Best Coupon Apps 2024

News stories about the high cost of living and rising prices seem inescapable in recent years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that inflation stood at 3.3% in May 2024, well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. These figures understandably have people looking for ways to cut back. One way you can save a few extra dollars is with coupon apps. These apps simplify saving with automated coupons, cashback, and specialized offers. Here’s a look at nine of the best coupon apps available today.

Our recommendations

Best for: Earning cash back

Rakuten Rewards

Best for: Earning cash back

Rakuten Rewards

App info:

If you aim to earn cash back, it’s hard to do better than Rakuten. The app partners with popular retailers such as Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, and PetSmart to offer cash back on purchases made through the Rakuten website. There are more than 3,500 stores on the Rakuten portal, and the company maintains that it has paid more than $3.2 billion in cashback since 1999.

Why we like it:

Rakuten makes it easy to earn cash back, and a browser extension makes things even easier. When you are ready to cash out, you have two redemption options: Check or PayPal Cash. As mentioned, cash back is only sent once every three months, but that’s one of the few downsides to an otherwise solid program.

Product details:

• Features: Cash back, coupons, deals
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 2.9
• iOS rating: 3.8
• Browser extension: Yes

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Large catalog of participating retailers
• There are often welcome bonuses available
• The referral program lets you earn even more

Cons:

• There is a minimum payout threshold
• After your first purchase, cash back is only sent once every three months

Best for: finding and applying coupons

PayPal Honey

Best for: finding and applying coupons

PayPal Honey

App info:

PayPal Honey (formerly known as Honey) is primarily a browser extension that automatically finds and applies available coupons at checkout. This approach saves you money on items you already plan to buy, so there’s no need to spend time browsing deals hoping to find something you want or need. There are thousands of participating retailers, some of which offer 5% cash back or sometimes even higher rates.

Why we like it:

Saving money with coupons is nice, but it can also take a lot of time. PayPal Honey changes that dynamic by making savings automatic. Simply install the browser extension, and it will find eligible coupons when you checkout at participating retailers online. This makes the process easy and takes almost no time at all.

Product details:

• Features: Coupon finder, Amazon best price finder, PayPal rewards
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 4.0
• iOS rating: 4.3
• Browser extension: Yes

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Simple installation and automatic savings
• Large network of retailers
• Honey Gold program lets you earn cash back rewards

Cons:

• Coupons may not always work or be the best available
• Limited opportunities to earn cash back

Best for: price comparisons

Capital One Shopping

Best for: price comparisons

Capital One Shopping

App info:

Capital One Shopping is a browser extension and mobile app that makes finding the lowest prices available easy. In this sense, Capital One Shopping is similar to PayPal Honey, but the former still has a few ways of differentiating itself. The main is price comparisons, as the site lets you quickly see how much you can save by shopping there. It shows you an estimated price after rewards and how that compares to similar prices elsewhere.

Why we like it:

It’s always nice to save money, but that can be tough if you don’t know how prices at one retailer compare to those at another. The ability to see how much you might save in a centralized location is a welcome change to the money-saving experience.

Product details:

• Features: Automatic coupons, price history, alerts, Capital One Shopping credits
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 4.7
• iOS rating: 4.9
• Browser extension: Yes

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Comprehensive price comparisons
• Earn shopping credits on purchases
• The mobile app includes a barcode scanner for quick comparisons

Cons:

• Coupons may not always work
• Rewards are mostly in the form of shopping credits, not cash back

Best for: exclusive deals

Target Circle

Best for: exclusive deals

Target Circle

App info:

If you enjoy shopping at Target, Target Circle is a great idea. It gives you exclusive access to in-store deals, bonuses, and other benefits. Plus, Target Circle will give you a 5% discount on your birthday. With the Target mobile app, you can see top deals and a weekly ad packed with savings. For an additional fee, you can join Target Circle 360 for benefits such as unlimited same-day delivery.

Why we like it:

Target is a popular store for a reason—you can find almost anything there. If you will be shopping at Target anyway, taking advantage of exclusive deals makes sense. By browsing the Target app, you can find 20%, 30%, and 50% off deals on any day. Plenty of great deals can be had, and you’re leaving money on the table if you pass up the opportunity.

