If you’re anything like me, grocery shopping can sometimes feel like a financial balancing act. Between rising food prices and the desire to stick to a budget, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? Thanks to technology, saving money on groceries has never been easier. With the rise of coupon apps, you can cut down your grocery bill significantly without spending hours clipping paper coupons. Whether you’re a seasoned bargain hunter or a newbie, these apps are here to make saving on groceries a breeze.
Let’s dive into some of the best coupon apps that can help you save money with just a few taps.
1. Ibotta: Earn Cash Back on Everyday Purchases
Ibotta has become one of the most popular cashback apps, and for good reason. It’s not your traditional coupon app where you scan coupons at checkout. Instead, you earn cash back on items you’re already buying.
Here’s how it works: Before heading to the grocery store, open the Ibotta app and browse offers. These offers are like digital coupons, but instead of getting money off at checkout, you’ll earn money back after your purchase. Just upload a photo of your receipt or link your store’s loyalty card to your account. Once your cash back balance hits $20, you can withdraw it to your bank account, PayPal, or choose from a selection of gift cards.
Why people love it:
- Ibotta works with a wide range of stores, from big chains like Walmart and Target to smaller local grocery stores.
- You can stack Ibotta with other discounts, like paper coupons or sales, maximizing your savings.
- There’s a referral bonus, so if you get friends or family to join, you can earn even more cash back.
Pro tip: Always check Ibotta before making your grocery list. You might find cash back offers on items you were planning to buy anyway!
2. Rakuten: Get Paid to Shop (Even for Groceries!)
You might have heard of Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) as a cashback site for online shopping, but did you know it also works for in-store grocery shopping?
Rakuten partners with hundreds of stores and brands to offer cash back on your purchases. For grocery shopping, you can link your credit or debit card to the app and get automatic cash back on qualifying purchases in-store. It’s a “set it and forget it” type of savings that happens behind the scenes while you shop.
Why people love it:
- Easy to use, no need to upload receipts.
- You can combine Rakuten with other deals or discounts, such as store promotions or manufacturer coupons.
- There’s no minimum to withdraw your cash back, so you can cash out whenever you want.
Pro tip: Use Rakuten for both your online and in-store shopping. Many retailers offer higher cashback rates online, so plan your purchases accordingly.
3. Flipp: Simplify Your Grocery Planning
Flipp is an all-in-one app that combines weekly ads, coupons, and digital flyers from your favorite stores. It allows you to browse current sales and coupons by category or store, so you’ll always know where to find the best deals.
What makes Flipp stand out is its shopping list feature. As you add items to your list, the app will automatically find the best deals for those products in your area. This means you’re not just saving time, but also cutting down on costs without even thinking about it.
Why people love it:
- Flipp pulls all the weekly ads and digital coupons into one easy-to-use app, so you don’t have to visit multiple websites or apps.
- It shows price comparisons across different stores, helping you make informed decisions on where to shop.
- You can “clip” coupons directly to your store loyalty card, so there’s no need to carry paper coupons or scan anything at checkout.
Pro tip: Combine Flipp with a cashback app like Ibotta for maximum savings. Find the best deals on Flipp and then claim cash back on top of that.
4. Coupons.com: The Classic Coupon App, Now Digital
You might be familiar with Coupons.com, one of the pioneers in the digital coupon world. They’ve transitioned from offering printable coupons to a full-fledged coupon app where you can access a variety of deals right from your phone.
Coupons.com partners with major grocery stores and brands to offer savings on everyday items. Simply link your store’s loyalty card to the app, and the savings will be applied automatically at checkout. If your store doesn’t have a loyalty program, you can still upload your receipt to claim your discounts.
Why people love it:
- Wide range of offers, including both grocery and household items.
- Ability to stack digital coupons with paper ones.
- No minimum threshold to get your savings—use the coupon and save instantly.
Pro tip: Check Coupons.com before heading to the store, especially if you’re looking for discounts on name-brand products. You can often find higher value coupons than what’s in your weekly flyer.
5. Fetch Rewards: Scan Receipts, Earn Points, Get Free Gift Cards
Fetch Rewards takes a slightly different approach to savings. Instead of clipping coupons or uploading specific offers, all you need to do is scan your grocery receipt after shopping. Fetch automatically analyzes your receipt and gives you points for purchasing certain products or brands.
Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, and more. The app partners with many popular grocery brands, so you’re likely to earn points for products you already buy regularly.
