20 Must-Have Apps for Frugal Shoppers

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If you love finding a good deal, welcome to your ultimate guide to saving money with a tap on your phone. Whether you’re hunting for the best grocery discounts, cashback opportunities, or price comparisons that make your wallet happy, these apps have you covered. Think of them as your trusty sidekicks in the battle against overspending.

In this guide, you’ll discover 20 must-have apps that help frugal shoppers like you stretch every penny. I’ll walk you through why each app is amazing, how to use it, and a step-by-step for getting started. Plus, we’ll include vivid “Picture This” moments to inspire you to embrace the frugal shopping lifestyle!

What You Might Need

Your smartphone
A payment method (most apps require linking a card or payment service)
Email account for creating app profiles

1. Rakuten: Earn Cashback While Shopping

Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a cashback superstar. With this app, you get money back for shopping at your favorite stores. It’s like being paid to shop—yes, really!

How to Get Started:

Download Rakuten from the App Store or Google Play.
Create an account and link your preferred payment method.
Browse stores on Rakuten or activate cashback when you shop online.
Sit back and watch your savings pile up!

Picture This:

Imagine snagging a gorgeous new sweater for $40, then earning $5 cashback through Rakuten. It feels like the universe just gave you a high five for being a savvy shopper!

2. Honey: Automatic Coupons at Checkout

No more hunting for coupon codes. Honey swoops in at checkout to apply discounts automatically.

How to Get Started:

Add the Honey extension to your browser or download the app.
Shop online as usual.
When you reach checkout, Honey will search for the best discounts.
Apply the best code with one click and watch your total drop.

Picture This:

You’re buying a $100 kitchen gadget, and Honey magically finds a $25-off coupon. That’s dinner out next week covered—thanks to you and your frugal genius!

3. Flipp: Weekly Ads & Coupons in One Place

Flipp is a lifesaver for grocery shoppers who want the best weekly deals without flipping through dozens of paper ads.

How to Get Started:

Download Flipp and enter your zip code to find local stores.
Browse weekly ads or search for deals on specific items.
Save coupons directly to your phone.
Show your saved offers at checkout to score savings.

Picture This:

Picture walking into your favorite grocery store armed with deals for every item on your list. You leave with a full cart and still have money left for a coffee run.

4. Ibotta: Grocery Rebates Made Easy

Ibotta turns your grocery shopping into a rebate extravaganza. Get cash back on everything from pantry staples to fun treats.

How to Get Started:

Download Ibotta and create an account.
Choose rebates for items on your grocery list.
Snap a photo of your receipt or link your store loyalty card.
Cash out your savings via PayPal or gift cards.

Picture This:

You’re unpacking groceries when you realize you’ve earned $15 back on this week’s haul. That’s movie night snacks, covered!

5. Shopkick: Earn Rewards for Shopping

Shopkick gives you points (kicks) for simply stepping into stores, scanning items, and making purchases, which you can redeem for gift cards.

How to Get Started:

Download Shopkick and create an account.
Walk into participating stores to earn kicks.
Scan featured items or make purchases to accumulate more kicks.
Redeem your kicks for gift cards from popular retailers.

Picture This:

Imagine earning a free $25 gift card just by doing your regular shopping, and then using it to treat yourself—frugal shopping at its finest!

6. Checkout 51: Cashback on Groceries

Checkout 51 offers cash back on selected grocery items when you upload your receipt.

How to Get Started:

Install Checkout 51 and browse current offers.
Purchase featured items from any store.
Upload your receipt to the app.
Receive cash back, which you can cash out via PayPal or check.

Picture This:

You buy your weekly groceries and discover $10 back in your account a few days later. It’s like you’re your own savings superhero!

7. RetailMeNot: Coupons and Cash Back

RetailMeNot collects thousands of coupons, deals, and cash-back offers in one place, perfect for both online and in-store shopping.

How to Get Started:

Download the RetailMeNot app and sign up.
Search for deals at your favorite stores or scan available offers nearby.
Apply coupon codes at checkout to maximize your savings.

Picture This:

Find an extra 20% off on that gadget you’ve been eyeing, and an additional 5% cashback. It’s like discovering treasure while browsing!

8. Fetch Rewards: Easy Receipt Scanning

Fetch Rewards lets you earn points by scanning your grocery receipts, which can be redeemed for gift cards from major retailers.

