Rakuten (cashback on 3,500+ stores) and Honey (auto-applies coupon codes at checkout) are the two must-have shopping apps for anyone buying online in 2026. Using both together consistently saves 5–15% on everyday purchases with zero extra effort.
Most people leave money on the table every time they shop online. Not because they’re careless — but because the tools that automatically find discounts, apply coupons, and pay you cashback run invisibly in the background once installed. You don’t need to change how you shop, you just need the right apps running while you do it.
Here are seven apps worth installing in 2026 — each one earns or saves money in a different way, and the best strategy is to stack multiple together.
1. Rakuten — Best for Cashback (Up to 15% Back)
How it works: Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a browser extension and app that gives you cashback when you shop at 3,500+ online stores including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Nike, Apple, and Best Buy. Cashback rates range from 1–15% depending on the store and current promotion.
Why it’s first on this list: Rakuten is the most established cashback platform with the widest store coverage. New members often get a $10–$30 welcome bonus after their first qualified purchase. Payouts arrive quarterly via cheque or PayPal.
Best for: USA, UK (as Rakuten UK), Canada. Works across Amazon US, UK, and CA.
2. Honey — Auto-Applies Coupon Codes at Checkout
How it works: PayPal’s Honey browser extension runs automatically when you reach a checkout page. It tests every known coupon code for that store and applies the best one before you pay. No hunting for codes, no copy-pasting.
Honey Gold: On top of coupon codes, Honey awards Honey Gold points on purchases at 4,000+ stores. Points convert to gift cards (Amazon, PayPal, etc.).
Amazon Price History: Honey also shows price history graphs on Amazon product pages — so you can see whether the “sale” price is actually a new low or just a regular price.
Best for: USA, UK, CA, AU — very broad international coverage.
3. Capital One Shopping — Best Amazon Price Comparison
How it works: Capital One Shopping (formerly Wikibuy) is a browser extension that automatically compares the price of items you’re viewing on Amazon against prices at other retailers — showing you if the same product is cheaper elsewhere in real time.
It also applies coupon codes and awards Shopping Credits on purchases that convert to gift cards. You don’t need a Capital One account to use it.
Best for: USA shoppers buying on Amazon who want to ensure they’re not missing a better price elsewhere.
4. CamelCamelCamel — Amazon Price History Tracker
How it works: CamelCamelCamel (and its browser extension The Camelizer) tracks the full price history of Amazon products and lets you set price drop alerts. When a product hits your target price, you get an email notification.
This is particularly valuable for big-ticket purchases — GPUs, monitors, laptops, appliances — where Amazon regularly cycles prices up and down by 10–30%. A little patience can save you $50–$200 on the right product.
Best for: Anyone buying electronics or appliances on Amazon where prices fluctuate significantly. Essential for GPU buyers and anyone buying high-value items.
5. Ibotta — Cashback on Grocery & Everyday Shopping
How it works: Ibotta is a cashback app focused on groceries and everyday purchases at physical stores (Walmart, Target, Kroger, etc.) as well as online retailers. You browse available cash-back offers, go shopping, then scan your receipt (or link your store loyalty card) to claim cashback.
Ibotta consistently offers $5–$10 in welcome bonuses to new users, and ongoing cashback of $0.25–$5 per qualifying product. For regular grocery shoppers, it adds up to $20–$50+/month in real savings.
Best for: USA shoppers. Also expanding in the UK and AU.
6. ShopSavvy — Barcode Scanner & Price Comparison
How it works: ShopSavvy lets you scan barcodes in physical stores to instantly see if the same product is cheaper online. This is invaluable in electronics stores, department stores, and big box retailers where markups over online prices can be 15–30%.
It also shows price history, user reviews, and tracks price alerts — all from a barcode scan on your phone. Great for comparison shopping in-person before committing to a purchase.
Best for: USA and Canada. Anyone who shops in physical electronics or department stores.
7. Flipp — Weekly Deals & Circular App
How it works: Flipp aggregates weekly sale flyers from supermarkets, pharmacies, and big box stores in your area — so you can plan your shopping around the best local deals. No more flipping through paper circulars. Search “cereal” and see which nearby stores have it on sale this week.
Particularly good for households that plan weekly grocery shops around what’s on sale. Over a year, strategic use of Flipp can save hundreds on grocery bills.
Best for: USA and Canada grocery shoppers. Less relevant for online-only shoppers.
How to Stack These Apps for Maximum Savings
The real power comes from using multiple apps together. Here’s the optimal stack:
| Shopping Scenario | Apps to Use | Combined Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon purchase | Honey + Rakuten + CamelCamelCamel | Coupon + 1–8% cashback + best price timing |
| Grocery shopping | Flipp + Ibotta | Best local deals + cashback on purchases |
| In-store electronics | ShopSavvy + Capital One Shopping | Instant online price comparison + credits |
| Any online store | Honey + Rakuten | Auto-coupon + 1–15% cashback |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cashback apps safe to use?
Yes. Rakuten, Honey, and Ibotta are owned by major companies (Rakuten Inc., PayPal, and Ibotta Inc. respectively) and have been in operation for 10+ years. They earn money by receiving a referral commission from retailers when you buy — and share a portion of that with you as cashback. Your payment details go directly to the retailer, not through the app.
Is Honey still worth using in 2026?
Yes — despite some controversy in 2024 around its coupon sourcing practices, the core functionality (auto-applying coupon codes at checkout) remains genuinely useful. Just be aware that Honey may not always find the absolute best code, so it’s worth cross-checking on Google if you’re buying something expensive.
Do these apps work outside the USA?
Rakuten and Honey have strong UK and Australian coverage. CamelCamelCamel works globally for Amazon. Ibotta and Flipp are primarily USA and Canada. For UK shoppers, also consider TopCashback and Quidco as Rakuten alternatives with strong British store coverage.
Final Thoughts: Installing Rakuten + Honey takes 5 minutes and will save you real money on every online purchase going forward — no behaviour change required. Add CamelCamelCamel for big-ticket items and Ibotta for groceries, and you’ve built a passive savings system that works every time you shop.
Start Saving on Every Purchase
Install Rakuten today and earn cashback on your next online order — free to join.
App features and cashback rates are subject to change. Welcome bonuses and cashback offers may vary by region and are accurate as of April 2026.
