Best 10 Gift Card Apps in 2026: Feature Comparison

Introduction

Raise is the best overall gift card app for most people, based on its listing as a marketplace for discounted cards across many retailers. This list covers 10 apps: discount marketplaces, rewards apps that pay out in gift cards, and apps for buying and sending cards.

Quick comparison table

All 10 apps are listed for iOS and Android. Details come from verified listings, not hands-on testing. The apps fall into three groups: discounted cards, earning free cards, and sending or storing cards.

1. Raise: Discount Gift Cards

Best for: Buying or selling discounted gift cards from many retailers.

Raise is a marketplace app. According to its listing, you can buy gift cards for many retailers at a discount, or sell cards you won't use. Its best feature is that two-way setup. It works whether you want savings or just need to clear out a drawer of forgotten cards.

2. CardCash

Best for: Buying discounted cards and selling unwanted ones.

CardCash works much like Raise. Both let you buy discounted cards, so the choice may come down to which one has your retailer at a better price on a given day. What sets CardCash apart is selling unwanted cards in the same app where you buy, so one mobile app handles both sides.

3. Swagbucks

Best for: Earning gift cards for free through surveys, shopping, and videos.

Swagbucks is a rewards app. Per the listing, you earn points from surveys, shopping, and videos, then redeem them for gift cards. It offers plenty of ways to earn. Still, expect it to take time and effort. Free cards build up gradually and don't just show up.

4. Fetch: Have Fun, Save Money

Best for: Earning gift cards by scanning shopping receipts.

Fetch is a receipt-scanning rewards app. You scan your shopping receipts to collect points, then redeem them for gift cards, according to the listing. Scanning is the low-effort way to earn. You're already buying the groceries, so the only extra step is a quick scan.

5. Rakuten: Cash Back & Deals

Best for: Cash back on online shopping with gift card payout options.

Rakuten is a cash back shopping app. Its listing says payouts can come as cash or as gift cards, depending on the options offered. That choice is the draw. Prefer a gift card? Take one. Prefer cash? It's yours to spend.

6. Ibotta: Earn Cash Rewards

Best for: Grocery shoppers who want cash back and gift card redemption.

Ibotta fits into everyday shopping, with cash back on groceries and other purchases, per its listing. Rewards can be redeemed through gift card options. The grocery focus makes it a natural pick if most of your spending goes on weekly food shopping.

7. Gyft

Best for: Keeping gift cards in one mobile wallet.

Gyft lets you buy, store, and send gift cards from your phone. Instead of hunting for a plastic card or an old email, you just open the app. The wallet keeps your cards easy to reach, which helps if you collect cards from several stores.

8. Giftcards.com

Best for: Sending digital or physical gift cards from many brands.

The listing describes Giftcards.com as an official site for buying and sending cards. It covers many brands in one place. You get both digital and physical options, so you can email something instantly or send a card people can hold.

9. Amazon Shopping

Best for: Buying, sending, and redeeming Amazon gift cards.

Amazon Shopping makes sense if you already shop on Amazon. Keep in mind that the cards work at one retailer, so they're less flexible than multi-brand options. The upside is redeeming balances directly in the shopping app, with no separate wallet to manage.

10. Starbucks

Best for: Coffee fans who want to load, pay with, and send Starbucks cards.

Starbucks is a single-brand app, unlike the multi-retailer options above. You load a card, pay with it, and send cards and gifts to others. Paying in-app with a loaded card suits regulars who visit often enough to keep a balance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app for buying discounted gift cards?

Raise and CardCash are the two marketplace apps on this list built around discounted cards. Both also let you sell cards you don't want.

Do any of these apps give free gift cards?

Swagbucks, Fetch, Rakuten, and Ibotta let you earn rewards that can be redeemed for gift cards. Payout options vary, so check each app's current terms and redemption choices before you start.

Which app is best for sending a gift?

Gyft suits people who want a wallet for buying, storing, and sending. Giftcards.com is better if you want a choice of digital or physical cards.

Are single-brand apps like Amazon and Starbucks worth it?

They're worth it if you shop at that retailer often. If not, a multi-retailer app is more flexible.

The verdict

Raise is the strongest overall pick, thanks to its range of retailers and discounted pricing. CardCash is the runner-up for buying and selling, and Swagbucks is the runner-up for earning free cards. For sending gifts, go with Gyft or Giftcards.com.