Pogo Receipt App Review: Is It The Best Cash Back App?

If you want to learn how to make money easily using the Pogo Receipt app, you’re in the right place. In our Pogo receipt app review, you’ll learn what Pogo is, its pros and cons, and whether or not it’s the choice for you.

What Is Pogo?

Pogo is part of Pogo Technologies Inc., an Android app developer that was founded in 2020 and is based in New York. There is limited information online about the app and parent company as it is privately owned and relatively small. It does not have a Wikipedia page, and the Facebook page has not been updated since late 2021.

Pogo is one of the newer cash back apps, launched in 2020. Smaller than other apps, it still has over 100,000 downloads on the Google Store and is rated 4.7 out of 5. The website states that as well as earning rewards for any purchases, it also helps members find savings and get paid for sharing shopping data. It claims to simplify these processes by using member data and information to find deals automatically. These include cash back on purchases, better insurance quotes and bank fees, and completing paid surveys. 

Pogo's point of difference is that it connects to the user's bank accounts and credit cards via a secure linking app called Plaid. Every time a purchase is made, the app is triggered to award points. These accumulate and can be withdrawn to Venmo or PayPal. There is no receipt scanning or activating of offers, as all purchases qualify for points. In addition, by linking store loyalty cards, customers can earn even more points.

Features Of Pogo

The central aspect of Pogo is to automatically earn points on purchases by linking loyalty and credit cards to the app. There are other money-saving services as well and here, we will go further in-depth into all of these features.

#1 Earning Cash Back Points

Customers no longer need to scan receipts to earn cash back. Once bank accounts and credit cards are linked to the app, all valid purchases will automatically earn points as long as the app is opened and awards are Claimed. Purchases earn points as follows:

For purchases with linked retail accounts		For purchases without linked retail accounts
		Less than $10	2 points
$10 – $50	20 points	$10 – $50	4 points
$50 – $100	35 points	$50 – $100	8 points
Over $100	50 points	Over $100	15 points

The table clearly shows that users must link their store loyalty cards in order to maximize the earning of points. 

#2 Connecting Accounts

Pogo is in the process of partnering with more retailers. The following stores can currently be linked to the Pogo app:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Kroger
• Target

In order to earn the most points at these retailers, you must have linked the store loyalty card and then use the linked credit or bank card you are paying with.

The process of linking the store card is easy on the app. Select the Account button and then choose the appropriate retailer.

Next, you need to accept the terms and conditions, which advise that Pogo does not have access to any store login details and can only read receipt information. 

Lastly, log in to the retailer account and confirm. Bonus points are awarded just for linking the loyalty card.

#3 Linking Bank Accounts

The app must be linked to a bank account and/or credit cards that will be used for purchases. To do this, select Account on the app and then Link another card.

Select Link Purchases and search for your bank or provider.

Lastly, you will be required to enter your login credentials. Pogo uses Plaid, which securely links the bank account to the app without providing any of your login details. Some financial institutions may not be available on Plaid and, thus, will not be valid for Pogo.

#4 Online Shopping Boost Points

By shopping online through the app, you can earn bonus points. Pogo will direct you to the retailer, and you can complete your shopping as usual. The standard points will be awarded, and then the Boost Points will show on the app separately. 

Choose the retailer from the list on the app and follow the link, and shop. It is that simple.

The Boost points will be pending for up to 90 days until the retailer has confirmed the purchase. You can check these amounts in the Earnings tab. Once the points are ready to be claimed, you have 14 days to do so.

#5 Location Rewards

If you allow the app to track your location, it will notify you when you are close to a participating retailer. By choosing to watch a short advertisement by that retailer, you will earn Location Rewards. This must be done within four hours of the notification. 

Location rewards are unpredictable, and to benefit from them, users must be available to claim them quickly.

#6 Drive To Save

This is a new feature for 2022 and the user allows the app to track their driving for a period of time (usually 30 days). A report is created at the end of that time, and a drive score is given. This score can be used to search for a better car insurance deal. The score is calculated by measuring your driving behavior and other factors. These include:

• Speed
• Time of day
• Vehicle handling
• Level of driving focus
• Mileage

This feature cannot guarantee a better insurance offer but it will not affect the user's current policy. The results are confidential, and you do not have to accept any resulting insurance offers.

