One of the issue with using promo codes for online shopping is that you have to look for them. And if you’re constantly searching for codes, it’s pretty inconvenient.
That’s why we created this list of apps that are designed to help you find the best promo codes!
So whether you want a quick way to save money on your daily commute or just a quick way to stay updated on the latest deals, check out these apps:
Best Apps For Promo Codes
If you don’t use coupons when you shop—you’ve got a lot to learn. You could be missing out on some serious savings. Gone are the days when you have to clip, organize and haul hundreds of coupons out the door with you. Now all you need is your trusty smartphone loaded up with the best coupon apps out there. Here are 16 of our favorite coupon apps to get you started. Don’t go shopping without them if you want to save some serious dough.
The 16 Best Coupon Apps for 2021
- Rakuten
Shopping is fun, but spending money is a real drag no matter how you slice it. But earning cash back for buying stuff? Well, that’s what dreams are made of. Meet Rakuten, the app that gives you cash back on your purchases plus all the coupon codes you need in this lifetime. And you don’t have to wait for a check to hit your mailbox, these guys will pay you through PayPal. Not impressed yet? They’ll even give you 10 bucks just for signing up!
Standout feature: Cash back on stuff you’re already going to buy
Best used for: Cash. Back. Need we say it more, folks?
Platforms: On iOS, Android and available as a Desktop extension on Chrome
- Honey
Life’s about to get a whole lot sweeter! Allow us to introduce you to Honey, one of the best coupon apps. Install the app on your web browser, and Honey will search through the best coupons available for the website you’re shopping on. It’ll even apply it to your cart at checkout, with no hassle for you. Yeah, it’s basically like magic.
Money
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How many times have you had to google “coupon code” for the item you’re thinking about buying? Then, you have to sift through all the options and test code after code. Sometimes they work, but sometimes you strike out. And at the end of it all, you’ve probably spent a good chunk of your valuable time searching the web to save a buck. Honey takes care of all that searching for you.
Standout feature: When you’re shopping on Amazon, Honey will tell you if another seller offers the item at a cheaper price.
Best used for: Shopping online and comparing prices
Platforms: Desktop app extension
- Drop
Think of this as the ultimate rewards system. Drop lets you collect reward points on the stuff you buy every day—the week’s groceries, that new pair of jeans you splurged on, and even your weekend Lyft rides. Once you’ve gotten enough points to use, you can trade them in for discounts at big-name stores like Amazon, Starbucks and Walmart.
Standout feature: Game-changing rewards system
Best used for: Racking up reward points to save more money at your favorite stores
Platforms: On iOS and Android
- SnipSnap
Have you ever tried to carry around a stack of Bed Bath and Beyond coupons with you? It’s like lugging around a pile of oversized, cardboard playing cards. SnipSnap feels your pain, and that’s why they created their coupon app. Farewell forever, clunky coupon binder!
When you’re out and about and find something you want to buy, take a picture of it with SnipSnap. The app will bring up a list of available coupons and sales for that specific item. SnipSnap will even let you know if it’s cheaper to buy it online or at another store.
Standout feature: Easy cost comparison—just by snapping a photo!
Best used for: Shopping in-store and comparing prices
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Ibotta
There’s a reason why this one is on nearly every list of best coupon apps. It’s pretty amazing. With this discount app, just scan item barcodes to find out if any rebates are available. You don’t have to do anything at the register when you’re checking out! Instead, upload a picture of your receipt into the app, and Ibotta will give you cash back. Once your total adds up to $20, you can cash out and put that extra money toward your future grocery budget or a gift card. P.S. Sometimes Ibotta even offers you $20 bonuses just for signing up. So pay attention and download the app when they’re running one of those promos.
With this app, you won’t see immediate savings at checkout like you would with a coupon. But you will get actual cash back in your pocket to use later on down the road—and that’s worth the wait.
Standout feature: Cash back that adds up over time
Best used for: Getting “paid” for items you’re already purchasing at the store
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Shopkick
This app is like other saving apps out there that use rebates, but instead of getting cash for your points, you can redeem them for gift cards. That’s pretty great—who doesn’t love a store gift card?
But here’s the best part: You can earn points (they call them “kicks”) just by walking into a store. And if you’re up for a little scavenger hunt, you can earn even more points for scanning products they list throughout the store. You don’t even have to spend money to earn a little kickback! (See what we did there?)
