CheckoutSmart review, how the cashback app works and how it can save you money
- Jan 26
- 8 min read
What CheckoutSmart is and how supermarket cashback works
If you have never used a supermarket cashback app before, CheckoutSmart can sound confusing at first.
It does not give you money off at the till, and it does not work like a voucher. Instead, you buy a product as normal, upload your receipt afterwards, and then get money paid back into your account once the claim is approved.
That simple difference is where most confusion comes from. Once you understand that cashback happens after you shop, the rest of the app makes sense very quickly.
CheckoutSmart is a UK cashback app that shows you specific branded products you can get money back on. Those products are sold in supermarkets and retailers people already use, from big weekly shops through to convenience stores, pharmacies, and even food delivery apps.
Sometimes the cashback is small. Other times, it covers the full price of the product, which makes it effectively free.
I have been using CheckoutSmart for years, and my total cashback so far is £479.60. That has not come from buying random things or chasing every offer. It has come from using the app alongside normal shopping and only claiming deals that genuinely make sense for us.
Supermarket cashback compared to other cashback apps
It’s worth clearing up one point early, because the word cashback gets used for a few different things, and that can be confusing if you’re new to this.
Cashback apps like JamDoughnut or TopCashback usually give you a percentage back on your whole transaction. You shop as normal, spend £50, and then get a small percentage of that total back afterwards.
Supermarket cashback apps like CheckoutSmart work differently. Instead of earning cashback on everything you buy, you claim cashback on specific products that are listed in the app. These are usually branded items, and the cashback amount varies from product to product.
Some offers give a small percentage back. Others give a fixed amount. Occasionally, the cashback covers the full price of the item, which means it ends up being free.
If you’re using standard offers, you’ll see a mix of partial discounts and the occasional freebie. If you have access to the Review Reward Programme, some offers can be up to 100% cashback, but they come with the expectation that you’ll leave a review.
Because of that difference, CheckoutSmart works best when you think of it as a way to reduce the cost of specific items within your shop, rather than something that pays you back on everything you buy.
Although they work differently, there’s no reason you can’t use traditional cashback apps and supermarket cashback apps together.
If you’re shopping online, for example, you can start your shop by clicking through a cashback site like TopCashback, or by using a gift card app such as JamDoughnut instore, and using that cashback ift card to pay means you earn cashback on the total spend.
If that shop includes products listed on a supermarket cashback app like CheckoutSmart, you can still claim cashback for those items separately by uploading your receipt later.
That means you’re earning cashback on the overall purchase and then getting additional cashback on specific products within the shop. Used together, the savings stack rather than cancel each other out.
This is one of the reasons supermarket cashback works best as part of a wider money-saving setup, rather than as a standalone tool!
What supermarket cashback actually is, and why it exists
Supermarket cashback exists because brands want people to try their products. Instead of lowering the shelf price for everyone, brands offer cashback on selected items for a limited time. In return, they get more people buying and trying the product.
For you as a shopper, the benefit is that you can reduce the cost of your grocery shop or try new products without paying full price. The trade-off is that you pay upfront, keep your receipt, and follow the offer rules properly.
Cashback apps work best when you treat them as a way to reduce spending you were already planning to do, not as a reason to spend more.
How the CheckoutSmart cashback app works in practice
Using CheckoutSmart follows the same basic pattern every time.
You open the app and browse the available offers. Each offer shows the product, the retailer where it is valid, and the cashback amount.
You then buy the exact product listed, making sure you follow any conditions, such as size, flavour, or pack type.
After shopping, you upload your receipt and submit the claim through the app or website.
Once the receipt has been checked and approved, the cashback is added to your CheckoutSmart balance. You can then withdraw that balance once it reaches the minimum payout.
The real difference between people who get value from supermarket cashback apps and people who barely save anything is not how often they use the apps. It is whether they plan.
Standard offers, RRP offers, and RRP requests explained simply
CheckoutSmart splits offers into three sections. Once you understand what each section is for, the app becomes much easier to navigate.
Standard offers are the regular cashback deals available to everyone.
These make up the majority of offers on the app and are where most users will spend their time.
You buy the product, upload your receipt, and receive cashback once it is approved.
RRP offers are part of the Review Reward Programme. Not everyone will have access to these, and there is no way to apply for them. Some users are invited over time, while others may never see RRP offers.
If you do have access, RRP offers are usually higher value but are now available only online. That means they apply to delivery or click-and-collect orders rather than in-store purchases. In return, you are expected to leave an honest review of the product after it has been delivered.
It is best to claim RRP offers only on products you would realistically buy as part of your normal shopping and that you or your family will actually use. That avoids spending money you were not planning to spend and makes the review process straightforward.
One of the most important things to understand about RRP offers is how expiry dates work. Because these offers are online only, the expiry date is the last day the product must be delivered to you, not the last day you can place an order.
If an offer ends on the 28th and your delivery arrives on the 1st, the cashback will not be paid, even if you ordered before the deadline.
Once you have claimed an RRP offer and the order has been delivered, a review request will appear in the app under RRP Requests.
Some reviews are completed directly inside the CheckoutSmart app. Others are classed as on-site reviews, which means the review needs to be left on the retailer’s website instead.
For on-site reviews, CheckoutSmart provides two links. The first takes you to the product page where you leave the review.