Product details:

• Features: 1% cash back on every purchase, birthday gifts, partner benefits
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS (Target app)
• Android rating: 3.8
• iOS rating: 4.9
• Browser extension: No

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Personalized offers and savings based on your shopping habits
• Combine Target Circle offers with other discounts and savings
• Easy to earn and redeem rewards through the app or website

Cons:

• Limited to Target stores
• Target Circle rewards expire after a year

Best for: coupon aggregation

The Coupons App

Best for: coupon aggregation

The Coupons App

App info:

The Coupons App is a coupon aggregator. It aggregates coupons, deals, and promo codes from over 100,000 retailers and puts them under one roof. Every day, it posts new deals in its feed, like 10% off, 30% off, and even 60% off. You will get coupons from a large number of popular retailers, restaurants, and other stores. Plus, there are weekly giveaways for premium products and experiences.

Why we like it:

The Coupons App is a brute-force approach to couponing. It offers you as many coupons as possible to find the best savings. While this doesn't guarantee you will find something you like, it gives you the best opportunity to find a deal that appeals to you.

Product details:

• Features: Printable coupons, promo codes, favorites list
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 4.4
• iOS rating: 4.3
• Browser extension: Yes

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Helps you save money on gas
• Information about gas stations across the country
• Easy to use

Cons:

• User-submitted data can sometimes be wrong or outdated
• Some have concerns about privacy and data collection

Best for: finding low gas prices

GasBuddy

Best for: finding low gas prices

GasBuddy

App info:

While not technically a coupon app, GasBuddy is designed to help you find the lowest gas prices in your area, which can lead to serious savings. It uses crowdsourced submissions from users to help you find the lowest prices. Many tools and resources are available, such as gas maps, charts, and information about fuel demand. There is also a trip planner that can help you estimate your fuel usage and save money on your next trip.

Why we like it:

Many people rely on gas to get to work, soccer practice, family vacations, etc. GasBuddy is fully committed to helping you find the lowest gas prices available. Additional programs, like Pay with GasBuddy, can save you up to 25 cents per gallon on gas. If you are concerned about high gas prices, GasBuddy is a no-brainer.

Product details:

• Features: Gas price map, price trends, community price reports
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 3.9
• iOS rating: 4.7
• Browser extension: Yes

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Helps you save money on gas
• Information about gas stations across the country
• Easy to use

Cons:

• User-submitted data can sometimes be wrong or outdated
• Some have concerns about privacy and data collection

Best for: weekly flyers

Flipp

Best for: weekly flyers

Flipp

App info:

Most of us don’t have time to “flip” through coupons every day, but that isn’t necessary with this app. While Flipp maintains a regular list of coupons you can browse through at any time, its flagship feature is weekly ads. All you have to do is enter your zip code, and Flipp will show you a list of weekly flyers for stores in your area. This includes categories like groceries, electronics, and home and garden.

Why we like it:

The Flipp app is like a digital version of weekly circulars. Because it’s digital, you can quickly see hundreds of circulars by entering your zip code. It categorizes them for you, too, so it’s very easy to find the kinds of retailers you want to see.

Product details:

• Features: Digital flyers, coupon clipping, shopping lists, price matching
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 4.7
• iOS rating: 4.8
• Browser extension: No

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Quickly see flyers in your area by entering your zip code
• Allows you to add items from different flyers to your shopping list
• Gives a quick view of the sale price and the regular price

Cons:

• The number of available deals depends on the zip code you enter
• No cash-back rewards

Best for: saving on food

Too Good to Go

Best for: saving on food

Too Good to Go

App info:

Another app that’s not exactly for coupons, Too Good to Go offers a unique approach to saving money. Here’s the concept: Local grocery stores, restaurants, and coffee shops sell you surprise bags of food they would have otherwise thrown away. You get the food at a discount and help prevent food waste simultaneously. The app partners with a wide range of businesses, meaning there is something for everyone.

Why we like it:

This app saves money while helping to save the planet. According to Feeding America, people waste 92 billion pounds of food annually, contributing to 8% of global emissions. Too Good to Go can help change that and reduce emissions from food waste.

Product details:

• Features: Find unsold food, reduce food waste
• Available Platforms: Android and iOS
• Android rating: 4.8
• iOS rating: 4.8
• Browser extension: No

Pros & cons:

Pros:

• Easy way to find affordable meals
• You get whatever is left over, meaning you get a wide range of options
• Supports local businesses

Cons:

• Not ideal for those with a lot of dietary restrictions
• You must pick up your order at a specific time

Best coupon apps compared

Methodology

To find the best coupon apps, we considered some of the most popular apps available today and how they can help people save money. We aim to cover a range of coupon apps that offer a wide range of features, such as coupon aggregation, automatic coupon application, cash back, and rewards. These apps should help people save on things they buy regularly and find deals to help save money. The apps should be as easy to use as possible, offering iOS and Android apps. While not all apps we considered have a browser extension, several do.

