Getting paid to shop might have sounded like a dream before, but now it’s real and easier than ever. Whether you enjoy the hustle of a busy store or prefer shopping from your couch, you can turn this task into money. This article lists 30 legit ways to get paid to shop, along with tips to help you get started.
1. Instacart
Ever zip through grocery aisles faster than most people can make a list? Instacart puts your speed and precision to work. As a shopper, your job is to pick and deliver groceries for others. Last summer, I tested the waters and managed $15 to $20 an hour once I got the hang of it. You need to be at least 18 and have a car. Just apply on their site, and you could be shopping for pay in a few days. Pro tip: Always double-check expiration dates. A sour gallon of milk kills tips.
2. Shipt
Shipt works a lot like Instacart but puts a bigger emphasis on personal touches. You shop groceries for busy families, sometimes making connections that last. They claim you can earn up to $22 per hour. Shipt requires you to have a car (model year 1997 or newer), a driver’s license, and enough muscle to lift 40-pound loads. Flexibility is the big draw—work on your own terms, no alarms needed.
3. Walmart Personal Shopper
Walmart’s personal shoppers fill online grocery orders and enjoy the thrill of finding that perfect deal in the clearance section. Walmart offers thorough training and competitive pay, though they don’t post exact wages. You get employee discounts—a nice perk if you already shop there. Check your local Walmart’s career page for openings. Perfect banana picking skills are a plus here.
4. Amazon Personal Shopper
Amazon Prime Now hires shoppers to pick and pack orders in lightning-fast timeframes. These part-time gigs pay between $15 and $17.25 per hour and are located in select cities. No interviews or resumes needed, just apply and attend a hiring event. Flexible shifts (morning, night, weekends) let you fit shopping around your life.
5. Care.com
Care.com isn’t just for babysitters. You can also sign up as a personal shopper to serve busy professionals or elderly clients. Tasks range from buying groceries to picking up dry cleaning. Set your own rates and pick your clients. Profiles with strong shopping experience stand out here. Many earn an average of $12.36 per hour, but rates are higher in some cities and for specialty shopping.
6. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit connects you with people who need shopping done, plus a ton of other odd jobs. You control your schedule and rates. The process is easy—pass a background check, set up your profile, and start browsing gigs. Average pay is $35 per hour for Taskers, so if you want to shop and get paid well for your time, this is a top choice.
7. Secret Shopper
If you love going undercover, mystery shopping through Secret Shopper could be the gig for you. Assignments send you to stores or restaurants where you buy items or meals and report on your experience. You’re often reimbursed for the purchase, plus earn $12 to $25 per assignment. One key thing—never pay to sign up for mystery shopping. Legitimate options don’t charge fees.
8. Pinnacle
Pinnacle offers a wide mix of mystery shopping experiences, from fancy dining to car test drives. Assignments pay $4 to $75 depending on complexity. They require timely, detailed reports (within 12 hours), so it’s great for detailed, reliable shoppers. Quick reporting gets you more opportunities.
9. IntelliShop
IntelliShop provides shops for everything from retail stores to restaurants. Reliable, deadline-driven shoppers thrive here, as reports must be submitted within 12 hours of the due date. Pay is not publicly listed but is competitive. Your performance determines how often you get chosen for top jobs.
10. DollarSprout Rewards
DollarSprout Rewards is a browser extension that finds you cash back deals at over 15,000 online stores. Install it on Chrome or Safari, shop as usual, and let the app alert you to offers. Rewards are paid in cash through PayPal monthly with a $5 minimum payout. No points to keep track of—just simple cash back.
11. Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is like having a personal deal hunter. You don’t have to be a Capital One customer to use it. The extension finds and applies coupon codes automatically and compares prices. Some users report earning up to 15% cash back from over 30,000 stores. It also sends price drop alerts, so you always know when a deal hits.
12. Shopkick
Shopkick turns shopping into a scavenger hunt. Earn “kicks” for walking into stores, scanning barcodes, and making purchases. You can cash out for gift cards. Combining Shopkick with other cash back apps maximizes earnings—a personal favorite combo is Shopkick plus Ibotta.
