Best Money-Saving Grocery Apps – No More Clipping Coupons
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Prices are going up everywhere. Have you seen what it costs for gas? Grocery store costs are shooting up, too, and while you could maybe get by without gas, you can’t get by without food. When I find something that helps me save on my grocery bill, I get excited, tell my friends, and they tell their friends. So strap in with me, and let me tell you about 10 grocery apps that will actually help. Or at least will let you splurge on that 50-cent mini pie you’ve been eyeing.
Overview of the best money-saving grocery apps
App | Best For |
Ibotta | Fast cash back, wide variety of products, multiple payment options |
Checkout 51 | Flexible shopping options |
Coupons.com | Printable coupons & promo codes |
Rakuten | Shopping at Walmart |
Savingstar | Rebates & charity donations |
Shopkick | Earning rewards without spending money |
Fetch rewards | Easiest to use |
Receipt hog | Having fun |
Flipp | Finding offers with efficiency |
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Best money-saving grocery apps
Ibotta
Ibotta is both a browser extension and a mobile app compatible with iOS and Android. With it, you can earn cash-back rewards on groceries and other purchases by uploading a photo of your receipt. A bit like clipping coupons, it’s free to use, and while it is typically associated with groceries, there are some non-grocery opportunities, as well. Remember those gas prices? There are potential offers available with Ibotta for that, too!
After creating an account, you can browse the current offers and claim rewards. Find an offer you want to redeem and add it to your Ibotta shopping list. Then simply purchase the eligible products either in-store or online, upload a picture of your receipt to Ibotta, and claim your reward. If you don’t want to do that, linking a loyalty account is another way to have Ibotta recognize purchases automatically.
You can download the mobile app or, if you prefer shopping with your home computer, download the Ibotta browser extension. If you sync your online account with Ibotta (it will prompt you to do this), you'll be able to see eligible cash-back offers highlighted with a helpful pink box. Just make sure you hit the plus sign icon in the bottom right corner before you purchase.
Double-checking a product’s eligibility is also important. You can do this in-store simply by scanning product barcodes with the Ibotta app’s barcode scanner. Cashing out is possible when you reach $20. You have the option of transferring directly to your bank account, your PayPal account, or redeeming digital gift cards. If you transfer to PayPal, you’ll have the cash immediately. Transferring to your bank will typically take 1 to 3 days.
Pros
- Grocery & non-grocery options
- Multiple payment methods
- Fast cash-back processing times
- $15 to $20 welcome bonus
Cons
- Account maintenance fees: $3.99 deducted per month after 180 days of non-use
- $20 cash out minimum
- Offers for before purchase only
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is the next free app that can help with grocery savings. Unlike Ibotta, where it matters what stores you shop at, Checkout 51 allows you to shop almost anywhere. The offers that are store-specific will be clearly labeled.
With Checkout 51, you can “stack” other money-saving services. For example, if you used Food Stamps to purchase an item, you can still receive cash-back rewards. You can also stack digital coupons or combine Checkout 51, Ibotta, and other cash-back apps for even more rewards. If an offer is not eligible for stacking, it will be clearly labeled.
Using Checkout 51 is easy and accessible. While it is available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android, you can also participate via Checkout 51’s website. Just keep in mind if you're online, you’ll need a camera to take pictures of your receipts.
Like Ibotta, there is a $20 limit before you can cash out. It’s a slower journey to get there, but you can boost your rewards through barcode offers, bonus offers, brand programs, Checkout 51 sweepstakes, surveys, and watch ads.
Pros
- Free
- Coupon-friendly
- Not store-specific
- Sweepstakes opportunities
- Claiming offers multiple times
Cons
- Packing slips required
- Weekly deadline
- Limited payment options
- Offer needs to be added before cash-back payout
Coupons.com
So far we’ve explored cash-back rewards. Coupons.com offers these specifically on their mobile app. However, if you prefer printable store coupons or promo codes, Coupons.com has a variety available on its website. Digital coupons can also be redeemed by linking a loyalty account or by manually uploading receipts.
The best thing? It’s instant. Unlike other cash-back apps, there is no minimum cash-out limit. Because all earnings are deposited directly to your PayPal account, you can transfer the money to your bank account at any time.
With Coupons.com, planning ahead is the best way to increase your savings. Check the website before you go shopping and put offers with the most savings at the top of your grocery list. Additionally, you’ll want to comparison shop so you get the best deals possible.
Similar to Ibotta, Coupons.com offers a welcome bonus, though it is significantly smaller. Simply link your Coupons.com and PayPal accounts together and $5 will be deposited within about three weeks after you redeem your first cash-back offer.
Pros
- Multiple saving methods
- $5 welcome bonus
- No cash-out minimum. All earnings go straight to your PayPal account.
