I tested BeFrugal and compared it to the other cashback sites I have tested. It is legit, with many offers and cash payouts from $0.01, but it is mainly for people in the US. Below is what I found, and which sites I also recommend.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He tested BeFrugal himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit cashback site, best if you live in the US
Plenty of cashback offers, 5 to 20% back, and PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or bank payouts from $0.01.
On this page
The short answer
BeFrugal is a legit cashback site that does pay you for buying stuff from its partner stores. It has plenty of cashback offers, coupons and deals, and you can cash out to PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or your bank from just $0.01.
But most offers are only relevant if you live in the US, even though anyone can join. And like every cashback site, you only earn when you spend, and it takes some time before the cashback shows up in your account.
- Plenty of cashback offers available
- Several cash payment methods, from $0.01
- User-friendly app for iOS and Android, plus a Chrome extension
- $10 bonus for new members, with 365 days to earn the first $10
- Live chat support on weekdays
- Takes some time for cashback rewards to be credited to your account
- Most offers are only relevant for people who live in the US
- Restaurant coupons seem to be US only
- You only earn when you spend
My experience with BeFrugal
I signed up for BeFrugal and went through the site to compare it with the other cashback sites I have tested. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- November 2019Review first published Nov 21, 2019
- Latest retest
- Checked: offers, payouts, support
- Signed up with
- Facebook, Google or emailRegistration takes a click
- Signing up and the member area
- Cashback offers and how you shop through them
- Coupons, deals and the referral program
- The payout options page, the mobile site and the live chat
- A cashback payout. This review does not show payment proof.
- Offers outside the US. Most shops are mainly relevant there.
An inside look at BeFrugal
In the video below, I give you an inside look and show exactly how you can earn from BeFrugal.
Screenshots from BeFrugal
BeFrugal is legit, but mainly for the US. Compare it with the other cashback sites I have tested.
See the best cashback sitesBeFrugal at a glance
| What it is | Cashback site with coupons and deals |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Cashback offers, coupons and deals, referral program |
| Cashback rates | From 5 to 20% |
| Joining bonus | $10, credited once you earn $10 in cashback within 365 days of joining |
| Minimum cashout | $0.01 for bank deposit, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle · $25 for a check · most gift cards from $5 |
| Cashback credited | Within 7 days after your purchase |
| Who can join | Anyone aged 18 or older, wherever you live. Most shops are relevant for the US. |
| Apps | iOS and Android, plus a Chrome extension |
| Support | Live chat Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time, support tickets and an FAQ |
Is BeFrugal legit and safe?
Yes, BeFrugal is a legit cashback site that pays you for buying from its partner stores. But there are things you should know before you join.
- Mainly for people in the US
You can join wherever you live, but many shops are mostly relevant if you live in the US. The restaurant coupons seem to be US only.
- Read the terms of each offer
The terms can vary per offer. You find them below each offer. Check them before you buy, so you know exactly what to expect.
- You only earn when you spend
Do not buy something you do not need just to get cashback. That is counterproductive. Cashback makes sense when you get something you need for less.
- Cashback takes time
Your cashback is not instant. It takes some time before it is credited to your account.
My takeBeFrugal has a major drawback, and that is that the offers are mainly relevant for people who live in the US. Also, it can take some time before the rewards are credited to your account. But if you shop online frequently and live in the US, joining BeFrugal is a good idea mainly because it has a lot of cashback offers available.
How you earn on BeFrugal
There are 3 ways to earn or save. Cashback offers are the main one. Tap one to read more.
Cashback offers5–20% back
Log in, click the store you want to shop at, and pick a deal. You have to go to the store through BeFrugal. For example, to get cashback at Macy’s, you click the Macy’s cashback offer on BeFrugal and complete your purchase there.
The cashback is added to your BeFrugal account within 7 days. Read the terms below each offer before you buy, because they vary a bit.
