Renting is one of the largest monthly expenses for millions of people across the UK. For a long time, paying rent was simply a one-way transaction. Today, however, new platforms are emerging to help tenants get something back from their monthly outgoings. Two of the most talked-about names in the UK rental space are Brick Rewards and Vaboo.
While both platforms are designed to reward UK renters, they operate in fundamentally different ways. One is a standalone app you can download directly to your phone, while the other is a service provided through letting agents. Understanding how they work is key to choosing the right one for your renting journey.
Here is a direct, factual comparison of Brick Rewards and Vaboo to help you understand the differences.
The most important difference between Brick Rewards and Vaboo is how you access them and how rewards are tracked.
Brick Rewards is a free consumer app available on iOS and Android that any UK renter can download directly. It uses secure open banking technology to detect when you pay your rent.
You connect your bank account to the app in a few simple steps (via read-only access, meaning Brick never touches or moves your money). When you pay your rent exactly as you normally do—whether to a landlord, letting agent, estate agent, or housemate—Brick automatically detects the transaction. You earn points simply for paying on time, with zero behaviour change required. You do not pay your rent through the Brick app.
Vaboo is a tenant engagement and rewards platform that has been active since 2015. Unlike Brick, Vaboo is not a standalone app you download and set up independently. Instead, it is distributed directly through letting agents and landlords.
Typically, renters only get access to Vaboo if their letting agent or landlord subscribes to the service on their behalf. It is designed as a customer-retention and engagement tool for property managers. Because of this, Vaboo does not use open banking or cards to track individual rent payments. There is no automated "points-per-pound" system tied directly to your monthly transaction.
Because the underlying technology is different, the way you earn and redeem rewards on each platform varies significantly.
What can you actually get with the rewards you accumulate?
Points earned in the Brick Rewards app can be redeemed in several ways:
Note: Brick points are not redeemable for cash.
Because Vaboo does not use an individual points-accumulation system, there are no points to redeem. Instead, you log in to the Vaboo platform to access ongoing discounts, platform perks, and to participate in their scheduled prize draws.
An extra feature of Brick Rewards is the ability to help renters build their credit history. If you opt in, Brick reports your on-time rent payments to Experian. This positive payment history may help improve your credit score over time, which can be highly beneficial for younger renters or those looking to buy a home in the future.
Vaboo does not offer rent reporting or credit-building features, as it does not track individual monthly rent payments through open banking.
The choice between these two platforms largely comes down to how your tenancy is managed and what you want out of a rewards programme.
If you are looking for a simple, secure, and independent way to get rewarded for paying your rent on time, download Brick Rewards for free today and turn your biggest monthly expense into local perks.
%201.svg)
