Here are my favorite Free Must Have Money Saving Apps!
I have mentioned a few phone financial apps before. I really like using the coupon apps – they’re so easy to use and great to have right with you when you’re looking for automatic savings!
FREE Must Have Money Saving Apps
If you’ve never used a mobile app to save money while shopping before, then you’re missing out! You can save so much with your smart phone or mobile devices! You can even MAKE some free money with these apps. No monthly fee or free trial needed.
All you do is read about the saving apps below and choose the ones you’d like to download through the app store like Google Play. Click the link and you’ll be taken to the info to get it setup.
Make sure you read the FAQ’s carefully, some of them require that you choose what you’ll be purchasing before you shop, so you need to do that for those, and some offers don’t allow you to use a coupon or use coupon codes with the offer, so you’ll need to know those things.
Basically you shop as normal and when you are putting your items away at home you’ll scan your receipt and maybe a bar code or two and then just wait for them to verify your purchases and then you get paid!
That’s it, the apps do all the hard work for you. Some pay immediately and some require $5 or $10 to be accumulated before they payout.
Many of these savings apps have the great option of getting free gift cards, or you could link your bank account, savings account, or checking account to get the cash straight into them.
You can also use them together so if two or three of the apps have an offer on the same item you can usually redeem all of them to get the better deal! This will help with increase your cash flow and how much money you can make which is great for your financial health.
Don’t wait any longer be sure to get these ready before your next shopping trip!
Here are 13 of my favorites – of course they are ALL a free service just click the name of each one you’d like to join and it will take you to it:
1. Ibotta
I LOVE this one for saving & earning money! You can get money back on purchases at tons of grocery stores!
You just download the ibotta app on your mobile device and choose the saving offers you want to get the best deals. There are plenty of different categories to choose from and then after you purchase them, (because of ibotta’s ease of use), just take a picture of your receipt and they deposit the money in your ibotta account!
You can cash out once you get a minimum balance of $20 in your account. You can get your money in Paypal, direct deposit or donate to any school in the U.S. or to the United Way!
The best part with this popular app is that it has a browser extension and there’s no monthly subscriptions needed.
2. Checkout 51
For even better deals Checkout 51 can be used with Ibotta and other apps, too! I love that they can all be used together and sometimes you can double or triple your savings that way!
With this one you get cash back from products you purchase at the grocery store, or local drug stores!
Just download it on your mobile device, choose the offers you want and once you purchase them, you take a picture and upload it to get your money deposited in your account, once your account balance reaches $20, you can cash out and they will mail you a check!
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3. MobiSave (Now called Fetch)
This all-time best app is much like the others. It will work with others as a “stack”, so you can use it and Ibotta, and Checkout51, etc.!
This makes for even MORE free items and overage! You can shop at any store you like, upload your receipt, and request your money.
There is no minimum with this one, you can request any amount of money you have in your account at anytime and it will be added to your Paypal account within 24 hours!
The Fetch app is a great tool for when you’re short on cash or have a tight budget. All college students will relate. This simple app is good for iOS and Android users.
4. Receipt Pal
This is another all-time best money savings app, all you have to do is scan your receipts and it gives you points toward gift cards. It will allow any receipt for anything.
You can even connect it to your email and it will give you credit for any receipts you receive in your email. You can scan receipts you have already scanned into any of the other apps listed here, too. Receipt Pal is a simple way to save spare change on a rainy day.
5. Fluz
The Fluz app works with in person or online shopping. I love using apps that allow you to get lower rates and lower prices on everyday items and needs.
There are never any fees and you get cash back everywhere and can stack offers with this one, too. Also they allow you to earn from people you recruit to join Fluz, too!
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6. Mobee
The Mobee app let’s you be the secret shopper right where you shop everyday! You just check out the “missions” near you, choose one, “complete the mission” (usually answering a few questions about your experience) and you earn points and then redeem rewards with the points!
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7. Receipt Hog
Just take pictures of your grocery receipts, and Receipt Hog will pay you. It’s that simple. And if you submit receipts on a regular basis, you can earn spins at the “Hog Slots” slot machine, where you can win extra money or even have your entire shopping cart paid for!
It’s fun, easy, and is a completely free app. This is another easy way you can use to save up your earnings for anytime of year to put towards your financial goals.
Plus, if you use this coupon code, we’ll both get extra spins at the Hog Slots when you submit your first receipt: fript141
8. Valpak Local Coupons
This one you all know – you get those blue packets of coupons and local offers in the mail. Well, now you can get and search for those local offers and more with this app! With the amount of money you can save on a daily basis, you can start an emergency fund.
9. Stocard
This one allows you to put all of your store rewards cards in it and you can just pull up the barcode for your cards on your phone and the cashier can scan it.
This is a great way to free up your keychain. It also works for library cards, your gym, and more.
Whether you’re at the grocery store, making your travel plans online, or visiting your local gym, don’t get caught without your membership cards again.
Lighten your load and get rid of all that plastic baggage — scan your cards from your smartphone device with Stocard!
10. Barcode Scanner
This is handy! First of all you can use it to scan in all your cards for the app above. You can scan products in the store and get more info on them and even pricing at other stores!
A lot of places now have QR codes which are black and white squares with a lot of small boxes in them that a barcode scanner can read and automatically take you to a specific websites embedded in the QR code!
So, those are my favorite apps!
Here are some more you might enjoy, along with a tutorial for each – just click them to see each one and learn all about it:
- 11. Acorns
- 12. Target Circle
- 13. Coupons.com
- 14. Drop
- 15. Earny
- 16. Dosh
- 17. Wise Account
Wise, formerly TransferWise, enables customers to send and receive money in multiple currencies with minimal fees, showing a substantial saving against banks. On average Wise fees are less than 0.5% per transfer while banks can charge as much as 5% per transfer. Wise enables clients to open collection accounts abroad (to receive money in foreign currency, or transfer from their accounts abroad) as well as a free multi-currency debit card. Wise’s offering is quite similar to Revolut’s, and there are quite a few apps like Wise globally offering similar currency services.
