Never Miss Another Deal: 5 Best Coupon Apps

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As the price of groceries and other necessities continues to rise, more and more Americans are looking for small ways to cut costs. One easy way to do this is to take advantage of coupon apps, which replace paper clippings with digital coupons.

Apps like Honey, RetailMeNot and Ibotta can help consumers save money on both in-person and online shopping by automatically applying promo codes or allowing users to claim cash back. Particularly savvy shoppers may want to combine the functionality of multiple apps to save both time and money when looking for deals. 

Here are the top five best coupon apps available for download now:

• Honey
• Ibotta
• RetailMeNot
• Coupons.com
• Rakuten

1. Honey

Consumers who do the majority of their shopping online can find quick savings by downloading the Honey app. Honey is a streamlined coupon crawler that will automatically scan the web for coupon codes when it detects that you’re checking out with a major online retailer like Walmart or Amazon. The app will even test out dozens of promo codes in real time and serve users the best deal on their purchases. Honey shoppers save about $126 on average per year after downloading the app.

Cost: $0Best for: Automatic savings at major retailers onlineAvailable on: Chrome, iOS, AndroidCash rewards: No; discounts applied at checkoutPros: Savings applied directly on the retailer’s websiteCons: Customer reviews indicate poor customer service

2. Ibotta

The Ibotta app allows users to browse cash-back offers on products from thousands of retailers. After adding items to their list, customers can shop directly through the app or scan their receipts to get benefits after shopping at a physical store. Customers receive a percentage refund, which they can withdraw in cash or exchange for a gift card with an added cash bonus. Customers may receive refunds of up to 30% from major retailers like Home Depot, Walmart and more.

Cost: $0Best for: Cash back on online or in-person purchasesAvailable on: Chrome, iOS, AndroidCash rewards: Yes; cash or gift cardPros: Savings on in-person purchases when you scan a valid receiptCons: $3.99 account maintenance fee is deducted from your balance monthly if you don’t use the app for 180 days

3. RetailMeNot

One of the largest online coupon distributors, RetailMeNot has joined the mobile app sphere. The RetailMeNot app is home to thousands of promo codes and special offers. Customers receive discounts as well as cash back on meals out, skincare and more. RetailMeNot pays its app members more than $200,000 every month on average.

Cost: $0Best for: Discounts on meals outAvailable on: Chrome, iOS, AndroidCash rewards: Yes; paid through PayPal or VenmoPros: Discounts and cash-back offers can be applied to the same purchaseCons: Customer reviews indicate coupon codes are sometimes invalid

4. Coupons.com

Coupons.com, a trusted name in grocery savings, has recently expanded its online printable coupon service to include app functionality. Cash-back offers span thousands of retailers, but the app is strongly tailored towards grocery shopping.

To use the Coupons.com app, begin by browsing brand offers at preferred retailers. Buy the product and scan the product receipt using the Coupons.com app to initiate the refund process. Customers will see their cash back deposited directly into their PayPal account in a few days.

Cost: $0Best for: Grocery store savingsAvailable on: Chrome, iOS, AndroidCash rewards: Yes; paid through PayPalPros: Loyalty cards or membership accounts can be linked for automatic cash backCons: Users report some technical issues with coupon printing

5. Rakuten

For online shoppers, Rakuten will automatically apply discounts and promo codes to purchases made in-browser and through branded apps. Rakuten users will find discounts of up to 10% at more than 3,500 major retailers, ranging from department stores like Kohl’s to online auction marketplaces like eBay.

Cost: $0Best for: Huge catalog of brandsAvailable on: Chrome, iOS, AndroidCash rewards: Yes; paid through PayPal or via checkPros: Includes a travel tab for discounts on hotels, airfare and moreCons: Cash-back offers are only applicable when shopping through the app

Final Thoughts

Saving money with coupons is a great way to find a few extra dollars to invest, or to make a paycheck last after an unexpected household expense. While saving thousands through coupon apps probably isn’t feasible for most people, it’s worth checking out one or two for a little bonus on regular purchases or upcoming gifts. 

Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.

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