Expert Consumers has named Upside as the Best Gas Rewards Program of 2025. As a free cashback app, Upside empowers users to earn real cash back on their routine purchases, notably at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants.
This recognition from Expert Consumers followed a thorough evaluation of various rewards programs, focusing on user-friendliness, potential savings and the extent of retailer participation. Upside distinguished itself through its broad applicability, particularly in the gas category, where users typically earn around 10 cents per gallon back.
The app also boasts competitive average savings of 8 percent at restaurants, 5 percent at grocery stores and 12 percent at convenience stores.
Upside’s offers are accessible at more than 100,000 participating locations across the country. Users can claim an offer within the app, make a purchase using a linked credit or debit card and receive cash back rewards that can be withdrawn to a bank account, PayPal or redeemed for gift cards.
Upside operates by collaborating with businesses to establish tailored cash back incentives. This allows the app to provide higher-than-average rewards while helping merchants drive customer traffic and enhance profit margins without altering their fundamental operations. Because these offers are designed to be mutually beneficial, Upside has positioned itself as an effective intermediary between consumers seeking savings and businesses aiming for increased visibility.
Upside also features a referral program, enabling users to earn one-time bonuses and continuous commissions when individuals in their network utilize the app. For each successful referral, both parties receive a 15-cent-per-gallon bonus after the new user completes their first offer. While modest, this structure provides an additional layer of passive value for active users.
The recognition of Upside as a leading rewards platform comes at a time when consumers are re-evaluating traditional spending habits and seeking greater control over their financial outcomes. As inflation remains a concern and daily essentials continue to constitute a larger portion of monthly budgets, solutions like Upside are being adopted for their simplicity, transparency and effectiveness.
[RELATED: Upside’s Offers Now Reaching About 35M Consumers Across U.S.]