How to Get Started:

Download Fetch Rewards and create an account.
Scan your grocery receipts to earn points.
Redeem points for gift cards from popular stores and restaurants.

Picture This:

Turn your grocery shopping into rewards points effortlessly, and before you know it, you’re cashing them in for a new kitchen gadget!

9. SnipSnap: Digital Coupon Organizer

SnipSnap allows you to digitize your paper coupons and organize them on your phone for easy access at the checkout.

How to Get Started:

Download SnipSnap and register.
Snap photos of your paper coupons to store them digitally.
Present your saved digital coupons at checkout to redeem discounts.

Picture This:

Your wallet’s clunky coupon clutter is gone, replaced with a streamlined app that boosts your savings without the fuss.

10. Qapital: Save Smart, Shop Hard

Qapital automates your savings, using small contributions on routine purchases to save towards specific goals or splurges.

How to Get Started:

Install Qapital and set up your account.
Connect your bank account and set saving rules (e.g., round up purchases).
Watch your savings accumulate effortlessly.

Picture This:

You’re saving without even thinking about it, and soon enough, you’ve tucked away enough for that shopping spree at your favorite store.

11. Groupon: Deals on Experiences and Products

Groupon provides discounts on a plethora of local experiences and products, perfect for frugal adventurers and shoppers alike.

How to Get Started:

Download Groupon and sign up.
Browse deals in your area or search for specific categories.
Purchase deals directly through the app and redeem them as instructed.

Picture This:

Score a weekend getaway at half price, leaving you with enough extra cash to splurge on a fine dining experience during your stay.

12. CamelCamelCamel: Amazon Price Tracker

CamelCamelCamel tracks price history on Amazon products, notifying you of the best times to buy.

How to Get Started:

Visit the CamelCamelCamel website and create an account.
Set up price alerts for items you’re eyeing on Amazon.
Receive notifications when your desired products drop in price.

Picture This:

You finally snag that high-end blender you’ve been coveting as its price plummets just in time for holiday meal prep—at a fraction of the original cost.

13. The Coupons App: Real-Time Savings

The Coupons App offers real-time coupon codes, discounts, and gas price comparisons right from your phone.

How to Get Started:

Download The Coupons App and sign up.
Browse through retailer coupons and nearby gas savings.
Apply the best deals during checkout.

Picture This:

Imagine shaving dollars off your fuel budget this month, freeing more cash for shopping trips and spontaneous splurges that don’t break the bank.

14. PriceCruncher: Smart Price Comparison

PriceCruncher helps you compare product prices by unit to ensure you’re always getting the best deal.

How to Get Started:

Download PriceCruncher and set up your account.
Input product prices and sizes when shopping.
Let PriceCruncher calculate and compare for you.

Picture This:

You’re stocking up for a party and realize that buying the bigger pack of snacks actually costs less per unit, ensuring more bang for your buck.

15. GasBuddy: Save on Fuel

GasBuddy helps you locate the best gas prices near you, saving money on every fill-up.

How to Get Started:

Install GasBuddy to create an account.
Search for the cheapest gas prices in your area.
Head to the station with the best price and save instantly.

Picture This:

Fuel up for a road trip with minimal wallet damage, ensuring more funds for adventure exploration and local shop discoveries along the way.

16. Dosh: Automatic Cash Back

Dosh provides cash back for everyday purchases without the hassle of clipping coupons.

How to Get Started:

Download Dosh and sign up.
Link your credit or debit card for automatic rewards.
Shop at partner stores and restaurants to receive cash back, automatically credited to your Dosh account.

Picture This:

You enjoy a night out at a restaurant and realize later that your meal practically paid for itself with the cash back you earned—cheers to living large sensibly!

17. Walmart Savings Catcher: Price Match Refunds

Walmart Savings Catcher compares prices from local competitors and offers refunds on price differences.

How to Get Started:

Use the Walmart app to scan your receipt.
Sit back as Savings Catcher compares listed prices for identical items.
Receive a refund for any price differences, credited directly to your Walmart account.

Picture This:

Post-holiday shopping brings unexpected joy when you discover a returned difference from overpaid items—it’s like a surprise gift from your wallet, to your wallet.