What is Shopkick
Shopkick is a rewards app that gives you “kicks” (points) for everyday shopping behaviors: walking into certain stores, scanning product barcodes, uploading receipts, and making qualified purchases online. These kicks convert into gift cards or can be redeemed via PayPal or Visa virtual rewards, depending on the option available in your region. The app integrates into your regular shopping routine, turning simple actions like visiting a store into an income opportunity.
Unlike pure survey platforms, Shopkick rewards you for real-world shopping engagement rather than just answering questions. If you enjoy discovering deals, browsing new products, or shopping in person, Shopkick offers a more interactive way to earn.
How Shopkick Works
- Download & Sign Up
Install the Shopkick app on your mobile device, create an account, and set up your profile. - Earn by Visiting Stores
Open the app and walk into participating retailers — Shopkick will register your presence and award kicks. - Scan Products
Use the app to scan specific items in-store. These are usually highlighted in the “Earn” section. - Shop & Upload Receipts
Buy qualifying items, then upload your receipt to the app to earn additional kicks. If you link eligible retailer accounts, Shopkick can earn kicks via e‑receipts automatically. - Shop Online
Make purchases by going through the Shopkick app to partner stores — kicks will be awarded after your order is verified. - Watch Videos & Offers
Occasionally, Shopkick includes video ads or offer-wall tasks that reward additional kicks. - Redeem Rewards
Use your accumulated kicks in the “Rewards” tab to claim gift cards or cash via PayPal/Visa (based on your region). If you prefer a task + survey model, check out our Rewardia Review.
Comparisons
Here’s how Shopkick competes with other SurveyBeta‑reviewed apps:
| Feature | Shopkick | Rewardia | Hintsters | SwagEarn Panel | Shopping Survey App | Data‑Tracking Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ways to Earn | Walk-ins, scans, receipts, online shopping | Surveys + offers | Reviews + tasks | Survey + tasks | Shopping + receipt + surveys | App usage / tracking |
| Cashout Options | Gift cards, PayPal / Visa reward | Cash, Gift Cards | Gift Cards | Cash, Gift Cards | Gift Cards | Gift Cards / Rewards |
| Effort | Active scanning + walking | Moderate | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low (passive) |
| Best For | People who shop in stores or online | Survey lovers | Task / review enthusiasts | Multi-earn users | Shoppers who like to take surveys | Users who don’t mind sharing data |
If you want to diversify your rewards strategy, our Top Passive Income Apps Guide gives dozens of ideas.
How Much Can You Make?
Shopkick’s earnings depend a lot on where you live, how often you go into partner stores, and how many offers/receipts you submit.
| Activity | Typical Kicks Earned | Approx. $ Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Walk‑ins | 10–40 kicks per store entry | $0.04–$0.16 per walk-in |
| Scanning Items | 50–500 kicks depending on product | $0.20–$2+ for scans |
| Uploading Receipts | 100+ kicks per qualifying receipt | $0.40+ or more depending on spends |
| Online Shopping | Varies per retailer / promotion | Depends; sometimes $0.10–several dollars per purchase |
*Estimated based on typical redemptions; actual value depends on gift card or cash option.
Power users who combine walking into stores, scanning products, and uploading receipts can push to $20–$60+ per month, depending on their shopping habits and app activity.
Sign-Up Bonus
Shopkick offers a small referral or sign-up bonus via certain partner links (varies by promotions), but it’s not consistently huge. The real benefit usually comes from using the app in your regular shopping routine rather than relying on a signup boost.
If you’re looking for a rewards app with a big first-time bonus, you might also want to explore our Swagbucks Review, where new users sometimes get large starter rewards.
Legit or Not
Overall, yes — Shopkick is a well-established rewards app used by millions. That said, there are common user complaints to consider.
