Quidco and TopCashback are two of the main cashback platforms in the UK. Here is how they compare on fees, tracking and payout, using each site’s own help pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TopCashback | Quidco Basic | Quidco Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Classic account: free to join. Plus account: £5 of annual cashback earnings deducted | Free | £1 a month retained from earnings in months you actively use Quidco |
| Retailers | Thousands of cashback offers | Thousands of retailers | Thousands of retailers |
| Cashback rates | Set per retailer, shown on the site | Set per retailer, shown on the site | Up to 25% higher than Basic on selected retailers |
| Purchase tracked | On your Earnings page within 7 days of purchase | Usually within a few hours, up to 7 days in some cases | Same as Basic |
| When you can withdraw | After the retailer’s returns period ends and the retailer has paid the commission | After the retailer approves the purchase and sends Quidco the funds; the whole process can take 3 to 6 months or longer | Same as Basic |
| Withdrawal options | PayPal (some retailers allow bank transfer only) | Bank transfer (BACS), PayPal, retailer gift cards | Same as Basic, with up to 20% extra on e-gift card withdrawals |
TopCashback says it passes 100% of the retailer’s commission back to you as cashback. Quidco has a minimum withdrawal of £1 for bank transfers and PayPal.
Where They Differ
Premium and Plus: Quidco Premium charges a monthly fee only for months you actively use Quidco, and Quidco says Premium members get higher rates (up to 25% higher on selected retailers), up to 20% extra on e-gift card withdrawals, an increased refer-a-friend reward and an ad-free experience. TopCashback Plus deducts £5 of your annual cashback earnings and adds benefits. Whether either pays for itself depends on how much cashback you earn.
Rates: Each site sets its own rate per retailer and the rates change. Check the current rate on both sites before you buy.
Retailer coverage: Both say they list thousands of retailers. Check whether the retailer you want is listed on each.
Best Uses for Cashback Sites
| Use case | Reward type |
|---|---|
| Switching energy supplier | Usually a fixed amount |
| New broadband deal | Usually a fixed amount |
| Buying car/home insurance | Usually a fixed amount or a percentage |
| Booking a holiday or hotel | Usually a percentage of spend |
| Credit card application | Usually a fixed amount |
| Large electronics purchase | Usually a percentage of spend |
| Grocery deliveries | Small, where offered |
Check the reward type on the offer page, because it can differ by retailer and over time. For the full mechanics, see How Cashback Sites Work UK.
New Member Bonuses
Both sites have run welcome offers for new members. Terms vary. Confirm the current offer and its conditions on the site before you sign up.
Missing Cashback
Quidco’s help centre has a link to raise a claim, and its help pages explain how to check whether cashback has tracked. If you expect cashback that does not appear, keep your order confirmation and check the site’s help pages for how to raise a claim.
Annual Value of Cashback
What a user earns depends on whether they use cashback for higher-rate categories (insurance, financial products, switching) or lower-rate ones (groceries, clothing). No reliable average is published, so this page does not give one.
See also How Cashback Sites Work UK for the full mechanics, and Best Money-Saving Apps UK for the broader app landscape.