Saving money on groceries is one of the most important things you can do for your budget. It’s a task that can be made easier by using the right apps.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your grocery bill, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the best apps for saving money on groceries from around the web, so you can start saving today!
We’ve broken down our list into three categories: apps that aim to help you get better deals on groceries, apps that help you find coupons and discounts on everything from cereal to milk, and apps that make doing your shopping more convenient.
Best Apps For Saving Money On Groceries
Today we’re going to introduce the best apps to save money on groceries.
The best part about these apps? They’re all 100% FREE to use. Not only that, but some even come up with sign-up bonuses. Easily earn discounts on groceries by scanning receipts, walking into stores and more.
With that said, let’s get started with our list of the 10 best apps to save money on groceries in 2021.
Table of Contents [show]
- Ibotta
Platform: iOS and Android
Join Ibotta
save money with ibotta
Ibotta emphasizes its no coupon campaign with a method for getting cash back for your purchases. Each time you go to the grocery store, check the Ibotta app for cash back opportunities in your area.
After making a purchase, scan your receipt and Ibotta will send you cash back on that item within 1 week. Redeeming your first offer gets you an automatic $5. Ibotta is currently connected with many of the major grocery store chains.
Many people report getting over $20 in cash back a month using this app alone. Offers redeemed from Ibotta can be used with other discounts as well.
The best part? We’ve partnered with Ibotta so that when you sign-up using our link you get a $10 bonus when you scan your first receipt.
- Shopkick
Platform: iOS and Android
Join Shopkick
Last but not least, Shopkick gives you free money simply for shopping. Walk into a store and get discounts at stores such as Target, Macy’s and much more.
What’s even more is that you can get money just for scanning an item without the need to purchase it.
Once you get enough points, use them to redeem for gift cards to Starbucks or other retailers.
While the savings can be high, it’s sometimes not the best app to use at grocery stores, as the major retailers linked with Shopkick are mostly department stores.
Yet it still makes the list for a creative and easy way to earn cash.
- Fetch Rewards
Platform: iOS and Android
Join Fetch Rewards
fetch rewards app review claim rewards
Fetch Rewards is quickly becoming one of the top apps out there when it comes to saving money on groceries.
We’ve partnered with Fetch Rewards to give you a $1.50 bonus when you sign-up using promo code HH3MN and scan your first receipt.
Similar to Ibotta, this app pays you to take a picture of a receipt with specific offers on it. You’ll find a wide-range of offers varying from alcohol, produce all the way to snacks and dairy.
The best part? It doesn’t matter where you make the purchase, just as long as it shows up on your receipt.
- Coin Out
Platform: iOS and Android
Join Coin Out
coinout receipt scanning app
The newest member on this list, but that doesn’t make it the least favorable. Coin Out also pays you to take pictures of your receipt.
Coin out also lets you earn cash back online as well as offline. Once you reach a minimum balance in your account, you can cash out for either free PayPal cash or gift card options.
Coin Out has a wide variety of stores that you can earn cash back from and they’re rapidly expanding. Refer your friends to earn even more.
- Makeena
Platform: iOS and Android
Join Makeena
makeena save money on groceries
Similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards, Makeena also gives you cash back when you take pictures of receipts with certain products on them.
However, their biggest difference is their prime focus on healthy foods. Earn cash back on vegetables, fruits, organic products, GMO-free and other offers.
Makeena is continually expanding and creating new offers for you to earn cash back on.
- Checkout 51
Platform: iOS and Android
Join Checkout 51
checkout 51 1
Similar to Ibotta, Checkout 51 allows you to upload your receipt after a purchase in order to get cash back.
Use their database to search for deals and opportunities for cash back in your current grocery store or grocery stores in your area.
Once you make the purchase, scan your receipt and you receive your first check after hitting $20. New deals are uploaded to the Checkout51 database once a week.
Their offers can be used simultaneously with other coupons.
- SavingStar
SavingStar is known to be a veteran for replacing clipping coupons. After registering, type in your rewards cards from your favorite retailers.
Look for deals on their website or app, and the deals are automatically redeemed at the register and shown on your receipt.