13. Rakuten
Rakuten makes online shopping more rewarding. Just access your favorite stores through their site or browser extension. You can get up to 40% cash back during special promotions. Real cash payments are sent out quarterly via PayPal or check. The extension notifies you when cash back is available, so you never miss rewards.
14. Ibotta
Ibotta is a favorite for getting cash back on groceries and everyday buys. Check the app for offers, upload your receipts, and get your money. The referral program offers $5 per friend who signs up and makes a qualifying purchase. This app pays in real cash, not points.
15. Dosh
Dosh pays you back for shopping, dining, or booking hotels with a linked card—no receipt scans needed. Once your wallet balance hits $25, you can cash out or donate. Hotel bookings often carry the highest rewards, up to 40% back in some cases.
16. Checkout 51
Checkout 51 focuses on groceries and household essentials. Every Thursday, new deals drop in the app. Select deals before you shop, then snap a photo of your receipt. You can redeem offers from any store as long as the product matches.
17. Drop
Drop links to your debit or credit cards and tracks purchases at your favorite brands. You rack up points automatically and can exchange them for gift cards (Amazon, Starbucks, Netflix, and more). Extra points are available through games and surveys within the app.
18. Swagbucks
Swagbucks pays you for shopping online, but also gives points (SB) for watching videos, playing games, taking surveys, and searching the web. I once got 10% cash back on a big electronics purchase. There are often discounted gift card deals, stretching your points further.
19. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog turns any paper receipt into coins, which you redeem for PayPal cash or Amazon gift cards. All receipts count, no matter what or where you buy. Frequent users level up, earning more coins per receipt.
20. Receipt Pal
Receipt Pal rewards you for uploading photos of your receipts, regardless of the store or purchase. Every four receipts earn 100 points toward gift cards or sweepstakes entries. You can also connect your email for a 300-point bonus and automatic e-receipt scanning.
21. FetchRewards
Scan grocery receipts and rack up points quickly with FetchRewards. Points redeem for gift cards. Boost your earnings by targeting special brand offers and linking your email or Amazon account for e-receipt scanning, so nothing falls through the cracks.
22. thredUP
thredUP lets you send in gently used clothes in a prepaid bag. Their team reviews, photographs, and sells what they accept. You get paid without lifting a finger. Use earnings on the platform or cash out. Referral bonuses add another layer of earning potential.
23. Uber Eats
Uber Eats pays you to deliver food from local restaurants. Income averages between $8 and $12 an hour after expenses, plus you keep 100% of your tips. Set your own schedule and explore your city while you deliver.
24. DoorDash
DoorDash is a top food delivery side gig. Sign up as a Dasher and drive when you want. Most report $15 to $25 per hour during peak times, plus minimum guaranteed earnings in some cities. You’ll need a valid license and insurance.
25. Pogo
Pogo is all about passive income. Link your cards or bank accounts, and Pogo tracks your purchases automatically, granting cash back without any work. Occasional in-app surveys boost your balance. This is as close as it gets to earning money for nothing.
26. Field Agent
Field Agent assigns mystery shops and quick retail audits, from checking shelf stock to reviewing app experiences. You get paid per task, usually $3 to $12. Most tasks are quick and can be finished while running errands.
27. Walmart Spark
Walmart Spark drivers deliver orders from Walmart to customers. The app is simple to use and very flexible. Typical pay runs $15 to $20 per hour. Tips add up, and you’re free to work when you choose.
28. Upside
Upside turns high gas prices into savings with instant cash back at the pump—sometimes up to 25 cents per gallon. They also now offer rewards on restaurants and groceries, giving you incentives to use the app for all your errands. Offers are easy to claim in-app.
29. Amazon Shopper Panel
The Amazon Shopper Panel is currently invite-only, but worth the wait. Each month you can earn $10 by uploading 10 receipts from non-Amazon purchases. Short surveys add to your balance. All those paper receipts finally add up to something.
30. P&G Good Everyday Rewards
P&G Good Everyday Rewards pays you for buying household staples (like Tide, Pampers, Gillette). After making a purchase, scan your receipt for points. Activate special offers before shopping to boost your reward rate. Besides personal rewards, your activity helps trigger charitable donations from P&G.