The second asks you to confirm the nickname or identifier you used so the review can be tracked. Both steps are required for the request to clear.
You may be asked to leave a review on a retailer’s website even if you bought the product elsewhere. This is normal, as the review is linked to the product itself rather than the retailer.
If a review request stays visible after submission, that usually does not mean anything has gone wrong. In-app reviews show a green tick once submitted, and requests can remain visible for a few days while they are being processed.
CheckoutSmart asks for reviews to be written by you, based on your real experience, and to be at least two sentences long. Reviews should not be copied or AI-generated.
If you are not part of RRP, you can ignore these sections entirely. CheckoutSmart works perfectly well using standard offers alone.
Payout rules, minimum withdrawals, and fees
CheckoutSmart has a minimum payout of £5.
Withdrawals can be made via PayPal or BACS.
If you withdraw £19.99 or less, a 5% transfer fee applies. Withdrawals of £20 or more are fee-free, which is why many users let their balance build before cashing out.
Cashback is not instant. Withdrawals are processed at set times and usually land within around two weeks.
Which retailers you can use CheckoutSmart with
CheckoutSmart works with a wide range of retailers.
Major supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, Iceland, Ocado, and Marks and Spencer.
Other retailers regularly featured include Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, LloydsPharmacy, WHSmith, Pets at Home, B&M, Poundland, Wilko, and The Range.
Fuel stations and travel stops such as BP, Shell, Spar, and Moto appear, alongside convenience chains including Londis, Premier, Budgens, McColl’s, One Stop, and Nisa Today’s.
CheckoutSmart also runs offers with online retailers and food delivery platforms, including Amazon, Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats, GoPuff, and Wetherspoons.
Not every retailer has offers running all the time. Deals rotate depending on which brands are active, which is why checking the app before shopping matters.
How to save money with CheckoutSmart without spending more
CheckoutSmart works best when it replaces spending you were already planning to do.
If you were going to buy a product anyway and cashback is available, that is a saving.
If you buy something purely because the cashback looks attractive, it is easy to spend more overall.
A useful rule of thumb is to ask whether you would still be happy buying the product if the cashback failed to track. If the answer is no, it is usually better to leave it.
The biggest wins often come when cashback overlaps with supermarket loyalty pricing, such as Clubcard or Nectar offers. When those stack, full-price items can end up costing very little or occasionally nothing at all.
The Review Reward Programme and recent changes
The Review Reward Programme gives selected users access to extra offers in return for honest reviews.
These offers are now online only and apply to delivery or click-and-collect orders.
There are also stricter rules around proof of purchase. The CheckoutSmart website lets you view screenshots of online receipts, but the app requires a photo instead.
CheckoutSmart has stated that unsubscribing from emails can result in removal from the RRP scheme. This does not affect standard offers, but matters if you actively use RRP.
Pros and cons of the CheckoutSmart cashback app
CheckoutSmart can reduce shopping costs over time, particularly if you already pay attention to prices and offers. It works with a wide range of retailers and fits well alongside loyalty schemes.
On the downside, you have to pay upfront and wait for cashback. Offers vary week to week, withdrawals under £20 incur a fee, and RRP being online only limits who it suits.
FAQs about CheckoutSmart
What is CheckoutSmart?
CheckoutSmart is a UK cashback app that pays you money back when you buy specific products and upload your receipt.
Is CheckoutSmart legit?
Yes. It is a long-running cashback app that pays real cashback when claims are approved.
How does CheckoutSmart cashback work?
You buy an eligible product, upload your receipt, and the cashback is added to your account once the claim is approved.
What is the minimum payout on CheckoutSmart?
The minimum payout is £5.
Is there a fee to withdraw money from CheckoutSmart?
Yes. Withdrawals of £19.99 or less have a 5% transfer fee. Withdrawals of £20 or more are fee-free.
Which supermarkets can I use CheckoutSmart in?
CheckoutSmart works across Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, Iceland, Ocado, and others, depending on the offer.
Can I use CheckoutSmart with Clubcard or Nectar prices?
In some cases, yes. Cashback and loyalty pricing may stack from time to time.
What is the CheckoutSmart RRP scheme?
RRP is the Review Reward Programme, which offers selected users extra deals in return for honest reviews.
Is CheckoutSmart RRP online only now?
Yes. RRP applies to online shopping via delivery or click-and-collect.
Do I have to use RRP to use CheckoutSmart?
No. CheckoutSmart works perfectly well without RRP.
Is there a CheckoutSmart referral scheme?
Unlike Shopmium and GreenJinn, CheckoutSmart does not have a referral scheme, so there is no promo code available.
Where can I download the CheckoutSmart app?
You can find direct links to the CheckoutSmart app on the CheckoutSmart website. The app is available on both iOS and Android.
Is CheckoutSmart worth using if you are trying to save money?
If you are already trying to be more careful with grocery spending, CheckoutSmart fits neatly into that mindset.
It does not require you to change where you shop or overhaul your routine. It simply gives you the option to get money back on products you were likely going to buy anyway, or swap something you were going to buy for something on the app, which might save you money!
Some weeks, the offers will line up perfectly. Other weeks, they will not. Used consistently and sensibly, it becomes a background tool that quietly reduces shopping costs over time.
