The average American leaves hundreds of dollars on the table every year by not using shopping apps. These apps work quietly in the background, finding coupons, earning cashback, and comparing prices so you don't have to.
After testing 50+ shopping apps over the past year, I've narrowed down the list to the 15 that actually deliver meaningful savings. Here are the apps that should be on every smart shopper's phone.
Quick Overview: Top 5 Must-Have Apps
- Rakuten: Best for online cashback (up to 10%)
- Ibotta: Best for grocery savings
- Fetch Rewards: Easiest to use (just scan receipts)
- Honey: Best for automatic coupon codes
- Capital One Shopping: Best for price comparisons
Cashback & Rewards Apps
1. Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
Rakuten is the king of online cashback, partnering with over 3,500 stores to offer 1-10% back on purchases. The app is simple: shop through Rakuten's links, and cash appears in your account.
- Cashback range: 1-10% (up to 40% during sales)
- Payout: Quarterly via check or PayPal
- Sign-up bonus: $30 after first $30 purchase
- Best for: Online shopping at major retailers
2. Ibotta
Ibotta shines for grocery shopping and in-store purchases. Add offers before you shop, then scan your receipt to earn cashback on specific items.
- Cashback range: $0.25-$5 per item
- Payout: $20 minimum via PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards
- Sign-up bonus: $10 welcome bonus
- Best for: Grocery and everyday shopping
3. Fetch Rewards
Fetch is the easiest cashback app to use. Just scan any receipt from any store, and you'll earn points redeemable for gift cards. No need to select offers beforehand.
- Earnings: 25+ points per receipt, bonus for partner brands
- Payout: Gift cards starting at $3
- Sign-up bonus: 2,000 points with first receipt
- Best for: Passive earnings on all purchases
Coupon & Deal Finding Apps
4. Honey (PayPal)
Honey's browser extension automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout. The app version includes Droplist for price tracking and Honey Gold rewards.
- Features: Auto-apply coupons, price tracking, rewards
- Works at: 30,000+ online stores
- Cost: Free
- Best for: Online checkout savings
5. Capital One Shopping
Even without a Capital One card, you can use this app for price comparisons and automatic coupon application. It shows you if the item is cheaper elsewhere.
- Features: Price comparison, coupons, price drop alerts
- Unique feature: Shows lower prices at other retailers
- Cost: Free
- Best for: Ensuring you get the lowest price
Quick Comparison Table
| App | Type | Avg. Savings | Effort Level | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | Cashback | $200+/year | Low | ★★★★★ |
| Ibotta | Cashback | $150+/year | Medium | ★★★★★ |
| Fetch Rewards | Points | $50+/year | Very Low | ★★★★☆ |
| Honey | Coupons | $100+/year | Very Low | ★★★★☆ |
| Capital One Shopping | Comparison | $75+/year | Very Low | ★★★★☆ |
| Dosh | Auto Cashback | $50+/year | None | ★★★★☆ |
| RetailMeNot | Coupons | $75+/year | Low | ★★★★☆ |
Store-Specific Apps Worth Downloading
6. Target Circle
Target's app offers 1% back on every purchase, plus exclusive coupons and deals. Combine with a Target RedCard for 5% additional savings.
7. Walmart+ / Walmart App
Free pickup scheduling, in-store price scanning, and mobile checkout. Walmart+ members get free delivery and fuel discounts.
8. Amazon Shopping
Subscribe & Save discounts, Lightning Deals notifications, and price tracking through wishlists. Essential for Prime members.
9. Kohl's App
Stacking Kohl's Cash, coupons, and Yes2You Rewards can result in 50%+ savings. The app makes tracking all this easy.
Gas & Travel Savings
10. GasBuddy
Find the cheapest gas near you. The Pay with GasBuddy card saves an additional 5-25¢ per gallon.
11. Upside
Earn cashback on gas (up to 25¢/gallon), groceries, and restaurants. Simply check in when you arrive.
How to Stack Apps for Maximum Savings
The real power comes from using multiple apps together. Here's an example of stacking:
Example: $100 Online Purchase at Target
- Rakuten: 3% cashback = $3
- Honey: Found 15% coupon = $15
- Target Circle: 1% back = $1
- Credit card: 2% cashback = $2
Total saved: $21 on a $100 purchase (21% savings!)
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
- Download the essentials: Rakuten, Ibotta, Fetch, and Honey
- Claim sign-up bonuses: Worth $30-50 combined
- Add store apps for places you shop frequently
- Start using them immediately on your next purchase
- Set a monthly reminder to check earnings and cash out
With minimal effort, these 15 apps can easily save the average shopper $400-800 per year. The key is installing them now and making them part of your shopping routine.