Standout feature: No need to make a purchase to rack up points
Best used for: Anytime you walk into a store
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Checkout 51
The nice thing about Checkout 51 is that it’s not as brand specific as some of the others. For example, you’ll earn cash back for buying generic things like bananas, green onions and apples. In addition to that, you’ll get bonuses just for buying any item at select stores like Costco or Walmart.
Standout feature: Cash back for generic items
Best used for: Grocery stores or warehouse stores
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Target’s Cartwheel and REDcard
If you shop at Target, this thing will quickly become your best buddy. Be sure to check the Cartwheel offers in the Target app before you head into the store. You’ll find coupons and major savings on groceries as well as clothing and home goods throughout the store.
Remember to look into Target’s REDcard too. It gets you 5% off every purchase in the store or online, plus free shipping. Just make sure you sign up for their debit card option, and don’t let anyone talk you into their credit card.
Standout feature: Scoring deals on select items with Cartwheel, plus an immediate savings of 5% off each purchase with the Target REDcard
Best used for: Saving money at Target
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- RetailMeNot
Remember to check this major coupon code hub before making an online or in-store purchase. Just type in the store you’re planning to shop at, and RetailMeNot will list all of its active offers. Cha-ching!
Standout feature: A one-stop shop for all your coupon code needs
Best used for: Scoring a 20% coupon to your favorite store
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- ShopSavvy
ShopSavvy calls itself a price comparison tool, but it’s really more like a full-blown shopping experience with a lot of features. The app not only compares prices for the items you’re looking at buying, but also displays user reviews. Think of it like Amazon with a built-in robot that helps you find the cheapest price available at any store!
Standout feature: Price comparisons and user reviews
Best used for: Finding the cheapest price on the item you’re searching for
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Coupon Sherpa
You should download this app for the fun name alone. Coupon Sherpa is a lot like Ibotta and RetailMeNot, but that’s okay—you can never have too many of the best coupon apps at your fingertips. There are coupon codes for almost anything—plus they work with stores to bring you special deals.
Standout feature: Besides the name? Well, the savings of course. And they were the first ever mobile coupon app to offer in-store savings.1
Best used for: Promo codes to save you money
Platforms: On iOS and Android
- GasBuddy
Here’s another oldie but goodie. GasBuddy will search your local area and find the cheapest gas prices near you. Then all you have to do is get yourself to the pump and fill up.
And if you want to save even more money, you can use GasBuddy’s card. No, it’s not a credit card, but it’s not quite a debit card either. Instead, it’s a gas payment card that links to your checking account. Every time you use it, you’ll save up to 25 cents per gallon at the gas pump. GasBuddy says its users save an average of $340 a year when using their app plus the GasBuddy loyalty card.2
Standout feature: Gas payment card that links to your banking account
Best used for: Finding the cheapest gas prices near you
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Dosh
Dosh is a typical cash-back app, but it cuts out some of the hassle from the process. They boast that you’ll be able to take advantage of cash-back rebate offers without using barcode scanning, receipt photos or promo codes.
So, how does it work? Well, you link your debit card to the app, and then it watches what you purchase and dishes cash back to you. We know . . . it’s kind of creepy that it watches what you spend. But then again, welcome to the internet.
Standout feature: Cash-back app without the pain of scanning receipts
Best used for: Getting cash back for online purchases
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- GoodRx
Prescription drug costs can derail your budget quickly. But how do you know if you’re paying too much for your prescriptions? Check out the GoodRx app! Just jot down the name of your prescription in the search bar along with your ZIP code. The app will show you which pharmacies in your area carry it, and how cheap (or not) it is. Plus, they give out extra coupons every now and again for even more savings.
Standout feature: Finding the cheapest prescriptions in your local area
Best used for: Buying prescription medication
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Coupons.com
Where have all the good, old-fashioned coupons gone? They’re right here—only better! Download the Coupons.com app to your smartphone, and you’ll find a bunch of manufacturer coupons to sift through. Coupon clippers, welcome to the digital age. This is the granddaddy of all the best coupon apps!
Sometimes you’ll have to actually print out the physical coupon (hey, it’s a lost art!), but some stores will let you take a photo of the coupon and use your phone to scan it. It’s as simple as that!
Standout feature: Coupons galore
Best used for: Instant savings on groceries, clothing and household items
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
- Receipt Hog
Kind of like Ibotta, just scan your receipt and you’ll get points for specific items you purchased. All these points add up, and you can cash them out once you hit the point level.
By now you might be thinking, Not another rebate app! Isn’t using one or two good enough? No way! By using multiple discount apps, you could be getting a ton of rebates for the same item. And different items might be eligible with different apps. You’ve already spent the money, so make every single receipt work for you.
