Coupon apps offer you a quick way to access coupons, rebates and manufacturer offers. Whether you’re looking for coupons for groceries or you want to save more when you go out for dinner or date night, finding the best coupon app and using it can save you a lot of money.
Benzinga did the research for you and below, you will find a list of some of the best coupon apps that work on devices of all types.
Quick Look: The Best Coupon Apps
- Best Overall: Ebates.com
- Best for Groceries: Ibotta (check out our Ibotta Review)
- Best for Other Retail: Honey
- Best for Android: Coupons.com
- Best for iPhone: Groupon
How Coupon Apps Work
One of the best ways to save money is by taking advantage of discounts for products that you need and regularly buy at full price. When you download a coupon app, you’ll have access to exclusive offers directly from companies, businesses in your area or manufacturers. Some apps may ask you to fill out a quick survey to serve you exclusive offers depending on your demographic data.
After you find a coupon you want to use, you’re served a QR code, barcode or discount code that applies your savings when you make a purchase online or in stores. You can usually only use each coupon once, though some coupons will allow you to use them multiple times.
What to Look for in a Coupon App
There are tons of couponing apps on the market, but which ones are worth storing on your phone? Look for these common characteristics before you choose a couponing app:
Compatibility with Your Device
Many couponing apps now offer cross-compatibility with both Apple, Android and other devices, but some are only optimized for a single platform. Before you commit to an app, check out your platform’s app store to make sure that it’s available for download on your device.
Interested in an app that isn’t currently available for your phone? Look up the app online. Many couponing apps also offer exclusive deals online for users who create a free profile through their desktop site.
Easy Access to Coupons
The best couponing apps offer easy access to coupons and a convenient way to sort and store them. These features allow you to better plan your shopping trip and ensure that you’re not buying things that aren’t on your list just because you have a coupon.
Look for apps that make it easy for you to tag, sort and save offers that you’re interested in and have a search feature that serves you only relevant discounts.
A Wide Range of Offers and Discounts
You probably already have an idea of where you want to save, whether it’s groceries, online shopping, local experiences, etc. Look for a couponing app that is specialized but also has a wide range of discounts, partnering manufacturers and offers.
This will save you both time and money while you search for coupons to use on your next shopping trip or purchase.
Our Picks for the Best Coupon Apps
Best Overall: Ebates
Ebates (referred to in the Google Play store as “Ebates Rakuten”) isn’t a traditional coupon app. (It has ditched the barcodes and singe-redemption offers.) Instead, the app provides you with a list of stores that give cash-back offers through its app and desktop site. Cash-back offers range from 1% to 40% cash back, though most offers are from 3% to 10%.
Ebates also offers exclusive coupons and discounts, ranging from buy one, get one offers to double cash back on certain purchases. Using Ebates is incredibly simple:
- Create an account.
- View current offers and discounts.
- Click on the site you want to shop.
- Make a purchase through Ebates’ link or apply their coupon code.
- See cash returned to you quarterly via a direct deposit to your savings account or PayPal credit.
Ebates has a massive range of partnerships with over 1,800 offers. Some stores that are frequently highlighted include Bath and Body Works, Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Walmart
The Ebates app is available for download on both Apple and Android devices. Ebates also offers a desktop so you can create an account and save discounts you want to use. The Ebates app and online site are both free to use.
Best for Groceries: Ibotta
Ibotta is one of the best coupon apps for in-store retail shopping, particularly shopping for groceries. Before you shop, Ibotta serves you a list of coupon offers that you can add to your app and redeem after you buy for cash back by snapping a photo of your receipt. Ibotta’s list of partnered grocery stores includes Walmart, Food Lion, Publix and more.
After your cash back has been cleared, you’ll receive credit in your Ibotta app within 48 hours, which you can exchange for a gift card or a PayPal deposit.
