Grocery prices have gone through the roof lately. If you’re anything like me, you’re looking for any way to reduce your weekly shop without compromising on what you buy. That’s where CheckoutSmart comes in.

CheckoutSmart is a cashback app that pays you money back on everyday grocery items – and yes, some products are completely free after cashback. I’ve been using it for a while now, and whilst it won’t make you rich, it does genuinely reduce your food bill.

In this CheckoutSmart review, I’ll walk you through exactly how it works, which supermarkets accept it, how much you can realistically save, and whether it’s worth the extra effort of scanning receipts. Spoiler: for most people, it is.

What is CheckoutSmart?

CheckoutSmart is a free mobile app that gives you cashback on everyday grocery items. Available on both Android and iOS, the app partners with major brands to offer discounts on products you’re probably buying anyway.

Here’s the basic concept: brands want you to try their products, so they offer cashback through the app. You buy the product from any participating supermarket, scan your receipt using the CheckoutSmart app, and get money back. Simple.

What makes CheckoutSmart different from other cashback apps is its flexibility – you can shop at almost any supermarket, from big chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s to local corner shops. You’re not locked into one retailer, which is brilliant for getting the best overall prices.

Creating an Account with CheckoutSmart

Creating an account with CheckoutSmart is simple. After installing the app on your device, you can register using your email address or Facebook login details. Once your account is set up, you can start browsing the available CheckoutSmart offers and saving money right away.

The whole setup process takes about 2-3 minutes. No lengthy verification, no waiting for approval – just download, sign up, and start shopping.

How Does CheckoutSmart Work?

Using CheckoutSmart is straightforward once you understand the process:

1. Browse offers – Open the app and look through available cashback deals before you shop
2. Add to basket – Tap offers you want to claim. This saves them to your account
3. Shop normally – Buy the products from any participating supermarket
4. Keep your receipt – This is crucial – no receipt means no cashback
5. Scan your receipt – Take a clear photo of your receipt in the app
6. Get cashback – CheckoutSmart verifies your purchase and credits your account

Yes, there’s a bit of extra effort compared to just shopping normally – you need to check the app beforehand and remember to scan your receipt. But for saving £5-£20 per month on things you’re buying anyway, most people find it worthwhile.

Top tip: Check CheckoutSmart before making your shopping list. You might find cashback on items you were planning to buy anyway, which means free money for zero extra effort.

Earning Cashback with CheckoutSmart

CheckoutSmart features cashback offers from well-known brands across various categories. From food and drink to household goods, cleaning products to snacks, you’ll find deals on everyday items you’re probably already buying.

The cashback amounts vary quite a bit:

• Free items – Some products offer 100% cashback, making them completely free
• Half price – Common deals offer 50% back on the purchase price
• Money off – Many offers give you 20p-£1 off specific products
• Try new products – Brands often use CheckoutSmart to launch new items with generous cashback

New CheckoutSmart deals appear regularly – sometimes daily – so it’s worth checking the app before each shopping trip. The best offers tend to get claimed quickly, especially the free products, so being an early bird helps.

What I like is the variety. One week you might find cashback on yoghurt, the next on laundry detergent. It keeps things interesting and helps you discover products you might not have tried otherwise.

Cashing Out Your Earnings

CheckoutSmart offers two cashout options:

• Bank transfer – Direct BACS payment to your bank account
• PayPal – Instant transfer to your PayPal account

Important: There’s a 5% processing fee if you cash out less than £20. For example, if you withdraw £10, you’ll pay 50p in fees and receive £9.50. However, if you wait until you’ve accumulated £20 or more, you can withdraw for free.

My recommendation? Be patient and wait for the £20 threshold. That 5% fee might not sound like much, but it adds up – especially when the whole point is to save money.

Payment processing typically takes 5-10 working days for bank transfers, though PayPal payments can be faster. Plan ahead if you’re saving for something specific.

Participating Stores

One of CheckoutSmart’s best features is its wide acceptance. You can use it at virtually any UK supermarket or shop that sells groceries, including:

• Tesco
• Sainsbury’s
• Asda
• Morrisons
• Waitrose
• Aldi
• Lidl
• Co-op
• Iceland
• Spar
• One Stop
• Local convenience stores
• Independent retailers

Certain CheckoutSmart offers can also be claimed when shopping online for groceries. This is particularly handy if you do click-and-collect or home delivery – just make sure you save your digital receipt.

The flexibility to shop anywhere is a massive advantage. You can hunt for the best base prices at discount supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl, then claim CheckoutSmart cashback on top. That’s proper savvy shopping.

CheckoutSmart’s Customer Service

CheckoutSmart’s customer service is responsive and helpful. The team is available via the in-app chat feature or email if you encounter issues with:

• Receipt verification problems
• Missing cashback
• Offers not working
• Account queries

In my experience, they usually respond within 24-48 hours. I once had an issue where my receipt didn’t scan properly, and they sorted it out within a day after I sent a clearer photo.

Comparing CheckoutSmart to Similar Apps

CheckoutSmart is excellent, but it’s not the only cashback app worth using. I recommend running multiple apps simultaneously to maximise your savings – different apps often have different offers, so you can stack your cashback.