Standout feature: Collecting points for items you purchase
Best used for: Shopping at any store that gives you a receipt
Platforms: Available on iOS and Android
Give the Best Coupon Apps a Shot—But Stick to Your Budget
We love coupon apps and saving money just as much as the next person, but make sure you aren’t buying something just because of the discount. Get out your budget and stick to it. Just because one of these apps offers you a buy one, get one free deal on something, that doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Always be intentional about how you spend your money—coupon or no coupon.
If you want to learn even more about this “being intentional with your money” stuff (because that’s how you win with money, after all), then try out Ramsey+. You’ll learn how to save cash, budget better, and make your money goals a reality. Plus, you’ll get the tools you need to make it all happen—like the premium version of our budgeting app, EveryDollar. Start your Ramsey+ free trial today!
apps for coupons and discounts
Back in 2009 when the show Extreme Couponing was founded, consumers gathered paper coupons from newspapers and magazines before spending hours cutting them and organizing them into coupon binders or folders.1 Obviously, a lot has changed since then. Paper coupons still exist, but technology has made saving money with coupons way easier than it used to be.
The best coupon apps can make savings with coupons or coupon codes automatic, or they can help you earn cash back for each dollar you spend. Some require you to scan receipts, yet others let you rack up rewards or score discounts when you connect the debit and credit cards you shop with to your account. Investopedia compared several dozen of the top coupon and coupon code apps on the market today to find the best of the best.
The Best Coupon Apps for 2022
Best Overall: Dosh
Best for Groceries: Ibotta
Best for Automatic Savings: Honey
Best for Price Comparisons: Capital One Shopping
Best for Rewards: Rakuten
Best for Printable Coupons: Coupons.com
Best Coupon Apps
Dosh
Ibotta
Honey
Capital One Shopping
Rakuten
Coupons.Com
Final Verdict
Compare Providers
How Do Coupon Apps Work?
How Much Money Can I Save With A Coupon App?
Are Coupon Apps Reliable?
Methodology
BEST OVERALL
Dosh
DoshLEARN MORE
We chose Dosh as best overall due to the fact your savings are automatic with no work required on your part. Dosh also applies savings to more types of purchases than some other coupon apps, including travel purchases made with more than 600,000 hotels.
Pros
No paper coupons or receipt scanning required
Automatically adds savings when you link payment cards to your account
Earn up to 40% back on hotel stays with select partners
Works for app purchases and in-person purchases
Get rewards for referring friends
Cons
Redemptions only available once you accrue $25 in your account
Must connect your credit and debit cards to the app
We chose Dosh as the best coupon app overall due to the fact that you can set it up once and forget about it. This app automatically applies savings to purchases you make with connected credit or debit cards with participating partners, which include brands like Instacart, Walmart, Pizza Hut, Sephora, and more. Dosh is available for iOS and Android devices.
We like the fact that Dosh works for purchases made using your mobile device or in-person purchases made in participating stores. Dosh also has its own travel portal that lets you get up to 40% back on stays with more than 600,000 hotels worldwide. When it comes time to redeem your cash back, you can transfer amounts of $25 or more to your bank account or PayPal account, or use your rewards for a charitable donation.
Finally, Dosh uses bank-level security (256-bit encryption) to keep your information safe. They also feature multi-factor authentication to help prevent unauthorized access to your account or payment details. The app also has excellent user reviews across Google and Apple app services.
BEST FOR GROCERIES
Ibotta
IbottaLEARN MORE
We chose Ibotta as best for groceries due to the fact they offer 500+ exclusive offers for grocery pickup and delivery.
Pros
Get exclusive savings on groceries, including grocery delivery from Walmart or Shipt
Get a $5 welcome bonus for downloading the app
Bonus offers available
Mobile app and browser extension available
Easily link your loyalty accounts to your Ibotta account
Cons
Must have $20 in rewards before you can cash out
Must manually add offers to your account before you shop
Some offers require you to submit a receipt
Ibotta is a coupon app that helps you save money at participating retailers, including grocery stores. We chose it for our ranking based on the extra savings you can accrue on grocery purchases, including delivery and pickup. Specifically, the app boasts more than 500 exclusive offers on grocery delivery with brands like Walmart and Shipt.
You can get a $5 bonus just for downloading the app, and you can add special offers to your account from there. Cash back will then be added to your account when you make eligible purchases with retailers including Lowe’s, Hotels.com, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Staples, and more.