How to choose a coupon app

When choosing the best coupon apps, consider your shopping habits. Certain apps, such as Flipp, and apps specific to certain chains (such as the Target app) are good for grocery savings. On the other hand, apps like Rakuten and PayPal Honey are good for shopping at general retailers.

Next, think about the kind of savings you want. If you like printable and store loyalty coupons, The Coupons and Coupons.com are great choices. Apps including Rakuten and Dosh are good for earning cash back. PayPal Honey and Capital One Shopping are good options if you prefer automatic savings.

Also, consider how easy it is to save with different coupon apps. PayPal Honey and Capital One make saving easy while you shop. Conversely, apps like The Coupons App and Coupons.com require more effort to search for the best deals on their platforms.

How to redeem coupons from coupon apps

How you redeem coupons depends on the type of app you use. Different coupon apps have different kinds of coupons and different redemption methods. Here are some of the most common types of coupons and how to redeem them:

• Digital coupons: Find the coupon by shopping at your preferred store. Then, clip or link the coupon to your loyalty card or account. At checkout, the app should automatically apply any coupons.
• Printable coupons: Browse the app to find the coupons you want. Then, send the coupon to your printer. When checking out at the store offering the coupon, present the printed copy to receive a discount.
• Promo codes: Browse the app to find promo codes for the store where you plan to shop. Copy the code, then apply it during online checkout to receive a discount.
• Cash-back offers: Cash-back offers can have different redemption methods, such as scanning barcodes in-store or using a special link to a retailer’s website. Once you have enough cash back (there might be a minimum), you can typically withdraw it through PayPal, Venmo, or direct deposit.

Remember that each coupon app might have different redemption instructions. Be sure to follow any instructions the app might have to ensure you receive your discount.

Integration with loyalty programs and cash-back offers

Coupon apps often integrate with loyalty programs and cash-back offers. Combining the two allows you to maximize potential rewards and savings so your money can go further.

Loyalty programs

Coupon apps often allow you to link store loyalty cards within the app. This approach eliminates the need to carry physical cards with you and can make it easy to redeem coupons or rewards.

Instead of physical coupons, coupon apps store digital versions of coupons you can easily “clip” and automatically add to your account. This reduces the time people spent physically clipping coupons in the past.

Sometimes, coupon apps also use loyalty program data to send targeted offers or promotions based on past shopping habits. This can help you save money on the things you already buy.

Cash-back offers

In some cases, coupon apps might have special links to websites for specific stores. When you click the link, your purchases are tracked, allowing you to earn cash back on your online purchases.

Maximizing savings

You can combine digital coupons with loyalty programs and cash-back offers to maximize your savings. In addition, you can use multiple coupons on a single purchase for even more savings. However, some stores may only allow you to use one coupon.

Alternatives to coupon apps

Coupon apps can be a great way to save a few dollars, but they aren’t the only option. Possible alternatives include:

• General retailer apps: This article mentions the Target app because it allows users to earn 1% cash back on every purchase. Many more store-specific apps with personalized offers are available and let you earn rewards you can convert to cash.
• Grocery chain apps: Major grocery chains like Kroger and Safeway have apps with digital coupons, fuel rewards, and personalized promotions.
• Restaurant apps: These apps let you earn loyalty points and birthday rewards. They might also have personalized promotions or deals.
• Social media and forums: These can be a gold mine for finding deals, hard-to-find coupons, and general tips for saving money.

Coupon apps are often among the easiest and most convenient ways to save money. But if you want more tailored offers or deals that are more difficult to find, these alternatives can be great resources.

TIME Stamp: Stretch your dollars with the best coupon apps

With the cost of living always on the rise, coupon apps can help you stretch your dollars further. These apps have various features to help you save, including printable coupons and birthday gifts. Be sure to consider the alternatives for more specialized or obscure deals.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do coupon apps work?

The way coupon apps work may vary significantly from one app to another. Some aggregate coupons via partner networks, while others partner with stores to offer cash back or rewards. Others provide price comparisons or automatically apply coupon codes at checkout to help you save.

Are coupon apps free to use?

Coupon apps are generally free to use. However, they may earn revenue through commissions or advertising rather than charging users a fee. Some coupon apps might be free with optional paid features.

Are coupon apps safe to use?

Coupon apps are generally safe to use. Popular coupon apps like Rakuten, Paypal Honey and Dosh are from established companies and often focus on safety and privacy. They typically use encryption to protect your personal information and other details.

Do coupon apps require personal information or access to my location?

Coupon apps usually ask for basic information, such as your name and email address, when signing up. They might also ask for at least partial payment information if they offer cash back. Some apps might ask for access to your location for features like store locators, but this usually isn’t required just to use the app.