Update (2026): Cashrewards closed in September 2025. If you want free cashback, use ShopBack. ROOPON is a paid membership with partner discounts and FREE included prize-draw entries — not a cashback clone.
If you've been using ShopBack as your go-to cashback platform and recently found yourself wondering whether it's still worth it - you're not alone. ShopBack has gone through significant changes in recent years, including a high-profile data breach affecting Australian users in 2020 and ongoing evolution of its product model. In 2026, many Australians are actively looking for alternatives.
Here's an honest comparison of your best options.
What Happened with ShopBack?
ShopBack has been operating in Australia since 2014, but 2020's data breach - which exposed personal information of millions of users - eroded trust for many. Since then, the platform has restructured its offerings, changed cashback rates on various retailers, and pivoted toward a "buy now, pay later" integrated model in some markets.
None of this makes ShopBack a bad product in 2026 - it still offers cashback at hundreds of retailers. But if you're looking to diversify or find an alternative, the options below are all worth considering.
ShopBack Alternative #1: CashRewards — closed
Cashrewards closed in September 2025. It used to be the closest Australian cashback competitor to ShopBack. It is not a live option in 2026. If you want that model, stay on ShopBack.
ShopBack Alternative #2: Everyday Rewards
If a large chunk of your spending is at Woolworths, Big W, BWS, or Everyday Market, the Everyday Rewards program offers strong in-ecosystem value.
What you get: Points on Woolworths group purchases, bonus offers, fuel discounts (via Ampol), and occasional statement credits.
Cost: Free.
The catch: Value is largely locked within the Woolworths ecosystem. Points redemption rates aren't always transparent, and the value per point has shifted over time.
Best for: Woolworths-loyal households who do most of their grocery shopping there.
ShopBack Alternative #3: Credit Card Cashback
Many Australian credit cards now offer cashback directly on purchases - no portal required. Cards from Commbank, ANZ, and others have offered flat-rate cashback or category cashback (e.g., 5% on supermarkets).
What you get: Automatic cashback credited to your statement.
Cost: Annual card fees (typically $49–$299 depending on the card).
The catch: Annual fees can eat your cashback earnings. You need to spend enough to break even. Interest charges destroy all value if you don't pay in full monthly.
Best for: High spenders who pay their balance in full every month and want effortless, automatic cashback.
ShopBack Alternative #4: Roopon (A Different Model Entirely)
Roopon isn't a cashback platform - it's a subscription membership rewards club, which means it works differently. Instead of getting a small percentage back on purchases you make through a portal, you pay a monthly membership fee and get ongoing benefits.
What you get:
- Discounts on partner services including NordVPN, Bluehost, Eurotech, and more
- FREE included prize-draw entries on the schedule in each campaign’s terms for cash or other prizes in the active campaign terms
- No portal clicking required - benefits are always-on
Cost: from $19.99/month (BASIC), with PREMIUM ($39.99/mo), ELITE ($59.99/mo), and ULTIMATE ($79.99/mo) tiers. Cancel anytime.
The upside over cashback platforms: The potential upside is structurally different. Cashback platforms give you a small, predictable return. Roopon gives you both reliable savings (partner discounts) and asymmetric upside (a recurring prize draw). Getting 3% cashback on a $200 purchase is $6. Winning a published campaign prize is a different order of magnitude — check /giveaways for current prizes.
The honest trade-off: Roopon costs money upfront, whereas free cashback apps cost you nothing (just your data and attention). If you mainly want passive cashback on high-volume online shopping, ShopBack may suit you better. Cashrewards is closed. If you want real partner discounts plus a genuine chance at meaningful cash prizes, Roopon is compelling.
Best for: People who want more than micro-returns on purchases and value both ongoing savings and the member benefit real money.
How They Compare
ShopBack
- Cost: Free | Value: 1–10% cashback | Data risk: Medium (prior breach) | Upside: Low
CashRewards
- Cost: Free | Value: 1–15% cashback | Data risk: Lower (local) | Upside: Low
Everyday Rewards
- Cost: Free | Value: Low–moderate (ecosystem-locked) | Data risk: Low | Upside: Low
Credit Card Cashback
- Cost: Annual fee | Value: Moderate (automatic) | Data risk: Low | Upside: Low–moderate
Roopon
- Cost: From $19.99/mo | Value: Partner discounts + FREE included prize-draw entries | Data risk: Low | Upside: Campaign prizes (see /giveaways) — not guaranteed
Frequently asked questions
Is CashRewards better than ShopBack?
Do cashback apps sell your data?
Can I use both a cashback app and Roopon at the same time?
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