What are your favorite apps?
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Stacey says
Foursquare is an Android app that we love! You check in to certain places and some have specials just for checking in that you unlock. Murphy’s USA has $2.50 off of a $30 fill up Memorial Day weekend, also they have a free Red Strike energy drink (1 per day) withevery check in no strings attached, and we have got free chips & salsa at Chilis the other day! It works off of GPS and tells you what deals are in your area!! Very cool!
michelle says
What about saving star ? I have made / earned a lot of money with that one.
Dian says
Michelle,
SavingStar is another great one! Thanks!
Dian
Crissy says
I’ve recently found the retailmenot app which seems very cool. You can search coupons and deals in the area that you are in. It searches stores, restaurants, and other type places that might offer coupons. My mom and I we’re out of town and searched restaurants in the area, not only did it tell us what all was in the area, it showed us all the coupons available. I just showed the cashier the coupon on my phone, he scanned it, and that was it! Easy 🙂
Dian says
Crissy,
That’s another great one – thanks!
Dian
Avery says
Only one out of all of these aps are on the windows phones. I have a Nokia and want savings aps.
Michelle says
I have an Android… I also have the first 8 apps… and use them frequently!
GAIL says
like to coupon and save money.
Stephanie says
I downloaded the Shopmium app and it “located” me as in France! (Which I’m not!!) now the entire app is in French and the sales I see are for in Paris! (Which would be cool but totally not helpful!) any idea what went wrong?? And how to fix it!!
Dian says
Stephanie,
So sorry – I don’t – I would contact their customer service to get that cleared up!
I hope that helps!
Dian
KIM BRABANT says
THANK YOU
Dian says
Kim,
You’re very welcome!
Dian
Sevi says
Right now I’m only using Checkout 51, but I may need to use a few others to save some more money.
I love the Cartwheel app by Target. Considering I can spend hours in there, its only right that I save money while doing it.
denise stanek says
What if you don’t have a smart phone.
I have a kindle, and I only have a regular phone.
Michelle says
I have 7 of the first 8 apps on my Android tablet, as well as my Android phone. Only MobiSave isn’t compatible. I don’t know if they will work on a Kindle, but it’s worth a shot!
Dian says
Michelle,
Good to know! I haven’t tried Mobisave on my tablet yet!
Thanks!
Dian
Debbie Saunders says
JUST SIGNING UP. HOPE TO ENJOY AS MUCH AS I THINK I WILL. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME IN!!!
LAURA says
Shopkick is great!
Joann C says
Try Yowza!! free on Android and IPhone. I love it no more coupon clipping!
Joann C says
Download Yowza!! mobile shopping app. great offers for retailers and restaurants
Jennifer says
My newest payback app I discovered is Find&Save. You can earn a percentage of your receipt total with at least the minimum of what the payback requires. Typically 1-4% of the minimum. Some times a set amount. A great variety of stores too.
Dian says
Jennifer,
Thanks, I’ll have to try it out!
Dian
Mary says
Has anyone used the Savingstar credit card? I was wondering how it worked.
Felicia says
Thanks. I will try some of them out today.
Tracy says
Thanks for all these great tips! Oh and FYI…Ibotta now cashes out at $20.00 .
Dian says
Tracy,
Thanks, and you’re welcome! I forgot to change that – thanks for the reminder.
Dian
Marilyn says
I cant wait to start saving. Thank you… Nylatinmom2
Dian says
MArilyn,
Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions!
Dian
sherry spelts says
New tome can’t wait to try hope I catch on easily
Thanks Dian
sherry spelts says
Thank you so much for the information I have used coupons previously, but never really saved alot as I have heard others savings.Hope to get started soon.It’s all new so wish me luck
Dian says
Sherry,
You’re very welcome! Let me know if you have any questions!
Dian
Michele says
I have an android phone, and no data plan. Can I still download all of these and make it work? I would love to….cause I love me some savings too!
Dian says
Michele,
You’d have to be able to upload images of your receipts. If you can do that, you can use them. 🙂
I hope that helps,
Dian
Amber Nicole says
Hi there! I was curious as to where you’re located ( generally of course). I’ve tried mobisave and everything I scan says that it doesn’t qualify (I’m in the US. In Pennsylvania). Also checkout 51 was one of my favorite apps but they seem to be changing recently. Most of their rebates cannot be combined with coupons and other rebate apps.:( Total bummer. I’ve saved over 100$ with Ibotta in less than 3 months! It’s definitely my favorite now! Have you ever heard of fetch rewards? It’s like a cross between Ibotta and receipt hog. Scan receipt for grocery store, pharmacy or wholesale store and you get points back for every receipt. If you buy certain things you get more points.
Dian says
Amber,
I am in Texas and some of the deals on the apps can be more location specific, as can some coupons.
Yes, I have heard of Fetch and am in the process of writing about it. 🙂
I would have to say Ibotta has always been my favorite. It’s just super simple.
Thanks,
Dian
Beth J says
Thanks for all the great info.
Groupon offers coupons. If a store has a savings program/ card, I sign up.
And of course, Ebates is great for online shopping; it’s with Rakatun now. Nothing has changed that I’ve noticed.
Dian says
Beth,
those are great tips – thanks for sharing!
I also use Mr. Rebates – it’s much like Ebates and I have used it over 10 years – I like it very much.
Thanks again for sharing your tips!
Dian