviewing regularly helps catch any mis-categorized items and keeps you on top of your spending.
The goal here is to make your life easier, not to stress you out. Play around with the app, find a system that works for you, and soon you’ll be a receipt-scanning expert!
Conclusion:
There you have it! Your ticket to a clutter-free, paper-cut-free financial life!
Receipt scanning apps are an amazing way we handle expenses, making it easier than ever to keep track of our spending and streamline our finances. Whether you’re a busy entrepreneur, a diligent accountant, or just someone who hates dealing with paper receipts (who doesn’t?), there’s an app out there that’s perfect for you.
So why wait? Pick one of these fantastic apps and start scanning!