Cons
- Limited number of offers
- Paper coupons & promo codes only on website
- No barcode scanner
Rakuten
Rakuten is an e-commerce and affiliate marketing company. The word “rakuten” means “optimize” in Japanese. You can use Rakuten to get money back for every purchase you make from food and clothes to electronics and home essentials.
If you typically shop at Walmart, Rakuten might be your best option. As part of the Rakuten Ichiba online shopping mall, Rakuten and Walmart opened the first Walmart e-commerce store in December 2018. By fusing Rakuten marketing strategies and Walmart’s global presence, Walmart became one of the most popular retailers with Rakuten shoppers. If you visit Walmart.com while using the Rakuten Chrome browser extension, notifications will inform you about various money-saving opportunities.
In addition, Rakuten provides cashback offers on new service categories like food delivery, which not only help you save but can also assist in meal planning. Delivery costs do add up over time, but paying for this convenience has its perks.
A potential downside to Rakuten is how you get paid. Unlike other cash-back apps, Rakuten works on a quarterly schedule.
Purchase Timeframe | Payout Date |
January 1st - March 31st | May 15th |
April 1st - June 30th | August 15th |
July 1st - September 31st | November 15th |
October 1st - December 31st | February 15th |
That’s just four times per year you’ll receive any money. That’s quite the wait, but for some, it might aid in better grocery budgeting and cut down on impulse spending since earnings will be spread out over a longer period of time.
Pros
- Intuitive browser extension
- Well-made website
- $25 referral bonus
- 2,500 participating merchants
- Great for Walmart
- Cash-back offers available up to 20%
Cons
- Impulse buying
- Be wary of listings labeled “Coupons Only” or “No Discounts”
- Payments work on a quarterly schedule. Only will receive cash every three months (4 times per year)
SavingStar
SavingStar is one of the top rebate apps, available for both iOS and Android. It partners with thousands of companies to offer rebates and discounts based on the loyalty and reward programs of those companies. Best of all, there are no membership fees. Over 100,000 options are available including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger.
Unlike other cash-back apps, SavingStar is divided between Automatic-Savings and Receipt-Scan stores. With Receipt-Scan stores, you’ll still have to upload a receipt like normal through the app or through SavingStar’s website. But with Automatic-Savings stores, you won’t need to take a photo of your receipt at all. Simply link your loyalty card to receive cash back automatically.
Like Checkout 51 and Ibotta, SavingStar is free to use and has a cash-out limit of $20. Simply choose the rebate you want, and it will automatically link to your registered store cards. At Automatic-Savings Stores, your savings are applied within 2-14 days from the time you use your card at checkout.
Another great thing about SavingStar is the cash-out options. Like Ibotta, SavingStar allows cash out with a PayPal account, bank account, or redeeming gift cards. Additionally, SavingStar offers a unique fourth option in the form of charity. This is perfect for those who may be uncomfortable sharing sensitive personal information online, or for those wanting to do a good deed.
Pros
- Free
- Rewards for both automatic and receipt-scanning stores
- Large variety of rebate categories
- Flexible & unique cash out options: charity
Cons
- E-receipt redemptions and online shopping are not available as features.
- Manufacturer coupons tend to conflict with SavingStar
- Not hassle-free.
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Shopkick
Shopkick is unique in how it’s designed. You don’t earn money directly and instead, build toward the gift card of your choice. Depending on the retailer, gift card amounts can range anywhere from $2 to $300. Many retailers are available including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and even Disney. It’s all about earning Shopkick points or “kicks,” which can be done in two ways:
- Making purchases
- Not spending any money at all!
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, yes and no. It’s not fast by any means, but if you’re patient (and have 100 friends) there’s some value in giving it a shot. Let’s break down what to do.
Starting with the purchase method, it works the same as other cash-back apps. Receipts = kicks. Linked credit cards work, too. And you can shop online through the app itself. Just keep in mind this must be done through the app, not a computer.
But, on to the not spending money options. To earn kicks, you can simply walk into participating stores. You can also watch online video ads, find “surprises” through online listings, and scan eligible products (without needing to buy them) using the Shopkick app’s barcode scanner. Lastly, you can refer your friends. There’s a maximum of 100 referrals you can make. 100 friends = $100 in gift cards.
Every 250 kicks get you $1. As I said, it’s not fast, but it is possible to get lots of kicks through one action. As for cashing out, it depends on the retailer and the gift card you choose. For example, with Walmart and Target, you’d need 500+ kicks before you could redeem your first gift card. For Amazon, you’d need 1,250+ kicks.
Pros
- Free
- Possible to redeem gift cards without spending any money
- $1 reward per referral
Cons
- Huge time investment
- Location-dependant
- Max of 100 referrals.
- Gift cards only. No cash back options.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a free consumer loyalty mobile app that is growing rapidly. Like Shopkick, you work toward redeeming gift cards. Points equate to money. Unlike Shopkick, Fetch Rewards is not store-dependent, which cuts down on a lot of hassle.