No scanning, clipping or entering information. The easy and flexibility of this app is what makes it such a great choice.
SavingStar is connected with all of the major grocery store chains.
Platform: iOS and Android
SavingStar Banner With Tagline
- Coupons.com
Coupons.com is primarily known for printing coupons.
However, their app has recently been updated with a section that allows you to automatically scan deals to your rewards card so that you automatically get the coupons discounted at the register and is shown on your receipt.
This means there’s no need for clipping. Additionally, the coupons.com app gives has a section that shows you more coupons that can only be printed for more options to save money.
Coupons.com has a relationship with many of the major retailers and can also be used for shopping centers.
Platform: iOS and Android
- GrocerEaze
Similar to Grocery IQ and Food on the Table, GrocerEaze lets you shop by recipe and create your own shopping list, but what the app is mainly known for is its ability to add prices in its item database. If you see a cheaper price at one store, simply record it it in the Grocer Eaze app and it will remember for you. GrocerEaze also has the feature of easily sharing meal plans, along with a wide variety of recipes to shop from.
Platform: iOS and Android
grocer eaze 1
- Grocery Smarts
Made for people who love to bargain-shop, Grocery Smarts has CONSTANT updates on the latest prices from stores such as Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid and Wal-Mart. More grocers are slowly being added to this app, and it even comes with the feature of editing and saving your own shopping plan. The one reason that this doesn’t rank higher is because you have to print the coupons instead of simply automatically having them scanned. However, it’s still a great app for saving money at the grocery store.
Platform: iOS and Android
grocery smarts 1
- Food on the Table
This has to be one of the most unique apps for grocery stores that we have come across yet. Aside from creating your personal shopping list, this app supplies you with a list of recipes, tells you the specific ingredients that you need, and give you the cheapest place to find these ingredients. You can also insert your own personal recipes, and this app will automatically search for the cheapest place to buy the ingredients. Additional features include emailing your recipe and sorting the categories by which you shop (meat and fish, spices, etc.). This means it not only saves you money, but time as well. With its ease of use and amount of savings, this was a no-brainer for our #1 spot.
Platform: iOS and Android
no1-1
- Favado
The Favado Grocery Savings App does a great job at comparing prices. Use Favado’s search mechanism to find the store in your area with the best price on a specific item rather than a specific brand. Favado also has a favorite brand feature that sends you push notifications you when your favorite grocery store products go on sale. With over 65,000 grocery stores in its database and an estimated 30% saved when searching for sales, it’s no wonder Favado ranks so high on our Top 10 list.
Platform: iOS and Android
favado 1
- Grocery IQ
Grocery IQ has one of the larger grocery store databases and is very similar to Food on the Table. This app allows you to search for specific items that you need rather than specific brands.
If you need a gallon of milk, Grocery IQ will locate you to the nearest store with the best price.
You can also enter your rewards card number and search for coupons that will be automatically taken off at the register, or you can find additional coupons that can be printed.
What’s even more is that you can ask Grocery IQ to remember the aisles in the store, saving you lots of time.
Platform: iOS and Android
grocery iq 1
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the 10 best apps to save money on groceries in 2021. See one that’s not on the list and should be? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy frugaling!
best grocery store to save money
46
SHARES
If you’re like me, you like to grocery shop on a budget. When I first started buying groceries, I didn’t have much money. In fact, $20 was usually all I had to spend per week on food.
Finding cheap grocery stores near me is what allowed me to get by back then, and what keeps me ahead of the curve now.
Through research and over ten years of experience, I’ve learned some of the best ways to save money on groceries. This includes finding an affordable grocery store that fits your needs, plus knowing the right tools to use to cut costs.
If you want to save money at the store this year, this guide provides several top choices.
Table of Contents
Cheapest Grocery Stores to Shop at
- Aldi
- Costco
- Walmart
- Dollar General
- Food4Less
- H-E-B
- Kroger
- Lidl
- WinCo
- Market Basket
- Trader Joe’s
- SuperValu
- Walmart Neighborhood Market
Best Apps to Save Money on Groceries
Other Ways to Grocery Shop on A Budget
Have a Meal Plan
Avoid Snacks and Processed Foods
Shop Sales
Eat Leftovers
Summary
Cheapest Grocery Stores to Shop at
It is not always easy to find a favorite supermarket that’s also affordable. Some may have good prices, but not have good quality. Others may have good service, but not the best deals.
