With numerous cashback apps dominating the web along with their unique features, it's hard to decide which is the best app out there that technically gives you free money.

Dosh, an app that gives you cashback when you make purchases at participating outlets with your credit card, is just one of them.

It guarantees money back up to 10% every time you make a purchase. Now, apps like these are an excellent way to earn extra money because you're getting cash back without even realizing it. Also, it doesn’t hurt to get some money back whenever you shop.

Read our Dosh review below to find out more.

What is the Dosh App?

Basically, Dosh offers automatic cashback when you use your linked credit cards to shop online or in brick and mortar stores.

The excellent catch is that there’s no need for coupons, no scanning of receipts, no promotional or discount codes, and, most of all, no clicking on a particular button.

Just shop the way you usually would and get cashback.

Dosh has an impressive list of participating merchants too. It works with retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and other places you use your credit cards. Some of them are:

How to get started with Dosh?

Just simply download the app, then it will ask for your phone number for verification, name, and email address. It will also ask you to link your credit card.

After that, Dosh will list all participating stores’ cashback rates and also indicate possible cashback maximums. You have to check this one out as retailers’ cashback rates change from time to time.

Once you’re done setting up your account, start shopping at participating merchants using your linked credit cards, and points will be added to your virtual “Dosh Wallet” right away. Hence, their set and forget it approach.

You can cash out via direct deposit or PayPal once your balance reaches a minimum of $25.

How does Dosh work?

For starters, it works by examining your credit card purchases and rewarding you when you buy from any of its retail partners. Reportedly, there’s a 60-90 day waiting period to credit your account. Note that it also works with debit cards, but you have to choose the “credit” option when checking out..

Review of Dosh's Core Features

How to make money with Dosh?

There are several ways you can earn money through the Dosh app:

1. To begin with, you can earn $5 by simply linking your card, so adding additional cards can further make you more cash.

2. Automatic Online Cashback – When you shop at Dosh’s participating online retailers, a cashback amount is automatically deposited to your Dosh wallet within the app.

3. In-store cashback – Use your linked cards at a participating local store and also get cashback on those purchases

4. Hotel and Travel cashback – Get up to 40% cashback when you book a hotel through the Dosh app. With over 600,000 hotel partners, this is a pretty good deal. Keep in mind that booking a hotel through Dosh cannot be altered and is non-refundable. If you want flexibility in your travel booking, reschedule, or cancel a booking, you may use other apps.

5. Refer a friend and business – there’s a $5 referral bonus every time somebody uses your link to sign up, link their cards, and make purchases through Dosh.

Sometimes, during peak promotional period, this referral bonus may go up to $8, $10, or even $15. On the other hand, if you refer Dosh to small businesses, you will earn 20% of business Dosh fees for two years. Isn’t that great? 

Alternatives to Dosh

Dosh has a lot of competition in the cashback world. See how it's different from others.

PROS and CONS

Dosh is a promising app. However, there are few things to consider before deciding whether Dosh is the right app for you.

PROS

• The easiest way to earn cashback – “set and literally forget it”
• Flexible rewards
• Free of charge to use

CONS

• Only available in the U.S
• No extra income opportunity, unlike others that allows you to watch videos or play games to earn more bucks.
• Not all cards are accepted e.g., Prepaid cards and Discover cards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Dosh safe to use?

Generally, it uses a 2-factor and even a multi-factor authentication login to ensure safe usage. It also uses a 256-bit encryption level, the same level used by banks to keep the data secure.

Dosh even claims that it doesn’t sell your personal data and all credit card info. Dosh’s captured data is tokenized, not stored in their own database or server, and vaulted using Braintree, a division of PayPal – one of the most trusted payment platforms.

So, it’s highly unlikely for your data to be compromised. Dosh is a safe and legit app.

How does Dosh pay you?

You can cash-out once you meet the minimum threshold of $25 and choose to be paid via PayPal, direct bank deposit, or donate to a charity. Usually, you will get your money with 3-5 business days, depending on your bank.

How does Dosh make money?

Dosh gets paid by their partnered merchants, where they encourage shoppers to spend money. When you shop at a retail partner’s store, Dosh earns a cut of that sale and splits the commission they make with you.

Who is Dosh best for?

Based on our review, Dosh is best for bargain shoppers who frequently shopping online and is regularly using their credit cards to make payments. You can also maximize using Dosh when you’re someone who lives in an area with lots of Dosh's participating listed retailers.

Is Dosh really worth it?

Yes it is. It’s a fun way to earn cashback rewards on top of what you already get from your credit card rewards, and it’s free! It’s really worth trying out.

How is Dosh's Customer Service?

You can only reach them through email if you have any concerns. Unfortunately, there’s no phone support. They are making a lot of improvements on their app and website to better serve their users.

Final thoughts

Dosh, like many other cashback apps, requires you to spend money to earn and eventually save money.

Although you may be a little bit uneasy about sharing your banking details with an app, there is a good workaround for that. First off, you can link only the card you use for most of your purchases since all that Dosh does is analyze your purchasing transactions.

Again, it will not make you rich nor replace your full-time job. However, cashback and money-saving apps are an easy way to earn a little extra cash for your everyday purchases and add to your rainy-day stash.

Have you ever used Dosh? If so, what do you think of it? Feel free to leave a comment below, and if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.