#7 Surveys

The app also offers surveys to members. These can be from partner retailers or market research companies. The surveys tend to be short and easy to complete through the app and can earn up to 1,000 points. They are not guaranteed and cannot be predicted. It is up to the user to take advantage of them when offered.

#8 Refer A Friend

The Referral button on the app home screen will give you a unique code, which you can share via text message, email, or social media. Each new account created by using this code will earn between 250 and 1,000 points for both parties. There is no limit on how many friends you can introduce to Pogo.

#9 Data Dividends

As you share information about yourself and how you shop, Pogo makes small payments to you. This information is then used as a data supply to Pogo's affiliate companies. You can control the data shared with Pogo, which will then affect these payments to you. Pogo calls these pieces of information Data Dividends. Facts supplied by you that accrue these dividends are:

1. Linking your bank account(s)
2. Linking your retailer accounts(s)
3. Each purchase you make with your linked accounts
4. Sharing your location
5. Making purchases using online shopping links (boosts)
6. Doing surveys

#10 Comparison Service

Pogo offers a comparison service to try to reduce members' household bills. It can search for better deals on internet providers, insurance, and phone bills.

#11 Bank Fee Finder

This feature reviews your bank transactions to find fees charged to you by your bank that you can request a refund on. Once the scan of your account is completed, Pogo provides a template for you to use when communicating with your bank. There is no guarantee that you will receive any refund from your bank, but it doesn't hurt to ask. The only concern is that you are allowing this app to access all of your bank transactions when you could really do that yourself.

Cashing Out

Within Pogo, 1,000 points are equivalent to $1. The Pogo website has conflicting information about cashing out. On one page, it is 3,000 points ($3); on another, it is 5,000 ($5). Cashing out is direct through Venmo or PayPal. The Pogo website acknowledges some customers have some issues cashing out through Venmo. The good news is that there is no limit on how much you can earn.   

Pros Of Pogo

• Location rewards are a really easy way to earn points for doing very little.
• As Pogo awards points based on electronic transactions, the physical receipts can be used on receipt scanning apps as well.
• The app is easy to use with simple features.
• There is no scanning of receipts, searching for offers, or activating rewards.
• Pogo offers several different methods to earn points.
• The cash-out balance is low, and payment is made in cash with convenient methods. 

Cons Of Pogo

• The website states that almost all purchases are valid for earning points, but we were not able to find out which types of purchases are not valid.
• The website FAQ section does not give detailed information about Pogo’s processes and how customers can access certain features.
• With some offers (the Boost points, for example), the waiting period is up to 90 days for the points to be ready for claiming. You then have to remember to claim them within 14 days.
• While points for purchases are added automatically, the customer must remember to open the app every few days and Claim points in order to activate that process. Purchases must be validated within 14 days, and points available may expire if not claimed quickly.

Pricing

Pogo is free for users to download and use. The website refers to the points awarded for participating as Data Dividends and Micro-payments. These are part of the payments Pogo receives from retailers for advertisements or customer referrals. When you sign up to Pogo, you are giving permission for information about your shopping habits to be used to target advertisements to you.

In Summary

Pogo's big selling point is that points are calculated and awarded automatically. However, users must claim the points available to them. This means the customer must actively use the app regularly. Having said that, it’s easy to use and points are simple to claim. Like other cash back apps, the more activities the member participates in, the more money they will earn.

That said, the potential earning is relatively low, with most activities and receipts only earning a few points. We recommend a cash back app like Fetch, which combines the ease of earning with higher points earned.

Pogo Receipt App Review FAQs

Is the Pogo receipt app legit?

Yes, the Pogo app is legitimate and safe. It uses the latest technology to keep information secure, but consumers should always be careful in deciding what information is shared with any app.

Is Pogo worth it?

Yes, Pogo is worth it. Consumers can earn cash with little effort and without complex processes. The more you use the app, the more you will earn, and you can also use your receipts to claim cash back on other apps. You won't get rich using Pogo, but it is still money for free just by completing your everyday shopping.

Is the Pogo app easy to use?

Yes, it is easy to use. The linking of cards means that points can be earned automatically on your transactions. But, some review sites refer to this as being a passive income, but it is not. You must open the app regularly and claim your points. This is presumably to ensure members interact with the app.