Apps like Upside
PocketsFull is a competitor of Upside. This page is written by PocketsFull and is not connected to Upside.
Upside is a free app that gives cash back on fuel, groceries and dining at participating stores, mainly in the United States.
Start earning- Facts checked on
In short
- What to expect
- PocketsFull will not replace a cashback habit on fuel or groceries: it pays pocket money for surveys and offers, not a salary, and it is not an employer.
- Run by
- Upside Services, Inc. (Washington, DC)
- How PocketsFull pays
- Gift cards
- PayPal
- Litecoin
- Start earning
- Create a free account
- Check the Earn page
- Try a survey or an offer
- Redeem your rewards
Updated
People who ask whether the Upside app is legit usually want to know how the cash back works and whether the money actually gets paid out.
This page explains what Upside does, what to look for in a similar cashback app, and how PocketsFull, a rewards site built around surveys and offers, compares to it.
What Upside is
Upside is a mobile app run by Upside Services, Inc. It gives cash back on purchases at participating petrol stations, grocery stores and restaurants.
A member claims an offer in the app before paying, then pays with a credit or debit card as usual. Depending on the offer, the purchase is confirmed either by checking in at the location or by uploading a receipt.
The app also offers an in-app payment option called Pay with Upside, which the site says credits cash back faster than paying with a regular card.
Upside's own pages describe a service built around US stores: the store listings name US chains, the terms refer to US tax forms and US mobile carriers, and the company lists a Washington, DC address. The pages checked do not name any countries outside the United States.
Upside at a glance
The table below summarizes the key facts about Upside from its own site and app store listings.
| Run by | Upside Services, Inc. (Washington, DC) |
|---|---|
| Type | Cashback app |
| How members earn | Cash back on fuel, groceries and dining at participating stores, claimed in the app before paying |
| Confirmation | By checking in or uploading a receipt, depending on the offer |
| Where it is available | Pages describe a US service; no other countries are named |
| Platforms | Android (Google Play) and iOS (iPhone only) |
| Payout methods | Bank transfer, PayPal, retailer gift cards |
| Minimum payout | Site says none; terms reserve a possible minimum of up to $20 and a fee of up to $1 for some methods |
| Sign-up requirements | Under-16s may not use it; under-18s need a parent or guardian's approval; a credit or debit card is needed to pay for purchases |
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What to look for in a similar app
Cashback apps like Upside work by partnering with retailers who fund the discount to attract customers, so the first thing to check is which stores and categories are actually covered where you live.
- Whether the app lists the specific stores or chains near you, rather than a vague national claim.
- How the cash back is confirmed: by checking in automatically or by uploading a receipt.
- What the payout methods are, and whether a minimum balance or fee applies before you can cash out.
- Whether the balance expires if the account sits unused for a long stretch.
- Whether the app is available on your phone's platform, since some cashback apps are limited to one operating system.
Upside, for instance, is on Android through Google Play and on iOS, but only on iPhone rather than iPad.
Upside compared with PocketsFull
Upside and PocketsFull work in different ways, so the table lines up what each one actually offers.
| What it is | PocketsFull | Upside |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Rewards site for surveys and offers | Cashback app for fuel, groceries and dining |
| How you earn | Completing paid surveys and offers, including game and app offers | Cash back on purchases at participating stores |
| Payout options | Local gift cards, PayPal, Litecoin | Bank transfer, PayPal, retailer gift cards |
| Where it works | Available in several countries, with options shown per country | Pages describe a US service only |
| App | Android app, and the website works in a phone browser | Android and iOS (iPhone only) |
| Cost to join | Free to join, no deposit | Free to download |
How PocketsFull differs
PocketsFull is not a cashback app. It is a rewards site where members take paid surveys and complete offers, including game and app offers, and collect rewards they can redeem.
Where Upside pays cash back for purchases you make anyway at participating stores, PocketsFull rewards members for completing surveys from market-research providers and offers from partners, such as trying an app or signing up for a service. There is nothing to buy and no card to link to claim a cash discount.
Joining PocketsFull is free and there is no deposit at any point. Not every survey fits every profile, so being screened out partway through happens to everyone and is not a sign of a problem with the account.
PocketsFull also has a separate section of free browser games with no download and no sign-up, but those are for fun and do not pay rewards, unlike the game offers on the Offers page.
How payouts work on PocketsFull
The box below shows the redeem options PocketsFull offers in your country: local gift cards first, then PayPal and Litecoin.
Options depend on where you live, so the gift card brands shown to a member in the United States differ from those shown in the United Kingdom or the Philippines.
United States
- 650+ gift cardsSee all gift cardsWallet and prepaid cards
- Venmo
- Virtual Mastercard
- Visa eReward
- Virtual Visa
Mobile top-up 
PayPal
Litecoin
PocketsFull does not pay into these wallets: Cash App, Zelle, Chime
How to get started on PocketsFull
Create a free account
Sign up with your email and fill in your profile, since a complete profile helps you get matched with more surveys.
Check the Earn page
See today's available surveys and offers in one place and pick what fits you.
Try a survey or an offer
Complete a paid survey or follow an offer's listed steps, such as trying an app or signing up for a service.
Redeem your rewards
Once rewards are confirmed, redeem them for a gift card, PayPal or Litecoin, depending on what is available in your country.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Upside app legit?
Upside is a real company, Upside Services, Inc., with an app on Google Play and the App Store that gives cash back on fuel, groceries and dining at participating stores. Its pages describe US coverage specifically, with no countries outside the United States mentioned.
Does Upside work outside the United States?
Upside's own pages, store listings and terms describe a US service, referring to US tax forms, US mobile carriers and US store chains, with no other countries named.
Is there a minimum amount before you can cash out on Upside?
Upside's site and store listings say there is no minimum, but its terms of service reserve the right to introduce a minimum of up to $20 and a fee of up to $1 for certain payment methods, so it is worth checking the app's cash-out screen.
Can I get paid by PayPal on PocketsFull?
Yes, PayPal is listed on the redeem screen, along with local gift cards and Litecoin, depending on your country.
Is PocketsFull free to join?
Yes, joining and using PocketsFull is free, and PocketsFull never asks for a deposit or a payment.