Note that Ibotta works for online and in-person purchases and that the app currently partners with more than 1,500 brands and retailers. Ibotta has also paid out more than $1 billion in cash rewards since its founding in 2012.2 Redemptions with Ibotta are available once you have at least $20 in cash back in your account (or $25 for select gift card redemptions) that you can redeem for transfers to a bank account or PayPal.
Ibotta is available for iOS and Android, and it has mostly excellent reviews with Google and Apple app stores.
BEST FOR AUTOMATIC SAVINGS
Honey
HoneyLEARN MORE
We chose Honey as best for automatic savings since this app and browser extension automatically looks for and applies the best coupon codes and savings to your cart.
Pros
Browser extension works with more than 30,000 merchants
Automatically applies discounts to your purchases
Has its own rewards program known as Honey Gold
Get rewarded for referring friends
No more searching for coupon codes
Cons
Mobile app only works for savings at 300+ stores in the United States
Many average or below-average reviews online
Honey Gold rewards can only be redeemed for gift cards
We chose Honey as the best option for automatic savings since this app and browser extension automatically searches the web for the best discount codes available. When you shop with the browser extension, coupon codes can be automatically applied with more than 30,000 merchants. With the Honey Smart Shopping Assistant app, on the other hand, savings can apply to more than 300 stores in the United States, as well as some options in Canada and the United Kingdom.
The Honey app boasts an average discount of 17.92% on purchases, and users receive an average annual savings of $126.
We also like the fact that Honey has its own rewards program known as Honey Gold. This program lets you rack up rewards when you make purchases at participating stores, and the rewards are also shown to you along with discount codes that can apply to your purchases. You can even earn points in the Honey Gold program for referring friends.
Honey is mostly meant to be used as a browser extension, although the Honey Smart Shopping Assistant app is available for iOS and Android.
BEST FOR PRICE COMPARISONS
Capital One Shopping
Capital One ShoppingLEARN MORE
We chose Capital One Shopping as best for price comparisons because this browser extension and app automatically compare pricing on eligible items at more than 30,000 retailers. This app even includes and compares shipping costs and membership pricing.
Pros
Applies discounts on purchases with more than 30,000 retailers
Automatically compares pricing, including shipping costs
Earn rewards on eligible purchases
Mobile app available for iOS or Android, and browser extension also available
Cons
Rewards are only good for gift cards
While Capital One shopping is a coupon app that automatically applies discounts at more than 30,000 retailers, we chose them for our ranking based on the fact the app also compares pricing and shows you the best deal. If Capital One shopping finds a better price on an item, they’ll even provide you with a link so you can purchase the item elsewhere.
In addition to applying the best coupon codes at participating stores, Capital One shopping also lets you earn rewards on eligible purchases, which can be redeemed for gift cards with retailers like Walmart and eBay.
Capital One Shopping is free to use, and they report they saved their customers more than $160 million in 2019. Note that this tool is available as a browser extension, but that you can also download Capital One shopping on your iOS or Android device. Capital One shopping also has mostly excellent reviews online with the App Store and Google Play.
BEST FOR REWARDS
Rakuten
RakutenLEARN MORE
We chose Rakuten as the best for rewards because this app and browser extension focus on offering users cash back on everyday purchases and shopping. Redemptions start at $5, so you won’t have to spend more to be able to redeem your rewards.
Pros
Rakuten automatically applies coupon codes to your cart
Earn cash back at thousands of participating retailers
Browser extension shows rewards potential in search results
Has a co-branded credit card to help you earn more rewards
Get cash back for referring friends
Cons
Cash back payments are only sent every three months
Only 3,500 participating stores offer cash back
We chose Rakuten as best for earning rewards since this highly rated app is more focused on helping customers earn cash back than it is on helping them accrue savings. This mobile app is available for iOS or Android, but you can also add it as a browser extension to your computer. Once you do, Rakuten will automatically apply cash back rewards to purchases at participating stores. You can even link a credit card to your account and use Rakuten to earn cash back on eligible in-person purchases.
Currently, Rakuten offers cash back at more than 3,500 stores including Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nike, and Ulta. You’ll earn cash back on all purchases you make with participating stores, and you’ll receive a check or PayPal transfer for your cash back every three months provided you have at least $5 in rewards in your account.3
Interestingly, Rakuten also has its own cash-back credit card that can help you earn even more rewards. The Rakuten Cash Back Visa Credit Card offers an extra 3% back on eligible purchases through Rakuten, as well as 1% back on all other purchases. And remember, rewards with this card are offered on top of the cash back you earn with the Rakuten app or browser extension.