Why people love it:
- Super easy to use—just scan your receipt and earn points.
- No need to clip coupons or select offers before shopping.
- You can earn points for almost any receipt, even from small, local grocery stores.
Pro tip: Always scan your receipt, even if you didn’t buy any featured products. Fetch frequently has bonuses or surprises where you can earn points just for scanning.
6. Kroger: Boost Your Savings with Loyalty
If you regularly shop at Kroger or any of its affiliated stores (like Ralphs, Fry’s, or Smith’s), the Kroger app is a must-have. The app combines digital coupons with the store’s loyalty program, allowing you to save on a wide variety of products.
You can browse digital coupons and add them directly to your Kroger card, so they’re automatically applied at checkout. On top of that, you’ll earn fuel points for every dollar you spend, which can be redeemed for discounts at Kroger gas stations.
Why people love it:
- Seamless integration with the Kroger loyalty program.
- Personalized deals based on your shopping habits.
- Ability to stack digital coupons with other promotions and sales.
Pro tip: Pay attention to the personalized offers Kroger sends based on your shopping history. These are often high-value coupons for products you buy frequently.
7. Target’s Circle: Shop & Save with Ease
For Target shoppers, Target Circle is the go-to app for savings. It’s Target’s loyalty program that offers exclusive deals, cashback offers, and personalized coupons. You can browse for discounts on groceries, household items, and much more, all tailored to your preferences.
With Circle, there’s no need for physical coupons or complicated processes. Just scan your app at checkout or link your Target account to your purchase, and the savings will automatically apply. Plus, you’ll earn 1% back on every purchase that you can redeem on future Target trips.
Why people love it:
- Simple and easy-to-use savings platform.
- Frequent personalized deals on the items you buy most often.
- Ability to combine Target Circle savings with other coupons or promotions, making the deals even sweeter.
Pro tip: Combine Target Circle savings with Target’s REDcard for an additional 5% off every purchase, making Target one of the best places to stack savings.
8. Shopkick: Earn Rewards While You Shop
Shopkick isn’t your traditional coupon app, but it’s a great way to earn rewards while you shop. With Shopkick, you earn points (called “kicks”) for various activities, like walking into stores, scanning items, making purchases, and even watching videos.
Once you accumulate enough kicks, you can redeem them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, and more. You can also earn kicks for online shopping, making it a versatile app for any type of shopping experience.
Why people love it:
- Fun and interactive way to earn rewards.
- Great for people who love exploring new stores or products.
- Offers multiple ways to earn rewards beyond just grocery shopping.
Pro tip: Combine Shopkick with another coupon app, like Ibotta, for double the rewards. Scan items with Shopkick, then earn cash back when you purchase through Ibotta.
9. SavingStar: Automatically Save at Checkout
SavingStar makes saving at the grocery store as easy as possible. Once you link your store’s loyalty card to the app, all the available discounts will be applied to your purchase automatically—no need to clip coupons or scan receipts.
SavingStar offers a wide range of cashback deals on grocery items, including fresh produce, which can be harder to find on other apps. Once you reach a minimum of $20 in cash back, you can transfer your earnings to PayPal or a bank account.
Why people love it:
- Completely hands-off savings once your card is linked.
- Special “Healthy Offer of the Week” discounts on fruits and vegetables.
- Works with many major grocery stores and chains.
Pro tip: Always check the weekly offers in the app. While SavingStar is automatic, it helps to know what items are eligible for cash back to maximize your savings.
10. Checkout 51: Cash Back on Groceries and More
Checkout 51 is another top-rated cashback app for groceries. The app offers cash back on a variety of grocery items, from fresh produce to household essentials. You can browse available offers in the app and, after shopping, upload your receipt to claim your cash back.
What’s great about Checkout 51 is that it works at any store, meaning you don’t have to worry about store-specific deals. Plus, you can combine offers with paper coupons and other savings apps, making it easier to stack discounts.
Why people love it:
- Simple process to claim cash back—just upload your receipt.
- Works at any store, so you can save wherever you shop.
- No need to pre-select offers before shopping.
Pro tip: Checkout 51 updates its offers every Thursday, so make sure to check the app regularly for new deals and plan your shopping around the best cash back offers.
With these apps at your fingertips, you’ll find grocery shopping becomes a more affordable and rewarding experience. From cash back to gift cards and everything in between, these coupon apps make it easier than ever to save on groceries without all the hassle. So, go ahead, download a few of these apps, and start saving today!