When ranking stores, we used the Dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI) as a guide.
It ranks stores in the following areas:
Prices
Quality
Operations
Customer Service
Discounts
Convenience
If you’re looking for a low-cost store, here are some of the top choices.
- Aldi
Aldi is a terrific discount grocery store to consider. I love Aldi for the fact that they offer cheap produce, organic options, and some awesome gourmet cheeses, wine, and seafood.
If you have champagne taste but a beer budget, Aldi is a terrific choice.
Everything they do is to cut costs while passing on the savings to their customers and paying their employees a higher wage.
This arrangement means they only sell popular products that have been loaded directly onto shelves while still in warehouse packaging.
You also have to insert a quarter into their carts in order to use one (don’t worry, you get the quarter back once you return the cart). You also have to bag your own groceries, so don’t forget reusable bags.
However, if you can get past those little inconveniences, you could save up to 40 percent off of regular grocery store prices. I’ve been shopping at Aldi ever for years, and it helps us spend less on groceries.
- Costco
If you have a larger family, or eat a lot of the same foods and want the convenience of always having them around, Costco is for you. Costco is a membership store, costing $60 for a yearly membership.
However, the savings that Costco will offer you is worth that and more. They’re also currently offering a free $10 Costco card for new members!
Costco doesn’t make much money from the food you purchase. Their prices are affordable. The store also offers plenty of gluten-free and organic food choices, if that’s important to you.
In addition to groceries, you can buy countless other things at locations, including:
Tires
Travel packages
Prescriptions
In many cases, you can save significant money buying an item at Costco. If you have a growing family and live near a store, they’re worth checking out.
Related: Do you like Sam’s Club? Read our review of Costco vs. Sam’s Club to see which is best for you.
- Walmart
You may believe that Walmart is the cheapest place to buy groceries. That’s not usually the case, but it is possible to find good deals there.
Everyone knows about Walmart, and for good reason. It’s typically one of the only stores available in rural areas or food deserts, and it has fantastic prices on staples, fruits, veggies, and more.
When I can’t find something at Aldi, I can usually find it at Walmart. My family eats mostly vegan/vegetarian, and items like tofu, beans, legumes, and vegan alternatives.
These items are generally much cheaper at Walmart versus some of the health food stores near us.
Along with the cheaper items, you can also save money by shopping on the Walmart grocery app or website. Shopping online can limit impulse purchases, and it’s convenient because you can set a time to go pick up the groceries.
- Dollar General
Dollar General is another discount grocery store that is typically available in smaller towns and rural areas. Because of this, it is often one of the only stores those residents can use.
While Dollar General isn’t the best choice if you want lots of fresh food, it’s suitable for staples and household goods. Where Dollar General shines is the selection they offer beyond groceries.
Expect to find items from the following categories at Dollar General:
Apparel
Beauty products
Cleaning supplies
Office supplies
Unlike other dollar stores, Dollar General allows you to use coupons for even more savings.
- Food4Less
Food4Less is a grocery store that sells food at hugely discounted prices. You can also combine coupons and digital coupons to save, as well as get points towards gas just by shopping with them.
Food4Less is available in many cities and states, so you may be lucky to have one nearby.
If you aren’t near a store, you can order staples like nut butters and toilet paper from them and have the items shipped directly to your home.
- H-E-B
Oh, how I miss H-E-B! As a southern gal, I loved going into the store and admiring all of the aisles with delicious foods, including prepared items and baked goods.
H-E-B stores are located only in Texas, so this store will not work for everyone.
However, if you’re lucky enough to have an H-E-B near you, it’s an excellent option to save money on groceries. You can save and clip their email and digital couples.
You can get online deals shipped directly to your door or make a menu on their app based on the items on sale. H-E-B also allows you to order groceries online and pick them up curbside to keep from impulse shopping.
- Kroger
While they partner with several other grocery chains, Kroger branded stores are only available in ten States. If you have one near you, you’re in luck.