Rakuten has mostly excellent reviews with Google Play and the App Store.
BEST FOR PRINTABLE COUPONS
Coupons.com
Coupons.comLEARN MORE
We chose Coupons.com for our ranking because they still offer free printable coupons you can take with you to the store. These coupons can be used to save as much money as possible on groceries, pet supplies, household items, and more.
Pros
Free printable and digital coupons available
No minimum payouts required for rewards
You can link your loyalty accounts for automatic savings
Cons
May need to manually submit receipts for app payout
Receipt scans may be prone to problems
Must activate offers on app before you make a purchase
We chose Coupons.com for our ranking because they offer free printable coupons, free digital coupons, and a mobile app that lets you earn automatic rewards on eligible purchases. With the Coupons.com website, you can print an array of coupons that change over time, including coupons for food, medicines, cleaning products, and more. You can also add digital coupons to loyalty accounts you have at stores like Walmart, Food Lion, and Walgreens.
Coupons.com also has a mobile app that lets you earn cash back on eligible purchases, and there are no minimum payments required to cash out. Just keep in mind that, if you don’t link your loyalty accounts to the app, you may have to scan and submit your receipts after you make a purchase.
Anyone can log into Coupons.com and print coupons, and the Coupons.com mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. The app itself has mostly five-star reviews with Google Play and the Apple Store.
Final Verdict
If your goal is saving money on everything you buy, the best coupon apps can make your job easier. You can still shop around and compare pricing among multiple retailers, but coupon apps can help you save more through discount codes or offers for cash rewards or PayPal transfers.
We believe Dosh is the best coupon app due to the fact you can set it up once and secure automatic savings, yet you may want to consider other options depending on your needs. For example, Coupons.com is a good resource if you prefer to print coupons and bring them with you to the store. Meanwhile, Capital One Shopping may work best if you also want help finding lower prices, and Rakuten could be best if you want to focus on earning rewards on your spending.
Ultimately, only you can decide which coupon app might work best for your needs. Fortunately, the best coupon apps are all free to use, so you don’t have to pay to find out.
Compare the Best Coupon Apps
App Types of Coupons Operating Systems Type of Reward
Dosh Best Overall Cash back and discounts iOS and Android Browser extension Transfers to PayPal or a bank account, or charitable contributions
Ibotta Best for Groceries Cash back and discounts iOS and Android Browser extension Transfers to PayPal or a bank account
Honey Best for Automatic Savings Discounts on purchases iOS and Android Browser extension Savings on purchases Gift cards through Honey Gold
Capital One Shopping Best for Price Comparisons Discounts on purchases iOS and Android Browser extension Savings on purchases Gift cards through rewards program
Rakuten Best for Rewards Cash back on purchases iOS and Android Browser extension Checks or PayPal transfers every three months
Coupons.com Best for Printable Coupons Printable or digital coupons Cash back on app purchases iOS and Android Website Savings on purchases PayPal transfers for rewards
How Do Coupon Apps Work?
Coupon apps can work differently depending on which one you sign up for. For example, some coupon apps automatically apply coupon codes when you shop online with participating merchants. Others work with your store loyalty accounts and let you add offers you can use for savings in a brick-and-mortar store. Some coupon apps focus on helping users accrue savings on their purchases while others let users earn cash back or gift cards on their spending.
How Much Money Can I Save With a Coupon App?
How much you’ll save with a coupon app depends on where you shop and how much you spend each year. Your savings will also depend on the app you use and how much time you’re willing to devote to finding the best offers. As an example, however, the Honey app boasts an average discount of 17.92% on purchases, and they say their users receive an average annual savings of $126.
Are Coupon Apps Reliable?
Coupon apps can lead to considerable savings, yet you may find that some are considerably more reliable than others. For example, coupon apps may miss out on promotions you could find through a manual search, and some that require receipt scans are known for having their share of problems. For example, the Coupons.com app says they may have trouble reading your receipt if it’s blurry or doesn’t have all the information required. This could lead to missed savings through no fault of your own.
Methodology
To find the best coupon apps of 2022, we compared more than 20 of the best options available today. We started the process by checking for apps that are available on iOS and Android, and we also looked for apps that work as a browser extension. From there, we compared coupon apps based on their user reviews and rankings, discounts offered, the number of retailers or brands they work with, and whether they give you discounts or rewards. In the event a coupon app offered rewards instead of discounts, we looked for options with low redemption thresholds and multiple ways to redeem, including bank transfers or transfers to a PayPal account.
Conclusion
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