In the world of online shopping, saving money has never been easier thanks to the rise of shopping apps. Whether you’re on the hunt for discounts, comparing prices, or looking for ways to earn cashback, these apps can help you find the best deals without breaking the bank. Here’s a list of five must-have shopping apps every bargain hunter should download to score the best deals, maximize savings, and shop smarter.
1. Honey: The Ultimate Coupon App
Best For: Automatically finding and applying coupon codes
How It Works: Honey is a browser extension and app that automatically searches for and applies the best available coupon codes at checkout. When shopping online, Honey scans the internet for valid discount codes for the store you’re buying from and applies them with a single click.
- Key Features:
- Automatic Coupon Application: Honey works on a wide range of online stores, ensuring you get the best price with no effort.
- Honey Gold: Honey also offers a loyalty program called Honey Gold, which gives you cashback in the form of points when you shop at participating stores. These points can be redeemed for gift cards.
- Price Tracking: You can track price history for products on Amazon, eBay, and other websites, so you know if it’s the right time to make a purchase.
- Why It’s Great for Bargain Hunters: Honey removes the guesswork from finding promo codes, ensuring that you never miss a discount or deal. Plus, the cashback program lets you earn rewards on your purchases, further enhancing your savings.
Download Honey: Available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, as well as a mobile app for iOS and Android.
2. Rakuten: Cashback Made Easy
Best For: Earning cashback on everyday purchases
How It Works: Rakuten (formerly Ebates) offers cashback for shopping at thousands of online stores. You simply need to shop through the Rakuten app or website, and you’ll earn a percentage of your purchase back in the form of cashback. Rakuten also offers special promotions where you can earn even more, like double cashback days.
- Key Features:
- Cashback Offers: Rakuten partners with major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Macy’s, giving you cashback for purchases made through their links.
- Referral Program: Rakuten has a referral program that allows you to earn extra cashback for referring friends.
- Bonus Deals: The app offers exclusive deals and coupons in addition to cashback, allowing you to maximize savings.
- Why It’s Great for Bargain Hunters: Rakuten makes saving money as simple as shopping. With its extensive network of stores and cashback offerings, you can earn back a percentage of what you spend, allowing you to build up savings over time.
Download Rakuten: Available for iOS and Android.
3. ShopSavvy: Barcode Scanning for Price Comparison
Best For: Scanning products for the lowest price across online and local stores
How It Works: ShopSavvy is a barcode scanning app that helps you compare prices for products across thousands of online and local retailers. Just scan a barcode or search for a product, and ShopSavvy will instantly show you the best prices available, including shipping costs.
- Key Features:
- Barcode Scanning: Scan any product’s barcode and instantly find the best price online and in nearby stores.
- Price Alerts: Set up price alerts for specific products, and the app will notify you when the price drops.
- Deal Alerts: ShopSavvy also sends notifications for ongoing sales and promotions, so you don’t miss out on deals.
- Why It’s Great for Bargain Hunters: With ShopSavvy, you don’t have to search through multiple websites manually. The app does the hard work for you, ensuring you find the best price whether you’re shopping online or in-store. It also helps you avoid impulse buying by making sure you’re not overpaying.
Download ShopSavvy: Available for iOS and Android.
4. Flipp: Digital Couponing Made Simple
Best For: Finding local store flyers, deals, and coupons
How It Works: Flipp is a digital couponing app that allows you to browse weekly flyers and circulars for your favorite stores, including grocery stores, department stores, and pharmacies. You can clip digital coupons and store them in the app, then present them at checkout for instant savings.
- Key Features:
- Store Flyers: Flipp aggregates flyers and advertisements from major retailers, letting you view discounts and promotions without the need for paper coupons.
- Coupon Clipping: You can clip digital coupons for grocery, pharmacy, and department stores to save both in-store and online.
- Shopping Lists: The app helps you create shopping lists with all the items on sale and provides reminders for deals you don’t want to miss.
- Why It’s Great for Bargain Hunters: Flipp makes couponing easy by bringing all your local deals and flyers into one place. Whether you’re looking for grocery discounts, electronics sales, or household deals, Flipp lets you compare and clip coupons with just a few taps.
Download Flipp: Available for iOS and Android.
5. CamelCamelCamel: Amazon Price Tracker
Best For: Tracking Amazon prices and getting alerts on price drops
How It Works: CamelCamelCamel is a price tracking tool specifically designed for Amazon shoppers. It tracks the price history of millions of products and sends alerts when prices drop to your desired level. You can also view detailed price charts to help you decide the best time to buy.
- Key Features:
- Price History Charts: CamelCamelCamel shows you the price trends for products on Amazon, so you can decide whether to wait for a price drop or buy now.
- Price Alerts: Set alerts for specific products and receive notifications when the price hits your target.
- Browser Extension: The Camelizer browser extension allows you to track prices and view historical data directly from Amazon’s product pages.
- Why It’s Great for Bargain Hunters: CamelCamelCamel is invaluable for those who want to buy products on Amazon but don’t want to pay full price. With its price tracking and alert system, you can ensure you’re getting the lowest price possible without checking the site constantly.
Download CamelCamelCamel: Available as a browser extension and has a mobile site for iOS and Android.
Conclusion: Maximize Savings with These Apps
As a bargain hunter, using shopping apps can significantly enhance your savings and make your shopping experience more efficient. Whether you’re looking for coupons, cashback, price comparisons, or tracking price drops, these five apps—Honey, Rakuten, ShopSavvy, Flipp, and CamelCamelCamel—provide a variety of ways to get the best deals and avoid overpaying.
By leveraging these apps, you’ll not only stay on top of discounts but also be more strategic with your shopping, ensuring that you always get the most value for your money. Happy shopping and saving!