With the BeFrugal extension for Google Chrome, you get the cashback offers and coupons without logging in to the site. BeFrugal has a lot of cashback offers, so you have many options.
Coupons and dealsSavings
Click Get Coupon, and the coupon is applied at checkout on the store’s site. Deals are discounted offers, and there are daily deals.
There are also printable restaurant and fast food coupons, with a pretty huge catalog. They seem to only be available in the US.
Referral program$10 each
Share your link on social media, your website or by email. When the person you invite joins and earns $10 in cashback, you get a $10 reward, and they get a $10 bonus too.
Only invite people who like cashback. Otherwise, you will not earn from them.
How much can you make?
On a cashback site, you only earn when you spend. So what you earn depends on how often you buy from BeFrugal’s partner stores, and on the cashback rate of each offer.
BeFrugal’s cashback rates range from 5 to 20%, which is a pretty good range. Because it has plenty of offers and decent rates, you can save a significant amount of money if you shop online often.
Payout methods and minimums
| Method | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bank deposit | $0.01 |
| PayPal | $0.01 |
| Venmo | $0.01 |
| Zelle | $0.01 |
| Check (mailed to you) | $25 |
| Gift cards | Most from $5; some cost more |
$0.01 is one of the lowest payout thresholds I have seen, so you can get paid quickly. The exact payout options can vary from country to country. If you want more sites that pay via PayPal, see the best survey sites that pay via PayPal.
What readers told me
This review has 2 comments since 2025: 1 from a reader and 1 reply from me.
A reader did not get a promo bonus on a gift card purchase that was listed as eligible. Read the terms below each offer and promo before you buy.
“The promo said “Shop $25 At Select Stores & Get $5 Bonus” and listed egifter.com as one of the eligible stores, but after I made the purchase, the customer service told me that there is no cash back on $50 or $25 cards, so no $5 bonus.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
BeFrugal alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | Shopping cashback plus many other daily ways to earn | About $5 PayPal; gift cards from 100 SB | 4.3 / 5 |
| MyPoints | Shopping cashback and deals, from the company behind Swagbucks | $15 for PayPal and gift cards | 3.4 / 5 |
| Ibotta | US only. Cashback on groceries, in store and online | $20 | 3.3 / 5 |
See also the top cashback sites. You will find one that fits your needs wherever you live.
How I scored BeFrugal
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
BeFrugal scores 68 out of 100. A good cashback site if you live in the US. Compare it with the top cashback sites.
See the best cashback sitesBeFrugal FAQ
Is BeFrugal a scam?
No. BeFrugal is a legit cashback site that pays you for buying from its partner stores.
What is the minimum payout?
$0.01 for bank deposit, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle. A check needs $25, and most gift cards start at $5.
How long until my cashback shows up?
Cashback is added to your BeFrugal account within 7 days after your purchase.
Can I join BeFrugal outside the US?
Yes, you can join wherever you live. But many shops are mostly relevant for the US, and the restaurant coupons seem to be US only.
How old do you have to be?
At least 18.
How does the $10 joining bonus work?
It is credited once you have earned $10 in cashback. You must earn the $10 within 365 days of joining.
Is there a BeFrugal app?
Yes, for iOS and Android. There is also a Chrome extension that gives you cashback and coupons without logging in.
How do I contact BeFrugal?
Use the live chat, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time. Outside those hours, file a support ticket.
Who tested BeFrugal for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with BeFrugal, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Will not use befrugal again, very disappointing experience. The promo said “Shop $25 At Select Stores & Get $5 Bonus” and listed egifter.com as one of the eligible stores, but after I made the purchase, the customer service told me that there is no cash back on $50 or $25 cards, so no $5 bonus. If $25 purchase on egifter is not eligble for the $5 bonus, befrugal should not list it on the promo page, or at least let us know it is a “double eligible” product on the promo page. This is kind of dishonest when posting the promo……
Thanks for sharing your experiences.