Don’t feel a particular loyalty to any one brand or product? One of the most unique aspects of Ibotta’s setup is that the app offers a wide range of discounts that don’t force you to buy a certain brand of cereal or toothpaste to get a discount.
For example, you might be able to save $1 when you buy three boxes of cereal, regardless of if you buy the General Mills-branded Lucky Charms or store-brand “marshmallows and stars.” This can be especially useful for budget shoppers who prefer off-brand products or when a branded discount doesn’t actually save any money when compared to the store-brand product.
Ibotta is available as an app for both Apple and Android platforms as a free download. Ibotta also features a desktop site.
Read Benzinga's full Ibotta Review for more
Best for Other Retail: Honey
Have you ever bought something online only to kick yourself later when you realized that you totally forgot to take advantage of a promo code that you saw? Download the Honey browser extension.
Honey is a free app available for most iOS devices (the company says it’s currently working on an Android app), but it really shines as a browser extension add-on for desktop. When you buy anything from almost any site (including most retailer’s websites, Amazon.com, Walmart and even many pizza delivery sites) the Honey browser will automatically scan the web for discounts.
Honey will apply each one to test them out and leave you with the highest-value offers before you check out. Honey even offers 1% to 10% cash back on some retailer’s sites.
Best for Android: Coupons.com
Coupons.com is a very basic mobile app that digitizes the coupon-clipping process. Simply download Coupons.com’s free app from the Android or iOS store, create a free account and link your grocery store’s loyalty card.
The discounts you apply are automatically deducted from your total at checkout when you swipe your loyalty card. If your store doesn’t have a compatible loyalty card, don’t worry. You can photograph your receipt and submit it to Coupons.com through its app to get a PayPal refund. Coupons.com offers discounts for thousands of products ranging from toothpaste to Oreo cookies, and the app allows you to quickly tag and save coupons you think you’ll use.
As its name suggests, Coupons.com also offers a desktop site if you prefer to do things the old-fashioned way. You can quickly browse coupons on Coupons.com, add them to your online cart and print them out before your next shopping trip.
Best for iPhone: Groupon
Groupon isn’t your traditional couponing app. It usually doesn’t offer discounts for things like groceries or everyday items. What Groupon does offer is discounts and savings offers for experiences, restaurants and services in your area.
When you purchase a voucher through Groupon (sometimes just called a Groupon), you can save up to 70% on items. Many companies offer special Groupons for events (for example, an off-menu wine tasting or a dining special for two). Once you’ve purchased your Groupon, the app holds a unique code for you until you redeem the code at your business of choice.
Though it’s possible to use Groupon solely on your desktop, Groupon’s app offers a host of cool features that can help you locate offers and deals near you. Simply enable location services on your phone and the Groupon app will serve you exclusive offers and savings opportunities near you. This feature can be especially useful if you’re on vacation, exploring a new part of your city or you travel frequently for business.
Groupon is best used in combination with other everyday savings apps like Coupons.com or Ibotta and you probably won’t use it every day. However, if you’re a saver on the go, Groupon’s app can be a great asset.
Save More on What Your Family Needs
No matter if you’re looking to save more towards retirement or pay off credit card debt, one of the best ways to start saving is to take a look at your current household budget. If you’re spending more money than you’re bringing in, using coupons and a budgeting app can help you stay closer to your income and stress less over money.
What app can I use for coupons?
There are many apps that you can use for coupons, including some apps that are specifically designed to be used in certain stores. If you’re looking for the best general apps, see Benzinga’s list of the best coupon apps at the top of this page.
How can I get mobile coupons?
Most of today’s best coupon apps allow users to download the app to their phone. Before you decide on an app, make sure that it is compatible with your phone.
Does the Honey app actually work?
The Honey app works great for the 17 million users that have downloaded the app. Honey is owned by PayPal, a leader in finance, and that’s why so many people trust it.
About Sarah Horvath
Sarah is an expert in the insurance, investing for retirement and cryptocurrency space.