Kroger operates under different names, depending on where you live. If you have the following stores in your area, they are Kroger-backed:
Baker’s
Dillons
Fred Meyer
King Sooper
Ralphs
Kroger stores have some of the best sales on meat and produce that you’ll find, and it’s easy to find deals on their website. You can find weekly deals, digital coupons, and fuel reward options directly on their site.
They also give you the option to have groceries delivered to your door.
- Lidl
Lidl is Aldi’s biggest competitor, and it makes sense as to why. Similar to Aldi, Lidl has rock bottom prices on many of their items every week (like grapes for only $0.79 a pound).
Unlike Aldi, Lidl doesn’t require a quarter to use their carts, it has a fresh bakery, and it carries store brands along with name brands. However, they don’t supply bags or pack your groceries for you.
Lidl is currently available on the East Coast and expanding quickly. So, keep an eye out for this growing store.
- WinCo
WinCo is an employee-owned company that has stores on the West Coast and some southern states like Arizona and Texas.
If you aren’t familiar with WinCo, they have some awesome perks, including discounts on bulk items and marked down items (with the little green tags).
Like some of the other stores on this list, you have to bag your groceries at WinCo. But you’ll also be able to score some great deals, so it’s worth it.
The store tries to be as eco-friendly as possible, which is a huge perk for the earth lovers shopping.
- Market Basket
Market Basket is only available in parts of New England, so consider yourself lucky if you live near one. This store believes strongly in the power of community, so you won’t find self-checkout lanes.
By running a lean ship (they didn’t have a website until 2017, for example), they sell fresh produce, superb deli meats, and more for a fraction of the cost.
However, a nice perk of their site is that they allow you to create a digital shopping list to help you at the store.
- Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is a popular grocer, with a devoted following. This store is a single person’s dream, since you pay per piece of fruit or vegetable and only get what you need.
If you’re a busy family, you’ll love their store brands of all of the frozen goodies that are frugal and healthy (like their reduced guilt mac and cheese).
They also have beautiful bouquets of flowers for less than $5 each, and mini carts so you can shop with your kids.
Trader Joe’s is an affordable grocery store that makes shopping fun, and you’ll find brands you won’t find at other major stores.
- SuperValu
SuperValu has been in business for over 100 years. You may not recognize the name, but this retail and wholesale giant is the parent of operates several chains, including:
Cub Foods
County Market
Festival Foods
Shoppers Food & Pharmacy
SuperValu Pharmacies
In total, SuperValu operates over 3,000 locations nationwide, according to its site. If you’re looking for a cheap grocery store near you, SuperValu is worth seeking out to save money.
- Walmart Neighborhood Market
Walmart Neighborhood Market is a bit different that a standard Walmart. Unlike regular Walmart locations, the neighborhood market stores only carry groceries.
Because of this, they’re able to cut prices a bit, and that saves you even more money. If you have both Walmart options near you, try comparing the prices of their items.
You may notice that you get more for less at the Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Best Apps to Save Money on Groceries
Going to an affordable grocery store is only one part of the solution to save money. The other part is to use apps that provide a rebate on the items you purchase.
Think of these as digital coupons. You can use these apps directly from your phone. Some have offers you can use at the store, while others allow you to earn cash back by scanning receipts.
Not every app will work at all stores. However, many will work at most, if not all, of the grocery stores on our list. Here are some of the top apps to use to save money at the store.
Ibotta – Ibotta is an excellent app to receive cash back on items that you already purchase, like bread, eggs, and snacks. All you have to do is add them to your basket on the app, buy them, then scan your receipt.
Ibotta will then give you any available rebates. You can redeem earnings via PayPal once you reach $20. The app even gives you $5 when you make your first qualifying purchase.
Not only does Ibotta work at the store, but it also works at 350+ online retailers, including:
Amazon
Costco
Sam’s Club
Target
If you like to earn money on your shopping, Ibotta is worth considering. Read our guide here on how it compares to other money saving apps.
Conclusion
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Check out other publications to gain access to more digital resources if you are just starting out with Flux Resource.
Also contact us today to optimize your business(s)/Brand(s) for Search Engines