With Fetch Rewards, 1,000 points = $1. Starting at 3,000 points, you can begin redeeming gift cards. The more points you have, the higher the gift card value will be.
Fetch Rewards is an easier app to use than most. No barcode scanning is required, and there’s no need to unlock a ton of offers. Instead, after uploading a photo of your receipt, you instantly earn points. This includes electronic receipts, though physical receipts typically award more points.
The downside to this is there’s a 14-day window to upload a receipt. Also, you can only scan 35 receipts per week. Personally, I don’t think this detracts too much considering the convenience that comes with simplicity. It all comes down to personal priorities.
In comparing Fetch Rewards to Ibotta, Fetch Rewards is easier to use and requires much less time. That said, Ibotta’s welcome bonus is quite a bit better, it provides a wider variety of earning rewards, and has more versatile redemption choices.
Pros
- Free
- Easy to use
- Uploading a receipt takes 10 seconds
- Quick gift card delivery upon redemption
Cons
- Less amount of offers in comparison to others
- Limited points earned without Special Offers
- Gift cards only. No cash back options.
Receipt Hog
It’s in the name of Receipt Hog. Receipts = cash-back rewards. However, there are additional opportunities including taking surveys, entering monthly sweepstakes, and in-app bonuses like extra spins on the Hog Slots.
Hog Slots is an in-app game. Winning daily trips, $100, or a range of two to 2,000 coins are all possible prizes. You get one free spin the first time you create an account. After that, getting “spin receipts” from certain retailers will earn you additional spins.
The in-app currency for Receipt Hog is “coins.” Coins are what you will use to redeem actual cash, which is why it’s important to know not every purchase will award you coins. You might receive in-app bonuses or extra entries in the monthly sweepstakes instead. That is a detractor in my opinion and has the feeling of chasing a dangling carrot, but at least you’re earning something.
The upside to Receipt Hog is you won’t have the hassle of hunting for offers from specific stores. Both paper and digital receipts from any store are accepted. Typically, a receipt will be worth a range of 5-20 coins. The cash-out minimum is 1,000 coins.
- 1,000 coins = $5
- 2,900 coins = $15
- 4,300 coins = $25
- 6,500 coins = $40
Pros
- All receipts accepted
- Easy to use
- Fun to use
- No planning ahead required
Cons
- Not all purchases earn coins
- Very slow to see real money
- Limited website
Flipp
Flipp is a shopping app, free to use, available for both iOS and Android. Where many grocery-saving apps are complicated to use, Flipp’s goal is to streamline the entire process. With a variety of offers available—including traditional discounts, loyalty bonuses, and coupons — it’s like a virtual shopping assistant.
Flipp provides access to approximately 2,000 ads every week. It will choose the ads most relevant to you based on your location, wish lists, and shopping lists. There’s also trending deals, a manual search feature, and digital coupons that allow you to immediately locate and upload everything relevant to your loyalty cards.
While Flipp mostly will give you grocery offers, like Ibotta, it also has non-grocery offers like toys and sporting goods. However, all this is location-dependent. If you live in a big city, you’ll see more offers compared to a quiet suburb.
While all these grocery-saving apps can be fun at first, Flipp is unique in that it helps you stick with it after the fun lessens. This allows you to save time in addition to your money.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Best for grocery shopping
- Time-saver
- Streamlined & efficient search functions
Cons
- Only available in USA/Canada
- Limited non-grocery options
- Google Shopping List & Alexa don’t sync
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FAQs
Will I really save/earn money?
Yes, you will save/earn money. Employing useful strategies will help boost the speed of your earnings, but eventually, you will get something out of this. What that’s worth will be up to you and your lifestyle.
Are these apps really free?
Yes, but make sure you read the fine print to check for account maintenance fees.
Can this help my family and friends, too?
Yes! Many of the apps discussed here offer bonus rewards for referring friends and family. The bigger your team, the more rewards you get!
Why you should use a money-saving grocery app
Who doesn’t like to save money? I like grocery shopping a lot less, but by combining the two, what was once a chore is now a fun opportunity! I personally liked Fetch Rewards, Shopkick, and Ibotta the most (Receipt Hog was my least favorite). But don’t let my opinion decide for you! Try these out and see for yourself.
The bottom line
Saving money is a necessity, now more than ever. These shopping apps provide a helping hand at a time when we all really need one. Give these a shot, find out what works for you, and finally splurge on that 50-cent mini pie. Live your best life!
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Writer
A veteran wordsmith and research nerd, Brittany Wren spent a decade working in higher education where she helped people overcome challenges to chart a path forward. These days, she writes about personal finance, careers, parenting and education. Her content has been published by a wide variety of brands including T-Mobile, Intuit, LifeLock, Reliant Fund Administration and CURO Financial Technologies Corp.
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