Other supermarket cashback apps to consider:

• Shopmium – Great for free products, £15 minimum cashout
• Quidco ClickSnap – Part of the larger Quidco cashback platform
• Green Jinn – Eco-friendly focus with similar receipt-scanning
• TopCashback Snap & Save – From the established TopCashback brand
• Checkoutsmart – Offers overlap but sometimes have exclusives

Each app has different offers and minimum cashout thresholds, so using several gives you more opportunities to save. Check out my full guide to the best cashback apps in the UK for detailed comparisons.

Pro Tip: Using CheckoutSmart Effectively

Here’s how to maximise your CheckoutSmart earnings:

Try new products – The best cashback is often on new product launches. It’s a cheap way to discover things you might love.

Check before every shop – New offers appear daily. Make it a habit to browse CheckoutSmart whilst making your shopping list.

Enable notifications – The app will alert you to new high-value offers and time-limited deals.

Read offer details carefully – Some offers specify particular pack sizes, flavours, or variants. Buying the wrong one means no cashback.

Keep receipts safe – Don’t bin your receipt until the cashback is confirmed in your account (usually 24-48 hours).

Use self-checkout wisely – Always opt to print your receipt. Digital-only receipts can be harder to claim.

Stack with other discounts – Use CheckoutSmart on products that are already on sale or promotion. You can combine supermarket discounts with cashback.

Wait for £20 – Avoid that 5% fee by being patient and accumulating £20 before cashing out.

​Get CashBack On Your Grocery Shopping Today

CheckoutSmart is a solid cashback app that can genuinely reduce your grocery bills if you’re willing to put in a small amount of effort. Yes, you need to check the app before shopping and remember to scan your receipts, but for £5-£20 per month in savings, most people find it worthwhile.

CheckoutSmart is worth using if:

• You shop at UK supermarkets regularly
• You’re happy to spend 2-3 minutes scanning receipts after each shop
• You want flexibility to shop at any retailer (not locked to one supermarket)
• You’re patient enough to wait for £20 before cashing out

Skip CheckoutSmart if:

• You rarely buy branded products (most offers are on brands, not own-label)
• You find receipt-scanning too much faff
• You need instant cashout options (minimum threshold is £20)

My approach? I use CheckoutSmart alongside other cashback apps to maximise savings. Different apps have different offers, so running several means more opportunities to save.

Every little saving helps, and with CheckoutSmart, those small amounts – 50p here, £1 there – genuinely add up. Over a year, you could easily save £100-£200 just by scanning receipts. That’s a weekend away, Christmas sorted, or a healthy chunk off your annual food bill.

Ready to start saving? Download CheckoutSmart from the App Store or Google Play and check what offers are available now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use CheckoutSmart with other cashback apps?

Absolutely! In fact, I recommend it. You can use CheckoutSmart alongside apps like Shopmium, Green Jinn, and TopCashback Snap & Save. Often, different apps have cashback on different products, so running multiple apps maximises your savings. Just make sure you’re claiming different products on each app from the same receipt.

2. How long does it take for CheckoutSmart to payout?

CheckoutSmart processes payments within 10 working days of your withdrawal request. In practice, bank transfers usually arrive within 5-7 days, whilst PayPal payments can be faster (sometimes 2-3 days). Factor this in if you’re saving towards a specific date or purchase.

3. Is CheckoutSmart safe to use?

Yes, CheckoutSmart is completely safe. It’s owned by Checkout Smart Ltd, a UK-based company operating since 2012. The app uses secure encryption for payment processing and personal data. Your receipt photos are only used to verify purchases – they don’t access your bank accounts or any sensitive financial information. Thousands of people use it without issues.

4. Can I use CheckoutSmart for online shopping?

Yes, many offers on CheckoutSmart can be claimed when you shop online for groceries. Just make sure to keep your digital receipt as proof of purchase.

5. What happens if I lose my receipt?

Unfortunately, if you lose your receipt, you won’t be able to claim cashback for your purchases. Always keep your receipt safe until you’ve successfully claimed your cashback. If you use self-checkout machines, make sure you opt to have your receipt. 

6. How often are new offers added to the app?

New offers are added to CheckoutSmart regularly. It’s a good idea to check the app frequently to stay updated with the latest deals.

7. Does CheckoutSmart have a referral program?

As of April 2026, CheckoutSmart doesn’t have an active referral programme. There’s a ‘Redeem Promo Code’ section in the app, which suggests they may introduce promotional codes or referral bonuses in future. Keep an eye out for updates.

8. Can I use CheckoutSmart abroad?

Currently, CheckoutSmart is only available for use in the UK. It is designed to be used with UK supermarkets and stores, and the cashback is paid in GBP.

9. Can I use CheckoutSmart on multiple devices?

Yes, you can use your CheckoutSmart account on multiple devices. However, keep in mind that any offers you save will only be visible on the device you saved them on.

10. Can I use CheckoutSmart with self-checkout systems?

Yes, you can use CheckoutSmart with self-checkout systems. Just make sure to get a receipt for your purchases, as you’ll need it to claim your cashback.

More supermarket cashback app reviews:

• Best CashBack Apps In The UK
• JamDoughnut CashBacK App Review
• KidStart Review
• GreenJinn Review
• The Best Money Making Apps In The UK