Checkout 51 vs. Ibotta: How Do They Compare & Which is Best?

Rebate apps have many benefits – but when choosing between Checkout 51 vs. Ibotta, which reigns supreme?

Both give you the opportunity to save money – especially after you’ve left the store or used all your coupons! All it takes is snapshotting your receipt from a recent shopping trip (via the app), and watching the savings stack up.

But which has better features? Does one offer greater savings? Does Checkout 51 or Ibotta have the best couponing?

It’s time to uncover the similarities and differences between these two rebate apps, so you can determine the best platform for you! Read on to learn everything you need to know.

What are Checkout 51 and Ibotta?

Checkout 51 and Ibotta are both rebate apps. These allow you to earn additional savings on your purchases, even after you’ve returned home from the store.

As such, there’s no need to carry around coupons or maintain a strict shopping list (though it’s certainly recommended).

How Do They Work?

Rebate apps are chock-full of offers for common grocery store items. After you’ve gone shopping, simply take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the app. The receipt is proof of purchase for your items.

With that proof, the app will give you cash-back on anything that currently has an offer available. Once you reach a certain threshold of savings earned, you can cash out your savings.

Best of all, you can also use other discounts and coupons while shopping. Adding a money-back offer from a rebate app to your coupon savings is even more helpful for your budget!

Checkout 51 vs. Ibotta: What are the Similarities and Differences Between Platforms?

Now that you understand how rebate apps work let’s take a moment to compare Checkout 51 vs. Ibotta.

Each one has strengths and weaknesses. However, the best one for you will depend on your shopping habits, your couponing strategy, and your own tastes! Let’s take a look.

Similarities Between Checkout 51 and Ibotta

Set-Up

The biggest similarity between Checkout 51 vs. Ibotta is their basic function.

First, you purchase an item.
Then, you submit your receipt to the app.
Finally, you receive money back!

Accessibility

You can access these rebate apps either on a smart device or a computer. This makes it easy to track your savings threshold and browse deals from anywhere at all times.

Cash-Out Threshold

Both apps have the same threshold for cashing out. Once you reach twenty dollars worth of savings, you can enjoy receiving money back (though the methods of receiving it vary).

Renewing and Expiring Offers

Best of all, both Ibotta and Checkout 51 present new offers over time. As a result, offers do expire if you wait too long. However, it also means that it pays to check back regularly and discover new opportunities to save money!

Differences Between Checkout 51 and Ibotta

As you can see, these two apps share many similarities. However, there are also key differences that may affect your decision on which app is best!

User Interface and Layout

When testing the Checkout 51 vs. Ibotta apps, what’s the first thing you’ll notice?

The layouts. How intuitive and accessible is each app’s user interface?

Checkout 51 – This app has a very simple layout. It lists the current rebate offers by category, right on the start-up screen. You can also sort the offers by store.

Beyond that, the app lets you bookmark your favorite rebates with a star. At the bottom of the screen is a single button for uploading your receipts.

Ibotta – This layout is a bit more complicated. It involves a learning curve, but it also provides more options long-term.

There are five buttons along the bottom of the screen. These allow you to view featured offers, search for offers, upload your receipts, view the rebates you’ve looked at in the past, and view more details about your personal account. You can also sort the rebate offers by store and category, as you prefer.

Available Rebate Offers

Ibotta and Checkout 51 will each present you with different offers for different items. However, they also limit the stores you can choose from.

Ibotta – This app lists around 300 participating stores. You can shop in any of these and use Ibotta rebate deals without issue.

Checkout 51 – This app, on the other hand, has fewer limitations. You can leverage its deals for any store, so long as you purchase the specific brand or item detailed in the rebate. Occasionally, a rebate may specify that you need to buy an item in Target, Walmart, etc., but this is rare.

Pro-Tip: Always be sure to read the fine print on any offer!

Limited Deal Supply

Checkout 51 may offer (somewhat) unlimited stores, but their deals are limited. Once a certain number of people claim the offer, it will disappear from the app!

You may, however, be able to use the rebate more than once, if you’re quick.

Ibotta does not have this restriction.

Online vs. In-Store

Ibotta only accepts receipts from physical stores, while Checkout 51 allows you to earn savings from online stores as well. Just use the packing slip from the delivered product as proof of purchase.

Systems for Cashing Out

Both rebate apps allow you to cash out after reaching twenty dollars’ worth of savings. However, the method for obtaining your cash differs between apps!

When you cash out through Checkout 51, you will be paid by check. This means waiting for the check to arrive in the mail. However, that’s a good option for couponers who are used to physical banks and ATMs.

Ibotta, on the other hand, gives you the option to cash out through Venmo, PayPal, or a gift card. This is good for shoppers who are more tech-savvy or need a payout quickly.

Bonus Reward System

Checkout 51, as a platform, focuses completely on its rebate offers. On the flipside, Ibotta has multiple bonus reward systems.

Ibotta connects you and your friends to form a “team” of couponers! Different challenges appear on the app, such as using ten rebates a week and earning an extra fifteen-dollar bonus.

New challenges appear often. So, the more you use the app, the more you save. There are also referral bonuses to be earned by recommending Ibotta to your friends.

Why Sunday Coupon Inserts?

With all that said, if you can’t make up your mind, don’t worry. You can always use both! Checkout 51 and Ibotta won’t restrict you to a single platform, so you can stack up even more savings.

Why not pair that with couponing? Sunday Coupon Inserts is a coupon insert service, which sends you a money-saving collection of coupons every week. As such, you can enjoy greater money-back without the hassle of hunting down your own coupons.

By enrolling in their Weekly Subscriptions program, you will receive packets at your front door every week. Best of all, there are no cancellations or start-up fees involved.