Food is one of the biggest regular bills in most UK households, and most of it goes through a handful of supermarkets such as Tesco and ASDA. The catch? Traditional cashback sites often give little or nothing on supermarket shopping, so many people assume there is no way to get money back on the weekly shop.
There is, but it works differently. This guide explains the main types of supermarket cashback apps, five worth knowing about, and how to use them without wasting time or buying things you do not need. Updated October 2026.
How supermarket cashback works
Supermarket cashback tends to come in three forms:
- Receipt-scanning offer apps (Shopmium, CheckoutSmart, GreenJinn): you pick an offer on a specific product, buy it in store, then upload your receipt to claim money back.
- Gift card cashback apps (Cheddar): you buy a supermarket gift card through the app, get cashback straight away, then spend the gift card on your shop.
- The supermarket’s own app (ASDA Rewards): you complete in-app missions and earn cash that you can spend at that store.
None of these are a way to get rich. Used sensibly, they can trim your bill on shopping you were already doing.
How to use supermarket cashback apps: step by step
- Check the offers before you shop. Make your list first, then see which items match an offer. Never build the list around the offers.
- Only claim on things you would buy anyway. A ‘free’ product you do not want is still wasted money if it ends up in the bin.
- Read the offer rules. Look at which shops, pack sizes and dates qualify, and whether you need to scan the barcode as well as the receipt.
- Keep the receipt and the packaging until you have claimed. Upload promptly because claim windows can be short.
- Cash out or spend the balance. Many apps have a minimum payout, so check the threshold and how you are paid.
The top 5 supermarket cashback apps
1. Shopmium: best for branded product offers
Shopmium gives cashback on selected branded products. You buy the item at a participating supermarket, scan the receipt (and usually the barcode) and the money is credited to your account. Offers rotate, so it suits people who are flexible on brands. Shopmium says its offers change weekly and can pay up to 100% cashback to PayPal or a bank account. Reviews list offers at Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose, and recent ones report a £10 minimum before you can withdraw, so check the app for the current rule.
2. CheckoutSmart: best for food and drink offers
CheckoutSmart works on a similar buy-and-scan basis: you buy a listed product, upload a photo of your receipt (or delivery note for online orders) and the cashback is added to your balance once the claim is approved. Reviews list Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Ocado among the main shops, and say it often has freebie offers. CheckoutSmart’s own help page says you can cash out to a bank account or PayPal once your balance reaches £5, with payments processed every other Thursday, so allow up to 14 days. Some reviews also report a 5% fee on withdrawals under £20, so it can pay to let the balance build up. Offers differ from Shopmium’s, so some shoppers check both apps before a shop.
3. GreenJinn: best for fresh and healthier products
GreenJinn is another receipt-based app. It has added supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose over time and tends to feature fresh and healthier products. Reviews list Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose among its supported shops, but we could not confirm ASDA, so ASDA shoppers may get more from Shopmium or CheckoutSmart.
4. Cheddar: best for instant cashback on the whole shop
Cheddar lets you buy gift cards for supermarkets and other retailers and credits cashback immediately. When we checked the app on 11 October 2026, it showed 3.5% at Tesco (in-store only) and 2.5% at ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and John Lewis, and M&S, but rates change and are not guaranteed. Read our full Cheddar safety review before you start, because gift cards carry risks that other apps do not. Cheddar says it is regulated by the FCA, gift card purchases are final, and you need to use the account at least once every six months to keep your cashback valid.
5. ASDA Rewards: best if you mainly shop at ASDA
ASDA Rewards is free and works through missions rather than points. Cash you earn goes into a Cashpot in the app and can be converted into vouchers for your next shop. There is no physical card and no member-only shelf pricing, so it is a bonus rather than a replacement for other savings. Check the app for current missions and expiry dates.
Quick comparison
| App | How you earn | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopmium | Buy product, scan receipt | Brand offers | Offers rotate; payout threshold |
| CheckoutSmart | Buy product, scan receipt | Food and drink offers | Claim deadlines |
| GreenJinn | Buy product, scan receipt | Fresh and healthier items | Supported shops vary |
| Cheddar | Buy gift cards | Whole-shop cashback | Gift card risks and expiry |
| ASDA Rewards | Complete missions | ASDA shoppers | ASDA only; Cashpot expiry |
What could you realistically save?
Here is an illustration, not a promise. If you find two or three suitable product offers a week worth around £1 each, that is roughly £2 to £3 a week, or about £100 to £150 over a year. Add gift card cashback at the 3.5% Cheddar showed for Tesco in store on 11 October 2026, on an £80 weekly shop (£2.80 a week, or around £145 a year), and the total can become meaningful. Many weeks you will find fewer offers, so treat these figures as the upper end.
What about Quidco and TopCashback?
Big cashback sites such as Quidco and TopCashback are great for many online purchases, but online grocery cashback is often excluded or very low. Check the retailer’s page on the site before you shop. Our ultimate guide to cashback explains how tracking works and why purchases sometimes fail to track.
Frequently asked questions
Do cashback apps work at Tesco and ASDA?
Many do, but not all of them cover every supermarket. Receipt apps list the shops each offer qualifies for, and gift card apps show which supermarket cards they sell. Always check inside the app first.
Are supermarket cashback apps free?
The apps covered here are free to download and use. You should never have to pay to join a cashback app, so be wary of any that ask for a fee.
How long does cashback take to arrive?
Receipt apps usually check your claim before crediting it, and gift card apps like Cheddar credit cashback instantly. Payout to your bank or PayPal may need a minimum balance, so check the app.
Can I claim on the same product in more than one app?
Terms differ between apps and offers, and many only allow one claim per receipt or per offer. Read the rules for each offer and never submit a duplicate claim.
Is it worth the effort?
It can be, if you already shop at these stores and spend a few minutes a week checking offers. If a claim takes longer than the money it earns, skip it.
Keep saving
Is Cheddar safe? Read the review How to stack cashback and loyalty cards Ultimate guide to cashback
Affiliate disclaimer: UK Smart Money is a free information site. Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our editorial opinions. Savings figures are illustrative, can vary and are not guaranteed. Offers, rates and terms change, so always check the retailer or app for the latest details.
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