What Helps Its Legitimacy:
- Real rewards for real shopping actions (scans, walk-ins, receipts)
- Multiple redemption options, including gift cards and cash
- Long operational history; well-known retail partners
- Clear earning mechanics — you know how you earn and redeem
Potential Risks or Drawbacks:
- Some users report missing “kicks” for scan or walk-in offers
- PayPal redemption requires a relatively high number of kicks, and there may be fees or transactional costs
- Submitted receipts or linked account purchases may take time to verify
- Customer support isn’t always easy to reach when problems arise
- Earnings can be slow or unpredictable unless you’re very active in stores
Many users treat Shopkick as a bonus-earning app, not a primary side hustle. For users who enjoy writing reviews and want to earn that way, take a look at our Hintsters Review.
Overall Rating
Ease of Use: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Earning Potential: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Payment Reliability: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Survey Quality: ★★★⯨☆ (3.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★★ (3.8/5)
Shopkick stands out with unique ways to earn rewards without spending money. It’s perfect for shoppers who want to turn their daily errands into a steady stream of gift cards — but the lack of a cash option may be a downside for some.
What We Like
- Multiple ways to earn: walking in, scanning, receipts, online shopping
- Flexible redemption: gift cards or PayPal / virtual cash
- Encourages in-store discovery and interaction
- Can be fun, like a rewards “gamification” of real shopping
- Good companion app to other survey or cashback platforms
What Could Be Better
- Walk-in rewards are relatively modest unless stores are frequently visited
- Receipt uploads or eReceipt linking can be buggy or delayed
- PayPal redemption has a higher cost and minimum than some users like
- Tracking and verifying offers can be inconsistent
- Not all regions or stores support every way of earning kicks
Final Verdict
Shopkick is a solid rewards app for users who enjoy shopping, discovering new products, or spending time in retail stores. It’s not a “get-rich” app, but it turns your normal shopping behavior into a consistent way to earn value.
If you’re routinely shopping or going into physical stores, Shopkick is worth adding to your rewards stack. Use it together with a survey app or cashback site to cover both your in-store and digital earning opportunities.
FAQs
How many ways can I earn kicks?
You can walk into stores, scan products, upload receipts, shop online, and sometimes watch short videos.
Which stores work with Shopkick?
Many major retailers participate, but availability varies — check the “Earn” tab in-app for current partners.
Do I have to scan items I buy?
Not necessarily, but scanning earns you extra kicks beyond just walking or purchasing.
How do I redeem my kicks?
Go to the “Rewards” section in the app to choose gift cards or cash (if available).
Is there a minimum for PayPal cash‑out?
Yes. Shopkick requires a relatively high kick balance to cash out via PayPal, and there may be a small transaction cost.
Do uploaded receipts always earn kicks?
Only receipts that meet Shopkick’s qualifying criteria (which may depend on items or store) will earn kicks.
Can I link my credit/debit card?
In many regions, yes — linking certain retailer cards can let you earn kicks through e‑receipts automatically.
Do my kicks expire?
They may if your account remains inactive for a long time, so check Shopkick’s terms in-app.
Is Shopkick safe?
Yes. It’s a widely-used app, and it doesn’t require invasive data beyond your shopping and location interactions.
Will Shopkick replace my side‑income apps?
Probably not entirely. It’s better used as a supplementary reward stream, especially if you already shop in-store or online frequently.
Recommended Next Steps
- Download the Shopkick app and create your account.
- Enable location access so you can earn walk-in kicks.
- Browse the “Earn” tab and note which products are eligible for scan rewards.
- Upload your shopping receipts to maximize rewards.
- If available, link your retailer cards for automatic e‑receipt crediting.
- Monitor the “Rewards” section and cash out when you hit a threshold.
- Combine Shopkick with a survey or cashback app to boost your overall earnings.
User Reviews
It’s disappointing when featured items aren’t on the shelves, and even more frustrating that you don’t get another chance to earn from them the next day. I’d rate it higher if those issues were improved.
This is great. I love this program
So far this is working well for me. nice easy set up.
I really enjoy using Shopkick when I visit stores—it makes shopping more fun. The rewards are great too! My only issue is that some items listed in the app aren’t always available in-store. Still, I really like Shopkick overall.
I love this app! It’s enjoyable to browse through various stores and collect points just by scanning products. You can also rack up points by watching videos. Once you’ve earned enough, redeeming for gift cards is quick and easy—they show up in the app fast. This is hands down my favorite app, and I definitely recommend it.